First Friday Network Bylaws

Revised 11/2025

1. NAME: The name of the organization is the First Friday Network Organization. The First Friday Network Organization is a non-profit organization.

2. PURPOSE: The purpose of the organization shall be to establish a support dialogue, foster cooperation and interchange of ideas among those businesses and organizations that provide services to the older adult community.

3. MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open to any person, business, or organization interested in networking with others involved in senior service or issues that affect the elderly population. Membership status is granted upon completion of a membership form and payment of annual dues. All prior Presidents are granted free membership every year and listed in the membership directory online. Active members are included in the website directory for a period of 365 days from the date membership is granted and are sent notices of the regular scheduled meetings. Guests are welcome to attend meetings for a nominal guest fee. Board members should arrive at 8:00 am and check-in will start promptly at 8:30 a.m.

4. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS: The First Friday Network meets the first Friday of every month from 9:00 A.M to 10:15 A.M. except for the months of January and July. The meetings are held on a voluntary basis at a location selected at the discretion of the board and hosted by an active member in good standing. Reservations are made in advance for hosting First Friday Network meetings so that notices may be prepared for the upcoming meetings to be held. Board members should arrive at 8:00 am and check-in will start promptly at 8:30 a.m.

5. OFFICERS, GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS: The officers of the First Friday Network Organization shall include all Board Members: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Chair, Marketing Director, Meeting Coordinator, and Web-Site Coordinator. Such officers will be elected annually and be active members in good standing, serve one year term and may be re-elected to the same or other office as determined by popular vote by active members. Voting members must hold an active membership prior to October 31st of the election year.
President and Vice President must have served on the board in an elected position or as an advisor for one full term, prior to being considered for the office of President or Vice President.
In addition, there can be three or more members-at-large appointed as Advisory Board Members. The advisory Board Members shall be voted in by the newly elected officers. The immediate past President serves as an ex-officio member to the Board of Directors.

6. BOARD ATTENDANCE, CONDUCT, VACANCIES: All officers and Advisory Board members must be members in good standing. In addition, all officers, and advisory board members, must attend 80% of the Board and general meetings. Failure to do so may result in removal from their respective positions by a vote of the board and advisory board members who are in compliance with the 80% attendance guidelines. Meetings may be held virtually through video conference and hold the same weight as a general meeting.
The fiscal year and term of office begins January 1 and ends December 31.
In the event that a Board position becomes vacant, whether through voluntary resignation or dismissal, the President shall have the authority to appoint a qualified replacement to serve for the remainder of the term. Such appointment shall be subject to approval by a majority vote of the elected Board Members, provided that quorum is met as defined in these bylaws (fifty percent of elected Board Members and at least one Advisor, if any Advisors are serving at the time).
If any Board Officer or Advisor fails to fulfill their duties, loses good standing, or engages in conduct that causes harm to the organization, its reputation, or its financial standing, the remaining Board Members may call an emergency meeting to review the matter. Removal of the individual requires approval by a majority vote of the elected Board Members, provided that quorum is met as defined in these bylaws (fifty percent of elected Board Members and at least one Advisor, if any Advisors are serving at the time).
A Board Officer or Advisor who has been voted for removal shall be notified in writing of the decision within three (3) business days. All Board Officers and Advisors must return any and all First Friday Network property in their possession within three (3) business days of the end of their term or notification of their removal, whichever occurs first. Property may be delivered to any Board Officer or Advisor in good standing.

7. BOARD VOTING, QUORUM AND BYLAWS: The voting members of the Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers, which at this time include: President, Vice President, Marketing Coordinator, Meeting Coordinator, Website Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, and Secretary. The Board may adjust officer titles, add, or remove positions as necessary to meet organizational needs, provided that any changes are approved by a majority vote of the Board.
Advisors serve in a non-voting capacity and are typically past Board Members or individuals appointed for their expertise. The number of Advisors may vary from year to year as determined by the Board. Advisors may participate in discussions and committee work but shall not have voting rights unless specifically granted by a majority vote of the elected Board Members for a defined purpose or term.
A quorum shall consist of at least fifty percent (50%) of the elected Board Members and at least one (1) Advisor if any Advisors are currently serving. No official business or vote shall take place without a quorum present.
Each elected Board Member shall have one (1) vote. Voting by proxy is not permitted unless otherwise approved by a majority of the Board. All decisions shall be determined by a simple majority of those present and voting, unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.
Emergency Meetings: The President or any two (2) elected Board Members may call an emergency meeting when immediate action is required. Reasonable notice shall be given to all Board Members by phone, email, or other electronic means. Meetings may be held in person, virtually, or through electronic communication, and voting may occur electronically provided that a quorum, as defined above, is achieved. All actions taken during emergency meetings shall be documented and ratified at the next regular meeting. At the January board meeting the bylaws will be reviewed and proposed changes will be discussed and made if necessary. Once a year, the Treasurer and President or another appointed board member/advisor meet and review the accounting for the year and sign off that all transactions are reconciled and have been approved by the January board meeting.

The duties of officers shall be as follows:
President: The President shall call and preside at meetings, and approve expenditures, and be responsible for the governing of the organization. The President and the Treasurer are listed as signers at the designated financial institution for First Friday Network. The bank statements are mailed to President or Treasurer, and an accounting of expenses and balance is reviewed at monthly Board meetings. The President, with input from the Board of Directors, prepares a monthly agenda listing ideas that enhance the marketing of its members’ products and services. These ideas are discussed at the monthly Board meeting and approved by Board members prior to being announced at the general monthly meeting for approval. The President will fill or appoint an active member in their absence. The President will call the General monthly meeting to order or appoint any Board member to run the general meeting on a rotation basis. An agenda is prepared and agreed on by the board.
Vice President: Steps in in the absence of the president at board meetings and general meetings and as needed, Runs the nomination committee, Assists the president with all duties, Follows up on action items with board.
Web Site Coordinator: The Website Coordinator updates and maintains FirstFridayNetwork.org website, and any other online tools including but not limited to Constant Contact, Survey Monkey etc…
Monthly the Website Coordinator will:
•Maintain and share password account access with the President and Vice President
•E-mail meeting notice two weeks prior to the meeting and a reminder of the week of the meeting.
•Monthly meeting announcement,
•Calendar Events for First Friday and Members
•Updates to the calendar on the website

•Communicate with website host for any needed updates
•Assist Membership Director with online membership listings if needed.

Annually the Website Coordinator will review and update each page of the website, make and/or contact the website host to make the necessary changes.

Membership Director: The Membership Director is an elected position to the Board (decision was made by the board at the January 2012 board meeting). The Membership Director will choose a committee to assist at general meetings with renewals, new memberships and guest entry. The Membership Director will receive emails from website when a form has been filled out online for membership. Membership Director is responsible for putting or updating all information into website on all members and guests. The Membership Director will reconcile membership payments with the Treasurer on a weekly basis and right before monthly general meetings. Membership Director is responsible for maintaining a list of active members and will have two notebooks of active membership forms and previous year membership forms as a paper reference. Membership Director will possess membership cards, receipts, and renewal stickers. Director will also make sure that there is proper signage at all general meetings for check in (guests, online applications, new and renewals…). At Board Meeting, Membership Director will give report on current membership, outstanding payments of forms that were filled out online and any concerns pertaining to membership. During membership drive (November thin March meeting), Membership Director will have meetings with their committee to discuss membership drive and ways to enhance overall membership. Membership Director will provide support and pertinent information (past member’ s info that has not renewed…) to committee to build membership for FFN. The committee and Director will contact past members that have not renewed and will make efforts to encourage other industry professionals to join FFN. Membership Director will keep President abreast of progress, membership count and any concerns pertaining to membership. Membership Director will follow up with committee to obtain progress of membership drive.

Marketing Coordinator:

Marketing Coordinator will solicit new members at events and out in the community.

•Maintain, update and keep current all current social media accounts under the First Friday Network name including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, etc… with current photos, events, additional content etc…
•Always maintain and share password account access with the President and Vice President
•Design, print and provide collateral and signage as needed and decided on by Board and advisors.
•Schedule, promote and share upcoming events, membership meetings or member events as needed via social media news feeds in a timely and appropriate manner.

Treasurer: It is the following responsibilities of the treasurer of the organization to complete:
•have cash on hand for change at every meeting, cash to be counted before each member meeting check in opens and in the last 15 minutes of each member meeting and recorded
•Check the P.O. Box Bi-weekly
•Make a deposit of all monies collected no later than one week after the Monthly membership meeting
•Keep track of who paid by check and check #
•Help at every meeting with the membership table.
•Have the checkbook in hand at every event in order to cut checks for board members or necessary expenses
•Reconcile with the membership coordinator before the monthly meetings

•members that have paid through pay pal
•members that have paid by check through mail/ P.O. Box

•Have a report ready for the monthly board meeting should Include
•PayPal balance
•Frost Bank balance shared via app at Board meeting
•cash in hand balance
•total of all monies
•Deposit that was made from monthly meeting

•A printed copy of the most recent First Friday bank statement, square balance,PayPal balance for review at the monthly board meeting. If the meeting is on Zoom,these reports will be emailed within 24 hours prior to the zoom meeting.
•Always Maintain and share password account access with the President and VicePresident.

Secretary: At Board meetings, the Secretary takes attendance notes and prepares minutes for Board meeting to hand out or can alternately email minutes are allowable. The Secretary assists the President and fellow Board members as needed. Takes attendance of board during general meetings. Updates bylaws as voted and submit to website coordinator to post to website.

Meeting Coordinator: The Meeting Coordinator is responsible for setting up the monthly First Friday Network meeting at a facility that can accommodate current average attendance for monthly meetings. The Meeting Coordinator will keep in touch with facility 60 days prior to the meeting to insure all requirements are met; Topic, speaker, 30-minute maximum program, and if a PA system is needed and available. The Meeting Coordinator e-mails the confirmed hosting facility information to the Secretary and Chairperson forreview prior to broadcast to membership. At the monthly general meeting, and after announcements, the President turns it over to Meeting Coordinator to announce the individuals who were selected for the two-minute presentation, subject to time restraints. Each presenter provides information about his or her company to share with the membership