Article I – Name The name shall be the Maine Herpetological Society (MHS), founded April 15, 1992. The society is a non-profit organization. Article II – Purpose The purpose of the society is to: - Promote education, interest and appreciation of the growth, culture and enjoyment of herpetology. - Raise awareness of the proper husbandry and maintenance of “herps”. - Promote responsible legislation relating to herpetology. - Promote the captive breeding of all reptiles and amphibians. - Promote conservation and discourage the taking of reptiles and amphibians from their natural habitat. Article III – Membership Membership shall be open to anyone with an interest in reptiles and amphibians. Regular members pay an annual fee, vote and may hold office. Individual, Family, and Student or any other level of membership is entitled to one vote, i.e., family memberships are entitled two votes collectively and not as individuals. Except for the election of Officer and Directors, no votes of any kind shall take place through the mail or over the phone. Votes are held at meetings and only those members present are entitled to vote. An individual’s membership or duties in the Society may be rescinded if, upon a unanimous vote of the Officers and Directors, it is determined that the member’s activities are contrary to the principles of the Society. The member in question may appeal this decision by submitting, within thirty days of the decision, a request for a hearing, or a written explanation of the facts. Re-instatement of the member to good standing requires a unanimous vote of the Officers and Directors or a majority vote of the general membership. Article IV – Officers and Directors Section 1 The Society officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Adoption Officer and Publicity Officer. Terms shall be one year duration. Section 2 The Society shall have five (5) Directors of the Board. Terms shall be of two years duration. Article V – Duties of Officers and Directors Section 1 The President shall call the meeting to order and serve as Chairperson of all standing committees, unless otherwise provided, and shall perform generally all the duties usually performed by the President. He/She shall also insure the presence of an Officer of the Society to preside over the meeting in his/her absence. The president’s term shall be one year. Section 2 The Vice-President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and shall assume the office and duties of the President in the event the latter can no longer continue in his/her office. The Vice-President is also the Program Chairperson. The Vice-President’s term shall be one year. Section 3 The Secretary shall attend all meetings, or find a substitute, and keep a full and correct record of all proceedings of the meetings. He/she will also call for any additions or corrections to the minutes published prior to the meeting in the bulletin. He/she shall also be responsible for keeping an accurate list of the members, with their names, addresses, telephone numbers and current membership status. He/She shall also take care of such matters as Society correspondence. The Secretary shall be the Society’s Historian and, at the direction of the President, issue membership cards and related activities. The Secretary’s term shall be one year. Secretary can be re-elected to subsequent terms. Section 4 The Treasurer shall receive and have charge of all monies belonging to the Society and shall disburse same at the direction of the Board. He/She shall keep an accurate account of all disbursements made by him/her and shall report on the state of the treasury once a month at the regular meeting. On the expiration of his/her term of office, he/she shall turn over all money and accounts (including all records) to the incoming treasurer. All expenditures in excess of $300.00 must be voted on by the membership. The treasurer’s books may be audited at the discretion of the board of directors or prior to the treasurer’s departure. The Treasurer’s term shall be for one year. Treasurer can be re-elected to subsequent terms. Section 5 Adoption Officer shall receive and have charge of animals given to the society for adoption. He/She shall be in charge of the animal while in the society’s possession. He/she shall set fees for the adoption of the animal. He/she shall be in charge of all monies generated by the adoptions of animals, although the funds shall be deposited in the society’s account and monies spent accounted for by the treasurer. The purpose of said monies shall be for the care and medical expenses of future adoptees. The Adoption Officer’s term shall be one year. Section 6 The Publicity Officer shall take the initiative in publicizing the Society and its endeavors. Expenditures are subject to review of the Directors. Publicity Officer’s tern shall be one year. Section 7 The Board of Directors shall exercise, conduct and control the property and affairs of the Society. Each Board Member must be a member in good standing. Specifically, the Board is to be charged with guarding the welfare of the Society and insuring the goals are carried out. Board meetings are considered official if 5 or more members are present. The Board shall consist of seven (7) members as set forth in Article IV Section 2. Votes taken during board meetings shall be considered passed if agreed upon by a simple majority of those directors present, except as stated in Article III Membership. In order to perform the functions of their position it is imperative that the directors attend Board of Director meetings, which are generally held just prior to the regular meetings. Therefore if three meetings are missed in succession a warning will be sent from the President. If, after receiving a warning, the offending director misses the next meeting it will result in an automatic removal and a replacement will be appointed by the officers present at that meeting. Article VI – Elections of Officers Nominations: Any member in good standing may be nominated at the September and October meetings. Nominees must be present or a written consent to accept nomination received prior to the meeting. The election of officers shall be held at the December meeting, with the newly elected officers assuming office as of January 1. Supervisor of the elections shall be the President. In the event of the President being nominated, the First Vice-President shall be supervisor of said election. Except for Treasurer and Secretary Officers may not hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive years. Board member elections are held as needed as special elections. Article VII – Dues Dues shall be decided upon by the Board of Directors and reviewed as needed. Dues are payable upon joining the Society. Any member that does not renew membership by the month following their expiration in the form of dues payment shall no longer be considered a member in good standing. Visitors shall be advised after two visits that they should join the Society. Article VIII – Dissolution If the Society is dissolved, any assets shall be donated to the “Yet to be named Maine Conservation Organization”.