SUNCOAST GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.
Bylaws

Section 2: Admission to Membership
Any person who is interested in the purposes and goals of the Society may obtain membership by completing an Application for Membership Form, volunteering to serve on at least one committee, and paying one (1) year’s dues. The application shall be reviewed by the Membership Committee and submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. Upon acceptance into the Society a membership card shall be issued.

Section 3: Expulsion
The Board of Directors may, by majority vote, expel any member from the Society whose attitude, conduct, and actions are considered detrimental to the welfare of the Society.

A.  Expulsion shall be made only after the member has been given the opportunity to show cause why the
      expulsion is not justified, or to voluntarily withdraw.

B.  Use of the roster for purposes other than official business of the Society shall be reason for expulsion.
 

Section 4: Suspension
Any member whose dues are not paid by December 1 is automatically suspended and forfeits the right to vote and the privilege of holding office.

Section 5: Reinstatement
A member, suspended for non-payment of dues, may be reinstated by paying delinquent dues before the next September 1. If delinquent dues are not paid before September 1, the former member shall apply as a new member and meet the requirements then in force.

Section 6: Members in Good Standing
Members whose annual dues are paid and who have not been suspended shall be considered "members in good standing".

Section 7: No Compensation
Any member elected or appointed to an office or committee shall not receive compensation for services rendered, but may be reimbursed for any expenses incurred as approved by the Board of Directors.

Article IV: Dues and Fees
 

Section 1: Amount of Dues
The amount of all dues and fees shall be determined by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at a regular business session of the Society, provided that at least ten (10) days notice has been given through the Society bulletin or an official letter. The amount shall be specified in the Standing Rules.

Section 2: Date Payable
The annual dues shall be payable on September 1. Life and Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues.

Section 3: Delinquent
Dues shall be considered delinquent if not received by December 1 and membership shall be suspended. If dues are not received by the next September 1, membership shall be forfeited.

Section 4: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Society shall be from July 1 through June 30.

Article V: Officers and Directors

Section 1: Elective Officers and Directors
The Officers and Directors of the Society shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and four (4) Directors.

Section 2: Elections

A. The Officers and Directors shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting, unless there are no nominations
     from the floor, then a voice vote may elect. A majority vote shall elect. The Officers shall be elected to serve
     for one (1) year or until their successors are elected. Each year one (1) Director shall be elected to serve for
     three (3) years or until his successor is elected. The term of office shall begin on May 1.

B. No officer shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same office, except the Treasurer, the
    Corresponding Secretary, and the Recording Secretary. A three (3) year Director shall not succeed himself.

C. No husband and wife nor two (2) members of one family shall be elected or appointed to serve on the Board
    of Directors at the same time.
 

Section 3: Nominating Committee
The Board of Directors shall appoint a three (3) member Nominating Committee prior to the December Membership Meeting. The Committee shall elect a Chairman. The Committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office to be filled at the Annual Meeting in April. The Nominating Committee shall report at the regular Board and Membership Meetings in February. The report shall be published in the Society’s March bulletin. Before the election at the Annual Meeting in April additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted. All nominees shall be members in good standing, qualified for the office, and willing to serve. A nominee for President shall have served at least one year on the Board of Directors.
 

Article VI: Duties of Officers
 

Section 1: Duties
All officers shall perform the duties prescribed in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised in addition to those specified in the bylaws and standing rules of the Society; shall perform such duties as may be requested by the President; and shall send copies of official correspondence to the president. With the exception of the Treasurer, they shall deliver to their successors all material pertaining to their offices by May 1. The treasurer shall deliver all material to the auditors by July 15.
 

1. preside at all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors;

2. appoint all committee chairs except the Nominating and Auditing Committees, subject to Board of
    Directors approval;

3. serve on the Finance Committee and coordinate the development of the annual budget;

4. be ex officio a member of all committees except the Nominating and Audit Committees;

5. supervise and coordinate the work of the committees so that a smooth operation will result and the
    activities are compatible with the purpose of this Society; and

6. appoint assistants to the Treasurer and other officers, if requested.
 

1. perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President;

2. serve as Chairman of the Program Committee; and

3. serve on the Finance Committee.
 

1. record the proceedings of the meetings of the Society and the Board of Directors. including the Annual
    and Holiday Dinners if business is transacted;

2. keep a complete set of records to include a copy of the bylaws and the standing rules of the Society,
    together with all amendments;

 3. furnish committees with materials referred to them; and

 4. be custodian of all records, except those assigned to others.
 

Article VII: Meetings

Section 1:  Regular Membership Meetings
The regular meeting of this Society shall be held monthly, except in June, July, and August, at a time and place determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Notice of meetings shall be published in the Society’s bulletin.

Section 2: Special Membership Meetings
Special meetings of this Society may be called at any time by the President or a majority of the Board of Directors. Oral notice may be given.

Section 3: Annual Meeting
The regular April meeting shall be deemed the Annual Meeting for the purpose of the election of Officers and Directors.

Section 4: Installation Dinner
A dinner meeting shall be scheduled in May each year to install new Officers and Directors and present special awards. A program in keeping with the occasion shall be planned. The time and place of the Installation Dinner shall be published in the Society’s bulletin.

Section 5: Quorum
Twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum.

Article VIII: Board of Directors
 

Section 1: Membership
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected Officers and Directors.

Section 2: Duties
The Board of Directors shall:

Section 1: Standing Committees
There shall be the following standing committees: Activities; Annual & Holiday Dinner; Annual Show; Auditing; Building; Bulletin & Publications; Education; Equipment; Finance; Historical; Membership; Program. The Chairmen shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise specified.

Section 2: Special Committees
Special committees may be appointed by the President as deemed necessary.

Section 3: All Committees

A.  The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees except the Auditing
      and Nominating Committees, and shall fill vacancies occurring in committees.

B.  Committees shall notify the President of all meetings and shall send copies of official
      correspondence to the President.

C. Committee Chairmen shall report to the Board of Directors as requested by the President.
     Written reports of the year’s work shall be prepared in triplicate: one to the President, one to the
     Recording  Secretary, and one to remain in the files of the committee.

D. Committees may transact business by mail, telephone, or any other reasonable means available when 
     necessary.

E.  Committee chairmen shall deliver to their successors within fifteen (15) days following the appointments, all
     materials pertaining to the work of the committee.
 

A. The Activities Committee shall plan refreshments, picnics, and other activities; organize a telephone task
     force; and assist the Dinner Committee as necessary.

B.  The Annual & Holiday Dinner Committee shall select a place, date, entertainment, and menu subject to
     approval by the President. The Committee shall coordinate food, gifts, decoration, activities and prizes and
     shall reserve the hall for the following year. The Committee shall collect all monies for the banquets, including
     dinners; keep adequate financial records for the treasurer; and send a report to the Bulletin Editor. The 
     Secretary or President shall notify the Chairman of guests in a timely manner.

C. The Annual Show Committee shall produce an annual Gem and Mineral Show. The Committee shall notify
     the new media of the activities of this Society. The Chairman and President shall select a time and place for
     the Show, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall designate the members
     needed to produce the Show, subject to the approval by the Board of Directors. Complete financial records
     shall be kept of the receipts and disbursements. These records shall be audited with the Treasurer’s Books.
     All Show records shall be retained by the Society. The Committee shall coordinate exhibits, judging, and
     shall interpret the AFMS Uniform Rules for the Annual Show; cooperate with the SFMS Uniform Rules
     Committee; and recommend changes in the AFMS

D. The Auditing Committee shall consist of two qualified members appointed by the Board of Directors, and
     shall audit the Treasurer’s books and annual show records at the end of the fiscal year and submit a report at
     the September Board of Directors meeting. The Treasurer’s books shall also be audited before a new
     Treasurer takes office.

E.  The Building Committee shall supervise and maintain Clubhouse buildings and grounds and issue and
     enforce the rules for the use of the premises, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. During an
     emergency the Committee shall be empowered to take whatever action is necessary to secure and safeguard
     the property.

F.  The Bulletin & Publication Committee. The Editor shall edit at least nine (9) copies of the Society’s
     Bulletin, the Rock-O-Gram, annually. The Committee shall be responsible for the printing and disbursement
     of any publications of the Society, as authorized by the Board of Directors. The Editor shall designate the
     assistants needed to publish and mail all publications, including the bulletin. The Editor shall establish
     deadlines; solicit monthly reports from committee chairmen; publish articles from members; and may prepare
     and print articles or editorials that reflect and give opinion of the Editor consistent with the spirit and purposes
     of the Society.

G. The Education Committee shall encourage interest in the lapidary arts and our activities. The committee
     shall consult with the Program Chairman regarding educational programs for monthly membership meetings;
     coordinate speakers; provide instructors; and coordinate lapidary classes, educational displays and projects.
     The Committee shall recommend young members between the ages of twelve (12) and sixteen (16) years old
     to be subsidized at a school of lapidary arts, subject to the Board of Directors approval. The Board of
     Directors may determine if the prospective student qualifies for a subsidy by requesting attendance at the
     Society’s lapidary classes. The Committee shall keep an accurate inventory of all educational materials and
     maintain and regulate the use of the Society’s books and educational materials and submit recommendations
     for the purchase of new educational materials to the Board of Directors.

H.  The Equipment Committee shall keep an accurate inventory of the lapidary equipment housed in the
     Clubhouse; supervise and maintain the equipment; purchase new equipment as needed, and sell equipment
     that is no longer needed, subject to the Board of Directors’ approval. The Committee shall be empowered to
     enforce any regulations regarding the equipment.

I.   The Finance Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-president and Treasurer and shall prepare the
     annual budget to be presented to the Board of Directors for adoption at their April meeting.

J.  The Historical Committee shall maintain a continuous year by year record of this Society in the form of a
     scrap book containing clippings, photographs, and information relating to the activities of the Society.

K. The Membership Committee, with the Corresponding Secretary serving as a member, shall greet visitors
     at all Society functions, record names of all visitors and members at meetings; deliver the lists to the President
     before the opening ceremonies; furnish official forms for new members; review applications; submit
     recommendations to the Board of Directors; keep a file of applications; and submit a list of new members to
     the Editor.

L.  The Program Committee, with the Vice-president serving as chairman, shall consult with the Education
     Committee regarding educational programs for meetings; and coordinate the speakers and programs for
     meetings.
 

Article X: Emergency Procedures
 

Section 1: Emergencies
In the event of any national disaster, such as Hurricane, Flood, Fire, or an Earthquake; or in the event war or lack of transportation should cause the cancellation of a scheduled annual meeting, the Board of Directors in power at the time of the disaster may continue to conduct Society business until such time as an Annual Meeting can be held. In such an emergency the limiting provisions of these Bylaws may be waived by a majority vote of the Directors available.

Section 2: Notice of Meetings

Notice of emergency Board of Directors Meetings may be given by any means possible.
 

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority
 

Article XII: Amendments