Article 1: Structure of M.A.G.E.

1. Midwest Area Gaming Enthusiasts (M.A.G.E.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the hobby of gaming.
2. . M.A.G.E. membership is open to any and all interested persons 18 years old or older.
3. M.A.G.E. is governed by its Board of Directors through the Executive board as outlined below.
   

Article 2: Becoming a Board Member

1. Declare intent to serve on the board. This declaration can be made at any M.A.G.E. board meeting or in writing to the president of M.A.G.E.
2. Fulfill the duties of a Board Member by attendance at over 50% of M.A.G.E. functions within a 12 month period. Plus meet the minimum attendance requirements of their region.(M.A.G.E. functions are defined as: Game days, M.A.G.E. conventions, and their regional council activities.)
3. The Board Member must also volunteer for a total of 8 hours of staff duties for M.A.G.E. conventions.
4. A person declaring willingness to serve on the board will serve a 6 month probationary period. After the 6 month probationary period, full voting privileges will be automatically granted to anyone fulfilling the duties as outlined above.

Article 3: Election Executive Officers

1. Elections will be held at the October M.A.G.E. Board Meeting of each year.
2. If a position becomes vacant during the year, the position will be filled by election at a M.A.G.E. Board Meeting.
3. The Executive Officers shall consist of:
   1. President – The president will be the central figure head and speaker for the over all group. They will organize and preside over the quarterly board meeting and will be responsible for the execution of actions that are in the jurisdiction of the central organization.
   2. Secretary – The secretary will be the aid to the president and treasurer. They will be expected to record the minutes of board meetings, keep and administer to any M.A.G.E. documents and records, and conduct general correspondence to and from the central board. The secretary will be empowered with decision making authority in the absence of or with the consent of the president.
   3. Treasurer – The treasurer will be responsible for all the financial duties of the central organization, including maintaining the central account, collecting and reviewing the account information of the regional councils and convention committees, preparing a financial report for the quarterly board meetings, and validating the organizations financial status with state and federal agencies. The treasurer will have singular authority on disbursement under a defined amount between quarterly meetings.
4. . Each officer will serve a 2 year term.
5. The President and Secretary will be elected in the even numbered years, and the Treasurer in the odd numbered years.
6. Nominations for officers will be made by Board Members on the day of elections. There must be at least 2 nominations for each office. Nominees must be members of the Board of Directors.
7. Voting will be by secret ballot.
8. There is a term limit of 3 consecutive terms in any given office.
9. Executive Officers may not be a member of any of the regional councils nor serve as a convention manager.

Article 4: Removal of Executive Officers and Members of the Board of Directors

1. A vote shall be held to remove an Executive Officer if:
   1. they fail to meet the requirements and duties of their Office, and
   2. 33% or more of the current Board Members (not counting the charged member) call the officer’s status into question by written petition.
2. An Officer whose status is called into question must be given timely notice that at the next Board Meeting their status as an Officer will be called into question.
3. If the officer in question fails to respond to the above notice they will be summarily removed from their office.
4. Any officer who is called into question will be given the opportunity to state their case before the Board. Discussion will follow.
5. A two-thirds majority is required to remove any officer. The officer in question may not vote and will not be counted towards the quorum.
6. Voting shall be by secret ballot.
7. Removal from Executive positions does not constitute removal from the Board of Directors.
8. Any Executive Officer may voluntarily resign from their office. Resignation should be made at a Board Meeting or in a written letter to the President.

Article 5: Board Meetings

1. Executive Board Meetings will be held at least quarterly (in the months of October, January, April, and July).
2. Executive Board Members will consist of the Executive Officers and 1 representative from each regional council.
3. The President (or appointed representative) shall notify the Board Members of the time and place of the meeting 1 month prior to the meeting. Time and place of meetings shall also be posted on the M.A.G.E. web page and at local hobby shops.
4. A preliminary agenda shall be mailed to each Board Member, posted at local hobby shops, and posted on the web page at least one week prior to the meeting.
5. Emergency meetings may by called as necessary by the President provided 1 week notice is given to all members with a reason for the meeting.
6. Over 50% of current Board Members and two Executive Officers must be present at a Board Meeting.
7. The quorum for an Executive Board meeting shall be 2 Executive Officers and 50% of the regional representatives.
8. Order of Business
   1. Roll Call
   2. Approval of Secretaries Minutes
   3. Removal of Executive Officers
   4. Election of Officers
   5. Amending of by-laws
   6. Executive Officers’ reports
   7. Regional representatives reports
   8. Committee reports
   9. Old Business
   10. New Business

Article 6: Regional Councils

1. Each regional council will consist of at least 5 members, one of whom must be a Board Member.
2. Each regional council can organize in any way seen fit that will fulfill the minimal qualifications set in these by-laws.
3. Each regional council will meet monthly to:
   1. promote M.A.G.E.‘s mission and vision
   2. recruit new members
   3. create and distribute M.A.G.E. advertising
   4. control the regional budget
   5. plan and host local game days and other activities
   6. provide coordination and communication among gamers
4. The council will elect/appoint a leader that must be a member of the Board of Directors. This leader will have check writing authority at a local bank account and a seat on the Executive Board.
5. Each regional council will submit monthly reports to the Executive Officers.
6. Each regional council will submit an annual budget to the Board of Directors for approval.

Article 7: Formation of Regional Councils

1. Regional Councils will be created when a group of at least 5 people petition the M.A.G.E. Executive Board declaring a desire to form a council. The Executive Board approves or denies each petition.
2. For the first six months, the councils will operate on a probationary status.
3. After six months, the Executive Board will vote whether to grant full status to the Regional Council, extend the probationary period, or revoke any status within M.A.G.E.

Article 8: Dissolution of Regional Councils

1. The Board of Directors may dissolve any Regional Council at anytime by a vote of 60% of the Board Members present.

Article 9: Convention Committees

1. Under the direction of a Convention Manager appointed by the Executive Board, each convention committee is responsible for organizing the annual conventions. The Convention Manager must be a member of the Board of Directors.
2. The Convention Manager will have check writing authority in an account for the Convention.
3. The Convention Committee will submit quarterly reports and an annual budget to the Executive Board for approval.

Article 10: By-laws and Amendments

1. The Executive Board may call a meeting of the Board of Directors to amend the by-laws provided:
   1. Board Members are notified in advance that amendment(s) are to be discussed, and
   2. the nature of the amendment(s) was included in the preliminary agenda.
   3. An amendment must receive approval by two-thirds of Board Members in attendance.

Article 11: Budget

1. The annual operating budget of M.A.G.E. shall be proposed by the treasurer and presented to the Board of Directors for approval at the annual meeting in October of each year.
2. The annual operating budget of M.A.G.E. shall include an accounting of all monies for the entirety of M.A.G.E. but does not necessarily include the detailed budgets of all conventions and regions.
3. As stated in Article 6: Regional Councils and Article 9: Convention Committees, the budegets of these groups are submitted to and approved by the Executive Council.