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By-Laws of Sheldon Historical Society

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BY-LAWS of the SHELDON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

April 1996

September 2016 Revised

ARTICLE 1:                   NAME AND LOCATION

The name of the organization shall be the Sheldon Historical Society.  The location of the principal office shall be in the Town of Sheldon, County of Franklin, State of Vermont.

 ARTICLE II:                   PURPOSE

The purpose of the Sheldon Historical Society shall be the acquisition and preserving of artifacts, records, and data of persons, places, and events of significance to the Town of Sheldon.

Using these artifacts and records, the Society shall:

  • collect the many stories to capture a better understanding of the Town and its people
  • implement educational experiences to help build an understanding of the past and its current environment and
  • enhance the future of the Town of Sheldon, its economic and social environment, and the wellbeing of the community.

ARTICLE III:                  MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1. Any person or organization that tenders the necessary fee to be determined by the Board of Directors shall thereby become a member of the Society.

Section 2.The membership runs from January 1st to December 31st. The fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th.

 Annual dues shall be payable in advance.  Members in arrears for more than three months from the start of the new fiscal year shall be dropped from membership.

ARTICLE IV:     SCHEDULE AND QUORUM FOR MEETINGS

Section 1. The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held in May of each year on such day, at such hour, and at such place as the Directors shall determine.  The purpose of the Annual Meeting shall be to inform the membership of the activities of the Society in the last year, to vote in new Board Members and new Offices (to start their terms with the new fiscal year), and to approve the budget for the coming year.

Section 2.  Special meetings may be called by the President.

Section 3. : Fifteen days written notice by electronic means or postal service shall be given for Annual and Special Meetings of the Society.  Written notice shall consist of a mailing to all members of the Society, and a posted notice at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Section 4.  A quorum shall consist of all members present and voting.

ARTICLE V:                  DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than 5 persons and not more than 11 persons elected by the membership.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall meet as needed to conduct the affairs of the Society

Section 3. The term for a Director shall be three years.  The Board of Directors shall be divided so that no more than one-third of the terms of Board Members expire in any one year.

Section 4. The Board of Directors shall appoint a member to fill out the remainder of any term vacated by a current director.

Section 5.  At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a quorum shall consist of all members present and voting.

Section 6. The Board of Directors, through its President, shall render an Annual Report at each Annual Meeting

 

ARTICLE VI:                 OFFICERS

Section 1. There shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary

Section 2. The President shall have the executive supervision over the activities of the Society within the scope provided by these By-Laws

Section 3. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the event of absence, incapacity, or resignation.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safekeeping of Society funds and for maintaining adequate financial records.  The Treasurer shall deposit all monies received with a reliable banking company in the name of the Sheldon Historical Society.  The Treasurer shall receive dues and render an annual report at each annual meeting of the Society.  Checks may be written and signed by either the Treasurer or the President.

Section 5. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors.  The Secretary shall keep a record of Board tenure.

Section 6. The President shall have the power to appoint committees and committee chairpersons from time to time to carry out the work of the Society.

Section 7. The Officers shall be chosen from among the Board of Directors and shall be elected at the Annual meeting of the Society.

Section 8. The term of an Officer shall be one year.  A person may not be elected to President for more than three consecutive terms.

ARTICLE VII:    PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The parliamentary rules of Roberts’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of the Society, except where the By-Laws of the Society are applicable.

ARTICLE VIII:   AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS

These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of those members present and voting at any meeting duly warned for that purpose.  Proposals for amendment shall be sent to each member and posted in the Town Clerk’s Office at least fifteen days prior to the meeting warned to act thereon.

ARTICLE IX:                  NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

The Society is non-profit and shall not have authority to issue capital stock.  No part of the net assets shall be paid or distributed to any officer, director, member, or donor of this organization.  It shall observe all local, state, and federal laws which apply to a non-profit organization as defined in Section 501© (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE X:                   DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of this organization, any assets remaining after payment of or provision for its debts and liabilities shall, consistent with the Purpose of the Society, be paid over to charitable corporations  qualified as exempt under the provision of Section 501©(3) of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding provision of subsequently enacted Federal law.

ARTICLE XI:                  CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Directors shall exercise the utmost good faith in all transactions touching upon their duties to the Society.  They shall not use their positions or knowledge gained there from so that a conflict might arise between the Society’s interest and their own.  Should a conflict of interest arise, the Director shall not participate in the discussion and shall abstain from the vote.

ARTICLE XII:     DISCRIMINTION

The Society shall operate without discrimination with respect to race, national origin, religion, age, color, or sex in relation to the serving of the Board of Directors or committees.

ACTICLE XIII:    POLITICS

No substantial part of the activities of the Society shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in IRS 501(b), or participating in any political campaign on behalf of any candidates for public office.