BYLAWS OF THE

Section 1.

a) The name of this organization shall be known as "Prescott Gem and Mineral Club, Inc."

Section 2.

The purpose of the Club is:

a) To increase knowledge and understanding of the sciences pertaining to minerals, gems, rocks and similar objects.

b) To increase the practical knowledge and art of cutting, grinding and polishing those materials and their use in the design and creation of jewelry and other useful objects.

c) To disseminate to the members and the public knowledge of lapidary work, mineralogy, collection and classification of minerals and rock, geology, paleontology and other related earth sciences.

d) To organize field trips for the legitimate collection of rocks and fossils.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

a) Membership shall be open to anyone interested in the objectives of this organization upon completion of an application for membership and upon payment of dues as may be required. There shall be three classes of membership: Regular, Life and Junior.

Section 2.

a) A Regular member shall be defined as any person 18 years or older. Regular members shall enjoy all privileges and voting rights of the Club.

Section 3.

a) Life members shall be defined as Regular members who have made extraordinary contributions to the Club. They shall enjoy all the voting rights and privileges but shall be except from payment of dues.

b) A person may be nominated for Life membership by the Executive Board or by any member presenting a petition signed by ten (10) members to the Executive Board who shall study the petition and make recommendations to the membership. The members shall vote on the petition and a two-thirds majority of ballots cast is required to pass.

Section 4.

a) Junior members shall be defined as any person of age fifteen to seventeen (15-17) years. The application of any minor shall include a waiver and hold harmless agreement signed by the parent or legal guardian of the said minor.

Section 5.

a) A member can be expelled from the club for the willful misuse of club resources, willful disregard for the safety of club members, or for other actions against the best interests of the club.

b) A member subject to expulsion will be granted a hearing before the Executive Board. A majority vote of the Executive Board is required to propose that a member be expelled.

c) An expulsion vote will be taken at a general meeting and a two thirds majority of votes is required for the member to be expelled.

Section 1.

a) Annual dues shall be established by the Executive Board and approved by a majority vote of the membership at the January meeting.

b) Dues are payable at or before the January regular meeting of members. Non-paying members delinquent after the February meeting are automatically suspended as of that date. Reinstatement occurs only after payment of all dues owed.

Section 2.

a) Life members shall pay no dues.

Section 1.

a) The elected officers shall be President, First Vice President in charge of programs, Second Vice President in charge of field trips, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Liaison and Independent Director. The offices of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and Club Liaison shall also hold the title of Director. The immediate Past President shall also hold the title of Director. They shall exercise the duties assigned to them and all must be members in good standing.

b) The position of Show Chairman is appointed by a majority vote of the Executive Board and has no defined length of term.

Section 2.

a) Elective officers may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms of two (2) years each or as otherwise established initially by the Executive Board. They may be re-elected to that office after a one (1) year absence from that office.

Section 3.

a) The Executive Board shall be comprised of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, Independent Director, Show Chairman and Club Liaison.

Section 4.

a) Vacancies occurring among the elected officers and independent chairman shall be filled by election of the Executive Board to serve until the next annual election.

Section 1.

a) All meetings of the club shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, except when inconsistent with any provisions of these Bylaws.

b) Five of the nine Executive Board Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of club business.

c) Regular membership meetings shall normally be held monthly. A quorum shall consist of twenty (20) percent of the voting membership. Approval shall be by majority vote.

Section 2.

a) Election of new Officers shall take place at the November Membership meeting. In addition to the nominations made by the Nominating Committee, the President shall call for any additional nominations from the floor.

b) If a position is not contested, the general membership may approve in a voice vote.

c) If a position is contested, the general membership shall vote by written secret ballot to determine the winner. No absentee or proxy votes are permitted.

d) Elected officers shall be installed at the December meeting and shall be seated immediately following installation.

Section 3.

a) The President may call for a Special meeting of the members at any time for a specific agenda. Agenda items only shall be acted upon.

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Section 1.

a) The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee in September. This Committee shall present a nomination list for Officers for the November election at the October Membership meeting. No candidate shall be nominated without the consent of the nominee.

Section 2.

a) A committee shall be appointed by the Executive Board at the September meeting to perform an annual audit of the club’s financial records and provide a report on those records at the December general meeting.

Section 3.

a) The President, with consent of the Executive Board, may appoint other committees, naming the Chairman, and members thereof, and may dissolve any committees as deemed appropriate. All Committee chairmanships shall automatically be terminated in December at the installation for the ensuing year.

ARTICLE VII – AUTHORIZATION FOR EXPENDITURES

Section 1.

a) The President may approve expenditures up to two hundred dollars ($200). Expenditures over two hundred dollars ($200) and up to five hundred dollars ($500) must be approved by the Executive Board. All expenditures in excess of five hundred dollars ($500) must be approved by the general membership.

b) The Show Chairman shall have authority to approve expenditures related to the show in the amount of the previous year’s expenditures plus ten (10) percent.

Section 2.

a) The club will accept no donations or contributions which contain a designator condition.

Section 1.

a) Amendments to these By-laws may be presented at any general meeting of the club by a motion from the floor. The Secretary shall record such motion being seconded and passed. It shall be printed in the club bulletin prior to the next Membership meeting and notice given that it will be voted upon at the next meeting. A simple majority of members in attendance shall be required for passage.

Section 1.

a) In the event of dissolution of this Club, all properties, possessions, and monies controlled by the same shall be irrevocable dedicated to any 501(c)(3) organization recommended by the Board and approved by the membership.

Adopted June 19, 2004

(Rev. 11-20-04)

(Rev. 01-20-07)

(Rev. 03-16-07)

(Rev. 09-05-09)