BY-LAWS
of
NEGATIVE POPULATION GROWTH, INC.
Article I
Purpose
The purpose of Negative Population Growth, Inc. ("NPG") shall be
to promote understanding and appreciation of the need for, and otherwise further
by all lawful means, the achievement of a lower level of population in the
United States.
Article II
Membership
§ 1. Eligibility.
Any person, including any individual, firm, corporation or unincorporated association,
shall be eligible to be a member of NPG upon signing such membership or
application form as the Board of Directors may require and by the payment
of such fees as shall be fixed by the Board for membership. There shall
be no other requirements for membership.
§ 2. Classes of Members.
Membership may be divided into more than one class by determination of the
Board of Directors and the Board may fix and determine dues for such classes,
provided, however, that all members, regardless of class of membership, shall
be equal in voting privileges as hereinafter specified. The Board may also
confer honorary membership with such rights and privileges as the Board may
from time to time determine. The Board shall fix the amounts and dates of payment
of dues by members.
§ 3. Annual Meeting of Members.
A general meeting of the members of NPG shall be held annually at 2:00 P.M.
on the third Wednesday of April of each year (unless that day is a legal holiday,
in which case it shall be held on the next business day), or on such other
date as designated by the Board of Directors, provided that prior notice, as
described herein, is provided to members. General meetings of members shall
be held at such place as the Board shall from time to time determine.
§ 4. Special Meetings of Members.
Special meetings of the members of NPG may be called by the Board or by the
President. In addition, special meetings shall be called by the President or
by the Secretary at the request in writing of ten percent or more of the voting
members of NPG. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed
special meeting and business transacted at a special meeting shall be confined
to those matters stated in the notice of special meeting. Such request shall
also specify the date on which such meeting will be held, and such date shall
not be less than 60 days or more than 90 days from the date of the written
request.
§ 5. Notice of and Actions to be Taken at Meeting of Members.
(a) Written notice of each meeting of members shall state the purpose or purposes
for which the meeting is called, the place, date and hour of the meeting and
if it is a special meeting, shall indicate by or at the direction of which
person or persons the meeting is called. In addition, the notice shall describe
in detail any action to be taken at the meeting, including the election, adoption
or change of directors (identifying affected existing directors or individuals
nominated to be directors), by-laws or policies of NPG. Notice of meetings
given by first-class mail to each member entitled to vote at such meeting shall
be given not less than twenty days nor more than fifty days prior to the date
of the meeting. If notice is not given by first-class mail, at the discretion
of the Board of Directors, it shall be given either by any other class of mail
not less than thirty nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting
or by publication as permitted by law. Certification by the secretary of the
corporation shall be prima facie evidence on the receipt and distribution of
notice and information, as provided by law.
(b) Actions to be taken at a meeting may be proposed by the Board of Directors
or by written petition of at least five percent of the voting members. If an
action to be taken at a meeting of the members (including both motions and
nominations or changes to the Board of Directors) is proposed by anyone other
than the Board of Directors, the persons proposing the action shall provide
to the Secretary complete information for the notice to members at least thirty
days prior to the mailing date of the notices; if sufficient information is
not provided in time, no such proposed action not otherwise fully described
in the notice to members may be considered at the meeting.
§ 6. Quorum.
Five percent of the voting members of NPG shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at a meeting. Once a quorum is present at any meeting,
it shall not be deemed destroyed or broken by the subsequent withdrawal of
any members from the meeting. Members present at any meeting where less than
a quorum is present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is present.
§ 7. Record Date.
In order to determine the members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting
of members or to express consent to or dissent from any proposal without a
meeting or for any other purpose, the record date for determining membership
shall be fifty days prior to the meeting. The Board may change such record
date, subject to applicable law, provided that such change is made by the Board
not less than sixty days prior to the otherwise scheduled record date.
§ 8. Qualification of Voters.
Every member of record in good standing shall be entitled to one vote at every
meeting of members. The election of directors shall be by a plurality of the
votes cast at a meeting of members. All other corporate action shall be authorized
by a majority of the votes cast, unless otherwise provided by law.
§ 9. Voting by Proxy.
Every member entitled to vote at a meeting of members or to express consent
to or dissent from any proposal may authorize another person or persons to
act for the member by proxy. A proxy shall be signed by the member or the member's
attorney-in-fact, evidence of whose authority shall be attached to the proxy.
No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date
thereof. Each proxy shall be revocable, prior to exercise, at the pleasure
of the member executing it, except as otherwise provided by law, by giving
written notice to the Secretary.
§ 10. Voting by Ballot.
In the discretion of the Board, any business that may be conducted at any meeting
of members may be conducted by the mailing of a written ballot to members not
less than thirty days prior to the latest date provided for written notice
of a meeting. Such ballot shall clearly set forth the matters to be voted on
and in the event of such use of a written ballot, voting shall be by the member
and not by proxy.
Article III
Directors
§ 1. Number of Directors.
The management of the business of the corporation shall be vested in a Board
of Directors, consisting of five members. The Board, by amending these By-laws,
may change the number of directors, provided that no such change shall shorten
the term of an incumbent director.
§ 2. Term of Directors.
Each director shall serve a term, not to exceed three years, set by the Board.
§ 3. Qualifications of Directors.
To qualify for election as a director, a person shall be a member (of any type)
of NPG and be at least eighteen years of age.
§ 4. Removal of Directors.
Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by a majority of the whole
Board of Directors. Directors may be removed without cause only by majority
vote of the members.
§ 5. Resignation of Directors.
A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board, the
President or the Secretary of the corporation. Unless otherwise specified in
the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Board
or such officer, and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary
to make it effective.
§ 6. Vacancies in the Board.
Newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors
and vacancies occurring in the Board for any reason (except the removal of
directors without cause) may be filled by a vote of a majority of the directors
then in office, although less than a quorum then exists. Vacancies occurring
by reason of the removal of directors without cause shall be filled by vote
of the members. A director elected to fill a vacancy caused by resignation,
death or removal shall be elected for the unexpired term of the director's
predecessor.
§ 7. Quorum of Directors.
A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business. Presence by a director by conference telephone call shall constitute
presence in person at a meeting.
§ 8. Place of Board Meetings.
The Board may hold its meetings at such place as it may from time to time determine.
Board meetings may be held by conference telephone call, provided that all
persons shall be able to hear and be heard by each other.
§ 9. Annual Organization Meeting.
Following each regular annual meeting of members, the Board shall convene,
without further notice, to elect officers and to organize the Board and officers
of the corporation for the coming year.
§ 10. Notice of Meetings of the Board.
Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place
as the Board shall from time to time determine. Special meetings of the Board
shall be held upon not less than three days' notice, upon call of the President
or upon call of any two directors. Such notice shall be given personally, by
mail or by wire. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who
submits a waiver of notice, whether before or after the meeting takes place,
or who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement
the lack of adequate notice to him. Any meeting of the directors may be adjourned
in the absence of a quorum by any director present. Three days' notice of adjournment
to another place and time shall be given all directors.
§ 11. Committees of the Board.
The Board may designate from among its members or from among members of the
corporation such special committees as it shall deem necessary or advisable
and each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
§ 12. Compensation of Directors.
No compensation shall be paid to directors, as such, for their services, but
by resolution of the Board a fixed sum and expenses for attendance may be authorized.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving
the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
§ 13. Chairman of the Board.
At all meetings of the Board, the President, or, in the President's absence,
a Chairman chosen by the Board, shall preside.
Article IV
Officers
§ 1. Offices, Election, Term.
(a). The Board shall elect
or appoint from among its members a President,
and from the membership of NPG one or more
Vice-presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer,
and such other officers as it may determine.
(b) Each officer shall hold office for the term for which he is elected or
appointed and until his successor has been elected or appointed and shall
have qualified.
(c) Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed by the Board
with or without cause.
(d) In the event of the death, resignation or removal of an officer, the
Board may elect or appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term.
(e) Any two or more offices, except the offices of President and Secretary,
may be held by the same person.
(f) The salaries of all officers shall be fixed by the Board and the Board
may require any officer to give security for the faithful performance of
the officer's duty.
§ 2. The President.
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation. The
President shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of the members.
The President shall have the management of the corporation and the duty
to carry into effect all lawful orders and resolutions of the Board.
§ 3. The Vice-Presidents.
The Vice-President, or if there be more than one, the First Vice-President,
shall have and exercise the powers and functions of the President during the
President's absence or disability to act. The Vice-President shall also perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board.
§ 4. The Secretary.
The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and of the members, record
all votes and minutes of all proceedings, give or cause to be given notice
of meetings of members and of special meetings of the Board. The Secretary
shall have custody of the seal of the corporation and affix it to any instrument
when authorized by the Board. The Secretary shall keep all documents and records
of the corporation as required by law in a proper and safe manner.
§ 5. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and shall keep
accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in the corporate books. The
Treasurer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name of and to
the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by
the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as ordered
or authorized by the Board and preserve proper vouchers for such disbursements.
The Treasurer shall render to the President and the Board at regular meetings
of the Board or whenever they shall require it an account of all of the transactions
as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.
§ 6. Assistants to Officers.
The Board may appoint an assistant to any of the officers of the corporation
with duties and powers designated by the Board.
Article V
Corporate Seal
The seal of the corporation shall be circular in
form and bear the name of the corporation, the
year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal, New York".
The seal may be used by causing it to be impressed
directly on the instrument or writing
to be sealed, or upon adhesive substance affixed
thereto.
Article VI
Execution of Instruments
All corporate instruments and documents shall be signed by such officer or
officers or such other person or persons as the Board may from time to
time designate. Instruments for the transfer of money may be signed by
the Treasurer alone in amounts up to $____ and by the Treasurer and one
other officer or person designated by the Board for amounts in excess of
$________.
Article VII
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the corporation shall terminate at the end of business on
the last day of December and the following year shall begin on the next
day thereafter.
Article VIII
Amendment of By-laws
These by-laws may be amended at any time by the vote of the members or by a
majority of the full Board of Directors.
If any by-law regulating an impending election of directors is adopted, amended
or repealed by the Board, the notice of the next meeting of members for the
election of directors shall set forth the by-laws so adopted, amended or repealed,
together with a concise statement of the changes made.
Article IX
Miscellaneous
§ 1. Facsimile Signatures.
Facsimile signatures of any Director or officer of the corporation may be used
whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors.
§ 2. Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records.
Each Director and each officer of the corporation shall, in the performance
of official duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books
of account or other records of the corporation, including reports made to the
corporation by any of its officers, by an independent certified public accountant,
or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care.
§ 3. Time Periods.
In applying any provision of these By Laws which requires that an act be done
or not done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be
done during a period of specified number of days prior to an event, calendar
days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the
day of the event shall be included.
§ 4. Indemnification.
(a) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the corporation shall indemnify any
Director or officer, any former Director or officer, or any person who may
have served at its request as a director or officer of another corporation,
whether for profit or not for profit, against any and all expenses and liabilities
actually and necessarily incurred by or imposed on the person in connection
with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding (whether actual or threatened,
civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, including appeals) to which
the person may be or is made a party by reason of being or having been such
Director or officer; provided, however, that there shall be no indemnification
in relation to matters as to which the person shall be adjudged in such claim,
action, suit, or proceeding to be guilty of a criminal offense or liable to
the corporation for damages arising out of the person's own negligence or misconduct
in the performance of a duty to the corporation.
(b) Amounts paid in indemnification of expenses and liabilities may include,
but shall not be limited to, counsel fees and other fees; costs and disbursements;
and judgments, fines, and penalties against, and amounts paid in settlement
by, such Director or officer. The corporation may advance expenses to, or where
appropriate may itself, at its expense, undertake the defense of, any Director
or officer; provided, however, that such director or officer shall undertake
to repay or to reimburse such expense if it should be ultimately determined
that the person is not entitled to indemnification under this Article.
(c) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to claims, actions,
suits, or proceedings made or commenced after January 1, 1999, whether arising
from acts or omissions to act occurring before or after that date.
(d) The indemnification provided by this section shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which such Director or officer may be entitled under
any statute, Bylaw, agreement, vote of the Board of Directors, or otherwise
and shall not restrict the power of the corporation to make any indemnification
permitted by law.
(e) The Board of Directors may authorize the purchase of insurance on behalf
of any Director, officer, employee, or other agent against any liability asserted
against or incurred by him which arises out of such person's status as a director,
officer, employee, or agent or out of acts taken in such capacity, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against
that liability under law.
(f) In no case, however, shall the corporation indemnify, reimburse, or insure
any person for any taxes imposed on such individual under chapter 42 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect or as may hereafter be amended
("the Code"). Further, if at any time the corporation is deemed to
be a private foundation within the meaning of § 509 of the Code then,
during such time, no payment shall be made under this section if such payment
would constitute an act of self-dealing or a taxable expenditure, as defined
in § 4941(d) or § 4945(d), respectively, of the Code.
(g) If any part of this section shall be found in any action, suit, or proceeding
to be invalid or ineffective, to the fullest extent possible, the validity
and the effectiveness of the remaining parts shall not be affected.
§ 5. Avoidance of Excess Benefit Transactions.
The Board shall, by resolution, adopt a conflict of interest policy or other
policy statement to minimize the possibility of engaging in an excess benefit
transaction without overburdening the organization. Until and unless changed
by the Board, the policy outlined on the attached compensation policy shall
be the organization's current policy.
The foregoing Revised By Laws were adopted by the Directors on September 8,
1999.
Negative Population Growth,
Inc.
COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES
Compensation for Services:
No Compensation for Service As Director: Directors
of NPG (hereinafter "the organization")
are not compensated for their service as Directors.
Reasonable Compensation: Any person,
including Directors, may receive compensation
for reasonable services performed on behalf
of or in furtherance of the tax-exempt goals
of the organization, on the same terms as any
other qualified person. As required by law,
this compensation must be based on the Fair
Market Value of the services, and must not
exceed the level paid by comparable organizations.
In no event will the organization pay compensation
which would be unreasonable under applicable
law.
Conflicts of Interest: All Directors
and employees must disclose any financial or
familial interest in a proposed financial transaction
with the organization. No person with a financial
or familial interest in a transaction shall
participate in approval of the transaction;
although such persons may discuss or answer
questions about the proposed transaction, they
must leave the discussion prior to any final
deliberation and voting.
Determining Reasonable Compensation: The
organization will use three methods to determine
reasonable compensation in particular situations:
Substantial Amounts and
General Policies: Any financial transaction
with a "disqualified person" (as
defined by the Internal Revenue Service)
with a value which exceeds $25,000 and any
general organizational compensation policies
or procedures to be implemented without further
Board review must be approved by disinterested
Directors, after full disclosure and consideration
of reports and recommendations as to Fair
Market Value and comparability. In all such
Board considerations, the intent is to follow
IRS rules in utilizing the "safe harbor" against
excess benefit transactions.
If there are no Board members who are disinterested, the Board shall nominate
an Excess Benefits Transaction Review Committee ("Committee"),
composed of one or more persons who have no interest in the proposed transaction,
to undertake a similar review, and which shall have the authority to approve
or disapprove the transaction without further Board action. A Committee shall
follow IRS rules to utilize the "safe harbor" against excess benefit
transactions (as described in IRS regulations). A Committee may obtain professional
legal or consulting assistance to comply with its responsibilities and to
avoid personal liability as "organization managers" under IRS rules.
Each person appointed to a Committee shall be informed that a decision to
approve the transaction may subject the person to liability as an "organization
manager" under IRS rules if the transaction is subsequently found to
be an excess benefit transaction. A Committee shall report fully to the Board
after its consideration of any proposed transaction.
Any Board action or Committee report shall be included in the minutes of
the Board meeting at which the action was taken or report received, and any
documentation or documents supporting the transaction shall be attached to
the minutes. The minutes shall be reviewed and corrected or approved as to
accuracy at the next Board meeting.
Smaller Amounts and Implementation of Policies: Any financial transaction
with a "disqualified person" with a value greater than $1,000 but
less than $25,000, and any other financial transaction with any person which
is permitted under a general policy established by the Board must be approved
by a duly-authorized Excess Benefits Transaction Committee of the Board,
as described above ("Committee"), after full disclosure and consideration
of reports and recommendations as to Fair Market Value and comparability.
The Committee shall operate as described above. A Committee may obtain professional
legal or consulting assistance to comply with its responsibilities and to
avoid personal liability as "organization managers" under IRS rules.
De Minimis Amounts: Financial transactions with a value less than
$1,000 shall be reviewed and approved by a duly-authorized employee of the
organization, according to policies established by the Board or staff according
to general rules of business procedure. Employees may obtain professional
legal or consulting assistance to comply with their responsibilities and
to avoid personal liability as "organization managers" under IRS
rules.
Business-Related Expenses:
Directors and employees may receive reasonable reimbursement for their legitimate
expenses in performing their duties, as permitted by applicable law and
Board resolutions. Reasonable reimbursement shall not include luxury travel
accommodations or spousal expenses without specific approval under the
compensation review structure described above.
Tax Reporting:
All compensation, including appropriate expenses, will be reported as compensation
on tax reporting forms, as required by law.
Resolution #1, Board Meeting
The Board, pursuant to the By-laws, hereby establishes the date
for the thirty-sixth Annual Meeting of members
of NPG.
The meeting will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, October 22, 2009,
in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida, at the Holiday Inn Express Convention Center.
Mailing date for membership notices would be forty-five days prior
to the meeting, thus, the mailing date would be
Monday, September 7, 2009. Material for inclusion
in the mailing must be received by
thirty days prior to the mailing date or Saturday,
August 8, 2009.
Record date for membership would be fifty days prior to the meeting
date, or Wednesday, September 2, 2009.
These dates may be changed by further Board action if necessary.