Revised Bylaws of the Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Continued growth in membership and organization has taken place in the society since it was initially organized on November 18, 1936, in Washington, D. C. The first Constitution and Bylaws of SSSA served from 1936 to 1951. On January 22, 1952, the society was incorporated in the State of Wisconsin, and the new Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws were published in 1952. The articles of incorporation give legal approval of an organization to operate in a state and the bylaws constitute the guidelines to the everyday organizational and operational procedures. The years from 1952 to the early 1960's were marked by significant changes in the society in terms of membership, size of annual meeting program, publication activities, and other operations. As a result, a number of changes in organization and operating procedure were required in the bylaws. In addition, changes in the Wisconsin Corporation Law, and a desire to meet fully the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service in respect to the tax exemption status sought by the society within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, made it necessary to restate the articles and revise the bylaws. Work on revision of the 1952 version of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws began with the 1960-61 Organization & Policy Committee and was continued by the 1961-62 and 1962-63 O & P Committees. Chairmen of the O & P Committee during these years were I. W. Fitts, W. L. Nelson, and C. A. Black, respectively. The SSSA Executive Committee and Executive Subcommittee were also involved in reviewing the revised documents. Society presidents were W. L. Nelson, C. A. Black, and H. B. Cheney in 1961, 1962, and 1963, respectively. The restated Articles of Incorporation contain only the basic concepts of the organization and operation of the society. The detailed items covering the organization and operating procedures were placed in the revised bylaws where changes can be more easily effected. To comply with Wisconsin Corporation Law, a special meeting of voting members of SSSA, Inc. was held on November 18, 1963, in Denver, Colorado in order to restate the articles under which the society had been oifrating since 1952. Of the 2,350 members of SSSA, Inc., who were legally eligible to vote, the balloting at the special meeting showed a total of 692 in favor of adoption and 1 against adoption of the restated articles. Following this approval by the members, the restated articles were filed with the Secretary of State in Wisconsin and were approved on March 20, 1964, as submitted under the signatures of N. C. Brady, president, and Matthias Stelly, secretary, of SSSA, Inc. Work on the revised bylaws was completed by the O & P Committee in mid-1963 and the document was submitted in the form of a mail ballot to members of SSSA on August 1, 1963, for approval or disapproval. The final vote tabulated was 805 in favor of adoption and 4 opposed to adoption of the revised bylaws. The Revised Bylaws subsequently became legally effective on March 20, 1964, at the same time the Restated Articles of Incorporation were approved in the State of Wisconsin. Both documents were published in the March-April 1964 issue of SSSA Proceedings.