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Bylaws

These Bylaws were adopted by the membership in attendance January 28, 1999.

They were revised per attorney recomendation March 18, 2000.

They were amended, pursuant to Article VII, by the membership on October 27, 2005.

Article I — Name and Purpose

The name of this organization shall be the Astronomical Society of Greenbelt, Inc., hereinafter referred to as the Organization.

The purpose of this organization shall be the education and mutual improvement of its members and the public in the science of astronomy and the encouragement of an interest in this science among others. No part of the net income of this group shall inure to the benefit of any of its members or any private individual.

Article II — Membership

Section 1

Membership shall be open to all members of the public aged 13 years or older with an interest in astronomy upon payment of the annual dues. Membership is not required for attending public meetings or star parties.

Section 2

Membership in this organization shall be composed of several classes. Applications for membership is a written form, which can be obtained from any one of the officers.

  • Individual membership — Individual memberships are available to anyone aged 13 years or older. Annual dues are due in January of each year. The amount of the dues shall be determined by a majority vote in a duly assembled meeting, a quorum being present. Individual memberships count as a single vote. Members may vote by proxy when absent from a meeting, by giving their proxy vote to any Organization officer. The Organization is also a member of the Astronomical League and therefore members will receive a copy of the Astronomical League Newsletter, The Reflector, as a benefit of membership. Additionally, each member may also subscribe to the publication Sky & Telescope at a discounted rate. The cost of the subscription is to be paid to the Organization’s Treasurer each year when the member’s subscription renewal is due.
  • Family Membership — Family memberships are available when more than one family member desires membership in the Organization. A family membership counts as a single membership in the Organization. Annual dues are due in January of each year. The amount of the dues shall be determined by a majority vote in a duly assembled meeting, a quorum being present. All family members aged 13 years or older present at a meeting have one vote. When no family members are present at a meeting, a single vote by proxy may be made by giving the proxy vote to any Organization officer. The Organization is also a member of the Astronomical League; family memberships will receive a single membership in the Astronomical League and a single copy of the Astronomical League Newsletter, The Reflector, as a benefit of membership. Memberships in the Astronomical League for other family members may be purchased through the club Organization by paying the additional Astronomical League dues to the Treasurer. Additionally, family members may also subscribe to the publication Sky & Telescope at a discounted rate. The cost of the subscription is to be paid to the Organization’s Treasurer each year when the member’s subscription renewal is due.
  • Complimentary/Honorary Membership — This membership class is open for maintaining contacts with other astronomy clubs astronomical organizations, or publicity or for other special events. It has no dues or voting privileges.

For new members joining in the months from July to December, the membership fee is reduced to half that of the regular membership fee.

Section 3

One quarter of the number of full memberships in good standing shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present at any meeting of the Organization at which a vote is taken committing it to any proposal or action.

Article III — Meetings

Stated meetings of the organization shall be at times that are determined by the officers.

Article IV — Rules of Order and Parliamentary Authority

Section 1

The order of business shall be such as is required by the occasion.

Section 2

Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority on all questions of procedure and parliamentary law not covered by these Bylaws.

Article V — Board of Directors and Officers

Section 1

The elected officers of this organization shall serve as the Board of Directors and shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The officers shall serve without remuneration, and they shall meet at least once a month.

Section 2

The officers shall be elected at a meeting of the Organization designated at the time of the previous election, pursuant to the stipulations of Section 3 of this Article. Should a quorum not be present at the designated meeting, an election may be held, with the new officers serving in a provisional status until the next meeting at which a quorum is present. At that time officers shall be elected and their terms of service specified, pursuant to the Section 3 of this Article.

Section 3

The officers shall serve a term of not less than six months and not more than one year. If a shorter term is not specified, the term shall be one year. Should any office become vacant, the remaining officers shall make a temporary appointment for the rest of the term. There shall be a limit of two consecutive terms for the office of President. There is no restriction on the number of successive terms for any other office.

Section 4

Any member in good standing may serve in any of the official offices.

Section 5

The duties of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be the efficient management of this organization. An additional position of Astronomical League Coordinator (ALCOR) is an appointed position by the President. The duties shall include but not be limited to:

President

  • Arrange and run the meetings of the Organization
  • Arrange for speakers or demonstrations at the meetings
  • Assign duties to the membership as needed
  • Cosign checks from the Club Organization’s Investment/Capital fund

Vice President

  • Arrange Organization activities outside of meetings
  • Run the meetings in lieu of the President
  • Maintain the Organization’s equipment in working order
  • Manage Certification for use of Organization equipment
  • Coordinate the need for new equipment

Treasurer

  • Sign checks from the Organization’s Operating fund
  • Cosign checks from the Organization’s Investment/Capital fund

Secretary

  • Record and distribute the official minutes of meetings to the members of the Organization
  • Act as the liason with the Sky Publishing Corporation
  • Maintain membership records
  • Handle announcements of Organization activities to the members and the general public.
  • Provides information about the Organization to new and prospective members

ALCOR (appointed by the President yearly, a non-elected position)

  • Act as the liason with the Astronomical League
  • Maintain liasons with other astronomy organizations

The President can assume the duties of the other officers as needed.

Article VI — Committees

Section 1

Special committees may be created and appointed by the President. All members of the organization are eligible for service on committees.

Section 2

The Astronomy Day Committee will be a standing committee. The members will be volunteers among the Organization’s membership. The President will appoint the committee chair.

Section 3

The Observatory Committee is for the purpose of planning the fundraising, design, construction, and staffing of the Greenbelt Municipal Observatory.

Section 4

The Greenbelt Labor Day Festival Committee is responsible for the planning of the Organization’s participation in the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival.

Article VII — Financial

Section 1

The Organization may establish accounts at financial institutions to conduct its normal operations and to build funds for its larger projects.

Section 2

The Organization will vote spending limits for operational categories annually in June. These limits will be: 1) maximum monthly expenditures from the operations account on checks which can be written on Treasurer’s signature; 2) maximum quarterly expenditures from the Capital account which can be written on the Treasurer and President’s signature; and 3) maximum quarterly expenditures, which can be approved by vote the Board of Directors. The Organization must vote any expenditure beyond these amounts.

Section 3

The Organization’s Fiscal Year shall be the Calendar Year, ending December 31st.

Article VIII — Amendments

Section 1

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, these Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote in a duly assembled meeting, a quorum being present, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given at the preceding meeting.

Section 2

No amendment of these Bylaws that would require reorganization or dissolution shall be made except by a three-fourths vote in a duly assembled meeting, a quorum being present, and provided that written notice of the proposed amendment was duly mailed, thirty days prior to such meeting, to each member in good standing.