2009 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting & International Research Conference

November 12-15, 2009
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel
The Woodlands, Texas (near Houston)

Resolution #1 on Officer and Director Elections
North Carolina State University Chapter
Submitted March 27, 2009

WHEREAS:

1. Dues paying membership in Sigma Xi (hereinafter, the Society) has experienced a steady decline for an extended number of years;
2. There is reason to believe that the decline in membership has resulted, at least in part, from a perception of little or no connectedness between the Society and individual members;
3. Individual members choose to pay or not to pay dues;
4. Officers are elected by Assemblies of Delegates attended typically by delegates from about one third of the chapters of the Society; and
5. Directors are elected by regional and constituency caucuses held among the delegates at said Assemblies of Delegates;

1. The election of officers of the Society by vote of the individual members of the Society;
2. The election of directors of the Society by vote of the individual members by region and constituency; and
3. The election of each officer and director by a majority vote of the individual members voting in the election there for.

Action at the meeting: This resolution did not pass.

Resolution #2 on Constitutional Amendment
North Carolina State University Chapter
Submitted March 27, 2009

WHEREAS:

1. Dues paying membership in Sigma Xi (hereinafter, the Society) has experienced a steady decline for an extended number of years;
2. There is reason to believe that the decline in membership has resulted, at least in part, from a perception of little or no connectedness between the Society and its individual members;
3. It is individual members who choose to pay or not to pay dues; and
4. The Constitution of the Society may be amended by only a vote of an Assembly of Delegates;

1. The amendment of the Constitution of the Society only by vote of the individual members of the Society;
2. The amendment of the Constitution of the Society by a majority vote wherein at least 10% of the individual membership has participated.

Action at the meeting: This resolution did not pass.

Resolution #3 on the Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
North Carolina State University Chapter
Submitted March 27, 2009

WHEREAS:

1. Sigma Xi (hereinafter, the Society) is governed by Assemblies of Delegates sitting in session at meetings of the Society;
2. The Board of Directors is responsible for governance during interims between sittings of Assemblies of Delegates; and
3. The Board of Directors employs a professional Executive Director to lead the day-to-day operations of the Society;

The authorized duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, including its individual members, shall be consistent with policies established by the Assembly of Delegates and shall consist of: appointment and dismissal of the Executive Director, setting annual compensation for the Executive Director, review of the performance of the Executive Director, directing the Executive Director in the management of activities, property, and affairs of the Society, and serving as the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Action at the meeting: This resolution did not pass.

Resolution #4 to Abolish the Office of Treasurer
North Carolina State University Chapter
Submitted March 27, 2009

WHEREAS:

1. The Constitution of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, provides for the election of a Treasurer;
2. Sigma Xi (hereinafter, the Society) has been served by capable and dedicated leaders in the office of Treasurer;
3. These capable and dedicated leaders include the incumbent Treasurer to whom great gratitude is due;
4. The financial challenges of the Society are such that dedicated, professional, and accountable leadership is required;
5. The challenges as well as prudent ongoing management require transparent and well documented financial structures, decisions, and results; and
6. The Society employs a Director of Budget and Finance who is responsible to the Executive Director, and through the Executive Director to the Board of Directors and to the membership;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT, In order to streamline, make more transparent, and set clear accountability for the financial management of the Society, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society be amended as needed to provide for:

1. The abolishment of the office of Treasurer;
2. The responsibility of the Director of Budget and Finance professional position to be clearly established as, under the direction of the Executive Director, to provide prudent ongoing financial management for the Society that is transparent and fully documented and to report through the Executive Director to the Board, Assemblies of Delegates, and the membership.

Resolution #5 to Merge with another Society
Northwestern University Chapter
Submitted June 15, 2009

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT, This Assembly directs the Board of the Society to explore merging with another science organization.

1. Authorization for Executive Committee to explore merging with another science organization.

Reason: Twenty years decline of membership and funding.

For discussion: Under carefully set arrangements, this action would ensure a stable future for the organization, provide more opportunities for leadership for Sigma Xi mission, and solve its financial crisis. Action at the meeting: This resolution did not pass.

Resolution #6 on Membership List and Mandatory Dues
Northwestern University Chapter
Submitted June 15, 2009

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT, This Assembly directs the Board of the Society to explore listing as members ONLY those that pay yearly dues, and to enforce any Chapter's mandatory chapter dues as part of the membership dues assessed.

1. Authorization for Executive Committee to explore listing as members ONLY those that pay yearly dues, and to enforce mandatory chapter dues as part of membership dues assessed.

Excerpt from Bylaws:

652. E. Local Chapter Dues. Local chapter dues, if assessed, shall be
653. set in an amount and by procedures provided for in the bylaws of the
654. chapter. The chapter shall have the option of collecting them
655. directly or requesting the Treasurer of the Society to collect them.

Reason:

1. Local chapters would have more money on hand for programming, resulting in higher visibility on campuses or research parks.
2. More activity would result in easier recruitment for new members and volunteers amongst the current membership.