(*) 16. Duration of Membership

* Section 1 — Period. Membership shall continue during the existence of this club unless terminated as provided below.

* Section 2 — Automatic Termination. Membership shall automatically terminate when a member no longer meets the membership qualifications.

1. Rejoining. When a member in good standing has their membership terminated, that person may apply for membership again, under the same or another business, profession, occupation, community service, or other classification.
2. Termination of Honorary Membership. Honorary membership shall automatically terminate at the end of the term of membership set by the board, unless extended. The board may revoke an honorary membership at any time.

1. Process. Any member who fails to pay dues within 30 days after they are due shall be notified in writing by the secretary. If the dues are not paid within 10 days after the notification, the board may terminate membership, at its discretion.
2. Reinstatement. The board may reinstate the former member to membership if the former member requests and pays all debts to the club.

Section 4 — Termination Non-participation.

On the recommendation of the Membership Committee, a member who fails to participate as expected may be terminated unless the board consents to the non-participation for good cause.

1. Good Cause. On the recommendation of the Membership Committee, the board may terminate the membership of any member who ceases to have the qualifications for club membership or for any good cause by special resolution of the board at a meeting called for that purpose. The guiding principles for this meeting shall be: Article 8 (Membership), Section 1 and Article 11 (Member Participation); The Four-Way Test; and the high ethical standards of a Rotarian.
2. Notice. Before the board acts under subsection (a) of this section, the member shall be given at least 10 days’ written notice and an opportunity to respond in writing to the board. Notice shall be delivered in person or by registered letter to the member’s last known address and shall be deemed to be received five days after date of mailing. The member has the right to appear before the board to state his or her case.

1. Notice. Within seven days after the board’s decision to terminate or suspend membership, the secretary shall notify the member in writing. Within 14 days after the notice, the member may give written notice to the secretary of an appeal to the club.
2. Appeal. In the event of an appeal of termination, the board shall set a date for the hearing at a regular club meeting held within 21 days after receipt of the notice of appeal. At least 10 days’ written notice of the meeting and its special business shall be given to every member. Only members shall be present when the appeal is heard. The action of the club is final and binding on all parties.

* Section 7 — Board Action Final. Board action shall be final if no appeal to this club is taken.

* Section 8 — Resignation. A member’s resignation from this club shall be in writing, addressed to the president or secretary. The board shall accept the resignation unless the member owes debt to this club.

* Section 9 — Forfeiture of Property Interest. Any person whose club membership is terminated in any manner shall forfeit all interest in any funds or other property of this club if, under local laws, the member acquired any right to them upon joining the club.

1. credible accusations are made that a member has refused or neglected to comply with these bylaws, or is guilty of conduct unbecoming a member or harmful to the club; and
2. those accusations, if proved, constitute good cause for terminating the membership of the member; and
3. no action should be taken on the membership of the member, pending the outcome of a matter or an event that the board believes should properly occur first; and
4. it is in the best interests of the club to temporarily suspend the member without a vote on the member’s membership and to exclude the member from attendance at meetings and other club activities and from any club office or position; the board may, by special resolution, temporarily suspend the member for a reasonable period up to 90 days and with any other conditions the board sets. A suspended member may appeal the suspension as provided in section 6 of this article. Before the suspension ends, the board must either move to terminate the suspended Rotarian or reinstate the Rotarian to full regular status.