BYLAWS & CONSTITUTION

Section 1. The Name of this Society shall be THE MAINE SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Section 1. This Society is a part of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. It recognizes all State Societies of the Sons of the American Revolution as co-equals and entitled to receive from this Society such assistance and information as may best promote the objects for which these Societies have been organized.

Section 1. The objects of this Society are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men who achieved American Independence; to encourage historical research in relation to the American Revolution; to provide for the preservation of documents, record, and relics of the individual services of Revolutionary soldiers, sailors and patriots; to promote the celebration of patriotic anniversaries; by these and other means to impress upon present and future generations the patriotic spirit which actuated our ancestors, and established the republic of the United States of America.

Section 1. Any male resident not less that eighteen (18) years of age, who is descended from an ancestor who was a military or naval officer, soldier, sailor, or official in the service of the original thirteen Colonies or States, who assisted in establishing American Independence in the War of the Revolution and who is eligible for membership in the National Society shall be eligible for membership in this Society.

Section 2. For the purpose of making more nearly complete the records of Revolutionary ancestors and their descendants, any woman of Revolutionary ancestry may file a record of her ancestor's services and of her line of decent with the Registrar of this Society. He shall send a duplicate to the Registrar General of the National Society.

Section 3. Applications for membership in the National Society shall be made in duplicate, upon blank forms furnished by the Maine Society. They shall be signed by at least one member of the National Society nominating and one seconding the applicant. One copy is forwarded to the National Society. The second is retained by the Maine Society. Supporting data is forwarded to the National Society.

Section 1. The Officers of this Society shall be President; Vice Presidents not exceeding three; Secretary; Treasurer, Registrar, Auditor; Chancellor; Chaplain; Genealogist; Historian; Librarian; Surgeon; Chairman, Revolutionary Graves; five Councillors and such other officers as the Board of Managers may (by majority vote) deem appropriate. On retirement, officers may be designated "Emeriti Officers" by the Board of Managers.

Section 2. The Officers, all past Presidents and Emeriti Officers who retain membership in this society shall constitute the Board of Managers. This Board shall conduct the affairs of the Society. Five members of the Board shall constitute the quorum.

Section 3. A fidelity bond to cover the Treasurer shall be purchased by the Society with a value of $15,000.

Section 1. All officers shall be elected for one year. The Board of Managers shall fill any vacancies occurring among the officers and delegates to the National Society, to serve to the next annual meeting.

Section 2. The First Vice President shall assume the duties of President when that position becomes vacant.

Section 3. The President shall assume the duties of Secretary and of Treasurer when either becomes vacant, until the Board of Managers fills the vacancy.

Section 1. The meeting for the election of officers and the transaction of business shall be held annually, at a date and place to be fixed by the Board of Managers. Notice of this meeting shall be sent to all members in good standing 15 days in advance of the date set. This meeting shall elect the Officers and Councillors of the Society and delegates to the National Society as specified by it.

Section 2. Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the annual meeting.

Section 3. The Board of Managers may call special meetings of the Society, through the presiding officers, except that seven members may call such a meeting when the Board cannot be assembled. The business of a special meeting may be specified in the call, and notice of 15 days shall be given.

Section 4. Meetings of the Board of Managers may be called by the presiding officer at any time, or on the written request of five members of the Board. Any member of the Society, in good standing, may attend a meeting of the Board of Managers.

Section 5. Any business of the Society may be transacted at any meeting of the Society and of the Board, whether or not mentioned in the call of the meeting.

Section 6. Prior to the meeting of the national Society each year, the Board of Managers shall nominate a Trustee and Alternate to the National Society, to serve as provided by the National Society. The nominations shall be sent to the national office forthwith.

Section 1. Ten or more members of the Maine Society, resident in an area to be specified by the Board of Managers, may form a Chapter. Its members shall choose its name. The Board of Managers may form a Chapter. Its members shall choose its name, roster, officers, and by-laws, as a subordinate unit.

Section 2. All members of a Chapter shall be members in good standing of the Maine Society. All members of the Maine Society resident within the territorial area of the Chapter shall be eligible to membership therein. Chapter membership shall in no way affect membership in the Maine and National Societies. Each Chapter shall promptly report to the Secretary of the Maine Society every change of officers and of membership.

Section 1. This Constitution shall be amended or repealed by the sequence herein specified. A resolution shall be presented to a meeting of the Board of Managers. It shall be approved by a majority of the meeting. Ratification shall be made by a meeting of the Maine Society which has been warned in the call of the meeting of the action to be presented.

Section 1. The application fee designated by the National Society shall be submitted with the application. In addition, the Maine Society through the Board of Managers may designate a State application fee.

The Board of Managers shall elect to membership when all requirements have been met.

The dues of the National Society and of the Maine Society for the first year shall be submitted with the application. Annual dues shall be requested to be paid before 1 January and are to be paid not later than 1 April following to the Treasurer. Members who have not paid by that time shall be dropped for non-payment of dues. Members dropped for non-payment of dues may be reinstated by the Board by written application after payment of current dues.

An active member may become a National Society member for life in accordance with the procedure set forth by the National Society. Under this system, no further National Society dues are required.

The Board of Managers may authorize the payment of dues on behalf of individuals in the event of hardship, illness, advanced age or other special circumstances.

Dual members shall pay National and State dues to the primary Society and State dues only to the state society of dual membership.

Section 2. The President shall fulfill the customary duties of the office and shall maintain general supervision, inform his membership of Society activities and appoint committees to execute programs proposed by the State Society. He shall preside at meetings.

Section 3. The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President in fulfilling his duties and shall preside in the temporary absence of the President, or in his inability to serve.

Section 4. The Secretary shall have charge of the records of the State Society, shall give notice of all meetings and shall keep accurate written record of the proceedings of such meetings. He shall sign all application papers. A corresponding Secretary may be elected to receive and acknowledge correspondence. Otherwise, these functions shall be performed by the Secretary or a professional office secretary.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall collect the dues and have custody of the funds of the State Society and shall be responsible for the transmittal of per capita dues to the National Society, as specified in the bylaws of the National Society.

Section 6. The Registrar shall examine all applications for membership and, if found acceptable, approve them before submission to the National Headquarters for final approval and registration. A duplicate copy of each application shall be retained by the State Registrar for the archives of his State Society.

Section 7. The Auditor shall examine and report on the records of the Secretary and the Treasurer before each Annual Meeting.

Section 8. The Chancellor should be an attorney-at-law, and shall give opinions on legal matters affecting the Society when such questions are referred to him by the proper officers.

Section 9. The Chaplain, preferably an ordained clergyman, shall pronounce the Invocation and Benediction at State meetings and ceremonies, and shall furnish the membership with spiritual guidance. He shall conduct any religious services relative to State functions.

Section 10. The Genealogist shall assist applicants with problems of inaccuracy or incompleteness in their application.

Section 11. The Historian shall keep records of all facts which concern the Society, which may be of historical value. He shall make a report at each Annual Meeting, and shall prepare the Society history submittal to the National Society.

Section 12. The Librarian shall have custody of all historical, geographical, and genealogical books, papers, manuscripts, and relics of which the Society may become processed. He shall maintain liaison with the National Society librarian.

Section 13. The Surgeon shall be concerned with the health and well-being of the members.

Section 14. The Chairman, Revolutionary Graves, shall be responsible for administering the marking of the graves of Revolutionary soldiers in Maine, keeping a clear and accurate record of the placing of these markers and of the financial distribution of funds and shall report at each Annual Meeting.

Section 15. The Councilors shall function to assist the President and the Board of Managers on matters of policy affecting the general membership and in such other duties as the President or the Board of Managers may direct.

Section 16. The Sponsor shall review the qualifications of applicants for membership, and when found qualified, recommend the candidates to the Board of Managers to be elected to membership.

The conduct of the affairs of the Society shall be under the general control of the Board.

The Board shall have the power to suspend or expel a member for cause, on the vote of two-thirds of those present and voting, and after such member has been sent notice of this action at least two weeks in advance. Such member shall have the right of appeal to the Society as a whole.

Section 17. These By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a written proposal to a meeting of the Board of Managers, which shall refer the proposal to a meeting of the Society. Said meeting shall be warned of the action in the call of the meeting, and may adopt or defeat by majority vote. Record shall be kept of the members proposing and seconding the action.

Section 18. Except as otherwise provided, Robert's Rules of Order, current edition, shall govern the proceedings of the Maine Society.

Revised April, 1996