MEDICAL SECTION OF THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

MEDICAL SECTION OF THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. The name of this organization shall be The Medical Section of the National Speleological Society.

ARTICLE II. The purpose of this organization shall be the same as those of The National Speleological Society, with the purpose of furthering the medical aspects of Speleology and caving.

The Section is organized exclusively for charitable, educational,, and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501 ( c ) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Act of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE III. No part of the net earnings of this organization shall inure to the benefit of be distributed to its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II hereof. No substantial part of the activities of this organization shall be the carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and this organization shall in no way participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles, this organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 ( c ) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE IV. The life of this organization shall be perpetual or until terminated by a majority vote of the membership upon recommendation of a 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V. Full Membership in this section shall bed limited to individual NSS members ~~who hold the degree of Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Doctor of Dental Surgery,~~ who have signified their desire to become members , have agreed with all the conditions set forth in the By-Laws, and support the goals and purposes of the section. An ~~Associate Membership or an~~ Honorary Membership will be open to other individuals as set forth in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE VI. This section shall be governed by an Executive Committee made up of the following members elected annually during the Annual NSS Convention:

1.Chairman 2.Vice-Chairman 3.Secretary- Treasurer

The Executive Committee shall have complete power to manage the business; to set the rate of annual dues and to raise funds in any manner not inconsistent with the policies of the NSS and to perform all other necessary functions. Decisions or actions of the Executive Committee may be overruled by a two-thirds majority vote of the members.

ARTICLE VII.

(1) Executive Committee and general meetings shall be held at such times as are determined by the Executive Committee. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held by telephone.

(2) Each year a meeting of the Executive Committee and a General Meeting shall be held during the Annual Convention of The National Speleological Society. In the event no such convention is held or insufficient members are present to conduct business, a telephone meeting of the Executive Committee shall be held as soon as reasonably possible after the scheduled time of the convention to confirm officers for the following year.

(3) A petition signed by two-thirds of the membership shall be mandatory upon the Executive Committee to call a special meeting for the purpose stated in the petition.

ARTICLE VIII. In the event of dissolution, the assets of this Section shall be turned over to The National Speleological Society. However, if the named recipient is not then in existence or no longer is a qualified distributee, or is unwilling or unable to accept the distribution, the assets of this Section shall be distributed to a fund, foundation or corporation organized and operated exclusively for the purposes specified in Section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law).

ARTICLE IX. The Constitution and By-Laws of The National Speleological Society shall be binding on the Medical Section thereof. Any action inconsistent therewith shall be null and void if so determined by The Board of Governors of The National Speleological Society.

ARTICLE X. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds favorable vote of the Executive Committee after sixty days prior notice to the membership. Such amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the currently dues-paying Full Members who shall be notified by mail, telephone, electronic mail, fax or other appropriate means within thirty days of the change and who must respond within thirty days of the notification being sent.

By-Laws to this Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds favorable vote of the Executive Committee at any meeting, subject to the approval of the membership as specified in Article V of the By-Laws.