From: rjg@umnstat.stat.umn.edu (Robert J. Granvin)
Subject: Re: Proposed constitution and bylaws
Organization: School of Statistics, University of Minnesota
Distribution: mn
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 20:30:05 GMT

|> >This is perfectly OK (distinguishing between active and non-active, though
|> >one might choose to expand the definitions.  A person can be very active in
|> >the organization (should it expand beyond meetings), yet not be able to 
|> >attend 2/3rds of meetings.  This criteria should be very open to change
|> >and modification as the organization evolves (i.e., explicitly stated).
|>
|> This is covered by:
|>                  4. Active members who fail to attend at least 2/3 of
|>                     the regular meetings will have their membership status
|>                     changed to non-active.  This requirement may be waived
|>                                             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
|>                     for cause at the discretion Governing Board.
|>                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

OK.  That seems reasonable.  I didn't make a connection in the browse...

|> >If you want control over the roster and ability to set criteria a member
|> >must meet to maintain a membership, then you cannot accept cash.  Once
|> >you accept money, you have entered into a contract with the individual.
|>
|> How about:
|>            Non-active members who fail to attend at least one of the
|>            regular meetings in any twelve month period and have not
|>            paid their dues or show other interest in retaining their
|>            membership status will be dropped from the membership records.

Much better, provided that you give them the opportunity to indicate
their lack of interest through a lack of response.  i.e., you must mail
a renewal form (501(c)3 will probably require you do this via USnail,
but who knows?).  If a renewal is not received, that indicates a lack
of interest.   But in general terms, this covers the bases.

|> >You may want to clarify here again what determines an active member.
|> >Otherwise, you should provide a method for an "inactive" member to
|> >become active again.  Would that be achieved by attending two of the
|> >last three meetings prior to the meeting where a vote is held?  And
|> >more esoterically, would that voting meeting count as one of the two
|> >meetings?
|> 
|>   How about adding to Article III, Section 1, subsection A:
|> 
|>         A non-active member may become active if (s)he has attended two of
|>         the last three meetings (including the current meeting.)

Comfortable (and clear).

|> >Next, specify clearly what a paying member receives for his or her
|> >membership.  Does this include a newsletter?  If so, what's the
|> >frequency?  Finally, does UUM have a 501(c)3 or plan to obtain one?
|>              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
|> 
|> It is in the works.  We need some more donations before our Treasurer,
|> Fred Potthoff, feels comfortable in sending in the application.  I agree
|> with him.  We should have our status by the end of the year.

Cool.  Then you can have real fun.  :-)  [legal raffles, tax-exempt
purchases, etc. etc. etc...]

-- 
Robert J. Granvin                                       School of Statistics
rjg@umnstat.stat.umn.edu                             University of Minnesota
Newsgroups: mn.uum