To be added,
CONSTITUTION
Adopted January 20, 1877
ARTICLE I
The Name
The name of this association was founded as The Indianapolis Literary Club. Today the legal name is Indianapolis Literary Club, Inc. (Amended April 20, 2026)
ARTICLE II
The Object
The object of this Club shall be social, literary and aesthetic culture.
ARTICLE III
The Members
Section 1. There shall be two classes of members: regular members and honorary members. (Amended November 4, 2013)
Section 2. Except when the presiding officer deems it inappropriate, voting on candidates for membership shall be held at any regular meeting provided that the candidates shall have been approved by the Standing Committee on Nominations of Officers and Members on the application form and that the candidates shall have previously attended one-or-more regular meetings, and that the proposers shall introduce the qualifications at that regular meeting. The fully-completed application form sent to the Secretary may be electronic to expedite the process. (Amended February 4, 1991; April 20, 2026)
Section 3. Nominations for membership shall be in writing on an application furnished by the Club, completed by the candidate and signed by three members of the Club as proposers. Signatures and transmittals shall be electronic to expedite the process. The application shall include the candidate’s name, address, age, occupation, and a statement that the candidate desires to become a member. In proposing a person for membership, each of the proposers represents to the Club that he has discussed the privileges and responsibilities of membership with the nominee, and that he is reasonably satisfied that the nominee will take advantage of such privileges and will fulfill such responsibilities. (Amended February 4, 1991; April 20, 2026)
Section 4. Unless one of the three proposers requests a Black Ball Box vote, and that request is supported by two-or-more members, the vote will be by a show-of-hands, including votes from the electronic attendees. This allows for maintaining this part of the Club’s history. Three black balls shall prevent an election.
If elected to membership, the new member will be welcomed immediately. (Amended April 20, 2026)
Section 5. Before taking his seat, each member-elect shall signify his acceptance in writing to the Secretary, and shall pay to the treasurer thirty-five dollars and his dues for the club year in which he is elected in accordance with Section 6 below. If a newly elected member shall not qualify within one month after he has been notified of his election, his name shall be dropped from the roll. (Amended October 17, 1949; November 1, 1954; November 4, 1963; April 5, 1971; March 5, 1979; June 30, 1980; June 27, 1989.)
Section 6. The annual dues of all members shall be determined by the executive committee at a meeting to be held immediately before the first day of July in each year. A statement of this decision shall be included with the bill sent out by the Treasurer on October First. (Amended October 17, 1949; November 1, 1954; November 4,1963; April 5, 1971; April 19, 1976; March 5, 1979; June 8, 1988.)
Section 7. Membership may be terminated as follows:
First. By voluntary resignation of a member in good standing when all accrued dues are paid.
Second. By a majority of the Committee on Rooms and Finance, in case a member has failed to pay his dues for two months after the same are payable, and one week's notice by mail has been given by the Committee before such action; except in case of the absence of such member during the whole of the two months aforesaid.
Third. By a three-fourths vote of the regular members present at any regular meeting for business, provided that the motion to strike the name from the roll shall have been made and seconded, with reasons stated, at the previous meeting.
Fourth. Any regular member who shall absent himself from meetings for one club year without valid excuse, may, after due notice sent to him by mail by the Secretary, be dropped from membership on recommendation of the Committee on Officers and Members supported by a three-fourths vote of the members present at a regular meeting. Members who habitually refuse or fail, when assigned to duty by the Committee on Arrangements and Exercises, to participate in the literary exercises of the Club without sufficient excuse may be dropped in the same manner. (Amended February 4,1991)
Fifth. Subsequent to the 7th day of October, 1991, any new member who fails to read a paper during three (3) Club years following his admission to membership, may be dropped from membership upon the recommendation of the Committee on Officers and Members, supported by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members present at a regular meeting.
Section 8. The membership of the Club is limited to one hundred and fifty members.
Section 9. Any person in the state, not a resident of Indianapolis, may be elected a regular member, on condition that he pays the dues of regular members and fulfills his appointments in the literary exercises of the Club. Members who have had ten years of active membership and have attained the age of seventy-five, shall be exempt from duty on the program except by voluntary performance and they shall also be exempt from the payment of dues. (Amended October 21, 1946)
By unanimous vote of the Executive Committee, a member of the Club under the age of seventy-five years of age, but with ten years of active membership, who because of continued disability is unable to participate in the activities of the Club, may be declared exempt from duty on the program and from the payment of dues. Such exemption may be for life or for such other period of time as the Executive Committee considers proper. (Amended April 20,2026)
Section 10. Those persons who have made significant contributions or provided unusual service to the Indianapolis Literary Club or the cause of literary exposition may be named honorary members by vote of the Executive Committee and subsequent vote by simple majority of those present at a regular meeting of the Club. Honorary members shall be entitled to participate in all meetings and activities of the Club, and the Club shall pay for the dinners of honorary members who wish to attend the annual Collation and Annual and Inaugural Dinner meetings. For such members, payment of dues shall be waived. (Amended November 4, 2013)
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Club shall be a President, three Vice Presidents, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, a Webmaster, an Assistant Webmaster, a Soundmaster, and an Assistant Soundmaster. The Executive Committee of the Club may approve additional officers as it deems advisable. (Amended April 20, 2026)
Section 2. These officers shall be elected by ballot on the second meeting in April, or as soon thereafter as practicable.
Starting with the nominations made in the year 1992, the member then holding the office of First Vice President shall be designated by the Committee on Officers and Members as the candidate for President unless he is unable or unwilling to serve. The election shall be announced by the presiding officer at least two regular meetings immediately preceding the election. In case of vacancy, the remaining officers may fill it by appointment. (Amended February 4, 1991)
Section 3. The officers of the Club shall perform such duties as their titles imply. They shall also constitute an Executive Committee for the transaction of all business not committed to any standing or special committee, and for the general management of the Club’s affairs. (Amended April 20, 2026)
ARTICLE V
Standing Committee
Section 1. There shall be three standing committees, consisting of five members each, to be elected when the officers are elected:
1. On Nominations of Officers and Members.
2. On Arrangements and Exercises.
3. On Rooms and Finance.
The chairman of each standing committee shall be ex-officio one of the Vice Presidents.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
Section 1. Club meetings shall be held on the first and third Monday evenings of each month of the year, except in the months of June, July, August, September and December, with only one regular meeting in May, unless ordered by the Club. Persons residing out of the Indianapolis Metropolitan area may attend the meetings upon the invitation of a member; but no member shall invite more than one such person to attend the same meeting. No male resident of the Indianapolis Metropolitan area not a member may attend a meeting of the Club, except that candidate and prospective candidates for membership will be invited to attend meetings. The essayist for the evening, when he is to read, may invite male guests to attend. Female guests may be invited on Ladies’ Nights. (Amended November 16, 1959; March 5, 1979; February 4, 1991; April 20, 2026)
ARTICLE VII
Section 1. The literary exercises in general shall not continue more than one hour.
Section 2. The essayist shall elect his own subject, and be free to express any opinion whatsoever thereon.
Section 3. The Club, as such, shall express no opinion on any subject.
ARTICLE VIII
Adopted 1908
Section 1. The Committee on Rooms and Finance is authorized to draw orders on the Treasurer for such sums as may be necessary to pay for stationery, printing, postage, rent, cigars, and repair of furniture and decorations, and such other sums as may be necessary to pay for the usual obligations necessarily incurred as a result of the customary activities of the Club. (Amended February 4, 1991)
Section 2. The Treasurer shall pay out money for no other purpose except on resolution of the Club; and any motion for such expenditure shall lie on the table until the next regular business meeting after its introduction, and copies thereof shall be mailed to all members of the Club.
ARTICLE IX
A Quorum
Fifteen regular members of the Club either present or present electronically shall constitute a quorum; but less number shall have power to adjourn from time-to-time. (Amended April 20, 2026)
ARTICLE X
Amendments
The constitution may be amended at any business meeting at which at least 25 members are in attendance in person or electronically by a vote of two-thirds, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been read and submitted to the Club in open session at the preceding business meeting. (Amended April 20, 2026)