BY-LAWS
OF THE LIVONIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Incorporated on the 12th day of September 1961
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, SEPTEMBER 2022
ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Sect. 1 Individual membership is $20 per year. Dues are payable effective September annually. Dues not paid by December will result in removal of name from the membership roster.
Sect. 2 Couples membership is $30 per year. Dues are payable effective September 1st annually. Dues not paid by December 1st will result in removal of name from the membership roster.
Sect. 3 Student membership (under age 21) is $10 per year. Dues are payable effective September annually. Dues not paid by December will result in removal of name from the membership roster.
Sect. 4 Honorary Memberships may be conferred for notable service in furthering or promoting the objects of the Society or because of distinction in historical matters. These memberships may be conferred upon recommendations of the Executive Board and the favorable vote of two-thirds of the Society’s membership, present and voting. Honorary Members shall pay no dues.
ARTICLE II: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Sect. 1 A. The President shall have general supervision over the work of the Society and shall preside at all meetings of the Society and of the Board.
B. The President shall appoint an Auditing Committee of two no later than June 30th. The Auditing Committee shall work with the Treasurer and the Financial Committee Chair. A report will be available at the September membership meeting.
Sect. 2 The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President and shall perform such other duties as are required of him or her.
Sect. 3 The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of the meetings of the Society. The Secretary shall keep an accurate list of the membership of the Society provided by the Membership Chair.
Sect. 4 The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Society and shall be responsible for production and mailing of the Society newsletters.
Sect. 5 A. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and disbursed. The Treasurer shall pay out Society monies in accordance with the policy set by the Executive Board annually upon authorization of the Executive Board. A financial report shall be given at each meeting, and the Treasurer’s books shall be made available for audit by July 1st of each year.
B. The Treasurer shall be bonded for an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III: COMMITTEES
Sect. 1 A. Standing Committees shall include Membership, Program and Finance.
B. Additionally there may be Education, Hospitality, Fundraising, or such other Committees as shall be determined by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IV: FISCAL YEAR
Sect. 1 The fiscal year shall be from July 1st to June 30th. Terms of officers shall be identical with the fiscal year.
ARTICLE V: AFFILIATION
Sect. 1 The Livonia Historical Society shall be affiliated with the Historical Society of Michigan.
ARTICLE VI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Sect. 1 Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the Society in all instances not expressly covered by this Constitution and these By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII: LIMITATION OF PERSONAL LIABILITY OF VOLUNTEER DIRECTORS
Sect. 1 No volunteer director of the Society shall be personally liable to the Society or its members for monetary damages for breach of the Director’s fiduciary duty; provided, however, this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a Director for any of the following:
A. a breach of the Director’s duty of loyalty to the Society of its members;
B. a violation of Sect 551(1) of the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act which includes acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;
C. a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit;
D. an act or omission occurring before the date the document is filed; or
E. an act or omission that is grossly negligent.
Sect. 2 The term “volunteer director” shall have the same definition as set forth in Section 110(2) of the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act, as the same presently exists or may hereafter be amended meaning no compensation other than reimbursement of expenses.
Sect. 3 Any repeal or modification of this Article shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a volunteer Director of the Society existing at the time or, with respect to, any acts or omissions occurring before the effective date of such repeal or modification.
Sect. 4 The Society hereby assumes any and all personal liability of a volunteer Director to any person other than the Society or its members for monetary damages for all acts or omissions of the Director occurring on or after the effective date of the adoption of this provision (upon filing with the Michigan Department of Commerce).
ARTICLE XIII: EFFECTIVE DATE
These By-Laws shall be effective November 14, 2022