GVSUG Bylaws

Bylaws of the Genesee Valley SAS Users Group

1. Name

This organization shall be known as the Genesee Valley SAS Users Group, or GVSUG.

2. Purpose

To provide a forum for the exchange of information and promotion of new ideas concerning SAS and related products, to assist members in developing SAS skills, and to supply other information that might help advance the career of our members.

3. Membership

Membership is open to any individual with an interest in learning about SAS. Members must pay dues, as described below. Individuals may also attend meetings without being members, provided they pay the meeting attendance fee, also described below.

4. General Membership Meetings

GVSUG will host at least two meetings per year, with dates, sites and agenda to be planned by the Executive Committee with inputs from the members. Special interest groups may be formed, and can meet at the convenience of the participants.

5. Executive Committee

An Executive Committee shall govern GVSUG. The Executive Committee will be made up of three officers and at most seven at-large members. GVSUG will hold annual elections for members of the Executive Committee. Any member of GVSUG may be nominated and then elected to the Executive Committee. Nominees receiving the most votes for any office shall be elected to a one-year term. The nominees running for at-large positions on the Executive Committee who receive the seven highest vote totals shall be elected to the Executive Committee for a one-year term. A person may run for both an office and an at-large position; however if the person is elected to be an officer, then he/she shall not be elected for an at-large position.

The officers are:

• Chairperson of the Executive Committee:
  Responsible for calling Executive Committee meetings and setting agendas; making sure that the general membership meetings are scheduled; acting as a liaison with SAS Institute; and any other duties as appropriate for the smooth functioning of GVSUG.
• Vice Chair/Secretary of the Executive Committee:
  Shall be responsible for maintaining e-mail list(s) of members and other interested parties, and communicating with members and other interested parties; shall be responsible for keeping minutes of Executive Committee meetings; shall be responsible for any other duties as delegated by the Chairperson; and in the event that the Chairperson is unable to fulfill his/her duties, the Vice Chair shall become Chair until the next annual election.
• Treasurer:
  Responsible for maintaining the GVSUG checking account, making disbursements from said checking account, recording the payment of dues, and maintaining a database of members and the status of each members dues payment.

In addition, the Executive Committee shall appoint individuals to the following positions, by majority vote of the Executive Committee.

• Co-ordinator(s) for the Next GVSUG General Membership Meeting:
  Responsible for all aspects of the next General Membership Meeting; including finding a date and time and location; obtaining speakers; obtaining door prizes and gifts for the speakers; obtaining refreshments if GVSUG chooses to provide refreshments; and all aspects of publicizing the meeting. This position may be filled by any member of the Executive Committee or any volunteer from the general membership.
• Webmaster(s):
  Responsible for maintaining the GVSUG website. This position may be filled by any GVSUG member or non-member who is qualified.

6. Dues

Yearly dues shall be paid according to the following:

• General Membership: $20/year
• Student / Unemployed Member: $10/year
• Non-Member (attend meetings only): $10/meeting

Dues for General Membership or Student or Unemployed Members are good for one year from the date of payment. This entitles the member to attend all GVSUG Meetings for one year, as well as access to all portions of the GVSUG Website for one year. Students must provide a valid student ID card. Unemployed members must show proof of unemployment. There is no refund if a member cannot attend a meeting.

Non-members who choose to attend a meeting by paying the meeting fee can only access public portions of the GVSUG website, and cannot access the members-only portions of the website.

Dues are waived for members of the Executive Committee, and dues are also waived for non-Executive Committee members holding offices indicated in section 5 above. Speakers at the meetings receive a $10 discount off the yearly membership if they choose to join; or speakers will receive a waiver of the non-membership fee if they choose to not become a member.

7. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws

All proposed amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws must be communicated in writing to the Chairperson of the Executive Committee, who will then schedule a vote on the amendment at the next meeting of the Executive Committee. Majority vote of the Executive Committee will be needed to pass the amendment.

[Last modified: September 23, 2004]