The Petitions

Three member petitions for the 2027 ballot. Each one stands on its own, and you can sign any or all of them.

Petition 1 · Bylaw amendment

Separation of Financial Authority and Operations

Keeps the Executive Director and the Secretary-Treasurer as two different people, keeps the books under the Secretary-Treasurer, and makes the separation changeable only by a vote of the members.

Needs signatures from 5% of voting members. Passes with a two-thirds vote.

Details and how to sign

Petition 2 · Board Act

Timely Minutes and Notice of Changes to Governing Rules

Requires Board minutes to be posted within 30 days in one known place, and gives members 14 days’ notice, with the proposed wording, before the Board changes an Act.

Needs signatures from 3% of voting members. Passes with a majority vote.

Details and how to sign

Petition 3 · Board Act

Background Checks and Bonding for People Who Handle Society Money

Requires background checks and bonding or crime insurance for employees and volunteers who handle the Society’s money, with a yearly check by the Financial Review Committee.

Needs signatures from 3% of voting members. Passes with a majority vote.

Details and how to sign

How member petitions work

Who can sign: voting members of the NSS in good standing. Each petition has its own online form, so sign each one you support.
Signatures needed: 5% of voting members within 15 months for a Bylaw amendment (Bylaw XIV.A.3); 3% within 13 months for an Act (Bylaw V.F.3).
Getting on the ballot: the signed petition goes to the Chair of the Board. It goes on the ballot with the next election of directors whose nomination deadline is at least 30 days later, unless the Board adopts the change itself first.
Passing: a Bylaw amendment needs two-thirds of the members who vote on it; an Act needs a majority. Either takes effect when the newly elected directors are seated.