Our By Laws

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By-Laws of the Marine Aquarist’s Association of South Texas

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the organization shall be Marine Aquarist’s Association of South Texas, Inc.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE, OFFICE AND FISCAL YEAR

Section 1. Purpose

Paragraph 1: The purposes of the organization are:

1. To encourage the growth of the marine aquarium hobby in South Texas.
2. To educate and inform members and the public about care, keeping and propagation of marine fish and invertebrates.
3. To prevent abuse to marine animals in general, and to conserve the marine environment by promoting intelligent, planned reef management systems.
4. To promote higher standards of health and care provided by local commercial outlets.
5. To organize workshops, seminars and discussions related to all aspects of the hobby.
6. To raise or generate funds and create financial resources to meet the goals.
7. To coordinate with and support similar societies devoted to like-minded interests.

Section 2. Registered Office

Paragraph 1: Principal Office. The Principal office of the organization in the State of Texas shall be located in the City of San Antonio, County of Bexar. The organization may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Texas, as the Board of Directors may determine or as the affairs of the organization may require from time to time.

Paragraph 2: Registered Office and Registered Agent. The organization shall have and continuously maintain in the State of Texas a registered office, and a registered agent whose office is identical with such registered office, as required by the Texas Non-Profit Organization Act. The registered office may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office of the organization in the State of Texas, and the address of the registered office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Fiscal Year

Paragraph 1: The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on the first day of January in each year and end on the last day of December in each year.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility for Membership

Paragraph 1: Membership in the organization shall be open to all persons interested in the purposes and goals of the organization.

Section 2. Types of Membership

Paragraph 1: Membership in the organization shall be classified as follows:

a. Full Individual Membership - Persons who have paid the organization dues and are in good standing. Membership benefits accrue to only the individual.
b. Junior Individual Membership - Persons who have paid the organization dues and are in good standing but under the age of 18.
c. Sponsor Membership - Persons who are in good standing and represent a storefront or online business devoted to the sale and/or manufacturing of goods, or livestock for the aquaria trade.
d. Commercial Membership - Persons who are in good standing and represent a storefront or online business that is not devoted to the sale and/or trade of goods, or livestock for the aquaria trade.

Section 3. Rights and Privileges of Membership

Paragraph 1: All Full Individual members in good standing shall be entitled to the following:

a. A membership card, this card shall be a receipt for payment of dues.
b. A copy of the By-Laws.
c. Notification of all changes to the By-Laws adopted after the member’s initial day of membership.
d. The right to participate in all the general activities of the organization.
e. Eligibility for appointment as a member of any committee of the organization.
f. Eligibility for appointment to head any committee of the organization.
g. The right to nominate and vote on the election of the officers of the organization and such other issues as are put to vote.
h. The right to be nominated for and elected to any office of the organization.

Paragraph 2: All Junior Individual members in good standing shall be entitled to the following:

a. A membership card, this card shall be a receipt for payment of dues.
b. A copy of the By-Laws.
c. Notification of all changes to the By-Laws adopted after the member’s initial day of membership.
d. The right to participate in all the general activities of the organization.
e. Eligibility for appointment as a member of any committee of the organization.

Paragraph 3: All Sponsor/Commercial members in good standing shall be entitled to the following:

a. A membership card, this card shall be a receipt for payment of dues.
b. A copy of the By-Laws.
c. Notification of all changes to the By-Laws adopted after the member’s initial day of membership.
d. The right to participate in all the general activities of the organization.
e. Eligibility for appointment as a member of any committee of the organization.
f. Eligibility for appointment to head any committee of the organization.
g. The right to nominate and vote on the election of the officers of the organization and such other issues as are put to vote.
h. Are not elegible for a board or officer position.