Constitution and By-Laws

Constitution | By-Laws

Constitution

ARTICLE I – Name
The family association shall be known as the Chandler Family Association.

ARTICLE II – Objective
The objective of the family association shall be to strengthen the ties of fellowship and kinship between living members of the family, to maintain family unity through frequent association of family members in a social way; and to perpetuate the memory and genealogy of the ancestors and descendants of the Chandler family by combining the resources and efforts of the members of the family in performing genealogical research, and by unifying all genealogical, historical, and biographical research necessary for the compilation of complete and accurate family records.

There may be as many as 150 genetically-distinct Chandler families (GDC families) in existence, many with members scattered around the world. Members of those GDC families will make most genealogical progress by interaction and research amongst themselves. A few such groups already exist, with members communicating and cooperating via email. These groups are not usually large enough to provide their own infrastructure (website, newsletters, membership and financial administration, database management etc.). The association aims to provide support to such groups. Operating as chapters of the association, these GDC groups are offered the ability to take advantage of the association’s infrastructure and standards, while focusing on research of their own genetic Chandler ancestry.

ARTICLE III – Membership
All Chandler descendants and their husbands or wives are eligible for membership in the Chandler Family Association. Persons who are not Chandler descendants but who are interested in the genealogy of Chandler ancestors and descendants are welcome members of the family association. Any person who is eligible may become a member of the family association by applying for membership with the Secretary and paying the annual dues required to sustain membership and research.

ARTICLE IV – Meetings
The meetings of the family association shall consist of an Annual Meeting and such other meetings or reunions as may be approved by the Executive Committee. The Annual Meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee. The agenda of the Annual Meeting shall include activity reports by officers, supplemented by such other general activities as may be presented by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V – Officers
The elected officers of the family association shall consist of a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer whose positions may be combined, and which officers shall constitute the Executive Committee. The elections of officers shall be held as described in By-Law XII. All officers shall be eligible for re-election. Failure to hold the Annual Meeting or any election of officers shall not disorganize the family association.

ARTICLE VI – Committees
The Executive Committee shall set up committees and make special assignments as necessary in administering the programs of the family association. Such committees may include, but need not be limited to, a Social, Membership, Program and Publicity Committees. The Executive Committee may also appoint a member Genealogist and Historian. Committee appointments and special assignments may be temporary or permanent, but such appointments and assignments shall be considered as fulfilled at the time the new election of officers is held.

ARTICLE VII – Amendments
The Executive Committee may propose alterations to the Articles and subsequent Amendments of this Constitution by describing the changes in a newsletter and calling for votes from the membership, which members may send by email or regular mail. If the changes are supported by three-fourths of the members whose votes are received, they will be deemed to have been approved.

As amended September 14, 2013.


By-Laws

SECTION I. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to represent the family association during the interval between Annual Meetings, to recommend the time and place of the Annual Meeting, to determine the order of business and approve the program for the Annual Meeting, to fill official vacancies until the next Annual Meeting, to appoint a nominating committee for officers at least three months in advance of a given election, and to perform such other work as may be delegated to the Committee by the family association. All matters brought before the Executive Committee as authorized in the Constitution of this Association shall be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, and in case of a tie vote, the presiding officer shall have the casting vote.

SECTION II. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the family association and the Executive Committee, and to exercise general supervision over the family association. It shall be the duty of the President to call special meetings of the Executive Committee as necessary for the purpose of carrying on the work of the family association during the period between Annual Meetings. The President shall submit to the family association at the Annual Meeting a report of all official acts of the Executive Committee, together with any other information and recommendations he may deem important. He shall be Ex-Officio a member of all committees.

SECTION III. It shall be the duty of the Vice-Presidents to carry out the policies of the family association by developing and administering specific programs within their assigned spheres of activity. These programs must be approved by the Executive Committee. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to assist and counsel the President in all matters pertaining to the activities of the family association. It shall be the duty of the Vice-Presidents to act in behalf of the President in his absence in the order of precedence. Upon the resignation or demise of the President, the First or Senior Vice-President shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee for the purpose of filling the vacancy until the next Annual Meeting.

SECTION IV. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate minutes of the preceding of all meetings of the family association and of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall keep a complete register of the members of this Association, together with their places of residence, and to perform such other secretarial duties as the President or Executive Committee may direct.

SECTION V. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and keep an accurate record of all dues, contributions, and other monies received by and in behalf of the family association. If desired by the Executive Committee, the Treasurer shall be bonded at the expense of the Association. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies received in the name of the Association in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected by the Executive Committee. All expenditures and disbursements for and in behalf of the Association shall be through the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall make a complete report of the financial status including receipts, disbursements, and current balances at the Annual Meeting and to the Executive Committee as requested.

SECTION VI. It shall be the duty of the Genealogist to supervise and direct the compilation of complete and accurate genealogical records of the Chandler ancestors and descendants. The genealogist may select assistants, with the approval of the Executive Committee, to help supervise the gathering of genealogical data, which assistants shall function as a committee, the Genealogist being the Chairperson thereof. The Genealogist and the assistants shall have the authority to call upon all members of the Association for genealogical data and for assistance in performing genealogical research, and they shall engage as many family members as will respond in this effort, supervising their research activities in an efficient manner and counseling and teaching when desirable. If it becomes necessary, the Genealogist may engage the services of professional researchers working on a fee basis, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

SECTION VII. It shall be the duty of the Historian to supervise and direct the compilation and writing of biographical records, family histories, and personal histories pertaining to both the Chandler ancestors and descendants. The historian and his assistants shall have the authority to call upon all members for this data and for assistance in performing this work and they shall engage as many family members as may respond in this effort, supervising their activities in an efficient manner and counseling and teaching as desirable.

SECTION VIII. It shall be the duty of the Social Committee to arrange programs for all Association socials and entertainments and to workout all details for such gatherings. The Committee shall act as Receptionist at the Annual Meeting and all other meetings and reunions being held for the entire membership of the family association.

SECTION IX. It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee to obtain and give to the Secretary of this Association, lists of names and addresses of members and potential members. It shall also be the duty of this Committee to obtain continuing membership from those members who have omitted payment of their annual dues.

SECTION X. It shall be the duty of the Program Committee to plan the arrangements and prepare the agenda for the Annual Meeting and special meetings of the entire membership, and to perform such other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee.

SECTION XI. It shall be the duty of the Publicity Committee to publicize through news media, radio, genealogical publications and/or other printed media, the Association’s activities and notices of the Annual Reunions, and publish on a regular basis, as determined by the Executive Committee, a Chandler Family newsletter or bulletin and distribute to all members of the Association to keep them informed of the events and activities of the Association, and perform other such duties as may be assigned by the Executive Committee.

SECTION XII. In an election year (i.e. an odd-numbered year), the Executive Committee shall publish in the Spring newsletter a call to members for nomination of officers, and at the same time appoint a Nominating Committee of no less than three of its members.  Members wishing to submit names to the Nominating Committee must do so not more than six weeks after the mailing of the Spring newsletter. The Committee will screen the qualifications of nominated members for holding office in the Association, and the chairperson of the Committee will publish a slate of nominations in the Summer newsletter with a call to the membership to vote, stating the date by which such votes must be received (usually 30 days later). Votes may be cast by email or regular mail. The term of office of the new Executive Committee will commence at the close of the Annual Meeting business session in the election year and will expire at the Annual Meeting two years later. When required, interim elections of officers will be proposed by the Executive Committee in a newsletter and will be voted on as above.

SECTION XIII. It shall be the duty of the Genealogist, Historian and Chairperson of all standing committees to prepare annually a report of all activities of their respective committees for presentation at the Annual Meeting.

SECTION XIV. Annual dues per member of the Chandler Family Association shall be as determined by the Executive Committee. Additional contributions may be requested according to the financial needs of the Association in administering its programs. Dues shall be paid annually (as determined by the Executive Board).

SECTION XV. All officers and members of committees, whether elected or appointed shall perform their duties and/or assignments without receiving any monetary remuneration whatsoever, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to repay monies actually expended for and in behalf of the Association; and upon approval of the Executive Committee, expenses of attendance, including a mileage allowance for those required to travel a considerable distance, may be allowed for attendance at any regular or special meeting of the officers of the Association. For the purpose of this Article only, officers are defined as members of the Executive Committee and the Genealogist, Historian and the Chairperson of Standing Committees when required to be present at the regular or special meetings of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is also authorized to make payments and distributions which are in furtherance of the objectives of the Association set forth in Article II. The Executive Committee may accept on behalf of the Association any contribution, gift, bequest or devise for the general purpose or for any special purpose of the Chandler Family Association.

SECTION XVI. The Executive Committee, the Genealogist, the Historian and each Committee may adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association.

SECTION XVII. This Association shall not engage in carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing and distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an association exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.)

SECTION XVIII. In the event of the dissolution of this Association, the Executive Committee shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all the assets of the association 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 provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the Committee may determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of this Association is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations, as the said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purpose.

SECTION XIX. The fiscal year of this Association shall begin on September 1st and end on August 31st of each year.

SECTION XX. The Executive Committee may propose alterations to the By-Laws by describing the changes in a newsletter and calling for votes from the membership, which members may send by email or regular mail. If the changes are supported by three-fourths of the members whose votes are received, they will be deemed to have been approved.

As amended September 14, 2013.