BY-LAWS
Canaan, Vermont Historical Society
Article 1. Name.
This society shall be called the “Canaan, Vermont Historical Society”.
Article 2. Purpose.
The object of this society shall be to discover, collect and preserve whatever relates to the history of the Town of Canaan and surrounding communities and for any other lawful purpose for non-profit organizations.
Article 3. Officers.
The officers of the society shall be chairman, co-chairman, recording secretary and assistant secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer and curator(s). All officers shall be elected for a term of three years. All officers shall have the right of re-election.
Article 4. Board of Directors
The directors shall constitute the Board of Directors. The directors shall be elected; one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years and one for a term of three years.
Article 5. Membership and Dues
Any person interested in historical affairs of the Town of Canaan and surrounding communities may become a member of the Society by paying a membership fee.
Membership - $5.00 per year
Family - $10.00 per year
Life – membership - $50.00
Honorary members – honorary membership may be conferred upon any person whose activities have contributed to the objectives of the society. Honorary members shall be selected by the Board of Directors.
Article 6. Property
All donations of property are to be under the direction of the officers and the directors. If the society ceased to exist, all properties would revert to donors or his/her heirs or wherever specified by donor at time of donation.
Article 7. Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of July at such a place and date as the Board of Directors shall designate. Special meetings may be called by the chairman or upon written request of five members in good standing. All meetings shall be called either by notice in one of the area newspapers circulating in the vicinity of the members, 7 days before the meeting setting forth the time and place. Five members, three of whom shall be members of the Board of Directors, shall constitute a quorum.
Article 8. Elections
Candidates may be nominated from the floor. A candidate for elections shall be an active member.
The election of officers shall be by hands/voice vote at the annual meeting. The majority of votes cast are required for election. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill all vacancies that arise during the calendar year.
Article 9. Duties of Officers
Chairman – the chairman shall have executive supervision over the activities of the society within the scope provided by those bylaws. He shall preside at all meetings. He shall appoint the members of committees and delegates not otherwise provided for. He will also be an ex-officio member thereof.
Co-Chairman – the co-chairman shall assume the duties of the chairman in the event of absence, incapacity, or resignation of the chairman. The co-chairman will assist the chairman in his/her duties.
Recording Secretary and Assistant Secretary – the recording secretary shall assist the chairman with the general correspondence. He/she shall notify members of elections to office and appointment to regular or special committees. He/she shall give notice to the membership of all meetings of the association and notify the Board of Directors of meetings as the Chairman shall direct.
Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer – the treasurer shall be responsible for the safe keeping of society funds and for maintaining adequate financial records. Monies shall be paid out by numbered checks signed by the Treasurer and is authorized to write checks to pay bills. The Treasurer will received dues and he/she shall render an annual report at the annual meeting.
Curator – he/she will accept and record all donations and keep a record of all donations and loans of artifacts. With the approval of the board he/she shall be responsible for the care and disposition of all exhibits.
Board of Directors – the Board of Directors shall have the power to conduct all affairs of the society. The Board of Directors shall decide questions of policy that for any reason cannot be acted upon at a meeting of the society and perform such other functions as designated in the bylaws or otherwise assigned to it. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, three members shall constitute a quorum.
Article 10. Monthly Meeting
The monthly meeting shall be held on the third Friday of every month at 3:00 o’clock p.m. unless otherwise stated.
Article 11. Roberts Rules
The rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order Revised” shall govern the proceedings of the society except in such cases as are governed by the constitution or the bylaws.
Article 12. Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any regular or adjourned meeting by a two-third vote of those voting, provided that notice was given at a previous meeting. Or they may be amended at a special meeting called for that purpose notice and two-thirds vote.
Amended on 17th, June 2016