Name and Purpose

1. The name of this organization, recognized as a Unit of Kena Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Virginia is the Klowns or "Kena Klowns."
2. The purpose for which the Klowns is organized is to support Kena Shriners and to provide entertainment for any worthy cause.
3. The Kena Klowns shall be governed by the By-Laws of Kena Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S.; the statutes, constitution, and regulations of the Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America; and these By-Laws of the Kena Klowns.

Meetings

1. The stated meeting of the unit will be held on the second Wednesday of each month. The meeting shall begin at 7:00 PM. All stated meetings shall be held in the space assigned by Kena Shriners. The Director may, at his discretion, cancel a stated meeting in case of unusual circumstances, upon notification of the members by usual means.
2. Five voting members shall constitute a quorum for business.
3. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Director, provided due notice is given to all members. No business may be transacted at a special meeting except that which is specifically spelled out in the notification.
4. The order of business at regular meetings shall be determined by the Director with the following items included as appropriate:
   1. Minutes of prior meetings
   2. Financial report
   3. Communications
   4. Committee reports
   5. Old business
   6. New business
   7. Training, practice or critique as scheduled
   8. Entertainment, refreshments, fellowship

1. The elected officers of the unit shall be Director, 1st Assistant Director, 2nd Assistant Director, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers appointed by the Director are Sergeant-at-Arms and Chaplain.
2. The officers of the unit shall be elected annually at the regular meeting in November. A majority of the votes cast shall determine the election.
3. The Director of the Klowns must be approved by the Potentate
4. In the event of a vacancy in any office, it shall be filled at the next regular meeting by the same procedure as above.
5. The duties of the elected officers are as follows:
   1. Director: To administer the operations of the unit in accordance with Shrine rules of procedures, in a democratic manner and in keeping with the purpose as stated in Article 1, Section 2.
   2. 1st Assistant Director: To perform the duties of the Director in his absence, to assist the Director in training classes in makeup and wardrobe for new Klowns. To assist in establishing Klown skits. Assist in practice sessions. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.
   3. 2nd Assistant Director: To perform the duties of the 1st Assistant Director in his absence. To be responsible for the property of the Kena Klowns. To arrange for refreshments at Klown meetings.
   4. Secretary: To receive and present the minutes, to handle all correspondence within the unit, to maintain and update the By-Laws, to maintain an updated roster of all members, to keep official records, and is responsible for keeping the website up to date.
   5. Treasurer: To receive and maintain records of all financial transactions, report regularly to the unit the financial status and to receive and disburse all monies in accordance with the expressed wishes of the unit.
6. The duties of the appointed officers are as follows:
   1. Sergeant-at-Arms: To maintain order at Klown meetings and at Klown functions. The Sergeant-at-Arms should be familiar with parliamentary procedure or to make substituted judgement for the Klown Director. This person must be able to make rational and reasonable recommendations for the benefit of the Unit.
   2. Chaplain: To provide spiritual guidance and provide briefings on the well being of the Klown members.

Committees

1. 1. Executive Committee: The Executive Committee will consist of all the elected officers and any regular or life members appointed by the Director. It shall manage and direct the affairs of the unit, be responsible for a correct accounting of the monies received and disbursed and ensure correct inventories of the properties.
   2. Program Committee: The Program Committee, co-chaired by the External Communications Officer and the 1st Assistant Director, will have up to a total of five members who will develop an annual program for Klown participation at Shrine functions, hospital visits, parties and other worthwhile children's programs.
   3. Election Committee: The Election Committee, appointed by the Director and consisting of three members at large, will be formed in September to solicit all members as to their willingness and/or desire to serve as an officer in the ensuing year. It will, without recommendations, prepare a list of the names and offices of all candidates willing to serve, and tally votes if a written secret ballot is used.
   4. Equipment Committee: The Equipment Committee, appointed by the Director, shall consist of at least three members to provide surveillance over all equipment belonging to the unit, provide routine maintenance and recommend actions deemed necessary in caring for, improving or replacing the equipment.
   5. Ways and Means Committee: The Ways and Means Committee shall consist of the 1st Assistant Director as chairman and two appointed regular or life Klown members who will develop and recommend the budget on a fiscal year basis.
2. Other committees may be appointed by the Director as the necessity arises.

Members

1. The following classes of membership shall be maintained in the Klown Unit:
   • Regular: Regular membership consists of those members belonging to A Shrine center who have been regularly accepted, have paid their dues and initiation fees and who participate in a representative number of Shrine activities and Klown functions each year. Regular members may vote and hold office in the Klown Unit. This will include at least two Klown activities (dress-outs) and two Klown meetings. Exceptions will be granted at the discretion of the Director or by a majority vote of the unit.
   • Life: Life membership consists of those who have been regular members of the Klown Unit for 25 years or more, and have been nominated and elected to this status by popular vote of the voting membership present at a regular meeting. Life members may vote and hold office in the Klown Unit. The payment of Kena Klown dues is optional for Life Members.
   • Honorary: Honorary membership consists of those Nobles, not members of the Klown Unit, who have been recognized by the unit for outstanding service to the unit, and have been nominated and elected to this status by popular vote of the voting membership present at a regular meeting. Honorary members are not subject to the payment of unit dues and may not hold office or vote.
2. Applicants for membership must first request permission to participate in the activities of the unit, perform in makeup and costume in two activities and pay an initiation fee plus dues after being accepted into the unit. Election shall be by majority vote of the voting members present at the regular meeting.
3. A dues notice shall be sent to each regular member prior to the November meeting. A dues notice will be sent to all Life members whose payment for the Kena Klown Unit portion of their dues is optional. A current dues card is required to attend all Klown meetings and functions. A member may be dropped from the roles if he is still in arrears at the end of the year in which the dues are due.

Finances

1. All money received in the unit will be deposited in a bank which is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and which extends no-charge privileges to non-profit organizations.
2. The Treasurer will receive all monies due the unit and will record them in the Treasurer's record.
3. All bills will be paid by check. All checks issued on the unit account will be signed by either the Treasurer or the Director. A record of every expenditure will be given to the Treasurer.
4. Regular financial reports will be made to the Shrine Recorder as required.
5. An audit committee, appointed by the Director shall audit the books prior to the annual meeting. A report shall be made at the annual meeting and a copy presented to the Potentate.

Amendments

1. Amendments, changes, or additions to these By-Laws shall be offered in writing at any regular meeting of the unit. The membership present may, by two-thirds vote, agree to present the proposal at the next regular meeting. The membership must be notified of the proposal in writing, its content and the date of consideration is to be given. In any case, the notification must be given at least two weeks prior to the date of consideration. Due notice having been given, a two-thirds vote of the members present at the meeting will be necessary for approval. Amendments become effective only upon approval by the Potentate.

Budget

1. The budget is operated on a fiscal year, from the first meeting after election of officers, thereby allowing the Director and the 1st Assistant Director to collaborate on Klown activities. Abiding by Masonic tradition, the budget expenditures cannot exceed the budgeted revenues. Therefore, the Director and Committee Chairman must exercise good judgement in the appropriation of funds that will not only allow each function or activity to continue to prosper, but to replace any expenditures. While it is recognized that overspending cannot be tolerated, the Ways and Means Committee shall be allowed to reprogram or transfer funds as necessary.
   The budget must contain the following line items for each fiscal year:
   1. EXPENDITURES
      1. Meetings
         1. Refreshments
         2. Entertainment
      2. Equipment (Klown Car, Motorcycle, Trailers, etc.)
         1. Maintenance
         2. Repair
         3. Support
         4. Storage
      3. Receptions/Hospitality
         1. MASA
         2. SASA
         3. Klown functions and activities
      4. Clown development and incentive
         1. Education and Training
         2. Materials for activities, skits, etc.
         3. Clown subsidy
         4. Unit and individual photographs
      5. Kena Shriners Building Fund
         1. Maintenance
         2. Upkeep
      6. Klown Unit Room
         1. Maintenance
         2. Upkeep
      7. Miscellaneous
         1. Secretarial supplies
         2. Production of newsletter
         3. Postage
         4. Announcements, e.g. Get Well Cards
         5. Klown Steak Dinner and/or Krab Feast
         6. Contributions
         7. Miscellaneous
         8. MASA
         9. SASA
   2. REVENUES
      1. Klown Steak Dinner and/or Krab Feast
      2. Dues
      3. Donations
      4. Current Assets
      5. Miscellaneous
   3. SAVINGS:
      1. Bank Account