A proposal to amend the by-laws

On the question of removal of officers or directors, the by-laws are incomplete. While they contain an elaborate process for actually removing individuals, there is no stated means by which the process is initiated. The following proposal from the by-laws committee (Hoag, Hudspeth [chair], Schneider, Walls and Wheeler) is designed to remedy this omission.

The committee proposes to submit the following amendment to the membership:

1. Change the language of section 5.7 “Removal” by adding the following before the current text

Members of the Board may be removed by action initiated by the Board itself or by the membership at large. In order for the Board to initiate removal proceedings, a written cause for the action shall be presented. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Directors then in office shall be required. [pick up current wording "After notice etc."] 

2. Change the language of section 5.7 by adding this text before the sentence beginning "Such action if by the members" 

The removal process may be initiated by the membership at large by the submission of a written petition _(setting forth the cause for the action)_ that contains the original signatures of fifty members (excluding institutional members). Each signature shall be attached to the original or exact copy of the petition. [continue with the current language beginning "Such action, if by the members, etc."]

3. Amend section 8.6 by adding the following to precede the current text

Members of the Board may be removed by action initiated by the Board itself or by the membership at large. In order for the Board to initiate removal proceedings, a written cause for the action shall be presented. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Directors then in office shall be required. [pick up current wording "After notice etc."]

4. Change the language of 8.6 by adding the following before the sentence beginning "Such action if by the members"

The removal process may be initiated by the membership at large by the submission of a written petition (setting forth the cause for the action) that contains the original signatures of fifty members (excluding institutional members). Each signature shall be attached to the original or exact copy of the petition. [continue with the current language beginning "such action, if by the members etc."]

End of amendment.

That makes the two sections parallel, and it makes them consistent with the latest language defining changes to the by-laws.

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