THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FLINT GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
As amended at the Annual Meetings in 1974, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1995, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2018
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be "The Flint Genealogical Society".
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES
This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law - 501(c), to wit:
1. To encourage, aid, share research and provide education in genealogy to persons, organizations and institutions having these interests;
2. To make donations of money and materials to 501(c) recognized organizations or to public libraries for exclusively public purposes;
3. To procure or publish and distribute historical or genealogical material for educational purposes, the proceeds of which, if any, are to be used exclusively for the expressed purpose of this organization.
ARTICLE III - BASIS OF ORGANIZATION
1. The Flint Genealogical Society shall be conducted as a non-profit, non-stock organization, incorporated in the State of Michigan on 23 November 1973.
2. The funds raised by this organization shall be from three sources only, to wit:
(a) Minimum membership dues; i.e., the annual fee paid by all classes of membership (except dues-exempt members).
(b) Donations of money, including those of members exceeding their minimum membership dues. Donations of materials are to be regarded as inventory of this organization or as donations-in-turn to other qualified organizations referred to in Article II, paragraph 2 of this Constitution.
(c) Receipts from sales of educational materials related exclusively to the purposes of this organization.
3. No part of the net earnings of this organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II of this Constitution.
4. The Board of Directors shall determine the nature and frequency of fund raising events and programs.
(a) No part of the activities of the organization shall be the lobbying, attempt to influence any governmental unit, at any level unless it is to affect issues directly affect genealogical or historical research or preservation.
(b) This organization shall not participate in any way in any political campain, and shall not endorse any candidate or any proposal, unless as specified in Section, bub-section a).
5. The organization, notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on:
(a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 510(c)(3), or
(b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2), both sections of Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or any future Internal Revenue Law.
6. The organization possesses no real property. However, its personal property consists of book inventory, office equipment, computer hardware and bank accounts.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
1. Any person interested in genealogy, history or biography, either amateur or professional, may become a member by submitting a Membership Application with dues to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee.
2. Each current member of Individual, Family, Student, and Sustaining or Honorary membership status, shall have one vote on any motion before the organization in quorum assembled, may hold office, may serve on committees and shall have equal right to the facilities of this organization.
3. Each member, except Organization and Exchange, upon joining this organization, shall file charts of their family lines on which data is then known and shall be willing to exchange freely such data with other persons.
4. All records and data compiled by the organization shall be accessible for inspection and reference to any interested parties.
ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS & OFFICERS
1. The elected officers shall be the:
President,
Vice-President,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Four Trustees
Term (of office) shall be a two (2) year term, except that Trustees shall serve a four (4) year term, with two Trustees being elected at each election..
Any additional officers as may be deemed necessary by the current Board of Directors shall be elected by a majority vote at any Membership Meeting.
2. All Officers shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting of each even-numbered year and shall be installed and take office at the next Membership Meeting of that year.
3. All balloting, except as provided in the Constitution, and By-laws, shall be decided by a simple majority of the total ballots cast.
4. No member shall hold the office of President for more than two (2) consecutive years.
5. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President the Vice-President shall be raised to President to fill the vacancy of that office for the unexpired term. A vacancy occurring in any other office shall be filled by appointment of the President. The Board of Directors shall approve any such appointments.
6. The Board Of Directors of the Flint Genealogical Society shall consist of elected officers and the Immediate Past President. The Board of Directors will provide direction and advice to the Society. They will set overall policy objectives and support their accomplishments.
7. The Executive Committee:
(a) Shall consist of the Board of Directors, the Chairpersons of Standing Committees, and the appointed Voting Delegates to the Michigan Genealogical Council.
(b) Duties shall be to transact the necessary business in the intervals between the Membership Meetings of the organization and such other business as may be referred to it by the organization.
ARTICLE VI - DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of this organization, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all of the assets of the organization exclusively for the purposes of the organization in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
1. The Constitution may be amended at any Annual Meeting by a 2/3 majority (66.7%) of the total votes cast.
2. The proposed Amendment(s) shall be given to members no later than the April, General Membership meeting. Electronic notice is permitted.
05 May 2015
