BYLAWS
OF
The Obscure Organization
(as amended May 4thNovember
9th, 2002)
ARTICLE 1
OFFICES
SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The
principal office of the corporation may be located within or outside the State
of Virginia as the board of directors may designate from time to time.The principal office of the corporation is located
at 300 South Jackson Street, in Arlington County, in the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
SECTION
2. CHANGE OF ADDRESS
The
designation of the county or state of the corporation's principal office may be
changed by amendment of these Bylaws. The Board of Directors may change the
principal office from one location to another within the named county by noting
the changed address and effective date below, and such changes of address shall
not be deemed, nor require, an amendment of these Bylaws:
___________________________________
Dated: ______________
___________________________________
Dated: ______________
___________________________________
Dated: ______________
SECTION
3. OTHER OFFICES
The
corporation may also have offices at such other places, within or without its
state of incorporation, where it is qualified to do business, as its business
and activities may require, and as the board of directors may, from time to
time, designate.
ARTICLE 2
MEMBERS
SECTION
1. DETERMINATION AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
The
corporation shall have only one class of members. No member shall hold more
than one membership in the corporation. Except as expressly provided in or
authorized by the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws of this corporation, or
provisions of law, all memberships shall have the same rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions.
SECTION
2. QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS
The
qualifications for membership in this corporation are as follows: Any natural
person may be a member of this corporation.
SECTION
3. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
Applicants
shall be admitted to membership after submitting an application containing the
applicant's full legal name, the applicant's postal address, and payment of
membership dues.
SECTION
4. FEES AND DUES
Dues and
fees for membership shall be set from time to time by the Board of Directors.
SECTION
5. NUMBER OF MEMBERS
There is
no limit on the number of members the corporation may admit.
SECTION
6. MEMBERSHIP BOOK
The
corporation shall keep a membership book containing the name and address of
each member. Termination of the membership of any member shall be recorded in
the book, together with the date of termination of such membership. Such book
shall be kept at the corporation's principal office.
SECTION
7. NONLIABILITY OF MEMBERS
A member
of this corporation is not, as such, personally liable for the debts,
liabilities, or obligations of the corporation.
SECTION
8. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIPS
No
member may transfer a membership or any right arising therefrom. All rights of
membership cease upon the member's death.
SECTION
9. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The
membership of a member shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(1) Upon
his or her notice of such termination delivered to the President or Secretary
of the corporation personally or by mail, such membership to terminate upon the
date of delivery of the notice or date of deposit in the mail.
(2) If
this corporation has provided for the payment of dues by members, upon a
failure to renew his or her membership by paying dues on or before their due
date, such termination to be effective thirty (30) days after a written
notification of delinquency is given personally or mailed to such member by the
Secretary of the corporation. A member may avoid such termination by paying the
amount of delinquent dues within a thirty (30) day period following the
member's receipt of the written notification of delinquency.
(3)
After providing the member with reasonable written notice and an opportunity to
be heard either orally or in writing, upon a determination by the Board of
Directors that the member has engaged in conduct materially and seriously
prejudicial to the interests or purposes of the corporation. Any person
expelled from the corporation shall receive a refund of dues already paid for
the current dues period.
All
rights of a member in the corporation shall cease on termination of membership
as herein provided.
ARTICLE 3
MEETINGS
OF MEMBERS
SECTION
1. PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings
of members shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or at such
other place or places as may be designated from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Directors.
SECTION
2. REGULAR MEETINGS
An
annual meeting of the members shall be held each year for the purpose of
electing directors and transacting other business as may come before the
meeting. The annual meeting shall be
held during the last calendar quarter of the year at a place and time to be
determined by the board of directors.The candidates receiving the highest
number of votes up to the number of directors to be elected shall be elected.
Each voting member shall cast one vote, with voting being by ballot only. The
annual meeting of members for the purpose of electing directors shall be deemed
a regular meeting.
SECTION
3. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Special
meetings of the members shall be called by the Board of Directors, the
President of the corporation, or by petition of ten percent (10%) or more of
the members in good standing of the corporation.
SECTION
4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Unless
otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
provisions of law, notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and,
in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting
is called, shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than fifty (50)
days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the
direction of the President, or the Secretary, or the persons calling the
meeting, to each member entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such
notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail
addressed to the member at his or her address as it appears on the records of
the corporation, with postage prepaid. Personal notification includes
notification by telephone or by electronic mail, provided however, in the case
of electronic mail notification, the member to be contacted shall acknowledge
personal receipt of the electronic mail notice by a return message or telephone
call within seventy two hours of the first electronic mail transmission.
The
notice of any meeting of members at which directors are to be elected shall
also state the names of all those who are nominees or candidates for election
to the board at the time notice is given.
Whenever
any notice of a meeting is required to be given to any member of this
corporation under provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
the law of this state, a waiver of notice in writing signed by the member,
whether before or after the time of the meeting, shall be equivalent to the
giving of such notice.
SECTION
5. QUORUM FOR MEETINGS
A quorum
shall consist of ten (10) percent of the voting members of the corporation.
Except
as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
provisions of law, no business shall be considered by the members at any
meeting at which the required quorum is not present, and the only motion which
the Chair shall entertain at such meeting is a motion to adjourn.
SECTION
6. MAJORITY ACTION AS MEMBERSHIP ACTION
Every
act or decision done or made by a majority of voting members present in person
or by proxy at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present is the act of
the members, unless the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions
of law require a greater number.
SECTION
7. VOTING RIGHTS
Each
member is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote by the
members. Voting at duly held meetings shall be by voice vote. Election of
Directors, however, shall be by written ballot.
SECTION
8. ACTION BY WRITTEN BALLOT
Except
as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
provisions of law, any action which may be taken at any regular or special
meeting of members may be taken without a meeting if the corporation
distributes a written ballot to each member entitled to vote on the matter. The
ballot shall:
1. set
forth the proposed action;
2.
provide an opportunity to specify approval or disapproval of each proposal;
3.
indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirement and,
except for ballots soliciting votes for the election of directors, state the
percentage of approvals necessary to pass the measure submitted; and
4. shall
specify the date by which the ballot must be received by the corporation in
order to be counted. The date set shall afford members a reasonable time within
which to return the ballots to the corporation.
Ballots
shall be mailed or delivered in the manner required for giving notice of
membership meetings as specified in these bylaws.
Approval
of action by written ballot shall be valid only when the number of votes cast
by ballot within the time period specified equals or exceeds the quorum
required to be present at a meeting authorizing the action, and the number of
approvals equals or exceeds the number of votes that would be required to
approve the action at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast was the
same as the number of votes cast by ballot.
Directors
may be elected by written ballot. Such ballots for the election of directors
shall list the persons nominated at the time the ballots are mailed or delivered.
SECTION
9. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
Meetings
of members shall be presided over by the President of the corporation or, in
his or her absence, by the Vice President of the corporation or, in the absence
of all of these persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the voting
members, present at the meeting. The Secretary of the corporation shall act as
Secretary of all meetings of members, provided that, in his or her absence, the
presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the
Meeting.
Meetings
shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, as such rules may be revised from
time to time, insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or in conflict
with the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or with provisions of law.
ARTICLE 24
NONPROFIT PURPOSES
SECTION 1. IRC SECTION 501(c)(3) PURPOSES
This
corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as
specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for
such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as
exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section
2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES
The specific objectives and
purposes of this corporation shall be: to operate a set of Internet-connected
computer servers for educational and research purposes, to provide free
electronic mailing lists that may benefit the local community or global
intentional communities, and to provide the members with opportunities to
experiment with the arts and technology.
SECTON
2. EXCLUSION OF FOR-PROFIT ACTIVITIES
The
resources of this corporation are not to be used for creation or maintenance of
a for-profit business. The following
are prohibited uses of obscure.org: use of obscure.org as the primary e-mail
account for a for-profit business; use of the obscure.org e-mail address on
business cards, business letterhead, or business advertising used by a
for-profit business; posting advertising for a for-profit business to
newsgroups from an obscure.org account; and maintenance of web pages on
obscure.org advertising a for-profit business.
The following are permitted: maintenance of a resume on the obscure.org
server; use of an obscure.org e-mail address for job searches, or on a resume;
use of the resources of this corporation for scientific and technological
research intended to benefit the general public; use of the resources of this
corporation for the creation, development and promotion of works of literature,
music, visual art and performance art (not including works of art offered for
sale by or used in the promotion of a for-profit business); and links from a
personal web page on obscure.org to a business web page on another server.
ARTICLE 35
DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. NUMBER,
ELECTION, AND TERM
The corporation shall have
five directors and collectively they shall be known as the Board of Directors. The
corporation shall have five directors who shall be elected by the members by
written ballot. Directors may be
elected at the annual meeting of
members or by mail ballot, at the discretion and direction of the board of
directors. The candidates receiving the
highest number of votes up to the number of directors to be elected shall be
elected. Directors shall serve one year
terms or until their successors
are elected. Directors may be reelected
for any number of terms, consecutive or otherwise.
SECTION
2. VACANCIES
Any
vacancy on the board of directors shall be filled by vote of the remaining
members of the board of directors in office.
Any director
may resign effective upon giving written notice to the Chairperson of the
Board, the President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors, unless the
notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. No
director may resign if the corporation would then be left without a duly
elected director or directors in charge of its affairs, except upon notice to
the Office of the Attorney General or other appropriate agency of this state.
Directors
may be removed from office, with or without cause, as permitted by and in
accordance with the laws of this state.
SECTION 23.
QUALIFICATIONS
Directors shall be of the
age of majority in this state. Other qualifications for directors of this
corporation shall be as follows: Any member of the corporation in good standing who
is of the age of majority in this state may qualify to serve as a director of
the corporation.Any
natural person may serve as a director.
SECTION 34.
POWERS
The
Board of Directors is the policy-making body and may exercise all the powers
and authority granted to the Corporation by law.Subject
to the provisions of the laws of this state and any limitations in the Articles
of Incorporation and these Bylaws relating to action required or permitted to
be taken or approved by the members, if any, of this corporation, the
activities and affairs of this corporation shall be conducted and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 45.
DUTIES
It shall be the duty of the
directors to:
(a) Perform any and all duties imposed on them collectively or individually by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws;
(b) Appoint and remove,
employ and discharge, and, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws,
prescribe the duties and fix the compensation, if any, of all officers, agents
and employees of the corporation;
(c) Supervise all officers,
agents and employees of the corporation to assure that their duties are
performed properly;
(d) Meet at such times and places
as required by these Bylaws;
(e) Register their addresses
with the Secretary of the corporation, and notices of meetings mailed (by
postal mail or electronic mail) to them at such addresses shall be valid
notices thereof.
SECTION
5. TERM OF OFFICE
Each
director shall hold office for a period of one year and until his or her
successor is elected and qualifies.
SECTION 6. COMPENSATION
Directors
shall serve without compensation with the exception that expenses incurred in
the furtherance of the Corporation’s business are allowed to be reimbursed with
documentation and prior approval. In
addition, Directors serving the organization in any other capacity are allowed
to receive compensation therefore.Directors
shall serve without compensation except that a reasonable fee may be paid to
directors for attending regular and special meetings of the board. In addition,
they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties.
SECTION 7. PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings shall be held at
the principal office of the corporation unless otherwise provided by the board
or at such other place as may be designated from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8. REGULAR MEETINGS
The Board
of Directors shall hold at least four (4) regular meetings per calendar
year. Meetings shall be at such dates,
times and places as the Board shall determine.Regular
meetings of Directors shall be held on the first Saturday of January, April,
July, and October at 2 PM.
If this
corporation makes no provision for members, then, at the regular meeting of
directors held on the first Saturday in October, directors shall be elected by
the Board of Directors. Voting for the election of directors shall be by written
ballot. Each director shall cast one vote per candidate, and may vote for as
many candidates as the number of candidates to be elected to the board. The
candidates receiving the highest number of votes up to the number of directors
to be elected shall be elected to serve on the board.
SECTION 9. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the
Board of Directors may be called by the
Chairperson of the Board, the President, the Vice-President, the
Secretary, by any two directors, or, if different, by the persons specifically
authorized under the laws of this state to call special meetings of the board.
Such meetings shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or, if
different, at the place designated by the person or persons calling the special
meeting.
SECTION 10. NOTICE OF
MEETINGS
The
Secretary or President of the corporation will
provide at least forty-eight (48) hours notice
mailed, emailed, telephoned, or telegraphed to each member of the Board before
each meeting.Unless
otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
provisions of law, the following provisions shall govern the giving of notice
for meetings of the board of directors:
(a)
Regular Meetings. No notice need be given of any regular meeting of the board of
directors.
(b)
Special Meetings. At least one week prior notice shall be given by the
Secretary of the corporation to each director of each special meeting of the
board. Such notice may be oral or written, may be given personally, by first
class mail, by electronic mail, or by telephone, and shall state the place,
date and time of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted upon at the
meeting. In the case of electronic mail, the director to be contacted shall
acknowledge personal receipt of the electronic mail notice by a return message
or telephone call within twenty four hours of the first electronic mail
transmission.
(c)
Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given to
any director of this corporation under provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the law of this state, a waiver of notice in
writing signed by the director, whether before or after the time of the
meeting, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice.
SECTION 11. QUORUM FOR
MEETINGS
A quorum shall consist of three a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors.
Except as otherwise provided
under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, no
business shall be considered by the board at any meeting at which the required
quorum is not present, and the only motion which the Chair shall entertain at
such meeting is a motion to adjourn.
SECTION 12. MAJORITY ACTION
AS BOARD ACTION
Every act or decision done
or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which
a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors, unless the Articles
of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law require a greater
percentage or different voting rules for approval of a matter by the board.
SECTION 13. CONDUCT OF
MEETINGS
Meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be presided over by the Chairperson
of the Board, or, if no such person has been so designated or, in his or her
absence, the President of the corporation or, in his or her absence,
by the Vice President of the corporation or, in the absence of each of these
persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the directors present at the
meeting. The Secretary of the corporation shall act as secretary of all
meetings of the board, provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding
officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting.
Meetings shall be governed
by Roberts Rules of Order, insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or
in conflict with the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or with
provisions of law.
SECTION
14. VACANCIES
Vacancies
on the Board of Directors shall exist (1) on the death, resignation or removal
of any director, and (2) whenever the number of authorized directors is increased.
Any
director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the Chairperson of
the Board, the President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors, unless the
notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. No
director may resign if the corporation would then be left without a duly
elected director or directors in charge of its affairs, except upon notice to
the Office of the Attorney General or other appropriate agency of this state.
Directors
may be removed from office, with or without cause, as permitted by and in
accordance with the laws of this state.
Unless
otherwise prohibited by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or
provisions of law, vacancies on the board may be filled by approval of the
board of directors. If the number of directors then in office is less than a
quorum, a vacancy on the board may be filled by approval of a majority of the
directors then in office or by a sole remaining director. A person elected to
fill a vacancy on the board shall hold office until the next election of the
Board of Directors or until his or her death, resignation or removal from
office.
SECTION 1514.
NONLIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
The directors shall not be
personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the
corporation.
SECTION 1615. INDEMNIFICATION
BY CORPORATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The directors and officers
of the corporation shall may be
indemnified by the corporation to the fullest extent permissible under the laws
of this state.
SECTION 1716.
INSURANCE FOR CORPORATE AGENTS
Except as may be otherwise provided under provisions of law, the Board of Directors may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation (including a director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation) against liabilities asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or provisions of law.
ARTICLE 46
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF
OFFICERS
The officers of the
corporation shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
The corporation may also have a
Chairperson of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant
Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, and other such officers with such titles as
may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. QUALIFICATIONS
Any person may serve as
officer of this corporation.
SECTION 3. ELECTION AND TERM
OF OFFICE
Officers shall be elected by
the Board of Directors, at any time, and each officer shall hold office until
he or she resigns or is removed or is otherwise disqualified to serve, or until
his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 4. REMOVAL AND
RESIGNATION
Any officer may be removed,
either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors, at any time. Any
officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of
Directors or to the President or Secretary of the corporation. Any such
resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any
later date specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. The
above provisions of this Section shall be superseded by any conflicting terms
of a contract which has been approved or ratified by the Board of Directors
relating to the employment of any officer of the corporation.
SECTION 5. VACANCIES
Any vacancy caused by the
death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, of any officer
shall be filled by the Board of Directors. In the event of a vacancy in any
office other than that of President, such vacancy may be filled temporarily by
appointment by the President until such time as the Board shall fill the
vacancy. Vacancies occurring in offices of officers appointed at the discretion
of the board may or may not be filled as the board shall determine.
SECTION 6. DUTIES OF
PRESIDENT
The President shall be the
chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of
the Board of Directors, supervise and control the affairs of the corporation
and the activities of the officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident
to his or her office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be prescribed from
time to time by the Board of Directors. Unless
another person is specifically appointed as Chairperson of the Board of
Directors, the The President shall preside at all meetings
of the Board of Directors and, if this corporation has members, at all meetings
of the members. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, by the Articles
of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, he or she shall, in the name of the
corporation, execute such deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, checks, or other
instruments which may from time to time be authorized by the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 7. DUTIES OF VICE
PRESIDENT
In the absence of the
President, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice
President shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the
President. The Vice President shall have other powers and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by
these Bylaws, or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8. DUTIES OF
SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
Certify and keep at the
principal office of the corporation the original, or a copy, of these Bylaws as
amended or otherwise altered to date.
Keep at the principal office
of the corporation or at such other place as the board may determine, a book of
minutes of all meetings of the directors, and, if applicable, meetings of
committees of directors and of members, recording therein the time and place of
holding, whether regular or special, how called, how notice thereof was given,
the names of those present or represented at the meeting, and the proceedings
thereof.
See that all notices are
duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by
law.
Be custodian of the records
and of the seal of the corporation and affix the seal, as authorized by law or
the provisions of these Bylaws, to duly executed documents of the corporation.
Keep at the principal office
of the corporation a membership book containing the name and address of each
and any members, and, in the case where any membership has been terminated, he
or she shall record such fact in the membership book together with the date on
which such membership ceased.
Exhibit at all reasonable
times to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent or attorney,
on request therefor, the Bylaws, the membership book, and the minutes of the
proceedings of the directors of the corporation.
In general, perform all
duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be
required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which
may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 9. DUTIES OF
TREASURER
The Treasurer shall:
Have charge and custody of,
and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the corporation, and
deposit all such funds in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust
companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of
Directors.
Receive, and give receipt
for, monies due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever.
Disburse, or cause to be
disbursed, the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the Board of
Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements.
Keep and maintain adequate
and correct accounts of the corporation's properties and business transactions,
including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains
and losses.
Exhibit at all reasonable
times the books of account and financial records to any director of the
corporation, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefor.
Render to the President and
directors, whenever requested, an account of any or all of his or her
transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.
Prepare, or cause to be
prepared, and certify, or cause to be certified, the financial statements to be
included in any required reports.
In general, perform all
duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be
required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, or by
these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the
Board of Directors.
SECTION 10. COMPENSATION
The salaries of the
officers, if any, shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board
of Directors. In all cases, any salaries received by officers of this
corporation shall be reasonable and given in return for services actually rendered
to or for the corporation.
ARTICLE 57
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors may,
by a majority vote of its members, designate an Executive Committee consisting
of two or more board members and may delegate to such committee the powers and
authority of the board in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation, to the extent permitted, and except as may otherwise be provided,
by provisions of law.
By a majority vote of its
members, the board may at any time revoke or modify any or all of the Executive
Committee authority so delegated, increase or decrease but not below two (2)
the number of the members of the Executive Committee, and fill vacancies on the
Executive Committee from the members of the board. The Executive Committee
shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings, cause them to be filed with the
corporate records, and report the same to the board from time to time as the
board may require.
SECTION 2. OTHER COMMITTEES
The corporation shall have such
other committees as may from time to time be designated by resolution of the
Board of Directors. These committees may consist of persons who are not also
members of the board and shall act in an advisory capacity to the board.
SECTION 3. MEETINGS AND
ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and action of
committees shall be governed by, noticed, held and taken in accordance with the
provisions of these Bylaws concerning meetings of the Board of Directors, with
such changes in the context of such Bylaw provisions as are necessary to
substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its
members, except that the time for regular and special meetings of committees
may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the committee. The Board
of Directors may also adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of
meetings of committees to the extent that such rules and regulations are not
inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE 68
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS,
DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
SECTION 1. EXECUTION OF
INSTRUMENTS
The Board of Directors,
except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may by resolution authorize any
officer or agent of the corporation to enter into any contract or execute and
deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and
such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so
authorized, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to
bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or
to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount.
SECTION 2. CHECKS AND NOTES
Except as otherwise
specifically determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as
otherwise required by law, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the
payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the corporation shall
be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President of the
corporation.
SECTION 3. DEPOSITS
All funds of the corporation
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such
banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may
select.
SECTION 4. GIFTS
The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the nonprofit purposes of this corporation.
ARTICLE 79
CORPORATE RECORDS, REPORTS
AND SEAL
SECTION 1. MAINTENANCE OF
CORPORATE RECORDS
The corporation shall keep
at its principal office:
(a) Minutes of all meetings
of directors, committees of the board and, if this corporation has members, of
all meetings of members, indicating the time and place of holding such
meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice given, and the
names of those present and the proceedings thereof;
(b) Adequate and correct
books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business
transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements,
gains and losses;
(c) A record of its members,
if any, indicating their names and addresses and, if applicable, the class of
membership held by each member and the termination date of any membership;
(d) A copy of the
corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date, which
shall be open to inspection by the members, if any, of the corporation at all
reasonable times during office hours.
SECTION 2. CORPORATE SEAL
The Board of Directors may
adopt, use, and at will alter, a corporate seal. Such seal shall be kept at the
principal office of the corporation. Failure to affix the seal to corporate
instruments, however, shall not affect the validity of any such instrument.
SECTION 3. DIRECTORS'
INSPECTION RIGHTS
Every director shall have
the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books,
records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of
the corporation and shall have such other rights to inspect the books, records
and properties of this corporation as may be required under the Articles of
Incorporation, other provisions of these Bylaws, and provisions of law.
SECTION 4. MEMBERS'
INSPECTION RIGHTS
The
corporation shall make available to all members in good standing, during normal
business hours, corporate records as required by the laws of the State of
Virginia.If this corporation has any members, then each and
every member shall have the following inspection rights, for a purpose
reasonably related to such person's interest as a member:
(a) To
inspect and copy the record of all members' names, addresses and voting rights,
at reasonable times, upon written demand on the Secretary of the corporation,
which demand shall state the purpose for which the inspection rights are
requested.
(b) To
obtain from the Secretary of the corporation, upon written demand on, and
payment of a reasonable charge to, the Secretary of the corporation, a list of
the names, addresses and voting rights of those members entitled to vote for
the election of directors as of the most recent record date for which the list
has been compiled or as of the date specified by the member subsequent to the
date of demand. The demand shall state the purpose for which the list is
requested. The membership list shall be made within a reasonable time after the
demand is received by the Secretary of the corporation or after the date
specified therein as of which the list is to be compiled.
(c) To
inspect at any reasonable time the books, records, or minutes of proceedings of
the members or of the board or committees of the board, upon written demand on
the Secretary of the corporation by the member, for a purpose reasonably
related to such person's interests as a member.
Members
shall have such other rights to inspect the books, records and properties of
this corporation as may be required under the Articles of Incorporation, other
provisions of these Bylaws, and provisions of law.
SECTION
5. RIGHT TO COPY AND MAKE EXTRACTS
Any
inspection under the provisions of this Article may be made in person or by
agent or attorney and the right to inspection shall include the right to copy
and make extracts.
SECTION
6. PERIODIC REPORT
The
board shall cause any annual or periodic report required under law to be
prepared and delivered to an office of this state or to the members, if any, of
this corporation, to be so prepared and delivered within the time limits set by
law.
ARTICLE
8
IRC
501(c)(3) TAX EXEMPTION PROVISIONSRULES FOR USE
OF CORPORATE RESOURCES
SECTION
1. LIMITATIONS ON ACTIVITIES
No
substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall be the carrying on
of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation [except as
otherwise provided by Section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code], and this
corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing
or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of, or in
opposition to, any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding
any other provisions of these Bylaws, this corporation shall not carry on any
activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from
federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b)
by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
SECTION
2. PROHIBITION AGAINST PRIVATE INUREMENT
No part
of the net earnings of this corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be
distributable to, its members, directors or trustees, officers, or other
private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered
to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of the purposes of this corporation.
SECTION
3. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS
Upon the
dissolution of this corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or
provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall
be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section
510(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or shall be distributed to the federal
government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Such
distribution shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of the
laws of this state.
SECTION
4. PRIVATE FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS
In any
taxable year in which this corporation is a private foundation as described in
Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the corporation 1) shall
distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject
it to tax under Section 4942 of the Internal Revenue Code; 2) shall not engage
in any act of self-dealing as defined in Section 4941(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code; 3) shall not retain any excess business holdings as defined in
Section 4943(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; 4) shall not make any investments
in such manner as to subject the corporation to tax under Section 4944 of the
Internal Revenue Code; and 5) shall not make any taxable expenditures as
defined in Section 4945(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SECTON 5.
BUSINESS USE
The
resources of this corporation are not to be used for creation or maintenance of
a for-profit business. The following
are prohibited uses of obscure.org: use of obscure.org as the primary e-mail
account for a for-profit business; use of the obscure.org e-mail address on
business cards, business letterhead, or business advertising used by a
for-profit business; posting advertising for a for-profit business to
newsgroups from an obscure.org account; and maintenance of web pages on
obscure.org advertising a for-profit business. The following are permitted: maintenance of a resume on the
obscure.org server; use of an obscure.org e-mail address for job searches, or
on a resume; use of the resources of this corporation for scientific and technological
research intended to benefit the general public; use of the resources of this
corporation for the creation, development and promotion of works of literature,
music, visual art and performance art (not including works of art offered for
sale by or used in the promotion of a for-profit business); and links from a
personal web page on obscure.org to a business web page on another server.
ARTICLE 910
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT
These
Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of a quorum of members in good
standing at a meeting or by mail ballot.Subject
to the power of the members, if any, of this corporation to adopt, amend or
repeal the Bylaws of this corporation and except as may otherwise be specified
under provisions of law, these Bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended,
or repealed and new Bylaws adopted by approval of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 1011
CONSTRUCTION AND TERMS
If there is any conflict
between the provisions of these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation of
this corporation, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall govern.
Should any of the provisions
or portions of these Bylaws be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason,
the remaining provisions and portions of these Bylaws shall be unaffected by
such holding.
All references in these
Bylaws to the Articles of Incorporation shall be to the Articles of
Incorporation, Articles of Organization, Certificate of Incorporation,
Organizational Charter, Corporate Charter, or other founding document of this
corporation filed with an office of this state and used to establish the legal
existence of this corporation.
All references in these
Bylaws to a section or sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be to such
sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to time, or
to corresponding provisions of any future federal tax code.
ARTICLE
11
MEMBERS
SECTION
1. DETERMINATION AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
The
corporation shall have only one class of members. No member shall hold more
than one membership in the corporation. Except as expressly provided in or
authorized by the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws of this corporation, or
provisions of law, all memberships shall have the same rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions.
SECTION
2. QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS
The
qualifications for membership in this corporation are as follows: Any natural
person may be a member of this corporation.
SECTION
3. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
Applicants
shall be admitted to membership after submitting an application containing the
applicant's full legal name, the applicant's postal address, and payment of
membership dues.
SECTION
4. FEES AND DUES
(a) The
following fee shall be charged for making application for membership in the
corporation: $20.00.
(b) The
annual dues payable to the corporation by members shall be $20.00.
SECTION
5. NUMBER OF MEMBERS
There is
no limit on the number of members the corporation may admit.
SECTION
6. MEMBERSHIP BOOK
The
corporation shall keep a membership book containing the name and address of
each member. Termination of the membership of any member shall be recorded in
the book, together with the date of termination of such membership. Such book
shall be kept at the corporation's principal office.
SECTION
7. NONLIABILITY OF MEMBERS
A member
of this corporation is not, as such, personally liable for the debts,
liabilities, or obligations of the corporation.
SECTION
8. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIPS
No
member may transfer a membership or any right arising therefrom. All rights of
membership cease upon the member's death.
SECTION
9. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The
membership of a member shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(1) Upon
his or her notice of such termination delivered to the President or Secretary
of the corporation personally or by mail, such membership to terminate upon the
date of delivery of the notice or date of deposit in the mail.
(2) If
this corporation has provided for the payment of dues by members, upon a
failure to renew his or her membership by paying dues on or before their due
date, such termination to be effective thirty (30) days after a written
notification of delinquency is given personally or mailed to such member by the
Secretary of the corporation. A member may avoid such termination by paying the
amount of delinquent dues within a thirty (30) day period following the
member's receipt of the written notification of delinquency.
(3)
After providing the member with reasonable written notice and an opportunity to
be heard either orally or in writing, upon a determination by the Board of
Directors that the member has engaged in conduct materially and seriously
prejudicial to the interests or purposes of the corporation. Any person
expelled from the corporation shall receive a refund of dues already paid for
the current dues period.
All
rights of a member in the corporation shall cease on termination of membership
as herein provided.
ARTICLE
12
MEETINGS
OF MEMBERS
SECTION
1. PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings
of members shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or at such
other place or places as may be designated from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Directors.
SECTION
2. REGULAR MEETINGS
A
regular meeting of members shall be held on the first Saturday of October of
every year, at 12 Noon, for the purpose of electing directors and transacting
other business as may come before the meeting. The
candidates receiving the highest number of votes up to the number of directors
to be elected shall be elected. Each voting member shall cast one vote, with
voting being by ballot only. The annual meeting of members for the purpose of
electing directors shall be deemed a regular meeting.
SECTION
3. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Special
meetings of the members shall be called by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board, or the President of the corporation, or, if different, by the persons specifically
authorized under the laws of this state to call special meetings of the
members.
SECTION
4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Unless
otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
provisions of law, notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and,
in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting
is called, shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than fifty (50)
days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the
direction of the President, or the Secretary, or the persons calling the
meeting, to each member entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such
notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail
addressed to the member at his or her address as it appears on the records of
the corporation, with postage prepaid. Personal notification includes notification
by telephone or by electronic mail, provided however, in the case of electronic
mail notification, the member to be contacted shall acknowledge personal
receipt of the electronic mail notice by a return message or telephone call
within seventy two hours of the first electronic mail transmission.
The
notice of any meeting of members at which directors are to be elected shall
also state the names of all those who are nominees or candidates for election
to the board at the time notice is given.
Whenever
any notice of a meeting is required to be given to any member of this
corporation under provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
the law of this state, a waiver of notice in writing signed by the member,
whether before or after the time of the meeting, shall be equivalent to the
giving of such notice.
SECTION
5. QUORUM FOR MEETINGS
A quorum
shall consist of ten (10) percent of the voting members of the corporation.
Except
as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
provisions of law, no business shall be considered by the members at any
meeting at which the required quorum is not present, and the only motion which
the Chair shall entertain at such meeting is a motion to adjourn.
SECTION
6. MAJORITY ACTION AS MEMBERSHIP ACTION
Every
act or decision done or made by a majority of voting members present in person
or by proxy at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present is the act of
the members, unless the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions
of law require a greater number.
SECTION
7. VOTING RIGHTS
Each
member is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote by the
members. Voting at duly held meetings shall be by voice vote. Election of
Directors, however, shall be by written ballot.
SECTION
8. ACTION BY WRITTEN BALLOT
Except
as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or
provisions of law, any action which may be taken at any regular or special
meeting of members may be taken without a meeting if the corporation
distributes a written ballot to each member entitled to vote on the matter. The
ballot shall:
1. set
forth the proposed action;
2.
provide an opportunity to specify approval or disapproval of each proposal;
3.
indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirement and,
except for ballots soliciting votes for the election of directors, state the
percentage of approvals necessary to pass the measure submitted; and
4. shall
specify the date by which the ballot must be received by the corporation in
order to be counted. The date set shall afford members a reasonable time within
which to return the ballots to the corporation.
Ballots
shall be mailed or delivered in the manner required for giving notice of membership
meetings as specified in these bylaws.
Approval
of action by written ballot shall be valid only when the number of votes cast
by ballot within the time period specified equals or exceeds the quorum
required to be present at a meeting authorizing the action, and the number of
approvals equals or exceeds the number of votes that would be required to
approve the action at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast was the
same as the number of votes cast by ballot.
Directors
may be elected by written ballot. Such ballots for the election of directors
shall list the persons nominated at the time the ballots are mailed or
delivered.
SECTION
9. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
Meetings
of members shall be presided over by the Chairperson
of the Board, or, if there is no Chairperson or, in his or her absence, by the President of the corporation or, in his or her
absence, by the Vice President of the corporation or, in the absence of all of
these persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the voting members,
present at the meeting. The Secretary of the corporation shall act as Secretary
of all meetings of members, provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding
officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting.
Meetings
shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, as such rules may be revised from
time to time, insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or in conflict
with the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or with provisions of law.
ADOPTION OF AMENDED BYLAWS
We, the undersigned, are a
majority of the board of directors of this corporation, and we consent to, and
hereby do, adopt the foregoing amended Bylaws, consisting of 15 14 preceding
pages, as the Bylaws of this corporation.
Dated: November 9, 2002
Richard Lunson
Bullington-McGuire
Patricia Lynn
Bullington-McGuire
Daniel Brown
Philip Jones