CONSTITUTION of the VERTICAL SECTION of the National Speleological Society
I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Vertical Section of the National Speleological Society.

II. PURPOSE
Subject to the conditions and limitations imposed by the Articles of Incorporation and by law, the purpose of this organization shall be:

A. To educate the members and the public, and to promote interest, in the study and science of Speleology, and to advance the protection of caves and their natural contents, and to promote fellowship among those interested therein, by performing as a Section of the National Speleological Society ("NSS");

B. To encourage the development of safe vertical caving techniques and their application in the exploration of vertical caves.

III. MEMBERSHIP
A. General Requirements. Membership in the Vertical Section is open to all individuals demonstrating an interest in the objectives of the organization and agreeing to abide by its tenets. Membership shall not be denied due to race, sex, religious affiliation, or national origin.

B. Full Member. Full membership is limited to members of the NSS, who have paid current dues to both the Vertical Section and the NSS. Full members are entitled to all privileges and benefits of membership, including, but not limited to, the right to vote and hold office.

C. Subscriber. Non-NSS members, or groups, who have paid subscriber's dues are entitled only to receive Vertical Section publications.

IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. The Vertical Section shall be governed by an Executive Committee made up of a Chairman, a Secretary-Treasurer, an Editor, the Contest Coordinator, the Vertical Techniques Workshop Coordinator, the Education Coordinator, and three Committee Members At-Large.

B. Elections for the Executive Committee shall be held annually by secret ballot at the Vertical Section meeting at the NSS Convention. Terms of Office for the Members At Large shall be two years, with terms staggered by electing only two at each annual election. All other members' Terms of Office shall be one year. The Secretary-Treasurer, the Editor, and two of the four Committee Members At-Large shall be elected annually by the Section Membership. The Chairman shall be elected annually from the four Committee Members At-Large by the newly-elected Executive Committee. The Contest Coordinator, the Vertical Techniques Workshop Coordinator, and the Education Coordinator shall be nominated by the new Chairman and confirmed by the newly-elected Executive Committee. In the event that an NSS Convention is not held, the elections shall be held by mail in September of that year.

C. Only Full members of the Vertical Section may vote in the election or hold positions on the Executive Committee.

D. The Executive Committee shall have complete power to manage the business, to formulate By-Laws, to raise funds in any manner not inconsistent with the policies of the NSS, relevant state or federal laws, or the Internal Revenue Code, and to perform all other necessary functions.

E. Decisions or actions of the Executive Committee may be overruled by a 2/3 majority vote of the members.

V. MEETING
The Vertical Section shall have a meeting at the annual NSS Convention.

VI. AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Constitution shall be made by a 2/3 favorable vote of those present at any meeting called by the Executive Committee expressly for the purpose, or by written consent of a majority of the total membership.

(Revised 1997)

Copyright © 1999 Vertical Section of the NSS, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.

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