Bylaws

BYLAWS
of the
Geocachers of the Bay Area (GBA)

ARTICLE I
Name and Mission Statement

SECTION 1. The name of the Society shall be: Geocachers of the Bay Area (also to be known as the GBA).

SECTION 2. The Geocachers of the Bay Area (GBA) strives to advance the sport of geocaching throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We endeavor to accomplish this mission by:

Encouraging community amongst Bay Area geocachers by facilitating regular social activities.

Fostering geocaching etiquette and responsible stewardship of our public lands.

Raising public awareness and understanding of geocaching through effective use of media relations.

Ensuring access to public lands for geocaching activities by working as a liaison with public land-use agencies.

Provide educational resources and tools to Bay Area geocachers.

Promoting geocaching as a worthwhile family-oriented outdoor activity.

SECTION 3. The GBA shall not be conducted or operated for profit, and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the GBA shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual. Donations will be used in accordance with the expressed wishes of the donor. General funds will be used to defray the costs of GBA sponsored events and operating costs of the GBA website.

SECTION 4. The members of the GBA shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

ARTICLE II
Eligibility/Membership/Dues

SECTION 1. Eligibility. Any individual shall be eligible for membership, provided they agree to abide by the bylaws and rules of the GBA. Adult members in good standing shall be entitled to vote.

SECTION 2. Membership. Each applicant for membership shall be required to register online at the GBA Forums, thereby providing the GBA with name, address, email address and geocaching name, and other information deemed necessary for contact and identification of candidate. Once an applicant has provided the above information, the applicant shall be considered a member of GBA.

SECTION 3. Dues. There shall be no initiation or membership dues unless deemed necessary by vote of the membership. The GBA will be supported by volunteer donations and business grants.

ARTICLE III
Meetings

SECTION 1. General Membership Meetings. Within twelve months of May1, 2005, a General Membership Meeting shall be held for the purpose of reviewing and amending the bylaws. The place, date and time shall be emailed to the membership, and posted to the GBA web site no less than thirty days prior to the meeting.

SECTION 2. Special General Membership Meetings. Special general membership meetings of the GBA may be called by any member if supported by three members of the GBA who are in good standing. Such meetings shall be held at a place, date, and hour as may be designated by the membership. Notice of such meeting shall be emailed to members no less than thirty day prior to the meeting and posted on the GBA website. The quorum for such a meeting shall be ten members in good standing.

ARTICLE IV
Officers & Treasury

SECTION 1. Officers. Until required by the membership and amended in the bylaws, there shall be no officers.

SECTION 2. Treasury. The treasury shall be managed by a designated volunteer, and managed in accordance with the bylaws as described in Article 1, Section 3. An accounting of GBA funds shall be made public in a report to the membership, published on the GBA website, and updated on a quarterly basis. A bank account in the name of the GBA may be established for the purpose of managing these funds.

ARTICLE V
Amendments

SECTION 1. Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by written petition addressed to the membership. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the membership and must be submitted to the members via the GBA forums. A favorable vote of of a simple majority of the members in good standing shall be required to effect such amendment.

ARTICLE VI
Dissolution

SECTION 1. The GBA may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members. In the event of dissolution of the GBA, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the GBA nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the GBA shall be distributed to any members of the GBA but after payment of the debts of the GBA its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization selected by the Officers.