WICHITA MOUNTAINS AREA SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER
SFY 2026 BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens, to more adequately meet the exigencies of the times, do hereby ordain, ratify, and establish these by-laws to carry out the purposes and functions set forth by this organization.
ARTICLE I
ORGANIZATION, MEMBERSHIP, SELF-GOVERNMENT, RECORDS
Section 1 Organization.
The members of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens, a non-profit organization organized by senior citizens of the northwest quarter of Comanche County, as now established, is and shall continue to be a proper entity whose purpose is promoting the general well-being of the elderly of the area and providing services to that end.
Section 2 Membership.
The membership of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens shall be those people 60 years old and older who participate in the ongoing activities of the organization and those who reside in and near the northwest quarter of Comanche County including the Lawton metropolitan area. Members who meet these qualifications are members eligible to vote. Area residents who are between the ages of 55 years and 60 years and support the purpose and mission of the organization may participate in senior activities, events, and meetings as associate non-voting members. Membership is open to all persons meeting the age criteria without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, place of origin, or physical or mental disability.
Section 3 Self-Government.
The Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens shall be governed by a board of directors, each nominated by a center member and selected by the majority of its members who are present at the annual membership meeting. The election meeting will have been previously scheduled and announced with its purpose is the election of the officers of the board.
Section 4 Records.
All records shall be for the use of the officers and for public inspection by the members of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens. Those records will be kept and maintained in the Administrative Office of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens Center at the Stony Point Center, Comanche County, Oklahoma.
ARTICLE II
GOVERNING BOARD
Section 5 Election of Officers.
The voting members shall elect a governing board of seven (7) members which consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Center Food Manager, Comptroller, and Public-Relations Officer. Officers of the organization shall meet the criteria for full voting membership of the organization. An election of these officers will be held during May of each year at a special meeting of the membership especially for that purpose. The meeting shall be announced on the web site and Facebook group page, by flyer, email, and verbally at center functions at least 8 days prior to the general membership meeting. No quorum standards need to be met.
Section 6 President and Vice President.
Duties of the President of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens are:
· to preside at regular meetings, events, and functions of the center;
· to call special meetings of the directors or of the members, when necessary, giving adequate prior notice.
· to work with the Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Comptroller, and Center Food Manager overseeing all official activities and signing all official and legal documents.
· to administer the business of the center and its meeting place in a timely and responsible manner.
· to designate and work with activity leads in fulfilling the roles, goals, and functions of the organization.
· to ensure that the organization complies with and satisfies the agreement between the center and the Hilliary Communications Company, owner of the Stony Point Center meeting place and to utilize, maintain, care for the Stony Point Center property.
The Vice President will assist the President in all center functions, perform other duties that may be requested by the president, and perform the duties of the President in her/his absence.
Section 7 Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep a complete and accurate record of all business meetings, read the minutes of the previous meeting, and maintain a current record of participating members. The secretary shall also be responsible, along with the public relations officer and activity leads for correspondence with the members regarding events, activities, and center membership meetings.
Section 8 Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall ensure the receipt and bank deposit of all funds, donations, and other cash receipts; maintain an accurate account of all financial transactions and their status; and present a financial report to the board and membership at regular meetings. The Treasurer shall ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws, in coordination with the Comptroller, and advise the President on same. The treasurer shall record all major purchases in a property list and maintain that list for an accurate current record of all center accountable property.
Section 9 Center Food Manager
The Center Food Manger will plan, coordinate, arrange for or purchase, and oversee the serving of all food requirements for senior events, functions, and fundraisers for the center. The Food Manger will provide receipts and records of all food and kitchen-related purchases to the Treasurer for accounting and record-keeping purposes.
Section 10 Public Relations Officer
The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for announcing events and functions to the local newspapers, television and radio stations, and other media, maintaining an Internet web presence which publishes information about all senior center news, events, calendars, and functions. With the President, Secretary, Center Food Manager and Activity Leads, the Public Relations Officer will ensure accuracy and timeliness of the Center scheduling calendar.
Section 11 Term of Office.
The length of the term of each officer shall be for a period of one (1) year with any incumbent being eligible for re-election with no limit to the number of terms.
Section 12 Filling of Vacancies.
The Governing Board, by majority vote of its remaining officers, shall fill vacancies that occur on the board. The incoming officer shall complete the unexpired term of the departing incumbent.
Section 13 Powers and Responsibilities.
Except as otherwise provided by these by-laws, all powers of the governing board, including the determination of all matters of policy, shall be vested in the board. Without limitations of the foregoing, the board may:
· Recommend, plan, conduct, and administer programs of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens to provide fellowship and promote general well-being for the elderly.
· Approve all expenditure of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens funds. No more than three board members shall have signature authority for the center bank account. Checks shall be issued only under the auspices of the President or the Treasurer. Any credit or debit card issued to the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens shall be under the direct control of the President, the Treasurer or the Center Food Manager always. Use of the money card number for telephone or Internet purchases shall only occur with the direct, previous approval of the President, Treasurer, or Center Food Manager.
· Advise and consider comments and recommendations from the membership on all matters relating to the plans and activities of the Center.
· Establish and appoint committees to assist the board in the discharge of its responsibilities. These committees will consist of at least three (3) members with a chairperson designated.
· Consider for approval each Activity Lead, the Center activity involved, any resources required by the activity lead for the conduct of the activity, and the schedule requested by the activity lead for the activity.
· Carry out and enforce the by-laws of this organization.
· Plan for, obtain, appropriate, and expend funds of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens where needed, approved, and warranted.
Section 14 Meetings.
There shall be a publicly held business meeting periodically, at which time there shall be reading and approval of minutes and reports from the Treasurer, any committees, and designated activity leads. The board may determine its own rules of order and procedures in conducting meetings. Business may be introduced by any member of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens at which time the member will state concisely the nature of the business. A special meeting relating to a time-critical matter may be called by the president or a majority of the board members for the sole purpose of considering and resolving that matter. Members will be informed in advance of board meetings. When possible, notice of board meetings will be included on the monthly Center calendar. and selected by the majority of its members who are present at the annual membership meeting. The election meeting will have been previously scheduled and announced with its purpose is the election of the officers of the board.
ARTICLE III
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Section 15 Suspension, disbarment from Attendance.
The governing Board may, for just cause (i.e. disturbances, excessive and abusive use of language, etc.) indefinitely suspend or bar any member from participating in or attending any or all activities of the Wichita Mountains Area Senior Citizens and community activities held at the Stoney Point Center. No disciplinary action shall be effective until the member has an opportunity to discuss the matter with the board members. The Governing Board may then issue a written notice of indefinite suspension or disbarment, the effective date thereof, and reasons or grounds for such action to the member, with a copy provided to the Secretary for record-keeping. The disciplinary measure shall then become effective immediately.
No disciplinary action shall be warranted or taken by the Governing Board against a member due that member’s membership in any political, religious, or fraternal organization.
THIS DOCUMENT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE MEMBERS AT A GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON MAY 13, 2025, AND WAS APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THOSE VOTING.