Article I: Name
Section 1
The name of the Club shall be the Atlanta Reef Club.
Section 2
The name of this Club shall not be used by any individual, or group for self representation, or self gain.
Article II: Purpose
Section 1
Atlanta Reef Club is a non-profit organization of marine hobbyist brought together by the desire to promote a better understanding of the life we keep in our home aquariums. Our focus is increasing the longevity of marine life in a controlled environment and to encourage that life to propagate freely. Education may be disseminated, but is not limited to, the maintenance and dissemination of information located on the clubs website, the clubs General Meetings and marine-related speaking engagements sponsored by the club. Only through education and the sharing of ideas can we expect a future for our hobby.
Section 2
Under no circumstance may any part of the income of this Club be used to the benefit of any Officer, Trustee, or Member.
Section 3
Under dissolution of this Club, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Club, equally distribute the assets of the Club to the members in good standing.
Article III: Term
Section 1
The term of this Club is to be perpetual.
Section 2
The physical year of the Atlanta Reef Club shall be January 1st, through December 31st. The Trustees shall audit all accounts and a complete financial report must be presented to the Board of Directors no later than 90 days following the close of the fiscal year.
Article IV: Membership
Section 1
Membership in this organization shall be open to anyone who, by proper application, meets with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 2
Proper application for membership and amount of these shall be established by the Board of Directors of this Club and shall be set forth in the By-laws of this organization.
Section 3
The Atlanta Reef Club shall consist of six (6) classifications of membership. Charter, Regular, Student, Commercial, Honorary, Sponsor.
Section 4
The Atlanta Reef Club reserves the right to revoke the membership of any member due to conduct considered detrimental to this Club. This action shall be carried out by the Board of Directors.
Article V: Meetings
Section 1
General membership and Board of Directors meetings shall be held as determined by the Board of Directors. General membership meetings will remain open to the public regardless of membership status.
Section 2
The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly to transact any club business. The President may, at his discretion, call such meetings more frequently.
Article VI: Officers and Elections
Section 1
Elected Officers of the Atlanta Reef Club shall consist of the following and shall be elected every one (1) year: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 2
There shall be four (4) trustees. The outgoing President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary shall automatically become such trustees for the year following the end of their term provided that they are in office at the end of their existing term and are in good standing as defined by Constitution of the Atlanta Reef Club, Article VI, Section 4. Any officers not meeting these requirements or outgoing officer vacancies or redundant Board of Director members (e.g. outgoing Vice President elected to be the new President) will be appointed by the newly elected President and subject to the approval of the newly elected officers.
Section 3
Elections shall take place in the month of November of the election Year. The newly elected officers shall assume office on January 1st of the next year. Nomination for officers shall take place in the month of October of the election year. At this meeting the president or chairperson will ascertain from the Secretary and Treasurer that all those nominated are qualified to run for office in accordance with the by-laws of this organization.
Section 4
Only members in good standing who have attended at least two (2) meetings in the preceding 12 months are eligible for office.
Section 5
Only members in good standing are entitled to vote at the annual elections as stated under the bylaws of this organization. Commercial, Sponsor, Regular, and Charter members will be sent only one ballot regardless of the number of membership cards issued.
Section 6
A member may serve in the same office for three consecutive terms. The member may run for another office not currently held.
Article VII: Board of Directors
Section 1
The duly elected Officers and four (4) Trustees as set forth in Article VI, Sections one (1) and two (2) shall comprise the Atlanta Reef Club Board of Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have an equal vote in the business of the society. However, in the case of a tie, the President shall have the power of one and one-half (1.5) votes.
Section 2
It shall be the Function of the Board of Directors to transact all business of the club and make reports to the General Membership.
Section 3
Any Board Member who misses three (3) consecutive Board Meetings may be replaced by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. If it is an elected office, the President shall appoint an interim replacement until the next scheduled elections.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]