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Constitution and By-LawsArticle I. Name and Purpose The name of this organization shall be the Big South Fork Star Gazers. The purpose of this organization shall be the education and mutual improvement of its members and the public in the science of astronomy and the encouragement of an interest in this science among others. No part of the net income of this group shall inure to the benefit of its members or any private individual. Article II. Membership Section 1. Membership shall be open to all members of the public with an Interest in astronomy upon payment of the annual dues. Membership fees shall be as follows: Charter members (5) shall pay $120.00, will have lifetime membership, and own one-sixth interest in the 6 inch and 8 inch telescopes. Regular members shall pay annual dues of $15.00, beginning at the March meeting. Section 2. One quarter of the number of full members in good standing, or four, whichever is greater, shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present at any meeting of this organization at which a vote is taken committing it to any proposal or action. Section 3. For new members joining from July to December, the membership fee is reduced to half that of the regular fee. Article III. Meetings Section 1. A meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Meetings may be canceled due to weather or for reasons of holidays. Section 2. There shall be no more than a 90-day period between any two meetings of the club. Section 3. For the purpose of definition, the January meeting of the club shall be considered the annual general meeting. If at any time an annual general meeting cannot be held in January, the next meeting of the club shall be considered as the annual general meeting. Section 4. No more than 60 minutes of a meeting may be spent on business, at which time, adjournment of the business portion of the meeting shall be automatic. A motion of the membership and a vote of over 50 percent of members present may grant an extension of this on a meeting-by-meeting basis. Article IV. Rules of Order and Parliamentary Authority Section 1. The order of business shall be such as is required by the occasion. In general, this shall take the form of minutes of the last meeting, adoption/amendments of the minutes of the last meeting, unfinished business, financial reports, committee reports, and new business. Section 2. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority on all questions of procedure and parliamentary law not covered by these by-laws. Article V. Board of Directors Section 1. The elected officers of this organization shall serve as the Board of directors and shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary , and Treasurer; or two of these offices may be combined to form the office of Secretary/Treasurer. All of the officers shall serve without remuneration at all times. Section 2. A nominating committee will be appointed at the November meeting. The cutoff time for accepting nominations will be the December meeting, at which time the official slate of officers will be presented to the club. Election and installation of officers will be held at the club’s annual general meeting in January, at which time the officers will assume their duties. They shall serve until their successors have been installed. Section 3. The officers shall serve for one year. Should any office become vacant, a temporary appointment for the rest of the term shall be made by the remaining officers. Section 4. Any member in good standing may serve in any of the official offices. Section 5. The official duties of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be defined for the efficient management of the organization and guided by this document. President: Presides over the meetings of the club and assigns duties to the membership as needed. The president is an ex officio member of all committees. The president shall not vote on any matter affecting the club business except in the event of a tie, in which case the president shall have the option of casting a vote. The president may assume the duties of the other officers as needed in their absence, or may appoint someone to act in their positions over the course of a meeting. Vice President: In the absence of the president, shall assume the duties of the president at all meetings of the organization. Secretary: Shall be responsible for recording the minutes of all meetings of the club. The secretary shall also be responsible for any correspondence relating to the club, as well as, maintaining an active membership of the organization. In addition, the secretary should also be prepared to act as a media liaison, and is encouraged to maintain an active means of notifying the public of the club’s existence. Treasurer: Shall be responsible for the management of the club’s finances. The treasurer shall provide an annual financial statement at the annual general meeting of the club. In addition, the treasurer shall also provide a quarterly financial report to the membership, in the form of annual income and expenses, and outstanding bills. Along with the president, the treasurer shall have cosigning authority on any account held by the club. The treasurer is actively encouraged to maintain good financial records or secure these services at a cost approved by the membership to do so. Directors: Shall be responsible members of the club whose guidance may be helpful to the club’s benefit. Directors shall have no more official duties other than to serve on executive committees and add to the club’s diversity in the decision-making process. Article VI. Committees Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers and shall meet at least once per month. This meeting may also occur at the general meeting, as well as at the annual general meeting. Article VII. Amendments Section 1. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote in a duly assembled meeting, a quorum being present, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given at the previous meeting. Section 2. No amendment of this Constitution that would require reorganization or dissolution shall be made except by a three-fourths vote in a duly assembled meeting, a quorum being present, and provided that written notice of the proposed amendment was duly mailed to each member in good standing thirty days prior to such meetings. Charter members: Tona Monroe Frank Niblick Chuck Valentine Anita Walker Jim Yancey |
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