Kiwanis Guidepost

1. An active member must be of good character and community standing who resides, works or has other community interests within the Patchogue, New York area.
2. An active member should be engaged in an occupation in a recognized line of business, vocation, agricultural or institutional or professional life or who having been so engaged, has retired.
3. An active member must pay a one-time membership fee and annual membership dues and shall be entitled to all of the privileges of the Patchogue Kiwanis Club.

This classification shall be approved with a majority vote of the board and may be proposed by the Membership Committee at any Board Meeting. This Status is a Patchogue club recognition and carries no other Kiwanis recognition or status. No dues are required.

• When a member is actually present in person at a regular meeting or a round table meeting; or
• When a member is actually in person at a regular meeting or a round table meeting of some other Kiwanis Club any day during the calendar month in which the absence occurs, or within six (6) days immediately prior to following that month (Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays excluded); or
• When a club member appears at a regularly scheduled time and place of a club meeting and finds no such meeting being held, if verified by the club Secretary; or When the member attends the regularly constituted meeting of this club’s Board of Directors held within the same calendar month or within seven (7) days immediately prior to or following that month. In the event a club holds more than one regularly scheduled board meeting, make-up attendance shall be permitted during any one month; or
• When in attendance at a Temporary Organizational meeting of fifteen or more Kiwanians in a location where no Kiwanis Clubs are meeting; or
• When a member is absent from a meeting or meetings of the Patchogue Kiwanis Club in going to, attending, and returning from an International Convention (provided the member is officially registered). or a meeting of the International Board of Trustees, or a meeting of the International Council, or a meeting of a standing or special International Committee, or a meeting of International Committee Chairmen, or a meeting of a District Board of Trustees, provided that this privilege shall not extend beyond a period of thirty (30) days in the case of an International Convention or ten (10) days in any other case, which period must include the week during which the convention or meeting is held; or
• When the member visits the Kiwanis International Office in Indianapolis, Indiana, or the Kiwanis International Regional Office-Europe in Zurich, Switzerland. Such credit shall be limited to twice yearly, once from January to June and once again from July through December with limitations for make-up as stated above. A certification of the member’s visit shall be issued and forwarded to the club Secretary; or
• When the member attends a District Convention, District conference, or a planned divisional meeting or conference during the calendar month in which the absence occurs or within six (6) days immediately following that month; or
• When the member attends the regular meeting or Board of Directors of a Key Club, Circle K Club, or Builders Club, or when the member attends a District or International Convention of Key Club International or Circle K International. Credit for attending any such meetings shall be limited to not more than two a month; or
• When in attendance at a social affair, meeting of another club, meeting of a committee at a wake or consolation visit by the club as a group shall all count toward regular attendance.

Attendance at a regular meeting shall not be counted unless the member is present in the dining room and is credited for attendance by the chairman in charge of attendance. The adequacy of excuse and whether participation of a member is “active” is to be determined by the Board.

Spouses’ night meetings, interclub meetings, etc. which are made the regular meeting for the week, or a Round Table meeting at the hour and place of the regular meeting, are to be recognized for credit. An accurate record of the attendance of all active and other members must be kept in conformity with these rules and reported in the club’s official Monthly Report.

Kiwanians in the House and Senate of the United States or in any state legislature or serving in a legislative capacity in any law making body or a Kiwanian serving on active jury duty, and only while engaged in such service, shall not be subject to the regular attendance requirements of an active member, and such members shall maintain their standing in the club while rendering such service to their governments.

1. Upon formal request, and by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the entire Board. a member may be granted a leave of absence for a period of not less than ninety (90) days but not exceeding six (6) months for conditions as follows:
   1. When confining illness will prevent attendance;
   2. When special and/ or temporary business conditions, professional assignments, or travel will prevent regular attendance;
   3. When military service removes a member beyond the Patchogue Kiwanis Club area. Any member who requests a leave of absence because of the member’s military service shall have the dues paid by the club.
2. Upon formal request, and by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the entire Board, a leave of absence may be granted when a member removes his or her residence and community interests beyond the Patchogue Kiwanis Club area. This leave of absence is provided to give the member an opportunity to become affiliated with another Kiwanis Club in a new location while retaining membership status in the Patchogue Club. Leave of absence under this section will terminate upon entering another club. Persons granted a leave of absence under this section may not retain office in the club.

1. When a member is considering a person for membership in the Patchogue Kiwanis Club the following questions should the considered:
   1. Is the prospect a person that would fit into the culture of the club?
   2. Would this member be interested in working on any of the various committees in the club?
   3. Does the prospect have the time to spend with club activities?
   4. Would the prospect be capable of working through the chairs of the club?
   5. Would the prospect have the means to be an active member?
2. If the answer to each of the above questions is yes. The sponsoring member should ask the person to attend a meeting to get a feel of what the club is all about. No mention of possible membership should be made to the person.
3. If the person shows interest in becoming a member, the sponsor and co- sponsor will attend the next board meeting to present the candidate to the board. The sponsors should be prepared to answer any questions the board may have. This process must be done in person.
4. The board will vote on the candidate; a 2/3 vote approval is required. If approved, the sponsor will inform the candidate that they are being considered for membership and that there are a limited number of openings and if interested the candidate will be required to meet with the membership committee. A date would then be set for the meeting. Important Note: The candidate is informed that a number of candidates are being considered to fill membership openings at this time.
5. The candidate will meet with the membership committee where all aspects of membership are discussed.
6. The membership committee reports their findings back to the board for discussion. The board will notify the sponsor with their decision. If a candidate is not recommended for membership they will be notified by letter from the secretary that the openings have been filled and they may be considered again at a later date, when additional openings become available.
7. A new member must attend at least one(1) Board meeting within the first three (3) months of membership.
8. A new member shall wear a bib upon induction and shall continue to wear such a bib until a majority of active members have signed it and the member shall have identified by first and last name all active members in attendance at a regular meeting within six (6) months of induction. After that time the member may be fined at the discretion of the President.
9. Every new member shall pay to the Secretary, prior to induction, an Initiation fee of $50.00 in addition to a pro-rated portion of the annual dues. Dues will be pro-rated on a monthly basis and charged for the remaining monthly periods of the year. New members inducted in the last quarter of the administrative year will be forgiven the monthly dues but must pay the full following year's dues prior to induction. The $100 charter night assessment will be collected only if the induction is held prior to that year’s Charter Night.
10. New members shall receive a copy of these GuidePosts.