On July 6, 2007, the Chester Heights Historical Society held a meeting and approved these bylaws:
SOCIETY BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I: NAME
The organization will be known as The Chester Heights Historical Society.
ARTICLE II: OBJECTS AND PURPOSES
Wise preservation of our significant historical buildings, sites and ruins which contribute to the charm and the heritage of our community and promote the protection and restoration of local landmarks.
Generally, the Society’s objectives would include
a) The promotion of historical research and antiquarian work related to the Borough of Chester Heights.
b) The encouragement of towards the creation of local ordinances that protect our historical and cultural buildings and sites.
c) To serve as a resource for the preservation and interpretation of local history.
d) To maintain books, photographs, charts, registers and other documents relating to the history of Chester Heights.
e) The Society does not contemplate any gain or profit, incidental or otherwise.
ARTICLE III: MEETINGS
The regular meetings are to be held the first Friday of every other month, at a time to be designated by the Board of Directors (hereinafter the “Board”)..
SECTION 1: Special meetings and/or gatherings may be called by the Board at its discretion , or may be set by the Board at the request of the members.
SECTION 1.2: One-third members in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 1.3: The Secretary shall give to all members written notice of the time and place of meetings at least 14 days prior.
SECTION 1.4: Generally, meetings should be open to the public unless the Board decides that a specific meeting should be private.
SECTION 1.4 VOTING: Each voting member shall be entitled to one (1) vote. An affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary to take any action at that meeting, unless a greater vote is required under these by laws.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Any person or organization who is interested in the aims and purposes of the Society is eligible for membership. Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Secretary with the dues described by these by-laws; the Society shall thereupon enroll the applicant as a member in good standing of the Society and report the dues to the treasurer.
SECTION 1.1: INDIVIDUAL ACTIVE MEMBERS: any person who expresses an interest is eligible to become an active member upon the payment of prescribed dues.
SECTION 1.2: FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: comprised of immediate family members may become members upon the payment of the prescribed fee. The fee for such membership shall confer all the rights and privileges of active membership.
SECTION 1.3 STUDENT MEMBERS: May be entitled active membership at a reduced dues payment.
SECTION 1.4 SENIOR MEMBERS: are entitled to active membership at reduced dues payment.
SECTION 1.5 EXPULSION FROM MEMBERSHIP: Any member may be expelled from membership without the assignment of cause, upon an affirmative vote of a major of the Board at any regular or special meeting, duly convened afer proper notice as provided herein, provided that written notice of the intention to expel and reasons for it have been provided to the member. No member shall be expelled without having the opportunity to be heard at such meeting, but no formal hearing procedures need be followed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a member may be expelled for the non-payment of dues under Article V.
SECTION 1.6: Any member may resign from membership at any time, such resignation to be made in writing, and to take effect from the time of its receipt by the Society, unless some later time may be fixed in the resignation, and then from that date. The acceptance of the resignation shall not be required to make it effective. Such resignation, however, shall not release a member from the obligation to pay all dues and fees prescribed by the Board up to the effective date of the resignation.
ARTICLE V DUES
SECTION 1.1 Annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 1.2 The fiscal year of the Society shall begin on September 1st. Dues for the fiscal year are payable by July 1st. Any member not having dues paid by September 1st shall be notified by the Treasurer that he or she has forfeited membership. Membership may be resumed by payment of current dues.
SECTION 1.3 Paying of dues in appropriate classes of membership:
a) Individual members - $10
b) Family membership - $12
c) Junior membership - $5
d) Senior membership (62 years of age) - $5
ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
SECTION 1.1 The Board of Directors shall be elected by a vote by the members of the Society. At the May meeting members who wish to be considered for positions on the Board of Directors shall submit their names for consideration to the President of the Society Those five (5) candidates that receive the most votes shall be elected.
SECTION 1.2 The Board of Directors shall decide on the election of the officers for a for a term period of one (1) year.
SECTION 1.3 The Officers and Directors shall be elected for a term of one (1) year. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms, but he or she is eligible to return after one year out of office.
SECTION 1.4 In the case of a tie for any office, ballots shall be cast until a majority vote is achieved.
SECTION 1.5 In the election of the Directors, the five (5) people receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
SECTION 1.6 The Board shall declare vacant the office of any officer or director who shall cease to be a member in good standing of the Society. In such case, or in the case of the death or resignation of an officer or director, or of his or her appointment to another office, his or her unexpired term shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1.1 It shall be the duty of the Board to promote the interests of the Society and to further its purposes as expressed in Article I of these by-laws. It shall have charge of all the policy making, the creation of contracts, and the general supervision over the affairs of the Society.
SECTION 1.2 The Board shall be responsible for control and management of the Society’s collections, records and any other property
SECTION 1.3 The Board shall authorize the establishment of all the committees as it deems necessary, and it shall outline the in writing the duties and responsibilities of such committees. The Board shall review and approve the members selected for the committee.
SECTION 1.4 The Board shall designate the date of all regular and special meetings of active members upon request of the President.
SECTION 1.5 Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held as they may determine.
ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS
The officers of the Society shall include a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and other such other officers whose positions shall be created from time to time by the Board. A person may hold more than one office, except that the same person may not be President and Secretary.
Duties of the Officers shall include:
SECTION 1.1 The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Society; shall have general and active management of the business of the Society; shall see that all orders and resolution of the Board are carried into effect subject to the right of the Board to delegate any specific powers as allowed by law. The President shall appoint members of all committees which are created by the Board or by these by-laws.
SECTION 1.2 The Vice-President shall, in the absence or disability of the President, or at the request of the Board, assume any or all of the duties and privileges of the President.
SECTION 1.3 The Secretary shall be secretary of the Board, shall attend all meetings of the Board and membership, shall act as clerk thereof, and shall record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings. The Secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all Board meetings to the Directors and of all membership meetings to members as appropriate , and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of by the President.
SECTION 1.4 The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the Society; shall collect all funds due the Society and disburse funds as required to meet the obligations of the Society; shall keep the funs of the Society in a separate account to the credit of the Society, unless the Board provides otherwise; shall render to the President and the Board, as requested by them but not less than once a year, regular accounting of all transactions and of the financial condition of the Society.
SECTION 1.5 Any officer may be removed by the Board whenever in its judgment he best interests of the Society will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice.
SECTION 1.6 All notes, checks, evidence of indebtedness and negotiable instruments shall be execute, for and on behalf of the Society, by the Treasurer and either the President, Vice-President, or Secretary.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended by a majority of all members present or any duly convened annual, regular or special meeting of all members following approval of the proposed amendment by a vote of the majority of all Directors in office.