Posted: August 12, 2025
Northside Alcoholics Benevolent Association
Constitution & By-laws
Northside Alcoholics Benevolent Association (hereafter “NABA”) is a Georgia non-profit corporation organized for the purpose of assisting in the recovery from alcoholism. The activities of NABA will be in accordance with the steps and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous here after (“AA”). NABA will lease facilities for AA related meetings. Facilities may also be provided for special events, dining and conferences. As provided in the Articles of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State, dated January 13, 1969. NABA is not to be construed as an agent for or an entity of AA.
Membership is not open to the general public and is limited to those qualifying by membership requirements as set forth below.
Requirements for membership in NABA are:
(1) Member of AA with not less than thirty days of continuous sobriety or active participation in meeting for members of Al-Anon. If a person is a member of both AA and Al-anon thirty days of continuous sobriety is required.
(2) Recommended for membership by one NABA member in good standing.
(3) Application approved by NABA Board.
(4) Payment of current contribution and key deposit.
Initial membership is on a probationary basis for a period of 90 days. Voting privileges and full membership will be granted automatically after the probationary period.
A member in good standing is defined as follows:
No more than one month’s contributions in arrears. Contributions are late after the 10th of the month unless paid in advance.
In compliance with NABA house and ground rules approved by the Board of directors.
Continuous sobriety for AA members and/or active attendance at meetings for Al-anon members.
A member may resign by submitting resignation to NABA office.
Membership for AA members will be automatically terminated for drinking. The terminated member must re-qualify for membership.
Misconduct or violation of NABA house and ground rules will result in membership termination. In such cases, the member in question may request a hearing with the Board.
Membership will also be terminated if contributions are three months in arrears.
A member experiencing extreme financial hardship may request that the Board grant a “hardship membership.” In such cases, the Board may elect to waive or suspend contributions for that particular member temporarily – these situations will be decided by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
Section III – Government
The Governing Body shall be the Board of Directors (hereafter the “Board “). The Board shall consist of nine members, elected as described below and shall meet once each month. A Sunday in January of each year shall be designated by the Board as the “annual membership meeting” to elect the directors necessary for the following year. Other business affecting NABA of any nature may also be properly discussed and voted on at this meeting.
There shall be elected at each “annual membership meeting” a minimum of three (3) directors for a term of three years each. All candidates must be members in good standing with the following minimum qualifications:
(1) Two years continuous sobriety for AA members or two years of Al-anon participation in meetings. If a person is a member of both AA and Al-anon two years continuous sobriety is required.
(2) One year NABA membership.
A club employee may not serve on the Board.
Any appointed director shall serve until the next (annual membership meeting).
A member of the Board who has served a full term may not succeed himself.
Should the members of the Board at any time number less than nine (9). The remaining members of the Board shall elect, by majority vote, at the next Board meeting, a number sufficient to make the full complement of nine. A board member appointed in this manner shall stand for election at the next annual membership meeting.
Article 2 – Nominating and Voting
At least sixty days prior to the annual membership meeting, the president shall appoint a nominating committee comprised of three members.7 Thirty days prior to the election the nominating committee shall advise the secretary of its nominations for the Board. The secretary shall post the names of the nominees at least fifteen days prior to the election. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.
At the close of nominations, the president shall announce the names of those members nominated and eligible to serve. Each member shall cast a written ballot for one nominee for each vacancy. Proxy votes are not allowed. Those nominees receiving the greatest number of votes cast shall be elected. The three largest vote getters are elected to a full three-year term. The next highest vote getter(s) shall fill the un-expired terms relative to the number of votes received.
Any member of the Board who becomes intoxicated while in office shall immediately resign.
Any Board member guilty of misconduct detrimental to NABA or its members shall also immediately resign.
If such director fails to resign, he shall be removed from the Board at the next regular meeting of the Board or a special meeting by a majority of the directors present.
Members may recall a member of the Board upon a petition for a special members meeting presented to president and signed by 25% of the members in good standing. The president shall give ten days notice to all members by posting a notice on the secretary’s bulletin board setting the time, date and place of meeting and director (s) for whom such meeting has been called. The director(s) shall be removed upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the eligible members voting and present.
Article 4 – Officers
The Board shall elect by majority vote, a president, vice-president, secretary and a treasurer. An officer may serve successive years in the same position. The president shall preside at all meetings of the members of the Board and shall perform all other duties set forth in the by-laws.
The vice-president shall act in the absence of the president, and shall perform such other duties as shall be designated by the president. In the event of resignation, death or disqualification the vice-president shall succeed the president. A new vice -president shall be elected at the next Board meeting.
The treasurer has responsibility and accountability for all funds received and disbursed by the club. Monthly and year-to-date financial reports shall be posted in the members’ room. The treasurer shall make a verbal report, accompanied by a printed annual financial report available to all members, at the annual members meeting in January.
The secretary shall keep all records and minutes of meetings of the Board and shall perform all other duties as assigned by the Board. The president and secretary shall sign all minutes.
Article 5 – Committees
The president shall appoint committees, from time to time, to assist the Board in the operation and management of NABA‘s affairs.
Such presidential committees shall be appointed by the president to serve at his pleasure. The president will notify the appointed members of the committee at time of the appointment. The secretary shall advise the membership of NABA in the manner described below.
The finance committee shall consist of president, vice-president and treasurer. The finance committee shall have full authority to establish and shall maintain in writing all financial policies and procedures concerning receipt and disbursement of funds of NABA.
The secretary shall keep a bulletin board in a conspicuous and well-known place available for inspection by all members. Any notice placed on such bulletin board shall constitute notice to all members. Nothing shall be posted on this bulletin board without the authority of the secretary.
The by-laws may be amended at any annual membership meeting by a two-thirds majority of all members present and voting. Notice of the proposed by-laws amendments shall accompany the notice of the annual meeting.
The Board shall promulgate and approve a list of house and grounds rules governing the operation of NABA and the conduct of its members. These rules may be changed from time to time with the approval of a majority of the Board and shall be posted in accordance with Article 6.