aaoj-con

Constitution
Ratified at the business meeting of July 9,1996

Article I: Name
The organization shall be known as the AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS OF JACKSON, and herein shall be referred to as "the Society."

Article II: Objectives
The objectives of the Society shall be;
1 To promote public interest in astronomy and related fields.
2. To promote astronomy-related activities that will be of interest to its members,
3. To cooperate with similar societies throughout the world.
4. To cooperate with individuals and organizations engaged in astronomical research.

Article Ill: Membership
1. Membership shall be open to any individual who is interested in the objectives of the Society.
2. There shall be three classes of Membership: a) Regular Membership - open to individuals; these members shall be granted the full rights and privileges of membership in the Society. b) Student Membership - open to individuals who provide appropriate evidence of status as a full-time, regular student at an accredited high school, college or university; these members shall be granted the full rights and privileges of membership in the Society. C) Honorary Membership - may be granted by the Society to worthy individuals, who shall have limited rights and privileges.
3. Rights of Membership: a) Each Regular and Student Member in good standing shall have one vote. b) Regular and Student Members may hold offices in the Society in good standing that has attained the age of 16 years.
4. Privileges of Membership: a) The use of the Society's equipment and information files at the Society's meetings and outings shall be open to Regular, Student, and Honorary Members, b) The use of the Society's equipment and information files for personal or home activities shall be open to Regular and Student Members who have fulfilled the current standard requirements pertaining to the proper use and handling of the Society's property.
5. A Member "in good standing" shall be defined as any individual that has paid the dues as specified in Article IV.

Article IV: Dues
1. The Dues for Regular and Student Membership shall be determined annually by majority vote during a regular business meeting.
2. Dues shall be paid annually for the Society year, which shall begin on the second Tuesday in September, or such other date as a business meeting shall determine. Members joining during the course of the year shall pay prorated dues as follows;
September-November 100%
December-February 75%
March-May 50%
June-August 25%

Article V: Officers, Powers and Duties
1. The Officers of the Society shall be the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
2. The President shall call and preside at all official meetings and may appoint any necessary committees.
3. The Vice-President shall call and preside at official meetings in the absence of the President.
4. The Secretary shall take minutes of the Society's meetings and shall conduct the Society's official correspondence.
5. The Treasurer shall maintain financial records and collect all dues and fees for the Society.

Article VI: Election and Removal of Officers
1. Officers shall be elected annually.
2. Nominations shall be taken and the election held during the first regular business meeting of each Society year.
3. The newly elected Officers shall accept full responsibility for their respective offices upon completion of the election.
4. In the case of vacancies, Officers can be elected during any regular business meeting to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
5. Any Officer may be removed from office, without statement of cause, by a majority vote of the total paid Membership.

Article VII: Meeting Places and Times
1. Regular business meetings shall normally be held once a month.
2. The members present at the previous month’s meeting shall determine the date, time and place of the meeting.
3. A quorum shall consist of 25% of the total voting membership.
4. In addition to the regular business meetings, the Society may hold activity meetings on a flexible schedule as determined at the regular business meetings.
5. Observing sessions shall be held on a flexible schedule as determined at the regular business meetings.
6. Meetings shall be informal. When necessary, Robert's Rules of Order shall be used as a guide for procedures.

Article VIII: Finances
1. Expenditures in excess of $100 per item must be approved by a majority vote of Members present at a regular business meeting. 2. Expenditures of $100 or less per item must be approved by a majority of the Officers.

Article IX: Amendments

1. This Constitution shall become effective when ratified by a two-thirds vote of the voting Members present at a business meeting. 2. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the presiding Officer of the Society and read at two consecutive business meetings, being voted on at the second meeting. Such amendments must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the voting Members present.