SECTION l. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
Any person of good character who is interested in any phase of study of the Chessie System Railroads is eligible for membership without regard to race, sex, religion or national origin. Membership may be refused by the Board of Directors but must be based on proof that granting of membership to an individual or organization would cause direct harm to the Society.
SECTION 2. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
The corporation shall have two classes of membership:
Regular Membership – granted to any person of good character submitting application and upon payment of dues.
Honorary Membership – may be awarded by the Board of Directors, to any nonmember who they deem worthy of the honor by reason of past contributions, associations, and interest that may have assisted in the preservation of the history of the Chessie System Railroads. Honorary Members shall possess all the rights and privileges of regular membership except they shall not have the right to vote.
SECTION 3. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
Applicants shall be admitted to membership after completing an application specified by the Society and upon payment of dues. The Society has the right to charge higher dues to cover cost of postage to any foreign membership.
SECTION 4. DUES
The amount of dues shall be established by the Board of Directors based on the normal operating costs of the Society.
SECTION 5. NUMBER OF MEMBERS
There is no limit on the number of members the corporation may admit.
SECTION 6. MEMBERSHIP BOOK
The corporation shall keep a membership book containing the name and address of each member. Termination of the membership of any member shall be recorded in the book, together with the date of termination of such membership.
SECTION 7. NONLIABILITY OF MEMBERS
A member of this corporation is not personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the corporation. Therefore, members may not act for the Corporation unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors. No member may incur an obligation for the Society unless he or she is specifically authorized to do so. Violation of this provision may result in the member being held accountable for the debt or liability.
SECTION 8. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIPS
No member may transfer a membership or any right arising there from. All rights of membership cease upon the member’s death.
SECTION 9. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The membership of a member shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) Upon his or her notice of such termination delivered to the President or Secretary of the corporation personally or by mail.
(2) Upon a failure to renew his or her membership by paying dues after receiving renewal notice from the Treasurer, such termination to be effective sixty (60) days after a written notification of delinquency is given personally or mailed to such member by the Treasurer of the corporation. First renewal notice will be sent at time of expiration. If no response, a second renewal notice will be sent thirty (30) days later. Termination will occur if no response to the second notice after thirty (30) days. A member may avoid such termination by paying the amount of delinquent dues within a sixty (60) day period following the member’s receipt of the written notification of delinquency.
(3) After providing the member with reasonable written notice and an opportunity to be heard either orally or in writing, upon a determination by the Board of Directors that the member has engaged in conduct materially and seriously prejudicial to the interests or purposes of the corporation. Any person expelled from the corporation shall receive a refund of dues already paid for the current dues period.
All rights of a member in the corporation shall cease on termination of membership as herein provided.