TEXAS SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, INC.
CRADLE OF TEXAS CHAPTER NUMBER 33
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this Chapter shall be The Cradle Of Texas Chapter, Number 33, Texas Society Sons Of The American Revolution, Inc.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Chapter are declared to be patriotic, historical and educational and shall include those intended or designed to perpetuate the memory of those, 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 the 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 injunctions of Washington in his farewell address to the American People.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Any man shall be eligible for membership in this Chapter who is 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, as defined by the NSSAR Constitution Part I, Article III. Such member shall be designated officially as “Compatriot.” Furthermore, he shall fulfill the requirements outlined in Section I of the By-Laws of this Chapter.
ARTICLE IV – ORGANIZATION
The State Society is a Corporation, incorporated in the State of Texas as a non-profit organization. This Chapter, like other State Chapters, is a constituent part of the incorporated State Society. As such, this Chapter is a subordinate local body organized by the TXSSAR, INC, for the purpose of carrying out the objects of the Texas Society.
The period of duration of this Chapter is perpetual, however, upon surrender, forfeiture or revocation of the Chapter’s Charter, the Board of Managers of TXSSAR, INC, pursuant with the State Society Constitution Section 6, Article VIII shall act as trustee and take over the real and/or personal property owned and held byte his Chapter at the time of dissolution.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the By-Laws, this chapter shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by (A) a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or (B) a corporation whose contributions are deductible under Section 170 (C) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any other corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the By-Laws, the purposes for which this Chapter is organized are exclusively charitable and educational within the meaning of Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
It is understood that the TXSSAR, INC has unilaterally decided to be self-insured insofar as liability insurance is concerned. It follows that this Chapter also has no liability insurance to cover any liability or responsibility for such matters, for members and officers acting in pursuit of business of the Society.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar(s), Historian, and Chaplain. The above named officers, together with the immediate past President, shall comprise the Chapter Board of Managers. Duties of the Chapter Officers and the Board of Managers are outlined in the By-Laws of the Chapter.
A Nominating Committee of three members shall be proposed by the President at the November Meeting and approved by the membership in attendance by majority vote. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate a candidate, whose consent to serve has been obtained, for each office to be filled at the annual meeting in December. Additional nominations may be made from the floor, provided the consent of the nominee shall first have been obtained.
The election of officers shall be held at the December meeting. If there be more than one candidate for an office, the election shall be by ballot and a majority vote shall elect. All officers shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected and installed. Their term of office shall begin at the end of the January meeting at which they are to be installed. No member shall hold more than one office at a time and no member shall serve as President for more than two consecutive terms. A member who has served more than half a term in any office shall be considered to have served the full term.
In case a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-President shall become President. Vacancies in other offices shall be filled by the Board of Managers.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Regular meetings shall be scheduled monthly. No regular meetings will be held in June, July or August unless approved by the Board of Managers. Conduct of the meeting shall follow procedures outlined in the SAR Handbook as applicable. Special meetings may be called by the President, with the approval of the Board of Managers.
Regular scheduled meeting and special meeting may be held without a quorum. However Chapter business transactions can only be conducted at a regular or special meeting and shall require a quorum, such quorum shall comprise a minimum of ten percent of the Chapter membership but not less than five members in good standing.
The Board of Managers is authorized to conduct business of the Chapter. All matters that are approved must carry a positive vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Managers.
Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised Edition shall be used to resolve any dispute for which provision has not been made in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Chapter, State and National Societies.
The fiscal year of the Chapter will be from January 1 to December 31 of each year. The regular meeting in January will be Annual Meeting at which time the new officers will be installed and take office at the conclusion of the meeting.
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
The articles of this Constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of the Chapter by a three-fifths vote of the members present, said amendment having been provided in writing to the active members at least one week prior to the meeting at which the amendments are to be considered.
As amended November 12, 2016
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
Application for membership in TXSSAR and NSSAR shall be made through this Chapter and sponsored by two members of this Chapter in good standing. Procedures of membership outlined in the Constitution and By-Laws of the NSSAR and TXSSAR shall control.
The expulsion of any member of the Chapter will require that the same procedure and rules outlined in Article X of the TXSSAR Constitution be followed.
ARTICLE II – FEES AND DUES
Initiation fees and annual dues are established by the National and State Societies. Dues are invoiced and collected in accordance with TXSSAR policy.
ARTILE III – OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
The President will be the official executive officer of the chapter, and will be responsible for calling and conducting meetings, appoints the Chairman and members and be member ex-officio of all committees, be responsible for the budget, represent the Chapter in public, preside at Chapter Board of Manager’ meetings, maintain general supervision over the affairs and business of the Chapter and is responsible for all assets of the Chapter.
VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, assume the duties of the President’s Office. He shall serve as Chairman of the Program Committee. He shall also serve as the Publicity Officer of the Chapter. The Vice-President is responsible for making all the arrangements for each meeting.
SECRETARY
The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the official records of the Chapter, record the minutes of all meetings in a neat and legible manner, keeping the register of all member and advise State/National of the membership: notification of all meetings, conducting the correspondence of the Chapter, and in the absence of the President and Vice-President shall preside over Chapter meetings. The Secretary shall maintain the current membership roster. He shall be responsible for preparing all reports required for the State and National Societies.
TREASURER
The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting, safekeeping, and depositing all funds of the Chapter, disbursing funds only within budgeted accounts unless with prior approval of the President, filing the required state and/or federal tax reporting; maintaining the financial records in ready form for an audit at any time, and in the absence of the President and Vice-President and Secretary shall preside over Chapter meetings. The Treasurer shall serves as Chairman of the Budget Committee.
REGISTRAR
The Registrar shall receive all new applications for membership, examine the application for completeness and forward the required copies and related documentation to the State Registrar; maintain records of all applications received, dates of receipt and mailing to the State Registrar, and results of interim actions ending in final approval of the memberships, maintain a membership service record which will include deaths, transfers, dual memberships, dues payments, delinquencies, and a copy of each individual member’s record application, NASSAR number, and TXSSAR number, honors and certificates of each member. The Registrar will apprise the Secretary of any change in the membership report.
HISTORIAN
The Historian will be the custodian of the history, photographs, momentous, chapter honors and awards. He will present these items in special displays from time to time and, as the occasion demand, submit the necessary information to the TXSSAR in the annual contests.
CHAPLAIN
The Chaplain shall assist in meetings by being prepared to offer an invocation and a benediction proper on such occasions; the “friendship” Chairman of the Chapter, making every effort to stay informed of the health, illness, birthday, wedding anniversary, hospitalization, death or misfortunes of Chapter members and their families; respond with appropriate expressions that will evidence the chapter’s concern, and visit with each new member, answer any questions concerning the SAR and generally make the new member welcome into the Chapter.
ARTICLE IV – CHAPTER BOARD OF MANAGERS
The Chapter Board of Managers shall be the custodian of all Chapter assets and shall have charge of and manage the business and affairs of the Chapter; prepare a budget to allocate monies for desired programs and activities; and be responsible for subsequent performance against that budget.
The President and other elected officers, plus the immediate Past President shall comprise the Chapter Board of Managers and shall meet at such frequency as called for by the President.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES
The Standing Committees of the Chapter shall be the Program Committee, the Finance Committee, Membership Committee and the Auditing Committee.
The Program Committee consisting of the Vice-President and two other members of the Chapter appointed by the President upon nomination by the Vice-President. The Vice-President shall serve as Chairman. Their duty shall be to plan the programs for the Chapter.
The Finance Committee is composed of the members of the Board of Managers. The Secretary-Treasurer will chair the committee when meeting for this purpose. It is the duty of this committee to develop the budget for the Chapter for the year.
The Chairman of the Audit Committee will be appointed by the President. The Chairman of the Committee will appoint two other members from the membership. It will be the duty of this Committee to audit the financial records of the Secretary-Treasurer after the closing of the books on December 31. The Chairman will report to the Chapter at the annual meeting in January.
A Membership Committee shall be appointed by the President. It shall be their responsibility to lead in the Chapter’s effort to recruit new members. The Registrar will serve as Chairman of this committee.
Such other committees or chairman of committees will be appointed by the president as the Chapter may authorize or the National or State Societies require.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS
The articles of this Constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of the Chapter by a three-fifths vote or the members present, said amendment having been provided in writing to the active members at least one week prior to the meeting at which the amendments are to be considered.
As amended December, 2002