CONSTITUTION OF
THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK PHYSICISTS

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the National Society of Black Physicists. The National Society of Black Physicists shall be a non-profit organization without capital stock.

ARTICLE II: Goals and Objectives

Section 1.

The purpose of this society is to promote the professional well-being of black physicists within the scientific community and within society at large.

Section 2.

The Society seeks to develop and support efforts to increase opportunities for blacks in physics and to increase the number of creative black physicists.

Section 3.

The goals of the Society are not in conflict with the goals and the mission of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, or their subsidiary scientific organizations.

Section 4.

The Society seeks to develop activities and programs that enhance the benefits and contributions that black physicists share with the world community and with each other.

Section 5.

The Society seeks to provide a non-partisan platform for major issues of scientific and cultural significant to its membership.

ARTICLE III: Membership and Fellowship

Section 1. Membership (Regular)

Membership is open to those physicists (defined as those who possess a college degree in physics or a related science or are employed in an area of physics) who affirm the purpose of the Society. Active membership is defined by the payment of the annual dues of the Society.

Section 2. Corporate Membership

Corporate Membership is open to any group established within a private company or government agency which is in accord with the philosophy goals and objectives of the Society through the consent of the Board of Directors. Active Corporate Membership is defined by the payment of the annual membership fee for its members.

Section 3. Associate Membership

Associate Membership is open to those persons who do not satisfy the criteria of Article III, Section l, including students, who affirm the purpose of the society and whose interest and activity in physics would make them desirable Members. Active Associate Membership is defined by the payment of annual Associate Membership dues of the Society.

Section 4. Fellowship

Members can be elected to Fellowship. Those members who have contributed to the advancement of physics by original research or who have rendered other special service to the National Society of Black Physicists may be designated Fellows. The fulfillment of Fellowship qualification shall normally be determined by an examination of the work and service of the candidate.

Section 5. Chapter Membership

Any group of ten (10) or more persons meeting the requirements of individual membership and who are regular members may file a letter of Chapter intent with the National Society of Black Physicists. The fulfillment of Chapter qualifications shall normally be determined by an examination of the work and service of the applicants

Section 6. Rights of Members

Each active member of the Society shall have the right to participate in all regular meetings, projects, and other activities of the society. On all questions requiring a vote, each active regular member shall have one vote in the assembly of active regular members. A quorum for voting shall require one more than half the active regular members be present in person, proxy, or ballot.

ARTICLE IV: Administration

Section 1. Board of Directors

1. The Board of Directors shall determine the policy of the Society and has authority to initiate through the President actions requiring national attention. The Board of Directors may exercise all powers specifically conferred or implied within the Constitution and By-laws of the National Society of Black Physicists unless otherwise directed by a vote of the membership who are the ultimate source of authority and policy determination for the National Society of Black Physicists.
2. Composition. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected National Officers.

Section 2. Salaried Staff

1. Salaried staff and its duties shall be approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall approve the salary scale.
2. National salaried staff shall be accountable to the President who shall be accountable to the membership regarding that staff.

Section 3. Qualifications

Any active regular member of the National Society of Black Physicists who has been in good standing for at least one year may run for, be elected, and hold a National Office.

Section 4. Terms of Office

The tenure of office for all National Officers is established in the By-laws.

Section 5. Election Procedures

The dates, times, places, method and other details for election to National Office are provided in the By-laws

Section 6. Meetings

The time, quorum, manner and conduct of meetings is established in the By-laws.

ARTICLE V: National Officers and Members of the Board of Directors

Section 1. National Officers

The National Officers of the National Society of Black Physicists shall be President, President-Elect, Past President, Treasurer, Administrative Executive Officer, and Technical Executive Officer.

Section 2. Expulsion, Sanctions, or Vacancies

1. A National Officer or Member may be expelled/suspended/removed after due process in accordance with the provisions of the By-laws by an affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors and/or no less than two-thirds (2/3) majority of the membership at a meeting with that vote on the agenda. The Presiding Officer at the meeting shall require a secret ballot vote for any proposed adverse action.
2. Notice of expulsion/suspension/removal, as provided for in the By-laws, shall be given to the Board of Directors and the Officer or Member concerned in writing by registered mail at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the conduct of such a meeting. Any officer or member initiating such an action or the object of such an action shall be permitted to make a presentation verbally or in writing on his or her behalf and/or to select an advocate and witnesses, but may not vote on the action under consideration.
3. An Officer may resign at any time. A written confirmation from the Administrative Executive Officer or the President shall be sent to the resigning Officer.
4. The President or a simple majority of the Board of Directors may appoint an active member to fill any vacant officer position until the next general election.

ARTICLE VI: Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees

There shall be four (4) standing committees.

1. The standing committees of the National Society of Black Physicists shall be the following:
1. Executive
2. Finance
3. Membership and Evaluation
4. Research
2. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall be the President.
3. The Chairperson of the Finance Committee shall be the Treasurer.
4. The Chairperson of the Membership and Evaluation Committee and the Chairperson of the Research Committee shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors by a simple majority.
5. With the exception of the Board of Directors, the membership of all other standing committees shall be selected by the Chairperson in coordination with the Board of Directors.
6. The President may recall, or be directed to recall by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors, any chairman which the President has appointed.
7. The duties of each standing committee shall be established by. the By-laws
8. Additional standing committees may be established or abolished by a simple majority vote of the membership.

Section 2. Special Advisory Committees

1. Special Advisory Committees are established at the discretion of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors to meet objectives that require special consideration. These committees shall serve at the discretion of the president in length of service and in composition.
2. Nomination and Screening Committee. The Nomination and Screening Committee of five (5) members and two (2) alternates shall be appointed annually from the regular membership but not including more than two (2) members of the Board of Directors to prepare a slate of nominees for positions in the Society. The Committee shall establish appropriate procedures and-provisions for conducting any national election in accordance with this Constitution and its By-laws.
3. Conference Committee. The Conference Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) nor more than twelve (12) active members. The Conference Committee shall be appointed by the President annually to plan, design, execute and evaluate preparations for the Conference(s) in the coming year.
4. Communications Committee. The Chairperson of the Communications Committee shall be the Administrative Executive Officer of the National Society of Black Physicists The Editor of the Newsletter shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors and shall serve on the Communications Committee.

ARTICLE VII: Limitations of Liability

Section l.

No Officer or Member of the Society shall have authority or power to obligate legally the Society without the express authorization of the Board of Directors or as delegated in this Constitution or its By-laws. The Society shall indemnify any Officer or Member of the National Society of Black Physicists for actions taken during performance of duties on behalf of the Society whenever said actions are in accordance with the integrity, honesty, goals and objectives of the Society as determined by the Board of Directors. The National Society shall not be responsible for indebtedness nor obligation of any local chapter or any group member without express prior authorization by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Distribution of Assets

1. The National Society of Black Physicists shall make no general distribution of monetary or property assets to Officers or Members of the Society. All gains realized shall be devoted solely to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the organization. No officer or member shall be personally liable to the creditors of the Society for indebtedness incurred through the Society; and any and all creditors shall address only the assets of the Society for payment.
2. Should the Society be dissolved, the property of the National Society of Black Physicists shall be distributed to such tax exempt, non-profit organization as may be selected by the membership. The assets of the Society shall in no event be distributed to any of its Officers or Members.

ARTICLE VIII: Incorporation

The National Society of Black Physicists shall be incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under the appropriate laws of a state of the United States of America.  

ARTICLE IX: Fiscal Year

The fiscal and business year of the National Society of Black Physicists shall extend from July 1 of each year through June 30 of the following year.

ARTICLE X: Amendments

Section 1.

This Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the membership who are active regular members and are Present in person, proxy or ballot at a regular meeting of the Society. Amendments become effective at the beginning of the fiscal year following the regular meeting, unless the implementation is postponed to a later date or suspended by three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the regular members present and eligible to vote.

Section 2.

The general membership shall be informed in writing as to proposed changes in the ratified constitution at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the distribution of ballots or at least sixty (60) prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments will be considered for Inclusion in the Constitution.

ARTICLE XI: Ratification

This Constitution shall become effective upon ratification by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the regular membership eligible to vote in person, proxy, or ballot after 30 days following the two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote.