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Space Coast Aquarium Society By-Laws - Re-approved July 14, 2023
Table of Contents
Section 1 - Name
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 – Fiscal Year and Funding
Section 4 – Tax Exempt Status
Section 5 – Dissolution of SCAS
Section 6 – Membership
Section 7 – Meetings
Section 8 – The Board of Directors
Section 9 - Alterations and Amendments to the By-Laws
Section 10 – Use of Name and Insignia
Section 1 - Name
The organization shall be known as Space Coast Aquarium Society and may be referred to in this document as “SCAS”.
The organization shall be known as Space Coast Aquarium Society and may be referred to in this document as “SCAS”.
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 2 - Purpose
The purpose of SCAS is to further interest in the aquarium hobby and to educate members and the general public in the captive care of aquatic animals, mainly fresh and saltwater fish.
The purpose of SCAS is to further interest in the aquarium hobby and to educate members and the general public in the captive care of aquatic animals, mainly fresh and saltwater fish.
Section 3 – Fiscal Year and Funding
Section 3 – Fiscal Year and Funding
1. The fiscal year of SCAS shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 annually.
1. The fiscal year of SCAS shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 annually.
2. Funds collected by the Society shall be used only in accordance with the tax-exempt requirements set forth under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Funds collected by the Society shall be used only in accordance with the tax-exempt requirements set forth under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
3. Expenditures over $100 shall be voted on and approval shall be made by a simple majority of the Board.
3. Expenditures over $100 shall be voted on and approval shall be made by a simple majority of the Board.
Section 4 – Tax Exempt Status
Section 4 – Tax Exempt Status
1. SCAS is organized exclusively for education purposes within the meaning of Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
1. SCAS is organized exclusively for education purposes within the meaning of Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, SCAS shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an association exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an association’s contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any further United States Internal Revenue Law).
2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, SCAS shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an association exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an association’s contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any further United States Internal Revenue Law).
3. The property of SCAS is irrevocably dedicated to educational purposes. No part of the net earnings of this society shall ever inure to or for the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that SCAS shall be empowered to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the exempt purposes for which it was formed.
3. The property of SCAS is irrevocably dedicated to educational purposes. No part of the net earnings of this society shall ever inure to or for the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that SCAS shall be empowered to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the exempt purposes for which it was formed.
Section 5 – Dissolution of SCAS
Upon dissolution of SCAS, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of SCAS, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or association which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, and/or scientific purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Upon dissolution of SCAS, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of SCAS, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or association which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, and/or scientific purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 6 – Membership
Section 6 – Membership
1. Any person interested in the purpose of SCAS shall be eligible for membership. Any person interested in the purpose of SCAS shall be eligible for membership. However, membership and participation in meetings and events may be refused at the discretion of the Board.
1. Any person interested in the purpose of SCAS shall be eligible for membership. Any person interested in the purpose of SCAS shall be eligible for membership. However, membership and participation in meetings and events may be refused at the discretion of the Board.
2. Membership shall consist of three different categories, as follows:
2. Membership shall consist of three different categories, as follows:
a. General Membership – Individuals who are over 18 years old.
a. General Membership – Individuals who are over 18 years old.
b. Family Membership – For any couple that attends regular meetings and their children under 18-years-old who reside in the same household.
b. Family Membership – For any couple that attends regular meetings and their children under 18-years-old who reside in the same household.
c. Life Membership – By a majority vote of the Board, Lifetime Members may be admitted. Lifetime Members shall be exempt from the payment of dues and shall be eligible for all privileges of General Membership.
c. Life Membership – By a majority vote of the Board, Lifetime Members may be admitted. Lifetime Members shall be exempt from the payment of dues and shall be eligible for all privileges of General Membership.
3. By a vote of a simple majority of the Board, any member may be dropped for conduct considered injurious to the best interest of SCAS.
3. By a vote of a simple majority of the Board, any member may be dropped for conduct considered injurious to the best interest of SCAS.
4. Annual dues shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Board. Current dues shall be posted on the SCAS website (www.spacecoastas.org) and through written communication to current members.
4. Annual dues shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Board. Current dues shall be posted on the SCAS website (www.spacecoastas.org) and through written communication to current members.
5. Dues shall cover a period of 12 months from the first of the month of the month of payment (example, dues paid on May 15 cover the period from May 1 through April 31 of the following year).
5. Dues shall cover a period of 12 months from the first of the month of the month of payment (example, dues paid on May 15 cover the period from May 1 through April 31 of the following year).
6. Nonpayment of annual dues shall be considered equivalent to resignation after two written communications to the delinquent party or after sixty (60) days delinquent.
6. Nonpayment of annual dues shall be considered equivalent to resignation after two written communications to the delinquent party or after sixty (60) days delinquent.
Section 7 – Meetings
Section 7 – Meetings
1. There shall be one general membership meeting each month. The time and place of the general membership meetings shall be on a regularly scheduled basis in or near Brevard County, to be determined by the Board. Any change in the general membership meeting schedule shall be communicated to members in writing as soon as possible.
1. There shall be one general membership meeting each month. The time and place of the general membership meetings shall be on a regularly scheduled basis in or near Brevard County, to be determined by the Board. Any change in the general membership meeting schedule shall be communicated to members in writing as soon as possible.
2. At the discretion of the Board, special meetings or events may be scheduled or held to further the mission of SCAS.
2. At the discretion of the Board, special meetings or events may be scheduled or held to further the mission of SCAS.
3. In addition to monthly general meetings, the Board may hold additional meetings, as needed, to discuss business matters related to the operation and function of SCAS. These meetings may be held virtually.
3. In addition to monthly general meetings, the Board may hold additional meetings, as needed, to discuss business matters related to the operation and function of SCAS. These meetings may be held virtually.
4. Auctions may be conducted at meetings and events. The Board shall determine proceed splits for two categories of attendees, members and non-members.
4. Auctions may be conducted at meetings and events. The Board shall determine proceed splits for two categories of attendees, members and non-members.
5. Raffles and other fundraisers during meetings and events shall be allowed at the discretion of the Board.
5. Raffles and other fundraisers during meetings and events shall be allowed at the discretion of the Board.
Section 8 – The Board of Directors
Section 8 – The Board of Directors
1. SCAS empowers the Board of Directors with the authority to supervise all operations necessary to the functioning of SCAS.
1. SCAS empowers the Board of Directors with the authority to supervise all operations necessary to the functioning of SCAS.
2. The Board shall transact all necessary business of SCAS, with the power to expend monies, direct SCAS activities, and create and enforce all policy required to maintain and expand the purposes and goals of SCAS as set forth in Section 2 - Purpose. The implementation of all powers of the Board shall be by simple majority vote of The Board.
2. The Board shall transact all necessary business of SCAS, with the power to expend monies, direct SCAS activities, and create and enforce all policy required to maintain and expand the purposes and goals of SCAS as set forth in Section 2 - Purpose. The implementation of all powers of the Board shall be by simple majority vote of The Board.
3. The Board of Directors of SCAS shall consist of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Program Director.
3. The Board of Directors of SCAS shall consist of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Program Director.
4. Their duties shall be as ordinarily appertain to their respective offices.
4. Their duties shall be as ordinarily appertain to their respective offices.
5. The Program Director shall be responsible for forming and presiding over a committee to plan and provide programs for the general membership meetings and special events.
5. The Program Director shall be responsible for forming and presiding over a committee to plan and provide programs for the general membership meetings and special events.
6. Additional committees shall be formed and dissolved at the discretion of the Board, as needed. A chairperson for special committees will be appointed by the Board and the committee chairperson will be responsible for recruiting an appropriate amount of committee members and report to the Board as needed, but at least monthly.
6. Additional committees shall be formed and dissolved at the discretion of the Board, as needed. A chairperson for special committees will be appointed by the Board and the committee chairperson will be responsible for recruiting an appropriate amount of committee members and report to the Board as needed, but at least monthly.
7. Nominations for the Board of Directors shall be opened during the October general meeting and close at the November general meeting, and the annual election shall commence immediately. The Board of Directors shall be installed at the December general meeting. Each active member present at the December meeting is entitled to one vote for the election of members to the Board of Directors.
7. Nominations for the Board of Directors shall be opened during the October general meeting and close at the November general meeting, and the annual election shall commence immediately. The Board of Directors shall be installed at the December general meeting. Each active member present at the December meeting is entitled to one vote for the election of members to the Board of Directors.
8. A vacancy of the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment by the President, subject to a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such appointments shall be for the remainder of the board year. The vacancy shall be announced in writing prior to the board meeting at which the vacancy will be filled.
8. A vacancy of the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment by the President, subject to a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such appointments shall be for the remainder of the board year. The vacancy shall be announced in writing prior to the board meeting at which the vacancy will be filled.
9. It is requested that a Board of Directors member notify the President of their resignation as soon as possible.
9. It is requested that a Board of Directors member notify the President of their resignation as soon as possible.
10. Any Board member is considered to have resigned by having missed three unexcused consecutive meetings (general, board, or combination thereof) or missed five total unexcused meetings over the course of the year.
10. Any Board member is considered to have resigned by having missed three unexcused consecutive meetings (general, board, or combination thereof) or missed five total unexcused meetings over the course of the year.
11. Any Board member who has failed to perform the required duties of their position can be dismissed and their position declared vacant by a vote of 60% of the Board Members present.
11. Any Board member who has failed to perform the required duties of their position can be dismissed and their position declared vacant by a vote of 60% of the Board Members present.
Section 9 - Alterations and Amendments to the By-Laws
Section 9 - Alterations and Amendments to the By-Laws
1. Alterations and amendments to the by-laws may be made at board meetings by a simple majority vote of the Board.
1. Alterations and amendments to the by-laws may be made at board meetings by a simple majority vote of the Board.
2. In addition to the regular Board meeting, voting on any Board matter may be conducted via video teleconference, email, or other electronic means.
2. In addition to the regular Board meeting, voting on any Board matter may be conducted via video teleconference, email, or other electronic means.
Section 10 – Use of Name and Insignia
Section 10 – Use of Name and Insignia
1. No member shall have the authority to use the name or insignia of SCAS in any manner without prior approval of the Board.
1. No member shall have the authority to use the name or insignia of SCAS in any manner without prior approval of the Board.
2. No action or representation of any member shall be binding upon SCAS without prior approval of the Board.
2. No action or representation of any member shall be binding upon SCAS without prior approval of the Board.
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