Bylaws of the Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society

As adopted August 28, 2006


Article I: Purposes
The Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society (CVPS) exists to promote the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) through the photographic arts by providing educational opportunities, including but not limited to workshops, public presentations, contests, exhibits, and publications.  The CVPS operates under the auspices of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association (CVNPA), a non-profit, friend-of-the-park organization devoted to educating the public about and supporting the CVNP.  All activities of the CVPS shall be consistent with the purposes and non-profit status of the CVNPA.

Article II: Membership

Membership in the CVPS shall be open to any person who is a member of the CVNPA and who pays the annual CVPS membership fee set by the Steering Committee.  CVPS members shall enjoy such benefits as are established by the Steering Committee.

Article III: Governing Authority

The CVPS shall be governed by a self-perpetuating Steering Committee consisting of not fewer than nine (9) nor more than fifteen (15) members.

Article IV: Steering Committee Membership
1. Appointment:  Members of the Steering Committee shall be appointed by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee.
2. Terms:  Steering Committee members shall serve for indefinite terms.
3. Removal:  Steering Committee members may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee.

Article V: Officers
1. Election:  Officers of the CVPS shall be elected by majority vote of the Steering Committee from among the membership of the Steering Committee.
2. Terms:  Officers of the CVPS shall serve terms of two years.
3. Removal:  Officers of the CVPS may be removed by a majority vote of the Steering Committee.
4. Vacancy:  In the event that an office becomes vacant, the Steering Committee shall elect another of its members to the office for the remainder of the term.
5. Offices:  The officers of the CVPS shall consist of a President and a Vice President.  The President shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and such other duties as are usually incident to such office.  The Vice President shall perform all duties and exercise all powers of the President when the President is absent or otherwise unable to act.  In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice President shall serve as President until a new President is elected by the Steering Committee.

Article VI: Steering Committee Meetings
1. Notice of Meetings:  Notice of Steering Committee meetings may be given by electronic or postal mail.
2. Quorum:  A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Steering Committee.
3. Presiding Officer:  The President of the CVPS shall preside over meetings of the Steering Committee.
3. Parliamentary Authority:  The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Steering Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

Article VII: Subcommittees
1. Purposes and Authority:  Subcommittees of the Steering Committee shall be appointed to assist the Steering Committee in planning and carrying out CVPS activities and projects.  Activities of the subcommittees shall be governed by policies of the Steering Committee.
2. Appointment of Subcommittee Members and Chairs:  Except as otherwise provided herein, the members and chairs of subcommittees shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Steering Committee.  Any member of the CVPS may be appointed to a subcommittee, provided that each subcommittee shall include at least one member of the Steering Committee and shall be chaired by a member of the Steering Committee. The President shall be a member ex officio of all subcommittees.
2. Standing Subcommittees:  There shall be standing committees on monthly presentations; workshops; the annual photography contest; photo walks; the CVNP calendar; budget; and marketing, communications, and membership.  The members and chair of the CVNP calendar committee shall be elected annually by the Steering Committee, and may include a non-CVPS member who has professional experience as a photography editor.
3. Special Committees:  The Steering Committee may, from time to time, authorize the President to appoint other subcommittees as needed.

Article VIII: Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee, provided that the amendment shall have been submitted in writing at the previous meeting.