Bylaws

La Crosse Area Camera Club By-Laws
Revised May 11, 2010
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1. This organization shall be called the La Crosse Area Camera Club, a non-profit group dedicated to
sharing photographic interests and promoting photography in the community.
1.2. Membership
1.2.1.Eligibility. Membership is open to any resident of La Crosse and area who has an interest in
photography. There are no membership restrictions.
1.2.2.Participation. Any person who has joined the club is free to participate in all club activities, except
while in arrears of dues when he/she may neither vote nor enter or judge competitions.
1.2.3.Member. The term, member, as used in these bylaws shall mean, one who is not delinquent in
payment of dues. Any exceptions shall require the approval of the Executive Board.
1.2.4.Classes.
1.2.4.1.There shall be two classes of members based on photographic skill as defined below. The purpose of these classes is to provide some degree of equivalence among members when engaged in competition.
1.2.4.1.1.The "A" Class is composed of the more experienced advanced photographers.
1.2.4.1.2.The "B" Class is composed of beginning photographers or those generally less skilled
than "A" class members.
1.2.4.2.A person, when first joining the Club, has the prerogative of joining either the "A" or "B"
class.
1.2.4.3.Status-Changes
1.2.4.3.1.Any "B" member winning a first place in an end-of-year-competition in any division
automatically will be placed in the "A" class.
1.2.4.3.2.A member may be placed in the "A" class by decision of the Executive Board based on
demonstrated excellence in his/her photographic work.
1.2.4.3.3.Any member desiring to change his class status, either from "B" to "A", or from "A" to
"B", shall make an appeal to the Executive Board requesting a change. The Executive
Board is authorized to grant such a request based on the quality of the member's
photographic work.
1.3. Representation
1.3.1 Any activity in which the Club is represented, or the name of the Club is used, such as
(but not limited to) photographic contests, publicity or conventions, shall be under the complete
directorship of the President with the approval of the Executive Board. The Chairperson of any such
activity shall be appointed by the President, as approved by the Executive Board.
1.4. Competitions.
1.4.1. Subject to revision by the Executive Board, or vote by members each year, there will be held at least:
1) 8 projected competitions to include Pictorial (Open), Nature, People and Human Interest. Also, depending on member interest, Photojournalism, Creative, and challenge subjects as approved by a vote of members.
2) Four general interest (open) black & white print competitions.
3) Four general interest (open) color print competitions.
In addition, there will be an annual end-of-year competition in each division for both class "A" and "B" members. Entries for this competition will be taken from those selected in accordance with 6.2 from the competitions listed above. Any Challenge, Photojournalism, or Creative subject entries may be included with the Open competition entries for year-end judging.
1.4.2 The Judging Chairperson shall determine the deadline to be used for submitting entries for monthly competition. Late entries will be rejected and not carried over to the next judging unless requested by the maker.
1.4.3.If there are only entries from one member (one or two slides or prints, in that class), those entries
will be judged. Any award given will be at the judges’ discretion. If less than four entries are entered
in a given class, by two or more participants, those entries will be judged and places awarded at the
discretion of the judges. If there are five or more entries, then awards will be determined per 6.2.4.
1.4.4.All entries submitted to Club competitions must have been photographed by the member.
1.4.5.All entries, which have been awarded at least Acceptance in a Club competition, are not eligible to
be re-entered in future Club competition without substantial modification.
1.4.6.All entries (other than those submitted electronically) should be picked up immediately after the competition. Any entries not picked up will be retained by the Judging Chairperson at the maker's risk. It is the maker's responsibility to resubmit to the Judging Chairperson all accepted entries for the year end competition.
1.4.7.A cumulative point merit system is also available if club members choose to participate (see addendum).
1.5. A Camera Club "year" is defined as beginning with the day after the annual Club banquet and ending
with the annual Club banquet the following year.
1.6. The Groundglass is the official publication of the Club
1.7. The website: http://lacrosseareacameraclub.org is the official website and source of current information for the club.
2. PROJECTED IMAGE DIVISION INFORMATION
2.1. Open Competitions.
2.1.1.A Pictorial (open) competition is one in which there are no restrictions in subject matter.
2.1.2.Slides entered in competition must be regular 35mm mounts (2X2 size). The slide itself may be a
35mm, superslide, or smaller size, so long as it fits the regular mount.
2.1.3. Images shall be turned in to the Judging Chair prior to the start of judging at the required number of days prior to judging as posted on the club’s website.
2.1.4.Slides must be legibly marked with at least the following information:
1 ) A thumb spot in the shape of a donut in the lower left corner when in the desired viewing
position
2) A title.
3) Name and address of entrant.
4) The words "La Crosse Area Camera Club" or letters "LACC".
5) The competition designation ("A" or "B", "The Category, Open, Nature, People & Human Interest, Creative, Photojournalism.”)
2.1.5 For digital images submitted via email, the message text should include:
1). Title (filename).
2). Name and address of entrant.
3). The competition designation (Class "A" or "B", "The Category, Open, Nature, People & Human
Interest " Creative, (PJ)Photojournalism.).
2.1.6 For images submitted on a removable storage media, that media shall be labeled with:
1). Name and address of entrant.
2). The words "La Crosse Area Camera Club" or letters "LACC".
3). Included should be a text file defining the competition designation (Class "A" or "B", The
Category , Open, Nature, People & Human Interest), along with image title(s) (filenames).
2.1.7 Images submitted using an on-line digital image entry procedure developed by the Website Administrator will use the procedure as detailed on the club website.
2.1.8 Projected images (except for Challenge Categories) in competitions may have been taken at any time during the past. Challenge category images must be taken after the last entry deadline of the previous year.
3. NATURE PROJECTED IMAGE DIVISION INFORMATION
3.1.1.The rules for images in Open competitions also apply to the Nature Competitions except as noted in
3.1.2.
3.1.2.Nature constitutes subjects based on the absence of the hand of man. This also means there shall be
no cultivated plants, domestic animals, tame birds, contrails, or museum scenes allowed as entries in
this division. (An exception is bird bands or other wildlife tags or monitoring devices which are allowed)
4. BLACK AND WHITE (B&W) PRINT DIVISION INFORMATION
4.1. All Black & White competitions will be open.
4.2 Monochromatic images with a sepia or other tint are accepted in the B&W competition.
4.3 No fraction of an image may be given a special color treatment.
4.4 All entries must be mounted. Either 8X10, 11X14 or 16X20 are acceptable.
4.4.1.When using 8X10 (12) mounts, the print must be 5X7 or larger, up to 8X10 (12).
4.4.2.When using 11X14 mounts, the prints must be 8X10 or larger up to 11X14.
4.4.3.When using 16X20 mount, the print must be 8X10 or larger, up to 16X20.
4.5. A member may enter not more than two prints in each competition.
4.5.1.These prints will be divided into class "A" and "B" as defined as in 1.2.4.1.1 & 1.2.4.1.2.
4.6. Print Identification.
4.6.1.Prints must be titled, on the reverse side.
4.6.2.Prints must be marked on the reverse side, upper left-hand corner, with the following information:
1) Makers Name and address.
2) Title
3) Class designation ("A" or "B") .
4.6.3.The name or logo of the entrant must not appear on the front of the print, unless covered to conceal
it.
5. COLOR PRINT DIVISION INFORMATION
5.1. Color print competitions will be open.
5.2. A color print must have come from a negative, transparency or a digital image originally shot by the
member, but may have been commercially or personally printed.
5.3. All entries must be mounted. Rules for mounting B&W prints also apply to color prints.
5.4. A member may enter not more than two prints per competition than the limit established for the current club year.
5.5. The rules on B&W print identification in 4.4.1 through 4.4.3 also apply to color prints.
6. JUDGING
6.1. General Information.
6.1.1.A judge must be a member, except for outside judges invited with the approval of the members.
6.1.2.Physical conditions should be as conducive as possible to judging, i.e. quality projector and screen,
controlled lighting, temperature, sound, etc. In slide competitions, judges should be seated as close
as possible to the axis drawn from the projector to the screen.
6.1.3.Class "A" entries shall be presented and judged as a group separate from the class "B" entries.
6.1.4.Typical sequence of monthly judging is as follows:
1) Judges briefly view all entries in the competition by class.
2) Judges view the entries and evaluate them.
3) Results are computed and given to the Judging Chairperson.
4) The entries are critiqued one at a time.
6.1.5.The names of the makers, titles and scores shall not be revealed until the judging is finished.
6.1.6.During the judging, no one shall make statements about any entry that will influence the judges.
6.1.7.All challenges (see 6.2.6) shall be made only after the judging is completed.
6.2. Point System of Judging.
6.2.1 The Club shall follow the N4C rules for judging and scoring (Renumber 6.2 as needed)
6.2.2.There shall be three judges: two from "A" class and one from "B" class. If no “B” members volunteer to judge, the 3rd judge may be an “A” member.
6.2.3.A maximum of 15 points is to be awarded for each entry by each judge on a scale of 2 1 to 5 points for
each category defined in 6.3, except:
2) In Photojournalism (Projected or Prints) the three (3) jury members shall vote a score of between two (2) and five (5) points. Separate voting for technique, composition, and interest will NOT be made, but will be considered only in connection with the suitability of the work for Photojournalism competition. The total score for each submitted photograph will range from six (6) to fifteen (15) points.
6.2.4.Weighted Judging.
6.2.4.1.Judging of "A" class entries shall be done equal weight to each of the 3 categories specified in
6.3
6.2.4.2.Judging of "B" class entries should place emphasis on composition and interest, and less on
technique.
6.2.5.Recognition shall be given in each competition for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. If there are more than 25
entries in a single competition, the judges shall award 3 Honorable Mention and Acceptance awards
up to the remaining top 25% of the entries. If less than 25 entries, the judges may use their discretion
in awarding up to 3 Honorable Mention, and as many Acceptances as they deem deserving. The Judging Chair may limit the number of images progressing to year-end competition to ¼ of the entries for each competition. 6.2.6.In case of strong disagreement about an entry that did not receive at least an Acceptance, a simple
majority vote, by members present, may be taken which could assign it an acceptance.
6.2.7 If any judge has entries in a competition that she or he is judging they shall not score their own images. In these cases, the scores of the other 2 judges shall be averaged and the result used as the 3rd score.
6.3. Judging Criteria. Entries shall be objectively evaluated against a standard of achievement of excellence
in three categories:
TECHNIQUE: Includes focus, lighting, color rendition, exposure, print quality, and mounting.
COMPOSITION: Arrangement of all elements within the picture area so that the subject matter is
presented as a harmonious, well balanced photograph.
INTEREST: Includes originality, imagination, interpretation, subject impact, mood, and humor.
7. OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE BOARD AND ELECTIONS
7.1. President. The function of the President is to preside over all Club activities, to ensure that proper
photographic equipment is available for Club competitions, and to coordinate the efforts of the Executive
Board.
7.2. Vice President. The function of the Vice President is to perform the duties of the President in his/her
absence, and to assist the President in administrative decisions. (Note: The Vice President normally runs
unopposed for the position of President the following year.)
7.3. Treasurer. The function of the Treasurer is to collect membership dues and maintain financial records
including a Club checking account. The Treasurer shall submit to the President a financial statement
following completion of his/her annual term of office or within 30 days of leaving office.
7.4. Secretary. The function of the Secretary is to maintain Club minutes and membership list, handle
correspondence, Club notices, and record results of Club competitions.
7.5. Directors. All officers listed in Section 7. are Directors. One or Two additional director(s) shall be elected by members, who's function is to assist the President and other officers in Club policy-making and organization.
7.6. Judging Chairperson. The Judging Chairperson will collect and organize entries for the monthly
competitions and arrange outside judges for the end-of-year competition. At no time is the Judging Chair
or his/her associates liable in any way for any entry due to loss or damage.
7.7 Judging Vice-chair. The Judging Vice-chair shall serve as backup to the Judging Chair and assist the Judging Chair in logistical issues such as getting results posted to the club website.
7.8 Past president
7.9 Newsletter Editor. The Newsletter Editor shall gather content, edit and publish the Groundglass Newsletter, primarily through email, but using regular post for members with no email address.
7.10 Website Administrator. The Website Administrator shall maintain the structure of the website, make sure it is secure and up to date, add new features as needed, and grant update status to the President and other elected or appointed members as appropriate. The Website Administrator is also responsible to make sure any required fees are paid to continue the website and to keep our site current with latest technology.
7.11. Field Trip Coordinator. The Field Trip Coordinator shall plan and schedule field trips for the club.
7.12. Program Director. The Program Director shall coordinate and develop programs for all meetings.
7.13 Education Director. The Education Director plans the pre-meeting classes which typically last 30 minutes. She/he may also work with Program Director to coordinate education element in main programs.
7.14 N4C/PSA Competition Coordinator. The N4C/PSA Coordinator determines the entries to N4C competition each month and submits them. She/he also coordinates the N4C judging that occurs at our club. She/he will also coordinate entries to any future PSA competitions.
7.15 N4C Contact. The N4C Contact shall be the official contact person between our club and N4C.
7.16 PSA Contact. The PSA contact Contact shall be the official contact person between our club and PSA.
7.17 Membership Director. The Membership director shall oversee recruiting new members and through observation, communication and data gathering keep current with member interests and advise the President on membership issues.
7.18 Two or more officer positions may be held by one member.
7.19 A husband and wife may hold an office jointly in which case they will both be members of the Executive Board.
7.20 Executive Board. The officers listed in 7.1 through 7.16 who must be members, constitute the Executive Board whose function is to provide direction and continuity to Club activities. The Board shall serve as nominating Committee for election of officers.
7.21. Election of Officers.
7.21.1 All officers listed above are elected by members except the Website Administrator who is appointed by the President, with approval of the Executive Board.
7.21.2.The Nominating Committee will present a proposed slate of officers to the members prior to the
elections. Nominations will be accepted from the floor.
7.21.3.Nominees shall be elected by secret ballot (unless positions have only one nominee in which case a show of hands is acceptable) at a regularly scheduled meeting prior to the Annual Banquet with a simple majority of the members voting as the basis for election. In the event an office had no nominations at an election or becomes vacant between elections, the President, with approval of a majority of the Executive Board, may appoint an individual to that office.
7.21.4.Elected officers assume their duties following the banquet.
7.21.5.A person may succeed him/herself in office.
8. DUES
8.1. Dues are used for ordering programs, paying postage, publishing the Groundglass, purchasing awards,
and further financing Club activities.
8.2. The Executive Board will establish dues.
9. REVISIONS AND CHANGES
9.1. Bylaws.
9.1.1.Any member may propose a change to the By1aws by submitting that change to the Executive
Board.
9.1.2.A bylaw change becomes effective when passed by a simple majority vote of the members present at
a regularly scheduled meeting.
9.1.3.Notice of a proposed bylaw change must have been presented in detail through email and/or regular post or published in the Groundglass prior to voting on the change.
9.2. Executive Board Actions. Any action of the Executive Board may be annulled or changed without prior
notice by a simple majority vote of the membership present at a regularly scheduled meeting.
10. IN THE CASE OF DISBANDING THE CLUB
10.1 In the event the La Crosse Area Camera Club disbands, club assets remaining after all debts are repaid shall be turned over to the North Central Camera Club Council.