The Delaware Watercolor Society (DWS) aims to promote and encourage mutually shared interests in watercolor media among its members and the public. The Society works toward fostering high-quality, professional art and creative contributions to the Delaware community through education events, exhibits, cultural, and other activities.

DELAWARE WATERCOLOR SOCIETY BYLAWS

Article I. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Delaware Watercolor Society (DWS) and shall have as its principal location, Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Article II. Purpose

The Delaware Watercolor Society, founded in 2004, is a non-profit organization to promote and develop excellence in watercolor and transparent water-based media. The Society aims to elevate the stature and professionalism of watercolor and further the interests of watercolor painters through the Society's newsletter, educational programs, lectures, meetings, workshops, and competitive exhibits held for members and/or the public in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Article III. Membership

Membership shall be open to individuals 18 years of age and above who reside in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Memberships include the following: Artist, Associate, Active, Honorary, Patron, and Life.

A. Artist members are the present members of the Society who are in good standing under these bylaws and whose work is accepted and exhibited in three DWS juried competitions, although not necessarily consecutively. Artist members may then apply for signature status and use the initials “DWS” after their signatures. Artist and/or founding members are voting members of the Society. Artist members must possess high-caliber artistic skill and submit a resume or background history to become an Artist member. To retain Artist member status, the member must also remain active by exhibiting with the Society at least once a year. Abstaining from such exhibits means they will be removed from membership and will have to reapply.

B. Associate members may join the DWS by completing an application and paying annual dues. Associates are members currently paid up but who have not been juried into DWS competitions. Associate members may participate in the Society's social activities, attend general meetings, and receive the newsletter, and apply to DWS juried competitions.

C. Honorary members are individuals who have made significant contribution to the Society and/or renowned artists who are proposed and approved by the Executive Board for complimentary membership.

D. Patron members are individuals who have been award donors or contributors to the general fund of the DWS, but who are not necessarily painters and have no voting privileges. E. Life members are Artist members who have exhibited in 10 DWS juried competitions and Artist members who are 75 years old and have been members for at least five years. Former Presidents receive Life memberships.

Article IV. Dues and Income

A. Dues shall be established by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board and are payable by September 1 each year. Non-payment of dues terminates membership. In this case, to attain Artist and Associate member status, members will have to fulfill requirements again. Associate members will be reinstated automatically upon payment of dues. Any member who moves outside the region and whose dues are current and not delinquent may retain membership.

B. Payment of dues constitutes agreement to abide by these bylaws.

C. Contributions--as well as merit, material or other awards for juried exhibitions--are accepted and encouraged.

D. Nominal fees may be requested for transport of paintings, lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and special events as well as commissions on paintings sold in exhibits sponsored by the Society.

Article V. Executive Board

A. Elected officers of the Board shall include the following: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer, along with ten artist members elected to serve on the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall constitute the Membership Committee. Other positions shall be in the form of standing committees with appropriate chairs for the Society newsletter, publicity, and social events. All members of the Board shall be involved in some aspect of the successful operation of the Society, such as serving on committees or other duties, as needed.

Election of officers shall be held once every two years in the spring. The President and the Executive Board, however, may appoint artist members in good standing to complete the term of a member who resigns or cannot fulfill his or her duties.

Upon recommendation of the Executive Board, any officer may be replaced due to incompetence or actions detrimental to the successful operation and image of the Society.

1. President - Presides over the business of the organization, chairing Executive Board and Membership meetings; sets policies for the Society; appoints committee chairs; appoints individuals to fill any vacancies. The President may sign checks, when necessary.

Past Presidents may attend Executive Board meetings, but are ex-officio non-voting members unless elected to another position.

2. Vice-President - Acts in the President=s absence and performs other duties, as required.

3. Recording Secretary - Provides detailed reports of the business conducted at all meetings of the Executive Board and other duties that may be assigned by the Board.

4. Treasurer - Has general oversight of the financial affairs of the Society; keeps regular books and a checking account for the DWS; promptly pays DWS bills; sends statements and receives payments for dues and other income. Together with the President, the Treasurer prepares the annual report.

Article VI. Elections

A Nominating Committee comprised of five Artist members in good standing shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board with the purpose of developing a roster of candidates for the election meeting. The Nominating Committee chair shall be an Executive Board member. Nominations may also be made from the floor during election meetings.

The Nominations roster shall be presented to the Executive Board the last week of April. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot by Artist members, based on the candidates nominated and elected no later than June.

Article VII. Meetings

The Executive Board shall meet at least quarterly, with any additional meetings called at the discretion of the President.

There shall be at least four activities a year scheduled for the membership.

A majority of votes at any Executive Board or general meeting carries the decision.

Article VIII. Amendments

These bylaws may be amended, repealed, or restated by a majority vote of the Artist members at a regular meeting provided the membership is notified in writing of any so-named changes and allowed to provide a return mail ballot to the President within 30 days after such notification.

New amendments may be submitted by Artist Members for consideration by the Executive Board.