Founded in 1994
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this Society shall be the SWEDISH ANCESTRY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION, INC.
ARTICLE II – NON-PROFIT CHARACTER
The Society shall be operated for educational purposes as a non-profit corporation in accordance with section 501(c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue code and no part of the net earnings of which shall inure to the benefit of any private individual, except those who may at some future date be employed to serve the Society.
ARTICLE III – OBJECTIVE AND ACTIVITIES
The object of the Society shall be to enhance the knowledge of the persons interested in Swedish genealogy. It shall assist and encourage such persons.
1) To collect, preserve and disseminate knowledge and information with reference to Swedish genealogy.
2) To pursue and preserve genealogical data.
3) To share Swedish genealogical information and in other ways further Swedish genealogical research and studies.
4) To publish worthy material in the field of Swedish genealogy. It shall hold regular meetings and engage in any other activities to further these objectives.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Any individual or institution willing to promote the objectives of the Society may be deemed eligible for membership, upon written application and payment of prescribed dues.
ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of six persons composed of the five officers, and the immediate past president who shall be an ex-officio voting member of the Board.
Section 2. The Board of directors shall meet as frequently as needed to carry on the business of the Society. A meeting of the Board of Directors may be requested by any three members of the Board.
Section 3. Mid-term vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the Board from among the roster of the Society’s members. The Board may vote to remove any of its members from the Board if they have been absent from three consecutive Board meetings without indicating valid cause.
Section 4. The board shall determine the dates and nature of all meetings and events of the Society with due consideration being given to any expressed wishes of the membership.
Section 5. A quorum of the Board shall consist of three members. In the absence of a quorum, the board of Directors may propose suggestions for an ensuing meeting, but no actions may be taken until a quorum is present. In the event of need for urgent action, the board may contact members by mail, telephone, or other electronic communications for decisions subject to confirmation by the Board.
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. The elected officers shall consist of President, Vice President, Membership Secretary, Recording Corresponding Secretary and the Treasurer.
Section 2. Officers shall serve for a two-year term from the close of the Annual General Meeting, at which they have been elected, to the close of the following Annual General Meeting, at which their replacements have been elected.
Section 3. The President shall preside at meetings, shall recommend to the Board of directors for ratification the appointment of chairmen of all committees and shall perform other duties normally associated with the office of President.
Section 4. The Vice President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President. Upon resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors to elect a President to complete the term of office.
Section 5. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Annual General Meeting, the business section of the regular meetings and all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall provide a written and or oral report to any member and to the Annual General Meeting. The Secretary shall be responsible for the orderly correspondence of the Society and shall maintain adequate records of such correspondence.
Section 6. The treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Society, including: collection and distribution of all monies of the society in accordance with the policies and decisions of the Board of Directors, periodic financial reports to the board of Directors, and annual financial report. The Treasurer shall present the annual financial report to the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Section 7. Except for the Treasurer, no member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
Section 1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held during June on a date chosen by the Board of Directors. The agenda shall be included in the announcement of the meeting that shall be sent to all members at least two weeks before the meeting.
Section 2. A general meeting shall be considered regularly constituted if an announcement including the agenda has been mailed to all members in good standing at least two weeks prior and a quorum consisting of at least 5% of the membership in good standing is present.
Section 3. When an Annual General Meeting does not have a quorum after thirty minutes past the announced time, it shall be considered regularly constituted for all items on the announced agenda except the amending of these by-laws.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended at the Annual General Meeting and any regularly constituted meeting at which the meeting announcement included the proposed amendment. Such amendment shall require the assent of a two-thirds majority of a quorum of the membership present.
ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION
Section 1. If it becomes necessary for the Society to dissolve, a special meeting shall be called by the board of Directors. All active members shall be notified by first class mail of the time, place and reason(s) for the meeting at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
Section 2. If the dissolution is approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, the Board of Directors shall pay or make provision for payment of all liabilities and shall arrange for distribution of all the remaining assets and property of the corporation to such organizations as shall qualify under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, or to another organization to be used in such manner as in the judgement of a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Massachusetts will best accomplish the general purpose for which this corporation was formed. This does not include any articles on temporary or indefinite loan to the Society as designated by the owner.
ARTICLE X – DUES
Section 1. Annual dues will be payable within thirty (30) days after the start of the fiscal year.
Section 2. Failure to pay dues for three (3) full months after the beginning of the fiscal year will result in suspension of receipt of the Society Bulletin. Non-payment of dues after six (6) months will be the equivalent of resignation from the Society.
