The name of this organization shall be the Passaic County Historical Society Genealogy Club.
 
 

This club was organized as an adjunct of the Passaic County Historical Society for the purpose of advancing genealogical study and discovering, obtaining, preserving and perpetuating whatever may relate to genealogy, biography and family history in Passaic County, New Jersey.  To accomplish these goals, the club shall:

· Promote genealogy through programs that offer instruction on preserving family heritage and techniques of family history research.
· Meet and share genealogical and historical information.
· Publish a quarterly newsletter and other materials that pertain to genealogy.
· Maintain the Genealogy Club website.
· Assist the Passaic County Historical Society in the acquisition and conservation of records and make resources held by the PCHS Library available to members and the general public.
 
 

Section 3.1 Eligibility
Participation in the Genealogy Club is a benefit of membership in the Passaic County Historical Society.

Section 3.2 Requirements
Genealogy Club membership requires declaration of interest in the club on the Historical Society Membership Application and payment of annual Historical Society dues.  Nonmembers may attend two meetings of the Genealogy Club as guests.

Section 3.3 Privileges
Privileges of Genealogy Club membership include the right to attend and participate in meetings and programs, vote, serve on committees, hold elective position, and receive genealogy newsletters.
 
 

Section 4.1 Officers
Officers of this club shall be president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and treasurer.

Section 4.2 Eligibility
Any Genealogy Club member is eligible to be an officer of the club.

Section 4.3 Nominations and Elections
 a.  The office of president, treasurer and corresponding secretary shall be filled in even-numbered   years, those of vice-president and recording secretary in odd-numbered years.
b.  The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of nominations to the club at the March      meeting of an election year.
 c.  Elections will be held at the April meeting of an election year at which time nominations may    be made from the floor.  Election shall require a majority vote, a quorum being present.

Section 4.4 Powers and Duties
 a.  President shall be the chief officer of the club and official spokesperson for its membership,    prepare agendas for and preside at meeting of the club, supervise the affairs and guide the   policies of the club in accordance with the Bylaws and actions of members, sign contracts   and obligations of the club, appoint chairpersons of all standing and special committees,    create committees necessary to conduct the work of the club, serve as ex officio member    of all committees except the Nominating Committee, and represent the club in matters    brought before the Board of Trustees.
 b.  Vice President shall assume the duties of the president in the absence or at the request of the    president and shall schedule programs of genealogical interest for the monthly club    meetings.
 c.  Recording Secretary shall record and keep minutes of meetings and maintain a current and    accessible copy of Bylaws and Standing Rules.
 d.  Corresponding Secretary shall conduct correspondence as requested by the president or    membership and notify members of special meetings.
 e.  Treasurer shall collect and disburse the funds of the club and keep an accurate account    thereof, co-sign all checks with the president or vice president, and issue a financial    report at each monthly meeting and a final report at the annual meeting.

Section 4.5 Term of Office
Officers shall be installed and assume duties at the Annual Meeting in May.  Terms shall be for two years and successive terms shall not be limited.

Section 4.6 Vacancies
In the event of resignation or inability of the president to continue in office, the vice president shall automatically assume the presidency.  Vacancies in any other office shall be filled by a majority vote of the membership.

Section 4.7 Removal from Office
An officer may be removed for three consecutive unexcused absences from regular meetings, inability to complete duties or other just cause by a two-thirds vote of members present at a special meeting called for that purpose.  Said officer shall receive at least two weeks notice of proposed action and shall be allowed to address the club regarding such action prior to the vote.
 
 

Section 5.1 General Meetings
Regular meetings of the club shall be held at Lambert Castle or other designated meeting place on the second Saturday of each month, September through May, at 10 a.m.

Section 5.2 Annual Meeting
The regular May meeting shall be the Annual Meeting at which final reports of the president, treasurer and committees shall be heard, and newly elected officers shall be installed.

Section 5.3 Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the president or upon the request in writing of five members of the club.  Notice shall be made to members at least forty-eight hours before Special Meetings.

Section 5.4 Quorum
Fifteen members present shall constitute a quorum for regular and special meetings.
 
 

Section 6.1 Composition
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the club.

Section 6.2 Function
The function of the Executive Committee shall be to guide the club in all its objectives and make emergency decisions, which shall be reported to the club at the next regular meeting.

Section 6.3 Meetings
Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called when needed.  Three officers shall constitute a quorum.
 
 

Section 7.1 Standing Committees
The following standing committees shall be appointed by the officers annually, along with such others deemed necessary to carry on the work of the club.

 a.  Audit Committee shall examine and verify financial accounts of the club before the Annual    Meeting.
 b.  Historian shall compile and prepare a scrap book or permanent record of press clippings,    photographs, newsletters, printed and other material prepared for and/or distributed by    the club.
 c.  Hospitality Committee shall coordinate preparations and provisions for refreshments at regular   meetings.
 d.  Library Research Committee shall handle requests for genealogical information and research.
 e.  Newsletter Committee shall be responsible for gathering information and preparing a quarterly   newsletter for members.
 f.  Website Committee shall be responsible for maintaining the club’s website and updating the    site with current information about the club and its activities.
 g.  Nominating Committee shall be comprised of three general members appointed by the    president in January of election years to nominate officers at the March meeting.
 h.  Public Relations Committee shall disseminate through various media all pertinent information   about meetings and other club activities.

Section 7.2 Special Committees
Special committees shall be designated to execute special tasks and cease to function upon completion of duties.
 
 

Section 8.1 Projects
The club shall participate only in activities that are in keeping with the purposes and objectives stated in these Bylaws and, when considering Historical Society Library-related projects, shall select only those approved or proposed by the Director or the Board of Trustees.

Section 8.2 Operations
The club shall function in a manner consistent with the operations of the Historical Society.
 a.  In routine matters of the club, questions and communications shall be channeled through the Director.
 b.  In special matters that require personal presentation or proposal to the Board, the club shall    make a request to do so in writing to the Director and Board President.
 c.  Club correspondence, mailings and newsletters or other materials for duplication or     publication shall be mailed or printed through the office of the Historical Society.

Section 8.3 Funds
Beyond covering incidental operating expenses of the club, fund raising shall be limited and undertaken only for genealogical preservation, restoration and acquisition purposes.
 
 

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
 
 

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the membership at a regular club meeting at least one month prior to the meeting at which it is considered.
 
 

Upon dissolution of this club, any assets shall be given to to the Passaic County Historical Society and designated for restricted use of the Library for new acquisitions and preservation of existing materials.