ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the organization shall be “Hallmark Retiree Club”.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

To provide a means of communication with and between retirees (including spouses of deceased retirees) of Hallmark Cards, Inc.

To identify benevolent, charitable and community programs, and assist retirees and their spouses to actively participate as volunteers in such programs.

To promote and execute social activities for retirees and their spouses.

To identify and respond to internal club member needs.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

All Retirees of Hallmark Cards, Inc. Retiree spouses and the spouses of deceased retirees.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Three officers; President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer shall administer the affairs of the club.These officers are elected for a one year term. If duly re-elected any officer may serve more than one consecutive or non-consecutive term up to a maximum of three years.

In addition to the three officers, there are to be nine elected directors.The director’s will serve for a term of three years.A director, if duly re-elected may serve more than on consecutive or non-consecutive term.Each director positions will be up for election at the end of each 3 year term.
The three officers and nine directors shall be referred to as the “Board”.The Board will meet quarterly and at any other time at the direction of the president.Board members will be notified of the date, time and location of such meetings.
The retiring president of the club shall be an ex-officio member of the Board for the first year following the conclusion of the term as president.
All officers’ and directors’ terms will be from January 1 through December 31.
Annual elections will be held at the December club meeting.
PRESIDENT – Shall be responsible for coordinating all Club activities by working closely with the designated Hallmark Human Resources contact. The President shall preside at all Board and general group meetings. Following a year as President this person shall serve an additional year as an Advisor to the Board.
VICE PRESIDENT – Shall serve as a consultant to the President and as a back up in the event the President is unavailable. This person is normally the candidate for President the following year.
SECRETARY/TREASURER – Shall serve for a period of one year and shall be responsible for the following tasks:

a.Record all Board meetings minutes and provide a copy of said minutes to each Board member at the next regular meeting.

b.Be responsible for maintaining Club records, including Club funds, receiving, payouts, and check balancing. At year-end, manage a successful account transfer to the new Secretary/Treasurer.

c.Handle any necessary Board correspondence.

d.The Secretary/Treasurer following a year’s term is normally a candidate for Vice President the following year and as President of the Club the third year.

ARTICLE V – STANDING COMMITTEES

1.The Program Committee – shall consist of a director and any additional committee members the director deems necessary. This committee shall be responsible for regular meetings and special event programs.Included in the director’s responsibility is the regular March Meeting, following their last year in office.

2.The Nominating Committee – shall consist of a director and other members if deemed necessary by the director.Prior to the last club meeting of the year, the director is to present a proposed slate of officers and directors to the board.If approved by the Board, the director will present and recommend this slate of officers and directors to the club membership at the December meeting.Any club member who wishes to nominate someone to serve on the board may do so from the floor at the December meeting, or in advance by contacting the Director of the Nominating Committee.Permission to nominate the person must be obtained in advance of their nomination with their assurance that they are willing to serve, if elected.Nominees for president and vice president should come from current officers and directors.

3.The Arrangements Committee – the director will be responsible for selecting locations and arranging for club and board meetings and any other club events. The Club president and Program Committee Director shall be members of this committee.The director may name any additional members of this committee if deemed necessary.Included in the director’s responsibility is the regular March meeting, following their last year in office.

4.The Publications Committee – the director will be responsible for the preparation of a newsletter to include photos and news of club activities. The document will be submitted to the Editor of the Hallmark Retiree Club Newsletter.The director may select additional committee members, if required to perform this function.

5.The Volunteer Activities/Communications Committee – the committee receives requests from non-profit organizations seeking volunteer assistance. Volunteers are recruited from within the Retiree Club membership.Information regarding volunteer opportunities are updated and posted monthly on the Retiree Club Website. All volunteer projects are subject to Board approval.The director also obtains information on local Hallmark Retiree deaths and records the funeral and remembrance information on the Retiree Club Website.When requested, the director responds to Hallmark and retiree club communications’ needs via the Club Website, Hallmark Club Newsletter and through email messaging.

6.Travel Committee – the director will make travel recommendations and coordinate group travel plans to the Board throughout the year.The director may select additional committee members, if required to perform this function.

7.Telephone Committee – this committee consists of Hallmark Retiree volunteers, and will be responsible for calling selected retirees living primarily outside of the Missouri and Kansas areas.Keeping in mind the privacy of all Hallmark Retirees, the director will disseminate procedural guidelines along with calling cards and telephone reports to the designated “callers”.

8.Archives/Historian Committee – the committee will be responsible for maintaining and updating existing historical material.The director may select additional committee members, if required to perform this function.

9.Web Site Administration Committee – The director will be responsible for updating, maintaining and improving the retiree website.The director also assumes responsibility for site content, quality, style, ease of navigation, analyzing website traffic, providing basic user support and responding to ‘Contact Retiree Club’ inquiries.The director may select additional committee members (selection from within the Board first), if required to assist in performing these functions.

ARTICLE VI – REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS

AND DIRECTORS

1.President. In the case of the President's resignation or permanent disability, the Vice-President shall succeed to the President's unexpired term. In the case of resignation or permanent disability of the Vice President, the Secretary/Treasurer will assume the duties of the Vice President and will serve out the unexpired term. If it becomes necessary to replace the Secretary/Treasurer, the Board members shall name a replacement and that person will serve out the unexpired term.

2.In addition to the three officers, directors for the standing committees listed in Article V, are to be elected. The directors will each serve a three year term. At the end of each three year term, a director may be re-elected, and may serve more than one consecutive or non-consecutive term. If any vacancies or changes in director positions occur, new members may be elected to the board.

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENT AND REVISIONS

OF THE BY-LAWS

The By-laws may be amended or revised by a majority vote of the members attending a regular meeting. Advance notice of proposed amendments or revisions shall be presented to members by mail or verbally at a meeting, prior to the meeting at which time they will be presented for approval.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

Quarterly meetings for club members, spouses and other guests are to be held in March, June, September and December.

In reference to the above schedule, the Directors may, by a majority vote of the Board, change a specific month’s meeting.

Revised January 2008

Hallmark Retiree Board