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Maine Society
Sons of the American Revolution Constitution Article I Name Section 1. The Name of
this Society shall be THE MAINE SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Article II National Society 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 entitled to receive from this Society such assistance and information
as may best promote the objects for which these Societies have been organized. Article III Objects Section 1. The objects of
this Society are declared to be patriotic, historical and educational. Those
objects are intended and designed to perpetuate the memory of those patriots
who, by their services or sacrifices during the war of the American Revolution,
achieved the independence of the American people; to unite and promote
fellowship among their descendants; to inspire them and the community-at-large
with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by
our forefathers; to encourage historical research in relation to the American
Revolution; to acquire and preserve the records of the individual services of
the patriots of the war, as well as documents, relics, and landmarks; to mark
the scenes of the Revolution by appropriate memorials; to celebrate the
anniversaries of the prominent events of the war and of the Revolutionary
period; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of
American freedom and to carry out the purposes expressed in the preamble of the
Constitution of our country and the inunctions of Washington in his farewell
address to the American people. Article IV Membership Section 1. Any male is
eligible for membership in the society who, being a citizen of good repute in
the community, is the lineal descendant of an ancestor who was at all times
unfailing in loyalty to, and rendered active service in, the cause of American
Independence either as an officer, soldier, seaman, marine, militiaman of
minuteman, in the armed forces of the Continental Congress or of any one of the
several Colonies or States; or as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence,
as a member of a Committee of Safety or Correspondence, as a member of any
Continental, Provincial, or Colonial congress or legislature; or as a foreign
national who rendered service in the cause of American Independence, including
but not limited to nationals of France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden, or
Switzerland; or as a recognized patriot who performed actual service by overt
acts of resistance to the authority of Great Britain; provided, however, that
no person advocating the overthrow of the Government of the United States by
the use of force or violence shall be eligible for membership. Section 2. Application for
membership in the National Society shall be made in accordance with the forms
and on the paper specified by the National Society. They shall be signed by at
least two (2) members of the National Society, one as Sponsor, and the other as
Co-Sponsor. A copy of the approved application returned by the National Society
shall be retained by the Registrar of the Maine Society. Information about new
members is to be shared with the President, Treasurer and Secretary. The classification of members shall be the
same as those required by the National Society Constitution. Article V Officers Section 1. The Officers of
this Society shall be: President; Vice-President, not exceeding three (3) in
number, and designated First, Second, and Third; Secretary, Treasurer;
Registrar, Auditor; Chancellor; Chaplain; Genealogist; Historian; Librarian;
Surgeon; Chairman, Revolutionary Graves Committee; at least five (5) councilors;
and such other officers as the Board of Managers (BOM) may by majority vote
deem appropriate. On retirement an officer may be designated an “Emeritus
Officer” by the BOM. Section 2. A fidelity bond
to cover the Treasurer shall be purchased by the Society with a value of
$30,000.00. Article VI Terms of Office Section 1. All Officers
shall be elected for one (1) year. Except as provided in Section 2 below, the
BOM shall fill all vacancies occurring among the Officers and delegates to the
National Society on an emergency basis, the chosen replacement to serve the
balance of the term. The BOM may hold an electronic meeting, using electronic
means, including, but not limited to, telephone or e-mail to fill such
vacancies. The electronic meeting is to be under the direction of the
Secretary, with the assistance of the BOM as supervised by the President. Section 2. The First Vice
President shall assume the duties of a President who does not complete his
term; if the First Vice President declines, the Second Vice President shall
assume the duties of a President who does not complete his term; if the Second
Vice President declines, the Third Vice President shall assume the duties of a
President who does not complete his term; if the Third Vice President declines,
the BOM shall elect a successor for the balance of the term of President. Any
office vacated to assume the role of President shall be left vacant for the
remainder of the term. Section 3. The President
shall assume the duties of Secretary and of Treasurer when either office
becomes vacant, until the BOM fills the vacancy as provided in Section 1. Article VII Election of Officers Section 1. Ninety (90)
days prior to the Annual Meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating
Committee to consist of four (4) members of the BOM, one of whom shall be a
Vice-President or a Past President of the Maine Society. Section 2. After the
Nominating Committee is appointed, the members shall choose a Chairman from
among the members of the Committee by a majority vote. The Committee shall
contact current office holders about their willingness to continue to serve in
their office, or in another office. Within three (3) weeks of its appointment,
the Committee shall select at least one (1) nominee for each office specified
in Article V and the Chairman shall advise the BOM of the nominees. The
Committee shall not endorse any candidate. Section 3. Thirty (30)
days’ notice of the Annual Meeting shall be sent to all members by U.S. mail.
The notice shall include a list of all the candidates nominated by the
Committee, as well as spaces for write-in candidates for each office. The list
of candidates shall serve as an absentee ballot. A special envelope with space
for validating signatures on its outside shall be provided for return of
absentee ballots and be included with the notice, along with instructions for
its timely return. Section 4. Additional
nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting. All members
present, who have not voted by absentee ballot, may vote at the Annual Meeting.
After the votes have been cast at the Annual Meeting, the absentee ballots
shall be opened and tallied by the Nominating Committee members with the votes
cast at the Annual Meeting. Section 5. The results of
the election shall be announced to the membership at the Annual Meeting, and
reported in writing to the President and Secretary of the Maine Society by the
Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The elected officers shall be installed
at the Annual Meeting by the President. Article VIII Meetings 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 BOM. Notice of this meeting
shall be sent to all members in good standing thirty (30) days in advance of
the date set. This meeting shall elect the Officers and Councilors of the
Society and delegates to the National Society as specified by it. Section 2. Seven (7)
members shall constitute a quorum for the Annual Meeting. Section 3. The BOM may
call special meetings of the Society, though the presiding officer, except that
seven (7) 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
fifteen (15) days shall be given. Section 4. Meetings of the
BOM may be called by the presiding officer at any time, or on the written
request of five (5) members of the Board. Any member of the Society, in good
standing, may attend a meeting of the BOM. In instances where there is a need
for immediate action, the BOM may meet electronically under the supervision of
the Secretary, and any emergency action so taken shall be ratified at the next
physical meeting of the BOM. 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 BOM shall nominate a Trustee and
Alternate Trustee to the National Society, to be elected and to serve as
provided by the National Society. The nominations shall be sent to the National
Office forthwith. Article IX Local Chapters Section 1. Fifteen (15) or
more members of the Maine Society may petition to form a chapter. Its members
shall choose its name, roster, officers, and by-laws as a subordinate unit, in
accordance with the National Constitution and By-laws. Section 2. All members of
a chapter shall be members in good standing of the Maine Society. Section 3. The President
of each chapter shall be a member of the Board of Managers. Article X Colour Guard Section 1. A Maine State
Society SAR Colour Guard is authorized. Its purposes are to honor our patriot
ancestors; to promote the Maine Society; and to inspire the community with the
principles on which our nation was founded. Its activities are to include
participation in historical, patriotic and educational endeavors. Section 2. The Colour
Guard shall have its own charter and by-laws approved by the BOM. The Colour
Guard shall be directed by a State Commander who shall be appointed by the
President of the Maine Society for a one (1) year term. Section 3. The Colour
Guard shall be funded from payments received for events ad by money received
from donors who designate their contributions to go to the Colour Guard Fund.
All such monies received and expended shall be handled and expended by the
Treasurer of the Maine Society in accordance with the By-laws of such society. Article XI Ladies Auxiliary Section 1. The formation
of a ladies’ auxiliary which shall be named “The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Maine
State Society” is hereby authorized. Section. 2. Such Ladies’
Auxiliary shall have its own charter and bylaws. Membership shall be open to
women who are related by marriage or blood to members in good standing of SAR. Section 3. All costs of
such Ladies’ Auxiliary shall be borne by the membership of the Ladies’
Auxiliary. Section 4. Such Ladies’
Auxiliary shall provide assistance to the Maine State Society to further the
patriotic, historical and educational objectives and purposes of the National
Society. The Ladies’ Auxiliary may hold meetings in accordance with the
schedule of the Maine State Society. Article XII Dissolution Section 1. Although the
period of duration of this Society is perpetual, if for any reason the Maine
State Society votes to dissolve this Society, all funds and assets shall be
turned in to the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution or
disposed of in accordance with directives from the National Society. No part of
the property of the Maine State Society or any of the proceeds shall be
distributed to or inure to the benefit of any of the officers and members of
the Maine State Society. Article XIII Amendments Section 1. This
Constitution may be amended or repealed by the sequence specified. A resolution
shall be presented to a meeting of the BOM. It shall be approved by a majority
of the meeting. Ratification shall be made by a meeting of the Maine State
Society which has been warned in the call of the meeting of the action to be
presented. ______________________________________________________________________________ Bylaws Fees And Dues 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 (BOM) may
designate a state application fee. The
BOM shall elect applicants to membership when all requirements have been met.
In order to avoid a lengthy delay in processing an application, the BOM may
elect a new member by electronic means, to be ratified at the next regular BOM
meeting. Information
about the new member shall be provided to the President, Secretary and
Treasurer in written form. 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 the end of November to the Treasurer. The Maine Society of the Sons of
the American Revolution shall have a fiscal year beginning April 1 and ending
March 31. 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 BOM 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
BOM may authorize the payment of dues on behalf of individuals in the event of
hardship, illness, advanced age or other special circumstances. President Section 2. The President
shall fulfill the customary duties of the office and shall maintain general
supervision, inform the membership of Society activities and appoint committees
to execute programs proposed by the State Society. He shall preside at
meetings. Officers and Chairmen of committees shall keep him informed of their
activities and those of their committees in writing when possible. Vice-Presidents 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. Secretary Section 4. The Secretary
shall have charge of the records of the State Society and under the directions
of the President shall give notice of all meetings and shall keep an accurate
written record of the proceedings of all 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. The Secretary may request assistance from
the BOM to distribute notices and messages to the membership by electronic
means where possible. Treasurer Section 5. The Treasurer
shall collect the dues and fees from various events, deposit them in a
repository approved by the BOM and have custody of the funds of the State
Society. He shall be responsible for the transmittal of per capita dues to the
National Society, as specified in the bylaws of the National Society. Registrar 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 the State Society. Auditor Section 7. The Auditor
shall examine and report on the records of the Secretary and the Treasurer
before each Annual Meeting. Chancellor 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. Chaplain 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 and religious services relative to
State functions. Genealogist Section 10. The Genealogist
shall assist applicants with problems of inaccuracy or incompleteness in their
applications. Historian 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. He shall oversee
the submittal of Society news and photos to the National Magazine. Librarian Section 12. The Librarian
shall have custody of all historical, geographical, and genealogical books, papers,
manuscripts, and relics of which the Society may become possessed. He shall
maintain liaison with the National Society Librarian. Surgeon Section 13. The Surgeon
shall be concerned with the health and well-being of the members. Chairman, Revolutionary Graves Section 14. The Chairman,
Revolutionary Graves, shall be responsible for administering the marking of the
graves of the Revolutionary soldiers in Maine, keeping a clear and accurate
record of the placing of these markers and shall report at each Annual Meeting.
He shall also cooperate with the web-masters of the Communications Committee in
the listing of Revolutionary War Graves in Maine. Councilors Section 15. The Councilors
shall function to assist the President and the BOM on matters of policy
affecting the general membership and in such other duties as the President of
the BOM may direct. Board of Managers 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
BOM. The
BOM 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. Amendments Section 17. These Bylaws
may be altered, amended, or repealed by a written proposal to a meeting of the
BOM, which shall refer the proposal to a meeting of the Society. Said meeting
shall be warned of this 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. Rules of Order Section 18. Except as
otherwise provided, Robert’s Rules of
Order, Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of the Maine Society. |