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Article I - Organization
Section 1. The name of this non-profit, scientific organization shall be the Appalachian REgional Microscopy Society, hereafter referred to by the acronym, AREMS.
Section 2. The purpose of the society shall be to promote interest in and the advancement of the science of microscopy and microanalysis; to include electron, light , and other microscopies; in the Appalachian region and the Eastern United States by: A) encouraging the dissemination of knowledge about microscopy and associated technology and methodology; B) promoting the free exchange of ideas and results among microscopists and interested participants; and C) encouraging the interaction among microscopists in fields of the biological and physical sciences
Article II - Membership and Dues
Section 1. Membership shall be open to all persons who support the purpose of AREMS.
Section 2. Annual dues shall be established for two categories of regular membership, viz., Individual and Corporate. Persons holding Individual membership shall be characterized as either Biological Science Members or Physical Science Members.
Section 3. The category of Distinguished Membership may be conferred on individuals by the unanimous vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 4. Honorary membership may be assigned by the Executive Committee to anyone whose association with the Society is deemed important to Society functions.
Section 5. Each member shall pay annual dues in accordance with her/his category of membership.
Article III - Officers
The Officers of the Society, elected by the membership for a one-year term, shall consist of a President, Past President, President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Secretary-Treasurer-elect, and three Members-at-Large (one individual member from the Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences and one Corporate member).
Article IV - Executive Committee
Section 1. The Officers of the Society shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2. All Society matters requiring a decision by the Executive Committee, except where otherwise noted, shall be decided by the majority of votes cast.
Article V - Meetings of the Society
Section 1. Meetings of the society shall be held in the spring and fall of each year.
Section 2. Special meetings of the Society may be called by the Executive Committee or the President. Article V - Meetings of the Society, Continued.
Section 3. Notice of all special meetings shall be sent to each member at least two weeks before the date on which such meetings are to convene.
Section 4. The members of the Society present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the biannual meetings or at any special meeting.
Article VI - Audit
The financial records of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be audited by the Auditing Committee at the close of her/his term of office.
Article VII - Endowments
Endowments to the Society shall only be used in accordance with the wishes of the individuals or institutions granting the endowment.
Article VIII - Disposition of Property
Section 1. In the event of the dissolution or termination of the Appalachian REgional Microscopy Society, title to and possession of all assets of the Society, except endowments, shall be assigned forthwith by the Executive Committee to either: A) the presiding Microscopy Society of America Local Affiliate Societies Director for distribution to local affiliate societies within or contiguous to the geographic region of AREMS; B) a non-profit organization similar to AREMS in its overall goals; or C) a microscopy organization operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes. Specific assignment will be decided by the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Endowments shall be dispositioned according to the wishes of the individuals or institutions granting the endowment to the Society.
Article IX - Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by ten percent of the members in good standing in a petition to the Secretary-Treasurer. Suggestions for amendments shall be received at any meeting of the AREMS membership.
Section 2. Proposed amendments shall be promptly submitted by the Secretary-Treasurer with signed statements of support and/or opposition for each amendment, and the ballots shall be accepted by the Secretary-Treasurer for thirty (30) days after the mailing date of the proposed amendments. The Secretary-Treasurer shall count the ballots, and the amendment(s) shall be ratified by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.
Section 3. Any member in good standing, on written request submitted with the ballot to the Secretary-Treasurer, may witness the counting of the ballots, and the Secretary-Treasurer shall retain the ballots for inspection by the membership at the next biannual meeting.