1 SIGMA XI, THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY
2 BYLAWS OF THE TRI CITIES WASHINGTON CHAPTER
3 BYLAW I. Activities of the Chapter. Activities appropriate to the fulfillment of
4 the object of the Society include: the election to membership and associate
5 membership in the Society of students, faculty members, investigators in research
6 institutions and others who meet the requirements for membership set forth in
7 Article II, Section 3 A and B of the Constitution of the Society; the maintenance of
8 companionship among the membership in various fields of science through the
9 holding of meetings for the discussion of scientific subjects; and any other activities
10 that further the goals and objectives of the Society or chapter.
11 BYLAW II. Membership in the Chapter
12 Section 1. Affiliation with the Chapter. The membership of this chapter, subject
13 to the requirements of Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Society, shall
14 consist of the active Members and the active Associate Members who present
15 satisfactory credentials showing election to membership in the Society, who request
16 affiliation with this chapter. None who meet those qualifications and request
17 affiliation with this chapter shall be denied.
18 Section 2. Criteria for Membership. Criteria for membership in this chapter shall
19 be identical to the standards and policies set by the Society. In no way will this
20 chapter require more stringent criteria for membership than those set by the Society.
21 Section 3. Nomination and Election and Initiation Procedures. The Officers of
22 the Chapter shall have responsibility to review and handle nominations, elections, and
23 initiations in accordance with the policies and bylaws of the Society.
24 BYLAW III. Organization of the Chapter
25 Section 1. Officers of the Chapter. A. Officers The officers of the Chapter consist
26 of the President, Vice-President, and the Secretary/Treasurer.
27 B. Election of Officers. (i) Nominations The Secretary/Treasurer shall issue a call
28 for nominations for officers annually prior to March 1st. Any active member or
29 associate member of the chapter may be nominated for any office, and self-
30 nominations are allowed. The Secretary/Treasurer shall ensure that all who are
31 nominated are willing to serve. Nominations shall close by March 31st each year.
32 Afterwards, the Secretary/Treasurer shall send ballots, which may be electronic, to
33 all active members and associate members of the chapter for vote. The candidate for
34 each office receiving the most votes shall be declared the winner. Elections are to be
35 completed by May 31st each year. Officers will assume their office on July 1st of
36 each year for a one year term. There shall be no limit to the number of consecutive
37 terms that a person may hold office.
38 D. Vacancies. (i) In One Office. In the case of a vacancy in the office of
39 President, the Vice-President shall assume the office and the duties of the President
40 for the remainder of that term. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Vice-
41 President, the President shall appoint a Vice-President to serve until the next
42 scheduled election. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Secretary/Treasurer, the
43 President shall appoint a Secretary/Treasurer to serve until the next scheduled
44 election.
45 (ii) President and Vice-President. Both Vacant. If the offices of both President
46 and Vice-President are simultaneously vacant, the Secretary/Treasurer shall assume
47 the office of President for the remainder of the term, and follow the procedures
48 above for the remaining vacancies.
49 Section 2. Committees of the Chapter. Should the formation of a Committee for
50 some purpose be required, the officers shall have discretion both as to its
51 composition, membership, and duration.
52 BYLAW IV. Dues and Expenses of the Chapter
53 Section 1. Dues and Fees. A. Annual Dues. (i) How Set. Dues for the Society
54 are set according to the bylaws of the Society. The chapter officers may choose to
55 set local dues to be collected in addition to the Society dues, which would be
56 returned to the chapter for use in its programs. Such dues if set shall be voluntary,
57 and nonpayment of those dues shall not impact the status of a member in the chapter.
58 Section 2. Expenses. A. Proper Expenses. The proper expenses of the chapter
59 shall include, but are not limited to, the following: payment for food at chapter events,
60 payment for transportation affiliated with chapter events, purchase of
61 honorary plaques or awards, awards for students in sciences, or other awards such as
62 the officers may choose to designate.
63 BYLAW V. Bylaws
64 Bylaws as necessary for the proper governance of the chapter may be enacted or
65 modified by the unanimous vote of the Officers. Bylaws revisions must be
66 communicated to chapter members within 5 days of adoption and, should more than
67 10 percent of the active membership object in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer
68 within 30 days of adoption, said amendment or modification shall be held in
69 abeyance until a vote can be held, which must be held within 60 days of the original
70 adoption. If insufficient objections are forthcoming, the bylaws change becomes
71 effective at 30 days from adoption by the Officers. Members can propose changes
72 to the bylaws to the officers. If more than 10% of the active membership signs in
73 support of a proposed bylaws change, the officers shall put it forward for a vote
74 within 30 days of submission. A simple majority of voting members shall be
75 required to pass the bylaws change.
76 BYLAW VI. Dissolution of Chapter Assets
77 If the Chapter goes inactive and remains dormant over 5 years or dissolves, any
78 funds the chapter possesses which were the direct result of local dues and chapter
79 support will go back to the Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.