ARTICLE I: NAME
Section I. The name of this organization shall be the Oklahoma Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc., and may also be known as OCPA, Inc.
Section II. The location of the registered office is P. O. Box 1933, Muskogee, OK 74402-1933.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
*To bring together persons interested in the location, restoration and preservation of Oklahoma's cemeteries and burial places.
*To record, interpret, restore and preserve the art, history and environment of Oklahoma's cemeteries and burial places.
*To educate the public and increase their awareness of the historic value of Oklahoma's cemeteries and burial places as sources of community and state pride by encouraging their preservation as landmarks for future generations to appreciate.
*To promote the general study of cemetery preservation through workshops, seminars, tours, programs and meetings.
*To support legislation on cemetery and burial preservation issues.
*To function as a non-profit clearinghouse for gathering and disseminating information, organizing projects, raising funds and coordinating with other organizations with similar goals.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Persons, families and institutions interested in promoting the purposes of the association are eligible for membership upon completion of the application form and payment of the full amount of annual dues.
Section II. Dues:
Stone - Individual Annual Membership $25.00
Granite -Family Annual Membership $30.00
Marble - 5 Year Individual Membership $50.00
Copper - 5 Year Family Membership $75.00
Silver - Lifetime Individual Membership $100.00
Gold - Lifetime Family Membership $150.00
Caretaker - Annual support pledge from any individual or organization $500.00
Sexton - Corporate Annual Membership $1,000.00
Changes in the annual dues shall be determined by a vote of the Board of Directors, and will not be effective until approved by a simple majority vote of the membership.
Section III. Membership shall begin with the month in which the completed application and payment of dues is received, and run for the calendar year thereafter. The secretary shall notify members of the expiration date of their membership, and such membership shall continue in good standing on receipt of the next year's dues. One reminder will be sent to those that are delinquent by one month. A membership that is two months delinquent in payment shall result in forfeiture of membership, and should reinstatement be desired, it shall be as for a new member.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section I. The elected officers of the Society shall be the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and three members at large.
Section II. Officers shall perform the following duties:
President:
.The President shall preside at all meetings of the association, both the meetings of the board of Directors and the monthly and annual meetings of the membership, and supervise the day-to-day business and activities of the association
The President shall serve as exofficio member of all committees, with the exception of the Nominating committee.
The President shall appoint committees with the approval of the Board of Directors.
In the absence of the Treasurer, the President shall sign checks for authorized disbursement of association funds.
All officers and committees shall report to the President.
Vice-President:
The Vice President shall preside at all meetings during the absence of the President, and be responsible for any other duties as may assigned by the President.
The Vice-President shall plan and arrange programs for the association and the general public, subject to Board approval.
Secretary:
The secretary shall keep accurate minutes of meetings of the association, and read those minutes during the next meeting so that they may be approved.
The Secretary shall be custodian of all records and documents of the association. These records will be passed on to each succeeding Secretary to be maintained in good condition.
The Secretary shall maintain and keep up to date an official membership roll of the association and make same available to all members on request.
The Secretary shall handle general correspondence of the association and maintain correspondence files, distribute all mail received by the association and direct the giving of notice of all association meetings.
The Secretary shall accept membership applications from the Treasurer and record membership information.
The Secretary shall carry out all duties incidental to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the President and/or Board of Directors.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall collect and record all dues, donations and other moneys submitted to or collected by the association.
The Treasurer shall deposit all funds in the name of the association in a timely manner, and conduct the banking business of the association.
The Treasurer shall not issue payment or disbursements for any bill or expense without a receipt which is authorized by the approved annual budget, or by a majority vote of the membership, or as directed by the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall submit a written monthly and year-end financial statement to the Board of Directors.
The books/records of the Treasurer shall be closed ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting and the election of their successor and delivered to the Auditor in ample time for audit. The audited books/records shall be turned over to the successor by January 1.
The Treasurer may be bonded if required by the Board of Directors.
Members at Large:
The three Members at Large shall be elected by and represent the general membership of the association.
The Members at Large shall perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section III. The officers of the association shall be elected by a simple majority ballot from a list submitted by the Nominating Committee at the annual meeting. Officers shall serve a term of two years and until their successors are elected. Their term of office shall begin upon adjournment of the Annual Meeting.
Section IV. No person shall hold an elected office who is not a member in good standing of the association, and no member shall hold more than one office at a time.
ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section I. The business and the affairs of the association shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of the association and such authority shall be confirmed to general or specific instance.
Section II. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, the immediate Past President and three members-at-large.
Section III. The regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be on the same evening of the regular general membership meeting one hour and a half prior to the general meeting unless otherwise designated.
Section IV. A simple majority shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors.
Section V. A vacancy that occurs on the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment by the President, with the approval of the Board, for the remainder of the term of office of the vacant position. Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice-President shall become President. A Board member missing more than three consecutive Board meetings without prior approval of the President shall be removed and a new member appointed.
Section VI. Members of the Board of Directors shall serve without renumeration.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
Section I. The general membership meetings shall be held at least once a year. Members will be notified at least two weeks in advance of the time and location of all meetings.
Section II. A meeting in November shall be known as the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of the electing officers, receiving annual reports, and conducting any other business of concern to the membership that may arise.
If the election of the Board of Directors shall not be held on the day designated herein, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the members as soon thereafter as convenient. Notice of the annual meeting may be made in a newsletter or published in the newspaper or other mass media ten days prior to the meeting.
Section III. A special meeting may be held, upon the call of the President, with at least a 24-hour notice to the Board of Directors.
Section IV. Notice of a special meeting shall be given at least eight days in advance.
Section V. Elected officers shall serve two years or until their successors are appointed or elected. No officers may succeed themselves in offices more than one term, or a total of four years. The President may not succeed. The Vice-President will automatically advance to the office of President.
Section VI. Members attending the election shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII. STANDING COMMITTEES
Nominating Committee
Publicity Committee
Education Committee
Preservation Committee
ARTICLE VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the Modern Edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the association in all cases where they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the association may adopt.
ARTICLE IX. PROPERTY
Section I. Any real property, including cemeteries, structures, or other parcels of land, acquired by or donated to the association, shall have the name of the association entered on the deed to such property.
Section II. The association should obtain such equipment as may be needed to carry out its objectives compatible with its financial status, and to maintain such equipment in good working order and condition.
Section III. Any equipment that is lost or destroyed through other than fair use shall be replaced or paid for at the current replacement cost by the member(s) responsible, at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section IV. With the exception of cemeteries, The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may sell any real property in the possession of the association, and the proceeds of such sale shall be deposited in the associations account.
ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of the organization, or in the event it shall cease to carry out the objectives and purposes herein set forth, all property and assets of the organization shall be distributed as follows.
*All minutes of the Society shall be disposed of at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
*Any equipment or materials shall be disposed of at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
*Any and all money, after all debts are paid, shall be given to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board. A two-thirds majority of members must be present at any Annual or special meeting called for the purpose of the amending or repealing of the Bylaws.