Ozark Highlands Grotto of the National Speleological Society
Article I.
The name of this organization shall be the Ozark Highlands Grotto of the National Speleological Society.
Article II.
The purpose of this organization shall be the same as that of the National Speleological Society with the additional purpose of organizing NSS members in the northwestern Ozarks area of Missouri and Arkansas better to promote the objective of the NSS.
Article III.
1. The Ozark Highlands Grotto shall be governed by an Executive Committee made up of the following officers (all NSS members) elected annually by the members:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
MSS Director
2. The Executive Committee shall have complete power to manage the business, to formulate by-laws, to raise funds in any manner not inconsistent with the policies of the NSS, and to perform all other necessary functions.
3. Decisions or actions of the Executive Committee may be overruled by a 2/3 majority vote of the voting members at a meeting.
4. A Board of Directors consisting of three OHG/NSS members shall aid in the governing of the grotto. These three directors shall be appointed by the President for five year terms. The President may appoint a replacement if a director resigns, moves away, dies or otherwise vacates his or her post.
Article IV.
1. The Executive Committee meetings shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Committee and shall be published and open to all members.
2. General meetings shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the President and shall be published and open to all members.
3. A petition signed by 2/3 of the membership shall be mandatory upon the Executive Committee to call a special meeting for the purpose stated in the petition.
Article V.
Full membership is limited to members of the NSS.
Article VI.
The Constitution and By-Laws of the NSS shall be binding on the Ozark Highlands Grotto. Any action inconsistent therewith shall be null and void.
Article VII.
Any NSS property shall revert to the NSS in the event of dissolution of the Ozark Highlands Grotto.
Article VIII.
Amendments to this Constitution shall be made by 2/3 favorable vote of those present at any meeting called by the Executive Committee expressly for the purpose, or by written consent, of one half of the total membership.
By-Laws
Executive Committee
1. Executive Committee members shall:
Consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and a MSS Director.
Be full members of the NSS.
Be elected by simple majority of OHG members voting during the first OHG meeting of each December.
Conduct business matters of OHG in orderly fashion.
2. The President shall:
Preside at all OHG meetings.
Make and carry out agenda for the meeting.
Appoint committees and individuals as necessary.
Make arrangements for meetings.
Not have the power to vote on any motion or election candidate except to break a tie vote.
3. The Vice President shall:
Assist the President.
Preside in the President's absence.
Be program chairperson, and as such shall ensure the meetings' programs are arranged and ready for orderly presentation.
4. The Secretary shall:
Record minutes of business and executive meetings and send a copy to the Newsletter Editor for publication.
Be responsible for notifying members of meetings and functions.
5. The Treasurer shall:
Be responsible of OHG funds.
Collect dues and distribute membership cards to members.
6. The MSS Director shall:
Represent OHG at MSS Board of Directors meetings.
Keep records of all MSS functions and give a MSS report at the first OHG business meeting following the MSS function.
7. The Board of Directors shall:
Act as an advisory body.
Represent the Grotto at selected meetings, conferences, and seminars. One or more may represent the Grotto.
Assist the Executive Committee in the governing of the Grotto.
Serve without compensation.
Membership
1. Full OHG membership is restricted to full NSS members with all rights and privileges.
Privileges:
May hold an elective office.
Full voting rights.
Full library privileges.
Full OHG property use privileges.
Receive all OHG publications.
2. Associate membership is given to all non-regular NSS members who pay regular dues.
Privileges:
Full voting rights.
Full library privileges.
Full OHG property use privileges.
Receive all OHG publications.
Under-age membership can be granted for individuals under the age of 18 provided that:
At least one of his/her legal parents or legal guardians is also an OHG member (individual or family membership).
The member parent or guardian must be present and is responsible for the care of the under-age member:
During events in which OHG participates.
During transportation to and from these events.
Election of Officers
1. A Nominating Committee of three OHG members shall be appointed in October by the Executive Committee.
2. The Nominating Committee shall propose a list of nominees for the various offices including the Executive Committee. Any member may submit additional nominations at the election meeting.
3. The membership shall be notified of the list of nominations by their being published in the newsletter prior to the election meeting.
4. The election shall be held on the first OHG meeting in December.
Finances
1. OHG shall solicit and accept dues from its members for its operation. The amount of these dues is to be determined by the Executive Committee and approved by a simple majority of members voting.
2. Dues shall be payable by the first day of January to the Treasurer.
Meetings
1. Regular meetings shall be held bi-weekly as arranged the President.
The first meeting of the calendar month shall be a business meeting held at a specified public place.
2. A special meeting may be called by the Executive Committee when necessary.
3. A petition signed by 2/3 of the membership shall be mandatory upon the Executive Committee to call a special meeting for the purpose stated in the petition.
Property
1. OHG property is available for use to any member upon request. Equipment shall be returned in proper working condition and be clean.
2. Any NSS property shall revert to the NSS in the event of the dissolution of OHG. All other OHG property shall be donated evenly to the NSS and the MSS except that which belongs to the MSS exclusively.
Library
1. OHG shall maintain a library.
2. Any member may use the library.
3. Library policy shall be set by the Librarian.
4. The Librarian shall be appointed by the President.
Non-Member Cavers
1. Cave locations, cave catalogs or marked topographic maps must never be provided nor shown to non-member cavers.
2. It will be OHG policy to volunteer to guide approved cavers to area caves so long as arrangements have been made in advance.
For first visits, only gated caves or caves that are already heavily visited and thus "safe" to show shall be used to screen cavers for possible future visits.
OHG members who accompany non-member cavers on cave trips shall stress the importance of the use of proper equipment and adherence to rules of safe and proper caving and the NSS slogan to underscore the importance of safety and cave conservation.
3. All non-member caving requests shall be referred to an OHG officer if the cavers are unknown.
Publications
1. OHG shall publish two periodicals:
A monthly internal newsletter.
A quarterly magazine-format journal.
2. The President shall appoint the Editor(s).
3. All members shall receive both publications.
4. Subscriptions to either or both of the publications are available to paying non-members for a subscription rate to be determined by the Executive Committee.
Loss of Membership
1. Individuals shall forfeit membership:
By failure to maintain payment of dues.
By willful destruction of caves, cave features or cave life.
By other acts deemed as improper by the Executive Committee.
Amendments of By-Laws
1. Amendments to the By-Laws shall be made by 2/3 vote of the voting members present at the meeting. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee for consideration. Any proposed amendments shall be introduced during the "new business" section of any meeting. These amendments will then be voted on during the next calendar business meeting.
