Our Chapter Constitution


Constitution for the Seattle Puget Sound Chapter of the
Society for International Development


A. NAME

Article 1

The name of this Chapter of the Society for International Development (“SID”) shall be the Seattle Puget Sound Chapter, hereafter referred to as the “Chapter.”

B. IDENTITY

Article 2

SID is a global forum of individuals and institutions concerned with development which is participative, pluralistic and dynamic. SID promotes aspirations, new ideas, and policy action designed to transform development policies towards a world which is people-centered, sustainable, just and inclusive.

C. OBJECTIVES

Article 3

Further to the purpose set forth in Article 2 of the International Constitution of the Society for International Development, the objectives of the Chapter shall be:
a)      to advance and refine the theory and a coherent practice of sustainable human development and democratic governance;
b)      to identify and communicate policy options;
c)      to create fora to exchange and review development information, initiatives and experience;
d)     to foster constructive global dialogue by building bridges between different actors in development;
e)      to empower individuals and groups for greater community self reliance; and
f)       to act as a catalyst for civil society through the creation of opportunities for expression of civil society perspectives and roles in development.

D. MEMBERSHIP

Article 4

Membership of the Chapter shall be limited to persons and institutions holding membership of the Society for International Development.

Article 5

Membership of the Chapter shall be defined in four (4) broad categories as follows:
a)      Regular Members
b)      Student Members
c)      Institutional Members
d)     Sustaining Members

Article 6

Any person who wishes to further the purposes of the Society for International Development shall be eligible for membership in either category (a), category (b) or category (d) above.  Organizations and institutions shall also be eligible, as such, for membership within categories (c) and (d) above.

Article 7

In addition to the international membership fee, members shall pay an annual chapter membership fee as decided upon by the General Assembly of the Chapter.

Article 8

All members shall have the right to attend the meetings of the Society, to vote, to hold office and to participate in its activities. Institutional members, not being physical persons, shall be exempt from the right to hold office.

Article 9

Any member not complying with articles and policies of the Chapter shall forfeit his/her membership of the Society. After consideration of relevant facts and a fair hearing, the General Assembly may vote for the expulsion or removal of any such member.  A simple majority vote of the attending members is necessary for expulsion.

Article 10

A member who resigns, is expelled or removed, shall forfeit the right to any part of the assets of the Chapter.

E. CHAPTER OFFICERS

Article 11

The officers of the Chapter shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Chair, all physical persons.

Article 12

The officers of the Chapter shall be elected every two (2) years at the Annual General Meeting of the Chapter by a simple majority vote of the Chapter’s membership.

Article 13

Officers of the Chapter may be re-elected, but in any case, shall not serve in the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Article 14

The Chapter Officers shall have full power of management and administration subject to the prerogatives of the general assembly of members. The Chapter Officers may delegate the day-to-day management of the Chapter to the Secretary.

Article 15

The Chapter Officers may rescind their delegation of the day-to-day management of the Chapter by the Secretary should he/she not perform in its best interest.

Article 16

All deeds committing the Chapter shall, except for special proxies, be signed by two (2) of the Chapter Officers.

F. THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT

Article 17

The Chapter President shall be responsible for carrying out the decisions of legislative meetings of the members and coordinating the work of the Chapter.

Article 18

The President shall preside at Chapter meetings and at sessions of the Chapter Executive Committee. In his/her absence, these duties shall be performed by the Vice President.

G. FINANCES

Article 19

The revenues of the Chapter shall consist of membership dues and fees, grants, gifts and whatever sources the Chapter might decide.

Article 20

The Chapter’s financial responsibility shall be limited to its assets and members and officers shall not be liable personally.

Article 21

The use of funds and the bookkeeping of the Chapter shall be governed by the Chapter Financial Regulations. These regulations may be amended by a simple majority vote at a General Assembly of the members.

Article 22

The financial year of the Chapter shall run from January 1 to December 31.

Article 23

Annually, the Chapter Officers shall submit the accounts of the closed financial year and the estimated budget for the following year for the approval of the general assembly of the members.

H. COMMITTEES

Article 24

The Chapter Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Chapter namely, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Chair.  The Chapter Executive Committee shall have the power to act on matters arising between regularly scheduled meetings of the Chapter General Assembly and those that are not specifically or otherwise provided for in this Constitution.

Article 25

There shall be a Nominations Committee that will serve as the coordinating body for Chapter Elections. This committee shall be constituted at the Annual General Meeting immediately preceding the year of elections and shall comprise three (3) members including a Chairperson, all of whom shall be elected from amongst the membership of the Chapter. The Nominations Committee shall exclude incumbent members of the Chapter Executive Committee and candidates running for office from its membership.

Article 26

The Chapter President shall appoint such other committees as are necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Chapter. Such committees shall function until their assignment is complete.

I. ELECTIONS

Article 27

Candidates for Chapter offices shall be nominated by the Nominations Committee. In addition to this, nominations may be submitted by written petition signed by not less than ten percent (10%) of the paying Chapter members.  Individuals may also be nominated for officer positions at the election meeting.

Article 28

Before any candidate is nominated, their willingness to participate in the election process shall be established.

Article 29

Nominations shall be made no later than twenty-five (25) days prior to the expiration date of elected officers as established in Article 12 above. Nominations shall be submitted to the entire Chapter membership for vote no later than fifteen (15) days before such established day. All voting shall be by secret ballot. The Chairperson of the Nominations Committee is responsible for tallying and relaying the results to the membership.  Voting may be done at the General Assembly Meeting.

Article 30

Each member shall have one (1) vote in any election process.

Article 31

Election shall be by simple majority of votes cast. In the event of a tie, the Executive Committee shall have a casting ballot.

J. MEETINGS

Article 32

Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be convened at least once every quarter. The time and location of such meetings shall be determined by the Chapter Executive Committee with consideration for securing maximum membership attendance and transaction of essential business.

Article 33

At least one (1) meeting annually shall provide opportunity for conduct of normal Chapter business including appropriate annual reports from officers and committees. This meeting shall be referred to as the Annual General Meeting of the Chapter.

Article 34

The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be twenty-five-percent (25%) of the paying members of the Chapter either present in person or represented by proxy.

Article 35

A member may be represented at a meeting by another member. No member may hold more than one (1) proxy.

K. PROGRAMS

Article 36

The Chapter shall develop a program of work that shall respond to the needs of its immediate society, keeping in mind the over-arching objectives of the Society.

Article 37

The Chapter shall collaborate with other Chapters and the International Secretariat and contribute to the development and implementation of national, regional, and international programs of work.

L. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND DISSOLUTION

Article 38

Any proposal regarding amendments to the constitution or dissolution of the Chapter shall emanate from the Chapter Executive Committee or ten percent (10%) of the paying members of the Chapter. The Chapter Executive Committee shall advise Chapter members at least four (4) weeks in advance of the date of the meeting which will deliberate on such proposals.

Article 39

Any amendment to the constitution shall be adopted if it receives a two-thirds majority vote of the paying members of the Chapter in attendance.

Article 40

An updated constitution of the Chapter, incorporating any and all amendments shall be lodged with the International Secretariat within forty-five (45) days of the meeting deliberating on such amendments.

Article 41

The Chapter may be dissolved by a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of paying members of the Chapter. In the event of dissolution, the last Chapter Executive Committee shall act to pay all just debts of the Chapter out of Chapter funds and transfer all remaining money and assets to the International Secretariat.

M. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 42

Anything not provided for by the present Constitution shall be settled according to the provisions of Washington State laws and regulations, and United States federal laws and regulations, as applicable.

N. REGISTERED OFFICE AND LOCATION

Article 43

The registered office of the Chapter is at present at:

Seattle Puget Sound SID
c/o Monika Aring
909 N 35th Street, Unit 201
Seattle WA  98103

It may be relocated to any other address within the boundaries of Washington State by a decision of the Chapter Executive Committee. Such decision shall be communicated at the earliest possible opportunity to the International Secretariat.

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