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About the Minnesota Astronomical Society

Constitution

Index:

• Preamble
• Article I - Name
• Article II - Membership
• Article III _ Officers
• Article IV - Budget and  Dues
• Article V - Meetings
• Article VI - Rules of the Society
• Article VII - Parliamentary Authority
• Article VIII - Amendments
• Article IX - Dissolution
• Rules of the Society

PREAMBLE

1. This society is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law)
    
2. To create good fellowship among all classes of people through mutual interest in astronomy.
    
3. To establish and maintain observational and informational facilities for the benefit of the membership and the community.
    
4.  To promote membership and community knowledge about and involvement in astronomy through lectures, celestial observing sessions, classes and other appropriate means.
    
5.  In and for the accomplishment of any of the above purposes, the Society shall have the power to solicit, acquire, receive by purchase, exchange, donation, dues bequests, device, lease, or otherwise, and to hold any property, real, personal, or both as may be necessary and proper in furtherance of the Society's purposes, but not to borrow money or issue stocks, bonds or other securities. 

ARTICLE I - NAME

1. This organization shall be known as the Minnesota Astronomical Society, herein referred to as the Society.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

1. Any person with a sincere interest in astronomy may be admitted to membership upon payment of the applicable dues to the Treasurer.
    
2. There will be four classes of membership:
    
   a. Regular Member: Anyone who pays the established dues for regular members will be declared a regular member. A regular membership includes all immediate household family members.
    
   b. Student Member. Any full-time student is eligible for student membership. Student members will pay dues at the reduced student rate.
    
   c. Patron Member. Anyone who pays two and one-half times the established dues will be declared a patron member.
    
   d. Honorary Member. In recognition of outstanding service to the Society, a person may be elected to life membership by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board. Honorary life members will pay no dues.
    
3. When used herein without qualification, "member" will refer to the combined membership of all four classes.
    
4. Each membership entitles the member to one vote.
    
5. Any member whose dues are more than two months in arrears will be dropped from the rolls of the Society.

ARTICLE III - OFFICERS

1. The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Executive Board members at large will be elected by the membership of the Society.
    
2. These elected officers must have attained the age of majority upon taking office.
    
3. The elected officers plus one student representative appointed by the President will constitute the Executive Board of the Society.
    
4. The officers will be elected for a term of two years. In December of the even numbered years, the President, Secretary and one Board Member will be elected. In December of the odd numbered years the Vice President, Treasurer, and one Board Member will be elected. The President and Vice President may not serve more than two consecutive terms in their respective offices.
    
5. The officers duties will be those normally associated with the office held.
    
6. The President may appoint chairpersons as he sees fit to operate committees necessary to ensure a smooth running organization.
    
7. Not later than Sept. 15, the President must appoint a Nominations Committee Chairperson to prepare a slate of candidates for the offices. This slate will be presented to the members at a Society meeting not later than Nov. 15. At that time, additional nominations may be made from the floor. The Nominations Chairperson cannot run for office. All candidates must be aware of and willing to fulfill the responsibilities of such office should they be elected. The slate must be published and distributed to the membership at least one week before the December meeting.
    
8. Election will be by secret written ballot, to be distributed and returned at the meeting in December. Should a member be unable to attend the December meeting, that member may request in writing a ballot from the Nominations Chairperson by Nov. 15. The ballot must be received by the Nominations Chairperson by Nov. 30.
    
9. The officers will take office at the first meeting of the calendar year.
    
10. A quorum of the Executive Board will consist of four members.
     
11. A vacancy in the Presidency will be filled by the Vice President. If a vacancy occurs in mid-term among the other elected officers, the remaining officers will fill the vacancy by appointment. The appointed officer will occupy the vacated seat for the remainder of the term.
     
12. All duly elected and qualified officers will remain in office until replaced as specified by paragraph 11 or by election. The President will be responsible for the function and duties of the vacated office until it is filled.

ARTICLE IV - BUDGET AND DUES

1. The Executive Board will recommend an annual budget and dues structure to be voted on at a business meeting which will be the second meeting of the calendar year.
    
2. Expenditures not specifically authorized in the annual budget may be authorized as follows:
    
   a. 50.00 and under: Any three officers.
    
   b. Over $50.00: Majority vote of a business meeting or any five members of the Executive Board. 
   
   c. No expenditure may exceed the current assets in the treasury.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

1. Meetings may be scheduled as the membership desires, but a business meeting must be held at the second meeting of the calendar year. Business meetings can be called by the Society President, a majority vote of the Executive Board or by a petition by 10 percent of the Society's membership. For business meetings, a quorum will be 20 percent of the current membership.
    
2. For business meetings, written notice of the meeting starting time, place, and purpose must be mailed or delivered to each member not less than five nor more than 30 days before the meeting.

ARTICLE VI - RULES OF THE SOCIETY

1. A majority vote at a business meeting or of five members of the Executive Board may establish a rule of the Society.

ARTICLE VII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

1. The actions of the Society will be governed by, in order: law, the Articles of Incorporation of the Society, the Constitution of the Society, the Rules of the Society, and Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

1. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any business meeting.

ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION

1. In the event of dissolution, all assets of the Society will be donated to the Science Museum of Minnesota at St. Paul, Minnesota or to one or more other corporations, exempt from taxation under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code as then in force and effect, which are engaged in activities which will as nearly as possible accomplish the exempt purpose of this corporation.

RULES OF THE SOCIETY

1. Guest speakers, from outside the Society, will receive a minimum honorarium of $40.00 as a sign of gratitude for their time and efforts on our behalf.
    
2. The Secretary shall be responsible for the safekeeping of the legal documents of the Society.