CHAPTER CONSTITUTION - CALTECH SPACE SOCIETY

Ratified: 11.12.94

ARTICLE I. NAME, PURPOSE AND COMPOSITION SECTION 1: NAME The organization shall be named "Caltech Space Society " or "CSS" (hereafter termed "CSS") SECTION 2: PURPOSE The purposes of CSS are: to educate the Caltech community and the general public about space and the benefits of space exploration and development; to provide a forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas related to space, space exploration and the development of space for the betterment of humankind; to help the members of CSS to pursue their personal goals in space; to promote the responsible exploration and development of space. SECTION 3: COMPOSITION CSS shall be composed of its members from the Caltech community and the general public, its Executive Committee, and its Board of Advisors.

ARTICLE II. CHAPTER STRUCTURE SECTION 1: MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1.1: COMPOSITION The membership of CSS shall be the dues paying members ("full members") and the non-dues paying members ("introductory or participating members") from the Caltech community and the general public. SECTION 1.2: RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF MEMBERS All members of CSS shall be informed of upcoming events and news by whatever means of communication are necessary, invited to meetings and activities, and informed of any special projects CSS undertakes. All members have the right to speak with the Board of Advisors, the Executive Committee, and to attend meetings of those two bodies. Full Members shall receive a monthly newsletter, may attend CSS events without an admittance fee, shall be accorded full voting rights and shall have the opportunity to run for an office or be appointed to a leadership position by the Executive Committee Participating or Introductory Members shall get a 50% discount to CSS events for 1 term and may be appointed to a leadership position by the Executive Committee. SECTION 1.3: RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS Full Members of CSS shall be responsible for the conduct and actions of the leadership of CSS including the Executive Board, and will be responsible for ensuring that CSS stays a healthy and active chapter. Full Members will also be responsible for paying the dues, the amount which is set forth in the bylaws. All members of CSS are expected to follow the Caltech Honor Code as set forth by the Board of Control in dealings with each other, other groups and other individuals. SECTION 2: BOARD OF ADVISORS SECTION 2.1: COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE The Board of Advisors shall be a board of three or more senior professionals from space-related fields or industry. The purpose of the Board of Advisors is to help the chapter achieve its stated goals and provide continuity, support and guidance for the Executive Committee and the members. SECTION 2.2: RIGHTS OF THE BOARD OF ADVISORS The Board of Advisors shall receive the monthly newsletter and term-end reports by the Executive Board. Advisors may attend events without an admittance fee, may attend all meetings and activities of CSS and may attend the meetings of the Executive Committee. SECTION 2.3: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF ADVISORS The Board of Advisors shall remain in communication with the Executive Committee and assist it as necessary. The Board of Advisors shall be available for communication with the members and the leaders of CSS. The Advisors shall provide input and advice on request by the members and the Executive Committee. The Board of Advisors shall be responsible to the members of CSS. SECTION 2.4: APPOINTMENT OF ADVISORS Appointment to the Board of Advisors will take place upon approval of an individual by a majority of the members of CSS and upon receipt of that individual's signed agreement to serve on the Board of Advisors for a term, the length of which is defined in the by-laws. This term may be renewed if the chapter members and the Advisor agree to do so. Contact with potential Advisors shall be established by the Executive Committee. SECTION 3: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SECTION 3.1: PURPOSE AND COMPOSITION The purpose of the Executive Committee is to provide leadership and coordination of activities for CSS. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the following elected permanent positions or offices: Secretary Chapter Representative Treasurer Special Projects Coordinator Events Coordinator Each officer has one vote on the Executive Committee. The powers and duties of each of these permanent positions shall be delineated in the bylaws. Only full members who are of the Caltech community are eligible to hold an office. SECTION 3.2: APPOINTED POSITIONS Additional leaders may be appointed to the Executive Committee by a vote of at least 3 of the officers of the Executive Committee. These additional appointments are non-voting positions, but sit on the Executive Committee ex officio. These are not permanent positions; old appointed positions and appointees must be voted upon by the new Executive Committee each year. Appointees and their positions may be terminated at any time by an unanimous vote of the rest of the Executive Committee. SECTION 3.3: ELECTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE All candidates for the Executive Committee must be Full Members of CSS from the Caltech community only and must declare their intent to run before the initiation of voting at the election meeting. Voting procedures are detailed in the bylaws. Special Elections: In the case that an officer of CSS leaves, resigns, or is recalled by the membership, there will be a special election scheduled. Procedures are detailed in the bylaws. SECTION 3.4: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee has the duty of originating, organizing and completing any chapter project or event. A 3/5 majority of the Executive Committee is required for approval of any Executive Committee action, except when expressly contravened by other sections of this constitution. The Executive Committee shall be responsible to the membership of CSS for any and all Executive Committee actions. The Executive Committee is not allowed to engage in deficit spending. The Executive Committee, through the Secretary, shall report on progress and business conducted by the Executive Committee at regularly scheduled meetings defined in the bylaws. The Executive Committee, through the Chapter Representative, shall keep SEDS-USA and NSS and affiliated Regional Organizations informed of any local activities and news, and will pay all required dues to both National bodies. The Executive Committee shall also keep the members of CSS informed of National and Regional projects and events, and encourage participation in them. SECTION 3.5: ACTIONS REQUIRING FULL VOTE OF CSS The Executive Committee shall bring major Executive Committee actions to a full vote of the voting membership of CSS. Major actions include, but are not limited to: changing National or Regional affiliations or membership, terminating a project, internal restructuring of this constitution or of the chapter itself. Additional definitions of major actions can shall be included by a majority vote of the full members of CSS. A signed petition of at least 3 members of CSS shall bring business before a full vote of the voting membership of CSS. All powers not expressly given to the Executive Committee in this constitution are reserved for the membership of CSS. SECTION 3.6: RECALLING AN OFFICER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Recall proceedings will begin on an officer of the Executive Committee if: The officer fails to complete his or her duties without notifying the Executive Committee At least a 3/4 majority of the rest of the Executive Committee and 3 supporting CSS full members petition in writing to begin recall proceedings. The petitioning group must provide reasons for recall which the officer in question may debate, if he or she so desires. When debate has ceased, voting on the petition may begin. A 2/3 majority of the full members of CSS, including the Executive Committee and the officer in question, is required for recall of the officer. At least one week but no more than a month after the voting has ceased, there will be a special election to determine that officer's replacement as per Section 3.3c.

ARTICLE III. TREASURY SECTION 1: SOURCES OF FUNDS CSS shall be funded from the following sources: Chapter dues Donations by individuals or organizations Annual campus group funding Group fundraising activities SECTION 2: STORAGE AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS The Chapter's funds shall be kept in one checking account and one savings account at a bank or credit union listed in the bylaws. The funds will be disbursed as deemed necessary by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. All disbursement checks must be signed by the Treasurer and one other member of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV. RELATIONS WITH OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS SECTION 1: CALTECH CSS shall abide by all Institute policies concerning organizations on campus and will abide by all policies of the Associated Students of California Institute of Technology (ASCIT). SECTION 2: OFF-CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS All communication between CSS and the officers or leaders of other organizations shall be conducted through the Executive Committee, the Chapter Representative or a designate thereof. The Executive Committee, the Chapter Representative or a designate thereof will also coordinate joint projects with said groups. SECTION 3: NSS AND SEDS-USA CSS shall be a joint chapter of the National Space Society (NSS) and the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, United States of America (SEDS-USA). CSS shall pay all required dues by the deadlines set by each national organization. CSS will also remain in communication as required by each national organization.

ARTICLE V. AFFILIATIONS SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AUTHORITY The Executive Committee has the authority to propose contracts of affiliation between CSS and public or private organizations. The Executive Committee must make available copies of the contract and post it publicly to all communications systems in current use at least 2 weeks before the voting on the proposal begins. SECTION 2: BINDING OF CSS These contracts, upon ratification by a 2/3 majority of the voting members of CSS, shall become binding upon CSS according to the terms contained therein. No other group affiliates of CSS will have authority in the policy or administration of CSS. SECTION 3: RENEWING OF CONTRACTS When these contracts expire, they may be renewed by a 2/3 majority of the voting membership of CSS, if the outside organization so desires.

ARTICLE VI. MERGERS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AUTHORITY The Executive Committee has the authority to propose mergers of CSS with any other outside organization. The Executive Committee must make available copies of the merger contract and post it publicly to all internal communications systems at least 3 weeks before the voting on the proposal begins. In addition, the entire Executive Committee must sponsor a discussion session with the members of CSS before voting begins. SECTION 2: VOTING AND BINDING OF CSS These mergers, upon ratification by a 3/4 majority of the full members of CSS, shall become binding upon CSS according to the terms contained therein.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS SECTION 1: PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENTS Amendments to this constitution may be introduced by any three full members of CSS or at least one Executive Committee member. They must be publicly posted in all internal communications systems at least 2 weeks before voting begins. SECTION 2: VOTING AND AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION Upon ratification of the by a 2/3 majority of the full members of CSS, this constitution will be amended by the terms of the proposal being voted upon.

ARTICLE VIII. BYLAWS SECTION 1: PURPOSE The purpose of the bylaws are to allow for flexibility and in definition for actions that are primarily the concern of only the Executive Committee. Any definitions of specific actions are included here, in order to facilitate easier changes as needed. SECTION 2: AUTHORITY OF THE BYLAWS The Bylaws are to be considered part of this constitution and have the same weight of law as this constitution. If there is a conflict between the bylaws and the rest of the constitution, the constitution supersedes the authority of the bylaws. SECTION 3: REVISION OF BYLAWS Any new bylaw, or changes to the existing bylaws, must be approved by at least 4 of the 5 members of Executive Committee. The membership may override any action concerning the bylaws by a simple majority vote.

ARTICLE IX. DEFINITIONS

Rules of Procedure: The rules of procedure shall be Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, except where they are in conflict with the constitution or bylaws, in which case the constitution or bylaws supersedes these rules.

Majority Vote:: More than half of all those eligible to vote.
2/3 Majority Vote:: More than 2/3 of all those eligible to vote.
3/4 Majority Vote:: More than 3/4 of all those eligible to vote.

cherish@cco.caltech.edu