Supporting Excellent Science Teaching for GeorgiaConstitution of the Georgia Science Teachers Association
Approved September 2023
PREAMBLE
The Georgia Science Teachers Association is an incorporated non-profit association of professional science teachers whose primary aims shall be to encourage the development of science interests and abilities as a vital part of the total educational development of the student. The science teacher of today must be at once a dedicated professional educator, aware of the philosophy and function of education and of current practices therein; an enlightened citizen in terms of knowledge, understandings, appreciations, and behavior; competent in scientific endeavors, capable of making science a living force in the lives of children.
The aims of this Association shall be to cooperate with and support organizations and agencies which strive to improve science and science education, to encourage science teachers to participate actively in their professional communities and collaborate with local, regional and state science educators, to provide for administrators’ understanding and acceptance of the aims and objectives of this Association, to encourage an adequate pre-service and in-service training program for science teachers, and to act as a professional clearing house for science teaching (instruction, outreach and challenges facing science education) of local and national significance.
Article I – MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Regular Member. The regular membership shall consist of those professional educators who are primarily concerned with science teaching in a K-12 public/private school or college/university setting or who train and/or supervise science teachers such as those at a local, regional or state education agency. Full association rights and privileges, to include the right to vote and hold elective office, are afforded to the regular member.
Section B. Associate Member. The associate membership shall consist of those persons supportive of or associated with science teaching but whose responsibilities are not primarily those of the professional science educator. An Associate Member does not have the right to vote, nor is the member able to hold elective office in the Association but may be eligible for appointive office.
Section C. Student Member. All full time students enrolled in a science education program at any college or university of the state pursuing initial certification shall be eligible for student membership. Full Association rights and privileges are afforded to the student member.
Section D. Retired Member. The retired membership shall consist of those retired professional educators who were primarily concerned with science teaching in a K-12 public/private school or college/university setting or training and/or supervising science teachers. Full Association rights and privileges are afforded to the retired member.
Section E. Honorary Member. The status of Honorary Member of the Georgia Science Teachers Association may be awarded as recognition for outstanding service to the Association and/or science education by persons not directly involved in science education. Honorary Members do not have the right to vote, nor are they able to hold elective office in the Association.
Section F. Lifetime Member. The status of Lifetime Member of the Georgia Science Teachers Association may be awarded in recognition for outstanding service to the Association and/or science education as a recipient of the Dallas Stewart Award. Full Association rights and privileges are afforded to the lifetime member.
Section G. Membership Procedures. One becomes a Regular, Associate, Student, or Retired Member by applying to the Association and paying an assessed fee commensurate with the membership status for a membership year that runs one year from the date of the current paid membership. GSTA provides membership options of one-, two-, or three-year terms. The membership term begins when the application form and fee are received by GSTA. Honorary and Lifetime Membership will be granted by the Board for an indefinite term and can only be terminated by a vote of the Board. Membership is not transferable.
Article II - STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section A. Board of Directors. The decision-making group for the Association is defined in Article IV, Section A, Paragraph 1, to carry out the goals and objectives of the Association. The Board is bound by the provisions of this Constitution.
Section B. Board Records. The Association is embodied in the record of proceedings of the Board of Directors and the annual meeting. The accounts shall be kept by the Executive Secretary/Treasurer.
Section C. Executive Board. The Executive Board is the leadership group for the Board of Directors and is defined by Article IV, Section B, Paragraph 1. The Executive Board is also bound by the provisions of this Constitution.
Section D. District Organization. The Association is divided into twelve (12) districts. The purpose of organizing into districts is to promote membership in the Association and to provide more and better services to individual members. The District Director represents the interests of district membership on the Board of Directors.
Section E. District Membership. District membership is determined by the location of the educator's workplace, not the educator’s personal residence.
Section F. Strategic Planning. The Association’s Strategic Plan is designed to provide a shared mission and vision through changes in leadership and allow the Association to prioritize the use of its resources. Along with this Constitution, the Strategic Plan should guide the decisions of the Board of Directors in order to ensure all Association activities are in line with and support the Association’s mission and goals. The Strategic Plan should be reviewed and revised by the full Board of Directors or by a committee appointed by the President every five years.
Section G. Position Statements. Position statements are summaries of the Association’s views regarding specific issues related to science education in the state of Georgia. These statements are reviewed annually by the Advocacy Committee, who makes recommendations to the Board. Policy statements must be approved by the Board, before being voted on by the general membership. A two-thirds majority of votes cast must be in favor of supporting each statement in order for it to be adopted as an official position of the Association.
Article III – OFFICERS
Election, Duties and Responsibilities, Terms of Office
Section A. Officers of the Georgia Science Teachers Association.
Paragraph 1. Elected officers of the Association will be the Executive Director, President, Vice-President, President-Elect, Secretary, four (4) Level Representatives and twelve (12) District Directors. The Level Representatives shall represent the levels of (1) college membership; (2) high school membership; (3) middle school membership and (4) elementary school membership. A non-elected science supervisor/coordinator, member-at-large will also serve on the Board of Directors.
Paragraph 2. The science supervisor/coordinator position shall be considered a voting member of the Board of Directors and is to be named by the Georgia Science Supervisors Association (GSSA) biannually in even numbered years. The Communications Director, Webmaster, Executive Secretary/Treasurer, and Deputy Treasurer will be appointive offices. Such appointments will be recommended annually by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.
Paragraph 3. Officers holding elective positions, except as noted below, must receive a plurality of votes cast by members on a statewide ballot and shall hold office for a term of one (1) year or two (2) years or until a successor is elected and qualified. Offices of a one (1) year term include President, President-Elect, and Executive Director. Offices of a two (2) year term include Vice-President, Secretary, District Director, and four (4) Level Representatives. The District Director must receive a plurality of votes of members in the district for which the position is sought. Odd numbered districts will elect their directors in odd-numbered years; even numbered districts in even-numbered years. The Vice-President and two (2) Level Representatives who represent (1) college membership and (2) middle school membership shall be elected in odd-numbered years. The Secretary and two (2) Level Representatives who represent (1) high school membership and (2) elementary school membership shall be elected in even-numbered years. Terms of office shall begin with the Transition Meeting held no later than May 31st of each year. The Secretary, Vice-President, District Directors and Level Representatives may serve for no more than two consecutive, elected terms in the same position. The term of appointed office shall be indeterminate and appointment shall be recommended annually by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.
Paragraph 4. To provide that some continuity of administration will be maintained, the President-Elect will succeed the President. The Vice-President will become President-Elect in the event that the person elected to this office is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office. This policy of ascendancy pertains only to the President-Elect.
Paragraph 5. In the event that the office of President is vacated during the term of office, the President-Elect will ascend to that office, fill the unexpired term, and continue in the office for one (1) full term. In the event the office of Executive Director is vacated during the term of office, the position would remain vacant for the remainder of the term. The President will fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director or appoint current board member(s) to fulfill specific duties. The President will ascend to the Executive Director position at the end of the one year Presidential term.
Paragraph 6. In the event the office of Vice-President, Secretary, District Director, or Level Representative is vacated during the term of office, the President shall appoint someone to fill the unexpired term.
Paragraph 7. Elected and appointed officers of the Association must maintain their eligibility to hold office for the duration of the term. In the event the employment and/or membership status of a Board Member changes and the officer is no longer eligible to hold office, or the board determines the officer no longer meets the requirements for the appropriate membership level, the member will vacate the position on the board. Unless otherwise stated in Paragraphs 4 and 5, the President shall appoint someone to fill the unexpired term.
Section B. Election Procedures.
Paragraph 1. The President shall, on or before November 15 each year, appoint a Nominating Chair. The Nominating Chair will convene a committee to prepare a slate of nominees, with written consent of the nominees, for those offices identified in Article III, Section A, Paragraph 1. The Nominating Chair should be neither a current Board Member nor a candidate who is running for a position on the Board.
Paragraph 2. Any member of the Georgia Science Teachers Association may submit suggested nominees for officers. These suggestions must be made in writing, must include the written consent of the potential nominee, and be received by the President no later than December 5 each year.Paragraph 3. To be eligible for office a candidate must be a current member who is eligible to hold an elective office of the Georgia Science Teachers Association prior to nomination. If running for a District Director position, the candidate must work in the district for which the position is sought at the time of the election. If running for a Level Representative position, the candidate must work in the level for which the position is sought at the time of the election.
Paragraph 4. The Nominating Chair will prepare and distribute a ballot with voting information by February 1 each year, with voting to be open for a minimum period of two (2) weeks and the results to be announced on or before March 15 each year.
Paragraph 5. Only regular, student, retired, and lifetime members in good standing, that is, members who have paid their assessed dues for the current membership year, will receive a ballot and, consequently, be eligible to vote on elected officers.
Paragraph 6. It is the policy of the Georgia Science Teachers Association that candidates running for any office may not campaign at Association events, including but not limited to a conference, meeting, or professional learning. Candidates are prohibited from campaigning through the use of Association resources, including but not limited to the website, email, publications or social media platforms. The use of the Association’s events and resources to campaign provides an unfair advantage and will be considered grounds for disqualification.
Section C. Duties and Responsibilities of Officers
Paragraph 1. Acceptance of nomination and election or appointment to office make the duties and responsibilities indicated in the following paragraphs of this section obligatory. Any officer who does not attend two consecutive Board of Directors meetings without submitting written reasons considered justifiable by Board of Directors consensus shall indicate by the absences the intention of vacating that office. The President shall be authorized to appoint someone to fill the unexpired term of the office.
Paragraph 2. Duties and responsibilities of the President are:a. Shall be held accountable for all funds received by the Georgia Science Teachers Association and shall be solely responsible for the disbursement of said funds.
b. Shall solicit funds from sponsors and maintain correspondence with sponsors for the support of the annual conference. The president shall serve as a member of the Conference Committee and assist in preparing the conference budget.
c. Shall have the duty of scheduling the monthly board meetings for a year at a time beginning with the transition meeting, developing the agenda for the monthly Board of Directors meetings and conducting said meetings.
d. Shall have the duty of planning and conducting the annual business meeting as part of the annual conference.
e. Shall cooperate with and be generally available to organizations and meetings involved in science and science education activities; and shall otherwise be active in professional activities.
f. Shall be responsible for maintaining the correspondence necessary for effective organization of the Association and shall be informed at all times of activities of districts and committees.
g. Shall be accountable to the membership for the activities of the Association.
h. Shall take the initiative with the Board of Directors in leading the Association toward a definite and firm policy on all issues, regardless of nature, pertinent to science and science education.
i. May appoint committees as deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Association.
j. Shall select committee chairpersons, unless otherwise delegated or stated, at the transition meeting each year.
k. May delegate other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary to subordinate officers, appointees, or committees.
l. Shall take whatever action necessary to ensure that all members receive adequate and advance notification of Association activities.
m. Shall serve on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Science Teachers Education Foundation.
n. Shall serve on the Executive Board, Advocacy Committee, Budget Committee, and Nominating Committee of the Association.
o. Shall support the Strategic Planning Committee in implementation of the Association’s current Strategic Plan.
p. Shall, after completion of the term of office, serve one (1) year as the Executive Director of the Association.
Paragraph 3. Duties and responsibilities of the President-Elect are:
a. Shall assume duties and responsibilities of the President in the absence of the same.
b. Shall be chair of the Conference Program Committee for the annual conference. These duties shall include:
1. Selection of a conference program committee, which will assist with the solicitation, review and selection of sessions and other items related to the conference program. Membership of this committee will include the Association’s Vice-President, Executive Director, and members to represent a cross-section of the membership.
2. Selection of a conference theme, logo, and session strands/topics and present to the Board of Directors by the deadline established by the chair of the Conference Committee.
3. Solicit session proposals by publishing conference information, including session strands/topics and selection criteria, to the Association’s publications including, but not limited to, the website, newsletter, and social media networks.
4. Select presenters from those submitting proposals and correspond as necessary.
5. Develop a master schedule of concurrent sessions based on the number of selected proposals and available time and space at the conference site.
6. Design, develop, and publish both print and digital versions of the conference program.
7. Provide appropriate program information for appropriate electronic distribution of conference information in the conference app.
8. Assist in the development of a conference budget.
9. Provide periodic updates of the program to members of the Board of Directors, Executive Director, Conference Committee, and members of the Conference Program Committee.
c. Shall cooperate with and be generally available to organizations and meetings involving science and science education and otherwise actively participate in professional activities.
d. Shall assume those responsibilities delegated by the President.
e. Shall serve on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Science Teachers Education Foundation.
f. Shall serve on the Executive Board, Advocacy Committee, and Budget Committee of the Association.Paragraph 4. Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director are:
a. Shall serve as chair of the Conference Committee and as such, be responsible for the overall quality, publicity and decision making of the conference. These duties shall include:
1. Selection of a local arrangements chair.
2. Formulation of a budget for the annual conference and present this budget to the Board of Directors of the Association by the first meeting of the fiscal year. The Executive Director is responsible for approval of all expenditures related to the conference.
3. Secure speakers for the conference's general sessions, special events, and the awards ceremony.
b. Shall serve on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Science Teachers Education Foundation.
c. Shall serve as an advisor to the President and the Board of Directors.Paragraph 5. Duties and responsibilities of the Vice-President are:
a. Shall maintain membership files and regularly update membership information in the membership management system.
b. Shall provide monthly membership reports at each board meeting and current membership spreadsheets to board members annually.
c. Shall transition annual conference registrants to active membership status in the management system.
d. Shall encourage membership and coordinate information regarding youth activities.
e. Shall serve on the Conference Program Committee of the annual conference.
f. Shall assist or serve as Registration Chair for Association sponsored events as deemed necessary by the President.
g. Shall serve as Parliamentarian during official meetings of the Georgia Science Teachers Association.Paragraph 6. Duties and responsibilities of the Secretary are:
a. Shall maintain the minutes of the Board of Directors for each official meeting.
b. Shall submit compiled minutes from the ending year to the Executive Secretary at the Transition Meeting.
c. Shall maintain accurate attendance records for meetings of the Board of Directors.
d. Shall communicate dates and times of called meetings to Board members.
e. Shall serve on the Communications Committee and develop and publish a newsletter for the Association with contributions from members and board members.Paragraph 7. Duties and responsibilities of the Level Representatives are:
a. Shall represent the concerns and advocate for the needs of the membership in that instructional level.
b. Shall encourage membership.
c. Shall submit information, news, and at least one article for an instructional column in eObservations or other Association publications according to the yearly specified publication schedule.
d. Shall assist the Conference Program Committee with identification and solicitations of sessions for each instructional level.
e. Shall lead a Share-a-Thon session at the annual conference to trade ideas among instructional level membership.
f. Shall serve on the Awards Committee.Paragraph 8. Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Secretary/Treasurer are:
a. Shall maintain Association financial records, make deposits and disbursements for the treasury as directed by the President.
b. Shall prepare and publish an annual audit of all treasury records.
c. Shall conduct business of the Association as directed by the President and/or Board of Directors.
d. Shall maintain the archives of records regarding the business of the Association.
e. Shall maintain financial records, make deposits and disbursements for the Foundation as directed by the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
f. Shall maintain the compiled minutes of the Board of Directors meetings submitted by the Secretary at the transition meeting each year.Paragraph 9. Duties and responsibilities of the Communications Director are:
a. Shall be responsible for the collection, publication, and distribution of material constituting the official Association publications, including but not limited to, the newsletter, website, mass emails, and social media posts.
b. Shall publish and distribute no less than three (3) issues of each publication per fiscal year.
c. Shall make other communications at own discretion or as directed by the President or Board of Directors.
d. Shall maintain the Association website and assist board members in posting and/or updating information to communicate with membership.
e. Shall serve on the Communications Committee and attend all board meetings.Section D. Duties and Responsibilities of District Directors
Paragraph 1. Acceptance of nomination and election to office make the duties and responsibilities in the following paragraphs of this section obligatory. Any District Director who does not attend two consecutive Board of Directors meetings without submitting written reasons considered justifiable by Board of Directors consensus shall indicate by the absences the intention of vacating that office. The President shall be authorized to appoint someone to fill the unexpired term of the District Director.
Paragraph 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the District Directors are:a. Shall coordinate professional learning and/or Association events within the district.
b. Shall promote or encourage membership among potential members within the district.
c. Shall act as a communications link between membership within the district.
d. Shall submit district news, information, and reports to the Communications Director to be published in GSTA’s eObservations according to the yearly, specified publication schedule.
e. Shall coordinate district meetings as a part of the annual conference program.
f. Shall represent the concerns and advocate for the needs of the members in the district.
All committees of the Georgia Science Teachers Association formulated for whatever purpose must be representative of the Association, inclusive of all instructional levels and reflecting no biases with respect to race, sex, or origin.
Section A. Board of Directors
Paragraph 1. Membership. The Board of Directors for the Association shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Executive Director, four (4) Level Representatives, one appointed Supervisors Representative and the twelve (12) District Directors. The Executive Secretary/Treasurer and the Communications Director shall attend all Board meetings. The designated science representatives of the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) are recognized by the Association as advisors to the Board. In this capacity (as advisors) the GaDOE science representatives are encouraged to attend, as non-voting participants, the meetings of the Board of Directors.
Paragraph 2. Meetings and Duties. It shall be the primary responsibility of this Board to plan all Association activities. The Board must plan a publicized annual meeting, the actual date and time to be set by the Board. It will commonly occur during the annual conference of the Association. Publicity will occur through the publications of the Association. Proxy and/or cumulative voting will not be allowed in matters of Association business. The President may call additional meetings of the Board as needed. The Secretary will communicate dates and times of these called meetings to Board members. Robert's Rules of Order will govern all Association meetings.
Section B. Executive Board
Paragraph 1. Membership. The Executive Director, President, President-Elect, Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President and Secretary make up the Executive Board.
Paragraph 2: Duties. The primary responsibilities of the Executive Board include proposing an annual budget, making recommendations to the Board of Directors and making emergency decisions that represent the entire board when calling a meeting for the entire Board is not practical. They are held accountable to the larger Board of Directors and bound by the provisions of this Constitution.
Emergency decisions are defined as those where the President determines that a matter requires action of the Executive Board where (a) a full Board meeting cannot reasonably be arranged in time for the needed action; and (b) the subject of the needed action involves either confidentiality concerns or is one of immediate financial necessity. In these circumstances the Executive Board is permitted to take action but is required to report to the full Board of Directors of their action(s) at the next regular Board meeting.
Section C. Nominating Committee
Paragraph 1. Membership. The membership of this committee shall be the President, a Nominations Chair, and up to two additional members, reviewed by the Executive Board and appointed by the President.
Paragraph 2. Duties. The duties of this committee shall be as stated in Article III, Section B.
Paragraph 3. In the event that the Chair of the Nominating Committee is nominated for an office, the Executive Secretary/Treasurer shall conduct the election or the President will appoint someone to run the election.
Section D. Awards Committee
Paragraph 1. Membership. The awards committee shall be comprised of a chair, appointed for a one year term by the President, a Foundation representative, and the level representatives for elementary, middle, high, and college. Each level representative shall form a subcommittee composed of a majority of classroom teachers for the purpose of evaluating the awards nominations/applications. The chairperson shall be responsible for receiving applications and communicating with all nominees/applicants and the district representatives concerning the final selection.
Paragraph 2. Duties. The awards committee shall serve as a link between the Board of Directors of the Association and the Georgia Science Teachers Education Foundation. Annual awards in recognition of meritorious service to science and/or science education will be presented by this committee at the annual business meeting or conference. The committee shall determine the criteria for those awards and ascertain worthy recipients based on the number and nature of the awards determined by the Foundation.
Paragraph 3. Criteria for the awards should be published in the Association's various publications to enable members to apply or make nominations for the various awards.
Section E. Budget Committee
Paragraph 1. Membership. The Budget Committee will consist of members of the Executive Board and a Deputy Treasurer. Advisors from the field of finance, commerce, or management can be appointed at the discretion of the President.
Paragraph 2. Duties. The committee shall develop, monitor and report on the annual budget and any special funding secured through grants, contracts or awards. The annual fiscal budget should be developed with input from the President, the Executive Secretary/Treasurer, chairs of the standing committees, and the Foundation and presented to the full board for approval prior to the beginning of the fiscal year.
Section F. Advocacy Committee
Paragraph 1. Membership. Membership of this committee shall consist of a chairperson appointed by the President, President, President-Elect, Executive Director and additional members as deemed necessary. The Legislative Advocate shall serve as an advisor.
Paragraph 2. Duties. The committee shall communicate with the Legislative Advisor regarding current activity in the Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia State Board of Education, and the Georgia Department of Education, the Governor’s office, and other policy making bodies and will discuss the appropriate actions of the Georgia Science Teachers Association. Duties further include an annual review of the organization’s policy statements and to make recommendations for necessary revisions. Members of this committee will attend meetings of the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia State Board of Education, and other appropriate meetings as deemed necessary. The Chair of this committee will communicate Legislative updates to the membership at large in a timely manner.
Section G: Communications Committee
Paragraph 1. Membership. Membership of this committee shall consist of the Communications Director, Secretary, webmaster, and additional members as deemed necessary, and appointed by either the Executive Director or President.
Paragraph 2. Duties. This committee shall develop, review or revise publication policies and guidelines for material and information included in the Association’s printed or electronic media. This includes the GSTA website, eObservations and social media outlets. Together these committee members should work to recommend clear and consistent publication practices across all forms of media. An annual review of the established guidelines should be conducted and recommendations made to the Board of Directors.
Section H. Special Purposes Committees
Committees for special purposes may be named by the President or District Director as needed.ARTICLE V--MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section A. Business Meeting. The Association business shall be conducted by membership present at the annual meeting, announced at least 30 days prior to the date of the scheduled meeting.
Section B. Rules. Robert's Rules of Order, the current revised edition, shall govern the business meetings of all Association groups.
Section C. District Meetings. Meetings at the district level, where such might serve to promote the aims and objectives of the Association, shall be conducted at a time determined by the District Director.
Section D. State-wide Meetings. There will be an Annual Conference of the entire Association for the purpose of bringing both the membership and other interested professional people information and experience in the field of science and science education and to bring to the participants current ideas and practices in the field of science teaching and related topics. In the event NSTA has scheduled either a Regional or National Conference in Georgia a state conference may not be scheduled.
Section E. Additional Meetings. Additional meetings shall be encouraged, especially at the district level, where such might serve to promote the aims and objectives of the Association as set forth in the Preamble of this Constitution.
Section A. Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section B. Membership Year. Membership shall run one year from the date of the current paid membership.
Section D. Dues. Dues will be assessed by the Board of Directors, in the amount necessary to meet the needs of the annual budget.
Section E. District Activities. Districts that hold local conferences and/or workshops may collect fees necessary to support their events.
Section A. Purposes. The Georgia Science Teachers Education Foundation shall serve as a non-profit, tax-deductible corporation of Georgia Science Teachers Association. The goal of the Foundation is to distribute scholarships and awards for promoting science education. The Foundation shall accept real or personal gifts from individuals or corporations.
Section B. Board of Directors. The decision making group of the Foundation shall consist of a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be comprised of the President, President-Elect, Executive Director, Awards Committee Chairperson, and Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Association. The Board of Directors may have as members representatives from business, industry, communications, marketing, and science related areas and/or other members of the Association appointed by the president of the Association. The officers of the Board of Directors will consist of a chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer and director. The Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Association shall serve as the treasurer of the Foundation. The chair is appointed for a one year term by the president of the Association.
Section C. Meetings. The Foundation shall have at least one annual meeting to be held at the time and place determined by the Chair of the Board of Directors.
Section D. Finances. The Foundation is financed by the membership of Georgia Science Teachers Association and by contributions from the business and charitable community. Funds for awards shall be allocated by the Board of Directors of the Association.
Sections E. Awards and Scholarships. The Foundation will establish awards, scholarships and grants to science education professionals and their students throughout Georgia. The nature and number of the awards will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Foundation. The awards program will be administered by the chair of the awards committee of the Association.
Section A. This Constitution should be reviewed at least every five years, but may be amended at any time. Amendments must be made in writing and seconded by any member, and submitted to the Board of Directors for review. A simple majority approval by this Board shall require that the amendment be submitted to the regular membership by distributing a ballot. The amendment shall be considered passed when approved by a two-thirds majority of members who cast a vote.