Constitution / Bylaws

I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Montgomery Grotto of the National Speleological Society, hereinafter called the MG.

II. PURPOSE
The purposes of the MG shall be the same as those of the National Speleological Society (N.S.S.), with the additional purpose of organizing N.S.S. members in the Montgomery, AL area.

III. GOVERNMENT
  1. The government of the MG shall be by an Executive Committee, hereinafter called the EC, which shall have full power to conduct and supervise all business of the MG, collect dues or otherwise raise funds, make expenditures, appoint officers and perform all other functions incident to the conduct of the MG.
  2. The EC shall be composed of three (3) elected Regular members.
    1. President
      1. Serve as chairman of the EC.
      2. Preside at all meetings.
      3. Appoint committee chairmen and Trip Leaders at need.
      4. Other duties as determined by the EC.
    2. Vice President
      1. Serve as vice chairman of the EC.
      2. Preside at meetings in the absence of the President.
      3. Other duties as determined by the EC.
    3. Secretary - Treasurer
      1. Handle all financial matters of the MG.
      2. Submit an annual report to all MG members and the N.S.S.
      3. Serve as recording and corresponding secretary of the MG.
  3. Other duties of the EC include:
    1. Establish and publish MG policies.
    2. Appoint committees and committee chairmen as needed.
    3. Appoint MG members as representatives of the MG.
  4. Election of EC officers shall be held annually at such a time as determined by the first EC. The first EC shall hold office for eighteen months. Election shall be by a simple majority.
  5. An officer of the EC may be removed from office at any general meeting by a 2/3 vote.
  6. In the event that an EC post is vacated, an election shall be held within one month. The term of office in this case shall be until the next general election.
  7. Decisions and/or actions of the EC may be overruled by a 2/3 vote.

IV. MEMBERSHIP
  1. Membership shall be open to any person who is interested in speleology and has complied with the conditions of membership as set forth herein.
  2. Classes of membership and conditions:
    1. Regular
      1. Must be a current N.S.S. member.
      2. Pay current dues.
      3. May serve as an officer or committee chairman.
      4. Full use of MG resources.
      5. Has one (1) vote.
    2. Associate
      1. Any interested person whose policies are consistent with those of the MG and the N.S.S.
      2. Pay current dues.
      3. May not serve on the EC or as committee chairmen.
      4. Has no (0) vote.
      5. Limited to one (1) year.
    3. Honorary
      1. Elected by unanimous vote of the EC for life.
      2. Has all privileges of a regular member.
      3. Pays no dues.
    4. All members must prescribe to N.S.S. and MG conservation policies.
    5. Membership may be terminated by a unanimous vote of the EC for:
      1. Non-payment of MG or N.S.S. dues.
      2. Conduct detrimental to the MG or the N.S.S.
      3. Willful disregard for his or her own or others safety on MG or N.S.S. sponsored trips.
      4. Willful misuse of MG or N.S.S. property.
    6. Any member subject to expulsion may demand and thereafter recieve a hearing before the EC.

V. AFFILIATION
The constitution and Bylaws of the N.S.S. shall be binding on the MG. Any action inconsistent therewith shall be null and void.

VI. MEETINGS
  1. EC and general meetings shall be held at such times and places as determined by the EC.
  2. Special meetings may be called by a petition of 1/3 of the Regular members.
  3. At all meetings, a simple majority shall constitute a quorum.
  4. All meetings shall be open to all members.

VII. AUTHORITY
  1. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all meetings except as herein specified.
  2. Each voting member may cast one (1) proxy vote in addition to his or her own, if authorized in writing.
  3. At all meetings, a simple majority shall constitute a quorum.
  4. Mail ballots shall be accepted for any item voted upon as published before the meeting.

VIII. NON-PROFIT STATUS
The MG shall be a non-profit, charitable organization within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

IX. DISSOLUTION
  1. The life of the MG shall be perpetual or until.
  2. Special meetings may be called by a petition of 1/3 of the Regular members.
  3. At all meetings, a simple majority shall constitute a quorum.
  4. All meetings shall be open to all members.

X. AMENDMENTS


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