BGG
ByLaws
BYLAWS OF THE BLUE GRASS GROTTO
I. AFFILIATION WITH THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
The Blue Grass Grotto is an internal organization of the National
Speleological Society, and shall follow the policies and principles of
the N.S.S.
II. NOVEMBER MEETING
In addition to the election of officers, Bylaws may be introduced and
voted upon, and any other business of The Blue Grass Grotto may be
conducted at the November meeting.
III. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The PRESIDENT serves as chief business officer. He is primarily
responsible for directing the everyday business of The Blue Grass
Grotto and serves as the official representative in conducting
business with other organizations. The President presides at The Blue
Grass Grotto meetings.
The VICE-PRESIDENT serves in the absence of the President. In
addition, he may serve as a committee chairperson or may perform other
duties voted by the membership or delegated by the President.
The SECRETARY maintains the written records of business for The Blue
Grass Grotto, and may perform other duties voted by the membership or
delegated by the President.
The TREASURER maintains the financial records of The Blue Grass
Grotto, and must report the financial status at each meeting.
The LIBRARIAN receives inventories and maintains control of exchange
publications and Blue Grass Grotto maps and related data.
Should a Blue Grass Grotto officer resign before the end of the term,
the remaining officers will arrange an election at the next Blue
Grass Grotto meeting, to fill the vacancy.
IV. DUES
All individual members will pay dues of $10.00 per year; family
memberships are $12.00 per year. Payment of dues provides privileges
of membership for the next 12 months.
V. THE OHIO VALLEY REGION OF THE N.S.S.
The Blue Grass Grotto is a member of the Ohio Valley Region of the
National Speleological Society, and shall appoint a Blue Grass Grotto
member to attend and act as the BGG representative at OVR meetings and
events. Both financial and supportive commitments to the Ohio Valley
Region may only be made by a majority vote of the attending quorum at
a Blue Grass Grotto meeting.
VI. EQUIPMENT
The Blue Grass Grotto may purchase equipment for novice training
trips, cave rescue practice and training, and cave rescues. Equipment
is to only be used under the direct supervision of a member in good
standing of The Blue Grass Grotto during an event sanctioned by the
BGG.
VII. CAVE RESCUE
The Blue Grass Grotto shall maintain a Cave Rescue Call-Out List,
which includes rescue equipment owned and maintained by The Blue Grass
Grotto, along with personal skills, training, and equipment maintained
by individual members. Utilization of this data may only be made upon
request from or confirmation to the Kentucky Disaster Emergency
Services duty officer, or its designated agent/representative.
Equipment owned by The Blue Grass Grotto will be made available for
cave rescue when requested by KY. D.
The President shall appoint a member in good standing, to maintain the
BGG Cave Rescue Call-out List.
The Blue Grass Grotto shall encourage each member to gain cave rescue
skills and knowledge through the N.S.S. Cave Rescue Section and
training sanctioned by the National Cave Rescue Commission. Each
member should have knowledge of and practice self-rescue.
VII. CONTRIBUTIONS
The Blue Grass Grotto may make either financial or manpower
commitments of contribution to any cave related project upon a
positive vote of three fourths (75%) of a meeting quorum, provided
that the contribution and recipient do not conflict with the Articles
of Incorporation.
IX. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
A New Member Orientation Committee is created and a chairperson
appointed from among the membership, by the President. The purpose of
this Committee will be to:
1. Act as the BGG Liaison to potential members.
2. Instruct new members in safety rules and their importance.
3. Answer questions about the history, organization, goals and
ongoing projects of The Blue Grass Grotto.
4. Give guidance to new members on the sources of, and how to obtain
proper/safe-caving equipment.
5. Assist new members with learning safe caving techniques.
6. Assist new members with learning the importance of practicing cave
conservation.
X. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Members may be expelled from The Blue Grass Grotto or officers removed
from office by a three fourths (75%) majority vote of a quorum of
members present at a meeting. Causes for disciplinary actions are, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. Persistent or flagrantly unsafe behavior while participating in
Blue Grass Grotto activities.
2. Failure to follow cave conservation principles of the National
Speleological Society or violations of any state or local cave
conservation laws.
3. Violation of laws or other behavior while participating in BGG
activities that causes an embarrassment to The Blue Grass Grotto.
4. Use of any assets/equipment of The Blue Grass Grotto for personal
gain, financial or otherwise.
5. Use of Blue Grass Grotto membership for personal gain or
misrepresenting the Blue Grass Grotto.
An expelled member may not reapply for membership for one full
calendar year from the date of expulsion. Acceptance of reapplication
for membership will be made by a three-fourths (75%) majority vote of
the quorum of a meeting.
XI. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Honorary Life Membership may be awarded by a two-thirds (66%) vote of
the members present at the November meeting. Honorary Life Membership
may be awarded to an individual or family that has made significant,
long-term contributions to The Blue Grass Grotto. Dues are waived for
Honorary Life Members.
XII. NEWSLETTER
The Blue Grass Grotto may publish a newsletter. The Editor must
volunteer and be confirmed by a simple majority of a quorum at a
meeting. The newsletter is titled THE KENTUCKY CAVER, and is
published quarterly. The Editor will publish all announcements from
the officers and may publish articles, proposed Bylaw changes and
advertisements from the members.
XIII. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER and DIRECTORS make
up the executive committee. The executive committee is responsible for
the day-to-day business of The Blue Grass Grotto.
Activities which are sponsored by The Blue Grass Grotto, or which
involve grotto members as representatives of The Blue Grass Grotto,
must be previously approved by at least five members of the executive
committee.
If a member of the executive committee misses three consecutive grotto
meetings, the executive committee may call a special election to elect
a replacement. If a member of the executive committee moves out of the
area, or for some other reason cannot regularly attend Blue Grass
Grotto meetings, he/she is encouraged to resign so we can elect a
replacement in a timely manner. In either case the replacement will
serve for the unexpired term-of office.
* Bylaws adopted May 8, 1988.
* Bylaws amended November 10, 1994:
- Changed section IV, Dues
- Added Section XIII, Executive Committee.
* Bylaws amended September 21, 1999:
* Changed section IV, Dues
Updated November 10, 1994 by John Barnes.
Updated September 21, 1999 by Michael Harper.
Visual format changed September 23, 1999 by Michael Harper.
Copyright © 1996-99; Designed and maintained by Jon Hagee.
Articles of Incorporation
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
THE BLUE GRASS GROTTO
OF THE
NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
A Nonprofit Nonstock Corporation
KNOW ALL YE PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, being
of lawful age and citizens of the United States, hereby make and
adopt the following Articles of Incorporation for the purpose of
forming a nonprofit and nonstock corporation under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky, pursuant to Chapter 273 of the Kentucky
Revised Statutes and all other acts amendatory thereof and
supplemental thereto:
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of the corporation is the Blue Grass Grotto of the
National Speleological Society, Inc., hereafter referred to in
these articles as the Blue Grass Grotto.
ARTICLE II
Term of Existence
The Blue Grass Grotto shall endure in perpetuity.
ARTICLE III
Purpose
1. The Blue Grass Grotto is organized exclusively for charitable,
literary, educational and scientific purposes within the
meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Blue Grass Grotto shall
receive contributions and fees, and shall distribute its funds
for charitable, literary, educational, and scientific purposes
as hereinafter set forth.
2. The scientific purpose of the Blue Grass Grotto includes,
without limitations, the exploration, mapping, and
speleological study of caves and other karst features in
Kentucky and throughout the world.
3. The educational purpose of the Blue Grass Grotto includes,
without limitations, providing a source of information for its
members and the citizens of the Commonwealth on the history
and conservation of caves, cave life and other karst features,
and on safe caving practices.
ARTICLE IV
Exempt Status
The Blue Grass Grotto is constituted so as to attract substantial
support from contributions, directly or indirectly, from a
representative number of persons in the community in which it
operates. The Blue Grass Grotto has not been formed for pecuniary
profit or financial gain, and no part of the assets, income or
profit of the corporation is distributable to, or inures to the
benefit of, any private individual or member. No part of the
activities of the Blue Grass Grotto shall be the carrying on of
propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and
the Blue Grass Grotto shall not participate in, or intervene in
(including the publishing or distribution of statements) any
political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of
Incorporation, the Blue Grass Grotto shall not carry on any
activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt
from Federal income tax under the Code or by a corporation,
contributions to which are deductible under the Code.
ARTICLE V
Distribution On Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the Blue Grass Grotto in accordance with
Chapter 273 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes or its successor, the
current directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the
payment of all of the liabilities of the Blue Grass Grotto,
transfer the remaining assets of the Blue Grass Grotto to a
non-profit nonstock corporation qualifying as an exempt
organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, whose goals
conform with the goals of the Blue Grass Grotto. The preferred
recipient is the National Speleological Society, Inc., of
Huntsville, Alabama.
ARTICLE VI
Limitation of Purposes and Powers
1. The Blue Grass Grotto shall have no capital stock and no
power to issue certificates of stock nor to declare dividends.
2. All special provisions concerning membership, voting,
meetings, financial affairs and all other business of the Blue
Grass Grotto, not stated in or forbidden by the Articles of
Incorporation, may be enacted in the Bylaws.
3. The Articles of Incorporation of the Blue Grass Grotto may be
amended, revoked or revised by a three-fourths (75%) majority
of a quorum at a Blue Grass Grotto meeting. All other
business of the membership of the Blue Grass Grotto may be
enacted by simple-majority (51%) of a quorum at a Blue Grass
Grotto meeting. A quorum consists of twenty percent (20%) of
the voting membership of the Blue Grass Grotto, as defined in
Article VIII.
ARTICLE VII
Annual Meeting
1. The Annual Meeting of the membership of the Blue Grass Grotto
will be held in November. The purpose of the meeting will be
to elect directors, as needed. The financial status of the
Blue Grass Grotto will be reported at this meeting.
2. Additional meetings may be called by the President at his
discretion, and must be called by the President if petitioned
by three or more members. The President must give the
membership at least thirty (30) days notice for these
meetings.
ARTICLE VIII
Membership Privileges and Responsibilities
1. Membership in the Blue Grass Grotto is open to all persons who
agree to abide by the Articles and Bylaws of the Blue Grass
Grotto.
2. The requirements for voting membership shall be defined in
the bylaws.
3. Membership in the National Speleological Society is strongly
encouraged, but not required, for membership in the Blue Grass
Grotto.
4. Members are encouraged to follow the cave conservation
principles of the National Speleological Society.
5. Members should follow safe caving practices.
ARTICLE IX
Directors, Officers and Their Qualifications
1. The financial affairs of the Blue Grass Grotto shall be guided
by a three member Board of Directors elected by the membership
at the Annual Meeting. Directors may not simultaneously serve
as Officers of the Blue Grass Grotto.
2. All other business, except as noted elsewhere in these
Articles, shall be managed by the President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer, and other Officers or chairpersons as
specified in the Bylaws. Officers shall be elected as
provided in the Bylaws. The President may act as a temporary
Director if a Director can not fulfill his/her duties.
3. Officers must be 18 years old or older, current members of the
National Speleological Society, and must have been voting
members of the Blue Grass Grotto for at least one year.
4. Directors must be 21 years old or older, current members of
the National Speleological Society, and must have been voting
members of the Blue Grass Grotto for at least two consecutive
years.
5. The Directors shall serve staggered three (3) year terms, with
one Director being elected each year. All Officers serve one
(1) year terms.
6. Directors may succeed themselves in office one time (two
consecutive terms).
ARTICLE X
Bylaws
The Bylaws of the Blue Grass Grotto shall be adopted, and may be
amended or repealed, by the membership.
ARTICLE XI
Registered Office, Agent, and Principle Office
1. The office of registration of the Blue Grass Grotto shall be
216 Hillsboro Ave, Lexington, KY 40511.
2. The registered agent for the Blue Grass Grotto shall be John
Barnes.
3. The principle office of the Blue Grass Grotto shall be
216 Hillsboro Ave, Lexington, KY 40511.
ARTICLE XII
Initial Board of Directors
The initial Directors of the Blue Grass Grotto shall be and their
terms expire:
Name Address Term Expires
1. Don Pollock 3386 Buckhorn, Lexington, KY December 31, 1988
2. William Hopper 120 Victory, Lexington, KY December 31, 1989
3. Jim Currens 1320 Dale, Lexington, KY December 31, 1990
ARTICLE XIII
Incorporators
The names and addresses of the incorporators of the Blue Grass
Grotto are as follows:
Name Address
John R. Barnes 216 Hillsboro Ave., Lexington, KY 40511
James C. Currens 1320 Dale Dr., Lexington, KY 40502
Landrum R. Haddix 232 S. Porter Dr. Apt. 1, Richmond, KY 40475
Susan Haddix 232 S. Porter Dr. Apt. 1, Richmond, KY 40475
William M. Hopper 120 Victory Ave., Lexington, KY 40502
Phillip W. O'dell 120 Victory Ave., Lexington, KY 40502
James D. Pollock 3386 Buckhorn Dr., Lexington, KY 40515
Ronald F. Welch 3354 Coldstream Dr., Lexington, KY 40502