BYLAWS OF THE CLEAR LAKE AREA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL SPACE SOCIETY (NSS)
As Ratified or Amended by the members on September 9, 1992.
I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Clear Lake Area Chapter of the
National Space Society.
II. PURPOSE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The purpose of the Chapter shall be the same as that of the National Space
Society. No funds or assets of this Chapter may be used for any other purpose.
The Chapter shall operate under the rules of the NSS Bylaws and the Chapter
Rules, and the Chapter Fiscal Year shall be the same as that of the NSS. Upon
dissolution, all remaining Chapter assets shall become property of the National
Space Society.
III. MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Chapter consists of the those who are
full NSS members who have paid Chapter dues for the current year. The amount of
Chapter dues is determined by the Board of Directors. The Chapter may deny or
withdraw Chapter membership by a two-thirds vote of the members present and
voting at a general membership meeting.
IV. MEETINGS
There shall be at least one general membership meeting every year. All
members shall receive one week notice in writing, in person, or by phone, of
the time and place of the meeting. A general membership meeting may be called
at any time by a majority of the Board of Directors, the President, or by a
petition signed by 1/2 of the membership (or ten members, whichever is less).
Business may be transacted at any general membership meeting by a majority of
those members present and voting.
V. OFFICERS
The Chapter shall have a minimum of 3 officers including President,
Secretary, and Treasurer. One person may hold both the offices of Secretary and
Treasurer. Officers and Board members shall be elected annually at a general
membership meeting. An officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of
those present and voting at a general membership meeting for which written
notice is provided to the members two weeks in advance. If an office or Board
position becomes vacant, the remaining Board members may select a replacement
from among the regular members of the Chapter to serve the remainder of the
term. The term of office shall be one year from the time of election.
Nominations will generally be held in August with elections in September.
Duties of Officers
The President shall: preside at meetings of the membership and of the Board
of Directors; administer all affairs of the Chapter in accordance with the
decisions of the Board of Directors and the membership; in addition to such
other members of the Chapter as are from time to time designated by the Board
of Directors, act as the official representative of the Chapter; sign all
agreements to which the Chapter is a party; delegate those responsibilities and
powers to other members of the Chapter as may be appropriate; act as liaison
between the Chapter and the Society; have signature authority on all chapter
accounts.
The Vice President shall: preside at any regular meeting from which the
President is absent; oversee committees established by the Board; and succeed
the President in case he/she resigns, is removed, or is otherwise unable to
complete the term.
The Secretary shall: maintain records of resolutions passed at all meetings
of the membership and of the Board of Directors; keep the membership roll and
provide a copy to any Board member or to the NSS if requested to do so; provide
notice of meetings to the membership and the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall; receive, record, and safeguard all moneys paid into the
Chapter; keep full and accurate books of account for all financial transactions
of the Chapter; render a financial report or open the books for inspection when
called upon by the Board of Directors or the NSS; pay all duly approved bills
of the Chapter; require dual signatures on all amounts above a "petty
cash" limit established by the Board or chapter members.
VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
All powers of the Chapter, except as otherwise explicitly provided in these
Bylaws, rest in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate the
power to administer the affairs of the Chapter in specified areas of activity
to such members or committees as it finds appropriate or convenient. The Board
of Directors shall consist of no less than three nor more than seven members
elected annually at a general membership meeting. All Officers shall be Board
members. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business.
Board meetings may be held by mail, by phone, or in person, with a good
faith effort made to reach all members before a decision is finalized. Except
for extraordinary circumstances, Board decisions will be brought before the
general membership in a duly called meeting before commitments are made which
involve expenditures above the petty cash limit. Minutes from all Board
meetings held separately from general membership meetings will be reported at
the next general membership meeting or via phone or mail if no meeting is
called within a month of the Board meeting.
VII. RATIFICATION AND AMENDMENT
These Bylaws may be ratified or amended by a two-thirds vote of those
present and voting at a duly called general membership meeting.
VIII. COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors may establish standing and temporary committees to carry
out the business of the Chapter. The Vice President shall appoint Committee
Chairpersons who will keep the Vice President informed and report Committee
actions to the Board.
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last updated: 9-01-02