Constitution of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Inc.

Adopted: December 2, 1968 Amended: Oct. 21, 1975; Dec. 20, 1977; Jul. 27, 1979; Nov. 1982; Jun. 1984; Oct. 1990; Mar. 1992; Jul. 1992; Apr. 1995

Article I - Name

The name of this organization is the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Inc., hereinafter referred to as the Guild.

Article II - Objectives

The Guild is a non-profit organization of persons employed, or genuinely interested in the field of natural science illustration, having the desire to maintain and further the profession through increased communication of those involved, to encourage and assist others with the desire and capabilities to enter the profession, to promote better understanding of the profession by the general public and those persons requiring natural science illustration services and to increase the respect for the profession through encouraging high standards of competence and ethics.

Article III - Membership

Section 1. The membership of the Guild shall consist of Regular Members and Honorary Members.

Section 2. Regular membership shall consist of those persons or organizations having an appreciation of and a genuine interest in furthering the objectives of illustrations for the natural sciences. All Regular Members in good standing have the right to vote, and are eligible to hold office. Qualified applicants may become Regular Members upon application submitted to the Guild and full payment of dues. All Regular Members will receive all 10 issues of the GNSI Newsletter and are eligible to purchase all Guild publications.

Section 3. Honorary Membership is reserved for those persons that the Guild deems worthy of honoring because of outstanding work in the field of natural science illustration and/or outstanding assistance in helping the Guild achieve its objectives. They shall be life members having all the privileges and responsibilities of membership which were heretofore enjoyed but shall be exempt from the further payment of dues. Election to membership shall require an affirmative majority vote of the full Board of Directors.

Section 4. Regular annual dues shall be paid prior to January 1st in the amount and procedure as determined by the Board of Directors and upon full notification of those members concerned. 

Section 5. All Regular Members will be sent 2 dues notices. Any member whose dues have not been paid by January 1st will be dropped from the membership rolls. All rights, privileges, and interest of a member in or to the Guild shall cease on the termination of membership. Such persons will be reinstated upon payment of delinquent dues. The Board of Directors, for reasons it deems appropriate, may waive or reduce the annual dues of any member except themselves, or of all members.

Article IV - Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1. Adoption of amendments to this Constitution shall require previous notice by mail, be listed separately, and require a two-thirds affirmative vote on each individual amendment change. The vote can be in person or by mail of the entire membership entitled to vote. Any member who does not return the ballot within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the Board of Directors shall be considered a positive vote.

Section 2. Any member in good standing may propose, in writing, an amendment to the Constitution to the Board of Directors. If approved by the majority of the full Board, the proposal shall be submitted by mail to each voting member for vote.

Section 3. Notice is made herewith that the formal adoption of this Constitution, all previous Constitutions, motions of record, rules and regulations in conflict with this Constitution are repealed.