Constitution

Version 1.0 — January 2023

Eastern Cape Aquarium and Aquascaping Club — Constitution, Version 1.0, January 2023.

Article 1 — Name

  1. The organization shall be known as the Eastern Cape Aquarium and Aquascaping Club, hereinafter known as the ECAAC.
  2. The purpose of the ECAAC shall be to further the study of all forms of aquatic life, to promote interest, exchange ideas, and to distribute information concerning the aquarium hobby, as well as to encourage the breeding and display of aquatic life within the boundaries of responsible fishkeeping. The ECAAC shall be a non-profit educational and social organization, and it is the intent that no member — including actively serving executive officers or sub-committee members — shall receive assets of the ECAAC or any remuneration for their part in its normal operation.

Article 2 — Membership

  1. Any person interested in the activities of the ECAAC shall be eligible for membership, according to the requirements set out in the Bylaws and subject to the ECAAC Constitution and Bylaws.

Article 3 — Organization

  1. The society shall have the following officers and committee chairs:
    1. Executive Officers:
      1. President
      2. Vice-President
      3. Secretary
      4. Treasurer
      5. Public Relations Officer
    2. Committee Chairs:
      1. Breeders Award Program
      2. Horticultural Award Program
      3. Shrimp Breeders Award Program
      4. Newsletter Editor
      5. Publicity
      6. Aquarist of the Year
      7. Auction
      8. Fundraiser
      9. Webmaster / Librarian
  2. Members of the executive may hold only one Officer position but may also hold committee chair positions.
  3. Officers must be 18 years or older.
  4. The officers and standing committee shall constitute an Executive Committee, which shall manage and direct the affairs of the Club.
  5. Other chairs may be added as deemed necessary.
  6. Committee members shall have such duties as are assigned in the Bylaws.
  7. Officers and Chairs will be elected or appointed for a term of not less than one (1) year.
  8. The executive shall have the power to fill any vacancies that may occur until the next election.
  9. Members at a regular meeting may review any action of the Executive Committee. All actions shall be deemed valid unless disapproved at that time.
  10. In the case of absence and/or resignation, the order of succession to the Presidency shall follow the order listed in Article 3, Section 1.
  11. Any executive member found unsatisfactory in their position, or whose actions are deemed detrimental to the ECAAC, may be relieved of their duties after a formal complaint is presented at a general meeting and a 60% vote of active members.
  12. Any executive officer may be relieved by a majority vote of the executive (excluding the one in question) if they fail to attend three (3) executive meetings in a year.
  13. Any decisions or correspondence made on behalf of the ECAAC must be approved by the executive prior to release.
  14. The minutes of executive meetings are to be made available upon request.

Article 4 — Meetings, etc.

  1. The ECAAC shall hold monthly meetings at such time and place as arranged by the executive committee, published and updated in the Bylaws. Regular meetings shall be open to the public.
  2. Any business meetings shall be held at such time and place as deemed by the executive.
  3. The executive committee shall hold regular monthly meetings.
  4. Sixty percent (60%) of all executive members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
  5. Executive meetings are closed to the general membership. General members may be extended an invitation to an executive meeting at the executive's discretion.

Article 5 — Dues

  1. All members shall be required to pay dues as set forth in the Bylaws.
  2. The executive committee is empowered to waive all or part of the dues of any member.

Article 6 — Newsletter

  1. The ECAAC shall publish a newsletter known as AquaChronicles.

Article 7 — Amendment

  1. To amend or repeal this Constitution or any part of it, the proposed amendment must be presented in writing, signed by at least three members in good standing.
  2. The proposed amendment shall be read at the next regular meeting and voted on at that time.
  3. An affirmative vote of the majority of all members in good standing shall be required for adoption of an amendment to this Constitution.
  4. Any proposed amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws shall be published in the society newsletter before being voted upon.
All previous Constitution and Bylaws bearing the name Eastern Cape Aquarium and Aquascape Club are null and void, on acceptance of this document.