CONSTITUTION

NORTH CAROLINA SHELL CLUB, INC.

This club shall be called the NORTH CAROLINA SHELL CLUB.

MEMBERSHIP shall be open to any persons interested in the collection of shells or the study of Malacology. New members may be received by consent of the club at any regular meeting.

ANNUAL DUES shall be assessed at the recommendation of the Executive Committee and approved by the membership. Dues are due and payable January 1 and non-paying members will be dropped from the roll thirty (30) days after the second meeting of the year. Individuals joining during the last quarter of the calendar year shall have their dues carried over through the next calendar year.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS may be granted by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting following the recommendation of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. HONORARY MEMBERS will not be eligible to hold an elected Shell Club O ffi ce, vote or be required to pay dues.

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS may be granted by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting following the recommendation of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. LIFE MEMBERSHIP as defined would permit full rights as an active member to hold o ffi ce and vote but not required to pay dues. LIFE MEMBERSHIP status may also be purchased by any active member or new member at a cost of fifteen times (15x) the annual dues for either an individual or family membership e ff ective at that time.

The following OFFICERS shall be elected every two years by ballot on the last meeting of the year: PRESIDENT, 1st VICE-PRESIDENT, 2nd VICE PRESIDENT, RECORDING SECRETARY and TREASURER.

Two MEMBERS-AT-LARGE from the club membership shall be elected, one each year, to serve a two year term. These MEMBERS-AT-LARGE shall not serve consecutive terms.

The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall consist of the above o ffi cers, the immediate Past President and the two members-at-large. It shall be the duty of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE to arrange programs for the meetings and supervise the a ff airs of the club.

The constitution may be altered by a majority vote of the total membership at any regular meeting, but written notice shall be given for any proposed change. Under no provision will any part of the corporation’s net earnings inure to the benefit of any of its o ffi cers directors, members, or any other private individual; except for the reimbursement of costs incurred in performance of essential club functions, under direction of the PRESIDENT and with pre-approval of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

In the event that the North Carolina Shell Club, Inc. should dissolve, no member, o ffi cer, or private individual is entitled to share in the distribution of assets. Upon dissolution of the club, assets will be donated, transferred, delivered, or conveyed to one or more organizations engaged in similar activities that have qualified under Section 501C or corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code as a non-profit organization. UNCW in Wilmington, where we have provided scholarships, qualifies as such an institution. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (the founding sponsor of the NCSC) and the Conchologists of America (COA), should also be considered as potential recipients of appropriate assets (such as specimens, etc.).

Revised by membership vote at the meeting on January 29, 2022