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Constitution
Constitution
Fri, 05/11/2007 - 22:55 — mchallisCONSTITUTION OF URANTIA BOOK SOCIETY OF OKLAHOMA
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this organization, formerly First Urantia Society of Oklahoma, shall be Urantia Book Society of Oklahoma, hereinafter referred to as "the Society."
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Society is to promote, through fraternal association, the study and dissemination of The Urantia Book and its teachings.
ARTICLE III
AFFILIATION
The Society, while autonomous in the conduct of its local affairs, is subject to the Constitution and By-Laws of THE FELLOWSHIP, formerly Urantia Brotherhood, and, by virtue of its status as a constituent Society of THE FELLOWSHIP, its members are ipso facto members of THE FELLOWSHIP.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 4.1 - Qualifications. Any person at least 14 years of age who shall, as adjudged by the Coordinating Board, evidence a desire and a willingness to learn and understand the teachings of The Urantia Book and who shall declare his or her willingness to accept the By-Laws and Constitutions of THE FELLOWSHIP and the Society, shall be eligible for membership in the Society. Membership in any church, religious organization, or fraternal society shall not disqualify any candidate for membership in the Society.
Section 4.2 - Definition of an Active Member. An active member is one who is current with his or her Society financial pledge. Members shall be considered Active from the time the pledge is received until current Active Membership is determined the following year. Any non-active member may be reinstated as an Active Member at anytime by notifying the Treasurer in writing and making his or her pledge.
Section 4.3 - Financial Pledge. A pledge for financial support shall be requested of all members each year within ten days after the Annual Meeting. The amount pledged will be at the discretion of the individual member. Current Active Membership status shall be determined thirty days after proper notice.
Section 4.4 - Expulsion of Members. Members may be expelled from membership only pursuant to a three-quarters vote at a Formal Meeting in which the individual has been found to have engaged in activities prejudicial to the welfare of the Society. A motion at any Formal Meeting for any member's expulsion may be made only after an identical resolution shall have been approved by the Coordinating Board, followed by written notice thereof to the Active Membership, stating with specificity the facts and reasons for which the member's expulsion is sought. Notice thereof shall be given at least sixty days prior to the meeting at which the member's expulsion will be sought.
Section 4.5 - Removal of Non-Contactable Members. After due research by the Secretary as to the location or contactability of a member, and such location or contact is not obtainable for a period of at least twelve months, the Secretary will recommend to the Coordinating Board that the member's name be removed from our membership roll. A simple majority at any properly called Coordinating Board meeting will be sufficient for removal. Reinstatement to membership by the removed member shall be immediate upon said member's request for reinstatement to any Coordinating Board member.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section 5.1 - Formal Meetings. A Formal Meeting is a properly called Assembly of Active Members. Members and nonmembers may attend all Formal Meetings; however, only members may participate. Attendance at any such meeting may be restricted to members by majority vote. Such Formal Meetings shall be held in the state of Oklahoma with at least thirty days prior notice for Annual Meetings and fifteen days prior notice for Special Meetings sent to all Active Members stating the purpose or purposes for which it is called and shall take place as follows:
A. Annual Meetings. An Annual Meeting shall be held once each calendar year at a time and place designated by the Coordinating Board. Officers and Standing Committee Chairs shall report at such meeting.
B. Special Meetings. Special Meetings may be called at any time by the Coordinating Board, or upon the written request of the lesser of seven Active Members or twenty percent of all Active Members.
Section 5.2 - Voting. Only Active Members in attendance shall be entitled to vote at Formal Meetings.
Section 5.3 - Powers. All powers not specifically delegated herein are reserved to the Assembly of the Society.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 6.1 - Officers. Officers of the Society shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Historian and Treasurer.
Section 6.2 - Election of Officers. Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting, and shall hold office for a term of one year, subject to an action by the Assembly for recision of the election. Officers may succeed themselves for a second term only. Election of officers shall be by ballot.
Section 6.3 - President. The President shall be the presiding officer at all Formal Meetings and of the Coordinating Board, and shall be an ex-officio member of all Society committees. The President shall have only such powers as conferred or imposed upon him or her by this Constitution, the By-laws, the Assembly or the Coordinating Board.
Section 6.4 - Vice-President. The Vice-President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the inability of the President to act.
Section 6.5 - Secretary. The Secretary shall keep and preserve the records of the proceedings of the Formal Meetings of the Society and the Coordinating Board. The Secretary shall notify all Active Members of all Formal Meetings.
Section 6.6 - Historian. The Historian shall compile and maintain a written record of all significant events pertaining to the Society during his or her term.
Section 6.7 - Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the principal financial officer and shall supervise the financial resources of the Society. The Treasurer is entrusted with the Society's funds but can only disburse them by the authority of the Assembly, or upon the unanimous consent of the Coordinating Board. All checks issued by the Treasurer shall be countersigned by either the President or Vice-President.
Section 6.8 - Limitation. No person shall hold more than one office simultaneously, nor shall any officer simultaneously serve as chair of any Standing Committee.
ARTICLE VII
COORDINATING BOARD
Section 7.1 - Organization. There shall be a Coordinating Board of the Society which shall be comprised of the officers and Chairs of all Standing Committees.
Section 7.2 - Powers and Duties. The Coordinating Board shall manage the affairs of the Society in accordance with the will of the Assembly, subject to this Constitution and pursuant to the By-laws. It shall have the power to veto or modify the act of any officer or of any Standing or Temporary Committee.
Section 7.3 - Meetings. The Coordinating Board shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the President. Additional meetings may be called upon the petition of any three members of the Coordinating Board. The Coordinating Board can only transact business at a duly called meeting of the board for which every board member shall have received at least five days prior notice (unless notice is unanimously waived), and at which a quorum of at least half of its members are present.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Section 8.1 - Standing Committees: A Chair for each Standing Committee shall be elected at the Annual Meeting, hold office for one year and may succeed himself or herself for a second term only. Each Standing Committee Chair shall appoint at least two members to his or her committee. Standing Committees shall be the following:
A. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall pass upon the qualifications and eligibility of all candidates for membership in the Society, subject to the final determination of the Coordinating Board. The Membership Committee shall participate in the initiation of all new members.
B. Social Committee. The Social Committee shall plan and manage all Society social activities and shall welcome visitors and new members to all Society functions.
C. Library Committee. The Library Committee shall purchase Urantia Books and related educational material and check them out to various members.
D. Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall recommend a detailed budget each year for the Coordinating Board within thirty days of the Annual Meeting. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for raising the funds sufficient to meet the budget approved by the Coordinating Board.
Section 8.2 - Temporary Committees. Temporary committees for the accomplishment of any particular purpose or purposes may be established by the Assembly, the President, or the Coordinating Board.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote at any Annual Meeting. The wording of any such proposed Amendment must be included in the notice for the meeting at which it is intended to be discussed.
ARTICLE X
BYLAWS
At Formal Meetings the Society shall have the power to adopt By-laws, which shall be known as "By-laws of First Society of Oklahoma," to make effective the terms and provisions of this Constitution and to regulate the conduct of the Society. By-laws may be passed or amended by a two-thirds vote at any Formal Meeting.
ARTICLE XI
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
"Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised" shall be the parliamentary authority for all Formal Meetings in all matters not specifically covered by the provisions of this Constitution or By-Laws.
[This constitution was revised by amendment on March 6, 2003]