Proposed Bylaws Revision 2025

I. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Society shall be from April 1 of any year until March 31 of the following year.

II.  Membership
A. Any person interested in the objectives of the G.P.A.S. may become a member at the time of paying the prescribed dues.
B. Members may provide instructions for the Board and shall have authority to alter or reverse any decision of the Board by a vote of a majority of the members in attendance.
C. Family membership shall be defined as no more than two adult members and all children up to and including 17 years of age.
D. Family members upon reaching the age of 18 must pay for individual membership unless they are one of the two adult members of a family membership.
E. Expulsion. Any member who deliberately violates the Constitution or Bylaws or willfully brings injury or discredit to the Society may be charged with misconduct. Charges of misconduct of a member shall be presented in writing to the Board. Expulsion shall be a majority vote of the full Board. Reinstatement after a period of one calendar year may be permitted by the Board after payment of a full year’s dues.

III. Dues
A. Dues for membership shall be: Individual Member – $20; Family Membership – $24. Membership dues are renewed in April of each year. Any member whose dues are unpaid three months after becoming due shall be dropped from the rolls automatically. Full payment of dues shall constitute reinstatement.
B. Lifetime membership may be purchased at $120 for single membership or $180 for family membership. Lifetime membership may also be earned via participation in the BAP or HAP programs. Attainment of 100 spawns or propagations (Grand Master level) shall be awarded single lifetime membership.

IV.  Officers
A.  Duties of the President. The President shall preside and exercise general supervision over the activities of the Society; shall have authority to nominate directors with ratification by the Board; shall have authority to call special meetings; and shall provide the second signature on checks along with the Treasurer.
B. Duties of the Vice President. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in his absence and shall assist in the duties of the President at his direction.
C. Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all financial transactions in a manner approved by the Board and concurrent with accepted accounting procedures; shall make a Treasurer’s Report monthly to the board; shall be responsible for the collection of all monies due to the Society; shall notify members when dues are delinquent; shall keep a record of all requests and authorizations for payment; shall make payments from the general treasury upon authorization of the Board; shall keep charge of the Society bank account; and shall give a complete financial report annually. Checks shall be written by the Treasurer and signed by both the Treasurer and the President. Books of the Treasurer may be audited at the end of each fiscal year, at the discretion of the Board. The treasurer shall notify the membership chairman of dues received. All requests for general funds, or reimbursements of expenses, must be submitted to the board for approval.
D. Board Members at Large. The Board Members at Large have no specific duties, but assist the President, Officers and Directors as needed.
E. The term of office for all Officers shall be one year.
F. The office of President can only be held two years consecutively.

V.  Eligibility for Office
A.  All adult members in good standing are eligible for office. The positions of President, Vice President, and Treasurer may only be filled with an active member (having attended at least eight of the last twelve meetings) during the previous term.
B. The at-large positions may only be filled by an active member (having attended at least six of the last twelve meetings) during the previous term.
C. Members under 18 but over 15 may serve on the board as at-large members provided they have parental approval and support for the position.

VI.  Directors
Chair may be appointed by a vote of the Board on a yearly basis. They shall be chairpersons of the respective committees. They may appoint their own staff.

A. SHOW COMMITTEE – shall be responsible for all matters pertaining to official events run by the club (i.e. Fishtoberfest).
B. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE –  shall be responsible for maintaining the club website, issuing meetings notices and otherwise promoting upcoming society events.
C. PROGRAM COMMITTEE – shall be responsible for scheduling speakers and or presentations to be made to the club.  A small stipend not to exceed $100 may be spent by the committee as an honorarium to individuals who speak at the club.  Costs in excess of this must be approved by the Board prior to booking a speaker.
D. BAP/HAP COMMITTEE – shall administer the BAP and HAP programs,  publish submission guidelines, and update guidelines as necessary.

VII. Elections
A.  The President shall present a slate of nominees for office to the membership at the regular meetings in February and again in March. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at these times, after which nominations will be closed.
B. Officers shall be elected by a majority written ballot of members in attendance at the March meeting.
C. Officers shall take office at the April meeting.
D. Directors shall be appointed a vote of the Board on a yearly basis.
E. In the event of resignation of the President, the Vice President shall assume of the office of President and a new Vice President shall be elected by the membership. In the event of resignation of any other elected officer, that position shall be filled by election at the next regular meeting.

VIII. Resignation or Removal of Officers
A.  Any Officer or Board member wishing to resign shall submit his resignation in writing to the Board for disposition by the Board.
B. Any Officer or Director may be removed from office in the following manner: written notice of the charges against said Officer or Director shall be submitted to the Board. After a majority vote by the Board upholding the charges, the removal request shall be effective immediately.

1.  The President is authorized to appoint interim board members at large to serve until the next general election. The appointee must meet all criteria of any other elected officer of the Society, and must maintain the status of active member for the duration of his/her tenure on the board.
2. In the case of any other elected officer, the President is authorized to appoint an interim substitute who, meeting all criteria for election, shall be ratified by the general membership at the next general meeting.
3. Removal of Officers, after Board approval, shall be submitted to the general membership for vote at the next General Meeting and requires a majority of the members to pass. Said vacant position shall be filled as soon as possible as provided for in Article VII, Section 1.

C.  Grounds for removal shall be misconduct in office, willfully violating the constitution or bylaws, or willfully bringing injury or discredit to the Society. Failure to attend either four consecutive meetings of any kind, or three consecutive meetings of the Board may also be grounds for removal from Office.

IX.  Amendments
The Constitution and Bylaws, or any section thereof, may be amended or repealed by a 2/3 majority vote of members present at the regular meeting, provided notice has been given to the membership at least 27 days prior.

X. Voting
Method of voting
1. Voting shall be by voice, or show of hand with the exception of elections.
2. Any member may request a standing vote on a question which does not require a vote by ballot.
3. Any member wishing to vote by proxy at elections or on changes in the Constitution and Bylaws shall notify the board in writing of the name of his or proxy before the meeting at which the vote is taken.