Article I
The name of the association shall be the Genoa Historical Association and Rural Life Museum (hereafter known as GHA). The GHA is based at the Rural Life Museum in King Ferry, New York.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of the GHA shall be:
- To collect, preserve and interpret historical records of human activity in the Town of Genoa.
- To assist in the preservation of physical structures deemed to be of historical significance.
- To establish, operate and maintain a museum.
- To plan and implement programs and celebrations of historical significance.
- To publish and cause to be published information consistent with the above purposes.
Article III – Membership & Dues
Membership will consist of three classes:
- Active member – any individual, family or corporation interested in the purposes of the association.
- Honorary member – any individual who has significantly contributed to the objectives of the organization. Honorary members shall be announced at the annual meeting, upon election by the Board of Trustees (hereinafter known as the trustees). Honorary members will receive all membership benefits and not be assessed annual dues.
- Life member – individuals and spouses interested in the purposes of the association may pay a-one-time dues that provide them life-time membership. Non-transferable to other family members.
Dues: Annual active member dues shall be established by the trustees. Membership shall be based on calendar year.
Article IV – Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the GHA shall be held during the last calendar quarter of the year.
Article V – Officers and Board of Trustees
Trustees
The number of trustees managing affairs of the association shall be nine (9).
Three (3) trustees shall be elected annually for a three (3) year term.
A trustee must be a member of the association.
A trustee elected to the board for two (2) consecutive terms shall not be eligible to serve for one (1) year.
Officers
Four officers: president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer will be elected from the Board of Trustees for a term of one year. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined into the office of secretary/treasurer if the trustees deem it necessary.
The officers will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the members of the Board of Trustees.
Term limits: A person who is elected president or vice-president for three consecutive terms shall not be nominated to the same office, unless one (1) year elapses between the end of his/her last term and the beginning of the term for which he/she is nominated.
Article VI – Election of Officers and Board of Trustees
Not less than two (2) months prior to the annual meeting, the secretary of GHA shall publish in the Tribune a request for members of the GHA to nominate one person for a term as trustee. Nominations shall be returned to the chairman of the nominating committee not less than one (1) month before the annual meeting. Candidates for trustees shall be presented to the Board of Trustees. The duly elected trustees shall be elected from the slate by a plurality of the votes cast by the Board of Trustees.
Officers and trustees shall be installed at the January meeting of the Board of Trustees.
In the event of resignation or incapacity of any trustee, the vacancy may be filled by a vote of the Board of Trustees for the remainder of the term office. Any trustee elected to fill the remainder of a term may be elected for two (2) full terms of three (3) years each.
Article VII – Meetings of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall meet monthly, except during June, July and August. The president or his/her designee shall preside at Board meetings.
The president may call special meetings as necessary.
A quorum for purposes of conducting business shall be five (5) members of the Board of Trustees.
If any trustee fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board without excuses accepted by the Board, such trustee shall be deemed to have resigned and the vacancy filled by the Board.
Article VIII – Distribution of Assets Upon Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the association shall, after necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under Section 501 C(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended or, to another organization to be used in such manner as in the judgment of a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York will best accomplish the general purposes of which the association was formed. Organizations, to which such assets and property are distributed, if such assets of property are in the nature of scientific or cultural material, shall have collections management policies similar to the association.
Article IX – Amendments
This constitution may be amended by any regular or special meeting of Board of Trustees by a two-thirds (2/3) vote. Prior to such regular or special meeting of the Board, notice of the proposed change must be given to the membership. Such notice shall be given in the Tribune, and the proposed amendments must be available be for inspection at the Association office, during regular business hours. All comments on proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Board prior to the specified meeting.