South Bethany Historical Society By-Laws
_
SOUTH BETHANY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BY-LAWSRevised and Approved November 28, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS Article I. Name 1. The name of the organization shall be called The South Bethany Historical Society and may be referred to as Society.
Article II. Purpose 1. The purpose of the Society shall be to preserve and promote the history of South Bethany.
Article III. Membership1. Membership is open to all who share our purpose.
Article IV. Fiscal Year and Dues 1. The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31 of each year.
2. Member dues of $15 shall be payable in January of each year.
Article V. Officers 1. The elected officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers shall constitute the Executive Committee which may act for the Society between meetings.
2. Officers shall be elected to serve a two-year term. Officers shall serve alternate terms with the President and Treasurer being elected in even numbered years and the Vice President and Secretary being elected in odd numbered years.
3. Any office becoming vacant shall be filled for the balance of the term by majority vote of the Executive Committee, subject to confirmation by members present and voting at the next regular meeting of the Society.
4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall conduct the meeting. The President shall appoint all committees and committee chairpersons and may serve as an ex officio member of all committees.
5. The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of that office and other duties assigned by the President.
6. The Secretary shall keep the minutes and conduct the general correspondence of the Society. The Secretary will maintain the official list of members. The Secretary will work collaboratively with the Treasurer for the purpose of maintaining the list.
7. The Treasurer shall keep records of the Society’s budget and receive all monies of the Society and disburse funds as approved by the members. The Treasurer shall report to the membership at its regular meetings on the status of the finances. The Treasurer shall prepare and present an annual financial report by January 31 of each year. There will be two signers on the bank account, but only one signature on the checks.
8. The President shall appoint a nominating committee by the September meeting. This committee shall present a slate of nominees at the November meeting where nominations may also be taken from the floor. Officers will be elected at the November meeting and installed at the December meeting.
Article VI. Committees 1. Standing committees shall include:
(a) Membership Committee which shall be responsible for promoting the Society in the community and recruiting new members.
(b) Preservation Committee which shall advise the Society on matters related to the collection and preservation of artifacts and documents and shall be responsible for their safe keeping.
(c) Publicity Committee which shall be responsible for keeping the community informed about special programs and other activities.
(d) Nominating Committee shall present a slate of nominees at the November meeting. Nominations may also be taken from the floor. Officers will be elected at the November meeting and installed at the December meeting.
2. The President may appoint ad hoc committees as needed.
Article VII. Meetings 1. The meetings of the Society shall be held once a month. No regular meetings will be held in January, February, July and August.
2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President.
3. Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as a guide for the proceedings of the meeting.
Article VIII. Voting 1. Members in good standing are eligible to vote.
2. Passage of a motion requires a majority of those members in good standing present and voting.
Article IX. Amendments 1. These bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote of those members in good standing.
2. Amendments may originate from the membership or the Executive Committee. Copies of proposed amendments shall be provided to the membership electronically or as otherwise requested at least fourteen days prior to the vote.
Article X. Dissolution 1. Members shall be notified in writing electronically or as otherwise requested at least 30 days in advance of a meeting called for the purpose of dissolving the Society. The Society may be dissolved by a three-fourths majority vote of those present and voting.
2. In the event of dissolution, after payment of any outstanding debts, the remaining assets of the Society shall be decided by the executive committee.
3. Records, artifacts and memorabilia shall be turned over to the Town of South Bethany and may be transferred to a museum or historical society within the state of Delaware.
