The WSFA Journal June 7, 1996

The WSFA Journal

The WSFA Journal June 7, 1996

The Official Newsletter of the Washington Science Fiction Association -- ISSN 0894-5411

Edited by Joe Mayhew

WSFA MINUTES MAY 17TH AT GINTER'S
ADDRESSES OF WSFA OFFICERS
WSFA's "CONSTITUTION"


WSFA MINUTES MAY 17TH AT GINTER'S

 

Attending: Pres. Covert Beach, Sec. & 98 Chair Joe Mayhew, Treas. & 96 Chair Bob MacIntosh, Trust. David Grimm, 97 Chair Mike Nelson, Bernard Bell, Elspeth Burgess, Chris Callahan, F L Ettlin, Alexis Gilliland, Erica Ginter, Tracy Henry, Dan Hoey , Chris Holte, Eric Jablow, Bill Jensen, Eric Jerpe, Judy Kindell, Brian C. Lewis, Paula Lewis, Samuel Lubell, Richard Lynch, Nicki Lynch, Keith Marshall, Walter Miles, Candy Myers, Lance Oszko, Peggy Rae Pavlat, John Peacock, Sam Pierce, Dick Roepke, George R. Shaner, Steven Smith, Lee Strong, Michael J. Taylor, Ronald C. Taylor, Michael J. Walsh, & Madeleine Yeh.

 

            The meeting was called to order at 9:30 by Secretary Joe Mayhew, but then, momemts later (to Joe's relief) in walked Covert Beach, who presided.

            The New WSFA officers for the 96-97 term will assume their duties as of the next meeting.  They are: President John Pomeranz, Vice President Elspeth Kovar Burgess, Secretary Joe Mayhew, Treasurer Bob MacIntosh, Trustees: (1) Michael Nelson, (2) Jim Edwards-Hewitt, (3) Candy Myers.

 

            Bob MacIntosh reported a treasury balance of $5,502.92.

 

DISCLAVE '96:  Chairman MacIntosh announced a meeting with the Hotel managers & staff at the Hotel at 1 PM on Tuesday.   The program (as it stood on May 15th was included in TWJ. 

 

NO BUSINESS WAS TRANSACTED

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:54.

 

******************************

 

 

ADDRESSES OF WSFA OFFICERS

 

President John Pomeranz

<address removed by web policy>

 

Vice President Elspeth Burgess

<address removed by web policy>

 

Secretary & 98 Disclave Chair

Joe Mayhew

<address removed by web policy>

 

Treasurer Bob MacIntosh

<address removed by web policy>

 

97 Disclave Chair & Trustee

Michael Nelson

<address removed by web policy>

 

Trustee Jim Edwards-Hewitt

<address removed by web policy>

 

Trustee Candy Myers

<address removed by web policy>

 

 

 

WSFA's "CONSTITUTION"

 

[The following ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS includes all amendments interpolated and finally passed on December 20, 1985]

 

 

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE WASHINGTON SCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION. INC. (Without authority to issue capital stock).

 

FIRST: We, the undersigned, ROSA OLIVER, whose post office address is [censored from online version], being at least eighteen years of age, do hereby form a corporation under and by virtue of the State of Maryland.

 

SECOND: The name of the Corporation (Which is hereinafter called the Corporation) is WASHINGTON SCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION, INC.

 

THIRD: The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are as follows: To cultivate social intercourse among its members; to attract to its membership those of the general public having an interest in science fiction; and to generally promote friendship, sociability and culture among its members in the pursuit of their common interest in science fiction.

 

FOURTH: The Corporation shall be nonstock, and no net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any private person.

 

FIFTH: The private property of the members of the Corporation shall not be liable for its corporate debts.

 

SIXTH: The period of duration of the Corporation shall he perpetual.

 

SEVENTH: The post office address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is [censored from online version]. The name and post office of the resident agent in the State of Maryland is Edward S. Sobansky, [censored from online version]. Said resident is a citizen of the State of Maryland and actually resides there.

 

 

BYLAWS of

THE WASHINGTON SCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION, INC.

 

The organization governed

by these Bylaws is THE

WASHINGTON SCIENCE FICTION

ASSOCIATION, INC., abbreviated

WSFA.

 

ARTICLE I

Membership and Dues

A. 1. Members shall be admitted and participate in WSFA activities according to these Bylaws.

2. Only members who are in good standing as defined in the Bylaws shall hold office, propose business or vote.

 

B. 1. There shall be two (2) classes of membership in WSFA, Charter members and Associate members.

2. (a) All persons who are members in good standing of WSFA on December 31, 1985 are eligible to be Charter members. Associate members are eligible for Charter membership if they attend three meetings, are sponsored by three (3) existing Charter members, are approved by one (1) trustee, and pay the differential in dues between those for Associate and Charter members.

(b)        Charter members shall have the right to attend and participate in all meetings of the membership, Disclave, hold office and vote.

3. (a) All persons who subscribe to the goals of WSFA, pay their dues in a timely fashion, and agree to abide by WSFA's Articles of Incorporation and bylaws are eligible to become Associate members of WSFA.

(b)        Associate members shall have the right to attend and participate in all meetings of the membership and DISCLAVE; they shall neither vote nor hold office in WSFA.

 

C. 1. Dues shall be set for each year by December 31 of the previous year. Dues for Charter members shall always exceed those of Associate members by at least $5.00 per year to compensate for voting privileges.

2. Dues shall he due as of the first regular meeting in January. Dues for 1986 shall be prorated.

3. Dues may be paid in advance.

4. Except for 1986, any member must pay the full year's dues regardless of the date of payment.

5. Any member who is delinquent in his dues for an entire year shall be dropped from the membership list.

6. New member's dues shall be prorated to the appropriate portion of the remaining WSFA year.

7. All life memberships awarded prior to December 31, 1985 shall retain all rights and privileges of Charter members in perpetuity. Life members shall pay no dues, and no new life members shall be designated.

8. WSFA shall issue annual membership cards to its paid-up members of both classes.

 

D. 1. A petition to revoke any membership may be presented in writing at any regular meeting.

2. It must state the grounds and be signed by at least 15 members and be communicated to the member concerned at least 10 days before the presentation of the petition for action.

3. If the petition is approved by a vote of 2/3 of the Charter members present at the second meeting vote to revoke the membership, it is revoked

4. The revoked member's dues shall be prorated and the appropriate portion shall be refunded.

 

E. 1. A quorum shall consist of 15 Charter members which includes 2 officers of the Executive Board. Such a quorum must be present at any meeting at which a vote is taken.

2. There shall be no absentee or proxy voting.

 

ARTICLE II

Board of Directors

 

A. Except where specifically allocated elsewhere in these bylaws, conduct of WSFA's affairs is controlled by its Board of Directors which shall consist of the following officers:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

3 Trustees

The Chairman of any DISCLAVE until after his or her DISCLAVE is held.

 

B. 1. All elections shall be supervised by the Trustees Committee. Any Trustee who is running for office shall appoint a counter for that office who is acceptable to the other 2 Trustees.

2. The election of all Directors (except the DISCLAVE Chairman) shall take place during the first regular meeting in May. Those elected at that meeting shall assume their offices at the first regular meeting in June.

3. The Trustees shall receive seconded nominations from the floor and shall announce all candidates in order nominated.

4. All elections shall be counted by the "Australian" ballot.

5. The order of nomination and election shall be:

1.         President

2.         Vice President

3.         Secretary

4.         Treasurer

5.         Trustee

6.         Trustee

7.         Trustee

 

C. The Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency in the event the President cannot fulfill his term.

 

D. Any other vacancies occurring on the Board shall be filled by a by-election. Those so elected shall serve for the remainder of the term of the officer replaced.

 

E. 1. A petition for the removal of a member of the Board may be presented to the Board in writing at any time.

2. Such petitions must state the grounds for removal and must be signed by at least 15 members.

3. If the other members of the Board unanimously agree that the removal is justified, they shall suspend the officer and appoint a temporary replacement.

4. Such action and the grounds for it shall be mailed to all Charter members.

5. At the first regular meeting held at least 10 days after such notice, removal from the Board shall be come permanent if approved by a 3/4 majority of the Charter members voting.

6. Any office so vacated shall be filled as prescribed in Article II, section D.

 

ARTICLE III

Officers

 

A. The President shall:

I. Preside at all meetings.

2. Exercise general supervision over the properties and activities of WSFA.

3. Appoint members to committees.

4. When he or she wishes to participate in debate yield the chair to (a) the Vice President, or (b) another member.

 

B. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President during the absence of the President.

 

C. The Secretary shall:

1. Keep the minutes of all meetings of the club.

2. Be Custodian of all club records and archives.

 

D.        The Treasurer shall:

1.         Receive all WSFA funds and maintain them in an account separate from his own.

2. Maintain the official membership list.

3. Pay out funds only when approved by the board or the membership by vote.

4. Submit his records for audit whenever requested by the Board or by a petition of 1/3 of the membership.

 

E.  The Trustees shall serve on the Trustee Committee.

 

F. The DISCLAVE Chairman shall

I . Be elected by Charter members at a regular meeting designated by the membership.

2. Be authorized to transact all necessary business and set necessary rules pertaining to the DISCLAVE and to appoint all its officers.

3. Serve on the Board until his DISCLAVE has been held.

 

ARTICLE IV

Committees

 

A. The standing committees of the Board of Directors

shall be:

1.         Trustee Committee

2.         Entertainment Committee

3.         Publications Committee

 

B. The Trustee Committee shall:

1. Vote on all applications for Charter membership.

2. Supervise all elections.

3. Prepare a slate of nominations for all club offices scheduled to be voted upon.

4. Announce that slate at the regular meeting just previous to that of the election.

 

C. 1. It is appropriate for WSFA to sponsor publications serving its needs and interests.

2. All such publications shall be under the jurisdiction of the Publications committee. The Secretary shall serve as the chairman ex-officio; the other members shall be appointed by the President and may be removed by the unanimous vote of the Trustees.

3. THE WSFA JOURNAL shall he scheduled for monthly publication and shall include the Secretary's minutes, committee reports and other records and information pertaining to club business as well as other suitable material of interest to the membership, . Material specifically critical of any club member shall be submitted to the publications committee for approval before being published. The Editor of the JOURNAL shall be selected by the Secretary with the advise and consent of the Committee, and may be removed from office by the Secretary, or, after the intention to do so is publicly announced at a prior meeting, by a majority of those voting.

4. The existence of THE WSFA JOURNAL shall not preclude other publications being sponsored by WSFA, but none shall be sponsored without the consent of the Publications Committee. Such publications need not be governed by the rules which apply to the official publication.

 

D. Special committees shall be formed by the President at such times as deemed necessary.

 

F. None of the committees shall have the full authority of the Board to conduct activities unless authorized as provided by Maryland law.

 

F. Appointed WSFA officials may be removed by those who appoint them, by a simple majority vote of the voting WSFA membership at the business meeting following the introduction of a resolution for that purpose, or by a unanimous vote of the WSFA Trustees.

 

ARTICLE V

Meetings

 

A. 1. WSFA's regular meetings shall occur on the first and third Fridays of each month.

2. Special meetings can be called by the President.

 

B. The place and time for the next meeting shall be designated by the Chair before the meeting adjourns.

 

C. The order of business of all regular meetings shall be:

1. Call to order

2. Reading of previous minutes.

3. Reports of officers.

4. Reports of committees.

5. Old business.

6. New Business.

7. Announcements.

S. Adjournment.

 

ARTICLE VI

Additional Procedures

 

All procedural questions not covered by the Articles and Bylaws shall be decided by reference to Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, 75th Anniversary Edition (1951).

 

ARTICLE VII

Amendment of Bylaws

 

1. Any proposed amendment must be signed by at least 15 members and be submitted in writing at a regular meeting.

 

2. Such proposals must be read at that meeting.

 

3. A vote shall be taken at the next regular meeting after the proposal is submitted and read.

 

4. Passage shall require a 2/3 majority of those Charter members voting.

 

[END as of 5--19--95]

 

WSFA BYLAWS PAGE 6

            At the May 2, 1986 meeting the following procedure statement was adopted for use in the club elections:

 

WSFA ELECTION PROCEDURES

 

The Trustees take over the meeting and conduct the elections. Each of seven officers is elected by separate nomination and written ballot. The Trustees distribute ballots after the room has been cleared of those ineligible to vote and then take nominations from the floor. When nominations are closed, all valid nominations (of those candidates who: 1] are not behind in their dues, 2] have accepted the nomination, and 31 have been seconded) are displayed and read while the voters fill in their ballots. Each voter should lost the candidates he would accept for the office in order of his preference, starting at the top of the ballot and numbering those he lists. The Trustees will then count the ballots. IF there is no candidate who receives enough votes to be elected, the ballots cast for the candidate receiving the fewest votes will be assigned to the second candidate listed on them. If there still are not enough votes to elect, the ballots cast for the lowest remaining candidate will be reassigned to the next preference and the procedure will be continued until one candidate has a majority. Thus there will be only ballot for each office: a total of seven conducted in this order:

President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee, Trustee, and Trustee (The Trustees are elected one at a time).

 

WSFA Meets regularly twice a month in private homes on the first and third Fridays.

 

FIRST FRIDAYS: at the home of

Alexis & Lee Gilliland,

<address removed by web policy>

1-703-920-6087

 

THIRD FRIDAYS: at the home of

Erica, Karl & Lydia Ginter

<address removed by web policy>

1-301-572-2249

evd@klgai.com

 

FIFTH FRIDAY PARTIES are scheduled as they come up at the homes of volunteers. There are fifth Fridays during the club year in the months of:

AUGUST 1996

NOVEMBER 1996

JANUARY 1997

MAY 1997

 

DISCLAVE is the WSFA sponsored annual SF Convention usually held over the Federal Memorial Day holiday weekend. In 1997 it will be May 23-26. Its Chair is Michael Nelson. Its GOH's are: AUTHOR Patricia Anthony, ARTIST Lissanne Lake, and FAN Peggy Rae Pavlat. The 1998 Chair is Joe Mayhew. Its GOH's are WRITER Terry Bisson, ARTIST Nicholas Jainschigg and SPECIAL GUEST Gene Wolfe.