Chamber Board of Directors Proposes By-Law Changes

Several modifications to the Chamber’s By-Laws are being recommended to the membership by the Board of Directors. The following three changes will be voted on at the Annual Meeting, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, on Feb. 8 at Rolling Pines Golf Course. Proposed deletions are signified by strikethrough, additions are underlined, with an explanation in italics following each section.

Any member with questions is welcome to contact Fred Gaffney by email or at 570-784-2522.

Article II
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1

ELIGIBILITY:  Any person, firm, corporation, association, or organization in Columbia or Montour County or vicinity may become a member of the Corporation upon application and payment of dues according to such schedule as may be adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors. Members in good standing of the Columbia Montour Tourist Promotion Agency, Inc. are automatically members of the Corporation.

When the partnership with the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau was formed in 2014, the provision was added to the By-Laws to include all existing members of the Visitors Bureau into the Chamber. With the dissolution of the Partnership, this provision is no longer appropriate.

Article IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1

NUMBER ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT:  The government of the Corporation, the direction of its work, and the control of its property shall be vested in the Board of Directors, consisting of not more than 23 representatives of current members.  Of these, four (4) shall be elected annually for a term of three years, three (3) shall be elected annually by the membership for a term of one year, and three (3) shall be appointed annually by the Chairman for one year terms or until their successor(s) have been duly appointed and qualified. Directors elected to one year terms may serve no more than two consecutive one-year terms, and no Director, shall serve more than eight (8) consecutive years on the Board, except that the out-going Chairman shall remain on the board in the capacity of Immediate Past-Chairman for one additional year as necessary.

This language is being added to clarify that Board members must represent Chamber members.

Article VIII
MEETINGS
Section 7

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors for the Election of officers and for the transaction of such business as may be necessary, shall be held immediately following the Annual Meeting of the Corporation, or within two weeks thereafter.  At the meeting, the Board shall elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, President and Treasurer.  Additionally, the Chairman of the Columbia Alliance for Economic Growth, Inc. shall become Vice Chairmen for Community and Economic Development. All officers are elected to a one-year term, with the exception of Chairman, who shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.  The Chairman may not succeed himself/herself.  All officers shall serve their respective terms or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

In 2016, the By-Laws were modified to change the Chair of the Columbia Alliance from an officer position to a regular Board member. This specific section was not included in that 2016 vote.