BY-LAWS
Approved November 25, 2024
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1. The name of the Organization shall be THE VICTOR ALFIERI SOCIETY.
SECTION 2. The purpose of the Society shall be to promote close amity and high gentlemanly character among its members. It shall be a non-profit Association existing for the mutual benefit of its members and for the improvement and betterment of the community. It shall be non-political and non-religious.
SECTION 3. The principal office of the Society shall be 206 North Main Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18504.
ARTICLE II
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
SECTION 1. A male who has attained the age of twenty-one (21) years, is a United States citizen, is of Italian descent or heritage, is of good moral character and reputation and remains current with their annual dues to the society may become a regular member of the Society.
SECTION 2. A non-Italian male American citizen who has attained the age of twenty-one (21) years, is of good moral character and reputation, remains current with their annual dues to the society and is legally married to a person of Italian descent can become a regular member of the Society.
SECTION 3. All applications for membership shall be on a document furnished by the Society. The applicant on his application shall state his full name, age occupation, citizenship, place of birth and present residence. Also, his father’s name and mother’s name.
SECTION 4. The application must be accompanied by a non-refundable initiation fee as set annually by the Society’s board of Trustees at their annual organization meeting held in January of each year. The initiation Fee will include the members’ initial annual dues for the calendar year that the applicant’s membership is approved by the membership.
SECTION 5. The application must be signed by two (2) regular members of the Society as sponsors and submitted to the President of the Society.
SECTION 6. The President shall then give the application to the Membership Committee, who shall investigate and screen the applicant and return the application to the President.
SECTION 7. The application shall then be presented by the President to the general membership in attendance at the next regular meeting for an open vote by such members. If the application is accepted, the Secretary of the Society will notify the applicant of the membership’s actions.
SECTION 8. The amount of the annual dues shall be set as fixed, from time to time, by the Board of Trustees of the Society.
ARTICLE III
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
SECTION 1. A member may be suspended or expelled from the Society for cause shown at any time. Cause shall be conduct offensive or detrimental to the Society; or its reputation; or refusal; or neglect of a member to obey and abide by these By-Laws and use the Society’s facilities as may be established by the general membership.
SECTION 2. Levels of suspension shall be:
Verbal conduct offensive or detrimental to a member or the society. First offense will be a written warning from the Secretary. Second offense shall be termination as a member of the society.
Verbal threatening conduct to a member of the society. First offense shall constitute immediate suspension for one month from all activities of the society and its premises. Second offense shall be termination as a member of the society.
Physical conduct offensive or detrimental to a member of the society, shall call for immediate suspension from the society pending a hearing.
SECTION 3. Charges against a member shall be made by a complaint in writing forwarded to the Recording Secretary for necessary action. The secretary shall immediately inform the president of the complaint.
The general membership shall hear the charges so made at a regular or special meeting after service of a written copy of said charges upon the member so charged; and service of at least five (5) days written notice of the hearing upon said member.
SECTION 4. Both the member charged and the member making the charge shall be given reasonable opportunity to present relative testimony at said hearing; and to testify; and to present witnesses and evidence to the general membership. This testimony shall be limited to no more than 20 minutes.
SECTION 5. Once testimony of the prosecuting and the defendant member has completed, the general membership present at the meeting shall vote on the resolution put forth by the Board of trustees. This vote shall be by written ballot and shall be conducted in secret. A board of 3 members, determined by the president, shall count the votes and inform the president of the tally of votes for and against the resolution put forth by the trustees. A Majority (greater than 50%) shall be needed to enact the resolution put forth.
SECTION 6. The secretary will send written notice to both the prosecuting and the defendant member of the outcome of the general membership vote.
SECTION 7. Either the prosecuting or defendant member may appeal the decision of the general membership to a special tribunal, consisting of five (5) members of the Society dully appointed by, and duly constituted to act as an Appeal Board by the President.
SECTION 8. Said appeal shall be in writing and filed with the Secretary of the society within ten (10) days after the decision of the general membership. The appeal shall then be heard by the Appeal Board in the same manner as originally by the general membership; provided that at least five (5) days’ notice shall be given to each member of the Society so that the charges shall be heard by the Appeal Board at a special meeting of the Board called for such purposes. The decision of the Appeal Board shall be final.
SECTION 9. Termination of membership, either voluntary or involuntarily, shall result in loss of all rights and privileges of membership in the Society, and expelled from all society activities never to be able to apply for membership again.
ARTICLE IV
SOCIAL MEMBERS
SECTION 1. A male who has attained the age of twenty one (21) years, is a United States Citizen, is of good moral character and reputation and remains current with the annual dues to the Society and is not eligible for regular membership may be admitted to membership of the Society as a Social Member under such terms and conditions as shall be set forth, from time to time, by the Board of Trustees of the Society. Social Members shall have no vote or voice in the management or administration of the Society.
SECTION 2. The amount of the annual dues of the Social Members shall be fixed, from time to time, by the Board of Trustees of the Society.
SECTION 3. The application for a Social Member shall be processed in the same manner as described in Article II, Section 3 to Section 7 inclusive.
ARTICLE V
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. From January 1, 2001, and each year thereafter, the Life Memberships award shall be discontinued, and no such membership shall be granted to any member.
ARTICLE VI
MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD AND / OR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
SECTION 1. Each year, at the discretion of the President or the Society, nomination may be considered for a “MAN-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD”, or “DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD”.
SECTION 2. Such an award shall be given to a member of the Society who is an exemplary character and has rendered outstanding services on the behalf of the Society.
SECTION 3. The recipient of such an award shall be selected and recommended by a “MAN-OF-THE-YEAR / DISTINGUSHED SERVICE” committee selected by the President form the general membership of the Society.
SECTION 4. The award shall be presented to the Honoree at the annual meeting of the Society held in January, as close to January 17th of each year with appropriate ceremonies in honor of said recipient.
ARTICLE VII
SUSPENSION NON-PAYMENT OF DUES
SECTION 1. The Board of Trustees, by majority vote, may suspend any member thus denying such a member from any rights or privileges of the Society who has failed to pay any dues or assessments in arrears for a period of six (6) months or more after the due date. Before imposing such suspension on such member, the member shall first be given the opportunity to pay such arrears in dues and assessments within Thirty (30) days from the date such member was given written notice of his pending suspension by the Secretary of the Society.
SECTION 2. A member that has been notified by the Secretary of the Society of his pending suspension and has not paid the dues and assessments in arrears within Thirty (30) days from the date such member was given written notice of his pending suspension by the Secretary of the Society shall be expelled from membership of the Society.
SECTION 3. Any expelled member of the Society may be reinstated to full membership by making application and following the same process as set forth in Article II, Section 3 to Section 7 inclusive and paying the applicable initiation fee and annual dues for the calendar year such reinstated application is approved by the membership.
ARTICLE VIII
GOVERNMENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 1. The management of the business of the Society shall be by the general membership of the Society whenever it is in session, at either regular or special meetings. At all other times, the management of such affairs shall be by the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 2. The Board of Trustees and Officers of the Society shall meet at least once each month at the club facilities generally in the second week of each month, 6:00 PM. at such other time and place as they may determine by giving notice to all Trustees and Officers no later than Seven (7) days prior to the date such meeting was originally scheduled.
SECTION 3. The immediate Past President of the Society shall serve as a member of the Board of Trustees in an ex-officio capacity for as long as he is the Past President of the Society. However, he shall have no voting rights, and he shall not be permitted to vote for the Office of Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board.
SECTION 4. The elected Officers of the society for each current year of their term of their office shall be advisory members of the Board only and shall not have any voting rights.
SECTION 5. The Board of Trustees shall consist of nine (9) regular members elected by the general membership of the Society in accordance with Article XI. The term of office of each elected member of the Board of Trustees shall be for three (3) years. The members of the Board of Trustees shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among the group of Trustees in office at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees held at the January meeting on the Society in which newly elected officers and trustees are installed. Five (5) elected Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the Board Trustees to conduct their business.
SECTION 6. Any expenditure by the Board of Trustees, more than $2,500.00, shall require the prior approval of a majority vote of the general membership of the Society at a regular or special meeting.
ARTICLE IX
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be deemed necessary or convenient by the membership.
SECTION 2. Officers of the society shall be elected at the general meeting held in December once every three (3) years and shall serve for a term of three (3) years.
SECTION 3. DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at a majority of meetings of the Society; to appoint members of the Standing Committees; and to designate such other Committees; and appoint members thereof; and to perform such other duties. In the event of the death or incapacity of the President during the term of his office, the Vice-President shall immediately be sworn into the Office of the President; and shall assume the duties of the President, the President shall then name a new Vice-President.
Vice-President: The Vice-President shall perform for the President in his absence; and shall assist the President in the performance of his duties.
Recording Secretary: The Recording Secretary shall keep records of all business transacted during the Society’s meetings and during the Board of Trustees meetings. He shall send notice of all special meetings to all members. He shall answer all correspondence of the Society and the Board of Trustees and shall keep proper files of all papers and documents of the Society, which may come into his possession.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the Society and shall render a full account of the amounts held on deposit in the Society bank accounts, certificates of deposit registered in the Society’s name, and all other assets of like nature, whenever requested to do so by the President, Board of Trustees, and general membership.
Financial Secretary: The Financial Secretary shall be charged with the collection of all dues, income, initiation fees and assessment; and shall keep accurate records of all funds received by him; as well as of all authorized disbursements.
SECTION 4. The records and books of the Treasurer and Financial Secretary shall be audited by an auditing committee appointed by the President, and such audit shall be conducted as deemed necessary by majority vote of the general membership of the Society.
SECTION 5. The Officers and Members of the Board of Trustees shall not be personally liable for monetary damages for any acts performed by them on behalf of the Society or unless the breach of duty on the part of any such Officer or Trustee is willful misconduct, recklessness, or a criminal act.
ARTICLE X
MEETINGS AND ORDER OF BUSINESS
SECTION 1. In general, the membership of the Society will meet in the Club’s facilities on the 4th Wednesday of each month for the months of April through September at 7:00 PM in the Bocce Lounge and in the 4th week of each month for the months of October through March at 6:00 PM in the Main Dining Room first floor. These meetings will take place monthly year-round. In addition, the President may change the day of the general membership meeting during months there are conflicts with the scheduling of other Society events by giving notice to the general membership no later than seven (7) days prior to the date such meeting was originally scheduled.
SECTION 2. At meeting of the Society, ten (10) regular members shall constitute a quorum for the Society to conduct business.
SECTION 3. Special meetings mat be held at the call of the President on at least five (5) days’ notice to the membership; such notice to state the substance of the business to be brought before the Society at the meeting.
SECTION 4. The order of business at meetings of the Society shall be as follows:
Call to Order
Pledge to the Flag
Roll Call of Officers and Trustees
Reading of Previous Meeting Minutes
Applications for Membership
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Appoint Nominating Committee (October Meeting)
Nominations of Officers and Trustees (November Meeting)
Election of Officer and Trustees (December Meeting)
Communications and Bills
Receipts of the Evening
Remarks for the good of the Society
Adjournment
SECTION 5. Procedure at meetings of the Society shall be conducted in accordance with “Roberts Rules of Order”.
ARTICLE XI
NOMINATING COMMITTEE / ANNUAL ELECTION
SECTION 1. At the regular meeting of the society held in October, the President shall name the Nominating Committee consisting of five (5) regular members. The first member nominated and elected to this Committee shall be the Chairman.
SECTION 2. The Nominating Committee shall present the names of the candidates recommended to hold each office for a three (3) year term and for Trustees to hold office for a three (3) year term at the regular meeting of the Society held in November. In addition to the candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee, the general membership may submit additional candidates for trustees and each office from the floor during the November regular meeting of the Society.
Nominations for office shall,
Not be nominated for more than one (1) office.
Be a regular member in good standing.
Be a regular member of the Society for at least one (1) year.
Anyone wanting to run for office must be a sole resident of the state of Pennsylvania; dual residency is not acceptable.
You must live in the surrounding Counties of, Lackawanna, Monroe, Bradford, Pike, Wayne, Wyoming, Luzerne & Susquehanna.
SECTION 3. An election for Officers and Trustees will take place at the regular meeting of the Society held in December. Each regular member of the Society in good standing shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each office and trustee position. The balloting shall be secret. The winners shall be determined by the plurality of the ballots cast by the regular members who are in attendance for the regular meeting. No regular member shall be permitted under any circumstance to vote or cast a ballot by proxy. No absentee ballots or votes will be permitted under any circumstances. Where there is only one (1) candidate for office or trustee position, and if there are no objections, the election may be by voice.
SECTION 4. The newly elected Officers and Board of Trustees of the Society shall be installed at the January meeting, which will be held on the Saturday or Sunday nearest to January 17th, the anniversary of Victor Alfieri’s birth.
ARTICLE XII
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. During the first meeting of the general membership the President shall announce the names of individuals that are members of the Society he selects to be Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and member of the following committees:
House Committee
Auditing Committee
Building Committee
Sick and Welfare Committee
Membership Committee
Social Committee
By Laws Committee
Bocce Committee
Email Contact
Bar Steward
Cultural & Heritage
Society Photographer
Facebook Manager
Scholarship Committee
Website Manager
In addition, the President in his discretion may, from time to time, add such other Committees and/or special advisors he deems necessary.
At least one (1) member of the Board of Trustees shall serve as a member of each committee named by the President.
SECTION 2. The Social Committee will oversee all Social Functions of the Society, except for Spaghetti Suppers, Installation Ceremonies, Golf Tournament & Lou Lanzo Bocce Tournament.
SECTION 3. Except for activities conducted in society’s lower-level Bocce Lounge and Courts all activities of the Society shall be under the direct supervision and responsibility of the Chairman of the House Committee. Activities conducted in the Society’s lower-level Bocce Lounge and Courts shall be under the direct supervision and responsibility of the chairman of the Bocce Committee.
SECTION 4. The Chairmen of the House Committee and Bocce Committee shall oversee purchasing all food and drinks for the bars and kitchens of their respective areas and must keep accurate record of all receipts and disbursements. He must also prepare and submit a monthly financial report to the Board of Trustees for all the business conducted. Each Chairman shall also be responsible for recommending any price increases or decreases for food, beverages and such other items sold by the respective Committee to the Board of Trustees for their final decision. In addition, such Chairmen shall be responsible for housekeeping and minor repairs necessary for their respective areas in and around the Society’s facilities.
ARTICLE XIII
REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES AND FILLING VACANICIES
SECTION 1. Officers and Trustees may be removed for cause by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any regular meeting or at any special meeting of the Society, duly called and assembled. Notice of the special meeting shall state that such removal is to be presented at the meeting.
SECTION 2. In the event an Officer and Trustee shall be absent from a total of six (6) meetings of the Board in any calendar year; without good and sufficient cause, such Officer or Trustee shall be removed from office following written notice to him by the Secretary of the Society.
SECTION 3. Any vacancy occurring among the Officers of the Society will be filled by an appointment of the President of the Society.
SECTION 4. Any vacancy occurring among the members of the Board of Trustees will be filled by an appointment of the chairman of the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 5. All Officers and Trustees so appointed shall serve for the unexpired term of the Officer or Trustee replacement.
ARTICLE XIV
LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1. Upon good cause shown and approved by the Board of Trustees, the regular members of the Society may elect to dissolve the Society by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the regular membership in attendance at a meeting duly called and assembled; providing the number of members present at such meeting represents at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting membership of the Society.
SECTION 2. Notice of the meeting called for purposes of dissolution shall be given to each member at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting and shall state that a proposal for dissolution will be presented at the meeting.
SECTION 3. Upon approval by the Society of a proposal to dissolve, Petition shall be presented to the Court of Common Pleas at Lackawanna County requesting permission to finalize the affairs of the Society and to liquidate the assets of the Society in accordance with the prevailing law.
SECTION 4. After Court approval is obtained, the Board of Trustees will arrange for the assets of the Society to be sold at a public or private sale, and the process derived therefrom shall be distributed in the following manner:
First, to all outstanding liabilities owed to any creditor of the Society, if any liability is contingent and an amount is uncertain at the time of dissolution the Board of Trustees may determine an appropriate amount to reserve in an account temporarily until such contingent liability is settled, and then next
The remaining proceeds shall be given to local recognized charitable organizations named by the regular members in attendance at a duly called meeting of the Society and in such amounts as determined and agreed to by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE XV
AMENDENT
SECTION 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meetings of the Society of a two thirds (2/3) vote of the regular members present, providing notice of such amendment has been given in writing to all regular members of the Society at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be considered for adoption.
SECTIION 2. All proposed amendments shall be reviewed and approved by the By-Laws committee to make certain that they conform to law. Then said amendment should be read at the regular meeting with no action or discussion taken. At the next regular meeting there will be open discussion and a vote taken to pass or reject the amendment.
SECTION 3. No proposed amendment which has been rejected shall be proposed again until after the lapse of one (1) year from the date of rejection.
BY-LAWS COMMITTEE
Gino Arcurie – Chairman
Joe Spinelli – Vice Chairman
Patrick McNichols
Bill Nicolais
Joe Colbassani, Esq.
John Romano
Joe Macciocco
Joe Pehanick
Anthony Trozolillo, Esq.
These By-Laws were approved and adopted at a regular meeting of the Victor Alfieri Society held on November 25, 2024, after proper notice, at which meeting a quorum was present.
ARTICLE XVI
BOCCE
SECTION 1. There will be no Bocce Leagues new or otherwise started or registered without the consent and approval of first the president of the society and second by the trustees. A roster must be submitted prior to start of all leagues.
SECTION 2. A Bocce League Coordinator shall be named and approved by the president to organize the bocce league (s), develop a schedule of matches, keep statistics, conduct a bocce rule meeting pre-season, and serve as the final decision maker for rule interpretation.
SECTION 3. The Bocce League Coordinator shall weekly provide league statistics to players to include Bocce matches and rankings.
SECTION 4. The Bocce League Coordinator shall arrange for the care of the Bocce courts, to include game day grooming, and recommend repairs as necessary. The Trustees of the Society shall approve any repairs or alteration to the bocce courts.
SECTION 5. The Bocce League coordinator shall report and return any funds collected from Bocce League (s) to the Bocce Committee Chairman.
SECTION 6. There shall be bocce coordinators for all leagues men / women / mixed and for social on Tuesday and Wednesday nights or Saturday in the daytime and he must fill out a report sheet of the nights income and fill out a roster sheet for everyone in attendance. A bartender must be appointed for each league or play if no bartender no one will be allowed inside the building.
SECTION 7. This league was started many years ago for the entertainment and camaraderie of its members, any member or team that would like to join this league shall be allowed to do so if they are members.
SECTION 8. You must be a member in good standing prior to the start of bocce league season. You will not be able to participate if you are a new member and have not yet been approved at a general membership meeting. You will have to wait for proper approval at the general membership meeting held monthly.
ARTICLE XVII
LEAGUES
SECTION 1. All leagues of any kind affiliated with the Victor Alfieri Society will pay dues (subject to change) of $35.00 per person for the duration of said league. These dues shall be collected by the second week of said league. If anyone does not have their dues paid by the second week of said league they will not be allowed to participate.
SECTION 2. Anyone playing on the courts not in a league just to practice will not be allowed inside the building at any time.