Election Rules/ByLaws
TECUMSEH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BYLAWS
Adopted: 04/08/2026
These bylaws supersede all prior versions and represent the official governing document of the
Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce.
ARTICLE I – PURPOSE
The purpose of the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen and sustain a thriving business
community by promoting economic vitality, supporting workforce and educational alignment, and
enhancing the overall quality of life in Tecumseh and the surrounding region.
The Chamber exists to:
• Advocate for a strong and competitive business environment
• Foster collaboration among businesses, civic leaders, educational institutions, and community
partners
• Advance policies and initiatives that promote economic growth and entrepreneurship
• Support programs that prepare and connect the current and future workforce to local opportunity
• Enhance the civic, cultural, and aesthetic vitality of the community
• Identify and address challenges that impact business sustainability and community prosperity
The Chamber serves as a unified voice for its members, working to create an environment where
businesses succeed, families thrive, and the community continues to grow with integrity and purpose.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Any reputable person, association, corporation, partnership or estate doing business in, or
who is a resident of the State of Oklahoma shall be eligible for membership in the Tecumseh Chamber
of Commerce.
SECTION 2: The Board of Directors shall establish membership dues. No change in the amount of
dues shall be effective until the calendar year next succeeding the calendar year in which such change
is made.
Only memberships for which dues are current shall be regarded as memberships in good standing. A
member in good standing is defined as a member whose dues are current within sixty (60) days.
Any member nominated for a Board position or Chamber award must be a member in good standing.
Any member whose dues become one hundred twenty (120) days past due shall be automatically
removed from membership.
SECTION 3: Only a person, firm, association or corporation holding an individual or small business
membership in good standing shall be entitled to cast one vote for Board of Directors and any other
matter subject to vote by the membership. Any firm holding a full business, major business, or special
membership in good standing shall be entitled to two votes for Board of Directors and any other matter
subject to vote by the membership. Associate members shall not be eligible to vote.
SECTION 4: Only persons holding memberships in good standing shall be eligible to, or shall be
nominated or elected to, or shall serve as members of the Board of Directors or as officers, with the
exception of the Secretary and/or Treasurer, who may or may not be members of the Chamber. In
addition, the President may appoint as non-voting, ex-officio members of the board, the city manager,
superintendent of schools, and others of their choosing.
SECTION 5: Membership Conduct and Expulsion The Board of Directors shall have the authority to
deny, suspend, expel, or decline renewal of any member whose conduct is determined to be
detrimental to the reputation, integrity, or effective operation of the Chamber.
• Abuse of position or representation of the Chamber
• Criminal activity
• Discrediting conduct
• Failure to uphold ethical business standards
• Actions contrary to the mission and purpose of the Chamber
Any action taken under this section shall require a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1: The government of the Chamber and direction of its work shall be vested in a Board of
Directors. The Board shall consist of nine (9) elected members and the immediate past president, who
are residents of Pottawatomie County and are voting members in good standing. No elected member
who has completed a three (3) year term shall be eligible for re-election until after the lapse of one (1)
year after the completion of their term, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws.
SECTION 2: The Board of Directors shall be installed at the first monthly meeting of the Chamber in
January of each year, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
SECTION 3: ELECTIONS
a. An election committee of not less than three (3) members in good standing shall be appointed by the
President four (4) weeks prior to the election. No board member or officer shall serve on said election
committee.
b. Members in good standing shall be invited to submit nominees. Nominees must be members in good
standing. Should fewer than three nominees for each vacancy be received, the election committee shall
nominate additional candidates so that there will be at least three nominees for each position.
c. Nominations shall be conducted electronically and distributed via email to all members using the
email address on file. Members shall have two (2) weeks to submit nominations.
d. Upon completion of the nomination period, the election committee shall review submissions, resolve
any ties, and the Executive Director shall contact Board nominees to confirm willingness to serve.
Outreach shall continue until all open positions are filled.
e. Election ballots shall be distributed electronically in the same manner, and members shall have two
(2) weeks to vote. In the event of a tie, the election committee shall review and determine the final
outcome.
SECTION 4: If a vacancy shall occur in the elected membership of the Board, the Board shall fill the
same by appointing a member in good standing to serve for the unexpired term.
SECTION 5: A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum thereof.
SECTION 6: The Board may remove any member who is unable to fulfill the requirements of the
position. Three consecutive absences may constitute grounds for removal.
SECTION 7: Board Term Limits and Leadership Succession A typical Board Member term shall be
three (3) years. Members may serve no more than four (4) consecutive years total. Upon completion of
four consecutive years, a Director must rotate off the Board for at least one (1) year before being
eligible for re-election.
To ensure continuity of leadership, any Director wishing to serve as President must first serve as Vice
President. Directors must declare candidacy for Vice President by the beginning of their second year of
Board service.
SECTION 8: Board Member Conduct Members shall act in the best interests of the Chamber,
maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive matters, and support decisions made by the Board once
duly approved.
SECTION 9: Board Authority and Staff Relations The Board governs as a body and speaks with one
voice. Individual Board members shall not direct staff or represent the Chamber unless authorized. All
operational direction shall occur through the Executive Director.
SECTION 10: Board Orientation Newly elected members shall participate in an orientation process to
familiarize them with the Chamber’s mission, governance structure, financial operations, and
expectations of service.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
SECTION 1: At the first meeting of each calendar year, the Board shall elect from the directors a
President and a Vice President. The Board shall also appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer.
Officers shall support the mission and policies of the Chamber and shall work collaboratively with the
Executive Director in advancing the strategic objectives of the organization.
SECTION 2: The President shall preside at all meetings and perform duties incident to the office,
including appointing committees with Board approval.
SECTION 3: The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President and perform duties as
assigned.
SECTION 4: The Secretary shall maintain records, correspondence, and official documents of the
Chamber.
SECTION 5: Treasurer The Treasurer shall serve as the financial oversight officer of the Chamber and
shall work in cooperation with the Executive Director to ensure sound financial management and
accountability.
• Serve as an authorized signatory on Chamber financial accounts
• Review and reconcile monthly bank statements
• Verify the accuracy of all revenues and expenditures, including payroll
• Provide regular financial reports to the Board of Directors
• Assist in the development and review of the annual budget
SECTION 6: Executive Committee The Board shall maintain an Executive Committee consisting of
the President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee
shall meet at least twice annually to review strategic plans, financial performance, and organizational
priorities.
SECTION 7: Executive Director The Executive Director shall serve as the chief executive officer of the
Chamber and shall be responsible for the administration, management, and implementation of
Chamber operations, programs, and policies.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: The Board of Directors may authorize and define the powers and duties of all committees.
Each committee shall include at least two (2) members of the Board of Directors. All committee chairs
and committee functions shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI – MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1: The Board shall meet at least ten months during the calendar year at a place designated
by the Board or the President.
SECTION 2: Special meetings may be called by the President, Vice President, or a majority of the
Board.
ARTICLE VII – MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
SECTION 1: The Board may provide for membership meetings at such times and places as it deems
appropriate.
SECTION 2: The annual meeting of the Chamber shall be held annually at a time and place determined
by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3: Ten (10) percent of the memberships in good standing shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VIII – FISCAL YEAR
SECTION 1: The fiscal year shall end December 31.
ARTICLE IX – CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Members of the Board of Directors and officers shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest relating
to matters before the Chamber. Any individual with a financial or personal interest shall abstain from
discussion and voting.
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2: Notice of proposed amendments shall be provided to the membership electronically at
least fourteen (14) days prior to consideration. Members shall be invited to review and may attend the
Board meeting at which the amendment will be considered.
ARTICLE XI – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
SECTION 1: All questions of parliamentary procedure shall be determined according to the latest
edition of Robert’s Rules of Order and pursuant to current state law.
SECTION 2: Dissolution: Should the Chamber dissolve, all assets remaining after obligations shall be
transferred to a legitimate non-profit organization as determined by the Board, and shall not accrue to
the benefit of any individual member.
ARTICLE XII – EFFECTIVE DATE
These bylaws shall take effect upon adoption by the Board of Directors in 2026 and supersede all
previous versions.
ADOPTION
Approved by the Board of Directors on the 8th day of April 2026.
