Bylaws
THE BYLAWS OF THE PELHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. - Pelham, Massachusetts
Approved November 14, 2017.
(Note: Section Titles are for reference purposes and are not officially part of the Bylaws)
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this Society shall be The Pelham Historical Society, Inc., hereafter referred to as The Society.
ARTICLE II - Mission
The mission of The Society is to foster appreciation of Pelham's history through informative programs of interest to people of all ages and to sustain The Society 's museum so that the story of Pelham will be told through displays, presentations, exhibits and special events.
ARTICLE III - Purpose
The purpose of The Society shall be (1) to acquire, preserve, and exhibit artifacts and documentary materials related to the history of the Town of Pelham, (2) to maintain The Society 's museum collection and The Society 's archives, (3) to foster appreciation of the history of Pelham through programs and special projects, and (4) to maintain space for the exhibition of objects of historical interest and for other purposes consistent with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE IV - Membership
Section 1 - Who is a Member.
The membership of The Society shall consist ofthose persons who have paid the required dues for the current or previous calendar year. Said members shall be considered to be in good standing.
Section 2 - Annual Dues.
The annual dues shall be determined by a majority vote of the attending membership at any regular meeting.
Section 3 - Lifetime Membership.
Life Membership fee shall be equal to ten times the annual dues
Section 4 - Suspension of Membership.
Members who are two years in arrears shall be dropped from the membership.
ARTICLE V - Meeting of the Membership
Section 1 - Required Meetings.
There shall be at least two meetings of the membership held each year, including the annual meeting.
Section 2 - Annual Business Meeting.
The regular meeting in November shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing the Governing Body and for any other business that may arise. If a Governing Body position is unfilled between annual meetings, a special election may be held at any membership meeting of The Society.
Section 3 - Quorum.
A quorum for the transaction of business at membership meetings of The Society shall consist of at least 10 members in good standing. At least three of those members must also be members of the Governing Body.
ARTICLE VI - Governing Body
Section 1 - Members of the Governing Body.
The Governing Body of The Society shall be the Executive Officers and the Board of Trustees. The Trustees shall advise and assist the Executive Officers in conducting the affairs of the Society, including The Society's property and finances.
Section 2 - Executive Officers.
The Executive Officers of The Society shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws. The Executive Officers shall not serve as Trustees at the same time.
Section 3 - Length of Terms.
The Executive Officers shall be elected to serve for one year or until their successors are elected. These officers shall begin their term of office at the new calendar year, following their election at the annual meeting.
Section 4 - President.
The President shall be the Chief Executive of The Society. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings of The Society and of the Trustees and to perform such other duties as may be required by virtue ofthat office.
Section 5 - Vice President.
The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of that officer.
Section 6 - Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of The Society and of the Board of Trustees and shall perform such other duties as may be required by virtue of that office.
Section 7 - Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall receive all monies due The Society and shall deposit the same in an approved financial account, pay all Society bills, keep a true and just record of all financial transactions, and shall perform such other duties as may be required by virtue of that office. The Treasurer may invest a portion of the cash assets of The Society upon the approval of the Governing Body.
Section 8 - Board of Trustees.
There shall be a Board of five Trustees elected by The Society to serve for a term of three years or until their successors are elected. When one or more Trustee positions are set to expire, those positions shall be filled by election at the annual meeting for a term of three years, beginning January 1st of the next calendar year.
Section 9 - Meeting of the Governing Body.
There shall be at least three meetings of the Governing Body each year. A majority of the Governing Body shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of the Governing Body.
Section 10 - Review of Finances.
The Governing Body shall review The Society's finances as maintained and prepared by the Treasurer annually.
ARTICLE VII - Curator & Archivist
Section 1 - Curator.
A Curator shall be appointed annually The Governing Body. It shall be the duty of the Curator to preserve artifacts related to the history of the Pelham and to maintain an inventory of such artifacts
Section 2 - Archivist.
An Archivist shall be appointed annually by The Governing Body. It shall be the duty of the Archivist to preserve the documents and ephemera related to the history of Pelham and to maintain an inventory of those documents and ephemera.
ARTICLE VIII - Amendment of Bylaws
These Bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting of The Society by a two-thirds vote of those present provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous membership meeting.
ARTICLE IX - Dissolution of The Society.
If The Society is dissolved, any property shall be transferred to the Town of Pelham and any funds shall be donated to a legal Town charity which is entitled to a Section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or as amended.
First Approval March 28, 2017. Waiting final Approval at next Business Meeting.