PURPOSE
Houston Brick Club’s purpose, vision and mission shall be as follows:
- To encourage friendship, fellowship, and communication among those who love LEGO®.
- To promote the hobby of LEGO® to the public, through showcasing & outreach activities.
- To help builders become better builders through workshops and sharing ideas.
- To share enjoyment of LEGO® among our Membership in all facets, including but not limited to building official sets, building MOCs, collecting, artistic expression, designing, robotics, photography, videography, sorting, and anything else that would drive someone to seek membership.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION STATEMENT
Houston Brick Club is welcoming and inclusive to everyone, and in no way discriminating against, denying membership to, or excluding from participation any person for reasons of race, ethnicity, age (except as described in Article 2 Sec. 2 for Members), physical ability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, familial status, religion, or national origin.
Section 1. Name. The name of the club is “Houston Brick Club”. The club will be referred to as “HBC” throughout this document.
Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the HBC shall begin on June 1 and end on May 31 the following calendar year.
ARTICLE 2 MEMBERS
Section 1. Membership.
Membership consists of those persons who: (1) are a member of the online membership group (defined as being included in the official Google Group); (2) have paid annual membership dues in accordance with Article 2, Section 4; (3) have at least three HBC Attendances in the current or previous fiscal year that meet any of the following criteria, one of which must be a public display:
- Attendance at a Monthly Meeting
- Publicly representing HBC while in attendance at Display Events
- Contribution of a MOC, including collaborative builds, to an HBC event without being in attendance
- Participation in a Committee, as reported by Committee Chair
Section 2: Age of Members. Unless specifically approved by the Board of Directors, all Club members must be at least eighteen (18) years old. Anyone under the age of 18 can participate but cannot be a member. An adult that is responsible for the person under 18 shall be their representative, and they will be the active member by proxy.
Section 3. Membership Benefits. Member benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Participation in HBC meetings, events, and build challenges
- Participation in any online HBC communities
- Opportunity to serve in HBC Committees or act as Committee chair
- Self-nominate to serve as a member of the Board of Directors
- Opportunities for additional benefits extended to HBC by THE LEGO® GROUP (TLG)
- Vote on board members, policy and any other voting held by the board.
Section 4. Member Dues. The HBC will collect an annual $24 non-refundable membership dues(per household) from all members. Memberships for the year will start collecting in the month of May and must be paid by June 1st, and are not past due until the end of the first week of June. Any new member or fan of HBC that would like to become members can pay fees after their first meeting to secure membership in HBC(fees will be half after December 31). Any new member that joins after December 31st will be charged a prorated membership cost ($12) for the remainder of the year. Failure to pay membership dues each calendar year will remove that individual as a member.
Section 5. Communications and Online HBC Communities. The HBC conducts business and engages in social activities electronically. Each member must have a valid email address. All HBC communications and notice of upcoming meetings and events shall be sent to members via the email address they provide. The HBC google group shall also contain upcoming event listings and serve as an online forum for discussion amongst members. If members wish to participate in the HBC google, they must include the name that is associated with their email address in their profile display name or nickname.
Section 6: Community Guidelines/Code of Conduct.
HBC strives to maintain a positive and respectful atmosphere and build a fantastic brick-loving community, all members must adhere to our Community Guidelines. The HBChappily embraces and aligns with the Code of Conduct crafted by TheLEGO Group. Here, we focus on four key principles to make our LEGO world awesome:
- Build Kindness: Let’s always aim to inspire and support one another. Shower each other with brick-tastic compliments and keep your critiques positively constructive. Remember, we’re all here because we enjoy those colorful bricks!
- RespecttheBuild: It’s totally cool to have different viewpoints, but let’s never target each other personally. Our discussions should be open and centered on ideas, not personal jabs.
- Brick-Inclusive:We’re all part of this family! Let’s ensure that everyone feels at home here, no matter where they’re from, what they look like, or how they identify.
- Click Together: We’re a group with diverse opinions, and our builds might reflect different views. Let’s remember that controversial topics can have supporters on both sides, so it’s important to respect each other’s perspectives. To maintain harmony, we ask you to refrain from using club events or public events where you are representing the group, to promote controversial positions.
You can check out The LEGO Group’s guidelines and more in all their glory at this link: https://lan.lego.com/files/file/370-lan-community-guidelines/
Now, the link above also spells out some behaviors that we won’t tolerate. The complete linked document gives the details for each of these brick-breakers. These include, but are not limited to:
Bullying/Harassment Profanity/Slurs Political debates
Hate Speech Spamming/Scamming
We expect all our members to bring their positive building spirit to HBCactivities and discussions. It’s so important to us that everyone remembers that we’re all part of the same colorful LEGO mosaic, so let’s keep those bricks stacking in harmony!
Not following our community guidelines will have consequences to protect all members and maintain a positive atmosphere. Consequences range from friendly reminders to temporary suspensions or permanent removal. Our goal is to ensure a safe, supportive environment for creativity and collaboration. Please familiarize yourself with these guidelines and strive to uphold them. If you feel another member has violated these standards, follow section 7 and reach out to HBC to discuss and repair the relationship.
If/when conflict arises, seek a meeting with all parties involved and an uninvolved individual to reach a closure of any discord or breach of civility. Board members are always available to be that uninvolved third party. A member of the board will be the only person that can dismiss a person from HBC, and the board must be and approve the dismissal by a majority vote.
Section 7: Violations and Reporting.
- In a situation where an individual identifies a violation of the HBC Bylaws or a member acting against the best interests of HBC, an email report should be sent to the general HBC email address houstonbrickclub@gmail.com with the phrase “Report” in the subject line. The nature of the incident, the time and date of the incident, and any relevant information should be included in the report. The HBC email account is set to automatically forward any email containing the phrase “Report” in the subject line to the Board of Directors and the LUG Ambassador.
- If the violation involves the Board of Directors or LUG Ambassador, use the applicable phrase “Report_NoBOD” or “Report_NoA” in the subject line to exclude them from receiving a forwarded report.
- Reported violations will be acknowledged by an email response with 10 days of a submitted report.
- Once the initial response to a report is sent, Members in the HBC elected positions and LUG Ambassador will gather to discuss report and determine future steps to take. If a Board Member of LUG Ambassador is the subject of a report, they will be replaced in their review duties by a Member in an active Appointed Position.
ARTICLE 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Eligibility. To be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors (Board), the individual must have been a member for 365 days prior to the service.
Section 2. Number of Directors. The Board shall consist of Five elected Directors and the appointed LEGO® Ambassador, who will be a non-voting member.
Section 3. Term. Directors should serve staggered two-year terms. Directors will be elected in June 2026, then 1 year later, 1 director position will come up for election. 2 Directors will be elected 2 years after June 2026.
Section 4. Election and Election Committee. The election of Directors will be held electronically and in person at each Annual Meeting, and all HBC members will be given the opportunity to self-nominate and vote. The Election Committee shall consist of one Director who is not at the end of their term, and at least two off-board members. The Election Committee shall manage the collection of self-nominations of candidates, the electronic voting form, and the in-person voting forms. The Election Committee shall tabulate results and communicate them to HBC membership.
Section 5. Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by delivering written notice of such resignation to the Board of HBC. Resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
Section 6. Removal. Any Director may at any time be removed, with cause, by a majority vote of 50 percent plus one of the members.
Section 7. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board resulting from the death, resignation, removal, or disqualification of a Director may be filled until the next Annual Meeting by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 8. Quorum. The presence of a simple majority (typically three) of the elected Directors constitutes a Quorum for the purposes of Board meetings and any actions which require a Board vote. If fewer than a Quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting without further notice.
Section 9. Compensation. Directors shall not be paid any compensation for attendance at any meeting or event.
Section 10. The Lego® Ambassador. The LEGO® Ambassador is appointed by the community to represent the community and its members actively on the LEGO® Ambassador Network (LAN). Consistency and experience of the Member appointed to the position are valued highly within the LAN. The role does not have a prescribed term length, and longevity in the position is encouraged. Every 4 years, the ambassador’s role will be evaluated by the board of directors. If the directors believe the ambassador is doing a good job and the ambassador wants to continue in the role, then they may continue for another 4 years. Roles and responsibilities of the LEGO® Ambassador may be found on the LAN website here.
Section 11. Treasurer. The Treasurer is an appointed position by the elected Board members. The Treasurer is responsible for the accounting of all funds received by HBC and HBC Committees and shall maintain transparency to Members through a quarterly report of financial activities. A proposed budget for the ensuing year shall be prepared by the Treasurer and be sent to all members 1 month prior to the Annual Meeting where it will be submitted to the membership for adoption.
Section 12. Officers. The Board may name Officers of the HBC from amongst the elected Directors.
Section 13. Committees. Directors may appoint one or more Committees to manage the activities of HBC. Each Committee shall consist of at least one Director and at least one Off-Board Member. Any Committees may exercise such powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of HBC as is delegated to them.
Section 14. Board functions. If any questions or discrepancies arise, the Board will interpret these by-laws in the best interest of HBC.
ARTICLE 4 MEETINGS
Section 1. Scheduling. Meetings of the Members shall be held as determined by the Board. Date, time, and location of at least one meeting per month will be provided to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting. Additional meetings and events may occur throughout the year with less than two weeks’ notice.
Section 2. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall be held in June of each year, the exact date to be determined by the Board. Notice of the Annual Meeting location and time shall be provided to the members at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. The Annual Meeting shall:
- Elect the Board Directors
- Approve the budget
- Transact such other business that comes before it.
Section 3. Attendance. Any meeting or display event of the members is counted officially for attendance reporting to TLG. If a Director cannot be present to collect attendance, the Board shall appoint a HBC member.
Section 4. Voting. Each Director shall be entitled to cast one vote on all matters which properly come before any meeting of the Board. Each Member shall be entitled to cast one vote on all matters which properly come before any meeting of the Members. Votes may be cast electronically. 25% of Members must submit a ballot to constitute a Quorum for membership votes.
Section 5: Video, Telephone or Online Meetings. Members may participate in a meeting by means of an in-person, video, telephone, or online conference by which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other at the same time.
ARTICLE 5 CONTRACTS, FUNDS, AND GIFTS
Section 1. Contracts. Unless so authorized by the Board of Directors, no committee member, agent, or any other person shall have any authority to bind HBC by any contract or engagement, or to pledge its credit, or render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 2. Checks, Drafts, and Orders for the Payment of Money. All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of HBC, shall be signed by such agent(s) of HBC, and in such manner as shall be determined by resolution of the Board.
Section 3. Deposits. All funds of HBC shall be deposited to the credit of the HBC in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board may select.
Section 4. Gifts. The Board may accept on behalf of HBC any contribution or gift for one or more of the purposes of HBC. If the gift has certain restrictions or specifications regarding its use, HBC shall exercise its best efforts to honor such restrictions or specifications. The Board of Directors reserves the right to reject any gift made to the HBC.
ARTICLE 6 SATELLITE LUGS
Section 1. Satellite LUGS will follow the rules of Article 2 section 6 for community guidelines and Code of Conduct. Satellite LUGS boards, will deal with conflicts with their own members and HBC board will not be involved unless an uninvolved third party is needed.
Section2. Satellite LUGS must take attendance for meetings or events through HBC Google Form, so that eligibility for membership programs can be confirmed.
Section 3. Satellite LUGS must have at least 6 open meetings a year and must have at least 3 public events per year, to be considered at part of HBC, until they get Lego Recognized Fan Community status. Meetings should be posted at least 2 weeks in advance and display opportunities must be posted in the HBC google group to allow members to participate, if they choose.
Section 4. Satellite LUGS must also pay their dues to HBC, to be able to receive any benefits extended to HBC by the Lego Company.
ARTICLE 7 MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Amendments. These bylaws may be amended by a two-third vote of the Quorum of Members.
Section 2. Records. HBC shall store attendance records, meeting minutes, and any other materials as stipulated by TLG for reporting purposes.
Section 3. Dissolution. HBC may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority vote of at least 80% of Members. Upon the dissolution of HBC, any assets will be divided amongst Members.
The foregoing Initial Bylaws are hereby approved and adopted by the Members of HBC effective this 1 day of May, 2026.
houstonbrickclub.com 