ARTICLE I--NAME
The name of the Association shall be the New Hampshire Science Teachers Association, Inc.

ARTICLE II--PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be to promote and improve science education.

ARTICLE III--MEMBERSHIP
1. An Active Member is any person interested in science education who has paid regular membership dues. Active Members are entitled to vote, hold office, and receive all publications.

2. A Student Member is any regularly enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, not employed full-time in education, who is interested in science education and who has paid student membership dues. Student Members shall be entitled to receive publications specified by the Board of Directors but shall not hold office or vote.

3. Retired Members are those Active Members who upon retirement from employment notify the Treasurer of their desire to continue their involvement with the Association. Retired Members enjoy the same membership privileges accorded Active Members. However, they shall not be required to pay dues.

4. The membership year of the Association shall be a one year membership effective from the joining date to one year later. (amended 3/30/08 by a majority vote of the NHSTA membership).

ARTICLE IV--OFFICERS
1. The Officers of this Association shall be a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as the immediate Past President and one at-large member voted for by the sitting Board of Directors (amended 10/10/06 by a majority vote of the NHSTA membership).

2. Officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and installed. The President, Vice President, and Secretary may serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office. There is no restriction on the number of terms that may be held by the Treasurer. Installation of Officers shall be held each March at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors.

3. Officers shall be elected by a printed ballot which includes nominations submitted by a Nominating Committee as well as provisions for write-in candidates. Ballots shall be mailed to all Active and Retired Members. Procedures for the return and counting of ballots shall be established each year by the Nominating Committee.

4. Unexpired terms of Officers unable to serve shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V--BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers and at least seven Directors-at-Large one of whom shall be the Immediate Past President. Directors-at-Large shall be appointed annually by the Officers following their installation. They shall be chosen to represent, to the extent possible, New Hampshire's geographic regions and the various educational levels and science disciplines found within the State.

2. The term of office for Directors-at-Large shall be from the day of their appointment until their successors are appointed as provided in Section 1 of this Article. There is no restriction on the number of terms that may beheld by a Director-at-Large.

3. The function of the Board of Directors shall be to transact the business of the Association.

4. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of its members.

ARTICLE VI--COMMITTEES
1. The President shall annually appoint a Nominating Committee and an Awards Committee as well as such other standing committees as the Board of Directors deems necessary for the operation of the Association.

2. The President may appoint at will such Ad Hoc Committees as are necessary or advisable.

ARTICLE VII--DUES AND FINANCES
1. The Board of Directors shall evaluate, modify, if necessary, and adopt an annual budget prepared by The Treasurer. Said budget shall be presented to the Board of Directors at its summer meeting.

2. Dues for Active and Student Members shall be set by vote of The Board of Directors at its summer meeting.

3. The Board of Directors shall set salaries and honoraria, if any, to be paid to the Officers and employees of the Association.

4. The Treasurer shall make a financial report to The Board of Directors at its summer meeting and shall file with the Secretary of State all forms and pay such fees as are necessary to maintain the status of The Association as a voluntary corporation under the laws of New Hampshire.

ARTICLE VIII--MEETINGS
1. General membership meetings may be held at the call of the Board of Directors. Further, the Board of Directors shall be required to call a general membership meeting upon receipt of a petition signed by 5% of the Active and Retired Members of the Association. Notice of all general membership meetings shall be mailed to the entire membership at least 15 days prior to said meeting.

2. A quorum at a general membership meeting shall consist of 12.5% of the Active and Retired Members of the Association.

ARTICLE IX--AMENDMENTS
Any member of the Association may propose amendments to The Constitution. If the proposed amendment is endorsed by a majority of the Board of Directors or supported in writing by 10% of The Active and Retired Members of the Association, the proposed amendment shall then be printed on a ballot which shall be mailed to all Active and Retired Members. The Amendment shall become effective by a two-Thirds vote of those members who return their ballots within 30 days.

ARTICLE X--FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Association shall be from August 1 through July 31.

ARTICLE XI- - DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution, the assets of the Association shall be distributed in equal portions to the Science Center of New Hampshire and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

Organized and First Constitution Adopted October 15, 1965
Present Constitution Adopted October 11, 1974
Amended October 1, 1977
Amended October 22, 1981
Amended March 25, 1988
Amended September 20, 1991
Amended October 10, 2006
Amended March 30, 2008