Proposed Amendment to the Bylaws

ARTICLE III Section 1B

Add: "except as provided in Section 3."

Section 3 (new)

Special membership categories - The Board of Directors shall be empowered to confer upon individuals, by unanimous vote, the following categories of membership:

a. Complimentary, in consideration of substantial real value donated, to any individual, by waiving payment of annual dues for one year. Such waiver may be renewed annually for continued or repeated donation. The value ofthe donation for tax purposes shall be reduced by the amount of dues waived. Complimentary membership confers all rights & privileges of membership.

b. Life, in recognition of exceptional service to The Society and/or to Orchidology in general, to any person who has been a member in good standing of the Society for at least two (2) years. Life members shall be exempt from further payment of dues, and shall have all rights & privileges of membership in the society. No more than two (2) life memberships may be so granted in any calendar year.

c. Honorary, in recognition of exceptional service to The Society and/or to Orchidology in general, to any person who is not a member of the Society. A person so honored shall receive an appropriate symbol of the honor, and may participate in all Society activities, but shall not be a voting member or be eligible to hold office.

Changes present Sections 3 & 4 to Sections 4 & 5, respectively.

ARTICLE IV

Section 2A Delete "all members".

Section 2B Change "December 31" to "January 1"

ARTICLE IV

Section 3 - Expenditures

A. Expenditures shall be provided for in an annual budget which shall be prepared by the board of directors and presented to the general membership for approval no later than the November regular meeting prior to the beginning of the fiscal year.

B. Expenditures in excess of $50.00 over budgeted amounts must be approved by the board of directors.

C. Expenditures in excess of $500.00 over budgeted amounts must be approved by the general membership at a regular or special meeting.

D. Budgeted expenditures shall be made or authorized only by the chair of the committee responsible for that budgeted item.

Proposed Budget for 1997

Although not part of our constitution, the board would like to give the membership the opportunity to discuss and vote their acceptance of the proposed budget for 1997. This year's budget was based on last year's expenditures. Most line items did not change that much. The items that did increase substantially are the following:

Meeting Room Rental up $165.00 from last year. Matthaei Botanical Gardens raised their auditorium rental from $45.00 to $100.00. This change will be effective May 1997.

Show Committee budget up $250.00 from last year. This was to provide reimbursement of fuel to those who drive to distant shows and supplies for exhibit set up.

The Program budget up $150.00 to cover costs of speaker hospitality that was previously recorded under Miscellaneous Expenses.

The Ways and Means (Baubles & Trinkets) was decreased $200.00 as nothing has been allocated for viral testing.

A 1996 treasury report will printed be in our February 1997 newsletter.

Proposed 1997 AAOS Budget