The Bluecoats of Barnstable bylaws are legal documents that define The Bluecoats of Barnstable’s purpose, our requirements for becoming a member, the responsibilities of our officers and other leaders, the organization’s structure, and much more. We encourage you to learn more about us by reading our bylaws.
Section 1. The name shall be Bluecoats of Barnstable, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as BCB).
Section 2. The Organization shall be a non-stock, not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Section 3. The Organization is created exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Organization shall use its funds solely and exclusively for the accomplishment of the objectives and purposes specified in Section 4 and these Bylaws. No part of the net earnings, gains or assets shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to officers, directors, other private individuals, or organizations organized and operated for profit, except to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered by outside providers.
The Organization’s fiscal year shall be based on the calendar year commencing on January 1st of each year and ending on December 31st of each year.
Upon dissolution of the Organization, all of the assets must be distributed to recognized charitable institutions and in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts governing such dissolution.
Section 4. The purposes for which the Organization is established are as follows:
- To provide financial support to the surviving spouse and/or dependents, or designated beneficiary or beneficiaries sworn officers of the Town of Barnstable Police Department who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
- To provide financial support to sworn officers of Barnstable Police Department who have been incapacitated due to a debilitating injury while serving in the line of duty thus creating a financial hardship upon the officer. Financial awards granted under this section will be governed by the Policies and Procedures of the Bluecoats of Barnstable.
- To promote an understanding among the Bluecoats of Barnstable and the general public of the activities the Town of Barnstable Police Department Personnel undertake in the protection of life, liberty and property of the Town’s citizens and to provide to the membership and general public informational and educational material toward that end.
- To provide when possible financial support to furnish goods, equipment or services for the safety and well-being of the patrol officers that would not otherwise be available to the Barnstable Police Department.
Section 1. Membership shall be open at the discretion of the Board, to all approved candidates desirous of promoting the stated purposes of the organization in support of the Barnstable Police Department. All applicants must be of good standing, respected in their community, and sponsored by an existing member. Applicants will be reviewed and approved by the Membership Committee before forwarding to the Board of Directors for acceptance at a duly constituted meeting of the Board. Town of Barnstable Police Department Personnel who are currently employed by the Department are not eligible to become members. Former or retired police department personnel shall be eligible for membership upon retirement or severance of employment from the Department.
The membership shall be limited to 400 individuals.
Section 2. There shall be a Membership Committee appointed annually by the Board of Directors.
Section 1. Annual Membership Dues. The payment of annual dues are required of each member and of all new members joining the organization. The current annual dues are $200 and must be paid prior to the annual meeting of each year. The Annual Dues are determined by the Board of Directors and may be changed by a majority vote of the Board. In the event that cost of dues has changed, members will be notified no-later-than [60] days prior to the Annual Meeting and payment must be received before that date. Spouses of current members in good standing may join for $100 as may spouses of new members.
Section 2. Founding Members. Individuals who make a contribution of $1,000 either initially or in any one year shall be designated as a Founding Member. Thereafter, they may maintain this status by paying the annual dues of $200 or the current annual dues as set forth by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Lifetime Members are those persons who have agreed to become a Lifetime Member and have pledged and donated $25,000 over a five year period. To fulfill this obligation, a payment in full will be graciously accepted, or if desired, incremental annual payments in the amount of $5,000, or more, will be required until the total gift of $25,000 has been reached. In recognition of the Lifetime Member’s generosity, the member will be exempt in perpetuity from the assessment of annual dues. Special recognition will be awarded the member at the Annual Meeting and their names will be permanently affixed to a roster so designed to honor these individuals for the duration of the Bluecoats of Barnstable. The donor’s spouse shall also be considered a Lifetime Member.
Section 1. There shall be one (1) Annual Meeting held during September of each calendar year at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors. The Clerk shall give notice to all members in good standing at least 30 days in advance of such Annual Meeting.
Section 2. The Annual Meeting shall be open to all Members in good standing.
Section 3. A quorum at any authorized meeting of the Organization shall consist of the members present, but never less than 20 individuals.
Section 4. Action’s which may be required of the Bluecoats’ full membership while incapacitated by circumstance and not able to meet as a whole, may upon a vote of the Board of Directors, be solicited by mail, email, or other communication means to approve or disapprove any measure in need of a timely resolve.
Section 1. The Organization shall be governed by a Board of Directors which shall have full power to manage the affairs of the Organization to accomplish its purposes.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than 5 nor more than 9 directors elected by the members for a two (2) year term; a term shall begin and end with the Annual Meeting held in September of each year. Directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting by the members and may be re-elected for successive terms.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly during each calendar year.
Section 4. The Board shall elect the officers of the Organization with the exception of the Treasurer who shall be elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting. The names of the nominees shall be made known to the membership at the time of the notice of the Annual Meeting.
Section 5. Members of the Board of Directors may participate in any meeting by telephone conference, electronic video, or any other communication device or program which is simultaneously audible to all, but not necessarily visible. All members participating remotely shall be recorded as present at the meeting and allowed to vote. A quorum must be present either physically or electronically. All votes shall be by roll call.
Section 1. The Officers of the Organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary (Clerk) and Treasurer and such other officers as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 2. Officers shall be members of the Board of Directors and shall, with the exception of the Treasurer, be elected for a two year term or until their successors are elected and have qualified. The President and Vice President cannot serve more than two consecutive terms in the same capacity.
In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Board may elect a member in good standing to fill the unexpired term of the director who has left the Board. The appointed member shall serve until the end of said term and shall be eligible to be re-elected to succeeding terms in accordance with normal term limits.
The Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual Meeting by a vote of the members to serve a one-year term. He/she may be re-elected for successive terms of one year each. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. The President shall preside at all meetings and shall be responsible for the management of the Organization’s business. The President shall carry out the orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and shall have the authority to reasonably delegate responsibilities to others.
Section 4. In the President’s absence, the Vice President shall carry out the President’s duties.
Section 5. The Clerk shall maintain the minutes, correspondence and records of the Organization.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall collect, keep and disburse all funds of the Organization, keep the proper books, and render a report of the financial status of the Organization at each Board of Directors meeting.
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall select the location of the Business Office which must be within the Town of Barnstable. The site shall be more or less centrally located.
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall annually appoint a Nominating Committee to nominate members of the Board and the Treasurer. The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of no less than three and no more than five members in good standing and at least two of whom are not current members of the Board.
Section 2. There shall be a Membership Committee appointed annually by the Board of Directors with at least two being from the membership at large. All applications for membership must be reviewed and approved by the Membership Committee who will then forward them to the Board of Directors for final approval and acceptance. The Chairman of the Membership Committee will be a member of the Board.
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order shall generally be accepted to govern the proceedings of the Organization. The President shall appoint a Parliamentarian if necessary.
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that written notice is given to each Board member at least thirty (30) days in advance of I the meeting at which action is to be taken. All amendments must be submitted to the membership for approval at the following Annual Meeting or special meeting of the membership called for the purpose. A proposed amendment may be changed at the meeting provided it still pertains to the same general subject.