CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF THE LIVONIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Incorporated on the 12th day of September 1961
As Amended November 14, 2022
CONSTITUTION
Incorporated on the 12th day of September 1961
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, SEPTEMBER 2022
ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of this organization shall be “The Livonia Historical Society.”
ARTICLE II: OBJECT
The object of this Society shall be to give all residents of our community knowledge of our common heritage: to foster the collection and preservation of records and objects which explain and interpret the story of Livonia; to cooperate with all persons and groups to further these objects.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
The Society offers membership to individuals, couples, and students. In addition, honorary membership may be offered by the Society.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Sect. 1 The officers of this Society shall be President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.
Sect. 2 The President shall appoint an Election Committee to recommend candidates for a ballot to be submitted to the membership at the May membership meeting. Nominations may also be submitted at the May meeting and added to the printed ballot. The Election Committee will tally and announce the election results.
Sect. 3 In case of the death or resignation of the President from office, the Vice-President shall become President.
Sect. 4 Vacancies in the office of Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and/or Treasurer shall be filled by vote of the membership from nominees submitted by the Election Committee, or made from the floor at the meeting.
Sect. 5 In the event of office vacancies or lack of nomination for one or more officer positions, the membership may choose to elect Directors consisting of five members in good standing including existing officers. These elected Directors will have the option of either choosing Society officers from among their duly-constituted Board or operating as an Executive Board in lieu of officers. This section shall amend and rescind all other applicable articles and sections of this constitution and provide for Board-approved changes in officer positions and functions as deemed necessary by the Board.
ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE BOARD
Sect. 1 The Executive Board shall include five elected Officers, the immediate Past President, the Committee Chairs, and , up to six Directors.
Sect. 2: The Chairs of all Committees and the Directors shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board. The Directors wills serve two year terms, with three appointed each year.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Sect. 1 Regular meetings shall be held on the third Monday of September, November, January, March and May. If necessary, these days may be changed. With appropriate note least provided to the membership.
Sect. 2 Times for the Executive Board meetings will be determined at the beginning of the fiscal year. (The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President.)
Sect. 3 Special meetings of the members may be called by the President or by the Executive Board or by nine members of the Society upon five days advance notice to the membership.
ARTICLE VII: QUORUM
Sect. 1 Members in good standing in attendance shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Society.
Sect. 2 A simple majority shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the ExecutiveBoard.
ARTICLE VIII: PERPETUITY
Sect. 1 In the event that the Livonia Historical Society should become inactive for a period of five successive years, or should vote to disband, such historic documents or objects as are in its possession or custody shall be returned to the donors, or their legal heirs, if so desired; or, if not so directed, shall be placed in the custody of the Livonia Historical Commission for preservation and for display.
Sect. 2 Any funds remaining in the control of the Society at the time of disbanding shall go to the City of Livonia Historical Commission for the development of Greenmead.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
Sect. 1 This Constitution may be amended at any membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of those voting, a quorum being present; the proposed amendments having been submitted in writing and read to the Society at the preceding membership meeting.