Bylaws of Quelab
The principal office of the corporation is located in 680 Haines Avenue NW, being the City of Albuquerque in the County of Bernalillo in the State of New Mexico.
The designation of the county or state of the corporation’s principal office may be changed by amendment of these bylaws. The board of directors may change the principal office from one location to another within the named county by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes of address shall not be deemed, nor require, an amendment of these bylaws:
New Address: 1511 Central Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106
Dated: October 1, 2024
The corporation may also have offices at such other places, within or without its state of incorporation, where it is qualified to do business, as its business and activities may require, and as the board of directors may, from time to time, designate.
This corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Quelab is a fiscally sponsored project of School Factory, Inc. a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
The specific objectives and purposes of this corporation shall be:
The corporation is a membership-driven organization. Members have the right to participate in the election of the board of directors annually as governed by the Election Policy (Appendix B). The responsibilities not delegated to the Board of Directors by these bylaws, nor responsibilities prohibited to the Members, are authorized to be done by the Members.
Membership is open to any person of the general public that supports the purpose statement in Article 2, Section 2. In order to be a member, a person must adhere to the bylaws; sign the Member Code of Conduct and Liability Waiver annually; and provide a mailing address or an electronic mail address for the purpose of receiving official notice of periodic membership meetings.
There will be an annual membership meeting, as called by the Board, at which a subset of the Directors will be elected. This meeting is mandatory, as a quorum of members must be present for a valid election to be conducted.
The corporation shall have seven to eleven, (7-11), directors and collectively they shall be known as the board of directors.
Directors shall be of the age of majority in this state.
Subject to the provisions of the laws of this state and any limitations in the articles of incorporation and these bylaws relating to action required or permitted to be taken, the activities and affairs of this corporation shall be conducted and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.
It shall be the duty of the directors to:
Each year, one half of the authorized number of directors shall be elected to serve on the board of directors for a two-year term as governed by the Election Policy (Appendix B). Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
If, at a meeting for the election of directors, more than one group of initial board members is elected to serve for a first staggered term of office, then the secretary of the corporation shall assign each director to a numbered group and shall make a chance selection between or among the numbered groups (by selecting among other lots or by some other chance selection procedure). The group corresponding to the number so chosen shall be subject to election to a staggered term at the meeting.
Directors shall serve without compensation except that a reasonable fee may be paid to directors for attending regular and special meetings of the board. In addition, they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Any payments to directors shall be approved in advance in accordance with this corporation’s conflict of interest policy, as set forth in Article 9 of these bylaws.
Meetings shall be held at the principal office of the corporation unless otherwise provided by the board or at such other place as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the board of directors.
Regular meetings of directors shall be held on first Wednesday of the calendar quarter at 7 P.M., unless such day falls on a legal holiday, in which event the regular meeting shall be held at the same hour and place on the following Wednesday.
Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the chairperson of the board, the president, the vice president, the secretary, by any two directors, or, if different, by the persons specifically authorized under the laws of this state to call special meetings of the board. Such meetings shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or, if different, at the place designated by the person or persons calling the special meeting.
Unless otherwise provided by the articles of incorporation, these bylaws, or provisions of law, the following provisions shall govern the giving of notice for meetings of the board of directors:
A quorum shall consist of 70% of the members of the board of directors. Board members must be present either physically or virtually by telepresence technology. Except as otherwise provided under the articles of incorporation, these bylaws, or provisions of law, no business shall be considered by the board at any meeting at which the required quorum is not present, and the only action which the chair shall entertain at such meeting is to adjourn.
Every act or decision done or made by a consensus of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the board of directors, unless the articles of incorporation, these bylaws, or provisions of law require a greater percentage or different voting rules for approval of a matter by the board.
Meetings of the board of directors shall be presided over by the chairperson of the board, or, if no such person has been so designated, or in his or her absence, the president of the corporation, or in his or her absence, by the vice president of the corporation, or in the absence of each of these persons, by a chairperson chosen by the directors present at the meeting. The secretary of the corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of the board, provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Meetings shall be governed by Consensus Policy (Appendix A), insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or in conflict with the articles of incorporation, these bylaws or with provisions of law.
Vacancies on the board of directors shall exist (1) on the death, resignation, or removal of any director, and (2) whenever the number of authorized directors is increased.
Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the chairperson of the board, the president, the secretary, or the board of directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. No director may resign if the corporation would then be left without a duly elected director or directors in charge of its affairs, except upon notice to the office of the attorney general or other appropriate agency of this state.
Directors may be removed from office, with or without cause, as permitted by and in accordance with the laws of this state (NMSA 53-8).
Unless otherwise prohibited by the articles of incorporation, these bylaws, or provisions of law, vacancies on the board will be filled by special election. A person selected to fill a vacancy on the board shall hold office until the next election of the board of directors or until his or her death, resignation, or removal from office.
The directors shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the corporation.
The directors and officers of the corporation shall be indemnified by the corporation to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of this state.
Except as may be otherwise provided under provisions of law, the board of directors may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation (including a director, officer, employee, or other agent of the corporation) against liabilities asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the articles of incorporation, these bylaws, or provisions of law.
The officers of the corporation shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. The corporation may also have a chairperson of the board, one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and other such officers with such titles as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors.
The officers may not necessarily be voting members of the board of directors, but are responsible to the board, including the officers previously named.
Officers shall be of the age of majority in this state. Officers shall also be obligated to remain members in good standing of Quelab for the duration of their term of office.
Officers shall be selected by the board of directors via consensus, at any time, and each officer shall hold office until he or she resigns or is removed or is otherwise disqualified to serve, or until his or her successor shall be selected and qualified, whichever occurs first.
Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors, at any time. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the board of directors or to the president or secretary of the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. The above provisions of this section shall be superseded by any conflicting terms of a contract which has been approved or ratified by the board of directors relating to the employment of any officer of the corporation.
Any vacancy caused by the death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, of any officer shall be filled by the board of directors. In the event of a vacancy in any office other than that of president, such vacancy may be filled temporarily by appointment by the president until such time as the board shall fill the vacancy. Vacancies occurring in offices of officers appointed at the discretion of the board may or may not be filled as the board shall determine.
The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the board of directors, supervise and control the affairs of the corporation and the activities of the officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident to his or her office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the articles of incorporation, or by these bylaws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors. Unless another person is specifically appointed as chairperson of the board of directors, the president shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, by the articles of incorporation, or by these bylaws, he or she shall, in the name of the corporation, execute such deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, checks, or other instruments which may from time to time be authorized by the board of directors.
In the absence of the president, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the vice president shall perform all the duties of the president, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the president. The vice president shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by the articles of incorporation, or by these bylaws, or as may be prescribed by the board of directors.
The secretary shall:
In general, perform all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as may be required by law, by the articles of incorporation, or by these bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the board of directors.
The treasurer shall:
In general, perform all duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law, by the articles of incorporation of the corporation, or by these bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the board of directors.
The salaries of the officers, if any, shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. In all cases, any salaries received by officers of this corporation shall be reasonable and given in return for services actually rendered to or for the corporation. All officer salaries shall be approved in advance in accordance with this corporation’s conflict of interest policy, as set forth in Article 9 of these bylaws.
The corporation may from time to time delegate the authority of the board of directors to committees and task forces as may be designated by resolution of the board of directors. All references in these bylaws to committees shall be understood to include both committees and task forces. These committees may consist of persons who are not also members of the board and shall act in an advisory capacity to the board.
Meetings and action of committees shall be governed by, noticed, held, and taken in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws concerning meetings of the board of directors, with such changes in the context of such bylaw provisions as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members, except that the time for regular and special meetings of committees may be fixed by resolution of the board of directors or by the committee. The board of directors may also adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of meetings of committees. The quorum for committees, task forces and special members meetings shall be 60%.
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may by resolution authorize any officer or agent of the corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount.
Except as otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the board of directors, or as otherwise required by law, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the corporation over $500 shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the president of the corporation, with the exception of the corporation’s debt service, lease obligations, and mortgage payments.
All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the board of directors may select.
The board of directors may accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the nonprofit purposes of this corporation.
The corporation shall keep at its principal office: a. Minutes of all meetings of directors, committees of the board, indicating the time and place of holding such meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice given, and the names of those present and the proceedings thereof; b. Adequate and correct books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, and losses; c. A copy of the corporation’s articles of incorporation and bylaws as amended to date.
The board of directors may adopt, use, and at will alter, a corporate seal. Such seal shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation. Failure to affix the seal to corporate instruments, however, shall not affect the validity of any such instrument.
Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records, and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation, and shall have such other rights to inspect the books, records, and properties of this corporation as may be required under the articles of incorporation, other provisions of these bylaws, and provisions of law.
Any inspection under the provisions of this article may be made in person or by agent or attorney and the right to inspection shall include the right to copy and make extracts.
The board shall cause any annual or periodic report required under law to be prepared and delivered to an office of this state, to be so prepared and delivered within the time limits set by law.
No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by Section 501.h of the Internal Revenue Code), and this corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these bylaws, this corporation shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
No part of the net earnings of this corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors or trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of this corporation.
Upon the dissolution of this corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Such distribution shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of the laws of this state.
In any taxable year in which this corporation is a private foundation as described in Section 509.a of the Internal Revenue Code, the corporation 1) shall distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under Section 4942 of the Internal Revenue Code; 2) shall not engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in Section 4941.d of the Internal Revenue Code; 3) shall not retain any excess business holdings as defined in Section 4943.c of the Internal Revenue Code; 4) shall not make any investments in such manner as to subject the corporation to tax under Section 4944 of the Internal Revenue Code; and 5) shall not make any taxable expenditures as defined in Section 4945.d of the Internal Revenue Code.
The purpose of this conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt corporation’s interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the corporation or any “disqualified person” as defined in Section 4958.f.1 of the Internal Revenue Code and as amplified by Section 53.4958-3 of the IRS Regulations and which might result in a possible “excess benefit transaction” as defined in Section 4958.c.1.A of the Internal Revenue Code and as amplified by Section 53.4958 of the IRS Regulations. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
The minutes of meetings of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:
A consensing member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the corporation for services is precluded from consensing on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
A consensing member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the corporation for services is precluded from consensing on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
No consensing member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the corporation, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.
When approving compensation for directors, officers and employees, contractors, and any other compensation contract or arrangement, in addition to complying with the conflict of interest requirements and policies contained in the preceding and following sections of this article as well as the preceding paragraphs of this section of this article, the board or a duly constituted compensation committee of the board shall also comply with the following additional requirements and procedures:
Each director, principal officer, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
To ensure the corporation operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Section 7, the corporation may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.
Except as may otherwise be specified under provisions of law, these bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended, or repealed and new bylaws adopted by approval of the board of directors.
If there is any conflict between the provisions of these bylaws and the articles of incorporation of this corporation, the provisions of the articles of incorporation shall govern.
Should any of the provisions or portions of these bylaws be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of these bylaws shall be unaffected by such holding.
All references in these bylaws to the articles of incorporation shall be to the articles of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of incorporation, organizational charter, corporate charter, or other founding document of this corporation filed with an office of this state and used to establish the legal existence of this corporation.
All references in these bylaws to a section or sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be to such sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to time, or to corresponding provisions of any future federal tax code.
We, the undersigned, are all of the initial directors or incorporators of this corporation, and we consent to, and hereby do, adopt the foregoing as the bylaws of this corporation.
Approved upon by Quelab Members on: 5 January 2014