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By-Laws Suggestion
Here is my suggestion for bylaws, basically copied from those of the
American Livebearer Assn. Understand that I'm just using this as a
starting point for the discussions. There will be some inconsistencies
because of the differing nature of the two organizations. Please review
and critique these by-laws.
BY-LAWS OF THE AQUATIC GARDENERS ASSOCIATION
Issued in ?/2000, Revised -
Article 1 - Membership
Section 1
Membership in the Association is:
(1) for multiples of one year ( one, two, or three years ).
(2) is non-transferable.
(3) open to all.
Section 2
Membership entitles the holder to:
(1) four issues of The Aquatic Gardener per year.
(2) one of each ballot issued.
Section 3
Membership may be terminated for:
(1) failure to pay dues
(2) any other cause deemed, by the majority of the Steering Committee,
to be in the best interest of the association in accordance with article
1, Section 4.
Section 4
The Steering Committee may reprimand, suspend, or expel any member of the
association by a simple majority vote, subsequent to:
(1) a statement of cause and intent to the defendant.
(2) and an opportunity for that defendant (within 30 days after the
statement was mailed) to address a defense and/or explanation to the
Steering Committee.
Article 2 - Steering Committee (SC)
Section 1
The Steering Committee shall consist of six members, elected by the
general membership for two year terms. Each year, three of the SC shall
be elected so that there is always a carryover of three SC from the
previous year.
Section 2
Nominees to the SC must have been members in good standing for at least
one year prior to being nominated.
Section 3
The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the
Chair by June 1. The Nominating Committee shall request nominees for the
SC from among the general membership by an announcement in The Aquatic
Gardener ( next to last issue of the year ). In the event that issue is
delayed, a separate request shall be sent instead, so the ballot can
still appear in the last issue.
Section 4
Nominations ( with biographies ) must be in the hands of the Nomination
Committee in time to be included in the last issue of the year.
Section 5
The slates of nominees shall be approved by two-thirds of the Nominating
Committee and presented in the form of a ballot with the last issue of
the year.
Section 6
Votes of the membership shall be tabulated in time to be reported in the
last issue of the year by a member appointed by the chair. Those three
nominees with the highest number of votes shall assume office on January
1.
Section 7
The SC elect ( three continuing and three newly elected ) shall select a
chair and a vice chair from among themselves during December in
preparation for assuming office on Jan. 1. The incumbent chair will poll
the SC elect for persons willing to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair, and
will tabulate the ballots. The Chair elect and Vice Chair elect must
receive at least three votes each from the SC elect to be seated.
Section 8
The SC shall:
1 Maintain records of all business transacted.
2 Manage and direct the affairs of the association.
3 Appoint a nominating committee in accordance with Section 3 above.
4 Annually appoint or reappoint the editor, committee chairs and any
society representatives.
5 Establish committees as needed to serve the association.
6 Entertain suggestions and discuss problems addressed to them by the
membership.
7 Operate on the basis of simple majority vote. In case of a tie, the
tie shall be broken by eliminating the Chairs vote.
8 Select an individual from the general membership to fill any vacancy
resulting from death, disability, resignation, or dismissal of an SC
member ( see Article 3, Section 4 ).
Article 3 - Operation of the Steering Committee
Section 1
All business will be conducted thru email except for those occasions when
some or all of the SC can get together in one place at the same time.
Section 2
Any AGA member in good standing may suggest a voting proposition to the
Chair of the SC who must submit it to the SC for consideration within 30
days of receipt.
Section 3
The Chair must email an SC letter to all SC between the first and tenth
of each month. Such letters need not require a reply if no vote is called
for or no issues are to be discussed. In the event the Chair has not
issues the required letter by the 20th of the month, the Vice-Chair will
assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chair.
Section 4
The Vice-Chair will assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chair
in the event that the Chair resigns, becomes incapacitated or is
deceased.
Section 5
Each SC member shall respond to all voting propositions contained in the
Chairs letter within 7 days of the posting date on the Chairs letter.
Unless previously excused, failure to respond by the prescribed date will
eliminate that SC members vote on current propositions.
Unless previously excused, failure to respond to two successive letters
containing voting propositions shall be cause for dismissal from the SC.
Section 6
No member of the SC shall be paid a salary of commission, or receive any
other remuneration from the Association, except for itemized expenses
incurred in operation of the society. This does not exclude remuneration
to an SC member for services outside the duties of an SC member, if
payment would have been made to a non-SC member providing the same
service.
Article 4 - Management Committee (MC)
The Management Committee shall consist of the SC plus the chair of each
AGA committee. The purpose of the MC shall be to provide a wide variety
of perspectives on issues concerning the AGA. The MC shall not have
voting power, but serve as advisors to the SC. It is expected that the MC
will serve as a training ground for those considering running for the SC.
Article 5 - Dues
Dues shall be determined by the SC.
Article 6 - Mode of Operation
Election of SC members shall be carried out by written correspondence.
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair and voting on other propositions, by
email.
Article 7 - Publication
The official publication of the Association shall be THE AQUATIC
GARDENER.
Article 8 - Amendments
The Articles of Incorporation may be amended at any annual meeting or
special meeting of the Association upon the affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of the members entitled to vote thereon present at such
meeting or voting by ballot.
Upon written request of at least ten percent (10%) or the members, the SC
shall adopt a resolution setting forth the amendment proposed by such
members and directing that it be submitted to the next meeting of the
members held not less than sixty (60) days after the date of the filing
of the request of the members with the Chairman of the SC.
The power to alter, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Association, or
adopt new By-laws shall be vested in the members of the Association. Such
alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption of the By-laws shall be done
in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Article for the
amendment of Articles.
In case of an amendment voted on by mailed ballot:
1 no ballot shall be valid if received more than 30 days after the
ballot was mailed to the general membership.
1 an approved change in the Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws
shall be effective on January 1 of the following year.
________________________________________________________________
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