Constitution
Article I: Name and Object
1.1. The name of this organization is the Society for the Metaphysics of Science (SMS).
1.2. Its objective is to promote the study of the metaphysics of science by facilitating the exchange of ideas among those engaged in this field of inquiry. SMS shall engage in activities such as: sponsoring conventions and meetings; awarding of prizes for distinguished work in the field.
1.3. SMS is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue law.
1.4. No part of the earnings of the SMS shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to its members or other persons, except that the corporation be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Sections 1.2 and 1.3 hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Society shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the corporation shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Article II: Membership
2.1. There is one class of member.
2.2. Membership applications are processed by the Secretary of the Society, who reports to the Council at the Council meeting the number of accepted applicants.
Article III: Officers and Council
3.1. Officers of the Society are a President, a President-elect, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, who perform the duties usually pertaining to these offices. The President-elect serves as Vice-president for one year and as President the following year. The term of office for both Secretary and Treasurer is three years. Elections for offices will be held each year.
3.2. The Council consists of ten members. Five of these are elected members. Five are members ex-officio; namely, the President, the President-elect, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the immediately past President. Each elected member of the Council serves for a term of three years. At least one member is elected at each annual meeting of the Society. The Council of the Society has the responsibility for organizing and directing the interests and activities of the Society.
3.3. Officers and non-ex-officio members of the Council are elected at the annual business meeting of the Society by anonymous vote. Council advertises vacancies in advance of the business meeting and solicits nominations from active members.
3.4. In case an office or a membership in the Council becomes vacant, the Council is empowered to appoint an eligible member to the vacancy, and the members so appointed will hold the position until the next annual meeting of the Society.
3.5. In case the annual meeting is not held, officers of the Society and members of the Council will retain their positions and will exercise the functions pertaining to those positions until their successors shall have been elected. If an annual meeting cannot be held during a period of more than two years, the Council in its discretion may provide for the election of officers and Council members, by means of a mail (or email) ballot.
Article IV: Committees
4.1. The only standing committee of this Society is the Program Committee. Ad hoc committees may be appointed as required by the Society or the Council.
4.2. Program Committee: The Program Committee will solicit and review paper submissions and symposia. It will invite the keynote speaker. It will report to the Council at the Council meeting the number of paper submissions and the number of accepted papers.
4.3. Ad hoc committees are appointed in the manner specified by the Society or the Council at the time they are set up; or in case no method is prescribed, the committee will be appointed by the President.
Article V: Annual Meeting
5.1. The Society holds an annual meeting at time and place the Council may determine. In determining time, the Council will try to avoid, as much as possible, conflicts with the meetings of other relevant philosophical conferences.
Article VI: Amendments
6.1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by (a) majority vote of those present at an annual business meeting of the Society, (b) majority vote of the Council, or (c) petition signed by 25 members of the Society.
6.2. Amendments may be adopted by a 2/3 vote at an annual business meeting of the Society.
Article VII: Dissolution of the Society
7.1. Upon the dissolution of the Society, the Council shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Society exclusively for the purposes of the Society in such manner or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law as the Council shall determine.
Bylaws
1. Conditions of membership and membership dues are recommended by the Council and approved by those present at the annual business meeting.