Article 1

Name

The name of the organization shall be the Robertson County Historical Commission, hereafter referred to as the RCHC.

Article 2

Purpose

The purpose of the RCHC shall be the identification, protection, and interpretation of the history of Robertson County. These goals shall be accomplished through surveys of historical buildings and sites, Texas Historical Commission designations of historical buildings and sites, preservation of the County's heritage through oral history, and public education about the County's history.

Article 3

Membership

Section 1 Eligibility. An adult resident of Robertson County approved by the Commissioners Court shall be eligible.

Section 2 Term. Members shall be appointed by the Commissioners Court for two year terms beginning on January 1 of odd numbered years. In-term appointments shall serve only until the next regular appointment date. Unless otherwise specified, all members are voting members.

Section 3 Memberships

(a) Membership shall be comprised of at least seven active members who shall represent all areas of the county and be appointed by the Robertson County Commissioners Court. Additional members may be appointed during the term, upon nomination by the Chair and upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the current members, to serve for the remainder of the term.

(b) Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Chair, who shall, in turn, inform the County Commissioners Court of such resignation in the first Annual Report following the resignation.

(c) If an active member is absent from three scheduled Regular Meetings without a valid excuse, then such member shall be automatically removed from the Commission.

(d) Member Emeritus status may be accorded to an active member who has served for at least three terms, but can no longer be active because of age, health, or demands of occupation. Nomination to the emeritus status must be authorized by a majority vote of current members. Emeritus status shall be a nonvoting member.

(e) Ex-Officio Member status shall include the County Judge and the County Commissioners. Ex-officio status shall be a nonvoting member.

Article 4

Regular Meetings

Section 1 Regular Meetings shall be held monthly on the second Tuesday of each calendar month at 4:00PM to 5:30PM. Location of the meetings to be announced.

Section 2 Officers shall be appointed, upon two-thirds favorable vote by the members, by the Chair during the February scheduled meeting of each year.

Section 3 Treasurer shall report of financial condition during the February scheduled meeting of each year.

Section 4 Special meetings may be called by the Chair or any two voting members.

Section 5 In accordance to Texas Open Meetings Act, notice of any meeting of the RCHC must be posted 72 hours before the scheduled time of the meeting in a place readily accessible to the general public at all times. Therefore, in addition to notifying each voting member, by mail, not less than five days before the meeting, a notice shall be posted at the Robertson County Courthouse.

Section 6 In accordance to Texas Open Meetings Act, a "quorum" shall be defined as a majority of its members. A Regular Meeting shall not be called to order without a quorum present.

Section 7 In accordance to Texas Open Meetings Act, an executive session (closed meeting) may only be called after an open meeting is called to order (having a quorum present) to;

(a) consult with attorney,

(b) deliberate regarding real property,

(c) deliberate regarding prospective gifts, or

(d) (1) deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of an officer, member or employee; or

(2) to hear a complaint or charge against an officer, member or employee.

Article 5

Officers

Section 1 There shall be four officers comprising the Executive Committee, consisting of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

(a) The Chair shall convene regularly scheduled RCHC meetings and shall preside or arrange for other members of the executive committee to preside at each RCHC meeting in the following order: Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

(b) The Vice Chair will chair committees on special subjects as designated by the executive committee.

(c) The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of all RCHC actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all RCHC meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each members, and assuring that certified records are maintained.

(d) The Treasurer shall make a report at each RCHC meeting. Treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans and make financial information available to Board members and the public.

Section 2 The Chair shall be appointed and approved by the Commissioners Court. Upon nomination by the Chair and a favorable vote of two-thirds of the members, the Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed from the membership.

Section 3 Terms of the officers shall be two years commensurate in January of each odd year. Terms may be successive.

Section 4 Resignation of the Chair must be in writing and received by the County Clerk. The Commissioners Court shall appoint a new Chair to complete the current term.

Section 5 Resignation of the Vice Chair, Secretary or Treasurer must be in writing and received by the Chair. The Chair shall select a replacement to complete the current term, upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the members.

Article 6

Committees

Section 1 The RCHC shall create committees as needed, such as fundraising, museum, Certified Local Government, etc. The Chair shall appoint all committee chairs.

Section 2 The Executive Committee shall be composed of the RCHC officers. Committees activities may include liaison between the RCHC and the Texas Historical Commission, as well as liaison between RCHC local citizens and other County Commissions with regards to special projects and meetings.

Section 3 The Finance/Budget Committee is responsible for all matters relating to the RCHC's fiscal responsibilities and shall be chaired by the Treasurer. This includes management of the budget and funds in accordance with Robertson County government procedures.

Section 4 The History Appreciation Committee is responsible for coordinating projects that seek to disseminate information about local history. This includes working with schools and civic organizations in presenting county history programs, as well as, sponsoring historical dedications, commemorations, and observances.

Section 5 The Publicity Committee is responsible for making sure that RCHC activities are well publicized, so that citizens of the county are aware of the commission and its responsibilities in the field of preservation.

Section 6 The Research and Markers Committee is responsible for all matters related to Official Texas Historical Markers. This includes surveying subjects and sites for possible historical marking, updating landmarks listing for the county.

Section 7 The Cemetery Committee is involved in cemetery surveys, cemetery cleanup days (in conjunction with local cemetery associations), and other similar activities.

Section 8 The Heritage Tourism Committee formulates strategy and develops the tools needed to spread the word about the county's historical sites and attractions.

Article 7

Records

Section 1 In accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act, minutes must state the subject of each deliberation; and indicate each vote, order, decision, or other action taken.

Section 2 The minutes or tape recordings of all meetings are public records and shall be available for public inspection and copying on request to the Chair.

Section 3 All records shall be maintained by the Secretary.

Article 8

Fiscal Year

The RCHC fiscal year shall coincide with the County's fiscal year beginning each October 1st and ending each September 30th of the following year.

Article 9

Contracts, Deposits, Donations

Section 1 The RCHC may not enter into any contractual agreement. Only the County, upon approval by the Commissioners Court, is authorized to contract with a third party at the recommendation of the RCHC when applicable.

Section 2 Any funds, earned or donated, including interest, which come into the possession of agents of the RCHC must be deposited with the County Treasurer and be maintained in accordance to County procedures. These RCHC designated funds are maintained separately from other County funds and may rollover each budget year. The accountability of these assets and any expenditures are to be maintained by the RCHC treasurer in cooperation with the County Auditor and Treasurer.

Section 3 The RCHC may not accept real property donations. Only the County, upon approval by the Commissioners Court, is authorized to accept real property donations at the recommendation of the RCHC when applicable.

Section 4 The County shall allocate a departmental budget amount to be used by the RCHC to pay for their general operation expenses. The RCHC treasurer shall request use of these funds in writing to the County Treasurer following County procedures.

Article 10

Parliamentary Authority

Parliamentary Procedure, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the authoritative reference for all procedures not covered by these Bylaws.

Article 11

Amendments

Section 1 Bylaws shall be reviewed biannually at the beginning of each new term.

Section 2 These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote of qualified members present and voting at a Regular Meeting provided that amendment has bee submitted in writing to the general membership at lease two weeks before the meeting at which the vote on the amendment is taken.

Adopted by the membership of Robertson County Historical Commission by two-thirds vote of qualified members present at the April 10,2001 Regular Meeting.

Signed by the following:

CATHY LAZARUS
Chair

MAURINE WYNN
Secretary

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Approved by the Robertson County Commissioners Court

BILLY LEE STELLBAUER
County Judge

JOHN ANDERSON
County Commissioner, Precinct 1

JIM DAVIS
County Commissioner, Precinct 2

MICHAEL BYER
County Commissioner, Precinct 3

MARIE ABRAHAM
County Commissioner, Precinct 4