DELAWARE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, INC.
CONSTITUTION

Article I
Name

The name of this organization shall be the Delaware Photographic Society.

Article II
Objectives

The objectives of the Delaware Photographic Society shall be:
  • To encourage and develop interest in photography in all its phases, from a pastime to a fine art, by providing regular meetings at which members and the public may hear and meet leaders in the photographic field, exchange ideas and information, receive and provide instruction and exhibit their work.
  • To sponsor the annual Wilmington International Exhibition of Photography for the education and enjoyment of the community.

Article III
Membership

Section 1 - Classes

  • There shall be four classes of membership: Active, Honorary, Junior and Nonresident.

Section 2 - Active Members

  • Any person at least 18 years of age, seriously interested in photography, may apply for active membership. Applicants shall be approved by the Chairman of the Membership Committee.

Section 3 - Honorary Members

  • Honorary Members may be designated by the Board of Directors from persons outside of the Society, based upon conspicuous service rendered to the Society. Such members are not expected to participate as Active Members and do not pay dues.
  • Honorary Members may also be designated by the Awards Committee from Active Members of the Society who have given distinguished service to the Society but who have retired from active participation due to relocation, age, health, or physical disability.
  • Honorary members do not pay dues, vote, hold elective office or enter intraorganizational internal competition.

Section 4 - Junior Members

  • Any person under 18 years, having at least one parent, guardian, or close acquaintance who is an Active Member, and having a serious interest in photography may become a Junior Member on application through said parent, guardian, or acquaintance.

Section 5 - Nonresident Members

  • Any person at least 18 years, and interested in photography may apply for nonresident membershp, providing they live 75 or more air miles from Wilmington, Delaware. The nonresident member may not compete in monthly competitions, but will receive all other DPS membership priveleges. Applicant shall be approved by the chairman of the membership committee.

Section 6 - Service Awards

The following Service Awards may be presented to Active Members for distinguished service to the Society over a period of years (See Bylaws, Article VIII):

    Bronze, silver, and gold medals
    Special commendation
    Award to outgoing president

Section 7 - Distinguished Status

The following Distinguished Status designations may be presented to Active Members for further outstanding service beyond the award of medals and including photographic expertise. (See Bylaws, Article VIII):

    Associate
    Fellow

This section shall not affect the designation of Associate and Fellow conferred in prior years.

Section 8 - Suspension and Termination

Membership of any person may be suspended or terminated when sufficient reasons exist by action of the Board of Directors. The Member in question shall have the right to appeal, in which case, the action of the Board of Directors shall be upheld or recanted by a majority vote of those attending a meeting of the Membership.

Article IV
Officers

The elective officers shall be:
  • President
  • Vice President
  • Education Director
  • Projected Image Director
  • Print Director
  • Program Director
  • Recording Secretary
  • Corporate Secretary/Treasurer.
Nominations for these offices shall only be made from Active Members in good standing.

Article V
Board of Directors/Committees

Section 1 - Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors shall:
  • Have general charge of policy, management and finances of the Society.

Section 2 - Members of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall be composed of:
  • Elected officers (See Article IV)
  • Chairmen of Board Standing Committees (See Article V, Section 3)
  • Two immediate Past Presidents in good standing.

Section 3 - Board Standing Committees

The Standing Committees shall be:

      ComputerMembership
      EquipmentReflector
      Field TripsWebsite
      ExhibitionFuture Exhibition

Section 4 - Other Standing Committees

      Nominating
      Standards
      Audit
      Awards

Section 5 - Other Committees

The President shall appoint such other committees as may be required.

Article VI
Meetings

Regular and Special meetings of the Society shall have place, date, and time stipulated by the President or the Board of Directors.

Article VII
Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by any active member to the Board of Directors, and if approved by said Board, shall be incorporated into the Constitution after approval by a two-thirds majority of a quorum at a Society Membership Meeting.

Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be published to the members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be voted upon.

Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed to the Board of Directors by any active member, and if approved by said Board, shall become part of the Bylaws.

Article VIII
Quorum

Board of Directors:

A quorum shall consist of seven (7) members of the Board of Directors, one of whom is President or a Vice President, provided that due notice of the meeting shall have been issued to all concerned.

Membership Meeting:

A quorum shall consist of at least twenty percent (20%) of the total active members in good standing, provided that due notice of the meeting shall have been given to all members.

Original approval January 7, 1963
11 Amendments through May 9, 1988
Prior amendment Oct. 26, 1998
Amended on April 8, 2002
Amended on Feb. 9, 2004
Amended Mar. 26, 2007