Blue Ridge Astronomy Club Bylaws

Blue Ridge Astronomy Club Bylaws
As adopted September 30, 2004

Name:

            Blue Ridge Astronomy Club

Objective:

            The Blue Ridge Astronomy club is a non-profit group promoting astronomy and science as a hobby for people of all ages in central Virginia. The goals are to bring people together with a common interest, promote education, observe the night sky, and share knowledge. The club actively seeks new members with all levels of experience from beginners to professionals.

Motto

            “Promoting, observing, sharing”

Officers:

            The officers for the Blue Ridge Astronomy Club are:

            President – presides over the meetings, sets the agenda; is spokesperson for the club; appoints
            chairpersons to the standing committees, and establishes new committees;

Vice President – stands in the absence of the president;

Secretary – maintains meeting minutes; maintains email and address list; maintains official club
records; Astronomical League liaison; and

Treasurer – processes membership; collects dues; handles bookkeeping.

Officers will be elected by the general membership at the annual September June business meeting and will assume office on July 1. The term of office is one year, September to September. Officers may not serve more than two successive terms in the same office. A voting quorum is the dues paid membership, present at any regularly scheduled meeting.

Standing Committees:

        Three standing committees are established by the bylaws. They are:

        Publicity/Outreach – to publicize meetings and events and to promote membership;

        Programs – to arrange educational/information programs for the monthly meetings; and

        Events/Activities – arrange star parties & other special events outside of the monthly meetings.

Executive Committee:

        The executive committee consists of the four elected officers and the chairpersons of the three standing committees established by the bylaws. The duties of the executive committee include: preparing and proposing the annual budget; setting the agenda for the annual September business meeting; annual review of the bylaws; providing general guidance for club development; and facilitating long-range planning.

Meetings:

        The Blue Ridge Astronomy Club will meet at least eight times/year, as established by the Executive Committee in the month-by-month calendar at the September business meeting.

Membership Dues and Financial:

        Anyone with an interest in promoting, observing and sharing astronomy may join. Beginners through professionals are welcome. Individual members will receive one vote and families will receive two votes. Only members current with dues may vote.

        Membership categories are as follows:

            Individual $20/year

Family $25/year

Senior (65 and older) $15/year

Student (K- college) $15/year

Dues will be payable every September. New members joining after April will pay half of the regular dues, then renew in September for a full year.

The executive committee shall approve expenditures in excess of budgeted amounts. The treasurer will submit a written report at each business meeting. The treasurer or president will sign all checks.

Amendments:

Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed at anytime. Proposals will be prepared by the executive committee no later than 30 days prior to the September business meeting and distributed at the annual September business meeting. All bylaw changes must be approved by at least 2/3 of the total membership via presence at the September business meeting or via e-mail/mail ballot. E-mail/mail ballots must be received no later than 15 days after the September business meeting by the last day of June.