AAStL ByLaws

INCLUDES REVISIONS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2014 

ARTICLE I. 

NAME
The name of this organization shall be “The Astrological Association of St. Louis.”

ARTICLE II. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this organization shall be non-sectarian, benevolent, and charitable, for the study, research, and dissemination of astrological knowledge among its members. 

a. To encourage and promote the art and science of Astrology through research, teaching, lecturing, and practice. 

b. To advocate freedom of thought and speech concerning Astrology and to develop and promote a professional status for Astrology. 

c. To assist all persons engaged in educational, scientific, or humanitarian efforts whose work in Astrology is beneficial and who are not acting in “willful offense against public policy.” 

d. To develop ways and means to establish a high standard of professional ethics for legitimate Astrologers.

e. To act as a central liaison service through which arrangements can be made for presenting of lectures and classes of specific and general interest. 

ARTICLE III. 

MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1. Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purpose stated in Article II of the Bylaws of the AAStL and agrees to abide by the AAStL Statement of Ethics shall be eligible for membership. A membership may be denied or revoked by a vote of the Board of Directors. 

Section 2. Types of Memberships.
a. Annual Membership – Effective for one fiscal year upon receipt of dues as specified in Article VI, Section 1.
b. Family Membership – All the members of a family may join as a family membership upon payment of the individual membership fee, but shall receive only one copy of meeting and program notices, and shall together have only one vote.
c. Honorary Membership – bestowed for one year by the Board of Directors. An honorary member shall have none of the obligations of membership in the AAStL, but shall have all of the privileges except those of making motions, of voting, and of holding office.
d. Life Membership – full lifetime membership upon receipt of dues as specified in Article VI, Section 1, paragraph c.
e. Honorary Life Membership – bestowed by the Board of Directors upon those who have contributed to the advancement of Astrology in an outstanding manner.
f. Charter Membership– AAStL members who joined before January 1, 1975.
g. Organization Membership – Organizations may join upon approval by the Board. Organizations will receive AAStL meeting and program notifications, but shall have no other rights of membership.

ARTICLE IV. 

OFFICERS 

Section 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers. The officers of the AAStL shall consist of a President, a Vice- President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The election of officers will be conducted as indicated in Article VIII, Section 5. 

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Section 2. President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors. The President can, in addition to the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts, or notes. The President shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of the President and shall perform such other duties as may be designated in the Bylaws of the AAStL. The President shall create, designate, or eliminate such special committees as deemed necessary. 

Section 3. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall, in the absence, disability, or death of the President, possess all the powers and perform all the duties of that office until the next annual election. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as the President and the Board of Directors may designate. 

Section 4. Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording all minutes of the Board of Directors meetings and of the Association and shall carry on such other duties as may be assigned by the President. Minutes should be available for review prior to acceptance. 

Section 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys, shall be custodian of these moneys, shall deposit them in a bank approved by the Board of Directors, and shall disburse the same as indicated in Article VI. The Treasurer, in addition to the President, can sign or endorse checks, drafts, or notes. The monthly Treasurer’s report should be available for review prior to acceptance. 

Section 6. Term of Office. The term of office for each elected officer shall be one year and each may be re-elected at the Annual Meetings. 

ARTICLE V. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Section 1. Number and Voting Privileges. The Board of Directors shall consist of all four elected officers plus five Directors, each having the power of one vote. Previous officers and directors may be used as a nonvoting special resource as any other member. 

Section 2. Eligibility. Only individual members, or one member of a family membership, of the AAStL, in good standing for at least the preceding nine months, shall be eligible for election to officer and director positions. 

Section 3. Vacancies.
a. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors by reason of resignation, death, or disqualification of any officer or Board member may be filled by Board appointment until ratified by a majority vote of the general membership present at the next scheduled monthly program.
b. Two consecutive unnotified absences from Board meetings by any Board member shall be deemed a resignation. 

Section 4. Powers and Duties. The Board of Directors shall have general supervision of the affairs of the AAStL between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Association, and perform such other duties as are specified in these Bylaws. 

Section 5. Term of Office. The term of office for each elected director shall be two years. Of these elected directors, two shall be elected during even-numbered years and three shall be elected during odd-numbered years, 

Section 6. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly at a time and in a place mutually agreed upon by all Board members. A report of proceedings shall be available to all the members on request. 

a. “Conference call” Board or committee meetings may be initiated by the President or by any elected officer if approved by the President. 

Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. 

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ARTICLE VI. 

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION 

Section 1. Annual Dues. Annual dues, in an amount determined by the Board of Directors and ratified by the membership, shall be payable to the Astrological Association of St. Louis at the beginning of each fiscal year. 

a. Individual and family membership dues shall be annual, for the fiscal year. Any member failing to renew by September 1 shall be dropped from the membership rolls. 

b. New members joining between July 1 and December 31 will pay dues at the full annual rate and those joining between January 1 and June 30 will pay an amount equal to half the annual rate. 

c. A Lifetime Membership is available upon payment of an amount equal to ten times the annual rate then in effect, either in full or by quarterly payments within the period of one year. 

Section 2. Payment of Bills. All bills must be approved by the Board of Directors and paid by either the President or the Treasurer. Specific budgeted items, such as printing and postage for the newsletter, rent, lectures, publicity, and workshops, may be pre-approved for payment. 

Section 3. Contingency Fund. A contingency fund, in an amount determined by the Board of Directors, will be established to cover minor expenditures by any member as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. A full report of such expenses will be made at the following Board meeting. 

Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the AAStL shall start on July 1 and end on the following June 30.
Section 5. Dissolution. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, any remaining assets shall be donated to one or more established Astrological entities agreed upon by the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE VII. 

MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS 

Section 1. Membership Meetings and Programs.
a. Monthly programs will be held on the second Sunday of each month, unless otherwise scheduled by the Board of Directors.
b. The AAStL will offer programs approved by the Education Chair, featuring lecturers and workshops to its membership.
c. The Annual Meeting will be held in June, the time and place to be decided by the Board of Directors, at which time there will be an election of officers and directors. 

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held for emergency reasons at the discretion of the majority of the Board of Directors. At such special meetings no business shall be transacted except that for which the meeting was called. 

Section 3. Quorum. Ten percent of the total membership shall constitute a quorum. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS 

Section 1. Nominating Committee.
a. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members. The Chairman and one member shall be from the Board of Directors and one member shall be from the general membership.
b. The President shall appoint the Nominating Committee two months prior to the Annual Meeting and shall appoint any alternates as needed.
c. The members of the Nominating Committee shall hold office only for the duration of the particular purpose for which they are selected. 

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Section 2. Report of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall recommend the names of eligible members for all offices open for election and in time for a notification to be mailed to the membership prior to the Annual Meeting. 

Section 3. Election Committee. The Chairman of the Election Committee shall be appointed by the President.
a. The Chairman shall conduct the election of officers, and shall appoint a judge and two tellers to count the votes. 

Section 4. Elections. The AAStL Bulletin containing the slate of all nominees recommended by the Nominating Committee shall be sent during the month prior to the Annual Meeting. 

a. In addition to the slate recommended by the Nominating Committee, additional members may ask to be included as a nominee at the Annual Meeting. 

Section 5. Election of Officers. At its Annual Meeting the membership at large shall elect all officers and members of the Board of Directors of the AAStL for their ensuing terms. 

Section 6. Voting Power. Each voting member shall have the power of one vote at all membership meetings and elections. 

ARTICLE IX. 

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY 

Section 1. Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in “Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised” shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws. 

ARTICLE X. 

AMENDMENTS 

Section 1. Amendments. These Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Directors as need arises. Such amendments, when approved by a majority of the Board, shall be in full force and effect until they are presented to the AAStL membership when the general vote shall be taken for approval. 

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