Twin Cities Chapter of the American Meteorological Society

This constitution was ratified by at least three fourths of the attending membership at the September 2006 meeting.

You can look at the history of the constitution, which has amendments listed at the bottom.

Article I: Name

This chapter shall be known as the "Twin Cities Chapter of the American Meteorological Society," and hereafter will be referred to "The Chapter." The American Meteorological Society shall hereafter be referred to as the "National Chapter".

Article II: Chapter Objectives and Constitution

The Chapter shall strive to enrich and support the local population of students with an interest in meteorology and the atmospheric sciences, professionals in the field, and interested individuals from the community. The Chapter will provide the community with a social and scientific point of contact for meteorological, hydrological, and other related scientific disciplines.

This document shall be maintained in hardcopy form in the possession of each of the officers of the Chapter in addition to any amendments. It will also be available on the Internet on the Chapter Website along with any future amendments.

Article III: Membership

There are two types of chapter membership: Members and Student Members.

Membership in The Chapter is open to anyone in any related fields that further the objectives of The Chapter.

All individuals who have paid their dues and agree to abide by the directions and by-laws that are laid forth herein are considered Members. Members are entitled to vote in all Chapter elections and on pertinent Chapter business and are also permitted to hold Office in the Chapter.

Student Members of this Chapter shall consist of dues-paying individuals considered to be at least half-time students at any level of attainment. Student Members are entitled to vote in all Chapter elections and on pertinent Chapter business but are not permitted to hold office in the Chapter.

Article IV: Affiliation

This Chapter is an autonomous chapter of the American Meteorological Society.

Article V: Officers

Elected Officers of the Chapter must be Members in good standing and shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Newsletter Editor. The Chapter officers will be decided by annual elections.

The Chapter President must be a member in good standing of the National Chapter.

Any officer who has displayed actions or activities that are in contradiction of the Chapter objectives, or any officer who is found to have conducted themselves in an untoward fashion may be removed by a process of impeachment. Impeachment will be conducted by an election by secret ballot and conducted by a majority of the members in attendance at the meeting when the impeachment vote will take place.

Article VI: Committees

The collection of officers of the Chapter shall make up the compliment of the executive committee and are responsible for the successful execution of chapter business.

The Speakers and Activities Committee shall be responsible for arranging locations for meetings, chapter activities, and scheduling individuals who will speak at the monthly Chapter meetings. This committee will also be responsible for any special events and activities that may arise. The Vice-President of the Chapter will be a member of this committee.

Additional committees can be created at anytime by a majority vote of the membership in attendance at the meeting when a committee has been discussed for the purpose of organizing a group of members who shall work toward a specific goal as laid out at that same meeting. Any committee created in this fashion shall exist until the next annual elections where a vote to amend this Constitution will be taken to determine whether or not the committee will be made permanent.

Article VII: Dues

Dues shall be assessed by a majority vote of the membership at the annual elections.

Article VIII: Meetings

Meetings of the Chapter shall be held once a month starting in September and ending in the next May.

Additional meetings may be added as necessary to accommodate special functions or speakers as determined by the Speakers and Activities Committee.

Article IX: Expenses and Chapter Business

Expenses above an amount specified in the Bylaws and other Chapter business requiring approval of the members shall be approved by a simple majority vote of the members in attendance at the meeting which the issue was raised.

Article X: Elections

Yearly elections shall occur in May for the following Chapter Year, which is defined as the period from September of that year through May of the next year.

Voting shall be conducted by a show of hands of the eligible members at the May meeting and by votes cast by eligible members unable to attend but submitted in advance of the meeting by methods and in a time frame specified in the Bylaws. For election of Chapter officers and execution of Chapter business the vote shall be determined by a majority vote, with the exception of impeachment votes as stated elsewhere in this Constitution.

Eligibility of a member to vote for officers shall be established and detailed in the Bylaws. Names of nominees for each office will be published in the April newsletter.

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority

President shall preside as the chairperson for all chapter meetings and will have the authority to appoint committees to act upon chapter interests as deemed necessary and oversee the goals of the active membership.

The Vice President shall serve as chairperson in the absence of the president and shall oversee all appointed and standing committees.

Secretary-Treasurer shall serves as the administrative focal point for all chapter activities. Their duties include keeping a listing of current membership, minutes of meetings, providing accurate financial records, and advising the National Chapter on the Chapter activities.

Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for publishing a monthly account of chapter activities in both electronic and hardcopy form.

Article XII: Non-Profit Organization

This chapter is organized and operates exclusively as a non-profit entity, and no portions of its earnings and recognition shall be used to the benefit of any individual who is a member.

Article XIII: Dissolution

Upon dissolution or dismemberment of this organization the funds that are held in account in excess of liabilities and expenditures incurred prior to, shall be dispersed as agreed upon by a majority vote of the membership.

In the event of dissolution the National Chapter shall be advised of actions taken to dissolve this chapter by the presiding President at dissolution.

Article XIV: Amendments

This Constitution may be amended in whole or in part at any time by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote by the membership in attendance.

Any proposed amendment must be tabled until the next scheduled monthly meeting before a vote may be taken, and the amendment must be published in full in the newsletter one month prior to any final vote being taken.

Any amendment to this constitution must be included as an additional document at the end of this constitution.

Article XV: Adoption

This Constitution shall become effective upon adoption by its membership on September 19, 2006.