The purpose of the NOOUG is to provide a forum for users of Oracle products in the greater New Orleans area to meet and exchange ideas, experiences, and knowledge.

Legal Status

The New Orleans Oracle Users Group (NOOUG) is a not-for-profit organization operating as a subchapter of the South Central Oracle Users Group (SCOUG), based in Dallas.

Bylaws

Any NOOUG bylaw that conflicts with a SCOUG bylaw is void. In a dispute over the meaning of a NOOUG bylaw, the presiding officer's interpretation shall prevail until NOOUG members amend the bylaw.

Permissible activities at meetings

NOOUG business if a quorum is present followed by technical presentations. There are no separate business meetings. Only the presiding officers bring business before members, except as noted under "Removal of Officers".

Forbidden Activities at Meetings

Soliciting employment, recruiting employees, or promoting products and services.

Attendance

Anyone may attend the NOOUG meetings.  A nominal fee will be charged for entrance into the meetings.  NOOUG members, invited technical speakers, and SCOUG officers will receive a discounted entrance fee to all NOOUG meetings. The membership committee is responsible for validating attendance.  Dues may be paid at the door.

Quorum

Twenty percent of NOOUG members.

Membership Eligibility

Anyone who abides by the bylaws.

Removal of Members

A member may be removed from NOOUG as follows:
     A member brings a complaint against a member to the board.
     The board seeks a response to the complaint.
     If the board believes the complaint has merit, then the board e-mails the
         complaint and response to members. It is the responsibility of the complaining
         and complained-against member to provide written responses by e-mail to the
         board for this purpose.
     The issue is voted upon at the next meeting that comes at least 30 days after the
         board's e-mail. There is no discussion at that meeting. The issue is raised and a
         vote is taken.
     Removals are effective immediately, with no refund of dues.

Dues

Payment of $40 a year entitles membership in SCOUG and NOOUG for the current calendar year. All dues are forwarded to SCOUG, which handles money and membership data for NOOUG.   NOOUG relies on SCOUG to tell NOOUG who its members are.

Reimbursement of officer expenses such as long distance telephone calls, postage, office supplies, etc. Such reimbursements shall be listed on the NOOUG Web site as they occur.

Communication with Members

By e-mail only. It is the responsibility of members to ensure that NOOUG has their valid e-mail address.

Elected Officers

President, Secretary/Treasurer, 2 Meeting Coordinators, Communications Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, and Web Master.  These officers constitute the NOOUG board of directors.

Duties of officers

     Promote membership in the group.
     Ensure that technical meetings are held.
     Bring necessary business before members.
     The ranking officer present at a meeting presides.
     Perform all duties with dispatch and integrity.
     Meet as a board as necessary.

     Manage the operation of the group.
     Ensure meetings are held on a regular basis.
     Ensure all officers are performing their jobs.

     Communicate with SCOUG.
     Maintain NOOUG records.
     Make all NOOUG records permanently available on the NOOUG Web site.

Specific Duties of the Meeting Coordinators

   The meeting coordinator position is broken into two positions, a logistics coordinator and a presentation   coordinator.  The following general duties apply to both positions.

         E-mail meeting announcements to members in a timely fashion.
         Send meeting announcements of NOOUG meetings to the media.

   The duties of these positions are outlined as follows:

    Logistics
          Reservation of meeting location.
          Coordination with presentation coordinator.

    Presentations
          Development of technical presentations as well as meeting agenda.
          Scheduling a presenter for the meetings.
          Coordination with logistics coordinator.

     Promote open communication between NOOUG members and officers.
     Maintain communication with SCOUG.
     E-mail general announcements to members in a timely fashion.
     Send general NOOUG announcements to the media.

     Promote membership within NOOUG.
     Assist in keeping current membership information on active members.

     Build and maintain a web site for the NOOUG.
     Coordinate with all other officers in keeping up to date information on the web site.
     Leverage current web technologies to promote communication within the group.

The board, at its discretion, appoints and removes the chairmen and members of such committees as it deems necessary.

Terms of Office

Two years.

Elections

Elections are conducted as follows:
  Ninety days before an officer's term ends, the board requests nominations
      in an e-mail to members.
  Any member may nominate any member. A member may be nominated for
      more than one post, but not elected to more than one. Members e-mail
      nominations to the secretary.
  Sixty days before, the board announces a slate of nominees.
  Thirty days before, voting takes place at a NOOUG meeting, provided that a
     quorum is present. Posts are voted on in order of rank. A nominee who is
      elected to one post is automatically dropped from the list of nominees for remaining
      posts.
  The term of new officers begins at the next NOOUG meeting.

Board Vacancies

When a board position becomes vacant for reasons other than expiration of term, the remaining board members
set in motion an election following the procedure described under "Elections".

Removal of officers

If a NOOUG officer fails to perform prescribed duties, the officer may be removed as follows:
  The action is initiated at a meeting with a quorum present.
  A member with a complaint against an officer stands and requests to be heard,
     whether the meeting is then in business session or technical session. The member
     states briefly his complaint.
  The complained-against officer responds, if present.
  A vote by show of hands is taken on whether or not to hold a recall election. This
     vote takes place whether or not the complained-against officer is present. If present,
     the officer leaves the room.
  If a majority assents, then the other two board members e-mail to all members the
     complaining member's complaint and the officer's response. It is the responsibility of
     the complaining member and the complained-against officer to provide written
     responses by e-mail to the other board members within two weeks.
  If the complained-against officer fails to provide a response, the board's e-mail is sent
     to members without it. The complained-against officer has no other opportunity to
     respond via NOOUG channels.
  A recall election is held at the next meeting that follows the board's e-mail by at least
     30 days.
  No discussion of the complaint takes place at the recall election. The issue is raised
     and a vote is taken.
  Removal is effective immediately. The remaining officers follow the procedure for
     filling a board vacancy, except that the newly elected officer takes office immediately
     upon election.

Amendment of bylaws

If a quorum is present, a majority of members at a meeting is sufficient to amend a bylaw.