|
|
By-Laws
PREAMBLE These
By-laws are an extension of and subordinate to the Constitution of the
Huntsville Genealogical Computing Society, hereinafter called the Society. The
By-laws are for the purpose of further defining operational details,
requirements, and policies of the Society as approved by the general membership
in the manner defined herein. In any instance where there may be a conflict
between these By-laws and the Constitution, the Constitution shall govern. I.
PURPOSE In
addition to the Purpose of the Society as stated in the Constitution, the
following purposes are defined: 1.
The Society shall promote, provide, and share educational information among the
membership and with the general public regarding the use and operation of
computers, computer software and peripheral equipment to record personal family
and historical genealogical data. 2.
The Society shall publish a Newsletter at regular intervals, and such other
books and periodicals as may be appropriate from time to time to disseminate
information in accordance with Item 1. 3.
The Society shall conduct and sponsor educational seminars, lectures, and
courses from time to time relating to the uses of computers in genealogical
research and publishing. 4.
The Society shall maintain a library consisting of notes, publication, files,
and similar material for the use and benefit of the membership and other
interested persons. 5. The Society shall
conduct
all activities and operations with the intent of being a non-profit
organization. In the event that an activity or operation should provide income
exceeding the cost, those funds shall be held in the general fund of the Society
and used at such times and for such purposes as are appropriate to benefit the educational
aims of the Society. 6. Within the purposes defined herein, the Society may buy, lease, rent, or otherwise acquire property, and sell or otherwise dispose of property. The Society may also receive property by gift or other similar means from any person or organization for the purpose of promoting the purposes for which the Society exists. II. MEMBERSHIP 1. There shall be a single class of voting membership of the Society
termed Regular Member. A membership consists of an individual, and if the
individual so desires, the spouse and minor children of the individual. Only a
single vote per membership shall be permitted for acting on Society ballots. 2. (deleted 2. (added III.
MEETINGS 1.
The Society shall meet monthly in regular general membership meetings on the
third Monday night of the month. Special
meetings may also be called upon announcement by the Executive Committee. 2.
Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with generally practiced rules of
order. For the purpose of conducting Society business, a quorum shall consist of
ten percent of total Society membership at the time of meeting, and decision on
votes shall be with a simple majority of those present and voting, unless
specified elsewhere in these By-laws and the
Constitution. 3.
Executive Committee and other committee meetings shall be held at the call of
the committee chairperson. IV.
OFFICERS 1.
The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected
annually as prescribed in the Constitution. A proposed slate of officers shall
be announced to the membership by a Nominating Committee in the December issue
of the Society Newsletter. A vote will be taken by the Society at the December
regular meeting on this slate, plus any
person nominated from the floor for specific office by a Regular Member. 2.
In addition to the elective officers named in the Constitution, the President
may appoint other officers and committees, subject only to disapproval by the
general membership. Other officers may include a Historian, Newsletter Editor,
Program Chairman, Property Chairman, Hospitality, and Publicity Chairman. Duties
of the appointed officers are specific to the office as indicated by their
titles unless otherwise defined at the time of appointment. 3.
Upon the occurrence of a vacancy in an elected office, the Executive Committee
shall nominate a successor to the Society, and the name of the nominee shall be
published in the Newsletter prior to the meeting. The Society shall vote at the
next regular meeting on this nomination; if any nominations from the floor are
offered at that time, the vote shall be delayed until the following meeting.
Upon receiving a majority vote, the replacement
officer shall immediately assume the office. 4.
An officer may be removed from office upon vote of two-thirds of the members of
the Society present at a regular meeting. 5.
The Executive Committee, as defined in the Constitution, shall meet to dispose
of Society business as required by the nature of the business. A meeting of the
Executive Committee may be called by any member of the Committee for this
purpose. No business agreement or contract exceeding ten percent of a budgeted
item may be authorized by the Executive Committee, or a non-budgeted amount
exceeding one-hundred dollars which has not
been approved by the Society. V. DUTIES
OF ELECTED OFFICERS
2.
The Vice President shall, in the absence or disability of the President,
conducts all duties of the President. 3.
The Secretary shall maintain minutes of all Executive Committee and Society
general membership meetings, maintain a file of official correspondence of the
Society, and conduct official correspondence of the Society upon direction by the President or Executive Committee. 4.
The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the Society and maintain
financial records. The Treasurer shall obtain, as necessary, and maintain a
checking account and write and sign all checks. The Treasurer shall insure
timely payment of all bills and other financial affairs, and present a monthly
report on finances to the membership at the
general membership meeting. VI.
FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS 1.
The fiscal year of the Society shall be from January 1 through December 31 of
each calendar year. 2.
(deleted 2. (added
3.
The Society shall maintain in the office of the Secretary a copy of the
Constitution and By-laws, certified as current
by the Secretary, and available for inspection at all reasonable business hours. VII.
AMENDMENTS 1.
These By-laws may be amended or changed by the membership at a regular general
membership meeting in accordance with the conduct of normal Society business,
and when the proposed change or amendment has been
announced and printed in the Newsletter and mailed at least seven days prior to
the meeting. 2.
Proposals for amendments or changes to the By-laws may be made by the Executive
Committee. Proposals for change or amendment may be presented to the Executive
Committee by any regular member of the Society when the proposal is signed by a total of five regular members. 3.
Proposals for amendment or change shall clearly set forth the articles and items
to be changed, identifying the specific
changes to be made. |
