Constitution of The Ohio Coleopterists

Name and Purpose:

The Organization shall be known as "The Ohio Coleopterists". As a nonprofit organization its purpose is to enhance knowledge of and promote interest in the beetles of Ohio. The Ohio Coleopterists is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, and shall meet the qualifications of a tax exempt nonprofit organization under sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

I. Activities

  1. The Ohio Coleopterists shall engage in activities designed to:
    1. increase general knowledge of beetles of Ohio
    2. disseminate information on Coleoptera
    3. encourage conservation of Ohio's animals and plants and Coleoptera in particular
    4. achieve closer cooperation among coleopterists to promote working together in furthering appreciation of Coleoptera

  2. The Ohio Coleopterists will not undertake the following activities: lobbying, intervention in political campaigns, excessive compensation to individuals or operation of a business as a primary activity. The Ohio Coleopterists will undertake no activity specifically prohibited under sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

II. Membership

  1. Membership shall be open to all persons interested in Coleoptera, and shall be of three classes: active, student, and institutional. Members shall be considered in good standing if their dues are paid for the current year.

  2. Membership shall be by calendar year. Membership accepted at any time during a calendar year shall be considered effective throughout that entire year.

  3. Active membership shall be composed of persons engaged in research or educational activity related to Coleoptera or who have an avocational interest in Coleoptera.

  4. Student membership may be granted to anyone actively pursuing a formal education at a recognized educational institution and who has an interest in Coleoptera.

  5. Institutional membership may be granted to any legitimate organization or institution. Institutional members will receive all publications and notices but shall not have voting priveleges.

  6. The Executive Board may refuse membership. Such refusal must be unrelated to race, gender, creed, or national origin and must be in compliance with federal and state antidiscrimination statutes.

III. Organization

  1. Officers of The Ohio Coleopterists shall consist of a President, Vice-President/Secretary, and Treasurer.

    2. 1.1
    The President shall set the agenda and preside at all business meetings and at Executive Board meetings. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees, and shall appoint committee chairpersons as appropriate.

    1.2
    The Vice-President/Secretary shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence, and shall record the proceedings and decisions of all meetings of the Executive Board and of the membership. The Vice President/Secretary shall notify the membership when meetings are scheduled.

    1.3
    The Treasurer shall pay all bills and disburse funds duly owed for approved projects or programs of The Ohio Coleopterists. The Treasurer shall maintain accurate records and documentation of bank account deposits and expenditures. The Treasurer shall provide an accurate accounting of the Ohio Coleopterists' financial status on request of the President or Executive Board. A complete final financial report will be provided to the Executive Board and the membership as soon as possible after the end of the calendar year. The Treasurer is responsible for reporting the financial status of The Ohio Coleopterists to the Attorney General of Ohio and to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as required.

  2. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers and two Members at Large, all of whom shall be members of the Ohio Coleopterists. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be presided over by the President or Vice President/Secretary, with a quorum consisting of four Board members. The presiding officer shall vote only in the event of a tie.

  3. Nominations for officers shall be by a nominating committee appointed by the President. Additional nominations may be made from the floor of the annual business meeting, and Board members shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present at that meeting.

  4. Terms of office for officers shall be one year from date of election. At Large Members of the Executive Board shall be elected for two year terms, with election in alternate years. (In the first year of existence, one At Large Member will serve a one year term.) An Executive Board member whose term has expired shall continue to serve until a replacement is elected. All records and implements of office shall be passed to each succeeding officer as soon as practical.

  5. If a position on the Executive Board is vacated, the President shall appoint a successor until the next election.

  6. The President may appoint and dissolve committees as appropriate.

  7. Members of the Executive Board serve as Trustees of The Ohio Coleopterists, and Trustees shall appoint a Statutory Agent, as appropriate, in acordance with sec. 1701.07 and sec. 1702.06 of the Ohio Revised Code.

IV. Financial

  1. The Executive Board of The Ohio Coleopterists is empowered to accept contributions for financing the organization's affairs. Dues shall be set by the Executive Board subject to approval of the membership by majority vote at a scheduled business meeting. The Ohio Coleopterists shall not be operated or managed for profit.

V. Membership meetings

  1. Time and place of meetings shall be set by the Executive Board. At least one annual business meeting shall be held in order to conduct election of officers. Normally this shall be held in January.

  2. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

  3. Any business meeting must be announced by mail to all members at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. A quorum shall be constituted by at least two members of the Executive Board, including at least one officer, and 20% of the membership.

VI. Dissolution

  1. The Ohio Coleopterists may be dissolved by a majority vote at any duly called business meeting. Upon dissolution, all assets shall be distributed to the Ohio Biological Survey and/or to such other organizations having goals and purposes compatible with those of the Ohio Coleopterists, as determined by the Executive Board.

VII. Ammendments and Bylaws

  1. This Constitution may be ammended, or Bylaws adopted, by a vote of 2/3 of the members present at a regularly scheduled business meeting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment(s) or Bylaw(s) has been submitted to the membership at least two weeks before the meeting.