By-Laws

ARTICLE  I: NAME

The name of this organization is the

Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT).

ARTICLE II: MISSION

This association is established to further the mutual interests and development of professional and volunteer guides in Philadelphia by:

1. Establishing high standards for interpreting this city to the public
2. Developing an effective training and continuing education program
3. Acting as a voice for the membership in matters which affect city guiding
4. Enabling independent guides to obtain liability insurance
5. Supporting measures to enhance the visitor experience in Philadelphia.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP and DUES

Membership is open to professional and volunteer tour guides, docents, historians, re-enactors, and all others with an interest in the history, architecture, and culture of the city. Yearly membership dues will be established to meet the association’s needs. Members are those who have paid the agreed upon dues. Only members qualify to vote in the association.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

Association meetings shall take place normally on the 2^nd Wednesday evening of each month at a site to be designated by the President. Members may, by voice vote, change the time and site of the meetings.

The annual organization meeting, for approval of by-laws, amendments, and the election of the Board of Directors, will normally take place in December.

The presence of not less than 1/3 of the membership shall be necessary to conduct association business. A vote by 2/3 of the membership is required to change the by-laws. The Secretary shall solicit mail and email ballots from the membership for any votes on the by-laws. If, however, within 1 month the Secretary has not received ballots representing 2/3 of the membership qualified to vote, the votes necessary to change the by-laws shall be 2/3 of those who have returned ballots within the 1 month period.

Special meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Board of Directors. Members must be notified of such a meeting in writing, by phone, and/or by email at least ten (10) days before a special meeting is to take place. The specific reason(s) for such a meeting must be included in the notice; no other business will be transacted at such a special meeting without the unanimous consent of the members present.

ARTICLE V: VOTING

Votes shall normally be taken by voice vote. The biennial election of Board Officers and Directors-at-Large shall be by written ballot at the organizational meeting. An election for the Officers shall be held first. Once those results are announced, the election of the Directors-at-Large shall take place. These Directors-at-Large shall be elected by the plurality vote of association members. Results shall be tabulated in the presence of the members during the organizational meeting. The newly elected Board will take over at the January meeting.

ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The business of this Association shall be managed by a Board of Directors. This Board shall consist of 4 Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer) and 3 Directors-at-Large. All Board members will be elected at the December organizational meeting. All efforts should be made to ensure that the Board represents a diversity of constituencies, including, but not limited to, step-on guides, walking tour guides, carriage drivers, and house docents.

The Board of Directors shall not receive compensation for serving on the Board, but may be reimbursed for and authorized to incur reasonable expenses as a result of serving on the Board.

All Officers and Directors-at-Large shall serve for two calendar years beginning in 2020. Each Board member will have one vote. Vacancies which occur will be filled by vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors. All Directors-at-Large shall serve as a committee chair as appointed by the President.

The President must consult the Board of Directors, time permitting, on any policy, issues, or matters of public interest between membership meetings.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

The officers shall be:

PRESIDENT,

• Shall preside at all meetings of the members and the executive committee
• Shall present an annual report to the members on the work of APT
• Shall appoint all committees
• Shall ensure that all reports, records, and official business of the Association are maintained in good order
• Shall be one of two signatories on any checks
• Shall act as spokesperson of the Association to the public and press, reflecting the official decisions and viewpoints of the membership

VICE-PRESIDENT,

• Shall assist the President as requested by the President
• Shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees
• Shall serve as President in the absence of the President at a meeting or other event
• Shall assume the office of President upon the resignation of the President or if the President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office as determined by the Board of Directors

SECRETARY,

• Shall maintain and update the membership list
• Shall give and serve all notices to the members of the Association
• Shall maintain the minutes of membership meetings and a record of all official actions and decisions of the Association and Board of Directors and submit them monthly to the members
• Shall submit to the Board any communications addressed to APT

TREASURER,

• Shall have the care and custody of all the Association’s funds, depositing them in timely fashion in the designated account
• Shall, with the President, be one of the two signatories on all checks
• Shall provide a quarterly written account of the Association’s finances – at membership meetings in January, April, July, and October
• Shall update the Board of Directors on the Association’s finances as requested

ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES

The President may establish and charge, or disband, committees at will.

ARTICLE IX: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of APT shall be from January 1 to December 31 of any year.

ARTICLE X: CORPORATE SEAL

The Board of Directors shall provide a suitable seal containing the name of the organization and the year in which it was first incorporated. The seal shall be in the custody of the Secretary.