KREWE OF BONNE VIVANTES CONSTITUTION

2016-2017
1. The name of this organization will be Krewe of Bonne Vivantes. The membership
will not exceed 150 members plus the number of members in the Krewe Guard.
For example: If there are 5 Krewe Guard members, then the membership will not
exceed 155 members.
a) At the age of fifty (50) and an active member for fifteen (15) consecutive years, a
member shall have the opportunity to participate in the Krewe Guard. This
group shall not exceed ten (10) paying members. At the discretion of the current
officers, Krewe Guard duties could include helping with any events related to
the ball.
b) Krewe Guard members shall have the option of participating with the group of
their choice in a non-dancing capacity. If Krewe Guard member opts to wear
the group costume, they must also wear some item identifying them as a Krewe
Guard member. This item (such as a pin or sash) will be approved by the Bonne
Vivantes officers.

2. One (1) masked Ball will be held annually (on a Saturday night, unless facilities are
unavailable), preceding Mardi Gras.

3. OFFICERS:The Officers will be Captain, Secretary and Treasurer. There will also be
group leaders to be selected by the Officers and the general membership. In the event
an Officer has to vacate her term, the captain shall appoint someone to fill the
vacancy. If for any reason the Captain vacates her office, the Secretary will move up
to Captain.There may be a Membership Committee comprised of three Krewe
members selected/appointed by the Officers if they so choose.

4. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The Officers will be elected by a majority vote with

nominations from the general membership the night of rehearsal. The first officer
elected will be Captain. The second officer elected will be Secretary, and the third
officer elected will be Treasurer. Members must participate two (2) consecutive years
before being elected for office. The newly elected Officers will take office the day
after the Ball. The previous officers will have thirty (30) days to conclude their
business and turn over their completed books.

5. DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The Captain will preside at all meetings. The Secretary
will keep a record of all proceedings of the Krewe and maintain a current membership
list to include participation status. The Treasurer will collect dues, have charge of all
money belonging to the Krewe and will pay all bills properly approved. The Officers
and group-leaders will have full charge of all arrangements for the Ball. If a group
leader shows lack of interest, such as not attending meetings, the Captain has the
authority to replace her. In the event a member violates the constitution of the Krewe
of Bonne Vivantes, it is the Officers and/or Board of Directors duty to take
appropriate actions.Each officer will be allowed to invite (1) couple each to attend the
 Ball. These guests must be in formal attire and sit at the table of their host:
(Amended 6.28.2014)

6. SELECTION OF GROUP LEADERS: A group leader must have participated in

two (2) Balls (going on her third) before chosen to hold office.Each Group will chose
an Eligible Member to be Group Leader before Thursday Night Meeting and
submit name to Officers before Thursday Night Meeting. All group leaders are
responsible for submitting the following list to the Officers: 1) Members not
participating in the ball. 2) Members who have not paid for their costumes and /or
accessories. This list should be given to the Officers the night of the rehearsal
meeting. (Amended 6.11.2016)

7. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP:To remain an active member you must pay dues and
participate the night of the Ball; unless there is an extreme emergency such as illness,
death in the family, pregnancy, physical disability, etc. The situation must be
approved by the Officers. The definition of participating the night of Ball means all
membership obligations have been fulfilled, the member is in full costume, comes out
with her group and dances/participates in the group dance in some manner approved
by the group leader and/or Captain. Written notification must be presented to the
Officers stating the reason(s) why the members are not going to participate. Non-
participation in the Ball without just cause will result in loss of membership. This loss
of membership will be permanent. The Secretarys records will verify participation. If
a member has paid her dues she will receive her view cards, whether she participates
or not. REFUSAL OF MEMBERSHIP:The Officers will have the authority to
refuse renewal of membership if a member does not abide by the rules or behaves in a
manner unbecoming to the Krewe of Bonne Vivantes. (Amended 6.11.2016)

8. MEMBERSHIP VACANCIES: All vacancies in the organization shall be filled by a

vote of the members present at the summer general membership meeting. All names
of persons proposed for membership due shall be presented to the Officers at their
request. The people receiving the most votes will be accepted for membership.

After the election of new members, the list of proposed members and votes received
will be retained. Newly elected members or current members who relinquish
membership and forfeit dues will be replaced with the next highest newly proposed
member within 90 days of the ball. The entering member must pay dues. The
entering member will replace the outgoing member in the same group (Amended
6.11.2016).
9. DUES:Dues will be $150 per year. The deadline for the payment of dues is May 1st of
each year. This includes membership for the active year, one call out favor and rental
fee for the facility the Sunday practice before Ball. If special arrangements must be
made concerning dues, the member must contact the Captain before May 1st.Members
whose dues are not received by May 1st or other arranged date will be dropped from
membership of Bonne Vivantes. Officers will make one (1) reminder call to members
that have not submitted dues by the deadline. All members of Bonne Vivantes will
pay the full amount of dues required. Membership dues of $150 will be waived for
the captain, secretary, and treasurer during their term as officers. The $150.00 dollars
is non-transferable and can only be applied to membership dues (Amended
6.1.2015). There will be a $20.00 late fee added to the yearly membership fee of
$150.00 for all fees not received or post-marked by May 1st of each year. For all
Members submitting membership fees after May 1st, the $170.00 is due no later than
May 20th. Members who do not submit fees by the above mentioned deadlines will be
subject to forfeit membership. These deadlines are firm. If for any reason the amount
of dues needs to be changed, it will be decided upon by a vote of members. DUES
WILL NOT BE REFUNDED FOR ANY REASON. Any member who furnishes the
Krewe of Bonne Vivantes with an insufficient funds check (NSF) will be required to
pay all bank charges incurred by the Krewe to collect payment on this check and any
additional charged by the bank.

10. MEETINGS:An annual general membership meeting will be held before the Ball at
a given date. All club money spent on the Ball should be itemized on a statement and
presented to the club at the Thursday night meeting. Club members should be aware
of how and where the clubs money is spent. Election of Officers and announcement
of Group Leaders for the upcoming year is done at this time. A summer general
membership business meeting will be held after June 1st for all club business. The
Officers or any five (5) members upon written request may call a special meeting.
The general membership must be given a written seven (7) day notice of this meeting.
(Amended 6.11.2016)

11. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION:Amendments to this Constitution

shall be submitted in writing to the Officers at their request. The Secretary under the
heading New Business must read the Amendments. A majority of the members
present shall constitute a quorum and all business of the Krewe may be transacted
upon a two-third vote. (Amended 6.11.2016)

12. INVITATIONS:Invitations will be printed with the insignia of the Krewe of Bonne
Vivantes in color choice. Each member will be allowed four (4) call-outs and two (2)
invitations to view (view cards), with the exception of the court. The King and Queen
 will receive twelve (12) view cards each, and the Court will receive approximately
four (4) view cards each. (The amount varies according to the rules of the Ball facility
that particular year).

13. DRESS CODE MEMBERS AND GUEST:All members must be in costume to

conform to the instructions given by the Officers. Each member shall wear her
costume during the entire ball. Masks are to be worn during tableau segment only.
Non-costumed members will not be allowed on the floor. All men invited to the Ball
must be in formal attire, or they will not be admitted. Servicemen will be accepted in
dress uniform.

14. SELECTION OF THE COURT:(Amended 6.28.2014) The three Officers will

select Queen, King and Court. The selection will remain a secret from the general
membership until announced at the ball. The court will consist of a Queen and King,
six Maids and six Dukes. The entire Court will be selected from eligible paid
members. A member must be a participant for two years before being eligible for
Maid and Queen after three years. The Maid and Dukes of the previous year and the
Queen and King may not be eligible for court again for three years. Officers and
group leaders will not be eligible for Queen or court the year they are serving in
office. However, husband of group leaders will be eligible for King or Dukes. The
Queen and King will be allowed to invite four couples each to attend the Ball. Each
maid will be allowed to invite one couple to attend the ball. These guests must be in
formal attire and sit at the table of their host.

15. COURT FEES: The Maids and Dukes will each pay a court fee not to exceed
$65.00. This fee will not be included in the Krewe treasury and will be used to pay
for expenses of a Court Party following the Ball. The Queen and King will hold a
separate party unless otherwise arranged. If only one Court party is held the Queen
and King shall share the expenses.

16. GIFTS:When funds allow, the Krewe shall present gifts to the Court members.

17. COSTUMES AND ACCESSORIES: All members will furnish their own costume
in accordance with the directions received from the Officers. Costumes will not be
changed for any reason except in extreme cases. Anyone causing problems about the
costumes will be asked to forfeit membership at the Captains request. Each member
assigned to a group will be liable for payment for accessories, even if she does not
participate in the Ball. If this accessory fee is not paid, membership for the next year
will be declined.

18. SPENDING OF CLUB MONEY: No money can be used for Court parties out of
the Krewe Treasury. Court parties must be paid for by added fees from the Court
members. Pictures for the picture book must be limited to a reasonable amount based
 on available funds. The picture book will remain with the Captain of the Ball. The
Captain must give a party or get together to allow the Officers, King, Queen, Court
and group leaders an opportunity to order pictures.

19. CALL OUT FAVORS: Each active member will receive (1) call out favor, selected
by the Officers for the current year to be given to their first call-out guest. Call-Out
favors will be limited to $5.00 each.

20. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:The Board of Directors of the Krewe of Bonne Vivantes

will be compiled of the three previous Officers, the three present Officers, Krewe
Guard, and an audit committee. The Audit Committee will be composed of three
volunteers, (members who are not presently an Officer, immediate prior year officers
or group leader). The members of the Audit committee will be decided upon at the
summer meeting. If more than three members volunteer, the Officers will make the
final decision on membership.The Board of Directors will be responsible for
reviewing and approving financial statements, serving as committee member when
necessary, and assisting the current officers in admitting the bylaws of the
Constitution. The final membership list and financial statement for the previous year
will be furnished to the New Officers within thirty days after the Ball. A copy of the
financial statement will be available to members at each meeting. The Board of
Directors will act as advisors to the Officers and general membership.