BYLAWS
Section 1 - TITLE:
Section 2 - PURPOSE: The purpose of the Society is to promote a better understanding of and care for hookbills and other cage birds through education of its members and the public, and to support avian conservation, medical and other avian research.
1. Individual
2. Family
3. Commercial
4. Honorary
5. Fledgling (Under 18 years old)
1. Individual, family, commercial and fledgling memberships are considered in good standing when dues are paid for the current membership year.
2. Honorary memberships are awarded for special contributions to the Society or achievement in the field of aviculture.
3. Honorary memberships will be suggested by the Board of Directors or the membership and shall be affected by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Board members.
Section 3 – MEMBERSHIP ACCEPTANCE: Persons seeking membership shall submit a written application to the Membership Secretary. Upon receipt of annual dues, subject to Section 5 below, they will be placed on the roster.
Section 5 – DENIAL OF MEMBERSHIP: The Board of Directors has the right to deny membership to any applicant, for any reason. Such reasons may include, but are not limited to individuals who have been expelled for any reason from any other avicultural organization, who have been convicted of any crime involving the inhumane treatment of avian fauna or involved the violation of any laws relating to the importation of avian fauna. Such denial shall be effected by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Board members assembled at any regular or specially called Board meeting.
Section 6 – EXPULSION OF MEMBERS: The Board of Directors has the right to expel any member for any reason if it comes to the attention of the Board of Directors that such member has continually disrupted a meeting,, been expelled from any other avicultural organization, or has been convicted of any crime involving the inhumane treatment of avian fauna, or involving the violation of any laws relating to the importation of avian fauna. Such member may, after having been given reasonable notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard - 30 (thirty) days prior written notice being considered reasonable - be removed, by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Board members assembled at any regular or specially called Board meeting.
Section 1 – ELECTIONS: The election of the Board of Directors and Officers will be at the regular March meeting. All members in good standing present at the regular March meeting are entitled to vote. Nominations will be accepted through the February general meeting, after which time nominations will be closed. The slate of known candidates will be presented in the February newsletter. Election winners will be determined by simple majority of the votes cast. Candidates running for election for an Officer or Board of Director position may not simultaneously hold an Office on any other bird club’s Board.
Section 2 – OFFICERS ON BOARD: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer should have previously served on the Board and have been an active member for at least 1 (one) year prior to elections. No more than 1 (one) person of an immediate family shall serve as an Officer at the same time.
Section 3 – BOARD MEMBER: The Board shall consist of up to 9 (nine) members: the 4 (four) Officers, up to 2 (two) Board members elected for 2 (two) years, and up to 3 (three) Board members elected for one year. At least one of the 2 year Board positions shall be elected each year. Should both 2 (two) year positions come up for election simultaneously, at the Board’s discretion one position shall be designated a one year term on that occasion only. Each of the Officers will have a vote and each Board member will have a vote.
Section 4 – ABSENCES: Any Officer or Board member who is absent repeatedly from either the monthly general meeting or regular Board meeting, with or without proper notification, shall have cause for removal from the Board. The President is not responsible for reminding Officers and Board members of meetings unless there is a change in place or time. These absences shall include general, Board or specially called meetings. If an Officer has been removed, with more than 3 months remaining before the next general election, the Board will notify the membership of the vacancy, and a special election will be held at the next regular meeting to replace that Officer. If a Board member has been removed, the Board will select the replacement to complete the term.
Section 5 – POLICY: The Board of Directors shall have the power to establish and regulate the policy and organization of the Society, but may seek counsel from the membership from time to time.
Section 6 – MEETING: The Board of Directors shall
meet once a month in an open meeting to determine policy and conduct business
matters. The President shall have the right to cancel a meeting unless there is
business to be conducted by the Board.
Section 1 – OFFICERS: The Officers shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be elected annually.
Section 2 – PRESIDENT: The President shall be the executive officer, conduct all meetings, and enforce the Bylaws. The President shall appoint all committees necessary and appoint persons to fill terms of vacated Board positions subject to approval of the Board.
Section 3 – VICE PRESIDENT: In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice President shall assume the duties of any Officer who is temporarily unable to fulfill their duties.
Section 4 – TREASURER: The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial transactions and give a financial statement at all Board meetings and regular meetings. The Treasurer shall keep a ledger recording all financial transactions of the Society over and above bank statements, canceled checks, and other records provided by the financial institutions in which Society funds have been placed. The Treasurer shall verify all cash received at the regular meeting by the Society with one other member in good standing. The Treasurer shall arrange a yearly audit of the Society’s financial records by 2 (two) Board members and 1 (one) member at large. A special audit may be called at the Board’s discretion, or as deemed necessary.
Section 5 – SECRETARY: The Secretary will take minutes at all Board, regular and specially called meetings. The Secretary will undertake all Society correspondence and regulatory fillings at the direction of the President and/or Board. Upon assuming office, the Secretary will take possession of all official archival copies of minutes and correspondence and will be charged with maintaining these records while in office. Upon leaving office, the Secretary will transfer these records to the successor Secretary.
Section 1 – CONDUCT: All meetings will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 2 – DATE: General meetings will be held on the 1st (first) Friday of each month. At the Board’s discretion any General meeting may be canceled if the meeting date falls on a holiday or holiday weekend.
Section 1: Visitors will be allowed to attend 3 (three) meetings in a calendar year after which they will be required to become members in order to continue attending meetings.
Section 1 – REVIEW: The Bylaws will be reviewed biannually by the Board of Directors. Proposed changes will be published in the newsletter and voted upon at the next regular meeting.
Section 2 - SPECIFICS: Any specific item not covered in the Society’s Bylaws will be acted upon according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 1: The recipients of financial and/or other support, in conjunction with the stated purpose of the society (Article 1, section 2), shall be determined by the Board of Directors, with suggestions from the membership. Primary considerations will be given to not-for-profit organizations.
Section 1- FINANCIAL INSTITUTION: Society funds shall not be kept at any financial institution or branch thereof at which the Treasurer or any of his/her immediate family is employed.
Section 2 – minimum
Section 1 – annual
report: The Vice President shall cause to be filed each year, the
appropriate Annual Report required by the State of
Section 2 - REGISTERED AGENT: The Registered Agent shall be determined by the Board of Directors and any changes shall be filed by the Vice President.
Section 1 – VOTE: Notification of proposed dissolution of the society shall be made in writing, in advance, to all members in good standing. Dissolution of the Society shall be affected by a 2/3 vote in writing by the members in good standing present at a general meeting called for such purpose.
Section 2 – DISBURSEMENT OF THE TREASURY: Funds in the Treasury, after all outstanding debts of the Society have been paid at the time of dissolution shall be disseminated in accordance with all state and federal laws, with a preference towards avian medical or other avian research, or to avian conservation. The membership shall decide by vote which of such projects shall be benefited.