RED RIVER VALLEY SAS USERS' GROUP BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Red River Valley SAS User's Group (RRVSUG).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Red River Valley SAS Users' Group is to provide SAS users from North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota with information about SAS products and the opportunity to share and exchange ideas, information and uses of those products.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:  Eligibility

Membership in the Red River Valley SAS Users Group shall be open to any individual or organization interested in the use or development of SAS products.

Section 2:  Approval

Membership in the Red River Valley SAS Users Group shall be granted to any eligible individual or organization upon receipt of a SAS* User Profile Form and the annual membership fee.

Section 3:  Membership Fees

There shall be three membership categories for the Red River Valley SAS User's Group.  The annual organizational membership fee shall be $25.00 and shall permit any individual of that organization to participate in the users' group.  Annual membership fees for individual members shall be $5.00 and annual membership fees for student members shall be $3.00.  The annual membership fee shall be due by the first meeting of the year and shall cover the period of January 1 through December 31 of the membership year. 

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1:  Titles

The officers of the Red River Valley SAS User's Group shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  The officers, along with the immediate past President, will make up the organization's Steering Committee which is responsible for conducting the daily business of the organization. 

Section 2:  Elections

a.       Officers will be elected for one year terms.  Elections will take place at the annual meeting and the term of the office shall begin on January 1^st of the next year.

b.      Any person participating in the Red River Valley SAS Users' Group as part of an organizational membership or as an individual or student member is eligible for election as an officer.  No person may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

c.       At least two months prior to the annual meeting the President shall appoint a nominations committee whose purpose shall be to find candidates for each office for the upcoming year.  Nominations for each office shall be made by the nominating committee at the annual meeting or may be made from the floor.  Each nomination must be seconded before the name is placed on the ballot.

d.      Officers will be elected by secret written ballot with each member (organization, individual or student) having one vote.  A plurality of the voting members present at the annual meeting is required to win an election.

Section 3:  Responsibilities

a.       The Steering Committee shall be responsible for the conduct of the daily business of the Red River Valley SAS Users' Group.  It will plan, schedule and oversee the meetings of the organization and approve all expenditures of the organization.

b.      The President shall preside over all Steering Committee meetings and all general membership meetings.  She/He shall oversee the activities of the organization, shall be the central contact person for questions and suggestions relating to the activities of the organization and shall appoint committees upon the recommendation of the Steering Committee.

c.       The Vice-President shall assist the President in the conduct of the organization's business, shall be responsible for the programs at general membership meetings and will assume the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence or resignation. 

d.      The Secretary shall maintain the administrative records of the organization to include organization correspondence, membership surveys and records of proceedings.  He/She will accurately record the proceedings of all Steering Committee and General Membership meetings and will be responsible for the publication of the organization's newsletter.

e.       The Treasurer shall be responsible for the handlings of the organization's monies.  She/He will accurately record all financial transactions of the organization, maintain the organization's checking account, receive and safe-guard membership fees, maintain accurate membership lists, disburse organization funds as approved by the Steering Committee and present quarterly financial reports to the membership.

Section 4:  Vacancies

If the Presidency should become vacant the Vice-President shall assume the position of President for the remainder of the term.  If the Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer positions should become vacant they will be filled by Presidential appointment for the remainder of the term.

Section 5:  Removal of an Officer

An officer of the Red River Valley SAS Users' Group may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a general membership meeting provided the removal is for cause, has been recommended by the Steering Committee and four weeks written notification has been provided to the membership.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section 1:  General Membership Meetings

General membership meetings shall be held quarterly at a time and place selected by the Steering Committee.  The fourth quarter meeting each year shall be designated as the organization's annual meeting.  Members will be notified of all meetings through the newsletter.  The members present at any general membership meeting shall constitute the required quorum for that meeting.  Any proposals voted on by the general membership shall be decided by a simple majority of the members present.  Each member (organization, individual or student) shall have one vote regardless of the number of participants attending.

Section 2:  Steering Committee Meetings

Steering Committee meetings shall be held at the call of the President or at the request of two or more committee members.  At least half of the committee members must be present to constitute a quorum.  Proposals voted on at a Steering Committee meeting shall e decided by a simple majority.

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS

Section 1:  Proposed

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by any person of the Red River Valley SAS User's Group in writing to the Steering Committee.  The Steering Committee will present the proposed amendment to the general membership at the next regular meeting.

Section 2:  Approval

Amendments will be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members (organization, individual, or student) present at the meeting following the meeting at which the membership was notified of the proposed amendment.  Members will also be notified of the amendments and the date of the meeting at least two weeks prior to the meeting.