Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County
A hobby club dedicated to the study of marine aquariums
Article I
The name of this organization shall be the "Marine Aquarium Society
of Los Angeles County", also known as MASLAC.
Article II
Purpose
The principal purpose of this organization is: as a scientific or
mariculture corporation, for non-profit purposes, to promote, carryon,
and aid in every possible way the development, improvement, and preservation
of marine aquariums of all kinds, including, but not by way of limitation,
the cultivation of tropical reef fishes and invertebrates and the
preservation and captive propagation; to be a forum in which to present
and discuss conducted scientific researches for the culture of tropicalQ
marine aquaria; to collect the most recent information relating to
the keeping of tropical marine aquaria; to disseminate information
concerning the culture of tropical marine aquaria by means of exhibitions,
lectures, publications, or otherwise; to assist those engaged in the
keeping of tropical marine aquaria by such presentations, discussions,
and dissemination; and generally to extend the knowledge, culture,
and appreciation of tropical marine aquaria of any kind and in any
manner.
Article III
Membership Dues
The annual dues for members shall be in such amount as shall from
time to time be determined by the Officers and Directors, and approved
by a 2/3 vote of the membership present at the general monthly meeting.
The annual membership cost for the year 2003 shall be $30. The membership
will be valid for 12 months from the date of sign up. A membership
shall consist of one or more persons of the same household. The members
of the Society shall consist of persons who are interested in the
objects and purposes of the organization. Associate memberships for
the year 2003 shall cost $15, and are available to members in good
standing of typically out-of-town marine aquarium clubs that are recognized
for this purpose by the officers of MASLAC. Associate members have
all the privileges of regular members. The Officers and Board shall
have the right to charge special fees as deemed necessary.
Voting
Each membership in good standing shall have one vote. Guests may not
vote. There shall be no voting by proxy or by absentee ballot.
Article IV
Officers & Board of Directors
The officers of the Society shall consist of President, two Vice-Presidents,
Membership Secretary, Secretary, and Treasurer, all of whom ex-officio
shall be Directors, and wherewith referred to as Directors. Officers
shall be elected annually by the members, and shall be members in
good standing during their full tenure of office. The terms of office
for the President and two Vice-Presidents shall not exceed two consecutive
years in the same office. The
President will appoint a nominating committee at the September Officers
and Director's meeting. The names of the Committee members will be
read at the October regular monthly meeting of the Society. The nominating
committee will present its findings at the October Officers and Director's
meeting, as well as the regular monthly November meeting. Additional
nomination from the floor shall be called for at this meeting, subject
to the previous consent of the nominee. The voting will
be held at the regular Society meeting in November, and results announced
by the end of the regular Society meeting in November. Officers and
Directors are to work closely in cooperation for the month of December,
and newly elected Officers and Directors are to be installed at the
December regular meeting, and are responsible for the future calendar
year. All members in good
standing and in attendance at the Officers and Director's meeting
may vote on club business with the majority vote of the generel membership
in attendance counting as 1 vote towards the total vote.
Vacancies during the year may be filled by the action of the remaining
Board of Directors. Officers, Directors, or any other position may
be recalled by two-thirds vote of the Directors when they display
an inability or unwillingness to perform their duties.
PRESIDENT - It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all
meetings of the Society and of the Directors, and to see that the
by-laws are enforced; to call such meetings as are herein provided
to be called by the President; to have general supervision over all
the affairs of the Society, and at the monthly meetings to make a
report. The President shall sign all written contracts and obligations,
unless otherwise provided by special vote of the Directors, and no
contract shall be valid and binding upon the Society unless so signed.
If the President is unable to attend any meeting of the Officers and
Directors, the President must inform the 1st Vice President and supply
the 1st Vice President with a President's report and agenda.
1ST VICE PRESIDENT - It shall be the duty of the 1st Vice President
to organize monthly programs and make a monthly report to the officers
and Directors. If the President is absent from any meeting, monthly
regular or of the Board, the 1st Vice President shall preside. If
the 1st Vice President is unable to attend any meeting of the Officers
and Directors, the 1st Vice President must inform the President and
supply the President with a 1st Vice President's report.
2nd VICE PRESIDENT - It shall be the duty of the 2nd Vice President
to organize activities outside of the regular monthly meetings. If
the President and 1st Vice President are absent from any meeting,
monthly regular or of the Board, the 2nd Vice President shall preside,
provided there is a quorum present at Board meetings. If the 2nd Vice
President is unable to attend any meeting of the Officers and Directors,
the 2nd Vice President must inform the President and supply the President
with a 2nd Vice President's report.
SECRETARY - The duty of the Secretary is to keep and maintain a true
record of all meetings of the Officers and Directors (minutes), and
of the Society meetings as required. The secretary will send a copy
of the minutes to all absent officers and directors for the monthly
officer's and director's meeting. A public record of minutes and newsletters
shall be kept in the Library. If the Secretary is unable to attend
any meeting of the Officers and Directors, the Secretary must inform
the President and is responsible for finding a substitute Secretary.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY - The duty of the Membership Secretary is to
keep a record of all the members and guests of the Society, which
includes names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. The
Membership Secretary shall have general charge of guest records and
procedures, membership drives, and all correspondence soliciting for
new or renewal memberships. All membership and guest fees are collected
and noted by the Membership Secretary, and the fees given to the Treasurer.
The Membership Secretary shall give a report at the meeting of the
Officers and Directors the number of guests and regular members in
attendance at the last regular monthly meeting, as well as any other
news concerning the membership. The Membership Secretary shall organize
a way to supply the Newsletter Editor with address labels in a timely
manner, and together with the Newsletter Editor publish an annual
yearbook to be given out at the February regular monthly meeting.
. If the Membership Secretary is unable to attend any meeting, the
Membership Secretary must inform the President and is responsible
for finding a substite Membership Secretary.
TREASURER - The duty of the Treasurer is to receive all moneys belonging
to the Society, to keep an accurate record of all income and disbursements,
and to report in writing of such at each meeting of the Officers and
Directors. A public record of the monthly Treasurer's Report shall
be kept in the Library. Accounts for the preceding fiscal year shall
be audited by the Auditor or Auditors approved by the Directors. .
If the Treasurer is unable to attend any meeting of the Officers and
Directors, the Treasurer must inform the President and supply the
President with a Treasurer's report.
DIRECTORS - The Directors must be at least the Officers of the preceding
term when possible, and shall be elected annually by the members,
and shall be members in good standing during their full tenure as
Directors.
OTHER POSITIONS - The Officers and Directors may appoint such positions
with such duties as they see fit, and may delegate to such any of
their powers. Positions shall consist of Publicity, Webmaster, Librarian,
Newsletter Editor, Publisher, or any subsequent position that may
be needed.
Article V
Meetings
Regular membership meetings shall be held monthly at regular specified
time and place. Regular
membership meetings are to be held on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Information on all meetings and activities shall be made publicly
available on the club website.
Officer's and Director's Meetings
Regular Officer's and Director's meeting dates
will be decided upon by the officers and directors, and customarily
meets the last Monday of every month. A quorum must be present to conduct an Officer's and Director's meeting,
and consists of at least half of the Officers and Directors. The president
may choose to cancel or postpone an Officer's or Director's meeting
if a quorum is not present, but many not cancel more than one Officer's
and Director's monthly meeting for two consecutive months.
Activities
Club activities that are held outside the regular monthly meetings
are to be coordinated by the 2nd Vice President. Customary activities
may be but are not limited to: member tank tour and picnic, local
fish store tour, public aquarium visitations, workshops, fund-raisers,
and holiday pot-luck dinner.
Article VI
Amendments
The by-laws may be amended or changed by a 2/3 vote of the membership
present at any meeting provided due notice of the change has been
given to the membership at the preceding meeting.
Article VII
Bank Signature Cards
All checks written by the Society must be signed by two of the three
following people: President, 1st Vice President, or 2nd Vice President,
with the preference being by the President and 1st Vice President.
Article VIII
Dissolution
In the event that the Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County
is discontinued, the assets of the Society shall be distributed as
follows:
1. Cash assets - All debts are to be paid as recorded by the Treasurer
in order of least recent loan to be paid first. Remaining cash assets
will be donated to one or more marine aquarium hobby clubs or research
funds. The cash assets shall be donated in the name of the Marine
Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County.
2. Non-cash assets shall be donated to one or more local marine aquarium
hobby clubs in the name of the Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles
County.
The distribution of all assets shall be decided by the Officers and
Directors of MASLAC.
Article IX
Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the actions of the Marine Aquarium
Society of Los Angeles County. Where Robert's Rules of Order conflict
with the by-laws of MASLAC, the by-laws shall have precedence.
Updated May 2005.
