In order that friendship shall prevail, that the spirit of helpfulness be prolonged, that harmony be preserved and practiced, and that we may have a reliable guide in the administration of our Society, we, the members of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society Inc., do ordain and establish these Bylaw sand hereby revoke any previous Constitution and Bylaws.

Article I

Name - Back To Index

This organization shall be known as the “Brooklyn Aquarium Society, Inc.” and (hereafter referred to as the “Society”)

Article II

Purpose - Back To Index

The Brooklyn aquarium Society, Inc., shall be an independent, non-profit association 501 (C) (3) dedicated to the mutual exchange of facts, experience and educating and instructing all of those persons seeking knowledge in the art of raising and breeding, conservation and propagation of exotic tropical fish, marine fish, invertebrates and all other fish and aquatic plant life kept by the hobbyist in the home aquaria. If there be any conflict between the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and these by-laws, the provisions of the certificate of incorporation shall govern.

Article III

Membership - Back To Index

Any person interested in becoming a member in good standing shall be eligible after:

A) Application on the approved membership form.

B) Full payment of one year’s dues.

C) Investigation by the membership committee and approved by a majority of the board of directors at the next board meeting, he or she shall become a member in good standing.

D) If not accepted said applicant shall be notified and his or her dues shall be returned in full.

Types of Membership: - Back To Index

A) Single: Adult, 18 years and over)

B) Family: Husband, wife & children under 18 years or domestic partners)

c) Student: Age 14 to 18 years of age, whose parents do not hold a family membership.

D) Junior Age 14 and under may join at the student rate, but must be accompanied by an adult member (Note: Children under 14 years of age shall have no voting rights).

E) Members outside the continental United States shall pay the same membership rates plus the difference in postage for mailing Aquatica and society notices.

Article IV

Discipline of members - Back To Index

Every member of the society shall be subject to the rules of these bylaws upon acceptance into the society. Any member who performs an act or acts which are contrary to the spirit, aims or intent of this bylaws and its bylaws shall, upon public accusation at a board meeting:

A) Have the accusation presented to the board of directors in written form for an impartial investigation; The Board shall act within three (3) consecutive Board meetings. Failure of the Board to act within this time limit shall constitute an automatic vote of confidence for the responding member.

B) Both the responding member and complaining member shall be notified via certified mail within 2 weeks of the board meeting to be present in person to discuss both sides of the accusation and present evidence.

C) Failure of the complaining member or responding member to show up at the designated board meeting without prior notice presented to the board shall constitute an automatic vote of confidence or dismissal of matter in question.

D) Upon a majority vote of the board of directors, the member shall either be:

1) Censured ~ official oral reprimand demanding the act or acts not be repeated.

2) Acquitted ~ all charges dropped.

3) Expelled from the Society on a 2/3 vote of the board present.

4) on a third offense ~ (official reprimand) If censured three times within one year, he or she shall be automatically expelled from the Society for conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Society. Any dues left shall be reimbursed.

E) The person or persons expelled shall be eligible to reapply for membership after one year of the date of being expelled. Applicant must apply in person to the board of directors, at a regular board meeting for reinstatement in the Brooklyn Aquarium Society, Inc.

Removal, resignation and death of Board members - Back To Index

F) Any elected or appointed member of the board may be removed by the board with cause. (see discipline of members Article IV A to E). In the event of the death, resignation or removal of a board member, the president at his discretion may propose a successor to be voted upon by the board to fill the unexpired term.
1) Any or all of the Directors may be removed without cause only by vote of the full general membership.

Resignation - Back To Index

G) A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board, the president or the secretary of the Society. Unless otherwise specified in the notice the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the board and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Article V

Board meetings.

Monthly Board Meetings - Back To Index

A) Board members shall receive notice of board meetings either in oral form at least 5 days before a meeting or in written form at least 5 days before the regular board meeting by United States mail. The notice shall be sent by the Corresponding Secretary and state the date, time and place and purpose of the meeting.

B) At all meetings of the Board the president, or in his absence the First Vice President shall preside.

C) Board meeting shall be held on the first Friday of the month unless changed by a majority vote of the board.

D) Unless otherwise required by law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at the time of the vote, if a quorum is present at such time, shall be the act of the Board. Each director present shall have one vote.

E) Only board members shall attend unless a regular member is invited by a board member to attend. Regular members shall have no vote and shall address the board at the board’s request, in compliance with bylaw #3.

F) The presence at any Board meeting of not less than eight (8) Board members shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct the business of the society; two thirds of the quorum shall be needed to pass or reject a vote on Society business. However, a lesser number may adjourn the meeting for a period of not more than four (4) weeks from the date scheduled by the bylaws and the Corresponding secretary shall cause a notice of the re-scheduled date of the meeting to be sent to those members who were not present at the meeting originally called. A quorum as herein before set forth shall be required at any adjourned meeting.

Special / emergency Board Meetings - Back To Index

Special or Emergency board meetings for the society shall be called in the following manner:

A) By the President.

B) A majority of the Board.

Such meetings shall be called by oral notification to all Board members. Notification need not be in writing. Board members unable to attend will not be penalized.