PGS-MN cons

Revised Constitution, January 21, 2006

POLISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA

A branch of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Inc.

CONSTITUTION / BY-LAWS

ARTICLE! NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Polish Genealogical Society of Minnesota, hereinafter referred to as the PGS-MN, a branch of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Inc.

ARTICLE H. PURPOSES

The purpose of the PGS-MN are exclusively educational and specifically shall be to:

A) Provide an association of persons interested in the genealogy of Polish-Americans whose forbears lived within the historic or current boundaries of Poland;

B) Provide opportunities for exchange of ideas and information relating to genealogical practices and experiences;

C) Hold meetings for the instruction and interest of its members;

D) Foster and increase an interest in Polish (encompassing both historic and current boundaries) genealogy;

E) Collect and, when practicable, publish genealogical, biographical and historical
material relating to families of Polish descent.

ARTICLE in. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Eligibility. Membership is extended to any person, institution, firm, or organization interested in the purposes of the PGS-MN.

Section 2 - Admission to Membership. Any qualified prospective member shall become a member in good standing of the PGS-MN upon payment of dues. Membership in the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Inc. is encouraged but not required.

Section 3 - Termination of Membership. Any member whose dues are in arrears for the current membership year shall cease to be a member.

Section 4 - Membership Year. The membership year shall be the same as the calendar

year, starting the first of January.

Section 5 - Dues. The annual dues shall be established by the Board of Directors, with changes to be approved by the membership at a general meeting.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section 1 - Officers. The Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. All must be members in good standing of both the PGS-MN and the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Inc.

Section 2 - Duties of the President. The President shall be the cWefexecutive officer and shall preside at all meetings of the Membership and at all meetings of the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - Duties of the Vice President. The Vice President may, during the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President.

Section 4 - Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary shall give notice of both Membership meetings and Board of Directors meetings and maintain records of such meetings.

Section 5 - Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the PGS-MN funds, keep a full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements, and make timely reports to the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall also comply with the financial reporting requirements of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Inc. as provided in their constitution.

Section 6 - Term of Office. Officers shall be elected at the annual meetings, each for a term of 2 years, according to the following schedule: in even-numbered years - Secretary and Treasurer; in odd-numbered years - President and Vice President. The term of office shall begin the day after the election.

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 - Membership. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers of the PGS-MN, the Chair of each standing committee, the Immediate Past President and other Members-at-Large elected at the Annual Meeting. All must be members in good standing of the PGS-MN.

Section 2 - Authority. The general government, management, and direction of the PGS-MN shall be vested in the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - Term. Members-at-Large of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting, each for a term of 2 years* according to the following schedule: in

ARTICLE VI. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1 - Creation and Abolishment. Special committees may be created or abolished by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - Duties. Duties of the various committees shall be determined by the President with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - Appointments to Committee. Appointments to the committees shall be made by the President with approval of the Board of Directors. Committee members must be members in good standing of the PGS-MN.

Section 4 - Ex-OflBcio. The President shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees without vote.

ARTICLE VH. FISCAL

Section 1 - Pecuniary Gain. The PGS-MN shall not afford pecuniary gain, incidentally or otherwise, to its members, nor shall any stock be issued.

Section 2 - Personal Liability. The members of the PGS-MN shall not be subject to any extent whatsoever to personal liability for the obligations of the PGS-MN.

Section 3 - Disbursements - 51% Rule. Disbursements by the PGS-MN shall be made in such a manner that at the end of each fiscal year at least fifty-one percent (51%) of all funds expended by the PGS-MN since the date of its formation as a branch of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, Inc., shall have been used in the State of Minnesota for educational purposes.

Section 4 - Dissolution and Protection of Donor's Interests. The PGS-MN shall protect its property, collections, and assets in the event of dissolution so as first to satisfy any liabilities and obligations, with the remaining assets to be distributed for exclusively educational purposes to one or more genealogical or historical societies, libraries, museums, or educational institutions in accordance with the provisions of the Minnesota Statutes, and Section 501 (c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE Vm. MEETINGS

Section 1 - Frequency. The PGS-MN shall schedule meetings at least four times annually at such time and place as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - Quorum. A quorum shall consist of the members present at a duly announced meeting, notice of which has been given to members at least one week in