SVDB Bylaws
ARTICLE I: NAME and OBJECTIVE
A. The name of this non-profit corporation, hereafter referred to as
the club, shall be the Sacramento Valley Detecting Buffs.
B. The objective (purpose) of this club is to bring together in good fellowship individuals interested in the Earth sciences as a hobby including the use of detectors, dowsing, natural findings of gold, silver, fossils, coins, rocks, mineralogy, geology, geocaching and archaeological pursuits.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP and DUES
A. Membership shall be open to any
person and his/her family interested in the objective and purpose as
stated in these by-laws.
B. Membership is established by payment of dues.
C. Dues are for the calendar year and shall be at such a rate
as established by vote of members. Renewal of dues by current
members shall be completed by December 31st for the next
full calendar year. There is no grace period.
D. New members joining during the first
three quarters of the year shall pay dues in full for that year. New
members joining during the last quarter of the year shall pay dues
prorated for that quarter plus full dues for the following year.
E. Honorary Membership may be awarded to any individual for
outstanding service or assistance to the club. Honorary members
shall have all rights and privileges of members except the right to
vote and shall be exempt from payment of dues. Honorary members are
awarded according to notification and voting by the members.
F. Any member may have his membership terminated without cause by a
three fourths vote of the members in attendance at a regular
meeting.
ARTICLE III: MEETINGS
A. Meetings shall be held on a day selected by membership vote at
the August meeting, subject to meeting room availability from the
County, beginning at 7:30 PM.
B. A quorum of 25 members must be present to conduct a regular
business meeting.
C. Only items approved by the Board may be brought to meetings for solicitation purposes.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
A. The elected officers of the club shall be president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer. This constitutes the board of
directors.
B. The term of office shall be one year.
C. A nominating committee shall be appointed at the September
meeting by the president. Nominations are to be announced at the
October meeting with additional nominations accepted from the floor.
All names placed in nomination must have prior approval from the
nominee as to willingness to serve.
D. Election of officers by secret vote to be held at the November
meeting when there is more than one candidate running for office. If
only one eligible candidate has consented to serve that candidate
shall be elected by acclimation.
E. Officers are to assume duties at the first meeting in January.
Following the installation of new officers the preceding board of
directors (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) shall
be honorary members of the board of directors for one year.
ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. President: The president of the club
shall preside over all meetings and perform all duties customary to
the office including appointing all committees and filling any
vacancies to complete an officer's term for the remainder of the
year.
B. Vice President: The vice president shall be the public affairs
officer of the club and would prepare press releases and arrange
media coverage about events open to the public. In the absence of
the president the vice president shall assume the duties of the
office.
C. Secretary: The secretary shall be responsible for recording and
reporting the activities of the club at the regularly scheduled
meetings.
D. Treasurer: The treasurer shall be responsible for the safe
keeping of the club funds and their proper disbursement. Funds shall
be kept on deposit in a financial institution approved by the club
officers. Checks for disbursement must be signed by one (1) of the
two officers (treasurer and president) authorized to sign checks for
the club. The treasurer shall report the current bank balance and
all expenditures and deposits at each meeting of the club. Any
expenditure exceeding $150.00 for general use or $500 above the then
current dollar amount required for exemption from state sales tax
for coin purchases must be approved by prior vote of the membership.
All expenditures for the general running of the club are to be
approved by the board of directors. In January of each year, both
the old and new treasurer and the new president will audit the club
books upon take over by the new board.
The treasurer shall annually provide the board with an
analysis of membership dues ability to support club activities.
ARTICLE VI: DISSOLUTION
A. The club may be dissolved only by a majority vote of the
membership at a scheduled meeting after all members have been
notified in writing of this intent including proposed disposal of
assets.
B. In event of dissolution of the club, it's assets shall be
disposed of to a charitable organization in accordance with the
wishes of the majority of the membership and the laws of the state
of California relating to incorporated non-profit organizations.
ARTICLE VII: CLUB LIABILITY
A. In case of loss or injury of any kind to any member or his / her family while at a club meeting, field trip, or any other event involving the club said member agrees NOT to hold the club responsible in any way.
ARTICLE VIII: BY-LAWS AMENDMENTS
A. Any member desiring to amend the
by-laws shall present in writing the proposed change(s) at a regular
scheduled meeting.
B. All members must be notified in writing of the proposed change(s)
and the date of voting relating to the change(s).
C. A Majority vote of the membership at the scheduled meeting is
required for passage of the amendment.
ADOPTED NOVEMBER 5, 1986
AMENDED: 3/90, 10/90, 1/92, 1/93, 3/95, 6/02, 7/08, 8/09
