The Local Student Chapter in the Physics Department of Sofia University is a part of the Optical Society of America.

ARTICLE I. GENERAL

Section 3. Affiliation: The Sofia University Student Chapter shall conform to the Bylaws, objectives and policies as adopted by the Optical Society of America, and to the Bylaws outlined bellow.

Section 4. Nondiscrimination Policy: The Sofia University Student Chapter is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The Chapter shall not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin in all Chapter administered programs and activities.

ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES

Consistent with the objectives of the Optical Society of America, the Chapter objectives are:

Section 1. Developing the Science of Light via student educational programs and research activities.

Section 2. Keeping informed the students about the OSA activities.

Section 3. Supporting the communications in all levels:

A. Within the Local Chapter – among the Local Chapter members.

B. Within the Optical Society of America – among the OSA Student Chapters.

C. Outside the Optical Society of America – with other scientific and professional organizations with similar objectives and activities.

Section 4. Encouraging student initiatives within the OSA field of interest.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility: Prospective members should be full-time students, members of OSA, sharing the objectives of the Chapter.

Section 2. Admission: The membership is volunteer. New members shall submit a written or an on-line application to the Executive Committee (refer to Article III, Section 1).

Section 3. Privileges: All members of the Chapter are eligible to vote, to hold elected offices and to receive information about the activities of the Chapter, announcements of the meetings and other notices of general interest to the membership.

Section 4. Resignation: Members may resign at any time by giving notice to the Executive Committee in writing, or will be considered to have resigned if the annual OSA Student membership dues are not paid, as well as if the Chapter Bylaws are violated or Chapter is discredited.

ARTICLE IV. GOVERNING BODY

Section 1. Governing body: The Sofia University OSA Student Chapter shall be governed by Executive Committee. Executive Committee shall coordinate the actions of the officers, special committees and carry out the decisions of the Chapter.

Section 2. Executive Committee: The elected officers and the immediate Past President of the Chapter shall constitute the Executive Committee. The immediate Past President of the Chapter shall join the Committee as deemed necessary by the newly elected Executive Committee.

Section 3. Offices: The elected offices of the Chapter shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.

Section 4. Terms of offices: The terms of office of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be one year.

Section 5. Duties of officers.

Clause 1. President:

A. Presides at the Chapter meetings;

B. Plans and schedules the Chapter meetings;

C. Oversees the activities of the Chapter;

D. Is responsible for writing Chapter status reports (OSA Annual Activity Reports).

Clause 2. Vice President:

A. Aids the President in overseeing all chapter functions;

B. Takes over the responsibilities of the President position in the absence of the Chapter's President;

C. Is responsible for the Volunteer Programs if there is no Coordinator.

Clause 3. Treasurer:

A. Maintains the Student Chapter account;

B. Controls all money transactions related to the function of the Chapter;

Clause 4. Secretary:

A. Handles all the correspondence of the Chapter;

B. Keeps an accurate roster of student members;

C. Is in charge of publicity (flyers, newspaper).

Section 5. Special Committees: Special or ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee at the recommendation of the President of the Chapter or by written petition submitted to the Executive Committee by no less than four members.

Section 6. Meetings:

A. Regular Meetings: The Chapter shall hold regular meetings at least 4 times per year, which shall be open to all members of OSA.

B. Annual Meetings: The last Chapter meeting during the final week of elected offices' term shall be known as Annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving year-end reports, and for any other business that may arise.

Clause 2. Executive Committee meetings: The executive committee shall meet between Chapter meetings as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Executive Committee meetings will remain open to any member of the Chapter.

Clause 3. Quorum: Quorum shall be a majority of the Chapter members not on probation. A majority vote of a quorum is required to pass any motion excluding special cases indicated in Article IV, Section 3.

Section 7. Elections: Elections shall take place at the Annual Chapter meeting. Every nominated candidate shall be given no more than five minutes to speak, and no more than three minutes to answer questions as means of campaigning for office. All elections shall be by secret ballot, no proxy or absentee voting shall be allowed. In the event of a tie between the leading candidates, the persons receiving an equal number of votes shall participate in a run-off election which shall follow the election procedures outlined in this section.

Section 8. Resignation of officers or vacancy of office: A formal letter of resignation shall be submitted to the Executive Committee. In case of resignation of the President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of that office. If the Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer shall resign, the other members of the Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to the Chapter Bylaws may be proposed by any Chapter member and shall be submitted to the Executive Committee in writing.

Section 2. The text of the proposed amendment shall be distributed to the Chapter members at least two weeks prior to the amendment meeting.

Section 3. Approval by a two-thirds majority of voting members and the approval of the Executive Committee shall be necessary to amend the Chapter Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI. ENACTMENT

These Bylaws were adopted by vote of this Chapter and became effective on 08 December 2000.