Constitution

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 as such 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 the normal operation of the ECAAC

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 by-laws and subject to the ECAAC constitution and by-laws.

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 the 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. The above committee members shall have such duties as are assigned in our by-laws.
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. The members at the regular meeting may review any action of the Executive Committee. All actions shall be deemed valid actions unless disapproved at this 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 of the ECAAC, if found unsatisfactory in their position or actions deemed detrimental to the ECAAC may be relieved of their duties, after a formal complaint has been presented at a general meeting and by a 60% vote of active members.
12. Any executive officer may be relieved by a majority vote of the executive, not counting the one in question, if he/she fails to attend three (3) executive meetings in a year.
13. Any decisions/correspondence made on behalf of the ECAAC must be approved by the executive prior to release.
14. The minutes of the 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 shall be arranged by the executive committee, published and updated in the By-Laws. 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. Members of the general membership may be extended an invitation to the executive meeting at the executive’s discretion.

Article 5 – Dues

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

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, it shall be necessary that the proposed amendment 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. The affirmative vote of the majority of all members in good standing shall be required for the adoption of an amendment to this constitution.
4. Any proposed amendments to the constitution or by-laws shall be published in the society newsletter before being voted upon.

ALL PREVIOUS CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS BEARING THE NAME EASTERN CAPE AQUARIUM AND AQUASCAPE CLUB ARE NULL AND VOID, ON ACCEPTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT.