Bylaws

(written October 16, 2002)

LEYTE HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Leyte Herpetological Society confirm to associate with others who have an interest in the field of herpetology. In pursuit of this interest, we declare our intent to organize ourselves into a formal body to conduct the goals and objectives of our organization in accordance with the law of men and the law of the Almighty God.

CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Leyte Herpetological Society (LHS).
Section 2. The purpose of the society shall be:

* To educate the general public and this organization's members regarding the ecological role, conservation, safety and legal issues pertaining to reptiles and amphibians;

* To provide an open forum for the exchange of resources, information and ideas concerning herpetology;

* To adopt guidelines for the proper care and breeding of reptiles and amphibians;

* To foster activities that will develop and enhance the awareness, knowledge and skills in herpetology.

Article II: Membership

Section 1. The membership in the society shall be open to interested parties who subscribe to the purpose of the Leyte Herpetological Society.

Section 2. The Leyte Herpetological Society shall not restrict membership or participation on any basis other than political affiliations.

Section 3. The right of voting and placing candidates into nomination for all offices shall be limited to regular members as defined in the bylaws.

Article III: Officers

Section 1. The officers of the society shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and a Treasurer.

Section 2. Candidates for office shall be nominated from the regular membership & elected by a majority vote of the attending regular members at an annual meeting.

Section 3. An officer may be removed from office in the following manner:
A signed resignation submitted in writing to the Executive Committee.

BYLAWS

Article I: Membership

Section 1. The membership shall be composed of two categories, which shall be:
a. Regular: members (16 years old or older) who have one vote.
b. Family: regular members composed of not more than four (4) adults, and their minor (17 years old or younger) children.

Section 2. The membership of any member of LHS may be revoked if:
Upon unanimous decision of the Executive Committee, it is determined that the member ’s activities are detrimental to the purpose of LHS. The member may appeal this decision by submitting a written explanation of the facts within thirty (30) days of the said decision and request a hearing. Reinstatement of the member to good standing requires a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 3. These Bylaws shall be reviewed and resubmitted to the membership annually.

Article II: Elections

Section 1. Nominations shall be held beginning at an annual meeting, A list of nominees will then be announced and made official upon notification of all members concerned. Elections will take place only after all those concerned are officially notified. Elected officers will take office immediately after the election.

Section 2. All nominations and appointments must be accepted by the nominee or appointee.

Section 3. In the event of the resignation or impeachment of the President, the Vice President shall assume the role of President for the remainder of the term.

Section 4. In the event of the resignation or impeachment of an officer, the President shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term. The appointee must be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee at the next regular committee meeting.

Section 5. All terms are for one year only.

Article III: Executive Committee

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of all the officers and the Founder of this organization.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall function principally as the organization's committee on planning, oversight of all organizational activities, planning of funding and expenditures of all activities, and membership outreach and recruitment.

Article IV: Duties of the Elected Officials

Section 1. President: The President serves as the official representative of the organization. He shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the rules adopted. He shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-Laws; decide all questions of order and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of the President.

Section 2. Vice President: The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. The Vice President shall also be responsible for coordinating all aspects of publicity for the society, membership responsibilities including roster, and the elections.

Section 3. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all proceeding and shall perform other duties incident to this office in a timely manner including:
Keeping all correspondence having to do with LHS business; Submit membership applications; Read communications at each meeting. The Secretary bears the responsibility of contacting all the members when there is a need to; therefore must obtain the contact numbers of all those involved in the society. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the organization to his/her successor.

Section 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive, receipt and safely keep all the society funds and perform such duties incident to this office in a timely manner including:
Paying out funds upon order of the Executive Committee. Keep an accurate account of all accounts received and expended. Purchasing expenditures, whether in material or in live form providing it is officially approved by the President/Vice-President and the Founder.

Article V: Committees

Section 1. The president shall appoint all committee chairs. Committees shall report their progress or findings to the membership at each general meeting. Ad Hoc committees shall dissolve immediately upon the completion of the project for which they were appointed.

Article VI: Disbandment

Section 1. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, or officer of the LHS organization, or to any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the LHS organization), and no member, trustee, director, or officer of the LHS organization or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the LHS organization assets upon dissolution of the LHS Organization.

Section 2. In the event of dissolution, all the remaining assets and property of the LHS society shall, after payment of necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to each member not as cash but as materials for the good of the Herp he/she owns.

Article VII: Venomous Animals

Section 1. No venomous animals shall be allowed at any of the LHS meetings except for those necessary for the continuity of a presentation and previously arranged for by the speaker and approved by the Executive Committee.

Article VIII: Amendments

Section 1. The Constitution of this organization may be amended, revised, and repealed by a majority vote of the membership, provided such proposed amendment, revision is placed before the society at a previous meeting.