The Wopat Bylaws Article I --------- The name of this organization shall be "The Weekly Organization for the Propagation of Astrophysical Thoughts," most often referred to as "The Wopat." Article II ---------- The purpose of this organization is to: 1) provide a forum for students to present their own astrophysical research and interests in an informal atmosphere by holding a weekly talk series during the school year open to current students from all departments, 2) to promote camaraderie among students with interests in astronomy and astrophysics, 3) to help students, particularly graduate students, preparing for careers in astrophysics become more acquainted with other astrophysical research going on at the University of Chicago, 4) to promote appreciation of that most classic and venerable series, "The Dukes of Hazzard", starring his eminence, Tom Wopat. Article III ----------- Section 1: Membership is open and limited to currently registered University of Chicago students. Section 2: A student who attends at least three meetings in either the most recent or present quarter shall be considered a member for the present quarter. Article IV: ----------- Section 1: Office Titles Uncle Jesse Boss Hogg Crazy Cooter Daisy Duke Roscoe P. Coltrane Section 2: Qualifications All officers must be currently enrolled students at the University of Chicago and must have been present for at least 10 meetings over the year previous to their election. One member may hold multiple positions, and one position may be held by multiple members with consent of the membership (see Section 5 of this Article for election rules). It is highly recommended (though not required) that the position of Uncle Jesse be filled by an astrophysics grad student that has been in the department less than four years, in order to make sure that the Talk Series stays in touch with graduate students new to the department and the University. Section 3: Terms of Office All officers shall serve a one year term. Section 4: Duties of Officers Uncle Jesse: Will preside over the meetings, organize the schedule of speakers, and be in charge of procuring and providing supplies for the weekly talks. Boss Hogg: Will be in charge of procuring and providing refreshments for the various meetings. Crazy Cooter: In charge of web site and advertisements for the talks. Daisy Duke: Shall function as the treasurer of the organization. Roscoe P. Coltrane: Ensures that no one holding a PhD in the Physical Sciences is allowed into the meetings. Section 5: Office elections shall be held at the organization's regularly scheduled speaker meeting occurring closest to, and within one week of, April 10th (the anniversary of the start of the talk series). Candidates shall nominate themselves by notifying Uncle Jesse not less than one day prior to the election. The quorum for voting shall be 10 members: all members present may vote, and a member must be present to vote. Officers shall begin their term immediately upon election. Uncle Jesse shall select a member of the staff of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics to be the Wopat advisor at any time, with the advice and consent of the membership, giving at least a week notice before the meeting at which he selects a new advisor. Consent of the membership shall consist of 60% of the members present and voting at the regular speaker meeting. Section 6: Three members must together propose the removal of an officer one week prior to a scheduled speaker meeting. At such a meeting, a vote of the members present shall be taken, and if 60% of the members present agree to remove the officer, that person shall be stripped of his/her title, and replaced in a new election to be held immediately. There must be at least 10 members present for these voting meetings. Section 7: At the time that these by-laws become effective, the positions shall be filled as follows until new elections are held on April 11, 2001. Uncle Jesse: John Everett Boss Hogg: Mark Hoffman Daisy Duke: John Everett Crazy Cooter: John Everett Roscoe P. Coltrane: Brian "P." Wilhite Article V --------- Section 1: All funds collected shall be deposited in the WOPAT's ORCSA account. Section 2: Daisy Duke shall be the primary officer designated to handle organization finances. Article VI ---------- Section 1: The Talks The Wopat group shall hold a weekly talk given by a current student, open to all registered students but not to any post-doctoral researcher or faculty member in the Physical Sciences. What constitutes a physical science shall be at the discretion of Roscoe P. Coltrane. This rule may be waived for a specific person at a specific meeting by the unanimous consent of the members present. The group may hold any other meeting or get-together as deemed appropriate by the members. Article VII ----------- Section 1: Bylaws may be amended by first having three members together propose the amendment one week prior to a scheduled speaker meeting. At such a meeting, a vote of the members present shall be taken, and if 60% of the members present agree to the amendment, that amendment shall be immediately added to the Wopat bylaws. There must be at least 10 members present for these voting meetings.