Date: Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:09:26 -0500
From: gh <geehart@frontiernet.net>
Subject: Bylaw problem written up


1) The entire 22 page original incorporating1982 Bylaws document dated 3-26-82 has been obtained. The document has 17 articles.

Of greatest interest is Article 14: Amendments, Section 1a where it states: Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by a petition signed by at least 15 percent of the eligible voters of MUFON, provided that any such petition bearing the signatures of at least 50 eligible voters shall constitute a valid proposal for amendment.

Section 1b states: Amendments to these Bylaws shall be voted upon by the eligible voters of MUFON by a postal ballot conducted at least one month before the Annual Corporate Meeting. The ballots will be mailed to the membership with the monthly magazine....

2) Article 6, section 1 states that the Board of Directors shall consist of all the Corporate Officers, the functional Directors and four elected Regional Directors.

Section 2: Regional Directors are elected to four year terms at the Annual Corporate Meeting which is normally held in conjunction with the Annual Symposium or by a mail vote. Section 2b: Regional Directors represent the membership-at-large on the Board of Directors.

3) Article 11, section 1 states: The MUFON UFO Journal is the official monthly magazine of MUFON and is mailed to all members as part of their annual dues.

4)The Articles of Incorporation (at top of page) and Amended Articles of Incorporation dated July 5, 1982 (page bottom) are available from the current MUFON website through the "Read More" link on the "Our Organization" page, viewable after clicking "About" at the top of MUFON's Home page.

5) The Oct. 2003 revised Bylaws, containing 10 Articles, are posted on MUFON's website available through the Objectives and Governance link on the Our Organization page. The Article regarding member voting privileges is gone and Article 6, Section 7: Vacancies has been added where it says that the Board votes on Board candidates nominated by the Board. Also, Article 9 Amendments says that: Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed and set by the Board of Directors (only).

6) Carrion, in the August issue of the MJ states that he was invited to participate in the 2003 MUFON reorganization meetings that resulted in "a revised Mission Statement and Goals."

7) A copy of any changes in an organization's Bylaws must be sent to the IRS with the tax return for the year the changes were made. Members would have had to vote on any changes to the Bylaws between 1982 and 2003. When did this happen as any and all member voting rights had "disappeared" by late 2003.

Gary Hart