ORGANIZATION: BYLAWS
CONTENTS
- Name, Object, Organization and Jurisdiction
- Membership
- Board of Directors
- The Officers
- The Executive Committee
- Finances
- Property, Rights & Privileges
- Committees
- General Provisions
- Amendments to Bylaws
- Effective Date
ARTICLE I. NAME, OBJECT, ORGANIZATION, & JURISDICTION
(CONTENTS)
Section 1. Name
The name of this Corporation is Society of Mineral Museum Professionals, hereinafter
referred to as the Corporation.
Section 2. Objects
Object of this Corporation shall be to foster recognition of mineral science
collections as essential scientific, educational and cultural resources; to promote
support for the growth, maintenance and use of collections and exhibits; to advance museum
practice through cooperation in the development, review, dissemination of information in
pertinent fields, such as acquisition, storage, preservation, cataloging, display, study
and interpretation, and
- To engage exclusively in religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety,
literary or educational activities as permitted by an organization, not organized for
profit, under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954
- To provide educational activities consisting of conducting public or professional
discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar programs.
- To receive by gift, bequests, devise or other means, cash, real property and personal
property, both tangible and intangible, to hold said property and to distribute said
property as may be deemed best for the promotion of the purposes here hereof of this
Corporation.
- Any other provisions of this instrument notwithstanding, the Corporation shall
distribute its income for each taxable year at such time and in such manner as not to
become subject to the tax on undistributed income imposed by Section 4942 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal Tax Laws.
- Any other provisions of this instrument notwithstanding, the Corporation shall not
engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in Section 4941 (d) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal Tax Laws; nor retain
any excess business holdings as defined in Section 4943 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal Tax Laws; nor make any
investments in such manner as to incur tax liability under Section 4944 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal Income Tax
Laws, nor make any taxable expenditures as defined in Section 4945(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal Tax Laws.
- To carry out such activities as are incidental or reasonably related to the
aforementioned purposes.
Section 3. Organization
This Corporation is a non-profit tax-exempt corporation duly incorporated
in 1989 under the non-profit laws of the State of Arizona.
Section 4. Jurisdiction
The territory within which the operation of the Corporation shall be conducted is the
State of Arizona, and all states of the United States, and all countries of the free
world.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
(CONTENTS)
Section 1. Eligibility
Membership is limited to individuals who meet one of the following criteria:
- are currently on the staff of an accredited museum or educational institution and are in
some way responsible for the curation of its mineralogical, gemological and/or
petrological collections
- are retired from a position described under (a)
- are affiliated with an accredited museum or educational institution in an advisory or
volunteer curatorial capacity relative to its mineralogical, gemological, meteoritic and/or
petrological collections
- are approved for membership by the Board
Prospective members should be able to provide documentation of institutional
affiliation.
Section 2. Election of Members
Individual membership - upon written application to the Membership Chair, an applicant
will be considered for membership, subject to approval by the Membership Committee, and
payment of annual dues.
Section 3. Dues
- The dues for individual memberships shall be established by the Executive Committee,
subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
- Dues for the membership year are payable in advance at or before the end of the February
official meeting and bestow membership through the end of the next following February
meeting.
Section 4. Rights of Membership
Individual members in good standing are entitled to vote on general Corporation matters
as determined by the Board of Directors at the Annual or special call meetings, to
participate in the usual membership functions, to receive the Council's publications, to
serve on committees as requested and to be nominated for membership on the Board of
Directors.
Section 5. Suspension and reinstatement
- Members whose dues remain unpaid during a given year lose their membership privileges
until paid, except that they will continue to receive meeting announcements during the
first unpaid year. Such members are automatically reinstated upon payment.
- Members whose dues remain unpaid for two consecutive years lose all membership
privileges and meeting announcements. Such members may be reinstated by new member
application procedures.
Section 6. Honorary membership
In recognition of outstanding service to the Corporation, a member may be nominated for
Emeritus Membership. Nomination may be made by an individual member in good standing to
the Membership Committee. The decision of that Committee shall be presented to the Board
of Directors for approval. Honorary members shall be exempt from further payment of dues
but shall have full rights of voting and participation in activities, nomination to the
Board of Directors and any other rights accorded individual members.
Section 7. Quorum and Decisions of Members Meetings
Current members present at an Official Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of members' affairs. Decisions of the membership shall be by majority vote.
ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (CONTENTS)
Section 1. Membership
- The members of the Board of Directors shall be nominated for election by a Nominating
Committee and/or supplemented by open nominations from the floor during February official
meetings of the general membership.
- A total of nine (9) Directors serving terms in a staggered cycle will constitute the
Board of Directors. The Secretary of the Corporation will be responsible for conduct of
the election.
- The Member Chair and Webmaster, and others as requested by the President, will
sit with the board as advisors but shall not have voting privileges. The previous year's
President, if different from current President, will sit with the board and will have
voting privileges.
Section 2. Term of Office
The term of office of each of the Directors shall be three (3) years on a staggered
cycle, with one-third of the Directors being replaced or up for re-election every year.
Section 3. Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Board of Directors other than on account
of the regular expiration of a term of office, the said Board, by roll call vote, shall
fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
Section 4. Meetings
- The Board must meet in regular or special meetings in order to transact
business.
- The Board of Directors shall hold annual meetings in the month of February, in Tucson,
Arizona, at such place and time as the Directors may determine.
- A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at the call of the President
or at the request of one-third of the members of the Board of Directors.
- A written notice of each meeting to each Director at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.
These meetings may be held electronically and any and all business may be transacted at any Board of
Directors meetings.
Section 5. Quorum of Directors Meetings
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business and, if a quorum is not present those present may adjourn the
meeting from day to day or to a later date.
Section 6. Responsibilities and Custodianship
- The Board of Directors shall make such rules and regulations for the management and
operation of the Corporation, not inconsistent with those bylaws as the Board of Directors
may deem expedient and necessary.
- The Board of Directors shall do all things required and permitted by these bylaws to
forward the purposes of the Corporation.
- The Board of Directors may authorize such committees as it may deem necessary from time
to time to promote the objects of the Corporation.
- The Board of Directors shall review the annual budget of the Corporation, established by
the President.
- In respect to all questions of construction arising under the bylaws, the decisions of
the Board of Directors shall control.
Section 7. Decisions of the Board of Directors
Every decision of the Board of Directors shall be by a concurring two-thirds vote,
unless otherwise required by these bylaws. Decisions can be solicited electronically, and voting done
via email.
Section 8. Minutes
Written minutes of every Corporation meeting, setting out the members in attendance, the matters before
the meeting and every action taken thereat,
shall be kept by the Secretary or appointed delegate.
Each said Minutes shall be presented and approved by the membership at the AGM and posted on the
Corporation website for all members to review..
Section 9. Powers of the Board of Directors
All the corporate powers, except as otherwise provided for in these bylaws, and by
statute, shall be and hereby are vested in and shall be exercised by the Board of
Directors.
Section 10. Delegation of Authority
Neither the Board of Directors nor any Officer or Director shall delegate any of its or
their authority, rights or power conferred by statute or these bylaws, unless such
delegation is specifically prescribed or permitted by the bylaws.
Section 11. Termination of Directorship
Any Director or Officer may be suspended or their directorship declared forfeited by the
Board of Directors if they fails to attend three consecutive meetings, or if the Board
agrees by a two-thirds vote to remove him/her from the Board.
ARTICLE IV. THE OFFICERS (CONTENTS)
Section 1. Titles
The Officers of the Corporation shall be the President, the Vice President, the
Secretary, the Treasurer and such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time
to time deem necessary. The Officers of the Board shall be elected from the Board of
Directors.
Section 2. Election
The Officers shall be elected by the Board members of the Corporation from its own
membership during the February meeting of the Board of Directors. The Secretary will be
responsible for the conduct of the election.
A call for nominations and subsequent elections will commence in November, prior to the February AGM
where voting will be done by electronic means,
and the new officers’ term will commence at the meeting of the Board of Directors in February.
Section 3. Terms of Office
The term of each Officer shall be one year, beginning at the end of the official
February meeting.
Section 4. The President
The President shall be the administrative head of the Corporation and shall have the management and
control of the Corporation,
except for those duties empowered to the Board of Directors. They shall preside at the Board of
Directors and the Executive Committee meetings.
They shall sign all agreements of the Corporation, all of which shall be countersigned by the Secretary.
They shall make at the February meeting, a report covering the operation of the Council and the
activities of the Corporation for the preceding year.
They shall appoint within thirty (30) days of their office such committees as the business of the
Corporation or these bylaws shall require,
subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
The President may call a special meeting of the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee whenever they deems such a meeting necessary.
Section 5. The Vice President
The Vice President shall possess all the powers and perform all the duties of the President in the event
of the absence of the President or of their disability,
refusal or failure to act, and they shall perform such other duties as are properly assigned to them by
the President or the Board of Directors.
Section 6. The Secretary
The Secretary shall be an administrative officer of the Corporation. They shall record and certify the
Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors; record attendance at all meetings; and shall conduct
correspondence of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors as directed. All minutes or copies thereof
shall be made available to the President and the Directors for review prior to posting to the general
membership. The Secretary shall keep the seal of the Corporation. The Secretary shall maintain a file of
committee reports and such other records as the Board of Directors, the Officers of standing committees
shall refer for retention, at such place as the Board of Directors may determine.
In meetings where the Secretary cannot attend, a delegate chosen by the Secretary and President will
take minutes.
The Secretary, with the help of a committee members, will issue a call for candidates for election in
November to replace those Directors who terms expire as of that meeting, and conduct an online vote to
happen prior to the AGM in February.
Section 7. The Treasurer
The Treasurer shall see that the Corporation's checkbooks and accounts are in order and
shall make a report of its financial condition at each annual meeting of the Board of
Directors, and such other times as shall be required by the President of the Board of
Directors. All checks drawn on the Corporation shall be signed by the President or
Treasurer. The President may appoint an administrative assistant(s) with the authority to
sign checks for all recurring expenses of the Corporation, on their single signature, up to
the amount of $500.
Section 8.
The Secretary may serve in a combined capacity of Secretary/Treasurer if needed.
ARTICLE V. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (CONTENTS)
Section 1. Membership
The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected Officers of the Corporation and
shall be composed of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary and the Treasurer.
Section 2. Meetings
The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President.
Section 3. Quorum
Three (3) members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of its business, and its decisions shall be by a concurring majority vote,
unless otherwise required by these bylaws.
Section 4. Powers
The Executive Committee shall have the power, during the intervals between the meeting
of, and subject to the approval of, the Board of Directors, to authorize the corporate
seal to be affixed to any and all documents which may require the same affixed thereto as
the Executive Committee shall deem to be in the best interests of the Corporation, in all
matters which are not contrary to the specific directions of the Board of Directors or the
bylaws.
Section 5. Responsibilities
- The basic responsibilities of the Executive Committee are:
- Review and recommendation of all overall and operating objectives, policies and programs
.
- Preparation, review and recommendation of the annual budget to the Board of Directors.
- Receipt of interim reports of Officers, standing committees and the President.
- Review of the progress of committees and staff, if any, throughout the year.
ARTICLE VI. FINANCES (CONTENTS)
Section 1. Sources
Funds for the operation of the Corporation shall be derived from member dues, public
and private funds, grants donations and other sources.
Section 2. Bank Accounts and Checks
- A "general account" for Corporation funds shall be established at a bank
approved by the Board of Directors, All checks drawn on the said account shall be signed
by the President or the Treasurer, and the Administrative Assistant(s) may sign checks for
all recurring expenses of the Corporation, up to the amount of $500.
- Special designated accounts may be authorized by the Board of Directors at any time.
Section 3. Audits
The accounts of the Corporation shall be audited annually at the end of the fiscal year
by an accountant unless this requirement is specifically waived by a vote of the Board of
Directors. Each of such audits shall be filed with the Board of Directors and a copy filed
thereof with the Treasurer.
Section 4. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year for the Corporation shall be from January 1 to December 31 of the same
year.
ARTICLE VII. PROPERTY, RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
(CONTENTS)
Section 1. Acquirement of Property
- In furtherance of carrying on its affairs and exercising its powers this Corporation may
take and acquire real property for its own use.
- Only members of the Board of Directors and the Development Officer, if any, shall have
any right or authority to solicit, receive, take or accept any gift, bequest or devise if
it will not promote the objects and purposes of the Corporation, or if it and its
administration will place an undue financial or other burden on the Corporation.
Section 2. Insurance
The Corporation may insure its equipment and assets against loss and damage of any kind
and may acquire any other insurance the Board of Directors may deem necessary to protect
itself against claims of any kind.
Section 3. Staff and Service
The Corporation may hire and retain such staff and such services as may be necessary to
accomplish the objectives of the Corporation.
Section 4. Social and Recreational Activities
The Corporation may organize, operate, sponsor and maintain benefits, dinners, and
other social and recreational activities for the benefit of the Corporation.
Section 5. Succession
The Corporation shall have perpetual succession and shall have the power to sue and be
sued in its own name.
ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES
(CONTENTS)
Section 1. Classes of Committees
The Committees may consist of standing committees, established by these bylaws, and
special committees, established by the Board of Directors or the President.
Section 2. Standing Committee Members
The President shall appoint the members of the standing committees subject to
confirmation by the Board of Directors. All standing committees will be formed unless
specifically waived by a vote of Board of Directors. This waiver, if used, must be
reviewed by the Board of Directors at the Annual meeting, reasons for and against
continuance offered, and a new vote taken.
Section 3. The Standing Committees
- The Standing Committees shall include:
- The Membership Committee - shall be responsible for reviewing all new application for
membership, both individual and institutional, and voting their acceptance or rejection.
The Treasurer will provide this Committee with notice of members in arrears and they will
vote whether to suspend membership. This Committee will also vote on all reinstatement
applications. Nominations by members in good standing of candidates for emeritus
membership will be reviewed by this Committee. The recommendation of the Committee will be
submitted for a vote to the Board of Directors.
- The Program and Planning Committee - shall be responsible for, and shall coordinate and
recommend on all matters pertaining to planning.
- The Nominating Committee - shall be responsible for presenting a slate of Directoral
candidates to the Annual Meeting of the Council to replace those Directors whose terms
expire as of that meeting.
ARTICLE IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS (CONTENTS)
Section 1. Controls
All written contracts and obligations of the Corporation shall be signed by the
President, unless otherwise specified in these bylaws. Neither the President nor any other
Officer of the Corporation shall have the authority or power, except by special vote of
the Board of Directors, to make it liable for any debt beyond the amount of money which
may be at the time in the Treasurer's hands and not needed for the discharge of existing
debts or liabilities.
Section 2. Reports
An annual report, covering operations, activities and evaluations shall be prepared at
the end of each fiscal year for distribution to the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Parliamentary Procedure
All meetings shall be governed in parliamentary procedure by Robert "Rules of
Order Revised" in all cases in which said Rules of Order are applicable and in so far
as they are not inconsistent or in conflict with the statutes or these bylaws, except that
these rules may be suspended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds present.
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS (CONTENTS)
These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Board of Directors. A copy of the
proposed amendment and the reason therefore shall be included in the written notice of such
meeting. No amendment shall be adopted which would disqualify the Corporation from
exception under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any successor of the
Section.
ARTICLE XI. EFFECTIVE DATE (CONTENTS)
The effective date of these bylaws shall be March 17th, 2020 by the action of the Board
of Directors.
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