Approved: 25 March 2011
Article #I Name
The name of this society shall be Lawrence County Historical Society.
Article #II Purpose
The purpose of this society shall be to bring together those people interested in preserving, protecting, and promoting the history of Lawrence County and South Dakota
Article #III Membership
Membership shall be of six classes. Membership dues will be determined by the Board of Directors for each category.
- Individual active members – Any person interested in the purpose of the society shall be eligible.
- Family membership
- Institutional members – Any organization, board, school, or library interested in the history of
- Contributing and sustaining members – A person, group or firm offering special support to the objectives of the society shall be eligible.
- Honorary members – Honorary membership may be conferred upon any person whose activities have contributed to the objectives of the society. Honorary members shall be elected by three-fourths vote of members present at an annual meeting, upon nomination by the board of directors.
- Life members (individuals only).
Article #IV Meetings
General membership meetings of the society shall be held four times each year. The annual meeting of the society shall be held in conjunction with the first meeting of the calendar year.
Article #V Officers & Board of Directors
Section 1. The board of directors shall consist of no fewer than eight and no more than twelve who shall be elected for a term of three years. Members may be renominated. From this board shall be elected a president, and a vice-president, for a term of one year.
Section 2. The secretary and treasurer shall be appointed annually by the board of directors.
Section 3. The directors shall be members of the Lawrence County Historical Society and past or present residents or past family residents of Lawrence County
Section 4. The board will meet on a quarterly basis. Special meetings can be called by the president.
Article #VI Election of Board of Directors
Section 1. Prior to the annual meeting, a committee on nominations, appointed by the president, shall select the candidates from a list of the membership. Consideration will be given to maintaining a cross section of Lawrence County
Section 2. All directors shall be elected by a vote at the annual meeting.
Section 3.
There may be additional nominations from the floor at the annual meeting.
Section 4. Directors shall be installed at the close of the annual meeting at which they are elected and shall serve until their successors have been duly elected and installed. In the event of resignation or incapacity of any officer or any director the vacancy may be filled by a vote of the board of directors for the unexpired term of office.
Article #VII Duties of Officers and Directors
Section 1. The president shall have executive supervision over the activities of the society within the scope provided by these bylaws. The president shall preside at all meetings. The president shall report annually on the activities of the society. The president shall appoint the members of committees and delegates not otherwise provided for.
Section 2. The vice-president shall assume the duties of the president in the event of absence, incapacity, or resignation of the president.
Section 3. The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the society and of the board of directors.
Section 4. The treasurer shall be responsible for the safe keeping of society funds and for maintaining adequate financial records. All monies received by the society shall be deposited with a reliable banking company in the name of the Lawrence County Historical Society. Monies shall be paid out by numbered checks signed by the treasurer or the president. The treasurer shall render an annual report based on a fiscal year, January 1 to December 31.
Section 5. The board of directors shall have the power to conduct all affairs of the society. It shall elect a president and vice-president for a term of one year and appoint a secretary and treasurer annually, pursuant to the bylaws. The board of directors shall decide questions of policy that for any reason cannot be acted upon at a meeting of the society and perform such other functions as designated in the bylaws or otherwise assigned to it.
The president may appoint committees from the society membership with concurrence of the Board of Directors.
Article #VIII Amendment
These bylaws may be amended at any regular or board of director’s meeting by two-thirds vote of those voting, provided notice was given at the previous meeting. The bylaws may be amended at a special meeting called for that purpose, with previous notice and a two-thirds vote. All proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing.
Reviewed – Board Meeting – February 25, 2011
Revised – Approved – Board of Directors – March 25, 2011
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Member – Bylaws Review Committee
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Member – Bylaws Revision Committee
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Member – Bylaws Revision Committee
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President – Lawrence County
