bylaws

FEDERATON OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN GEM &
MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES (FOSAGAMS)
1. OUTGOING OFFICE BEARERS
BYLAWS
1.1 A suitably engraved memento, such as an Estwing rock hammer, shall be presented to
the outgoing President at an Annual General Meeting as a token of appreciation from
the Federation.
1.2 The Secretary shall be responsible to procure and prepare the memento.
1.3 Certificates bearing the name of the person, office and year of office shall be
presented to outgoing Executive Committee members unless they are re-elected. The
certificates shall be signed by the incumbent President and forwarded to the persons
concerned by the Secretary.
1.4 Similar certificates of appreciation may, on approval by the Annual General Meeting,
be presented to any other person.
2. NATIONAL SHOWS AND GEMBOREES
2.1 Members shall be responsible for the organisation of Gemborees, according to a roster
which shall be agreed and reviewed annually at the Annual General Meeting.
2.2 The profits and/or losses of National Shows and Gemborees shall be shared between
the organising Member/s and the Federation on a 60/40 basis.
2.3 A Member may request funds in advance from the Federation for the initial financing
of a National Show or Gemboree. This advance must be approved by the Executive
Committee and will be regarded as a loan to be repaid within sixty days after the
event.
2.4 Members arranging a National Show or Gemboree will decide the financial policy,
including profit or loss margins, for the event.
2.5 The organising Member/s shall provide a full financial statement to the Annual
General Meeting following a National Show or Gemboree, for including in the
minutes.
3. “ SOUTHERN AFRICAN GEMS AND MINERALS” (FORMERLY “SOUTH
AFRICAN LAPIDARY MAGAZINE”)
3.1 Members shall elect annually a sub-committee in terms of paragraph 4.2 to publish
the “Southern African Gems and Minerals” (formerly “South African Lapidary
Magazine”). The sub-committee shall consist of an editor, a treasurer, an advertising
manager, a circulation manager and the sub-committee may co-opt other persons to
assist them as they deem necessary.
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3.2 The magazine will act as the mouthpiece of the Federation to promote communication
and co-operation between members in terms of paragraph 6.2.
4. VISITS BY FOREIGNERS
4.1 Members knowing of visits to Southern Africa by foreign groups or individuals likely
to interest other Members of the Federation, must convey this information to the
Executive Committee.
4.2 The Executive Committee in turn will convey the information to all Members, and if
necessary appoint a liaison officer to co-ordinate and oversee the visit in the interests
of the Federation.
4.3 Costs incurred by Members in receiving foreign visitors on request of the Executive
Committee may be borne by the Federation if so requested by Members and provided
funds are available.
5. RULES OF CONDUCT
5.1 Clubs and societies must ensure that they and their members comply with all local,
provincial and state laws and regulations with regard to the collection, purchase,
exchange, sale and working of cut and uncut material and specimens. It should be a
regular activity of clubs and societies to inform their members of relevant laws and
regulations.
5.2 Clubs and societies must ensure that their members comply with the Rockhounds
Code of Ethics for collectors of material – especially regarding prior permission from
owners to enter their property – removing only as much material as members can
reasonably use themselves, leaving sites in good order, and not returning to sites
visited by clubs without the prior written consent of club committees.
5.3 Clubs and societies must ensure that visitors in their care conduct themselves ethically
at all times.
6. AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS
6.1 These bylaws may be amended by a simple majority at an Annual General Meeting
after notice has been given of the proposed amendments along with the regular notice
of the pending Annual General Meeting.
6.2 Notice of proposed amendments must be sent to the Executive Committee in time to
be circulated to Members of the Federation.
Date of approval:
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CHAIRMAN:
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SECRETARY:
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