Article I. Purpose
Section 1.
The Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society (LGMS) is organized and shall be operated for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, The Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society will support and maintain an organization exclusively for the study and enjoyment of the Earth Sciences and lapidary arts, and the cultural associations of persons interested in the study of the Earth Sciences and lapidary arts.
Section 2. The society shall be governed by a Board of Directors (“the Board”), which shall have all the rights, powers, privileges, and limitations of liability of directors of a nonprofit corporation organized under the Texas Business Organizations Code. The Board shall establish policies and directives governing business and programs of the society and fulfill their duties as outlined in the by-laws, Operating Procedures, and Standing Rules of the society.
Section 3. The Corporation Fiscal Year shall be from January 1 through December 31. The Society shall participate in the South Central Federation of Mineral Societies, Inc. Insurance policy program, and pay annual dues to the SCFMS. The society shall be affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
Article II. Membership
Section 1.
Membership shall be open to all people interested in rocks, minerals, fossils, gems, artifacts, collecting, displaying, or performing lapidary and jewelry arts. The society prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran’s status, or political affiliation.
Section 2.
There shall be four (4) types of membership, Junior, Adult, Family, and Honorary.
Section 3.
Membership requirements for a Junior Member shall be contingent upon being up to and including the age of 17, and payment of the required dues. Each Junior Member must be sponsored by an adult within the Junior Member’s household and must be accompanied by the sponsor in all activities in which the Junior Member participates. If the sponsor cannot attend, they must arrange for another Adult Member of the society to be responsible for their child while participating in the activity.
Section 4.
Membership requirements for an Adult Member shall be contingent upon being 18 and older, and payment of the required dues.
Section 5.
Family Membership shall be contingent upon any number of adults and any minor children of the same household signing up as a family, and the payment of the required dues. Each child must have at least one legal guardian in the Family membership.
Section 6.
Honorary membership may be awarded to honor an Adult Member by a vote of the Adult Membership, for outstanding or meritorious service to Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society or associated regional or national societies. Recipients shall have all the rights and privileges of Adult Membership for their lifetime and shall pay no dues.
Section 7.
Voting privileges at society meetings shall be confined to Adult Members.
Section 8.
A member shall be considered in good standing upon meeting the requirements of their membership category and actively participating in regular club meetings. Active participation requires attendance at more than 50% of regular club meetings held during the member’s membership year.
Article III. Dues
Section 1.
The board of directors will determine the dues to be assessed and may change the amount as needed. Membership dues are assessed once per year on the member's anniversary date.
Section 2.
Junior membership is $5.00 per year.
Section 3.
Adult Membership is $20.00 per year.
Section 4.
Family Membership is $40.00 per year.
Article IV. Expulsion
Section 1.
When in the course of society events, if the attitude or conduct of any member, at any time, be considered detrimental to the welfare of the society, that member may be expelled, or not renewed for cause. Termination for cause requires the recommendation of a specially appointed investigating committee consisting of at least three individual LGMS members appointed by the Board. Termination or lack of renewal must be agreed to by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board.
Section 2.
All meetings pertaining to expulsion shall be held in Executive Session and all information shall be strictly confidential.
Section 3.
Reasons for expulsion or non-renewal include, but are not limited to: deleterious conduct, fraud, embezzlement, theft of society property, damage or destruction of society property or equipment, and dilatory practices. Before such action may be taken, a letter of allegation shall be submitted to the Board of Directors, who shall form a Board of Inquiry. A quorum vote by the Board of Directors, in Executive Session, shall be obtained, in order to proceed with the expulsion action.
Section 4.
The Board of Inquiry shall give a written notice, via Certified Mail with Return Receipt, to the accused member to appear before them, at a time and place designated, and show cause why such action should not be taken. Failure to appear or respond shall be cause for immediate expulsion. The Board of Inquiry shall report its findings within sixty (60) days to the Board of Directors who shall take whatever action is deemed necessary. If the Board of Inquiry does not report its findings within sixty (60) days, the Board of Directors shall dismiss all charges. In the event of expulsion, the accused member shall be required to return all Club property immediately.
Section 5.
Expulsion Notification must be made via Certified Mail with Return Receipt.
Section 6.
An expelled member may not re-apply for membership.
Section 7.
A person whose membership has been terminated will not be eligible for a refund of dues paid to the LGMS. All LGMS equipment held by the terminated member shall be returned upon notice of the termination.
Article V. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be the following elected officers:
Section 1.
1. Immediate Past President
2. President
3. Vice President
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Four (4) Directors at Large
Section 2.
The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected by a majority vote of the Adult Membership to a term of one (1) year and may succeed him/herself in office if elected by the Society.
Section 3.
Directors at Large shall be elected by a majority vote of the Adult Membership on alternate years with two [2] being elected each year.
Section 4.
The Immediate Past President will be a member of the board if he/she is a member in good standing.
Section 5.
Before a member can be elected President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer, they must be a member of the Society in good standing for 12 consecutive months as of October 1st of the year of nomination. Before a member can be elected as a director, they must be a member of the Society in good standing for 6 months as of October 1st of the year of nomination.
Section 6.
Any officer failing to discharge the duties of his office by missing three (3) consecutive Board meetings, without Board approval, shall have said office declared vacant by the Board of Directors. The board of directors shall then select a replacement for that officer. The replacement shall be affirmed by the Adult Membership at the next regularly scheduled Adult Membership meeting. The new Board Member shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Section 7.
A quorum for all meetings shall consist of a minimum of five (5) voting Board Members, provided that either the President, Vice President or the most recent Past President shall be present.
Article VI. Appointed Positions
Section 1.
All Appointments shall be made by the President, approved by the Board, and shall be announced at the following general membership meeting.
Section 2.
The appointed positions that will have a vote on the Board of Directors include: Club Workshop Chairperson, Show Chairperson, Newsletter Editor, Field Trip Chairperson, and Junior Chairperson.
Section 3.
Other appointed positions that do not have a vote on the Board of Directors may be appointed by the President on an as-needed basis. These positions may include but are not limited to; Membership Chairperson, Hospitality, Publicity, Webmaster, Social Director, Historian, Photographer, and Librarian.
Section 4.
At the September meeting, the President shall appoint an Awards committee composed of three voting members. The committee shall consider recognition of deserving members, for which awards shall be presented at the Annual Christmas dinner/meeting.
Section 5.
At the September meeting the President shall appoint a nominating committee composed of three voting members. The committee will make a recommendation to the membership for the elected officers for the following year. This committee’s report shall be published in the Society newsletter issued prior to the November meeting or be distributed via electronic communication no less than two (2) weeks before the election. This committee’s recommended candidates will be presented at the November meeting at which time nominations may also be made from the floor. An election of the nominees should be conducted at the November meeting. These officers and directors shall be installed at the next January meeting and shall serve until the following January meeting.
Section 6.
The President-elect, prior to the regular January meeting, shall appoint a Membership Chairperson, Club Workshop Chairperson, Show Chairperson, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, and Field Trip Chairperson. These appointments should be listed in the Society Newsletter prior to the January meeting. At the January meeting, the Society shall ratify these appointments. If a majority of the membership present at the January meeting disapproves of any of the appointments, then the membership shall nominate and elect members to fill those positions. Any of these positions may be a continuing appointment.
Section 7.
The President may appoint a Constitution and Bylaws Committee to update the Constitution and/or Bylaws documents as needed.
Article VII. Scholarships
Section 1.
The Society has an agreement with Texas Tech University to support a Scholarship for a student in the Earth Sciences. A permanent endowment has been established with the Office of Development of the University for the purpose, and the terms of the agreement are preserved in the permanent papers of the Society.
Section 2.
The Society may support financially the regional and national federations with funds as designated by the Society.
Article VIII. Building and Educational Fund
Section 1.
The Society shall establish and maintain a Building and Education Fund to support the Society’s building needs and educational activities. The Fund shall be supported by contributions and other funds designated for this purpose by the Society.
Section 2.
The Fund shall be overseen by the Immediate Past President, the President, and the Treasurer, under the direction and approval of the Board of Directors. These officers shall maintain the Fund’s authorized signature arrangements in accordance with the Board’s directives and applicable financial institution requirements.
Section 3.
The officers responsible for the Fund shall periodically review its investments, make changes to investments as deemed necessary, and maintain an investment portfolio consistent with the Fund’s purpose and any investment policies approved by the Board of Directors. Decisions regarding the use, transfer, or investment of Fund assets shall be subject to the Board’s oversight and approval.
Article IX. Regulations
Section 1.
The Society shall maintain signature authority for all financial accounts and other financial relationships held with financial institutions in the names of three elected officers of the Society, as designated by the Board of Directors. Any changes to authorized signers shall be approved by the Board of Directors and promptly communicated to the applicable financial institutions.
Section 2.
The Society will not be responsible for any indebtedness incurred by any member in the name of the Society without authorization by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.
The Society will assume no responsibility for any personal injury, equipment loss or damage to any vehicle incurred during any Society event. Any person who participates in an event sponsored by the Society does so at his or her own risk. An Assumption of Risk of Liability release shall be obtained from each person when joining the Society. The liability release will be considered continuously in force.
Section 4.
Each member of the Society may be allowed to invite guests to Society events. Minor children may be allowed to attend Society events with parental or guardian supervision.
Section 5. Donations or gifts may be approved for acceptance for the benefit of the Society by the Board of Directors. Any donations or unusual expenditures by or on behalf of the Society shall have approval of the Board of Directors.
Article X. Amendments
A proposed amendment to the By-Laws must be presented to the society at two consecutive regular adult meetings. The amendment notice shall be published in the newsletter prior to the second adult meeting. The amendment must be approved by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members present at that meeting.
Adopted by a 2/3 Majority Vote on November 3rd, 2026.