Maine Genealogical Society

Article I – Name

The name of this society shall be Wassebec Genealogical Society, a chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society.

Article II – Purpose

The purposes of the chapter are to collect, exchange, preserve, and publish genealogical records, related documents and information, and to promote and encourage interest and scholarship in genealogy and family history in Piscataquis County and neighboring communities. These purposes are limited to those specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

Article III – Members and Obligations

1. By accepting membership in this society, the member agrees to be bound by these bylaws in his/her relationship with the society and with other members in the society.

2. Membership in the society shall be open to all those interested in genealogy and family history. To be in good standing, a member must have paid his/her dues.

3. Any change in dues shall be determined by vote of the members in good standing attending the September meeting of the society, based on the recommendations of the directors.

4. Information obtained from publications of the society shall neither be copyrighted nor used for any commercial purposes without the written consent of the Directors, the author(s), and/or members concerned. Furthermore, the membership list or logo or any other symbol or property of the society shall not be used for commercial purposes unless by consent of membership or Directors.

5. A person must be in good standing before voting on any society business or serving as an officer or member of a committee of the society.

Article IV – Officers and Directors

1. The officers of the society shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chairman, Board of Directors and the chapter representative to the Maine Genealogical Society. The President and Vice President shall serve one year terms. At the end of the President’s term, the Vice President shall automatically succeed to the office of President. The Secretary and Treasurer will serve three year terms. The Program Chairman will serve one year. The Board of Directors shall consist of the immediate past President, who will serve a one year term, and two directors, who will be elected to four year terms, which will be staggered. A member of the society will be appointed by the President to be the Chapter Representative to the Maine Genealogical Society. The Representative must be a member of the Maine Genealogical Society or be willing to join the Maine Genealogical Society. Should a member of the Board of Directors be elected to some other office, election shall be held to fill out the remainder of that person’s term.

2. The President shall, whenever possible, preside over all meetings of the society and the Board of Directors, but shall not vote in meetings except to break a tie.

3. The Vice President shall, during the absence or disability of the President serve in the President’s place. If the President cannot continue their duties the Vice President will serve the remainder of the President’s term, and as Vice President would automatically succeed to the office of President the following year. The Vice President shall from time to time carry out the duties as the President directs.

4. The Secretary shall, according to the laws of the State of Maine, make and keep accurate records of the proceeding of the meetings of the society including minutes of meetings of the society and the Board of Directors.

5. The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the society, collect all dues and payment, deposit the same into the account of the society, pay all bills submitted for payment in a timely manner and keep careful records of all financial transactions of the society. The Treasurer will give a financial report at all meetings of the society and shall give an annual financial report at the September meeting of the society.

The Treasurer shall keep current membership records, arrange to collect all dues, send overdue notices when required and make regular reports on status of membership to the society. The Treasurer shall provide all officers and newsletter editor with current listing of membership and update those listings as necessary.

6. The Program Chairman shall arrange programs to follow the business portion of the society meetings.

7. The Directors shall carry out such duties as delineated in these bylaws and/or shall be referred to them by the society, shall advise the President, and ensure that the purposes of the society are properly pursued. Action taken by the Board of Directors shall be reported to the membership at the next meeting of the society.

Article V – Elections

Election of officers and directors shall be held at the September meeting each year, when vacancies occur. Elections will be conducted by paper ballot unless otherwise decided by the membership present. Ballots, if used, will be tallied by the Secretary and Treasurer and one teller from membership present. The term of the officers and directors shall run from the next regular meeting following the election until the end of September of the following year established by these bylaws. The outgoing President shall open the September meeting and after the election are complete, will hand over the presidency of the society to the new President.

Article VI – Meetings

1. Regular meetings of the society shall be held on the second Thursday of every month beginning in September. The agenda shall include, but not limited to, the following items: minutes of the previous stated meeting, minutes of the Board of Directors, reports of the Secretary and Treasurer, committee reports, unfinished business, new business, and programs.

2. Other meetings of the society may be held at any time by pre-arrangement or by order of the Board of Directors, or by written request to the Secretary from five or more members in good standing.

3. Notice of all meetings shall be sent in timely fashion to area newspapers by the Secretary.

4. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be seven members in good standing.

5. “Where applicable, and not inconsistent with the bylaws, meetings will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order Revised.”

Article VII – Donations, Bequests and Income

All sums received by the society as donations, bequests, dues and interest on accounts may be applied to current expenses of the society at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Extraordinary expenditures shall be proposed by the Board of Directors and approved by vote of the members present at the meeting where the proposal shall be on the agenda.

Article VIII – Organization

The society is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purpose within means of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. No part of the monies of the society shall inure to the benefit of any individual member, officers, or other private person, except for such gratuities given speakers or program presenters, the amount of which will be determined by the Board of Directors.

Article IX – Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, the assets of the society will be distributed to a non-profit genealogical or historical organization within the means of Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1954. No portions of the assets shall inure to any individual member, officer, or other private member upon dissolution.

Article X – Amendments

These bylaws may be amended at any lawful meeting of the society by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the meeting, providing that the text and intention of the amendments has been included in the notice of the meeting.

Article XI – Adoption

These bylaws shall become effective at the next meeting following that at which they are adopted by two-third vote of member present. Election of officers to fill the position created by these bylaws shall take place at the next meeting, the terms of officers so elected shall terminate at the next September meeting, except as otherwise provided by the bylaws.

Adopted: September 14, 2006
Amended: January 8, 2009