Constitution

ARTICLE I: The name of this organization shall be the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society, Inc. (hereafter referred to as the CDS).

ARTICLE II: The purpose of the organization shall be the same as that of the National Speleological Society (hereafter referred to as NSS), with the additional purpose of organizing NSS members who are interested in cave diving so that they may better promote the objectives of the NSS. These objectives include 1) promotion of the conservation, exploration, and study of underwater caves; and 2) education for increased awareness, safety, and skill in cave diving.

ARTICLE III: Membership in the CDS Section will be limited to current members of the NSS.

ARTICLE IV: The CDS Section shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven (7) members who must be current members of the CDS Section. Six (6) members of the Board shall be elected by the general membership of the CDS Section, three each year, for a term of two years. The seventh member of the Board, who shall also serve as the Training Chairman Director, shall be an active cave diver instructor and shall be elected biennially by those active cave and cavern diving instructors sanctioned certified by the CDS Section and current with the CDS. The Board shall annually elect, from its members, the officers of the CDS Section. These officers shall consist of 1) Chairman, 2) Vice-Chairman, 3) Secretary, 4) Treasurer, and 5) Leadership Director. If appropriate during any year, two officer roles may be combined and filled by a single board member. Any combined roles would have to be reaffirmed each year.

ARTICLE V: The Board shall meet a minimum of once each quarter at such times and places as it deems appropriate, with a December/January meeting for the installation of new Directors. The terms of new members of the Board shall commence at the December/January meeting.

ARTICLE VI: The election of new members of the Board shall be conducted annually by written ballot sent to the entire membership prior to November 15th of each year. The results of the election shall be announced at the December/January Meeting. The Board shall solicit nominations for members of the Board from the membership through Underwater Speleology or direct mailing prior to October 15th of each year.

ARTICLE VII: The Board shall have the power and responsibility to conduct the business of the Section CDS including financial, policy, organizational, and operational matters. The powers and responsibilities of the Board of Directors of the CDS Section shall be further specified within the Bylaws of this Constitution. Directors of the CDS shall be held harmless and not personally responsible for actions taken on behalf of the CDS provided the Directors were acting in good faith and within the limits of the law and the Bylaws of the CDS.

ARTICLE VIII: A petition signed by one eighth fourth (1/84) of the membership of the CDS Section will require that the Board hold a mandatory special meeting for the purpose(s) addressed in the petition. This meeting shall be carried out within 45 days of receipt of the petition.

ARTICLE IX: This Constitution may be added to or amended by approval of greater than two thirds (2/3) of the membership of the CDS who cast ballots Section on a written ballot following a minimum of sixty (60) days written notice to all members. A minimum of one fifth (1/5) of the total membership must cast ballots to qualify as a valid polling of the CDS Section. Written notice of proposed amendments must be provided to all members either by direct mail or via Underwater Speleology a minimum of sixty (60) days before the ballots are mailed. Mailing of proposed amendments in either manner shall constitute due notice, as of the date of delivery of materials to the Postal Service. Amendments may be proposed by the Board or by a written petition of one eighth (1/8) of the membership. The same procedures shall be required for amending or changing the Bylaws of the CDS Section.

ARTICLE X: The Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society shall be incorporated as a tax-exempt, under the provisions of Section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Service code, non-profit organization with its Charter filed in the State of Florida and shall operate within the laws and regulations of this State.

ARTICLE XI: The Constitution and Bylaws of the NSS shall be binding on the CDS Section. Any actions of the Board, CDS, or its agents inconsistent therewith will be illegal; therefore, null and void.

ARTICLE XII: The life of the CDS Section shall be perpetual or until terminated by greater than two thirds (2/3) of the voting membership upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIII: Any property of the CDS Section shall revert to the NSS in the event of the dissolution of the CDS Section.