Constitution & Bylaws
 

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1. This organization shall be known as the SOCIETY FOR THE SCIENTIFIC DETECTION OF CRIME.

 

   2. The purpose of this society shall be as follows:

 

          A. To encourage the closer cooperation and interchange of ideas among the members of the organization;

 

          B. To investigate and report on new methods for the prevention, detection and solution of crime;

 

          C. To promote and encourage the use of scientific methods for the prevention, detection and solution

               of crime;

 

          D. Upon request, to act in an advisory capacity to official law enforcement agencies.

 

   3. Applicants for active membership in this organization shall be confined to chosen person actively engaged               in the prevention, investigation, detection, solution and prosecution of criminal offenses.

 

   4. Active membership in this organization shall be limited to 40.  Membership shall be by invitation only and             only after unanimous affirmative secret ballot of the members present.  A candidate for membership shall be           required to have made a presentation at a regular meeting.  A candidate shall have his petition for                               membership read in a regular meeting, announced in the notice of the following meeting and balloted upon           at that meeting.

 

   5. If an active member is absent from five (5) of the regular meetings during any one calendar year, without an             excused absence, the member’s name must be withdrawn from the active membership roll at the regular                   December meeting for that year.  This section shall in no way be construed to change or amend sections (7)               and (8) of the Constitution.

 

   6. A majority of the active members, present and voting shall constitute a quorum.

 

   7. The membership shall be divided into four (4) groups:

 

         A. Active, which members shall have the right to vote and pay their dues and hold office.
 

         B. Associate members are those who participate in the activities, pay their dues, but have no vote (Associate                 membership shall be confined to those persons who have been active in the organization for a period of                  one year but who do not meet all the requirements for full membership.  This level of membership is                        granted upon application thereto; and after affirmative ballot of the active members present.)

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        C. Honorary members are those selected as outstanding persons by the organization.  This membership                         category includes those former members who by reason of relocation outside of the Central Ohio area are                 no longer able to attend regular meetings, but are desirous of retaining contact with the Society.  Dues are                 waived.

 

        D. Emeritus members are those selected from the ranks of the active members who by reason of retirement                   or disability can no longer participate fully in Society activities.  Dues are waived.

 

   8. Associate, Honorary and Emeritus members shall have all the rights of active members, except those of                     voting and holding office.

 

   9. Each member of this organization shall pledge secrecy by taking the following pledge:  I, ________, do herby          solemnly promise and swear that I will never reveal any of the case discussions of this organization to any                person not a member of this organization, so help me God.

 

  10. The annual dues shall be $25.00 payable in January.  A member whose dues are not paid within sixty (60)                  days thereafter, shall be considered delinquent.

 

  11. The officers of this organization shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and an                Advisor who shall be the immediate past President.  The term of the office shall be two years.

 

  12. The officers shall be nominated and elected at the regular November meeting, announced at the regular                    December meeting and shall take office at the regular January meeting, to serve throughout the biennium:

 

                The governing body shall be the elected officers and the chairmen of all standing committees,                                      constituting an Executive Board.

 

                Section 1:  President.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and all meetings                        of the Executive Board/ the President shall appoint all chairmen of the standing special committees.

 

                Section 2:  Vice-President.  The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, preside at                                    all meetings of the organization and all meetings of the Executive Board.

 

                Section 3:  Secretary.  The Secretary shall maintain the minutes and records of all meetings of the                                organization; he shall present a monthly report at the meeting.

 

                Section 4:  Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall receive all money of the organization and deposit the same in                    a designated bank.  He shall pay all authorized bills and present a monthly report at the meeting.

 

                Section 5:  Advisor.  The Advisor shall be the immediate past President and shall be the chairman of the                   Nominating Committee.

 

               Section 6:  Executive Board.  The Executive Board shall Counsel and advise the President and other                             officers; and direct the activities of the organization.

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               Section 7:  Vacancies.  Any vacancies occurring on the Executive Board, other than the office of the                               President, shall be filled by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.

 

  13. The President shall appoint such committees as the society may desire or as he may deem proper.

 

  14. ADOPTION AND AMENDEMENT OF THIS CONSTITUTION:  This constitution shall become effective

        immediately upon a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting.  Amendments may be                        proposed at a regular meeting of the society, shall be mailed to each member, and voted upon at the next                 regular meeting.  A majority vote of those present shall be necessary for the adoption of any amendment.

 

   

   BY-LAWS

 

1. Regular meetings shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at 8:00 p.m., unless otherwise specified and due notice having been sent by the Secretary.

 

   2. Special meetings may be called by the President in case of an emergency.

 

   3. It shall be the duty of each member, whenever possible, without monetary consideration, to assist any other            member when called in the investigation of a crime.

 

   4. Amendments and/or additions to these by-laws may be proposed at a regular meeting.  The amendment or              proposal shall then be mailed to each member with the notice of the next regular meeting, at which time it                shall be voted upon.  A majority of those members present shall make the amendment or proposal effective              at once.

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   5. It shall be the duty of each member, Active, Associate, Honorary and Emeritus to actively seek and                              disseminate to other members knowledge which will further the purpose for which this society was formed.

 

   6. Inactive or lapsed members who left fellowship of the society in good order may be restored to full                            membership by paying the current dues and by a majority vote of those active members present.