CONSTITUTION

NAME

The name of the organization is The International Odontoglossum Alliance, also referred to as “the Alliance”. The first meeting was held concurrent with the 1986 Vancouver Orchid Societies 10th Annual International Show and Sale.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the International Odontoglossum Alliance is to exclusively promote all aspects of the study, cultivation, breeding and conservation of specifically the orchid genus Odontoglossum, species and hybrids, including associated genera, under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code.  An occasional Journal/Newsletter will be produced for worldwide distribution to interested parties through the website.

INVOLVEMENT

The Alliance has no formal membership.

Individual enthusiasts and organizations whose aims are consistent with those of the Alliance can become involved by simple registration with the Alliance Secretary.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Executive Officers will conduct day-to-day business of the Alliance.

Executive Officers will comprise:

President

Secretary

Treasurer

Editor

Executive Officers will be nominated by registered enthusiasts from time-to-time as the need arises and election will be by simple majority of the registered enthusiasts who vote within a prescribed timescale.

Executive Officers serve for a period of 3 years and may seek re-election at the end of their term.

MEETINGS

The Alliance will hold General meetings from time-to-time at international venues advised at least 3 months in advance to registered enthusiasts via the Journal/Newsletter and Alliance website.

Any registrant may request items for inclusion in an agenda by submitting to the Secretary in writing not less than one calendar month prior to the advised meeting.

Proposals on which a vote is required will be described on the agenda or on an attached

document.  Such proposals cannot be changed significantly at the meeting at which the vote is taken. The International nature of the Alliance dictates that registrants unable to attend a meeting may make thoughts known to the Secretary prior to the meeting. Voting in these circumstances will be in accordance with the arrangements circulated with the agenda and will direct that the Secretary must receive votes in writing at least seven days prior to the meeting.

Notes from the meetings will be communicated to registrants as soon as possible by inclusion in the next available Journal/Newsletter via the Alliance website.

FINANCES

No part of the net earnings of the Alliance shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Alliance shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes described in section 501(c)(3). No substantial part of the activities of the Alliance shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Alliance shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Alliance shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Upon the dissolution of the Alliance, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

All funds will be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be held in bank accounts maintained by the Alliance and in the name of the Alliance.

The Treasurer will arrange for annual accounts to be examined independently prior to a general meeting.

The appointment of the independent examiner must be approved by the Executive Officers.

The independent examination can be undertaken by a registrant who is not an Executive Officer or by an external independent examiner.

A copy of the examined accounts must be circulated with the agenda for the Meetings.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

The Constitution may be amended by a simple voting majority of the registrants at a General Meeting.

                                    Juan Felipe Posada                     John J. Leathers

                                           President                          Secretary/Treasurer