The McConnell Area Historical Society By Laws
Adopted September 10, 2001
Last Amended April 13, 2006
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be: The McConnell Area Historical Society, herein referred to in this document as the Society.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of the Society shall be to promote research, preservation and education relevant to the history and historical artifacts of the Village of McConnell and Waddams Township.
Article III - Membership
Membership in the Society shall be open to all individuals and organizations who are interested in and help further its purpose and who shall pay their membership dues and otherwise comply with Society rules and regulations. All members in good standing shall have the right to cast a vote. There shall be no absentee or proxy voting in the Society. Dues shall be $5.00 per year for each individual or a lifetime membership of $100.00 for each individual. After the initial payment of dues, they will not be assessed again until the Annual Meeting to be held every July, unless the said individual has obtained lifetime membership status. Election of officers will also be held at the Annual Meeting. Votes to be cast by hidden ballot.
Article IV - Eligibility of Officers
Any active member of the Society who is over the age of 18 years shall be eligible for office.
Article V - Officers and Directors
A. Officers shall consist of President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.
B. The governing body shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and four Directors as appointed by the Officers.
C. Directors shall be appointed by Officers and may consist of any member of the Society. Directors terms are annual and expire at the Annual Meeting.
Article VI - Duties and Terms of Officers
A. Officers shall be elected annually at the Annual Meeting.
B. In case of vacancy of office, the office shall be filled by appointment by the President at next monthly meeting.
C. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society.
D. The Vice President upon absence or resignation of the President shall assume all duties of the President.
E. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of all meetings of the Society, shall maintain a list of Society members, shall render an annual report, shall be responsible for Society funds and for maintaining adequate financial records. To have and audit of treasuries by two members of the organization. This audit to be performed once a year on June 1st and a report given to the membership at the next regular stated meeting. Authorized payment of checks will be cosigned by any two of the three officers.
Article VII - Duties of the Directors
A. The duties of the Directors shall be to establish and supervise the following committees:
1. Acquisition Committee:
Members of this committee are responsible for collecting, cleaning, repair and restoration of historical articles.
2. Museum Committee:
Members of this committee are responsible for cataloging, care, maintenance, arrangement and display of historic articles.
3. Publicity and Membership Committee:
Members of this committee are responsible for publicity of news articles, press releases, events as well membership drives and recruitment. Also shall be responsible for suitable programs at monthly meetings.
4. Fund Raising Committee:
Members of this committee are responsible for raising funds through various fund raising events.
5. Genealogy committee:
Members of this committee are responsible for collecting genealogy, photographing tombstones/cemeteries, answering inquiries, adding new death info into area cemetery books, and/or anything in general pertaining to genealogy for the society.
6. Web Site Committee:
Members of this committee are responsible for maintaining, content, processing electronic inquiries for the Society’s Web Site. Also recommending changes or additions to the web site.
Article VIII - Removal of Members of the Governing Body
Any member of the governing body may be removed from office for just cause at any monthly meeting by a b majority vote of Society members present at that meeting.
Article IX - Meetings
A. The Society shall meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. At the Waddams Township Hall at 9500 N. Hulbert Road.
B. Meetings may be called by the President at any time.
C. Special meetings may be called at any time as deemed necessary by the majority of the governing body.
D. Members serving on committees as chairman shall bring ideas to the membership at monthly or special meetings and present those ideas. Exceptions would be allowed for health or safety concerns. Should it be necessary to correct a problem for those reasons, prior to an event, where time would not allow a meeting to be called.
Article X - Quorum
A quorum for all meetings of the governing body shall consist of 5 members of the governing body.
Article XI - Amendments
An amendment to these by laws may be introduced at any regular meeting in writing and must be approved by a vote of all the active members at that next regular meeting.
Article XII - Authorized Expenditures
A. All expenditures of the Society must be first be approved by 4 members of the governing body.
B. Any bona fide expense to the Society over $100 must have prior approval either by a 2/3 decision of the governing body or a 2/3 majority vote at a regular or special meeting of the Society. This includes singular and/or combination expenses for committee activities planned for the Society.
Article XIII - Definitions of Terms
A. An Active Member is a member who’s dues are paid and is present at the meeting.
B. The Annual Meeting is held every year on the first Monday in July.
041306