CONSTITUTION


ARTICLE I
This organization shall be known as the Franklin Technical Society (FTS) of Washington, DC.

ARTICLE II
The purpose of this Society shall be the dissemination to its members of knowledge relative to the design, planning, procurement, production, micropublishing, and distribution of printed matter.

ARTICLE III
Section 1. Regular Membership. Any employee of the Federal, State or Local Government whose position is in any of the Society's six basic fields of interest as set forth in Article II, should be eligible for regular membership.

Section 2. Honorary Membership. Honorary membership may be granted to any person, whether or not otherwise eligible, who has advanced any of the Society's fields of interest or who has rendered outstanding service to the Society. This membership may be proposed by any regular, life or associate member at any regular meeting. Such proposal for honorary membership shall first be published in the newsletter and voted upon by secret ballot at the next regular meeting, and must be approved by two thirds of members present and voting. Honorary members shall not have voting rights nor may they hold office.

Section 3. Life Membership. Any regular member in good standing who reaches the age of 60 years who has been a member in good standing for 20 years and is a Government retiree shall, upon written application, be granted a life membership in the Society.

Section 4. Inactive Membership. This status may be granted, upon written application, to those regular members intending to reside and work outside a radius of 50 miles from Washington, DC, for a period exceeding 12 months. They will retain all benefits of regular membership except the right to vote or hold office.

Section 5. Associate Membership. The associate member status shall be granted, upon written application, to any printing professional who is ineligible to become a regular member. Associate members shall have all the privileges of regular membership.

ARTICLE IV
Section 1. There shall be four(4) elective officers as follows:
  • President
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer

The Secretary, Editor, Treasurer, Vice President/Program Chairperson, and Web Master shall receive an allocation per month to be determined by the Board of Directors to cover the expenses of their offices.

Section 2. There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of the above mentioned officers together with six additional members elected to office.

Section 3. Standing committees shall be appointed by the President within 2 weeks after the November meeting as follows:
  • Audit and Finance Committee
  • Education Committee
  • Laws Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Program Committee
  • Welfare Committee

    ARTICLE V
    Section 1. Regular meetings of the Society shall be held in the last week of each month except January, June, July, August, and December.

    Section 2. The regular February meeting of the Society shall be its annual meeting.

    Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President at his/her discretion, or shall be called upon the written petition of not less than ten regular, life, or associate members. A notice (stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting) shall be mailed to all members not less than 5 days prior to any special meeting.

    Section 4. Except as otherwise provided, ten regular, life, or associate members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings.

    Section 5. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

    Section 6. Any member may bring a guest to any meeting: Provided, that no limitations as to space and number of people have been placed on the Society.

    ARTICLE VI
    Proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of this Society must be submitted to the Laws committee in writing. The Laws Committee shall report its recommendations at the first regular or special meeting which follows a period of 15 calendar days from the date on which the proposed amendments were submitted. The proposal shall then be submitted for voting at the next regular or special meeting of the Society. A two-thirds majority of those members present and voting, shall be required for adoption of amendments. Proposed amendments shall be mailed to all members by the Editor or Secretary with the notice of the meeting at which they shall be submitted for voting.