Constitution

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this Washington State non-profit organization shall be the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society, hereinafter known as "PNHS", and located on the web at PNWHS.org

ARTICLE II: Purpose

Section 1: PNHS is a charitable organization formed exclusively for educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The primary purpose of PNHS shall be to educate the members of PNHS and the general public about the husbandry of reptiles and amphibians and to take an active role in the preservation and conservation of herpetofauna as well as wildlife in general. Our goal is to prevent animal cruelty due to lack of educational resources.
Section 2: To promote communication and understanding among herpetological organizations, zoological institutions, conservation organizations, universities and government.
Section 3: Finally to inform the membership of legislative issues which affect herpetofauna and herpetoculturists.

ARTICLE III: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of PNHS shall begin the first day of January in each year.

ARTICLE IV: Membership

Membership in PNHS shall be open to all persons who have fulfilled the obligations set forth in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE V: Executive Board

The Executive Board of PNHS shall consist of President, Vice-President, President-Elect, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Members-at-Large and Immediate Past President.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings and Quorum

Section 1: Regular meetings shall be held on the third Sunday of each month, except when otherwise designated.
Section 2: The annual meeting shall be the regular meeting in January.
Section 3: Two-thirds (66%) of the voting membership present at a meeting when that meeting is called to order shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE VII: By-Laws

PNHS shall establish and follow By-Laws concerning the Society and procedures to be followed.

ARTICLE VIII: Rules of Order

On matters of parliamentary procedure not expressly provided for by this Constitution and its By-Laws, the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall constitute the ruling authority.

ARTICLE IX: Amendments

Section 1: Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by a signed petition of 10% of the voting membership or 2/3 (66%) of the Executive Board
Section 2: Upon review of the Board a ballot stating the proposed amendment(s) shall be mailed to each voting member at least 30 days prior to the decision deadline.
Section 3: Such amendment(s) shall be adopted provided it shall have the approval of 2/3 (66%) of the responding voting membership which must comprise a minimum of 20% of the total voting membership.

ARTICLE X: Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of PNHS, all monies remaining in the treasury shall, after payment of all outstanding debts and obligations, be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, equally between the Woodland Park Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Herpetological Departments. Archives of PNHS, such as books, photographic materials, etc., shall be donated to the University of Washington Manuscript Library. Any other capital resources shall be sold to the highest available bidder, with the proceeds to be donated to the above named beneficiaries, providing said beneficiaries are exempt within the meaning of 501c(3) at time of dissolution. Otherwise all assets shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction, at time of dissolution, to an exempt organization, with closely related herpetological interests, that currently meets the meaning of the above stated statue.

The version of the constitution displayed on this page does not necessarily reflect the contents of the most recent approved version on file with the PNHS board.