Constitution
Charlestown Historical Society Constitution
Constitution
Article I – Name
The name of the organization shall be the Charlestown Historical Society.
Article II – Object
The object of the organization shall be the gathering and recording of the history of Charlestown and of individuals and families associated with the town; to collect and persevere historical artifacts and relics; and to found and maintain a museum where such collection shall be maintained and exhibited.
Article III, Section 1 – Membership
Application for membership must be made in writing on a form approved by the Board of Directors. The application must be accompanied by the appropriate dues. The application shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
Article III, Section 2 – Classes of Membership
There shall be two classes of membership in the society: Life and Annual.
Article III, Section 3 – Dues
Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors. Annual dues shall be due on January l of the membership year.
Article IV – Officers
The officers of the Society shall consist of a president, three vice-presidents, recording secretary, correspondence secretary, treasurer, historian, curator, seven other officers, who shall be know as directors, and all past presidents of the Society. These Society officers shall constitute a Board of Directors.
Article V – Ammendments
This Constitution may be amended, altered or changed at any meeting of the Society by a two-thirds vote of eligible member present, provided the proposed amendment have been presented at the previous meeting of the Society, and notice of the proposed amendment has been furnished in writing to all members at least ten days prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be acted upon.
By-laws
Article I – Meetings
There shall be a general meeting of the membership during each quarter of the year. The election of officers shall be held at the meeting held in the second quarter. The date and place of meetings shall be determined by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall meet monthly. Meetings may be canceled by a vote of the Board of Directors.
Article II – Quorom
At meetings of the Society fifteen members shall constitute quorum requisite for the transaction of business.
At meetings of the Board of Directors, upon reasonable notice by the Correspondence Secretary, a majority of elected members shall constitute a quorum.
Article III – Duties of Officers
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and general meeting of the membership. The president shall appoint all committees and the chairmen thereof unless otherwise provided by this constitution or bylaws.
The Vice-Presidents shall assist the president in the management of the affairs of the Society and of the Museum. In the absence of the President, a vice-president will preside at Board of Directors and general meetings.
The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors.
The Correspondence Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Society.
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Society and shall sign all checks disbursing the funds of the Society. The Treasurer shall make reports upon the condition of the treasury when called for by the President. The Treasurer shall file any financial reports required by the Federal or State governments. He or she shall perform such other duties as are usually incident to the office. The Board of Directors may require that the Treasurer give a bond from an approved surety company and such amounts as the Board may determine. The premium on said bond shall be paid by the Society.
The Historian shall be responsible for the compiling of a complete historical record of the Society and shall be concerned with the research and recording of the history of Charlestown.
The Curator shall, under the direction of the Board of Directors, have custody of artifacts, relics books, pamphlets, maps and other items of importance to Charlestown history.
The seven directors will assist in the affairs of the Society.
Article IV – Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Society shall be from the first day of January to the thirtieth day of December
Article V - Amendments
This By-laws may be amended, altered or changed at any meeting of the Society by a two-thirds vote of eligible member present, provided the proposed amendment have been presented at the previous meeting of the Society, and notice of the proposed amendment has been furnished in writing to all members at least ten days prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be acted upon.
Articles of Organization [1]:
The purposes for which the corporation is formed are as follows: To foster and promote interest in the historical heritage of Charlestown; to disseminate information to the public concerning historical sites, landmarks, artifacts, and events relative to said historical heritage; to receive funds, donations, gifts and grants and to expend the same for the purpose of conservation, restoration, or disposition of landmarks, sites, artifacts, and events relative to said heritage; to analyze, study and make determinations relative to the conservation of said heritage and to set up or establish investigations, studies or research for the furtherance and clarification and discovery of matters pertinent to the historical heritage of Charlestown; to purchase or otherwise acquire interest in property, either real, personal, or intangible, for the restoration or preservation of said heritage; to sell or mortgage said property for the benefit of the promotion of said heritage on such terms as shell be deemed best by the Directors of this Corporation.