ARTICLE I. NAME, EMBLEM
Section 1. Abbreviation
The approved abbreviation of the name of the Society, where an abbreviation is proper, shall be SSSNNE.
Section 2. Emblem
The design, specifications and guidelines for use of the emblem of the Society shall be as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Classes of membership
The Society shall have three classes of members designated as Active Member, Associate Member and Honorary Member. Associate Members and Honorary Members shall have all the rights and privileges of Active Members except those of voting and holding office.
Section 2. Active Members
Qualification for the class of Active Member shall consist of one of the following:
A Bachelor of Science degree with 30 semester hours or equivalent in biology, physical and earth sciences, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in soil science; or the candidate meets the qualifications for the position of GS-5 Soil Scientist as specified by the current federal Office of Personnel Management standards; or
A baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 3 years of professional experience as a Soil Scientist in soil classification, mapping and interpretation using the procedures of the National Cooperative Soil Survey or other equivalent procedures; or
Certification as a Professional Soil Scientist by a State Board or a National Organization, such as the American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops, and Soils (ARCPACS).
Section 3. Associate Members
Individuals who are interested in the aims and objectives of the Society but are not eligible for, or do not desire, the class of Active Member, may become Associate Members.
Section 4. Honorary Members
Individuals who have contributed to the aims and objectives of the Society may be elected to the class of Honorary Member by a two-thirds vote of Active Members voting at the annual meeting.
Section 5.
Membership in the Society, participation in any meeting, or any activity sponsored by the Society shall be carried out in a nondiscriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.

ARTICLE III. DUES
Section 1. Fees
Dues for Active and Associate Members shall be set annually by the Board of Directors. Honorary Members are not assessed annual dues.
Section 2. Membership year
Membership shall be from January 1 to December 31.
Section 3. Expiration and delinquency
Active Members and Associate Members shall be considered delinquent if dues are not paid by April 1 and will be removed from membership if dues are not paid by July 1.

ARTICLE IV. OPERATIONS
Section 1. Regular meetings
The Society shall hold at least one full membership meeting annually, at a time and place decided by the Board of Directors. At least 30 days advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the members.
Section 2. Special meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors or by petition of 25 percent or more of the members provided that the membership is notified of the date, time, place and purpose of the meeting at least 14 days in advance.
Section 3. Mail ballots
Except as otherwise specified in the Constitution and By-Laws, mail ballots may be used in the conduct of Society business provided that Active Members are notified of the purpose and due date of ballots at least 14 days in advance.
Section 4. Quorum, Voting
A quorum for conducting business at either a regular or special meeting shall consist of the Active Members present. Votes shall be carried by a simple majority except as otherwise specified in the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 5. Rules of Order
The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the rules of the Constitution or By-Laws of the Society.
Section 6. Dissolution of the Society
The Society shall be dissolved only if this is called for by at least two-thirds of the active members attending a regular or special meeting. Assets, which remain after dissolution of the Society, can only be transferred to another non-profit organization acting for the public welfare.

ARTICLE V. MANAGEMENT
Section 1. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of five Active Members in good standing, with at least one Director from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Each member on the Board shall serve a two-year term. The terms shall be staggered such that no more than three Directors are elected in any year. Members shall be elected to the Board at a regular meeting or by mail-in or electronic ballot. The new Board of Directors assumes office as the last item of business at the annual meeting on January 1st of the following year.
Section 2. Officers
The Board of Directors shall annually elect from among themselves the Officers as follows, decided at an annual meeting of the Board and the minutes of said meeting shall be included with the next newsletter:
The President;
The Vice-President;
The Secretary;
The Treasurer / Membership Coordinator;
The Newsletter Editor
Section 3. Duties and responsibilities of Officers
The Officers shall have duties and responsibilities as follows:
The President shall preside over all meetings of the Society and of the Officers and shall appoint three Active Members not on the Board of Directors to the nominating committee;
The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President if the President is unavailable to do so, shall work to promote membership in the Society, and shall assist in organizing Society meetings and in coordinating meetings with other appropriate organizations;
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors;
The Treasurer shall be custodian of all Society funds and shall keep the membership records and review and approve membership applications for the Society;
The Newsletter Editor shall publish at least one newsletter per year. All minutes of membership meetings and Board of Directors meetings shall be published in the next newsletter.
Section 4. Nominating committee
Three Active Members, one each from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont who are not currently serving on the Board of Directors, shall be appointed to the Nominating committee by the President. The Nominating committee shall consult in the nomination of one or more candidates for each position on the Board of Directors to be filled in the next election. The committee shall report its nominations to the President no later than October 31st.
Section 5. Other committees
The Officers have power to appoint other committees as necessary for the proper function of the Society. Each committee so formed shall give a report of their activities at regular meetings.
Section 6. Vacancies
Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by an Active Member in good standing from the appropriate state by vote of the remaining Officers. The newly elected member of the Board shall serve out the remainder of the term of the office vacated.
Section 7. Powers vested in the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the Society but has only those powers specifically assigned to it by either (1) the By-Laws or (2) a vote of active Members at a regular or special meeting or by mail ballot.