At the beginning of the Society's annual business meeting, the president shall
present the following rules for adoption by a majority vote of those members
present and voting. Once adopted, the rules may be suspended or amended only
by a two-thirds (2/3rds) majority of members present and voting unless such
suspension or amendment conflicts with the Society's constitution or bylaws.
Notice of the rules of the business meeting shall be made in writing to all
meeting registrants through their registration packets.
a) Full members, student members, and honorary members may vote at the Society's
business meetings. Institutional members cannot vote.
b) In any question of the membership status of an individual, the executive
office roster of members for the month in which the annual meeting begins
will be definitive.
c) All members may participate in discussions at the business meeting.
d) Nonmembers may speak by general consent of the membership; if a member
calls into question the participation by a nonmember, the chair will ask
for a vote by the members present. A simple majority will provide consent
to speak.
e) Persons seeking recognition from the chair shall identify themselves
for the record, giving their names, institutional or other affiliation, and
whether they are members or nonmembers.
f) One hundred (100) individual members constitute a quorum.
g) Debate shall be limited to five minutes for each speaker; no speaker
may have the floor twice until all who wish to speak have spoken.
h) All resolutions to be brought before the business meeting for action
shall be submitted to a council resolutions committee no later than noon
of the day preceding the business meeting and shall be available to members
in writing at the meeting. Resolutions from the floor may be considered by
majority vote.
i) Amendments to the constitution that have been approved by council in
advance of the business meeting may be adopted by a majority vote. Amendments
to the constitution that have not been approved by council may be adopted
by a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote. All amendments to the constitution must be
filed with the executive director at least one hundred (100) days prior to
the annual meeting and mailed by the executive director to all members at
least sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting at which they are to be considered.
j) Adoption of, or amendment to, bylaws of the Society may be made by a
two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of those members present and voting at the annual
business meeting.
k) At the beginning of the meeting the president will announce the agenda,
call for additions or amendments, and call for a vote to approve the agenda.
After the agenda has been adopted by the majority of the members present
and voting, it can be departed from only by the general consent or by two-thirds
vote if any members request a vote.
l) Proxy votes are not permitted.
m) Aside from the rules above, Sturgis' Standard Code of Parliamentary
Procedure (latest revised edition) will govern the business meeting.
