THE NORTH CAROLINA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY CONSTITUTION

 Article I.  Name

The name of this organization is the North Carolina Herpetological Society, hereinafter referred to as the "Society."

Section 1.  To work to perpetuate the conservation of amphibians and reptiles through education and dissemination of scientific information through the facilities of the Society.
Section 2.  To encourage conservation of the wildlife in general, and of amphibians and reptiles in particular.
Section 3.  To promote research in herpetology by sharing information among members and through cooperation with amateur and professional herpetologists.
Section 4.  To educate the public and members, and to exchange information and resources with other herpetological societies by means of a newsletter and specific activities such as field trips and lectures.

The Society shall establish by-laws concerning the organization and procedures to be followed.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Constitution or the  By-laws which might be to a contrary interpretation:
1.  the Society shall be organized and operated exclusively for scientific and educational purposes;
2.  no part of the net earnings of the Society shall or may under any circumstances inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual;
3.  no substantial part of the activities of the Society shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation;
4.   the Society shall not participate in, or intervene in (including publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office;
5.  the Society shall not be organized or operated for profit;
6.  the Society shall not:

1. lend any part of its income or corpus, without the  receipt of adequate security and a reasonable rate of interest;

2. pay any compensation, in excess of a reasonable allowance for salaries or other compensation for personal services actually rendered;

3. make any part of its services available on a preferential basis;

4. make any purchase of securities or any other property for more than adequate consideration in money or money's worth from;

5. sell any securities or other property for less than adequate consideration in money or money's worth to; or

6. engage in any other transactions which result in a substantial diversion of its income or corpus to; any officer, or substantial contributor to the organization.  The prohibitions contained in this subsection 6 do not mean to imply that the organization may make such loans, payments, or sales to or purchases from anyone else, unless such authority be given or implied by other provisions of this Constitution or By-laws.   

Section 1.  Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed   by a petition to the Secretary signed by 10 per cent of   the membership.
Section 2.  Proposed amendments must be acted on favorably by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Council at two separate meetings prior to the general meeting at which it would be voted on.
Section 3.  The proposed amendments must be passed by a two-thirds majority of full membership.

Upon the dissolution of the Society, the Executive Council shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Society exclusively for the purposes of the Society in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 ( or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Executive Council shall determine.  Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the Society is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.