As an internal organization of the National Speleological Society, the region is governed by a Constitution and Bylaws.

The following amended and restated Constitution was adapted on September 4, 1993 by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting wherein a quorum was present.

Article I

The name of the organization shall be the Rocky Mountain Region of the National Speleological Society (herein referred to as the Rocky Mountain Region).

Article II

Purpose

The purpose of the Rocky Mountain Region shall be to advance the study and science of speleology, the protection of caves and the karst environment, and to inspire fellowship among those interested therein.

Article III

Officers

The officers of the Rocky Mountain Region shall be as follows:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary-Treasurer

The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the bylaws and by parliamentary authority adopted by the Rocky Mountain Region. They shall be members of the National Speleological Society. No member shall hold more than one office of the Rocky Mountain Region at a time and no grotto may have more than one officer.

Article IV

The Constitution and Bylaws of the National Speleological Society shall be binding on the Rocky Mountain Region. Any action inconsistent therewith shall be null and void.

Article V

Amendment of the Constitution

Amendments to the constitution may be made at the general meeting of the Rocky Mountain Region held at the annual regional convention by a 2/3 vote of the members present or by written consent of one half of the total membership.

[Signed]

J. Kevin Smith
President, Rocky Mountain Region of the NSS, 1993

Article I

Membership

Membership shall be classified as regular or individual.

• Regular membership shall be granted to members in good standing of any NSS Grotto in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
• Individual membership shall be granted to persons not affiliated with any NSS organization as previously stated who apply for such membership, are endorsed by a regular member, and include a signed statement that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Rocky Mountain Region and shall practice and promote cave conservation and safety.
• Members shall have the right to vote, to participate in activities of the Rocky Mountain Region, and to receive a copy of any newsletter issued by the Rocky Mountain Region.

Article II

Meetings

There shall be at least one general meeting of the membership each year held at the annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Region.

The convention shall be hosted by the members of a locale determined at the previous convention. The convention time and place of the convention shall be determined by the host members but should be on Labor Day Weekend unless the situation demands another date.

Additional meetings of the membership may be held at such times and places as determined by the Executive Board.

Article III

Elections

Elections shall be held at the annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Region.

Officers will be elected for a term of one year by a majority vote of the members present.

In the event that an office becomes vacant, the president shall appoint a member to fill the position for the remainder of the term. In the event the office of president becomes vacant, the Vice President shall assume the office of President and appoint a successor for the office of Vice President.

Article IV

Executive Board

The Rocky Mountain Region shall be governed by an Executive Board composed of the officers of the organization.

The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Rocky Mountain Region between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Rocky Mountain Region, and shall perform such other duties as specified in these bylaws.

The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Rocky Mountain Region, and none of its acts shall conflict with actions taken by the Rocky Mountain Region. Meetings of the Board shall be called by the President.

Article V

Duties of Officers

The President shall have the following duties:

• To conduct meetings.
• To prepare the annual National Speleological Society Internal Organization Report for the Rocky Mountain Region.

The Vice President shall have the following duties:

• To conduct meetings when the President is not present.
• To assist in the preparation for the annual Convention of the Rocky Mountain Region.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall have the following duties:

• To take minutes of the meetings.
• To maintain charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Rocky Mountain Region.
• To maintain complete and accurate accounts of the Rocky Mountain Region’s receipts and disbursements.
• To pay all expenditures previously authorized by the Executive Board or required to implement decisions of the Executive Board.
• To make a report of the financial condition of the Rocky Mountain Region at each meeting.

Article VI

Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Rocky Mountain Region in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Rocky Mountain Region may adopt.

Article VII

Amendment of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at the general meeting held at the annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Region.

Article H

Murphy’s Law shall govern all procedural questions arising at meetings of the Executive Council.

[signed]

J. Kevin Smith
President, Rocky Mountain Region of the NSS, 1993