Bylaws of the Arizona Herpetological Association
ARTICLE I
NAME, OBJECTIVES, PURPOSE AND MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Name:
The club name shall be the Arizona Herpetological Association, Inc. (hereinafter the “Club”).
Section 2 – Purpose and Objectives:
(a) To educate, inform and promote the understanding of the science of herpetology for the benefit of the Club membership generally, and the public specifically, regarding the role of herpetiles in the natural world. To this end, to publish, distribute, disseminate, purchase, offer for sale, convey or deliver such publications, bulletins, manuscripts, newsletters, articles, lectures, or other such sources of information as deemed necessary to accomplish and further the purpose and objectives of the Club.
(b) To promote the conservation of wildlife in general and herpetofauna in particular, to seek ecological and environmental reforms, and to inform the general public and the Club membership of the relationship of the various herpetofauna to their associated ecosystems in the natural world.
(c) To enhance and promote herpetoculture, and the ethical, humane, safe, and enjoyable captive care and breeding of herptiles.
Section 3 – Membership:
(a)
Who may belong
Any person who has a genuine interest in the purpose and objectives as set forth
in Article I, Section 2, above, shall be eligible for membership in the Club.
No person shall be denied membership in the Club because of race, color, creed,
sex, or religious affiliation.
(b)
Categories of Membership
There shall be six (7) categories of membership: (1) Regular – an individual
member; (2) Family – all members of a nuclear family residing at the same
address; (3) Foreign – an individual member residing outside of the United
States or Canada; (4) Life Member; (5) Contributing Member; (6) Patron
Member; and (7) Senior Life Member (65 and older). Membership may be obtained by making application to the Treasurer along
with payment of the annual dues. Certain membership may be bestowed upon
individuals, at the discretion of the Board of Directors for outstanding service
to the Club or to herpetology and/or herpetoculture in general.
(c)
Privileges of Membership
The services and privileges of membership shall include the
following:
1.
Annual subscription to The Desert Monitor
2.
Membership card
3.
Participation in all activities and functions of the Club
4.
Club discounts on freezer food, books, and associated General Store
merchandise
5.
The right to vote in Club elections and in accordance with these bylaws
(d)
Dues
Dues shall be determined by the Board and adjusted as deemed necessary.
(e)
Equality of Members
The rights, interests, and privileges of each Club member shall be equal. No
member shall hold more than one membership in the Club. Each member shall
receive one (1) vote; each Family Membership shall receive two (2) votes.
(f)
Liability of Members
No member of the Club shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or
obligations of the Club.
(g)
Non – Transferable Membership
Membership in the Club shall be non-transferable and non-assignable.
(h)
Discipline
1.
Membership will automatically terminate for non-payment of dues thirty
(30) days after membership renewal date.
2.
A Club member may be expelled, suspended, and/or placed on probation, as
determined by the Board, for conduct as follows:
a.
In conflict with Club Bylaws
b.
Unsafe to themselves or others
c.
Detrimental to the Club’s reputation and standing in the community
d.
Unbecoming of a member while participating in a Club activity or while
representing themselves as a member of the Club.
e.
In violation of Federal, State, or local wildlife laws or regulations.
3.
Any person having been expelled from the Club shall not be permitted to
attend or participate in any Club sponsored activities or events until
reapproved by the board.
4.
The disciplined member shall have the right and opportunity, within
thirty (30) days of notification of the discipline, to appeal, in writing and in
person, the Board decision. The appeal shall be heard, and the discipline
reviewed by the Board within thirty (30) days of receipt of the same.
ARTICLE II
ADMINISTRATION
Section 1 – Board of Directors:
(a)
Board of Directors
The administration of the Club shall be vested in a Board of Directors
(hereinafter the “Board”), which shall be elected by the Club members from the
membership.
(b)
Composition of Board
The Board shall be composed of the following elected officers: (1) President;
(2) Vice President; (3) Secretary; (4) Treasurer; (5) Sergeant at Arms; (6) and
up to four Members at Large. All directors must be voting members of the Club
during the tenure of their office.
(c)
Duties of Board
The duties of the Board shall be the management of the general affairs of the
Club. The Board shall reserve the right to make decisions in the Club’s best
interest on an emergency basis when waiting for a regularly scheduled Board
meeting would be impractical and/or adverse to the Club’s interests. Under this
condition, approval shall be made by a majority of the Board members.
(d)
Quorum of Board
It shall take half or more of the members of the Board to constitute a quorum
and hold an official Board meeting.
(e)
Liability of Board
Board members shall not be personally liable for debts, liabilities and/or
obligations of the Club.
Section 2 – Election of Officers:
(a)
Frequency of Elections
The election of officers and the Board shall be held once per a year, at the
August general membership meeting.
(b)
Election Procedure
Election shall be by the majority vote of the members present at the meeting
designated as the elections meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot. In the
case of a tie, a runoff election will be held between the top vote recipients
prior to the closing of the elections meeting.
(c)
Nomination of Officers
Nominations of officers shall be made by a Nominations Committee, made up of
three members selected by the Board two months before the scheduled elections
meeting. The Nominating Committee shall furnish a slate of nominees at the
general meeting prior to the elections meeting; the slate shall be supplemented
by any proper nominations from the floor.
(d)
Unavailability of a Board Member
Should a member of the Board resign or otherwise be unable to perform his or her
duties, the vacancy shall be temporarily filled by a majority vote of the
Board. Such interim service shall not constitute elected tenure, nor shall the
term of such electives exceed the remaining portion of the term of the officer
being replaced.
(e)
Special Elections
In the event of a need, a special election may be called at any time, as
determined by a majority of the Board.
(f)
Officer’s Term of Office
The term of office for all Board members shall be one year, commencing September
1 and ending August 31 of the following year.
Section 3 – Qualifications and Tenure of Officers
(a)
Qualifications
All prospective Board members must be
members in good standing at the time nominated, and during his or her
term as a Board member. To be elected to the Board, a member must be at least
eighteen years of age by the start of his or her term of office.
(b)
Tenure of President
The president shall be elected annually and may serve no more than two
consecutive terms; he or she may not thereafter be renominated for the same
office for a minimum of one year.
(c)
Tenure of Other Officers
The Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms and Members at Large
will be elected annually, but may serve unlimited consecutive terms.
(d)
Restrictions on Holding Offices
No member shall at any time hold two or more offices, nor be nominated for more
than two offices concurrently.
ARTICLE III
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1 – Duties of the President:
The president shall be Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive of the Club and presiding officer at all Board and general meetings. He or she shall constantly pursue the objectives of the Club, and strive to represent its spirit and ideals.
Section 2 – Duties of the Vice President:
The Vice President shall aid the president in his or her duties and assume these duties in the event of the latter’s absence. The Vice President shall also chair all committees.
Section 3 – Duties of the Secretary:
The Secretary shall record in the minutes all pertinent information that transpires at every meeting; conduct all correspondence, except that which is the express responsibility of other officers; maintain suitable copies of such records and correspondence for examination by the Board and/or members at regularly scheduled meetings; keep an up to date role of all Club members. In the absence of the Secretary from any meetings, the Vice President shall be the temporary secretary for that or those meetings.
Section 4 – Duties of the Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall be in charge of all financial transactions; collect dues and issue membership cards; maintain a membership book containing the names and addresses of all members; keep accurate accounts of all expenditures and receipts; present a financial report at Board meetings and at any other time as may be required by the Board and/or members. The Treasurer shall obtain the consent of the Board prior to making any disbursement of funds in excess of twenty five dollars ($25.00) on the Club’s account. The Treasurer shall maintain and keep current a two signature checking account for the purpose of making payment on the Club’s debts, upon the approval of the Board. The cosigners on the account shall be the President, Vice President or Treasurer. All contract, checks, drafts, and notes shall be signed in the name of the Club by the Treasurer or acting Treasurer.
Section 5 – Duties of the Sergeant at Arms:
The Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order at all meetings. He or she presides over meetings in case of the absence of the President and Vice President. The Sergeant at Arms shall act as the conservation officer for the Club, enforcing Club and legal restrictions at meetings and other Club functions, and notifying the proper authorities if and when violations occur.
Section 6 – Duties of the Members at Large:
The Board Members at Large shall assist the other officers, offer constructive suggestions, aid in the formulation of policy, and serve on any committees.
Section 7 – Appointment of Committees:
The President shall appoint such committees as he or she finds desirable form time to time and outline the duties and responsibilities of such committee. All reports or action taken by a committee must be voted on by a majority of the entire committee.
ARTICLE IV
FISCAL YEAR
The Club’s fiscal year shall be from September 1 of any year through August 31 of the following year.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section 1 – General membership Meetings:
Meetings of the general membership shall be held once a month at a location and time as determined by the Board, and conveyed to the members. Provisions shall be made to change this time and location of meetings if conflicting events occur on that date. Members shall be notified of any such changes in writing no less than three days in advance of the same. Meetings are held for the benefit of Club members; guests are invited and welcome as potential members.
Section 2 – Board Meetings:
Meetings of the Board shall be held at the time and place determined by the Board members, and conveyed to Club members. Board meetings shall be conducted pursuant to Robert’s Rules of Order. Any member may attend the meeting of the Board.
Section 3 – Special Meetings:
In addition to any provision of these Bylaws, a special meeting of the members or the officers may be called by the President or by a majority of the officers, or by a majority of the Club members.
Section 4 – Notice of Meetings:
Notice of meetings, stating the place, day, hour, and purpose of any meeting of the members or officers, including special meetings, shall be sent to Club members no less than ten days in advance by the Secretary to the general membership. Each issue of the Desert Monitor Newsletter will contain the above information as a minimum, and shall satisfy this requirement.
ARTICLE VI
CLUB DISSOLUTION
If the Club should dissolve, all Club assets, property and/or funds shall be donated to at least one charitable organization as per the Articles of Incorporation, at the discretion of a majority of the last remaining Club members.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS AND ARTICLES
The officers of the Club, or any member in good standing, by written proposal submitted to the Secretary, may propose an amendment to the Bylaws. Upon such proposal being made, a copy thereof shall be included in the notice of the next general meeting of the Club members. Voting on the proposed amendment shall take place at the next general membership meeting. Simple majority of the votes submitted will be required to adopt any new amendments.
ARTICLE VIII
MEMBER ACCEPTANCE OF BYLAWS
Any person who applies for and is duly accepted to membership in the Club shall be deemed to have accepted the Bylaws and shall be bound by them as if he or she had been a member at the time of their adoption.
