The name of this organization shall be the WILLAMETTE VALLEY GROTTO, a chapter of the National Speleological Society.

To pursue and promote, exclusively for and in furtherance of scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, projects in speleological research and conservation of caves and cave related natural features.

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the conservation and preservation of caves in Northern California, Oregon and the Far West; and to promote communication and cooperation among the cavers, speleologists, Government agencies, cave owners, and the public through publication and dissemination of information on caves, cave conservation, and caving activities.

All regular voting members of this organization must be members of the National Speleological Society.

This organization shall be governed by officers elected by a majority vote of the members voting. The officers shall include a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. Additional officers may be established by bylaw.

In the event of the dissolution of the organization, upon such dissolution all funds and assets remaining after payment of all liabilities of the organization shall be donated to the National Speleological Society or to other non-profit organization devoted to the scientific study and conservation of caves and operated exclusively for educational or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

Funds for the publication of informational, educational, and conservation-oriented materials shall be secured through donations, primarily from the members and participants of the organization. The results of scientific research conducted by the members of the organization shall be published and distributed as directed by the officers of the organization, except that any such publication and distribution shall be in accord with the policies of the National Speleological Society and in the furtherance of cave conservation. In the event of the dissolution of the organization, upon such dissolution all funds and assets remaining after payment of all liabilities of the organization shall be donated to the "Save the Caves Fund" of the National Speleological Society or to other non-profit organizations dedicated to the conservation and preservation of caves and other features of nature.

The publications of this organization, in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article III, shall be distributed without charge to members of the organization. Publications shall be distributed to the United States Geological Survey Library, to any State Library, to any branch of the Park service of any state, to the United States Park Service, to the United States National Forest Service, to the forest service of any state, to the Bureau of Land Management, or to any organization devoted to the preservation of natural features, as directed by the officers of this organization.

Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by a majority vote of the officers of the organization, or may be proposed by written petition of any currently active member of the organization. A proposed amendment will become effective upon its ratification by a majority of the members voting, provided that ratification occurs within three months of publication of the proposed amendment to the membership.