Bylaws
Article I -- Membership
Section 1: Application for Membership
Applications for membership shall be submitted in such a manner as the Board of Directors may prescribe. Upon approval of the application by the Board of Directors and upon receipt of dues, the applicant shall become a member as specified in the Constitution.
Section 2: Dues
The amount of the annual dues for Regular Members shall be established by the Board of Directors and based upon the needs of the organization. Dues for Student Members shall be 50% of Regular Member dues. Dues for Institutional Membership for not-for-profit organizations shall be 250% of Regular Member dues. Dues for Institutional Membership for for-profit organizations shall be 500% of Regular Member dues. Reduced dues may be provided for special cases to be determined on an individual basis by the Board of Directors. The fiscal year for MassMATE shall be from July 1 through June 30.
Section 3: Disqualification
Any member delinquent in payment of dues for a period of six months shall have her/his membership terminated.
Article II -- Organization
Section 1: Standing Committees
Standing Committees of MassMATE and their chairperson shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.
The Nominations and Election Committee shall be a standing committee of MassMATE.
Section 2: Special Committees and Task Forces
Special Committees and Task Forces of MassMATE and their chairpersons shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors on an as-needed basis.
Article III -- Meetings
Section 1: Business Meeting
There shall be a Business Meeting during the time and at the place of the ATMIM Spring Conference. All members shall receive notice of the Business Meeting at least 30 days in advance.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special Meetings of MassMATE shall be announced to the membership at least 30 days in advance. A Special Meeting may be called by the President at the direction of the Board of Directors or by a petition of 20% of the Regular Members.
Article IV -- Elections
Section 1: Nominations and Election Committee
The Nominations and Election Committee shall solicit the names of Regular Members in good standing to serve as candidates for members of the Board of Directors, shall prepare a slate of nominees for positions on the Board of Directors, and shall be responsible for validating the results of elections.
Section 2: Nominations
Any Regular Member in good standing may be nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Any Regular Member may nominate her/himself by notifying the Chairperson of the Nominations and Election Committee. A Regular Member in good standing may be suggested for nomination by another Regular Member of MassMATE. All such suggestions for nomination shall be received by the Chairperson of the Nominations and Election Committee no later than 90 days prior to the election.
Section 3: Elections
A ballot shall be mailed to each Regular Member annually, at least 30 days prior to the Business Meeting. The ballot will contain at least a brief biography of each candidate. The election results shall be validated by the Nominations and Election Committee and announced at the Business Meeting.
Article V -- Amendments to the Bylaws
The Bylaws may be amended by the following procedure:
Any Regular Member(s) may propose amendments 60 days prior to the Business Meeting. A proposed amendment endorsed at the Annual Meeting by 20% of the Regular Members in good standing shall be considered at that meeting.
The Board of Directors shall present for discussion at the Business Meeting all proposed amendments to the Bylaws. Proposed amendments receiving a majority vote of the Regular Members present at the Annual Meeting shall be submitted to the membership for ratification by ballot within 60 days of the Business Meeting and shall take effect when approved by 2/3 of those Regular Members in good standing who vote.