Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, Inc.

Bylaws

As Originally Adopted 12 July 2004

And as

Amended 14 November 2005

Amended 13 November 2006

Amended 12 November 2007

Amended 11 January 2010

Amended 09 May 2011

Amended 14 May 2012

Amended 14 March 2016

Amended 13 November 2017

Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, Incorporated

Bylaws November 13, 2017

Table of Contents

Article I:  Name, Official Year, Address, and No Debt Policy

Section 1.  Name  Page 4

Section 2.  Address  Page 4

Section 3.  Financial  Page 4

Section 4.  Partnerships Page 4

Article II:  Service Areas and Purposes

Section 1.  Service Areas Page 4

Section 2.  Purpose Page 4

Article III:  Membership

Section 1.  Membership Types Page 5

Section 2.  Membership Dismissal Page 5

Article IV:  Meetings

Section 1.  Society Annual Meetings Page 6

Section 2.  Regular Society Meetings Page 6

Section 3.  Special Society Meetings Page 6

Section 4.  Board of Directors Regular Meeting Page 6

Section 5.  Corporation Meetings Page 6

Article V:  Officers and Executive Board of Directors / Elections

Section 1.  President Page 7

Section 2.  Vice-President Page 7

Section 3.  Secretary Page 7-8

Section 4.  Treasurer Page 8

Section 5.  Directors-at-Large Page 8

Section 6.  Membership Manager Page 8

Section 7.  Vacancies and Impeachment Page 8-9

Section 8.  Past Presidents Page 9

Section 9.  Board of Directors Page 9

Article VI:  Committees

Section 1.  Designated in WVGS Standing Rules Page 9

Section 2.  President’s Role Page 9

Section 3.  Presidential Selection of Committee Chairs Page 9

Section 4.  Nominations and Elections Page 9

Article VII:  Rules and Procedures

Section 1.  Society Page 9

Section 2.  Membership Page 10

Article VIII:  Amendments

Section 1.  Proposals for Amendments Page 10

Section 2.  Procedures for Amendments Page 10

Article IX:  Non-Profit Status  Page 10

Article X:  Indemnification  Page 10

Article XI:  Dissolution

Section 1.  Mandate to Dissolve Page 11

Section 2.  Petition to Dissolve Page 11

Section 3.  Disposal of Society Assets Page 11

ARCHIVED

Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, Incorporated

Bylaws Effective November 13, May 2017

Article I:  Name, Official Year, Address, and No Debt Policy

Section 1.  The name of this organization shall be Wabash Valley Genealogy Society (hereafter identified as Society).  The annual and fiscal years of this Society begin January 1.

Section 2.  The official address of this Society shall be: Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, P.O. Box 9347, Terre Haute, Indiana 47808-9347.  The email address is wvgs@inwvgs.org and the website address www.inwvgs.org.  The Society maintains a telephone,currently 812-264-1510.

Section 3.  This Society will not have any power to enter into any debts or loans of monies for any reason, but may accept membership fees, prepaid service payments, and/or donations under the provisions and privileges of its non-profit corporation rules.

Section 4.  This Society will have the power to enter into a Partnership with other Organizations for

any reason that  helps to maintain the purpose of the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society as described in Article II, Section 2, Purposes, and does not interfere with the non-profit status of the Society, nor

violate the Society’s No Debt Policy as described in Article 1, Section 3 above.

     Additional policy and procedures defining and governing Partnerships are to be found in the WVGS

Standing Rules, Article 3. Partnerships.

Article II:  Service Areas and Purposes

Section 1.  Service Areas:  The Society's geographical area is intended to serve the counties of Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo of the state of Indiana. Also intended to serve the Illinois counties of Edgar, Clark, and Crawford.

Section 2.  Purposes:  The purposes of the Society shall be the promotion of genealogical and family history research and education, with specific focus upon the following:

A.  Fostering an interest in genealogy and family history throughout the area of the Society.

B.  Providing educational activities and programs to enrich genealogy research and resources in general, but in the geographical area of this Society in particular.

C.  Facilitating the research and resources related to genealogy in general, but in the geographical area of this Society in particular.

D.  Promoting and supporting volunteer efforts that enrich the efforts and/or resources of the geographical areas served by this Society.

E.  To offer various enrichment and encouragement activities related to genealogy to Society active members.

Article III:  Membership

Section 1.  Membership Types:  There shall be three types of Society members.

A.  Regular Members:  Regular Members are individuals who are current in Society dues and fees, and support the activities of the Society with usual attendance at Society events and/or provide contributions of genealogy value or general support to the Society.  Regular Members are entitled to voting and serving as officers and/or committee chairpersons.  They shall receive all general Society communications and be entitled to Member privileges as designated by the Society Board of Directors in all functions of the Society.  There are two classes of Regular Members as follows:

1.  Individual:  One person entitled to one vote, one event notice to all Regular Members, and one copy of Regular Member communications.  Individual Regular Member annual dues are $15 if they have an email address for Society communications or $25 if their Society communications must be via hard copy and/or U.S. postal mail.

2.  Family:  Persons living at the same address qualify as Regular Family Members with only one vote in all Society matters (any of those listed may cast that one vote, but any adult Regular Family Member is eligible to hold Society offices).  Regular Family Member annual dues are $20 if they have one email address or $30 if their Society communications must be via hard copy and/or U.S. Postage.  Family memberships receive only one copy of all Regular Members communications, but all family members are entitled to any special Family Membership registrations and fees to events of this Society.

B.  Associate Members:  Individuals, or groups, or businesses who are current with Society dues and fees with a desire to support the Society and to receive regular member Society publications and news may be Associate Members of the Society.  They are not entitled to Society votes in elections to any Society business and are not eligible to hold elective offices in the Society.  Associate Member annual dues are the same as Family Membership annual dues.

C.  Honorary Members:  The majority of the Board may nominate Individuals as a Lifetime Honorary Member of this Society for outstanding contributions to genealogy.  Qualification is intentionally not detailed.  This nomination shall be announced to the Society at least 30 days prior to an annual or special Society meeting where the nomination will be presented.  Selection will require 2/3 vote of the current Regular Membership present at the Annual or Special Society meeting where that nomination is presented for approval.  Lifetime Honorary Members pay no annual dues and have no Regular Member voting privileges unless otherwise a Regular Member of this Society.

Section 2.  Membership Dismissal:  In any case where any member of the Society is deemed by the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors a serious detriment to the Society, that membership may be terminated by the Society.  Any Regular Membership so terminated may request to the Board of Directors and opportunity to appeal to a special hearing of the Board of Directors and all Standing Committee Chairpersons (called the Appeals Committee) at a time and place of mutual convenience announced by the Society President who shall preside at such a hearing unless the Board of Directors recommends a different Chairperson from the Board of Directors.  At an appeal hearing the discussion must not exceed one hour and will conclude with a simple vote aye or nay to confirm the recommendation of the Board of Directors.  A 2/3 vote of the present Appeals Committee will constitute the Society's final solution to dismissal matters.

Article IV:  Meetings

Section 1.  Society Annual Meeting:  There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Regular Members of the Society on a date and location to be determined by the WVGS Board of Directors.  The WVGS Board of Directors will announce the date and place of the Society Annual Meeting by email or U.S. mail to the general membership at least two weeks in advance of that date.  The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be chaired by the Society President (or in absence of the President, by the Society Vice-President).  The current edition of "Robert’s Rules of Order" shall be respected in proper conduct of the Annual Meeting.  It shall be the specific purpose of the Society Annual Meeting to accomplish at least the following tasks:

A.  Elect officers for the following calendar year.

B.  Approve a Budget for the following calendar year.

C.  Conduct any other official Society business put before the membership.

Section 2.  Regular Society Meetings:  Monthly meetings will be held on the second Monday, at 6:30 p.m. (Indiana time) at VCPL, unless notified otherwise.

Section 3.  Special Society Meetings:  With at least ten days advanced notice to all Regular Members of the Society by email (using the email address on file with the Society) or by postal delivery to the member (at the Society address on file when a member does not have an active email address on file with the Society), there may be Special Meetings of the Society called by the majority of the Board of Directors or by any ten Regular Members who formally in written petition request to the Board of Directors a Special Meeting of the Society.  Special Meetings must be limited to the announced purposes of the Special Meeting and be conducted by the Current Board of Wabash Valley Genealogy Society Directors who shall designate the presiding Chairperson of the Special Meeting, usually the current Society President (unless the Board deems appropriate to designate a different officer) to preside over the Special Meeting).

Section 4.  Board of Director Regular Meetings:  The elected Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board, shall meet at least monthly.  The Board consists of fourteen members:  President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director, and eight Directors-at-Large.  The purpose of these meetings is to conduct the business of the Society within these Bylaws and Articles of Corporation.

Elected officers shall each have one vote at all meetings of the Board of any type or time and majority vote of a quorum constitutes official Board action unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws.  Those present at the duly called meetings will constitute a quorum if there is a minimum of five officers present.  All Board meetings will be chaired by the Society President or, in absence of the President, by the Vice-President.  All official actions of the Board will be recorded and distributed to the Society at the earliest feasible Society regular news bulletins, but also be available within ten days upon request by any Regular Member to the Society Secretary.  Meetings of the Board may be recessed to a time and place selected by majority vote of the Board members.  The President (or Vice-President if the President is unable to provide the call) may call added meetings of the Board with ten days notice to all Board members, stating the initial purpose of the added meeting.  However, at such added meetings the Board may, by majority vote of those present, also consider any business of the Board.

Section 5.  Corporation Meetings:  This Board shall also serve as the Board of Directors for the current Society Articles of Corporation.  Others may attend the Board meetings only with the approval of the Society President with intent to assure efficient progress at these meetings.  Meetings of the Corporation will be conducted similarly to the procedures of Society Annual or Special Meetings.

Article V:  Officers and Executive Board of Directors

The elected officers of this Society shall be Regular Members of this Society.  If the Society is a chapter member of the Indiana Genealogy Society, the elected Board members must also be, or promptly upon election, become members of that Society also.  Those elected officers constitute the Executive Board of Directors of this Society hereafter referred to as the Board.

Elections will be by written, private ballot (without exception) by a Regular Member at the Annual Meeting.  However, if the Nominating Committee pre-approves a Regular Member request for due cause (such as being hospitalized, etc.) to be allowed an election absentee ballot, the nominating committee may accept a written absentee ballot as much as ten days in advance of the Annual Meeting, but not later than 24 hours prior to the announced opening of an Annual Meeting.

All officers will be elected at the Society Annual Meeting duly called and assume their office functions with induction at the first regular Society meeting of January.  However, for the purpose of any and all Society reports required at the end of the calendar year, the active Board is authorized to report the new Board of Directors as officially elected as of their elections at the November Annual Meeting.

Section 1.  President:  The Society President shall be the official representative of the Society, preside over all Society meetings (regular, special, or Board), and all events of the Society.  The President will be a member ex-officio of all committees (regular or ad hoc).  The President will have the authority to appoint a designee (typically the Vice-President) to preside over any event or meeting when the President can not appear for any reason.  The President may also appoint any designee as member ex-official to any committee meeting when the President cannot appear.  The President shall have one vote on the Board and one vote in all Society meetings.

Unless specifically accepted in these Bylaws (such as Chairperson of the Nominations Committee, the elected Membership Manager, etc), the President will appoint to serve at the pleasure of the President all Committee Chairpersons.  The President will have authority to appoint and dismiss Ad hoc Committees, their members, and their Chairpersons who all serve at the pleasure of the President.

The President serves a term of one year and may be reelected to a total of three consecutive terms (four years total).  It is permitted for a past President to be nominated for President again only after three years of the end of the last elected term of that person unless by 2/3 vote of the Society present in a special meeting these provisions are waived.

Section 2.  Vice-President:  The Vice-President shall serve as President of any official Society meeting, Board meeting, Society event, or Society representation at the request of the President or in absence of the Society President when approved by the majority of the Board.

The Vice-President shall serve as the Society Nominating and Elections Committee Chairperson.

The President may request the Vice-President to perform special services for the Society; however, the Vice-President shall have only one vote in the Board, regardless of the services performed by request or designation of these Bylaws.

The Vice-President is elected for one year, but may be reelected to that office for three terms (total four years).  After two years since the end of the last term of this office, the Vice-President can be eligible for nomination as Vice-President.

Section 3.  Secretary:  The Secretary shall have one vote on the Board.  The Secretary shall create for approval in writing, at the next following Board meeting, the official minutes of the previous Board and assure proper distribution of the official actions of the Board to the Society within ten days before Board or Society meetings.  There will be at least one copy of all official minutes of the Society and/or Board minutes submitted to the Archive Committee within ten days of any official meeting of those groups.  The Secretary will also serve as recording and corresponding Secretary for the Board and/or the President.

The Secretary will be responsible for the production and distribution (via postal and email) of all even-monthly, bi-monthly BULLETINS and necessary WVGS notices from contributions of the President, Board Members, Chairpersons, and Board approved submissions from general members.

-The Secretary is elected for one year, and is eligible for re-election for multiple terms.

Section 4.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall be a co-signer with the Society President and/or Vice President of all Society checking and/or savings accounts or Society payments; chair the Society Financial Committee, and provide a written financial report at each Annual Meeting of the Society, every regular Board meeting, and at any special meeting of the Society or Board upon request of the presiding officer.  If the Board deems it to be prudent for the Society, the Treasurer may be bonded.  The Treasurer is elected for one year, and is eligible for re-election for multiple terms.

Section 5.  Directors-at -Large:  There shall be elected six Directors-at-Large, each serving two years; three shall be elected in odd years and three in even years with the intent of providing Board continuity and ample personnel for delegated Board tasks.  Two new Director-at-Large positions will be filled by the President from WVGS members in good standing.  One will be for the term ending December 31, 2016.  One will be for the term ending December 31, 2017.  Thereafter, terms will be for the usual two year terms.  Directors shall haveone vote at all Board meetings.  The President shall appoint one Director-at-Large to serve as a voting member of the Nominations Committee, another Director-at-Large to a voting position on the Finance Committee, another Director-at-Large to a voting position on the Program Committee, and a fourth Director-at-Large to a voting position on the Membership Committee.  Directors-at-Large may be reelected one time (total four years) and may serve in that capacity for re-election only after two years since their last service in that position.

Section 6.  Membership Manager:  The Membership Manager is a voting member of the Board (as Membership Administrator) who automatically serves as Chairperson for the Society Membership Committee.  It is the specific function of the Membership Manager to recruit and promote Society memberships, to assure a current and accurate membership roster at all times, and to report to the Board any deceased individual Regular Member.  When known, the Membership Manager will also alert the Board of any special event of any Regular Member deemed by the Manager of particular Board recognition, such as public honors, family deaths, etc.

The Membership Manager is elected for a one year term and eligible for re-election for multiple terms.

Section 7.  Vacancies and Impeachment

A.  President:  Upon the unexcused absence of the President for three consecutive official Society meetings (regular, special, or Board), or events of the Society; or upon any circumstance that the President is unable to continue to function and serve as the President of the Society, the Vice-President shall call for a Board Special Meeting for the Replacement of President.

At the Board Special Meeting for the Replacement of President, the Board shall affirm that the vacancy circumstances are valid, and if so affirmed by the Board, the Vice-President shall become the President of the Society with all the authority and responsibilities of the office for the remainder of the term.

B.  All Other Officers:  Any Other Officer (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Manager, or Director at Large), who is absent for three consecutive Board meetings without Board excuse, or upon any circumstance that the Officer is unable to continue to function and serve in the elected duties of that position, that position will deeded vacant.  Such vacancies will be filled by appointment by the President to serve the remaining term of the replaced officer with identical authorities and duties.

C.  Impeachment:  Any officer who, in the unanimous opinion of the remainder of the Board, does not represent the Society with public honor and dignity (specifically to include conviction of any criminal felony behavior) may be impeached without further Society action.

Section 8.  Past President:  The immediate Past-President shall be member ex-officio of the Board of Directors with voice, but without vote.  The Past-President automatically serves with the Archives Committee.  This position is primarily an advisory one, but will hopefully demonstrate active service to assure added continuity in the activities of the Board.  The immediate Past-President serves to the last term of the current President unless he/she recruits replacement by another Past-President.

Section 9.  Board of Directors:  The Society Board is composed of the membership of the elected officers to act in behalf of the Society between Society meetings.

Article VI:  Committees

Section 1.  Committees of the Society shall be designated in the WVGS STANDING RULES.

Section 2.  The President shall be an Ex-Officio member of all Committees except the Nominations and Election Committee.

Section 3.  The President shall select and appoint all Committee Chairpersons, except the Chairpersons of the Finance Committee, the Membership Committee, and the Nomination and Election Committee, which are part of the duties of those elected Officers in Article V.

Section 4.  The Nomination and Election Committee shall be comprised of three persons:  The Vice-President, who shall be the Chairperson, one Director-at-Large, and a Member in good standing.

Article VII:  Rules and Procedures

The Rules and Procedures of the Society will rely upon interpretations of our corporation articles, these Bylaws, and the current edition of "Robert’s Rules of Order."  If necessary, the Society President will appoint a qualified parliamentarian for any issue needing interpretation, but in cases of continued variance in interpretations, the Society President shall have authority to announce a resolution to any issue, including the option to refer to an Ad-hoc Committee for suggestions.

Section 1.  Society:  The Society will not sell or share any member information for financial gain.  If a member requests, their information will not be distributed to outside sources without express member permission.

Section 2.  Membership:  No member of the Society will sell, distribute, or share any member information for financial gain.  Use of Society membership information is for Society activity only.

Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, it is assumed that all procedures of the Society will be based upon Annual Meeting actions, actions of the elected Board functioning within the intensions of the above mentioned guidelines, and guided by the elected President or representatives delegated by the President.

It is desired that this Society will remain active, enriching, and enjoyable in part through the minimal volunteer demands of time, energy, talents, or finances of members, particularly officers and committee members.  It is not desired that the Society become heavily occupied in technical administrative minutia that distract from Society goals.

Article VIII:  Amendments

Amendments to these Bylaws can be made with the following procedure by the Society:

Section 1.  Proposals for Amendments:  All proposed amendments will be submitted to the Board, and by the Board, at any regular or special meeting of the Board; or upon receipt of any endorsed and clearly written recommendation of amendment by at least ten Regular Members to the Board.  The Board will prepare a formal proposed amendment with explanations and recommendations to the Society within thirty days of recognition of the proposal at the earliest regular meeting of the Board.

Section 2.  Procedures for Amendments:  Upon routine distribution to all Society Regular Members of the proposed announcement by the Board no sooner than 30 days, nor later than 60 days of the announcement, there will be a special Society meeting called by the Board for the specific and sole purpose of Regular Member discussions on the proposed amendment, ending in referral to the Board for their moving the proposal forward to the Society.  After this discussion meeting of the Society, the Board will prepare a formal amendment proposal consistent with the intent of the original proposal, adding comments and recommendations to be distributed to the total Regular Membership at least 30 days prior to an Annual or to a Special Meeting called for this matter as described for Special Meetings elsewhere in these Bylaws.  At the designated amendment meeting, a vote of 2/3 of present Regular Members at that duly called Society meeting will prevail in the issue.  All approved amendments will become effective 30 days following that vote unless there is unanimous vote of the Regular Members present to declare the amendment effective immediately.

Article IX:  Non-Profit Status

This Society shall qualify as a non-profit corporation (section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code) with the State of Indiana by virtue of our own approved application (or as a chapter of the Indiana Genealogy Society) and shall maintain that status by continually meeting all requirements for that status and shall limit it activities as required by that status.

Article X:  Indemnification

The Society as a non-profit corporation hereby agrees to indemnify and save harmless the directors, officers, employees, agents, and servants from any and all liabilities that said persons may incur as a result of the carrying out of their duties and obligations to the Society, except for willful and malicious injuries to persons or property.  The private property of all officers of this Corporation shall be wholly exempt from liability for any and all debts, obligations, and liabilities of the Corporation.

Article XI:  Dissolution

Section 1.  Mandate to Dissolve:  If the Society fails to meet at least once per calendar year or its Board fails to meet at least twice per calendar year and the Society does not provide at least two genealogy programs for its membership per calendar year, this Society will be deemed officially inactive and the last elected Board will be responsible for taking all necessary steps in dissolving the Society.

Section 2.  Petition to Dissolve:  If 3/4 of the Regular Members present at any duly called Annual Meeting of the Society vote to dissolve, the elected Board shall be responsible for taking all necessary steps in dissolving this Society.

Section 3.  Disposal of Society Assets:  In the case that this Society is dissolved, all assets, real or otherwise, shall immediately and completely become the property of the Vigo County Public Library Board of Trustees, hopefully with their concern for needs of the special collections services.

Article XII:  ARCHIVED

Filed into WVGS Archives this 14 March 2016.

Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, Inc. Officers

_________________________________

P. Timothy Phipps, President, WVGS

_________________________________

Patricia Rogers, Secretary, WVGS

WVGS Bylaws Committee Members

_________________________________

David Bonnett, Treasurer / Administrator - Corporate Organization Manager

Chairman, Ad-Hoc Committee:  Bylaws Amendments

_________________________________

Linda Gregory, Membership Manager

Ad-Hoc Committee:  Bylaws Amendments

___________________________

Jennifer Cruse, Past President

Ad-Hoc Committee:  Bylaws Amendments

Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, Inc.

Special Meeting of the Membership to Amend the WVGS Bylaws

14 March 2016

Vigo County Public Library

6:30p.m.

Held prior to Public Program Meeting

Proposed Language for Partially Amending Article V, Section 5, of the Bylaws of the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society Adopted 12 July 2004, and as Amended from Time to Time Since.

Explanation and reasoning for the change in the language to "Article V. Officers and Executive Board of Directors.”

     Certain Officers such as the President, the Vice President, and the Directors-at-Large are the true guiding influences on the direction of the activities of the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society.  WVGS has grown to approximately 250 members furthering the need for new ideas, guidance, and input to enhance WVGS’s future.

     Currently there are four Director-at-Large positions, elected by the Society Membership at the Annual Meeting.  Two are elected on the even years; two are elected on the odd years.  After discussion by the BOD, it was determined that two additional Directors should be added.

Article V. Officers and Executive Board of Directors:  Page 8, May 12, 2012

Current Language of the Bylaws with language to be removed in Bold Italics:

Section 5.  Directors-at -Large:  There shall be elected four Directors-at-Large, each serving two years; two shall be elected in odd years and two in even years with the intent of providing Board continuity and ample personnel for delegated Board tasks.  To initiate this rotation, the first election shall elect two Directors-at-Large for a one-year term and the other two for the usual two-year terms.  Directors shall have one vote at all Board meetings.  The President shall appoint one Director-at-Large to serve as a voting member of the Nominations Committee, another Director-at-Large to a voting position on the Finance Committee, another Director-at-Large to a voting position on the Program Committee, and a fourth Director-at-Large to a voting position on the Membership Committee.  Directors-at-Large may be reelected one time (total four years) and may serve in that capacity for re-election only after two years since their last service in that position.

Replacement Language to be added shall read:  “There shall be elected six Directors…”

"three shall be elected in odd years and three elected in even years.”

 The following will be deleted from this section:

“To initiate this rotation, the first election shall elect two Directors-at-Large for a one-year term and the other two for the usual two-year terms.”

Replacement Language to be added shall read:

“Two new Director-at-Large positions will be filled by the President from WVGS members in good standing.  One will be for the term ending December 31, 2016.  One will be for the term ending December 31, 2017.  Thereafter, terms will be for the usual two year terms.”

End of the Bylaws Amendments.

There are to be no other changes in the WVGS Bylaws.

David L. Bonnett

Corporate Organization Administrator

Bylaws Committee Chair

   

Motion and second to approve at general public meeting 14 March 2016.

Approval by unanimous vote of members in attendance.

Available as a pdf for printing. (WVGS By-laws 2017 Nov 13.pdf)

The Standing Rules Of The

Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, Inc.

As Originally Approved by the WVGS Board of Directors On 7 May 2008 and Further Amended from Time to Time Through 03 December 2014.

(see page 5, paragraph 3)

ARTICLE 1.  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Dues and Fees

• A.)  The membership year shall run from January 1 through December 31.  New members joining between January 1 and September 30 will immediately receive all publications already published for the current year.  New members joining between October 1 and December 31 will be considered to be memberships to include the next year.
• 
  
• B.)  Individual:  One person entitled to one vote, one event notice to all Regular Members, and one copy of Regular Member communications.  Individual Regular Member annual dues are $15.00 if they have an email address for Society communications or $25.00 if their Society communications must be via hard copy and/or U.S. postal mail.
• 
  
• C.)  Family Memberships:  Persons living at the same address qualify as Regular Family Members with only one vote in all Society matters (any of those listed may cast that one vote, but any adult Regular Family Member is eligible to hold Society offices).  Regular Family Member annual dues are $20.00 if they have one email address or $30.00 if their Society communications must be via hard copy and/or U.S. Postage.  Family memberships receive only one copy of all Regular Members communications, but all family members are entitled to any special Family Membership registrations and fees to events of this Society.
• 
  
• D.)  Associate Members:  Individuals, or groups, or businesses who are current with Society dues and fees with a desire to support the Society and to receive regular member Society publications and news may be Associate Members of the Society.  They are not entitled to Society votes in elections to any Society business and are not eligible to hold elective offices in the Society.  Associate Member annual dues are the same as Family Membership annual dues.
  
• 
  
• E.)  Honorary Members:  The majority of the Board may nominate individuals as a Lifetime Honorary Member of this Society for outstanding contributions to genealogy.  Qualification is intentionally not detailed.  This nomination shall be announced to the Society at least 30 days prior to an annual or special Society meeting where the nomination will be presented. Selection will require 2/3 vote of the current Regular Membership present at the Annual or Special Society meeting where that nomination is presented for approval. Lifetime Honorary Members pay no annual dues and have no Regular Member voting privileges unless otherwise a Regular Member of this Society.
  

Section 2.  Membership Acceptance

The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society, Inc. reserves the right to refuse Society Membership to any individual or any organization that the WVGS Board of Directors deems to be disruptive or a detriment to the Society.  The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final and without further appeal.

Section 3.  Membership Dismissal

In any case where an individual member or an organization member of the Society is deemed by the Board of Directors to be disruptive or a detriment to the Society, that membership may be terminated by the unanimous vote of Board of Directors.  The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final and without further appeal.

ARTICLE 2.  COMMITTEES

Section 1.  WVGS Administrators

Administrator-Corporate Organization Manager

The Administrator-Corporate Organization Manager is appointed by the President and is responsible for all WVGS organizational processes including:

• Maintaining the State of Indiana Not For Profit Corporation status including filing of necessary annual reports and tax filings.
• Is the "WVGS Registered Agent to the State of Indiana."
• Keeper of the WVGS State Incorporation Papers.
• Maintaining the WVGS Articles of Incorporation, WVGS By-Laws, and WVGS Standing Rules including acting as the Chair of changes to these WVGS Corporate Rules.
• Coordinate the WVGS Affiliated Membership with the Indiana Genealogical Society.

Administrator-Membership Manager

The Administrator-Membership Manager is an elected WVGS Officer, WVGS Board Member, and Member of the Executive Committee who is responsible for all membership activities, including:

• Maintaining the WVGS Membership Data Base which will include all names and contact data of the membership.
• Notification, collection, and record keeping of WVGS Annual Dues payments of the membership.
• Report the Status of Membership at the WVGS Board of Director Meetings.
• Managing the Membership Manager's Budget.
• Appointing an Assistant Membership Manager.
• Appointing a Membership Awards & Recognition Activity Leader.

Administrator-Treasurer

The Administrator-Treasurer is an elected WVGS Officer, WVGS Board Member, and Member of the Executive Committee who is responsible for all WVGS financial matters including:

• Establishing and maintaining of all WVGS financial accounts.
• Issuing WVGS Treasurer's Reports of all WVGS for each monthly Board of Directors Meeting.
• Proposing the WVGS Annual Budget to the Board of Directors in October preceding the year of the budget.
• Managing the Treasurer's Budget.
• Appointing an Assistant Treasurer.

Administrator-Webmaster - Social Media

The Administrator-Webmaster is appointed by the President and is responsible for all computer related matters for WVGS including:

• Construction, maintenance, and control the WVGS Website and other Social Media.
• Managing the Social Media Budget.
• Appointing an Assistant Webmaster.
• Assisting the Activity Leaders of the Cemetery, Newsletter, Public Education Program, Publicity, and Seminar Committees to promote that Committee's Activities on the Website.

Section 2.  WVGS STANDING COMMITTEES

Cemetery Committee

The Cemetery Committee Chair is appointed by the President, is responsible for the committee's budget.

The Cemetery Committee will be responsible for all activities related to the preserving and restoring cemeteries, and cemetery records.  The Cemetery Committee Chair will determine whether or not to charge a User Fee for any Cemetery Education Activity or Workshop.

The Cemetery Committee Chair will provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian if the activities of this office (members of committee; activities for the year summary.)

Historic Preservation Committee

The Historic Preservation Committee Chair is appointed by the President, and is responsible for the committee's budget.

The Historical Preservation Committee will attempt to acquire access to all types and forms of historical records for the purpose of preserving, duplicating, and publishing these records for easy public access.

This committee will attend public county level meetings; make it known that WVGS is interested in and will offer physical help to officials in the preservation and duplication of Public Records.

The Historical Preservation Committee Chair will provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian if the activities of this office (members of committee; activities for the year summary.)

Hospitality Committee

The Hospitality Committee Chair is appointed by the President, and is responsible for the committee's budget.

This Committee will be responsible for serving limited refreshments at certain WVGS functions.

The Hospitality Committee Chair will provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian if the activities of this office (members of committee; activities for the year summary.)

Newsletter Committee

The Newsletter Committee Chair is appointed by the President, and is responsible for the committee's budget.

This Committee will publish the bimonthly WVGS Newsletter via the internet and in a printed form.

he Newsletter Committee Chair will provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian if the activities of this office (members of committee; copies of all Generations Newsletter and any special publication.)

Nominations and Election Committee

The Nominations and Election Committee is to nominate responsible individuals to the WVGS Officers and Directors positions.  Nominations and Election Committee members and procedures are designated in the WVGS By-Laws, Article VI, Section 4.

Public Education Committee

The Public Education Committee Chair is appointed by the President. The Committee Chair will appoint Assistant Chair(s), Activity Leaders and Assistant Activity Leader for all Public  Education Committee activities.

The Public Education Committee is responsible to present multiple interesting and educational event to attract the general public and promote new members to WVGS.

The Public Education Committee Chair is in charge of all aspects of Public Education Activities of the WVGS. This Committee will be responsible to make all reservations at the Vigo County Public Library or other suitable venues.

(Removed from responsibility of Hospitality Committee 03 December 2014:

Motion: Linda Gregory.   Second: Tim Phipps.   Vote: Unanimous.)

The primary WVGS Public Education Activity will be held on the second Monday of each month of the year (January through November) at the Vigo County Public Library. Additional Public Education Activities (meetings,field research trips, workshops, "brick-wall" sessions, webinars, etc.) can be presented on any other day of the year.  WVGS Public Education Committee is charged with presenting as many quality educational activities as the budget and manpower allows.

Note:  The WVGS Annual Meeting of the Members and Social will be held on the second Monday of December in each year.  The Annual Meeting  of the Members is a requirement of the WVGS Articles of Incorporation and is open only to WVGS Members in good standing. While the WVGS Board of Directors will fund the expense, and be in charge of the content of this meeting, the Public Education Committee is expected to help in the organization and discharge of the meeting.

 

The Public Education activities and workshops are to be open to both WVGS Members and the general public who will attend as "guests."  Guests will be expected to become WVGS Members in good standing if they attend more than two WVGS Public Education activities or workshops.

The Public Education Committee Chair is responsible for the Public Education Committee Budget, and will determine whether or not User's Fees will be charged for certain Activities or Workshops to control the Public Education Committee budget.  Fee amounts may be different for members and non-members attending the event.

.

Additionally,

the Allen County Public Library Research Trip,

the WVGS Beginning Genealogy Classes,

the Kentucky State Library Research Trip,

the WVGS Computer Class,

the Legacy Users Group,

the Society of Civil War Families of Indiana Workshop,

are permanent subcommittees of the Education Committee, and will operate under an appointed Activity Leader and Assistant Activity Leader, who will be responsible for the content of the activity. Some of these subcommittees may have an individual activity budget in addition to the Education Committee Budget.  The Activity Leader will be responsible for the content and budget of the activity.

The Public Education Committee Chair is responsible to provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian of the activities of this office (members of the committee, workshops, Educational Meetings Agenda, periodic activities such as a seminar, research trip to a distance library or meeting, educational speaker topic promotion flyers, etc.).

Publicity Committee

The Publicity Committee Chair is appointed by the President, and is responsible for the committee's budget.

This committee has the responsibility is to promote and distribute information to the public in all communicative formats that promote the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society

The Publicity Committee Chair will provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian of the activities of this office (members of committee; activities for the year summary.) 

Ad-Hoc Committees

These committees will be commissioned and decommissioned at the will of the WVGS President and with WVGS Board of Directors approval.

The Ad-Hoc Committee Chairs will provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian of the activities of this office (members of committee; activities for the year summary.) 

Seminar Committee

The Seminar Committee Chair is appointed by the President, and is responsible for the committee's budget.

This committee, when active, has the responsibility to develop, locate, promote, and manage any "all day or multi-day seminar" type public educational activities.  These may include nationally known speakers, a vendor trade show, meals, speaker's banquets, etc.

The Seminar Committee Chair will provide a complete digitized annual report to the Administrator-Historian of the activities of this office (members of committee; activities for the year summary.) 
 

Article 3.  Partnerships

Section 1.  Partnerships Definition

For the purpose of this Section, a partnership is defined as a formal agreement between WVGS and an entity or entities, involving close cooperation and work to accomplish an end result that is beneficial to all entities involved.

Section 2.  Partnership Types

WVGS may enter into Partnerships as per the WVGS By-Laws, Article 1, Section 4, with:

1.)  Other Not For Profit Organizations,

2.)  Departments and/or Divisions of the Local, County, State, and Federal Governments,

3.)  Other Genealogical Organizations, and

4.)  Other organizations that WVGS Board of Directors deem reasonable and proper.

Section 3.  Proposals for a Partnership

The President of WVGS, or Members of a WVGS Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the President, shall place a proposal for a Partnership before the WVGS Board of Directors for consideration and approval before any official contract is proposed with a potential partner.

Upon WVGS Board of Directors approval to proceed, the President of WVGS, or the WVGS Ad Hoc Committee, will contact the potential partner for negotiations for a partnership contract.

Section 4.  Elements of a Partnership Agreement

Section 4a.  Mandatory Provisions of a Partnership Agreement:

A Partnership Agreement must meet the following requirements to comply with the WVGS By-Laws:

1.)  The Partnership will support and/or enhance the Purpose of the Wabash Valley Genealogy Society as described in the WVGS By-Laws, Article II, Section 2, Purposes;

2.)  The Partnership will not interfere with the non-profit status of the Society;

3.)  The Partnership will not violate the Society’s No Debt Policy as described in the WVGS By-Laws, Article 1, Section 3, No Debt Policy.

Section 4b.  Suggested Structural Provisions of a Partnership Agreement:

            A Partnership Agreement should have these minimum provisions:

1.)  Be in a written form (contract, agreement, memorandum of understanding, etc.);

2.)  Have a clause(s) detailing the considerations and reasons for the partnership;

3.)  Have in writing all WVGS responsibilities in the partnership,

4.)  Have in writing the Partners responsibilities in the partnership,

5.) Have a beginning date, and an ending date, with renewal provisions;

6.)  Have provisions detailing the split of any costs of the partnership;

7.)  Have a clause(s) for dissolution of the partnership, or withdrawal from the partnership, including any financial cost thereof (such reasons for dissolution or withdrawal from the partnership, including costs should be reasonable and without malice);

8.) Requires signatures by authorized individuals who represent the respective partners;

9.)  Other or miscellaneous provisions as needed due to the nature of a given partnership.

Section 5.  Partnership Approval

The WVGS Board of Directors shall have the final authority to approve a Partnership.  A 2/3 majority of the Board of Directors (6 or more of the 9 Directors) majority is needed to approve a Partnership Agreement.

If the WVGS Board of Directors approves a Partnership Agreement, the WVGS President will be the signatory for WVGS.

If a Partnership Agreement does not reach the 2/3 majority, the Board may authorize the negotiators to attempt to amend those items causing the no vote.