Constitution
ARTICLE I — Name
The name of this Society shall be “Jackson County Historical Society,” and it shall incorporate under the Internal Revenue Code to become a tax exempt corporation in the State of Illinois.
ARTICLE II — Objects
The objects for which this Society are formed are to arouse and stimulate an interest in the history of Illinois in general, and Jackson County in particular; to encourage historical research and secure its promulgation; to aid in collecting and to collect and preserve all data relating to the history of Illinois and its peoples in Jackson and adjoining counties; and to do all and any of the things necessary to the attainment of the objectives of the Society.
ARTICLE III — Membership
Section 1. Membership shall be open to anyone interested in history, and/or related fields.
Section 2. Membership types, and amount of dues, shall be set by the Board of Directors of the Society, with the consent of the majority of the members present at the meeting.
Section 3. Charter members shall be designated as those having signed the Charter Roll.
ARTICLE IV — Officers and Duties
Section 1. All officers shall be paid-up members and shall attend Board meetings and perform the duties outlined in this Constitution and the By-Laws; deliver official materials to successors during December, and present an outline of their work to successors during December.
Section 2. The officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, elected to one-year terms.
Section 3. There will be fourteen Directors. Each Director shall be Chairman of one of the following committees, to serve two years, seven to be elected each year: Membership, Museum & Displays, Newsletter (Editor), Historical Buildings and Library Sites, Photo File, Publications, Cemeteries, Memorials and Park, Publicity & Public Relations, Program, Genealogy, Budget, Hospitality, and Special Projects.
Section 4. Officers and Directors shall be elected at the Annual meeting in October and take office the following January.
Section 5. The President shall preside at all Board and general meetings and serve as ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 6. The Vice-President shall assist the President and perform the President’s duties in that officer’s absence or inability to serve.
Section 7. The Secretary shall record and read minutes, preserve minutes and documents, and be responsible for correspondence.
Section 8. The Treasurer shall collect and record dues and funds, give monthly and annual reports, record receipts and expenditures, and submit records for audit at the end of each fiscal year.
Executive Board, committees & fiscal year
ARTICLE V — Executive Board
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the Elected Officers and Directors.
Section 2. Duties are to transact the Society’s affairs; recommend purchases; plan and implement the budget; set policy and new projects; keep the membership informed; and promote the Society.
Section 3. Meetings shall be monthly except December. Five members constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI — Committees
Directors, serving as Committee Chairmen, shall recommend policy for their committee to the Board and work within the budget designated for each committee.
ARTICLE VII — Fiscal Year
The fiscal year begins January 1 and ends December 31.
Quorum, voting, dissolution & by-laws
ARTICLE VIII — Quorum and Voting
A Nominating Committee appointed by the President shall submit a slate of Officers and Directors at the annual meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor. Board members serve two-year terms and may be reelected. Vacancies may be filled by Executive Board vote, except that the Vice President fills a presidential vacancy.
ARTICLE X — Dissolution
Upon dissolution, remaining assets after liabilities will be distributed to the Illinois Historical Society under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or to a State of Illinois organization operated exclusively under the same code for historical purposes if the former does not exist.
No net earnings shall benefit members, trustees, officers, or private persons, except reasonable compensation for services rendered and distributions in furtherance of Article I. The corporation shall not participate in political campaigns and shall abide by laws affecting Sections 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(2).
ARTICLE XI — By-Laws
Special Committees may be appointed by the President or as directed by the Society or Executive Board. The Executive Board shall have powers and acts devolving upon it under Illinois statutes.
No Society property may be removed without consent of the appropriate Committee Chairman and President; a borrower must furnish a written receipt. Proper records shall be maintained on all material, donations, and loans.
Business not covered by the Constitution and By-Laws shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Adopted by vote of the membership at the Annual Meeting October 21, 1984.