By-Laws
BY-LAWS APPALACHIAN CHAPTER AMERICAN SOCIETY OF DOWSERS, INC.
ARTICLE I
Whereas the American Society of Dowsers (ASD) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Vermont, and the Chapter chartered by the ASD in the state of North Carolina is known as the Appalachian Chapter, the Appalachian Chapter is therefore chartered under the laws of the state of Vermont and the general statures of the state of North Carolina.
ARTICLE II
The purpose of this Chapter shall be: 1. To promote and foster communication and fellowship among individuals interested in dowsing. 2. To develop effective responsible individuals devoted to investigative study and application of dowsing. 3. To encourage the application of methods of scientific inquiry to dowsing. 4. To offer evidence of dowsing’s usefulness to man. 5. To promote relations with organizations having similar purposes.
ARTICLE III
The governing of the Appalachian Chapter, which is subordinate to the ASD, is subject to all of the ASD articles, preamble and by-laws.
1. All assemblies and procedures of the Chapter shall be in accordance with the ASD by-laws.
2. Procedures not covered by the ASD by-laws shall comply with the by-laws of the Chapter.
3. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern in all procedures not covered by the ASD and chapter by-laws.
ARTICLE IV
The general government, concern, direction and management of the affairs of this Chapter shall be vested in a board of directors as defined, serving at the pleasure of the membership. The board of directors herein shall pursue such policies and principles as shall be in accordance with the provisions of applicable law, the articles of incorporation, the by-laws of the ASD, the by-laws of the Chapter and the statutes of the state of North Carolina.
1. The Board of Directors shall exercise all of the powers of this Chapter as provided in the granting of membership, subject to the statutes of the state of North Carolina, the ASD, and the by-laws of the Chapter. Appalachian Chapter of ASD BY-Laws November 12, 2013 Page 2
2. The Board of Directors shall consist of six members of the Chapter. (A) President, (B) Vice-President, (C) Secretary, (D) Treasurer and (E) two members at large.
3. The term of all Board members shall be two years.
4. Officers and responsibilities:
A- President: (1) Preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the Board of Directors. (2) Be a member of all committees. (3) Direct the affairs of the chapter, including directing the other officers in their specific duties as stated in Parts B, C and D of this section. (4) Make an annual report to the membership on the state of affairs of the Chapter. (5) In conjunction with the Treasurer, be responsible for the preparation and organization of the financial matters of the Chapter. (6) Appoint and designate all committees not otherwise created. (7) Issue calls for regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors. (8) Perform such duties as are necessary to carry out the purpose of the Chapter.
B- Vice President: (1) Act in place of the President in the absence of the President. (2) Aid and assist the President in directing the affairs of the Chapter. (3) Be responsible for program development. (4) Be responsible for facilities, and plan and arrange for the use of facilities and equipment. (5) Perform such other duties as are necessary to carry out the purpose of the Chapter.
C- Secretary: Shall perform such duties as are normally inherent in the office of the secretary, including – (1) Serve as the recording officer. (2) Handle correspondence. (3) Issue meeting notices. (4) Keep the minutes of meetings. (5) Maintain custody of all record books, papers and documents of the Chapter. (6) Perform duties from time to time as directed by the Board of Directors. (7) Perform such other duties as are necessary to carry out the purpose of the Chapter.
D- Treasurer: Shall perform such duties as are normally inherent in the office of the Treasurer, including – (1) Receive funds. (2) Deposit funds in the bank approved by the directors. (3) Pay bills for expenses that have been authorized. (4) Present a monthly financial statement to the President. (5) Present an annual financial report to the membership. (6) Submit on the last day of the calendar year to the President and the Treasurer of the ASD a statement of financial condition showing the income and expenditures for that year and the cash on hand. (7) Perform such other duties as are necessary to carry out the purpose of the Chapter.
5. Any officer who, in the opinion of a majority of the Board, is incapable of working harmoniously with the President and the Board, to an extent that hinders or interferes with the mission and highest purposes of the Chapter, is subject to removal by means of the following procedure: The Board will vote on a motion to remove the board member. If approved, the Board must provide that member with the reasons for the motion and supporting documentation. That member then has 30 days to respond to the complaints. After 30 days, a special Board meeting is called to vote on the removal. A two-thirds vote of the Board is required for removal. If the removal is approved, the Board will set a date on which the removal takes effect. Removal of a Board member should be considered a last resort after other attempts at a solution have failed.
6. Additional responsibilities A. The officers and other Board members shall assume the following responsibilities: Appalachian Chapter of ASD BY-Laws November 12, 2013 Page 3
President: 1. Editor of the newsletter 2. Website
Vice President: 1. Publicity 2. Social gatherings
Secretary: 1. Membership 2. Meeting Registration
Treasurer: 1. Book sales 2. Food and drinks At-large members: 1. Education
B. Each Board member may designate a chapter member who is not an officer to act as coordinator of any of his/her assigned responsibilities in part A. No person shall assume more than two of the listed duties.
“Directors at Large” The “at-large” Board members provide general guidance, education and outreach on all matters and are usually but not always past officers.
ARTICLE V
Membership in the Chapter shall be permitted only after admission into the ASD, in the manner provided by it’s by-laws. To be a member the fees, dues and other financial obligations fixed by the ASD and the Chapter must have been paid. All members are subject to the policies of the Chapter, the by-laws of the Chapter and the by-laws of the ASD. 1. Annual dues are set by the membership at the recommendation of the Board of Directors. 2. Dues are payable in January of each year.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings of the Appalachian Chapter shall be held on a quarterly basis. Meetings will be conducted to take care of Chapter business and educational purposes. 1. Meetings shall be held in February, May, September and November. 2. Monthly meetings will be held as required. 3. A bi-annual Southeastern Conference will be held on odd years. 4. Quarterly meetings shall be open to the public.
ARTICLE VII
The conduct of business and elections requiring a vote by the membership shall take place at a quarterly meeting. 1. A quorum at a general meeting shall consist of members in good standing. 2. Members are not permitted to vote by proxy. 3. A majority of the votes actually cast will be needed to pass a motion or elect an officer. Appalachian Chapter of ASD BY-Laws November 12, 2013 Page 4
ARTICLE VIII
Communication among the membership and officers of the Chapter shall be via a quarterly newsletter. 1. The newsletter shall be published one month prior to each quarterly meeting. 2. A news coordinator, responsible for the publication of the quarterly newsletter, shall be appointed by the President.
ARTICLE IX
These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed by a two-thirds vote of the members of the chapter in good standing, present and voting at any meeting, OR by a two-thirds vote of the responses to a proposal sent to the members by mail and/or email. 1. Notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or repeal must be given in writing to each member of the chapter by the Secretary at least 30 days prior to the voting date. 2. Notice to the membership must provide information as to the business to be transacted.