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  NAME Sec. 1. The name of this organization shall be Mojave Desert Gem and Mineral Society. Sec. 2. The principal office and meeting place shall be in Barstow, California, or immediate vicinity. Sec. 3. Mojave Desert Gem and Mineral Society is a member of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Sec. 4. Mojave Desert Gem and Mineral Society is incorporated as a non-profit organization. OBJECTIVES Sec. 1. The objectives of this Society shall be: a. To collect and study minerals and rocks. b. To disseminate a general knowledge of the science of mineralogy and allied subjects. c. To provide opportunity for the exhibition and exchange of specimens. Sec. 2. This organization is not formed for profit, and none of its assets shall be used for pecuniary gains and no part of its funds shall inure to the benefit of any private individual or member. MEMBERSHIP Sec. 1. The membership of this Society shall be of three classes: Active, Junior and Honorary. Sec. 2. Active members are those who take an active part in the work of the Society. They shall have all the powers and privileges conferred by these By-Laws. Sec. 3. Honorary members shall consist of such persons who have achieved eminence in the science of mineralogy or allied subjects, or who have rendered this Society meritorious service. Honorary members may also acquire Active status on this volition. Sec. 4. Any person may become an active member of this Society by paying to the Chief Financial Officer the first year’s dues. Persons joining in September or thereafter shall pay one-half the normal membership fee for the balance of that fiscal year. Sec. 5. Members who are in arrears one year’s due may be dropped from membership thirty days after notice of delinquency has been sent them by the Secretary. Sec. 6. Those proposed for Honorary Membership, who have been approved by the Board of Directors, may be elected by a two-thirds vote of the quorum of the Society. Sec. 7. Should the attitude or conduct of any member be such as to be considered detrimental to the welfare of the Society, such member may be expelled by a majority vote of the membership providing a written notice has been given the member to appear before the Society at a time and place to be designated to show cause why such action should not be taken. Sec. 8. Junior membership shall be for persons 10 to 18 years of age. A Junior member attending any club field trip shall be accompanied by their parent or guardian or have a written release absolving the Society of any damages. DUES Sec. 1. Dues shall be payable in advance and all privileges of the Society shall begin with the month in which the dues are paid. Dues are delinquent March 1st. Sec. 2. The amount of dues shall be as directed by a two-thirds vote of the quorum of the Society at the November meeting, or at such time as a change may be deemed necessary. Sec. 3. Dues for Junior membership shall be one-half the regular Active membership fee without voting privileges. OFFICERS AND ELECTION Sec. 1. The officers of the Society shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer. Sec. 2. Officers shall be elected annually by ballot from among the Active members of the Society residing in the Mojave Desert, and shall hold office for one year, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Sec. 3. If any officer is absent from three consecutive regular meetings of the Society, the office may be considered vacant. In case of any vacancy, the office shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors. Sec. 4. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President. Sec. 5. The nominating Committee shall present a slate of one nominee per office. Sec. 6. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted as long as permission from the nominee has been secured. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sec. 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the Society as members ex-officio, the immediate past president, and five Active members of the Society elected at large at the time of the regular election of officers. Sec. 2. The President of the Society shall be ex-officio chairperson and the Secretary ex-officio secretary of the Board of Directors. Sec. 3. The Board of Directors shall meet at such times as the President shall designate. Sec. 4. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum to transact business. Sec. 5. Any expenditure over $500.00 proposed by the Board of Directors shall be approved by a majority of the Society members present at a regular meeting. DUTIES OF OFFICERS Sec. 1. THE PRESIDENT: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings and perform all the duties customary to the office. Sec. 2. VICE-PRESIDENT: It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to preside at all meetings and perform all the duties of the President in his absence or inability to serve. Sec. 3. SECRETARY: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors; keep a file of the membership in prescribed form; notify all applicants of election; send to all members notices of the meeting and other activities of the Society and answer the routine correspondence of the Society. Sec. 4. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: It shall be the duty of the Chief Financial Officer to receive all dues and other monies, and disburse same when authorized by the Board of Directors; keep a full and accurate account of such transactions and render a report to the Society upon request at a regular meeting and yearly written report at each annual meeting, and also make reports to the Board of Directors or the President when requested and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors or the Society shall direct. Sec. 5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors shall conduct the business of the Society and shall have general management and control of all Society property, effects and assets; remit dues, make suggestions for rules and regulations as in their judgment are necessary and proper for the government of the Society which may be approved by the Society; and shall possess such other powers and perform such other duties as the Society shall prescribe. Sec. 6. The Board of Directors shall appoint an auditor to audit the books of the outgoing Chief Financial Officer and report at the annual meeting. The fiscal year will terminate December 31st and the books should be closed and audited at that time. Sec. 1. The president shall appoint such committees as deemed necessary. MEETINGS Sec. 1. Regular meetings shall be held monthly except in July and August (20%) percent if the active membership constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Sec. 2. Special meetings may be held by order of the Board of Directors. Date and time of the regular meetings shall be changed by a majority vote of the members present. Sec. 3. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all procedure at regular and special meetings of this Society, except as specified by these By-Laws. AMENDMENTS Sec. 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the active membership present, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given at the meeting immediately preceding. NON-MEMBERS Sec. 1. Minors attending Society functions must be accompanied by parent or guardian or have a signed release by parent or guardian absolving the Society of damages. DISSOLUTION Sec. 1. No part of the net income or assets of this corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer or member thereof or to the benefit of any private person. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be irrevocably dedicated to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for earth science purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Revised August 15, 1994 |