S.C.R.I.B.E., like many organizations, has adopted a set of guiding principles in the form of Bylaws. It is not unusual for Bylaws to undergo changes in order for organizations to retain focus, stay pertinent, and keep up not only with technology, but with the needs and wishes of its members. S.C.R.I.B.E. is no exception. Presented below, in its original formatting, are the current S.C.R.I.B.E. Bylaws, which were officially adopted by the membership on January 28, 2008.

The name of this association shall be S.C.R.I.B.E., standing for Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin Editors.

The purpose of the organization is:

Officers shall be:

Terms of officers shall be for two years beginning on January 1 and continuing through December 31 of the following year. With the exception of the Treasurer and the Bulletin Editor, officers may be elected to succeed themselves for one consecutive term for a total of four years in one office. The Treasurer and the Bulletin Editor may be elected any number of times.

Regional Vice Presidents, not to exceed ten (10), shall be appointed at the discretion of the President. These members, along with the elected officers, will constitute the Executive Council.

A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President by June 1st, the year elections are due to be held. A form for the suggested nominations from the membership shall be included in the July, August, September issue of SCRIBE. The nominating committee shall present to the president, By September 15 the names of those candidates known to be able and willing to serve in those offices to which they are nominated.

Election of Officers shall be by mail ballot (Regular Mail or E-Mail). Ballots shall be included in the October, November, December issue of SCRIBE during the year of proposed elections. Ballots are to be returned to the Nominating Committee (Regular Mail or E-Mail) no later than December 15. Ballots postmarked or e-mailed after December 15 will not be counted.

Elected officers shall be notified by mail or telephone immediately following the counting of the ballots and shall assume office as of January 1. Installation of officers will take place at the Annual Meeting. Election results will be reported in the January / February / March SCRIBE. newsletter.

Duties of officers shall be as outlined in the Executive Council Handbook.

One official annual meeting shall be held at a time and place decided by the Executive Council. Additional meetings shall be encouraged as seminars / workshops at the regional federation conventions.

Section 1. Dues shall be discussed at the annual meeting and, if deemed necessary at the time, may be changed by a majority vote of the officers and membership present and such changes shall be printed in SCRIBE. Dues shall remain equivalent for foreign memberships which shall be remitted by check or money order directly to the Treasurer.

Section 2. Dues shall be due on January 1 of each year and are payable in advance. A member whose dues remain unpaid on February 15 shall be dropped from membership. Such member may be reinstated upon payment of full dues for year of reinstatement.

Section 3. The Fiscal Year is the Calendar Year - January 1 to December 31.

These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the ballots cast. Voting shall be by mail ballot (regular mail or e-mail). Proposed amendments shall be signed by a minimum of three members and shall be directed to the Executive Council for their perusal. Once the language of the amendment is approved by the Executive Council it shall be published in SCRIBE along with a ballot to be voted upon by the general membership. A deadline shall be established for return of all ballots.

This organization is a non-profit enterprise. No officer, director or member shall receive compensation for services. Remuneration may be made for authorized, legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the organization, when authorized by the Executive Council

Upon dissolution, all assets of the association shall be disposed of and the proceeds, proportional by membership numbers, turned over to the scholarship funds of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the Gem and Mineral Federation of Canada.

Official club business (i.e., Bylaws change, amendments to the constitution, recommendations for nominations, election of officers), shall be transacted by mail, (regular mail or e-mail) or at duly stated meetings. Forms for all such business shall be mailed to members in an issue of SCRIBE or shall be sent by special mailing if a time element indicates. A deadline shall be established for return of all ballots.