Revision as of 05:10, 13 November 2006

ARTICLE I - NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1.

The name of the organization shall be KGB].

Section 2.

The objectives of the organization shall be:

a. to promote a spirit of fellowship among its members.
b. to take an active and positive role in campus life.

Section 3.

The organization shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues, donations, or other sources of income to the organization shall inure to the personal benefit of any member or individual.

ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS

Section 1. - Standing Definitions

The terms defined as follows shall be considered standing definitions:

a. Majority. A majority shall be defined as a number greater then 
one-half (1/2), or fifty percent (50%), of the total.

b. Organization Quorum. A quorum of the organization is required in 
order to hold meetings as set forth in Article IV, Sections 1 and 2, 
and shall be either a majority of the voting members or seventy-five 
percent (75%) of the active members.

c. Board Quorum. A quorum of the Board is required in order to
hold meetings set forth in Article IV, Sections 3, 4, and 5,
shall be a majority of the Board members.

d. Written Petitions. All written petitions shall bear the
signatures of either ten (10) members, or twenty percent (20%)
of the voting membership, whichever is greater.

e. Member in Good Standing.  A member is in good standing whose
dues are current and whose other monetary obligations to the
organization are fulfilled
    1) within sixty (60) days of the obligation's creation, or
    2) by the Annual Meeting (as defined in Art. VI, Sec. 2)
whichever comes first unless such obligations are created
within seven (7) days prior to the Annual Meeting, in which
case clause 2 shall not apply.

f. Voting Member. A voting member is a member in good standing
who has attended at least one (1) previous meeting.

g. Mailing. A mailing may be by physical or electronic means.
Such mail must be individually addressed to each recipient, and
may not only be to a single central bulletin board or other
medium.

h. Active Member.  An active member shall be a voting member who
has attended at least one of the three (3) previous regular organization 
meetings as set forth in Article IV, Section 1 of these bylaws.

i. Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting is the meeting at which the
officers shall be elected for the ensuing year, and at which other
significant business is conducted in accordance with these bylaws,
and is described in Article VI, Section 2 of these bylaws.

j. Random Process.  A random process shall be any method of choice
which assigns an equal probability of selection to each option.

k. Duck. Anything that looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and
quacks like a duck.

Section 2. - Provisional Definitions

All terms not previously defined as standing Definitions shall be defined according to the current edition of MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. - Membership

Each individual voting member shall have one (1) vote. Each member shall receive one (1) copy of any notices, publications or other distributed documents of the organization.

Section 2. - Becoming a Member

Any person whose dues have been paid to the Treasurer and whose body temperature is above fifty (50) degrees Fahrenheit shall be considered a member. However, the second requirement can be waived for the fee of ten (10) dollars.

Section 3. - Dues

Membership dues for the next year shall be suggested annually by the Executive Board in March, and approved or changed by the voting membership at the April meeting. Dues shall be payable on or before the thirtieth day of September each year.

Section 4. - Termination

Memberships may be terminated voluntarily:

a. by resignation. Any member may resign from the organization
upon written notice to the Recording Secretary.

b. by lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and
automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid
thirty (30) days after the deadline for payment of dues. 
However, the Executive Board may grant an additional thirty (30)
days grace period to such delinquent members in exceptional
cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any
organization meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the date of
that meeting, or who are sixty (60) days in arrears of other
monetary obligations to the organization.

Section 5. - Refund of Dues

Membership dues will not be refunded either wholly or in part for any reason save extreme circumstances as determined by the membership.

Section 6. - Benefits of Membership

All members in good standing shall receive all benefits of membership except as stipulated in the bylaws.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS AND VOTING

Section 1. - Regular Organization Meetings

Regular meetings of the organization shall be held as directed by the Executive Board. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed to the membership at least six (6) days prior to the date of the first such meeting of each semester by the Corresponding Secretary through the official organization newsletter or by other mailing, as well as upon any change in the announced time.

Section 2. - Special Organization Meetings

Special meetings of the organization may be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Board who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board, or by the Recording Secretary upon receipt of a written petition. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least three (3) and not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting. Such notice shall state the purpose(s) of the meeting, and no other organization business may be transacted thereat.

Section 3. - Regular Executive Board Meetings

Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held as directed by the Board, with a minimum of two (2) such meetings per semester. Notice of such meetings shall be mailed to the membership at least six (6) days prior to the date of the first such meeting of each semester by the Corresponding Secretary and upon any change in the announced time. Such meetings shall be closed to non-members of the organization unless the individual(s) should be specifically invited by the Board, in which case the cause for the non-member presence shall be the first order of business, and after which the non-member may be asked to leave the meeting.

Section 4. - Special Executive Board Meetings

Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President, or by the Recording Secretary upon the receipt of a written petition signed by at least three (3) members of the Board. Notice of such meetings shall be given to the membership at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. Such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business may be transacted thereat. In addition, all restrictions in Section 3 of this article shall apply to special meetings of the Board.

Section 5. - Emergency Board Meetings

Emergency meetings of the Board may be called by the President or First Vice-President and may be held by phone. Notice of such meetings shall be given to the officers at least one (1) day prior to the meeting. Any majority decision reached will be entered into the minutes of the next regular Board meeting.

Section 6. - Voting

Each voting member shall be entitled to one (1) vote at any regular meeting of the organization at which the member is present. Absentee voting will be permitted only for elections. Absentee ballots must be submitted to all the election proctors at least twelve (12) hours in advance of the commencement of the Annual Meeting, and may be submitted by electronic mail or in person.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1. - Executive Board

The officers of the organization shall constitute the Executive board. The power necessary for the general management of the organization's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board, except as follows.

a. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the organization,
and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the
organization, and the organization may countermand any decision
of the board by a majority vote, thus opening up the question
for consideration by the organization.

b. The Board shall not distribute the organization's funds
except as directed by the organization.

Section 2. - Officers

The organization officers, consisting of the following, shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the organization and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.

a. The President shall preside at all meetings of the
organization and of the Board, and shall have the duties and
powers normally applicable to the office of President in
addition to those provided for in these bylaws.

b. The First Vice-President shall be in charge of fellowship
and shall actively recruit new members.

c. The Second Vice-President shall be in charge of organizing 
fellowship activities.

d. The Corresponding Secretary shall have charge of all
correspondence pertinent to the organization other than the
correspondence reserved for the Recording Secretary and
Treasurer.  The Corresponding Secretary shall be the Editor of
the organization Newsletter.

e. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of
the organization and of the Board and of all matters of which a
record shall be ordered by the organization.  The Recording
Secretary shall keep a roll of the members of the organization
with applicable information, including attendance at meetings of
the general body; furthermore, the Recording Secretary shall carry
out such other duties as are prescribed in these bylaws, and shall
have the duties and powers normally applicable to the office of
Secretary, except for those duties and powers assigned to another
officer by these bylaws.  In the absence of the Recording
Secretary, the duties and powers thereof shall be executed by the
Corresponding Secretary, or in the absence thereof, the most
senior officer present not presiding over the meeting.

f. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or
belonging to the organization, and shall deposit the same in a
bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of the organization.
The Treasurer's books shall be open at all times to the inspection
of the Board, and the Treasurer shall report to the Board and the
general membership at every meeting the condition of the
organization's finances. At the annual meeting, the Treasurer
shall render an account of all moneys received and expended during
the previous fiscal year. During the month of September the
Treasurer shall mail to each member a statement of dues for the
ensuing year. The Treasurer shall disperse funds as directed by
the Executive Board.  The Treasurer shall also be responsible for
filing all financial forms applicable to the organization.  In the
absence of the Treasurer, the Recording Secretary shall record
allocations made or debts incurred by or to the organization;
however, the Recording Secretary shall not disburse or collect
moneys, unless authorized so to do by the Board.

g. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall assist in preserving order as the
chair may direct, and other duties as set forth in the standing
rules of order.

Section 3. - Officer Requirements

All Officers of the organization shall be voting members who are Activities Fee-paying students.

Section 4. - Vacancies

Any vacancy of an officer position occurring on the Board during the year shall be filled for the unexpired term of office by a majority vote of all the remaining members of the Board by the second regular meeting of the board following the creation of such vacancy.

Section 5. - Recall of Officers

Any officer may be recalled for misconduct or dereliction of duty. A written petition, stating the reason(s) for recall, shall be filed with the Board. Written notice of such a petition shall be mailed to the membership. At the next regular meeting at least six (6) days after the mailing, a hearing on the matter will be held and a two-thirds (2/3) vote will be required to sustain the recall.

Section 6. - Seniority

Seniority of offices is: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms.

ARTICLE VI - ORGANIZATION YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS

Section 1. - Organization Year

The organization's fiscal year shall begin on the first day of September and end on the thirty-first day of August. The organization's official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.

Section 2. - Annual Meeting

No later than the last meeting in the month of December the board shall set the date for the Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in the month of April of each year. At the Annual Meeting the Officers for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall relinquish all properties and records relating to that office within fifteen (15) days after the election.

Section 3. - Elections

The color of elections shall be purple.

a. Proctors.  For the duration of the elections at the Annual Meeting, 
a set of at least three proctors shall preside and keep
order at the meeting.  Ballots shall be counted by at least two
proctors.  Proctors shall be ineligible to run in that year's
elections.  Proctors shall be voting members of the organization
except as discussed in section VI.3.b.
 
b. Normal Proctor Selection.  At least two weeks prior to the
Annual Meeting, a slate of at least three consenting members shall
be nominated as proctors at a meeting of the Board.  A member
shall not be nominated if any member of the Board objects.  At any
meeting of the general body thereafter prior to the Annual
Meeting, the slate may be modified or approved by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote.  At any such time, if it has not yet approved a slate
of proctors, the organization may elect to request proctors from
an external source with a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

c. Emergency Proctor Selection.  If, at the Annual Meeting, less
than three approved proctors are in attendance, the general body
shall again have the opportunity to modify and approve the slate
of proctors.  If no proctors have yet been approved, after at
least two failed votes to approve the current slate of proctors
the chair may declare an impasse.  In such an impasse, five
present members not presently nominated for office shall be
selected as proctors by random process; or, if five such members
cannot be found, five members from the total attendance shall be
so selected, but shall remain eligible for election.

d. Election Procedure.  The election of each officer shall be
concluded before the election of the next begins, and these
elections shall be held in order of the chain of command. Write-in
ballots or other invalid ballots shall be considered as
abstentions. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast
for each office shall be declared elected. In the case of an
all-way tie, an additional round shall be run. Should the tie
repeat, the winner shall be decided by the proctors of the
election by random process. Otherwise, candidates shall be
eliminated by the following method:
   
   1) Sort candidates into tiers of people with the same number of votes. 

   2) Starting with the lowest ranking tier, remove tiers from the 
   running in increasing order of rank until removing another would bring 
   the total number of votes removed above 1/3. If there are no tiers with
   a number of votes below 1/3, remove the lowest ranking tier. 

   3) If more than one candidate remains, run another round.

The winner shall be announced by the election proctors. Vote totals shall
not be announced. The ballots shall be destroyed upon completion of the
elections.

Section 4. - Nominations

No person may be a candidate in an organization election who has not been nominated or who is not a voting organization member in good standing. During the last quarter of the official year the Executive Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of four (4) members willing to so serve, not more than one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Board. The Recording Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members of their selection. The Board shall name a Chairperson for the committee and it shall be this person's duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held on or before March 1. Once the first meeting has been held, the membership of this committee cannot be altered by the board. No person who has served on the Nominating Committee will be eligible to run in that year's elections.

a. The committee shall nominate at least one (1) candidate for
each office, and after securing the consent of each person so 
nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to both 
the Recording and Corresponding Secretaries in writing.

b. Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the
Corresponding Secretary shall on or before April 1, notify each
member in writing of the candidates so nominated.

c. Additional nominations may be made at any meeting after the
report of the nominating committee and before the annual meeting
by any member in attendance provided that the person so         
nominated does not decline when his or her name is proposed, and
provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in
attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the
Recording Secretary a written statement of the candidate's   
willingness to be so nominated.  A voting member may be      
nominated and run for more than one (1) office, but shall only
be allowed to hold one (1) office.
   
d. Upon finalization of the nominations and at least three days before the
annual meeting, the Corresponding Secretary shall notify each member in
writing of the list of candidates. 

e. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any
manner other than as provided for in this section.
   
                              ARTICLE VII
                              COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Board may each year appoint standing ordinary committees to advance the work of the organization. Special ordinary committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.

Section 2. Any ordinary committee appointment may be terminated by the Board upon written notice to the appointee, and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.

Section 3. The organization may appoint extraordinary committees to advance the work of the organization. Each such committee has an owner, who must be a member in good standing of the organization. The owner appoints and replaces the chair of the committee as deemed appropriate.

Section 4. The owner of an extraordinary committee is determined by auction, the proceeds of which are payable to the organization. In the event of a vacancy in ownership of an extraordinary committee, the organization may fill the vacancy by auction.

Section 5. The owner of an extraordinary committee may transfer the ownership of the committee to another member in good standing by notifying the Recording Secretary.

Section 6. The Recording Secretary shall maintain a record of the membership of all ordinary committees and of the ownership of all extraordinary committees.

                             ARTICLE VIII
                 REPRIMAND, SUSPENSION, AND EXPULSION

Section 1. Any member of the organization shall be held accountable for any conduct considered injurious to the organization or its purposes and objectives. The gravity of such conduct shall first be considered at a hearing before the Executive Board. Considering said charges of conduct, the Board may, at its discretion, enforce any of the following punitive actions:

   a. Reprimand. The Board may reprimand the member for minor
   offenses, which can include, but shall not be limited to,
   written reprimand, verbal warning, restitution, or organization
   service.

   b. Suspension. For offenses of a more serious nature, the Board
   may suspend membership privileges of the member for any length
   of time, up to the next Annual Meeting of the organization.

   c. Expulsion. Considering the most heinous of offenses, the
   Board may propose to the organization membership expulsion of
   the member. The organization shall then vote at the next Regular
   Meeting of the organization, and the proposal for expulsion
   shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote for approval.

Section 2. Any member so charged shall be given written notice of said hearing at least ten (10) days prior to that hearing, and such member shall have the right to be present at said hearing for the purposes of defense.

Section 3. Any member affected by Section 1, Parts (a) and (b), of this Article, shall have thirty (30) days to appeal said proceedings. Written notice of appeal shall be presented to the Recording Secretary. The Board shall then, in turn, present the matter to the voting membership at the next Regular organization meeting. An affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote shall be required to sustain the actions of the Board.

Section 4. Any person whose membership is terminated according to Section 1 of this article must present his or her application for reinstatement to the Executive Board for approval prior to being voted upon by the general membership.

                              ARTICLE IX
                        PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED shall govern the organization 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 organization may adopt.

                               ARTICLE X
                              AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by the Executive Board or by written petition addressed to the Recording Secretary. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board and must be submitted to the members with the recommendations of the Board by the Recording Secretary for a vote within thirty (30) days of the date when the petition was received by the Recording Secretary.

Section 2. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed to each member at least six (6) days prior to the date of the meeting.

                              ARTICLE XI
                               DONATIONS

The organization may accept donations in the form of money, equipment or other property to be used for the exclusive benefit of the membership, provided however, that all contributions and donations to the organization shall be subject to approval by the Board.

                              ARTICLE XII
                              DISSOLUTION

The organization may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the organization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the organization nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the organization shall be distributed to any members of the organization. After payment of the debts of the organization, its property and assets shall be given to a similar organization or sold and the money donated to a charitable organization selected by the Executive Board.

                             ARTICLE XIII
                      SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1. At meetings of the organization, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:

   a. Reading and correction of the minutes of the last regular
   organization meeting and any special meetings or Board meetings
   held in the interim
   b. Reports of officers
   c. Reports of committees
   d. Old business
   e. New business
   f. Elections (at annual meeting)
   g. Actual Real Relevant Announcements Pertaining to the Business of KGB
      as an Organization.
   h: Open floor

Section 2. At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:

   a. Reading and correction of the minutes of the last regular
   Board meeting and any special meetings or organization meetings
   held in the interim
   b. Reports of officers
   c. Reports of committees
   d. Old business
   e. New business