wyoming writers, Inc.

Wyoming Writers, Inc Mission Statement

Wyoming Writers, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, empowers and connects writers by providing
resources, education, and opportunities to grow and share their work.

WYOMING WRITERS, INC. BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I: Name and Designation

The name of the organization shall be Wyoming Writers, Inc. (WW, Inc.). WW, Inc. is a

501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, with fiscal year from January 1 to December 31.

ARTICLE II: Objective

The objective of Wyoming Writers, Inc. is to support and connect writers by offering an
annual conference, workshops, and publications that provide opportunities for learning,

growth, and sharing their work.

ARTICLE III: Members

Section 1. Eligibility

Writers of all levels and genres, no matter where they live, are welcome to join Wyoming
Writers, Inc.

Section 2. Dues and fees

Annual dues are payable upon joining, covering the period from one conference to the
next. Members who do not renew by the end of the annual conference will be notified of
their lapse in membership within 30 days. Fees and conference dates are set by the Board of
Directors.

Section 3. Privilege

a) WW, Inc. members in good standing are eligible to vote.
b) Proxy voting is not permitted.
c) WW, Inc. members are eligible to receive an electronic copy of WYO-Writer, the
official publication of WW, Inc

Section 4. Resignation from membership

Any member desiring to resign from WW, Inc. shall submit his/her resignation in writing to the

Board of Directors for action.

ARTICLE IV: Board of Directors

Section 1. Composition

(a) The Board of Directors of Wyoming Writers, Inc. shall be composed of three to
seven members in good standing.
(b) The incoming Board of Directors will appoint the officers—president, vice president,
secretary, and treasurer. For three-member boards, the officers will consist of a president, vice
president, and a combined secretary/treasurer. The outgoing president will remain on the
board one additional year as member at large.
(c) Board members serve two-year terms beginning on August 1 and ending on July 31 of the
second year. Board members may run for reelection. The outgoing president will remain on the
board one additional year as member at large.
(d) The president may serve up to two consecutive years.
(e) Contract workers and employees of Wyoming Writers, Inc. cannot serve on the Board
of Directors.

Section 2. Election

(a) The election of the WW, Inc. Board of Directors shall take place at the annual meeting of
WW, Inc. members.
(b) The WW, Inc. Board of Directors shall be elected by majority vote of the members present
(c) Proxy voting is not permitted.

Section 3. Duties and Powers

(a) The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of WW, Inc.
(b) Board members shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws, the policies and
procedures, and by the parliamentary authority –Robert’s Rules of Order– adopted by WW, Inc.
Each member of the board shall have one vote when determining the business of WW, Inc. with
the exception of the president, who shall vote only to break a tie.
(c) The BOD shall meet immediately following the annual conference to include incoming and
outgoing Board members, and at other times and places determined by the president.
Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the president or two board members.
(d) Except in case of emergency, three days’ notice shall be given and an agenda provided.
(e) A Director may attend or participate in a regular or special meeting using any
communication method that allows all participating directors to communicate with each other
in real time during the meeting. A Director participating in a meeting by these means is deemed
to be present in person at the meeting.
(f) The BOD shall report to the members of WW, Inc. following board meetings.
(g) Board members may be reimbursed for approved expenses as detailed in the WWI Policies
& Procedures.
(h) Board members may be reimbursed for training with BOD approval.

Section 4. Quorum

(a) A quorum of the Board of Directors consists of the majority of the Directors in
attendance at a meeting. The president counts towards the quorum.
(b) Proxy voting is not permitted.

Section 5. Vacancies.

(a) A vacancy in any elected position shall be filled by appointment by the WW, Inc. Board

of Directors in an emergency meeting.

ARTICLE V: Meetings of Members

Section 1. Meetings of Members

(a) There shall be an annual business meeting and conference for WW, Inc. members; it shall
include the election of Board members, the receiving of reports of officers and committees, and
for any other lawful business.
(b) The meeting date shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Special Meetings

(a) Special meetings may be called by the president or be called upon the written request of
ten members of WW, Inc.
(b) The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.
(c) Except in case of emergency, three days’ notice shall be given.

Section 3. Quorum

(a) A quorum shall be achieved only if a majority of the members registered for the annual

conference are in attendance at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI: Committees

Section 1. Ex-officio members

(a) The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating
Committee.

Section 2. Appointment

(a) With the exception of the Nominating Committee, Committee Chairpersons shall be
appointed by the President, with approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Nominating Committee

(a) Five WW, Inc. members in good standing shall be elected by the Board of Directors
to serve on the nominating committee.
(b) A slate of nominees shall be presented to the Board of Directors at the meeting
immediately preceding the annual meeting and conference.
(c) The slate shall be announced to the members by the Nominating Committee

Chairperson during the annual business meeting of members.

ARTICLE VII: Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern
WW, Inc. in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with

these bylaws and any special rules of order WW, Inc. may adopt.

ARTICLE VIII: Amendment of Bylaws

Section 1. Amendments

(a) The Board of Directors may amend Bylaws. Ratification of such amendment(s) by
WW, Inc. members would take place at the next annual meeting of the members.
(b) These Bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting of members by a two-thirds
vote of members present and become effective immediately.
(c) Proxy voting is not permitted.

Section 2. Proposed amendments

(a) Proposed amendments must be presented to the president in writing at least 30 days
prior to the annual meeting of members.
(b) The president shall present proposed amendments to the Board of Directors for
determination whether said amendments will be presented to members for action.
(c) Proposed amendments shall be posted at the annual meeting of members or published
in WYO-Writer if adequate time allows.

Section 3. Amendment proposal by members

(a) Should the Board of Directors decline to introduce a proposed amendment as provided
for in Section 2, members may introduce the proposal before the annual meeting of
members, provided five members sign a written request for consideration of the

proposal.

ARTICLE IX: Dissolution

In the event that WW, Inc. should be dissolved, the treasurer shall, after paying all legitimate
expenses, disburse remaining funds to the University of Wyoming to be used specifically for

creative writing scholarships.

Adopted June 3, 1995
Amended June 1996
Amended June 2002
Revised 2009
Adopted June 5, 2010
Amended June 2, 2012
Amended June 6, 2015
Amended June 5, 2022
Amendments Adopted June 7th, 2025