Copy of VHS By Laws (5-6 pages)

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Posted by jr on July 24, 2001 at 00:14:30:

Valley Herpetological Society Bylaws

Article I. Name.
The name if this Organization shall be the Valley Herpetological Society.

Article II. Purpose.
1. Promote the conservation of reptiles and amphibians.
2. To promote knowledge of the field of herpetology and herpetoculture in the membership.
3. Provide a framework by which those interested in the field of herpetology can exchange information, ideas, and socialize.
4. To promote the knowledge of the fields of herpetology and herpetoculture among the general public and foster a continuing interest in herpetology.
5. Work to protect the rights of amateur herpetologists and herpetoculturists.

Article III: Membership.
1. Membership in the society is open to all persons willing to abide by the laws of the Society.
2. Classes of membership.
A: Individual; a dues paying member with voting rights, who is entitled to all
Society publications.
B: Family; a dues paying membership entitled to two votes in the Society and all
Society publications.
C: Subscribing; a dues paying member with no voting privileges, who is entitled
to receive all Society publications.
D: Honorary; a non-dues paying member who, due to his/her contributions is voted
to receive this honor for one year by the Board and is entitled to all Society
publications, without voting privileges.
E: Junior; A dues paying member under 18 years of age who is entitled to all Society
publications but is not entitled to participate in Society Field Trips unless
accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Article IV: Dues.
1. Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors according to classes of membership, approved
by the majority vote of the Board.
2. Dues shall be paid upon joining the Society and must be renewed yearly. Members must
have 45 days to renew membership after expiration.

Article V: Officers and Elections.
1. The officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publications Editor, and
up to four positons titled Members-at-Large.
2. Term of office is one year.
3. Officers are nominated in October of each year, elected in November, and assume office in January of the following year.
4. Officers shall be members in good standing, at least 18 years of age, and receiving a majority of the member votes cast in the election.
5. The President must have been an active member of the Society at least one year prior to assuming office.
6. Term limits on all elected officers is no more than three consecutive terms.

Article VI: Duties of Officers.
1. President; is the principal executive and shall preside over Board and membership meetings of the Society. Represents the Society on most occasions.
2: Vice-President; shall be responsible for the general-membership meeting programs, and
will assume the duties of the President when that officer is absent.
3: Secretary; will maintain the non-financial records of the Society and record the minutes of
Society meetings, having them available to members in a timely fashion. In the absence of
both the President and Vice-President, the Secretary may assume the duties of conducting
scheduled meeting.
4: Treasurer; shall be responsible for Society financial transactions and records. Presents
financial statements at Board and general meetings. Maintains the Current Membership list.
5: Publications Editor; is responsible for supervising the publication of the periodic newsletter,
performing all duties necessary for it�s publication. Shall be responsible for distributing a
meeting notice so it is received a minimum of seven days in advance of the general
membership meeting.
6: Members-at-Large; up to four positions titled Members-at-Large shall assist VHS in areas
requiring extra attention as need is determined by the Board.

Article VII: Board of Directors.
1. The Board shall manage the affairs of the Society and make rules and guidelines to accomplish
the purposes of the Society. It shall consist of the Executive Board elected by the membership
and an Advisory Board.
2. The Advisory Board shall consist of up to 10 members, appointed by the Executive Board.
3. Advisory Board members should be prominent members of the community with interests
Education, experiences and or political influence which can be used in the interest of the Society.
4. Advisory Board members are awarded Honorary Membership.

Article VIII: Meetings.
1. There shall be a minimum of 6 General Membership meetings per year.
2. Special Meetings can be called by the President or the Board. The membership will be notified at least 7 days prior to such a meeting.
3. Meetings of the Board are open to all VHS members and shall occur at a minimum of 4 meetings per year.
4. Weapons, pornography, and dangerous or illeagal activity are specifically prohibited at meetings. Venomous animals are allowed with the Permission of the Board. Indoor meetings of the Society are non-smoking areas.

Article IX: Resignation and Termination of Officers and Members.
1. Resignation of Officers shall be delivered in writing to the President.
2. An Officer may be removed from office by a majority of the Executive Board.
3. Any Board member missing 2 or more consecutive Board and General meetings can be removed.
4. Membership can be terminated for an of the following:
a) Cruelty to animals.
b) Activity detrimental to the Society
c) Knowingly violating applicable wildlife laws.
5. When written notices of cause for termination of a member is received by the Board, it must be investigated. If deemed valid, the subject member will be advised in writing and be given a specified time to respond and/or resolve the problem. If after this period expires the Board votes to terminate membership, the subject member may appeal to the General membership at the next General Meeting. At that meeting, a majority vote of the voting attendees will either terminate or reinstate Membership.

Article X: Ammendments.
1. These Bylaws may be revised for amendments by a committee appointed by the Board. Proposals for Bylaw changes can be submitted in writing to the Board by any Member. Proposed changes will be presented to the Membership and published in the Newsletter prior to any vote on the changes. Ammendments must be accepted by at least two thirds majority of the members voting at the General Meeting.

July-1995
Revised-September 1996
Revised-September 1997
Revised-December 1998

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Re: Copy of VHS By Laws (5-6 pages)......... Gus 07/25/01 (0)
I suggest VHS members make changes as needed. jr 07/24/01 (0)

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: Valley Herpetological Society Bylaws : Article I. Name. : The name if this Organization shall be the Valley Herpetological Society. : Article II. Purpose. : 1. Promote the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. : 2. To promote knowledge of the field of herpetology and herpetoculture in the membership. : 3. Provide a framework by which those interested in the field of herpetology can exchange information, ideas, and socialize. : 4. To promote the knowledge of the fields of herpetology and herpetoculture among the general public and foster a continuing interest in herpetology. : 5. Work to protect the rights of amateur herpetologists and herpetoculturists. : Article III: Membership. : 1. Membership in the society is open to all persons willing to abide by the laws of the Society. : 2. Classes of membership. : A: Individual; a dues paying member with voting rights, who is entitled to all : Society publications. : B: Family; a dues paying membership entitled to two votes in the Society and all : Society publications. : C: Subscribing; a dues paying member with no voting privileges, who is entitled : to receive all Society publications. : D: Honorary; a non-dues paying member who, due to his/her contributions is voted : to receive this honor for one year by the Board and is entitled to all Society : publications, without voting privileges. : E: Junior; A dues paying member under 18 years of age who is entitled to all Society : publications but is not entitled to participate in Society Field Trips unless : accompanied by a parent or guardian. : Article IV: Dues. : 1. Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors according to classes of membership, approved : by the majority vote of the Board. : 2. Dues shall be paid upon joining the Society and must be renewed yearly. Members must : have 45 days to renew membership after expiration. : Article V: Officers and Elections. : 1. The officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publications Editor, and : up to four positons titled Members-at-Large. : 2. Term of office is one year. : 3. Officers are nominated in October of each year, elected in November, and assume office in January of the following year. : 4. Officers shall be members in good standing, at least 18 years of age, and receiving a majority of the member votes cast in the election. : 5. The President must have been an active member of the Society at least one year prior to assuming office. : 6. Term limits on all elected officers is no more than three consecutive terms. : Article VI: Duties of Officers. : 1. President; is the principal executive and shall preside over Board and membership meetings of the Society. Represents the Society on most occasions. : 2: Vice-President; shall be responsible for the general-membership meeting programs, and : will assume the duties of the President when that officer is absent. : 3: Secretary; will maintain the non-financial records of the Society and record the minutes of : Society meetings, having them available to members in a timely fashion. In the absence of : both the President and Vice-President, the Secretary may assume the duties of conducting : scheduled meeting. : 4: Treasurer; shall be responsible for Society financial transactions and records. Presents : financial statements at Board and general meetings. Maintains the Current Membership list. : 5: Publications Editor; is responsible for supervising the publication of the periodic newsletter, : performing all duties necessary for it�s publication. Shall be responsible for distributing a : meeting notice so it is received a minimum of seven days in advance of the general : membership meeting. : 6: Members-at-Large; up to four positions titled Members-at-Large shall assist VHS in areas : requiring extra attention as need is determined by the Board. : Article VII: Board of Directors. : 1. The Board shall manage the affairs of the Society and make rules and guidelines to accomplish : the purposes of the Society. It shall consist of the Executive Board elected by the membership : and an Advisory Board. : 2. The Advisory Board shall consist of up to 10 members, appointed by the Executive Board. : 3. Advisory Board members should be prominent members of the community with interests : Education, experiences and or political influence which can be used in the interest of the Society. : 4. Advisory Board members are awarded Honorary Membership. : Article VIII: Meetings. : 1. There shall be a minimum of 6 General Membership meetings per year. : 2. Special Meetings can be called by the President or the Board. The membership will be notified at least 7 days prior to such a meeting. : 3. Meetings of the Board are open to all VHS members and shall occur at a minimum of 4 meetings per year. : 4. Weapons, pornography, and dangerous or illeagal activity are specifically prohibited at meetings. Venomous animals are allowed with the Permission of the Board. Indoor meetings of the Society are non-smoking areas. : Article IX: Resignation and Termination of Officers and Members. : 1. Resignation of Officers shall be delivered in writing to the President. : 2. An Officer may be removed from office by a majority of the Executive Board. : 3. Any Board member missing 2 or more consecutive Board and General meetings can be removed. : 4. Membership can be terminated for an of the following: : a) Cruelty to animals. : b) Activity detrimental to the Society : c) Knowingly violating applicable wildlife laws. : 5. When written notices of cause for termination of a member is received by the Board, it must be investigated. If deemed valid, the subject member will be advised in writing and be given a specified time to respond and/or resolve the problem. If after this period expires the Board votes to terminate membership, the subject member may appeal to the General membership at the next General Meeting. At that meeting, a majority vote of the voting attendees will either terminate or reinstate Membership. : Article X: Ammendments. : 1. These Bylaws may be revised for amendments by a committee appointed by the Board. Proposals for Bylaw changes can be submitted in writing to the Board by any Member. Proposed changes will be presented to the Membership and published in the Newsletter prior to any vote on the changes. Ammendments must be accepted by at least two thirds majority of the members voting at the General Meeting. : July-1995 : Revised-September 1996 : Revised-September 1997 : Revised-December 1998

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