Bylaws

Amended Bylaws of the Greater Southwest Chapter of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society

A Non-Profit Educational and Scientific Society

 The Greater Southwest Chapter of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society was formed in March, 2005 in an organizational meeting held at the Museum of the Great Plains.  Affiliating with the state society, the purpose of the chapter will be:

To unite individuals who are interested in the history and prehistory of the State of Oklahoma.

1.  To unite individuals who are interested in the history and prehistory of the State of Oklahoma.

2.  The Preservation and conservation of archaeological materials and sites from the southwestern section of Oklahoma.

3.  The scientific study, investigation, and interpretation of archaeological remains and ethnological materials.

4.  The development and promotion of a greater public interest and appreciation for the cultural heritage of our state.

5.  The education of the membership and the public in the significance and importance of such disciplines.

 Meetings are open to the public, and everyone interested are encouraged to join.

Non-Discrimination:  Members, officers, and all persons acting on behalf of the Greater Southwest Chapter shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, religion, national origin, or disability.

Non-Profit:  No part of the net income of the Chapter shall inure to the benefit of its members, officers, or other private persons; however, the Chapter shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for expenses incurred.

 Membership:  Any persons, firms, corporations, or other entities interested in supporting the aims and objectives of the Chapter/Society may, upon application and payment of dues for the class membership for which they are applying to both the Chapter/Society, be admitted to membership in the Chapter/Society.

Membership Dues:  Dues are assessed by March of each year, are payable by April 1, and unpaid dues shall be declared delinquent May 31 for the Chapter.

A.  Chapter dues are payable to the Greater Southwest Chapter and are $5.00 for individuals and $10.00 for family a year.

-The Chapter holds monthly meetings and provides speakers every month giving presentations ranging from Paleo to modern.  In addition the Chapter encourages the members to participate in a yearly dig and a fall survey provided by the Society.

 B.  Society dues are payable to the Oklahoma Anthropological Society based upon desired category of membership through the state society only.

Chapters run independently of the state society.  The society conducts 2 statewide meetings each year, the Spring meeting held in April and the Fall meeting held in October.  The Society offers a yearly dig and a fall surveys for participation for their society members.  The state society member will also receive 4 issues annually of Oklahoma Archeology, Journal of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society and any memoirs occasionally published by the Society at no additional cost.

 Upon the dissolution of the Greater Southwest Chapter all remaining funds will be transferred to the Oklahoma Anthropological Society.

Appointed Officers:  The Appointed Officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and will be appointed only the first year the Chapter is established.

Election of Officers:  The first election of officers will take place after the first year the Chapter is in session.

A.  The President and the Secretary election shall take place in odd-numbered years.

B.  The Vice-President and Treasurer election shall take place in even-numbered years.

 Terms:  Each elected officer shall serve two (2) years based upon the nomination and election outcome.

 Vacancy:  If for any reason and officer cannot fulfill their obligations the officer’s position shall be appointed by the Board of Officers.  The person appointed to fill such vacancy shall hold office during the full-unexpired term of the officer being replaced.

 Duties of Officers: 

A.  President:  The president shall be the chief executive officer of the Chapter, and shall have the authority and the duty to administer the policies of the Chapter, and to perform other general duties as are customarily performed by executive officers.  The president shall also be present at all Society meetings that the Society requires of that officer and represent the Greater Southwest Chapter as a whole.

 B.  Vice-President:  The Vice-President shall assume the duties and exercise the powers of the President, in the absence of the President, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Officers shall designate.

 - It is both the President and Vice-President’s responsibility to organize the monthly meetings and speakers in a professional and operational relationship.

 C.  Secretary:  The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Board of Officers and monthly meetings, and shall be charged with all the duties customarily incident to such office.  The secretary is also responsible to provide this information for archival purposes to the Museum of the Great Plains Special Collections Curator.

 D.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall, under the supervision of the Board of Officers, have custody of and manage the funds of the Chapter. 

-It is both the Secretary and Treasurer’s responsibility to work together in a professional and operational relationship to provide timely notices and current events for Chapter members of all meetings when such notice is required via mail/e-mail.

Chapters: Set by the Oklahoma Anthropological Society.  Article VIII Section 1-5.

 Section 1.  Requirements.  Five (5) or more members of the Society may organize a local Chapter, for the purpose of furthering the interests and objectives of the Society, by applying for a Society Charter.  Other organizations having a kindred interest may become affiliated with the Society, provided five (5) or more of their members are members of the Society.

 Section 2.  Charter.  Application for a Charter requires the submission of minutes, officers, and members to the Society Board for approval.  Upon Board approval, a charter shall be issued and the organization shall be recognized as a Society Chapter.

 Section 3.  Disqualification.  A Chapter shall be disqualified from holding a Society Charter if the number of its Society members falls below the five-society member requirement.  Upon verification of five (5) or more Society members, a Chapter may apply for reinstatement. 

 Section 4.  Revocation.  In the event a Chapter of the Society flagrantly disregards any of the purposes or aims of the Society, its Charter may be revoked by a two-thirds (⅔) affirmative vote of the Board is required for reinstatement.