Constitution & By Laws submitted in 1986 with incorporation papers
Constitution of the Virginia Region of the National Speleological Society as adopted October 14, 1967 and amended April 12, 1975, and October 9, 1976.
Article I – Name - The name of the Region shall be the Virginia Region of the
National Speleological Society.
Article II – Subordination – The constitution and bylaws of the Region shall be
consistent with and subordinate to the constitution and bylaws of the National Speleological Society.
Article III – Purpose – The purpose of this Region is to encourage and promote the
Study and science of speleology; to promote the preservation, conservation, and exploration of caves; to coordinate the efforts of the members, internal organizations, cooperating organizations within the Region; and to facilitate the communication of speleological information.
Article IV – Members and Organizations – (1) This Region shall consist of all internal
Organizations of the National Speleological
Society, cooperating organizations, and NSS members located in or residing within the boundaries of the Region. NSS members residing within the Region and not affiliated with any internal organization or cooperating organization shall be members-at-large of the Region. (2) Cooperating organizations shall be defined as non-NSS caving organizations located within the boundaries of the Virginia Region, who have been accepted within the structure of this Region.
Article V – Regional Council – (1) The Regional Council shall consist of the officers of
the Region and two representatives from each internal organization and each cooperating organization and two delegates at large. The two delegates from the members-at-large shall be elected by the membership-at-large at any election held previous to the annual Regional meeting. (2) Representatives of non-NSS cooperating organizations shall vote in matters except those pertaining to organizational affairs of the National Speleological Society.
Article VI – Officers - The Regional Officers shall be a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, a
Secretary-Treasurer, and a Recording Secretary. Regional Officers shall be members of the National Speleological society and shall be elected for terms of one year by the Regional Council.
Article VII – Dissolution – In the event of dissolution f the Region, all assets remaining
After meeting outstanding liabilities shall be assigned to the National Speleological Society. However, if the named recipient is not in existence or no longer is a qualified distribute, or unwilling or unable to accept the distribution, the assets of this organization 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 of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future U. S. Internal Revenue Law.
Article VIII – Non-Profit Organization - This Region is a non-profit organization. No part
of the net earnings of the Region shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, expect that the Region 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 III of the Constitution of the Region. No substantial part of the activities of the Region shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Region shall not participate in, intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Region shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future U. S. 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 U. S. Internal Revenue law.)
Article IX – Amendments – Amendments to this constitution shall be made by approval
of a majority vote of the Regional Council. An amendment
shall become effective upon its ratification by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the internal organizations and cooperating organizations of this Region providing the ratification occurs within six months of the date of approval of the Regional Council. /this constitution shall be in effect upon its approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a meeting specifically called for this purpose.
