Franklin Recreation Department
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Franklin Recreation By-Laws


Franklin Recreation Board
By-Laws
7/6/2020

Article I This association shall be called the Franklin Recreation Board.
 
Article II The object of this board is to coordinate and promote recreation and program
 opportunities for Franklin residents of all ages that encourage health and 
well-being.

Article III Membership

Section 1 The membership of the Board shall consist of five Members, all of which shall reside in the town of Franklin.

Section 2 All new Members of the Board shall submit a letter of interest to be
reviewed and selected by existing Board members, with final approval 
given for membership by the Town of Franklin Selectboard.

Section 3 In the event of the resignation of any Board Member, the Board 
Chairperson shall ask for nominations to fill the Board vacancy. Names of 
nominees will be handled as provided in Article III, Section 2.

Section 4 In the event that a Board Member’s actions do not align with the mission of the Franklin Recreation Department, the Board can vote to make a recommendation to the Town of Franklin Selectboard that the individual be removed from the Board.  

Section 5 A Board Member’s term shall be for two consecutive years.  A member’s 
term shall expire on July 1 of his/her second year of 
membership except as provided in Article III, Section 4.

Section 6 Terms of Members elected to positions, which have been vacated, shall 
expire on the normal expiration date of the position vacated.

Section 7 Terms of two Board Members shall expire every year.

Section 8 Board Members have voting authority on Franklin Recreation Board
business matters.

Section 9 The Franklin Recreation Board may choose to enroll the services of 
Advisory Committee Members.

Section 10 Advisory Board Members may be:
-  Individuals possessing specific knowledge or abilities desired by 
the Board.
- Individuals who have a specific interest in assisting the Board carry out its mission.

Section 11 Advisory Board Members have no voting authority on Franklin 
Recreation Board business matters.

Section 12 Advisory Board Members shall be appointed by the Franklin Recreation Committee for a term not to exceed one year.

Article IV Meetings

Section 1 The regular meeting held in July of each year shall be known as the 
Organization meeting.  The purpose of this meeting shall be for election 
and installation of officers (Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Fundraising Liaison).  Bylaws will be updated and reviewed at this annual meeting.

Section 2 A quorum of the Board shall be present at any regular or special meeting. 

Section 3 All meetings are open to the public. Copies of the minutes are to be 
posted by the office of the Franklin Town Clerk.

Section 4 Members shall familiarize themselves with Robert’s Rules of Order. 
Meetings shall be conducted and policies enacted within this framework.

Article V Officers

Section 1 Chairperson
The Chair of the Board shall preside at all meetings, appoint all 
committees, authorize calls for any special meetings, and generally 
perform the duties of a presiding officer. In the absence of the 
Chairperson from a board meeting, the Vice Chairperson shall act as Chair.

Section 2 Vice Chairperson
The vice chair performs all the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair. 
 
Section 3 Secretary
The Secretary shall be the clerk of the board.  The clerk shall keep record 
of the meeting minutes, write letters on behalf of the Board, issue notices 
of all regular and special meetings.  The clerk shall also post minutes within 5 days of the meeting with the Town Clerk.

Section 4 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall turn over all funds/income to the Town Treasurer who
 is charged with custody of such funds.  The Treasurer shall report at 
each meeting the state of the funds.  The Town Treasurer shall have 
custody of all evidence of debts or investments and shall see that proper 
precautions are taken for their safekeeping.  S/he is also responsible for 
timely submission of bills for payments to the Town Treasurer associated 
with the operation of Franklin Recreation.  The Town Treasurer will 
prepare a warrant to be signed by the Recreation Board for approval of 
bill payments.

Section 5  Fundraising Liaison
The fundraising liaison seeks out opportunities for fundraising, sponsorship, and grants that will support the growth of the Franklin Recreation Board. 

Article VI Member Responsibilities

Board members will:

Section 1 Adopt and implement the written bylaws and policies to govern 
operations of Franklin Recreation. These are to be updated and reviewed
 on a yearly basis.

Section 2 Attend and participate at board meetings. A member will 
attend 75% of meetings. If a member misses three consecutive meetings the member can be considered for termination, and the Board shall ask for nominations to fill the vacancy.

Section 3 Work for financial support of Franklin Recreation: prepare a yearly 
budget and present to town voters.

Section 4 Plan for the future development of Franklin Recreation.

Section 5 Assist in and oversee fundraising events for Franklin Recreation.

Section 6 Review duties and responsibilities of the Coordinator annually. This 
includes the Job Description and Contract.  

Section 7 Advertise, accept, and review applications for the position of Coordinator.  

Section 8 Make recommendations as to the purchase or construction of new or
additional recreation facilities and/or equipment.

Section 9 Attend the annual Town Meeting in March for the purpose of answering 
voter questions which may arise concerning Recreation matters and the
proposed recreation budget.

Article VII Amendments
Section 1 Public notice of the proposed amendments to the Franklin Recreation 
Bylaws shall be posted at the Franklin Town Clerk.  A 7 day comment 
period to the proposed amendments shall ensure on the date the notice is 
posted at the Town Clerk’s office.

Section 2 These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the
Board by a majority vote of members present and voting, provided notice 
of the proposal amendment has been given in writing to all Board 
members at least 7 days prior to said meeting.

Article VIII Operating Funds

Section 1 The Board shall have the authority to accept gifts and donations. All monies so donated shall be forwarded to the Board Treasurer to be placed in the Recreation Fund.

Article IX Fiscal Year

Section 1 The fiscal year of the Board shall extend from July 1 to June 30.

Article X Recreation Budget

Section 1 A copy of the proposed Recreation
Budget for the coming fiscal year must be submitted to the Selectboard 
for publication in the Town Report and for presentation to the Voters of the 
Town of Franklin for approval at the annual Town Meeting.

Section 2 The Recreation Fund will be expended for programs and functions as 
approved by the Franklin Recreation Board.

Section 3 Any residual funds remaining at the end of the fiscal year, will be placed in the Franklin Recreation’s General Fund to be used at the discretion of 
the board members. 

Article XI Expenditures

Section 1 All pending expenditures for the Recreation Board must be approved by 
the Board. 






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