Constitution  

of the

North Fork Chapter Number 29

of the

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology

 

 

 

Article I

Organization

 

Section 1 - Name

 

The name of this organization shall be: “North Fork Chapter Number 29 of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc. ”

 

 Section 2 - Objectives

 

The objectives of the North Fork Chapter Number 29 shall be as directed by the Charter of The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, as follows: “to promote the study of the archaeology of the American Indian, especially as represented in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to encourage careful scientific research and excavation in this field and to discourage careless and misdirected digging, to promote the conservation and preservation of important archaeological sites and the passage of laws prescribing such, to oppose the manufacture and sale of fraudulent antiquities, to encourage the establishment of local archaeological museums and organizations, to promote the spread of archaeological knowledge by means of meetings and publications, and to serve as a bond between the individual archaeologists and collectors in the Commonwealth.”

                       

Section 3 - Location

 

The Principle Meeting Location of this Chapter shall be in the County of Jefferson, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

Section 4 - Government

 

The Chapter shall be governed by a Board of Directors elected from the General Membership and an elected  President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Section 5 - Dissolution

 

In the event of dissolution of this Chapter, all assets remaining after payment of the obligations of the Chapter shall be donated to The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology. 

 

 

Article II

Membership

 

Section 1 - Eligibility

 

Any person interested in the objectives of this Chapter, who shall agree to be governed in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws, shall be eligible for membership in the Chapter with voting privileges after application and payment of appropriate class dues.

 

Monetary gain to any member of this Chapter through any activity of the organization is prohibited except for acquisition of such commercial goods and services as the Board of Directors deems necessary and prudent for the benefit of the Chapter.

 

Section 2 - Classes of Membership and Dues

 

The Board of Directors shall establish by resolution, a schedule of dues for each class of membership. Membership classes shall be as listed in the Bylaws.

 

Section 3 - Membership Duties

 

It shall be the duty of each member of the Chapter to pay all dues promptly. Special assessments, if necessary, are to be voluntary.  Members are requested to volunteer to assist at work sessions and Chapter functions and to accept nomination to Chapter office.

 

Section 4 - Voting

 

Each member in good standing shall have the right to one (1) vote on issues brought before the General Membership. Members whose dues are in arrears shall be denied voting privileges until dues are paid in full.

 

Section 5 - Suspension

 

A member may be suspended for non-payment of dues. The member can be reinstated on receipt of dues in full.

 

Section 6 - Expulsion for Cause

 

A member may be expelled from membership for just cause. The President shall appoint a Committee of Investigation which shall recommend to the Board what action the Chapter should take.  An expelled Member can not be reinstated for two (2) years after the date of expulsion.

 

 

Article III

Board of Directors

 

Section 1 – Eligibility

 

Any member in good standing shall be eligible for nomination and election to the Board of Directors. The Elected Officers of the Chapter shall also be members of the Board of Directors.  Directors of Chapter Number 29 must, by State Society rules, be members in good standing of  The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology.

 

Section 2 - General Duties and Authority

 

Management of the funds and affairs of the Society shall be exercised by the Board of Directors, except as provided by this Constitution and By-Laws in defining  the duties of other officers.

 

Section 3 - Number of Directors

 

The Board of Directors shall not exceed four (4) members.

 

Section 4 - Election to Board

 

Directors shall be elected at the November General Membership Business Meeting from a slate of candidates prepared by the  Nominating Committee and shall take office at the December General Membership Business Meeting

 

Section 5 - Term and Installation

 

Board Members shall be elected for a term of four (4) years.  Directors who have served two (2) consecutive elected terms (eight [8] years) shall not be eligible for re-election until after an interval of one (1) year off of the Board. This time limit is not applicable if a member going out of office is appointed to fill a vacancy. The elected Directors shall be installed by the Past President or, if a Past President is not available, by a Chapter Member appointed by the President. They shall serve until the election and installation of their successors unless relieved of their duties as provided by this Constitution and By-Laws.

 

Section 6 - Vacancies

 

Vacancies on the Board of Directors caused by death, resignation or removal for cause may be filled by appointment of the President with conformation by simple majority of sitting Board Members at a scheduled meeting of the Board. Completing the term of the replaced Board Member shall not count toward the two (2) term limit for Board Election.. The President shall have the authority to appoint Members to the Board to fill vacancies not filled by election to bring the Board to its constitutional limit or any portion thereof, with conformation by simple majority of sitting Board Members at a scheduled meeting of the Board. Appointees must meet the eligibility requirements of Section 1.

 

Section 7 - Quorum

 

Half plus one Board Members shall constitute a Quorum to conduct the business of the Chapter.

 

 

Article IV

Officers

 

Section 1 - Eligibility

 

Any Chapter Member in good standing shall be eligible for nomination and election as a Chapter Officer. Officers of Chapter Number 29 must, by State Society rules, be members in good standing of The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology.

 

Section 2 - Election of Officers

 

The Officers of the Chapter shall be elected  from a slate of candidates submitted by the nominating Committee. Election to position requires a simple majority of votes cast. The election of Officers shall be at the November General Membership Business Meeting.

 

Section 3 - Titles

 

The Officers of this Chapter shall consist of a PRESIDENT, a VICE-PRESIDENT, a SECRETARY and a TREASURER. The Offices of SECRETARY and  TREASURER may be held by the same person. The President shall appoint, with approval by the Board of Directors, a CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVE who shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4 - General Duties

 

PRESIDENT  - The President shall be executive head of the Chapter and shall exercise general supervision over its affairs. It is the duty of the President to call meetings to order at the appointed time, to preside over all meetings, to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly , to preserve order and decorum and decide all questions of order. The President shall appoint Committee Chairs and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall have the authority to remove from office any member of the Board of Directors for cause, subject to a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors at a scheduled meeting of the Board.

 

VICE-PRESIDENT - The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall assist the President as requested. The Vice-President shall serve as Chairman of the Program Committee.

 

SECRETARY - The Secretary shall record the minutes of all Board and Membership meetings. It is the duty of the Secretary to record the attendance of Members of the Board at Board Meetings, to be custodian of the business records and books of the Chapter, except as may be otherwise provided. In the absence of both the President and Vice-President the Secretary shall select a President Pro-Temper.

 

TREASURER - The Treasurer shall keep and maintain the financial records of the Chapter and review such records with the President and Board of Directors with respect to the solicitation and receipt of all income and expenditures. The Treasurer shall serve as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

 

CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVE - The Chapter Representative shall, because of the regular turnover of Chapter Officers, provide a consistent contact person in the chapter for communication with the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, other organizations and individuals. The Chapter Representative must be a member with a long term commitment to the Chapter. The Chapter Representative shall relay information received to appropriate Chapter Officers and serve as Chapter Archivist.

 

Section 5-Terms and Installation

 

The elected Officers shall serve a term of two (2) year. The elected Officers shall be installed by the Past President or, if a Past President is not available, by a Society Member appointed by the President. They shall serve until the election and installation of their successors unless relieved of their duties as provided by this Constitution and By-Laws. The Chapter Representative shall serve for an indeterminate term.           

 

 

Article V

Constitutional Amendments

 

Section 1 - Who May Submit

 

Proposed amendments to this Constitution may be made by the Board of Directors, or any three (3) members in good standing by submitting proposed amendments to the Secretary one (l) month in advance of a regularly scheduled meeting.

 

Section 2 - How Proposed

 

Amendments must be in writing and signed by the three (3) submitting members and submitted to the Secretary. Upon receipt of the proposed amendments, the Secretary will have copies made of the proposed amendments and mailed to each Member of the Board of Directors at least two (2) weeks before the next scheduled Board meeting.

 

Section 3 - How Adopted

 

The Board of Directors shall meet as directed by the President to discuss and vote on submitting proposed amendments to the General Membership. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the sitting number of Board Members shall be required to submit to the General Membership any amendment to this constitution. Such proposal shall become part of the constitution when accepted by a majority of members present and voting at the next scheduled General Membership Business Meeting after the Board of Directors meeting called by the President.

 

 

Adopted February 21, 2004 (Organizational Meeting)

 

 

 

                                                                                               

                                                               

By-Laws

of the

North Fork Chapter Number 29

of the

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology

 

 

1. Meetings:  The following meetings may be held:

           

            A.  General Membership and Election

           

A General Membership Business Meeting and Election shall be held in November of each calendar year, at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.

 

            B. General Membership

           

General Membership Meetings shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors. The schedule of such meetings, whether monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly is at the discretion of the Board of Directors. General Membership Meetings may include a guest speaker.  A dinner meeting may be included in a General Membership Meeting. Special functions, such as a picnic, may replace a General Membership Meeting.

 

C. Special Meetings - General Membership

 

Special Business Meetings of the General Membership shall be held at the call of the President, upon vote of the Board of Directors or at the written request to the Board by six        (6) or more members who must sign the request. Special Business Meetings shall be held      within four (4) weeks of the date of receipt by the President of such request.  Members shall be notified by mail at least fifteen (15) days prior to such meeting.

           

            D. Regular Board of Directors Meetings

 

Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held according to a schedule to be determined by the President.

           

            E. Special Board of Directors Meetings

 

Special Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at the discretion of the President or by a majority vote of the Board. Notice of time and place of Special Board Meetings shall      be given to each Board Member not less than seven (7) days before the time of such meeting.   

 

2. Membership Quorum

 

Attendance at a General Membership Meeting by ten (10) or more Members in good standing shall constitute a Quorum.

 

3. Committee Chairs

 

The President shall appoint the Chairs of all Standing and Special Committees with approvalby the Board of Directors. Chairs of Committees shall have authority to appoint Chapter Members as Committee Members, a non-member may be appointed to serve on a committee but must have approval of the Board of Directors.  Any Chapter Member in good standing may Chair a Committee except Ways and Means (chaired by the Treasurer) and Programs (chaired by the Vice-President). Committee Chairs do not have authority to disperse funds, or dispose of artifacts or property of the Chapter without Board approval. Committee reports will be given each month at scheduled Board Meetings.

 

4. Standing Committees and Duties

 

The following shall be standing Committees:

           

A.  Archaeology

                       

This committee shall be responsible for organizing any assistance to be given to recognized archaeological investigations in the Chapters geographical area. It shall organize field trips to     areas of archaeological interest and plan other such activities.

           

            B.  Membership / Nomination

 

This committee shall be responsible for procedures developing an up-to-date file of names and addresses of all Members and insuring that such procedures are implemented and followed. It shall work in areas such as publicity and promotion and be active in seeking new members. It shall conduct a periodic review of membership classifications and dues structure. This committee shall also function as a Nominating Committee in charge of the annual election in November and installation of officers in December.

           

            C . Ways and Means

 

This committee shall make recommendations for fund-raising methods and shall supervise all fund raising activities of the Chapter except where a special committee has been formed for a specific event. The Ways and Means Committee maintains responsibility for overseeing funding activities and shall coordinate efforts with special event committees.  The Treasurer must serve as Chair of this committee. The committee shall oversee the selection of an audit committee (this can be  chapter members) who will conduct an audit immediately following the conclusion of each Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year shall commence January 1, all dues shall become payable at that time.  Dues paid during the last three months of the year will be considered as paid for the following      

           

            D. Collections

 

This committee shall be responsible for acceptance of items donated to the Chapter. The Committee shall determine proper disposition of artifacts belonging to the Chapter and insure that such disposition is implemented. The Committee is prohibited from loaning, donating or selling any item belonging to the Chapter without prior Board approval but may recommend such action to the Board. Items on loan to the Chapter for special display are not the responsibility of the Collections Committee but rather the responsibility of the Committee or person displaying such items. All cultural material recovered in excavations conducted by the Chapter shall be the responsibility of this Committee.

           

            E. Programs   

           

This committee shall be responsible for developing and arranging programs to be presented at General Membership Meetings. Programs may include a guest speaker. A stipend in an amount determined by the Board of Directors may be given to a guest Speaker. The Vice-President shall be Chair of this Committee.

 

               F. Permanent Fund

 

This committee shall be responsible for the establishment and administration of a monetary account using fees collected from life membership dues and donations specified for this fund.. This account must be interest bearing with the intent of using the funds to cover the cost of life memberships in perpetuity. An additional goal would be to generate enough income to make the Chapter fiscally self-sufficient. This committee shall prepare a written report of the activity of this fund at the end of the fiscal year for presentation to the General Membership at the December General Membership Meeting. The treasurer shall be a member of this committee. The signature of both the Chair of the Permanent Fund Committee and the Treasurer shall be required on all written contracts and obligations of the Permanent Fund.

 

5. Limited Liability of Directors

 

To the fullest extent permitted by the Corporate Directors Liability Act as enacted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Act of Nov.28, 1986, P.L. 1458, No. 145 ) as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a Director of this Chapter shall not be personally liable for monetary damages for any action taken or failure to take action unless such action or inaction constitutes both a breach or failure to perform his or her duties in compliance with the standards of fiduciary care prescribed in the Directors Liability Act, and self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. However, the aforementioned limitation of liability will not apply to the responsibility or liability of a Director pursuant to any criminal statute, or the liability of a Director for payment of taxes pursuant to local, state or federal law.

 

6. Membership

 

Membership categories are:     

                       

A.     Active

 

Active voting members shall be 18 years of age or over.

           

B.  Family

 

Family memberships shall include husband and wife with each having voting rights.  The joint membership will receive one copy of the Chapter publications.

 

C.  Student

                       

Student memberships are for those individuals under 18 years of age or enrolled full-time in college. 

 

D.  Life Membership

 

Life Membership is granted to those who pay the life membership fee. Life  Membership fees are to be deposited in a special fund called the Permanent Fund

 

E.  Honorary Life Membership

 

An Honorary Life member shall be a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of archaeology or to the advancement of the Chapter.  Honorary Life membership shall be granted only upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present and voting at any General Business Meeting.

           

7. Finances

 

Chapter funds shall be deposited by the Treasurer in a financial institution that permits withdrawal by check except for Life Membership dues which are to be deposited in an interest bearing account called the Permanent Fund. The signature of TWO ELECTED OFFICERS shall be required on all written contracts and obligations of the Chapter except  for the Permanent Fund. All bills are to be paid by check by the Treasurer.  Any payment of more than one-hundred ($100.00) dollars must be approved by the Board of Directors.

 

8. Amendments to By-Laws

 

The By-Laws may be amended by motion requiring a three-forth (3/4) vote of the sitting Board Members present and voting at a scheduled Board of Directors meeting.  

 

9. Adoption of  Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order

 

This Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

                                                           

 

                                                Adopted  February 21, 2004 (Organizational Meeting)

                                               

 

 

 

Rules of Order

of the

North Fork Chapter Number 29

of the

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc.

 

 

Rule 1.  Roberts Rules of Order

 

Except for the Rules of Order as follows, which shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution of this Chapter, the operation of this Chapter shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

 

Rule 2. Call to Order

 

The President shall take the chair of every Chapter Meeting precisely at the hour designated and immediately call the session to order.

 

Rule 3. Order and Decorum

 

The president shall preserve order and decorum.

 

Rule 4.  Roll Call and Attendance

 

The roll call of Officers and Directors shall take place at the opening of Board Meetings and the Secretary shall record the presence or absence of Board Members. The Board shall be advised of the absence of a Board Member from three (3) consecutive meetings without cause.

 

Rule 5.  Minutes of Meetings

 

The Secretary shall record the minutes of each Board Meeting and each Chapter Membership Meeting. After corrections and approval the Secretary shall enter the minutes in the Permanent Record Book of the Chapter. The Secretary shall record each motion and if carried or defeated.

 

Rule 6. Voting by President

 

The President may, but shall not be required to, vote on all questions. In all cases of a tie vote the question shall be lost.

 

Rule 7. Temporary Chair

 

In the absence of the President the Vice -President shall preside however, the President may appoint any Board Member to assume the duties of the Chair but such substitution shall not extend beyond the close of the meeting.

 

Rule 8. Right to Eject

 

The Chapter has the right to decide who may be present during its sessions. If the Membership or Board Members, either by rule or by a vote decides that a certain person shall not remain in the room, it is the duty of the President to enforce the rule or order, using whatever force is necessary to eject the party. The President has the legal right to detail members to remove the person without calling the police.

 

Rule 9.  Securing the Floor

 

When any Board Member desires to speak or propose any matter to the Board he shall address himself to the President and on being recognized, shall proceed confining himself to the question under consideration if such is pending and avoiding personalities.

 

Rule 10.  Motions

 

When a motion has been entertained the President shall state it or, if in writing, cause it to be read before being debated.  A motion may be withdrawn before a vote is taken or amendment offered.

 

Rule 11.  Debate

 

No Board Member shall speak more than twice nor for a longer period than Five (5) minutes, in each instance, on the same question without unanimous consent unless he be the proposer, introducer or maker of the motion of the matter pending, in which case he shall be permitted to speak further in reply but not until every Board Member choosing to speak has done so. Disorderly or improper words can be objected to by any member stopping debate at that point. The Board must immediately decide by vote if the language was disorderly. If the member cannot  justify  the offending language, the member in error must apologize to the Board. No member shall disturb the meeting in session.

 

Rule 12.  Motions to amend

 

When a motion is under consideration, a motion to amend and a motion to amend that amendment shall be in order, and it shall also be in order to offer a further amendment by way of substitute motion.

 

Rule 13.  Amendments to Rules of Order

 

The Rules of Order may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board Members present and voting at a scheduled Board of Directors meeting.

 

Rule 14. Voting

 

Voting in Board Meetings shall be conducted by the usual voting sign of hand raising or vocal aye - nay, except written ballets may be used on any issue at the direction of the President. If the President is in doubt as to the result of a vote taken by the usual voting sign, a roll call vote will be taken and the minutes will show the affirmative and negative votes by total only and not by name.

 

Rule 15.  Order of Business

           

A - Call to order by the President                                                         

            B - Roll Call                                                                                       

            C - Reading and correction of previous minutes                        

            D - Treasurer’s report                                                 

            E - Committee Reports

            F - Unfinished Business

G - New Business       

H - Announcements

I  - Adjournment

Adopted  February 21, 2004 (Organizational Meeting)