ARTICLE I

The undersigned, a majority of whom are citizens of the United States, as elected Officers of a nonprofit corporation under the nonprofit Corporation law of Massachusetts do hereby certify:

• • First:  The name of the Corporation shall be The Plympton Historical Society.

• • Second: The place in this state where all the principal office of the Corporation is to be located in the town of Plympton, Plymouth County

• • Third: Said Corporation is organized in order to assemble, identify, and preserve material concerning the history of Plympton and such portions of adjacent towns as have been part of Plympton;  and in order that items of Interest concerning its landmarks, its people, their occupations and crafts, their dwellings and possessions and the customs and events of their times may be perpetuated and in an interesting and worthy manner. Also, for literary and educational purposes in connection with the foregoing.

ARTICLE II

Executive Board Composition

Section 1. Officer and Terms

The officers of the Corporation shall be known as the Executive Board and shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, a Treasurer, three Directors, and one Curator. Such officers shall hold office for a term of one (1) year but will continue in office until their successors are elected. No officer will be elected to the same office for more than three (3)  consecutive terms.

Section 2.  Vacancies

Any vacancy in an office shall be filled by the Executive Board for the unexpired term of said office.

Section 3. The President

The President shall preside at all meetings and act in an advisory capacity to all other officers. They shall also exercise general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and will see to it that such affairs are conducted in accordance with the charter of the Corporation and with these Bylaws. They shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees established by the Executive Board and have voting privileges in case of a tie. The President shall, at the end of their term of office, present a written report of the club's activities.

Section 4.  The Vice President

In the event of a vacancy in the office of President or his inability to act for any reason, the powers and duties of this office shall be exercised by the Vice President.

Section 5.  The Secretary

The Secretary shall make or cause to be made, a record of all meetings of the Plympton Historical Society and the Executive Board. The Secretary shall be the custodian of all records and papers pertaining to the club, including all correspondence, assist in the efforts of mailings if necessary, and send appropriate cards in time of illness or death. As necessary, the Secretary will confirm programs with speakers and hosts including the arrangements for any necessary equipment.

Section 6.  The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive and disburse the funds of the Corporation under the direction of the Executive Board. They shall deposit all funds in the name of the Corporation and all security is in such depository or depositories as the Executive Board may from time-to-time designate or approve. They shall have custody of all records and documents relating to the property of the Corporation, keep proper books of account which shall be open at all times to inspection by the Executive Board, and surrender to the Executive Board and the membership at all scheduled meetings a report of all their activities as Treasurer.

Section 7. The Directors (3)

The Directors shall be responsible for assisting with the responsibilities and duties of the Executive Board as prescribed.

Section 8. The Curator

The Curator shall be designated to be in charge of the Museum exhibits & Archives.

Section 9. Other Duties  

All officers of the Corporation shall have other responsibilities and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Board.

 

Article III

Executive Board Responsibilities & Duties

Section 1. Responsibilities

The Executive Board shall have charge of all the property belonging to the society, shall see that it is properly cared for, so arrange for special meetings at such times as they see fit and shall, in general, have to charge of the Affairs of the Society. Four members (4) of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2. Duties

1. Hold meetings on a regular basis.
2. Oversee the activities and affairs of Society in accordance with its Bylaws and votes
3. Promote the welfare and carry out the purposes of society including proper care and management of the property and its collections.
4. Develop a yearly budget for the Board to include an estimate on expenses and income needs. The Executive Board shall have the power to authorize the reasonable expenditure of money pertaining to activities. Extraordinary expenditure of funds requires the vote of the General Membership.
5. Work with the town of Plympton on continue maintenance, signage, and utilities that maintain the building
6. Oversee the inventory and audit of the artifacts
7. Develop a yearly calendar of educational events and fundraising
8. Oversee the procurement of donations, historical artifacts such as photographs and other materials
9. Develop Educational plans to provide programs and activities to expand the public’s knowledge and appreciation for Plympton’s history including but not limited publications, coordination of education events, newsletters and building tours
10. Develop/maintain a yearly plan for visiting hours within the building
11. Identify and recruit new board members as needed

Section 3. Boards

In addition to the Executive Board members, there shall be the following Board Chairperson positions with responsibilities as described below, to be appointed as needed by the Executive Board either from their own Board or from the General Membership. The Chairpersons may include but are not limited to:

Membership Chairperson

Coordinates efforts to build and maintain membership and to welcome new members to the club. The Membership Chairperson will maintain current membership records, notify members of upcoming renewals, and keep records of past members.

Finance Board Chairperson

Collaborates with the Treasurer to produce a yearly budget and reviews the organization ’s financials.

Technology/ Website Chairperson

Build and maintain the Society’s website and internet communications systems

 

Article IV

Internal Revenue Requirements

Section 1.

No part of the earnings of the Corporation shall to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 1, third heading thereof.  No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be carrying out of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in ( including the publication or distribution of statements) any political Campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried out on (a)  by a Corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 ( c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 ( or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law) or (b) buy a Corporation, contributions to which a deductible under Section 170 ( c) (2) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 ( or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law).

 

Article V

Membership

Section 1. General Membership

Membership is open to all persons interested in joining the society for its stated purposes. Members of the organization shall initiate and maintain their membership status by paying annual dues by the prescribed due date. All members shall have voting rights and each member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the membership for a vote so long as their membership dues are paid in full. Each member shall have the right to vote and hold office. The annual dues shall be payable at the Annual Meeting to the Treasurer. Members in arrears for 2 years shall be automatically placed on inactive status, but may be reinstated by paying of the membership fee in arrears and the Annual Membership fee.

Section 2. Membership Classifications

• LifeTime: The payment of Five Hundred ($500) dollars at one time to constitute a life membership and shall exempt that member from all subsequent dues.
• Sponsor: The annual payment of One Hundred ($100) dollars will constitute a Sponsor level membership.
• Donor: The annual payment of Fifty ($50) dollars will constitute a Donor level membership
• Senior: The annual payment of Ten ($10) Dollars will constitute a Senior level membership
• Individual and Senior Family: The annual payment of Fifteen ($15) Dollars will constitute an Individual level membership or a senior level membership for two Seniors.
• Family: The annual payment of Twenty-Five ($25) Dollars will constitute a Family level membership and includes two adults and children belonging to that family.

Section 3. Honorary Membership

By recommendation of the Executive Board, the Corporation may elect by unanimous vote to grant Honorary Membership any person who has rendered distinguished service to the community or to the Corporation. An honorary member shall be exempt from all dues and assessments.

Section 4. Memorial Member

On receipt of a contribution in the name of a person deceased, the Secretary shall, with the approval of the Executive Board, enter that name on the list of Memorial Members.

Section 5. Junior Members

Junior members up to the age of 16 years old shall be accorded free membership with no voting privileges.

 

Article VI

Meetings

Section 1.  Annual and Special Meetings

The Members of the Plympton Historical Society shall meet annually on a date to be determined by the Executive Board. Special meetings of the members shall be held at the direction of the Executive Board. The business of the Annual Meeting shall include the election of officers, the reports of officers and committees and such other business as may be late before the Plympton Historical Society by the President. All members of the Plympton Historical Society shall be given an opportunity to lay before the meeting, under the heading of “Other Business”, such matters as they may wish to have considered.

Section 2.  Meetings

There shall be a minimum of three (3) meetings each year, the date to be determined by the Executive Board.

Section 3. Notices

Notices of all regular meeting shall be given to all members at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting unless in the case of an emergency meeting in which as much notice as possible will be given.

Section 4. Executive Board Meetings

Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at the discretion of the President or by the written request of three members of the Executive Board.

Section 5. Quorums

At any meeting of the members of the Plympton Historical Society Eleven (11) voting members present in person or by written proxy shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business other than the Amendment of the Bylaws.

Section 6. Proxy

If a Member in Good Standing is unable to attend a Meeting of the General Membership, they may choose to designate a proxy to vote in their stead. The Member may choose to designate another Member in Good Standing to cast a vote on their behalf or they may designate that the Executive Board cast a vote on their behalf. In order for the proxy to be valid, the Member must complete a PHS proxy form and submit it in a timely manner to be reviewed and processed by the Executive Board. The proxy shall be valid for 14 days after the meeting at which it is first enacted. The proxy may be revoked at any time by the grantor of the proxy.

 

Article VII

Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of not less than 2/3 of the total Membership present in person, or by proxy, at any meeting of the general membership, provided that notice of any proposed amendments shall have been communicated in writing to all members at least 7 days in advance of such meeting.

Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purpose of the Corporation in such manner, or two such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 ( c) (3)  of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 ( or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law), as the Executive Board, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations as said Court she'll determine, which are organized exclusively for such purposes.

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names this ___ Day of _______________

 

_________________________________, President

_________________________________, Vice-President

_________________________________, Secretary

_________________________________, Treasurer

_________________________________, Director

_________________________________, Director

_________________________________, Director

_________________________________, Curator