San Joaquin Valley Civil War Round Table

Constitution

 

ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE

 

Section 1.      The name of the organization shall be the San Joaquin Valley Civil War Round Table.

 

Section 2:      The purpose of this organization shall be (a) to promote the study and discussion of all aspects of the American Civil War so that this part of our common heritage may be preserved for ourselves and our posterity and (b) to actively support the preservation of Civil War sites and battlefields.

 

 

ARTICLE II – OFFICERS AND DUTIES

 

Section 1.      The organization shall have the following elected officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

 

Sec. 1A.         President:  The President shall be elected for a term of two years and may not serve more than two successive terms. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors, and to supervise the other officers and committee members in the carrying out of their duties. The President, with the approval of the Board, shall appoint the Chairman and members of all committees. Upon election of a new President the Past President shall serve two years on the Board of Directors. In the event a President is re-elected, the past President shall automatically become a member of the Board of Directors for another two-year term. In concert with the Treasurer the President shall enter into contracts on behalf of the organization.

 

Sec. 1B.         Vice-President:  The Vice President shall be elected for a term of two years. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President, in the absence of the President, to preside at all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors. In addition the Vice-President shall recruit presenters for the general membership meetings of the organization.

 

Sec. 1C.        Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all financial transactions, collect all dues and assessments, and make payments of all expenses approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall make regular financial reports to the organization. In concert with the President the Treasurer shall enter into contracts on behalf of the organization.

 

Sec. 1D.        Secretary: The Secretary shall be elected for a term of two years. The Secretary shall take minutes at each Board meeting, and be responsible for keeping a record of all official communications. The secretary shall write letters at the behest of the President and perform all clerical functions necessary for the well-being of the organization.

 

Sec. 2:           All officers shall continue to serve until their successors have been elected.

 

Sec. 3:           The President and the Treasurer shall co-sign all checks for payments in excess of $50.00.

 

Sec. 4:           Only the President or the Treasurer shall enter into contracts on behalf of the organization and only after approval to do so by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

 

 

ARTICLE III:   BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Sec. 1:           The Board of Directors shall consist of nine members as follows: the four elected officers, the immediate past President, and four members-at-large appointed by the other five board members.

 

Sec 2:            The four appointed members shall serve concurrently with the elected members.

 

Sec 3:            The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President, or upon a call of the majority of the Board. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. It shall arrange all meetings of the organization, approve all financial transactions, act upon all proposals for members, and perform all other acts necessary for the preservation, prestige, and well-being of the organization.

 

 

ARTICLE IV - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

 

Sec. 1.           The president shall appoint a nominating committee whose duty shall be to submit nominations for officers and the Board of Directors, prior to the election meeting of the organization's general membership. Nominations and elections may be held at the same meeting.

 

Sec. 2.           In addition to the nominees presented by the nominating committee, nominations for all elected officers and Board members may be made from the floor.

 

Sec. 3.           Elections shall be held at the last regular meeting of the year and the officers and Board members shall take office at the beginning of the next calendar year.

 

Sec. 4.           The number of members in good standing present at a regular meeting of the member ship shall constitute a quorum and a majority vote of the members present shall govern.

 

Sec. 5.           Any vacancy occurring during the term of an elected officer or Board member shall be filled through appointment by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.

 

 

ARTICLE V – SPECIAL COMMITTEES

 

Sec. 1.           Special committees appointed by the President shall function at the pleasure of the President, and such committees shall cease to exist at the expiration of the President's term. Members of such committees may or may not be members of the Board.

 

 

ARTICLE VI - FISCAL YEAR

 

Sec. 1.           The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.

 

 

ARTICLE VII - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

 

Sec. 1.           Membership in this organization shall be open to all person interested in furthering its purpose.

 

Sec. 2.           The dues shall be set by action of the Board of Directors and are for the calendar year.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Sec. 1.           The Board of Directors shall determine all policies and procedures.

 

Sec. 2.           Robert's Rules of Order shall govern at all meetings either of the membership or the Board of Directors, although it is the intention that meetings be as informal as decorum permits.    

 

 

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

 

Sec. 1.           This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all active members present at any meeting, provided that written notice of the proposed changes has been furnished to the membership in advance of the meeting at which the changes are to be acted upon.

 

 

Approved by the San Joaquin Valley Civil War Round Table membership present at the monthly meeting held on May 28, 2009, at the Ramada Inn in Fresno, CA.