Article I - Name of Organization
The name of this organization shall be "The Northeastern Regional Organization (NRO) of the National Speleological Society (NSS)."
Article II - Geographic Region
The NRO shall be geographically defined as those regions lying within the northeastern United States, and Pennsylvania, Quebec, and Ontario; hereafter called "the Region."
Article III - Purpose of the Organization.
The purpose of the NRO shall be to further the discovery, exploration, scientific study, and conservation of caves; and to promote safe techniques of cave exploration, as well as communication within the region.
Article IV - Membership
The NRO shall consist of:
A). The individual NSS members of NSS Grottos located within the region that meets membership requirements of the NRO.
B). Independent NSS members who live within the region and meet membership requirements of the NRO.
C). An administrative board, hereafter called "the Board," consisting of:
1). A chairperson, a vice-chairperson and a secretary-treasurer, hereafter called "the officers" (i.e. the Executive Committee) which shall be elected annually by the members of the NRO at the spring semi-annual meeting (i.e. Spring NRO), and
2). A representative from each grotto, designated by said grotto, and two (2) at-large representatives from independent members; where
3.) All officers and representatives shall be members in good standing of the National Speleological Society, as well as of the NRO, at the time of their election and throughout their term of office. Any elected officer may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the members present at any regular meeting.
Article V - Board Responsibility
The board shall:
A). Have sole governing authority over all business of the NRO, except as otherwise stated in this constitution. Such authority shall include, but not be limited to, the election of officers and the adoption of Bylaws.
B). Empower the officers to conduct NRO business between board meetings. *
C). Reverse any decision of the officers by a simple majority vote of the total Board.
D). Meet at least twice a year.
E). Set membership requirements in the NRO. *
F). Set procedures for elections of officers, for board meetings, and for general membership meetings. *
G). Call a meeting of the general membership at least twice a year.
Article VI- Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a 3/4 majority vote of the membership of the NRO present at either of the semi-annual meetings, provided that two (2) months notice of that amendment is made to the Grottos and in the Northeastern Caver.
Article VII - Board Representatives
In the event that a member grotto shall not elect or appoint a Board representative, that organization's chairman shall automatically assume the office. Independent NSS members shall elect their representative by or at the first meeting in a calendar year.
Article VIII - Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the NRO, all assets shall revert to the National Speleological Society, Inc., Cave Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35810.
* NOTE: The Board fulfilled its obligations under Article V on September 23, 1978 by passing the following Acts at its September 23, 1978 Board Meeting: see Acts
(Approved May 14, 2000)
