Birmingham Paleontological Society

Bylaws

Section 1. The BPS shall consist of Adult, Student, Family and Advisor membership.

Section 2. Any adult may become a member upon payment of dues.

Section 3. Students (High School, Grades 9-12 and students enrolled in college) may become members upon payment of student dues.

Section 4. All persons within a family may become members by payment of family membership dues.

Section 5. Any person may be named an Advisor upon majority vote of the membership at a regular meeting of the Society.

Section 6. All persons desiring to be members must complete a membership application form; upon approval, the member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Society.

Section 7. All members agree to follow the BPS Code of Ethics.

Section 1. Officers shall be: President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2. Terms of office shall be for one year or until their successors are elected, with elections being held at the January meeting, and new officers assuming their duties at that time.

Section 3. All members having paid their dues are eligible for office.

Section 4. In the event that any officer’s post becomes vacant, an election shall be held at the next regular meeting to fill that office until the next general election, except for the President’s office, in which case the 1st Vice-president assumes that position; also until the next general election.

Section 5. Duties of the President shall be: to preside over all regular and Directors meetings, to appoint committees as he/she deems necessary.

Section 6. Duties of the 1st Vice-President shall be: to preside over all regular and Directors meetings in the President’s absence, to assume the office of President in the event that the President is unable to fulfill said term. The 1st Vice-President shall also be in charge of programs and may appoint whomever he/she deems necessary to help with this duty.

Section 7.  Duties of the 2nd Vice-President: shall be in charge of monthly field trips and may appoint whomever he/she deems necessary to help with this duty.

Section 8. Duties of the Secretary shall be: to record the minutes of all regular meetings, and present those minutes at the next regular meeting, and to be responsible for all correspondence relating to meetings, field trips and other activities.

Section 9. Duties of the Treasurer shall be: to collect dues, keep a record of the membership, disperse funds, and present a report at each regular meeting.

Section 1. The BPS will hold regular meetings on the 1st Monday of every month at 7:00 PM in the meeting rooms of the Hoover Public Library unless otherwise designated by the President.

Section 2. Voting on all issues shall be by majority of members present at each regular meeting, except for amendments to the articles of incorporation or bylaws.

Section 3. The regular monthly business meeting in January shall be known as the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. All persons attending BPS field trips will be required to sign a liability waiver on each trip.

Section 1. Composition. The board of directors shall consist of the 5 elected officers for the current year, and chairpersons of standing committees.

Section 2. Duties and Powers. The Directors shall prepare and file government documents at the direction of the membership.

Section 3. Meetings. The regular meeting of the Directors shall be held on the same day as the Annual Meeting. Special meetings of the Directors may be called by the President and shall be called upon the written request of three members of the board. A quorum for Directors meetings shall be a majority of Directors, and must include at least two officers. Only Directors may vote at board meetings.

Section 1. Standing Committees. The standing committees shall be membership, field trip, program, and web site. Each committee shall be appointed by the president, except as otherwise designated in these bylaws, for a term of one year or until their successors are appointed.

Section 2. Membership Committee – A Membership Committee composed of one or more members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each annual meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to provide membership information to current and prospective members of the Society by making membership information, application forms and membership packets available as necessary. The committee shall maintain guidelines for membership and review all membership applications.

Section 3. Field Trip Committee. A Field Trip Committee composed of the 2nd Vice-President and one or more other members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each annual meeting. The 2nd Vice-President shall chair this committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to scout potential collecting sites, obtain landowner permission, and maintain site information including maps, directions and landowner contacts.

Section 4. Program Committee. A Program Committee composed of the 1st Vice-President and one or more other members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each annual meeting. The 1st Vice-President shall chair this committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to plan the monthly programs of the Society.

Section 5. Web Site Committee. A Web Site Committee composed of one or more members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each annual meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to maintain the Society’s website and ensure all information therein complies with values of the Society.

Section 6. The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order" shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.

Section 1. Any proposed amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or bylaws shall be presented in writing and submitted to the membership by mail or email at least 20 days in advance of the meeting at which it is to be voted upon. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present at the regular meeting shall be required for adoption of an amendment.