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  Grand Prairie Historical Organization By-Laws 08.19.2010

Article I: Name and Purpose

The name of this organization shall be The Grand Prairie Historical Organization. Its purpose is to search out,
 record, collate, preserve, and pass on to the next generation, the history of Grand Prairie, Texas, and its
Southwest Dallas County environs, including the appropriate marking of authentic historical sites.

Article II: Membership and Dues

    
Section 1.
   Membership in the Organization shall be open to all persons interested in the history
of Grand Prairie, who apply for membership and pay dues thereto.
Section 2.
   The dues year of the Organization shall be from January 1 in each year through Dec. 31
of the same year. Dues paid after November 1 can be applied to the upcoming term.
Section 3.
   There shall be the following classes of membership and dues appurtenant thereto:
Regular Membership: The annual dues for single members shall be twenty five dollars ($25.00) and thirty-five ($35.00) for couples .
Life Membership: Any person 45 years or older who contributes $100 shall be a member for life without further payment of dues.
Patron Membership: Any person who contributes five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more to the Organization shall be a Life Member thereof and shall, in addition thereof be appropriately recognized as a Patron of the Grand Prairie Historical Organization.
Corporate Membership: Any small business that contributes $250.00 shall be
classified as a corporate member.
Article III: Officers and Their Election
Section 1.
   Officers of the Organization shall be a President, President-elect,Secretary, Treasurer,
Outgoing President and two Board Members. Such officers shall have duties as follows
and serve for a 2 (two) year term:

President-elect: The president-elect of the Organization shall perform the duties of the president in the absence or in the event of inability to serve. Shall automatically become interim president in the event of death or resignation of the president. The president-elect shall be chairman of the standing Program Committee of the Organization.

President: The president of the Organization shall be its chief executive officer. Shall preside at all meetings and shall appoint committee chairmen and members of committees, and shall be ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

Secretary: The secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all Organizational meetings and meetings of the Executive Committees. Shall keep minutes in a permanent bound book. Shall conduct official correspondence. Under general supervision of the president, shall be constructive custodian of all documents, papers, and other written or printed materials of historical significance owned or otherwise held by the Organization. Shall compile and distribute a current membership list to all members. Shall be a member of the Projects and
Publications Committee.

Treasurer: The treasurer shall be custodian of all monies of the Organization. Shall establish and maintain an Organization bank account and shall pay obligations with checks drawn thereon. Shall report the condition of Organization finances as required to its Executive Committee. Shall publish and distribute to attending members an accurate accounting of all monies received and expended during the previous year, together with monies on hand and anticipated revenue available for use during the succeeding year; report due at the annual business meeting. Shall be responsible for all reports due to local, state, internal revenue
service, or federal governments, as required.

Outgoing President: Shall have voting privileges and act as board member throughout the term of the existing president. At the expiration of a President’s term, he or she automatically becomes the new Outgoing President. Board Members: Two open seats as appointed by the executive committee.

Section 2.
   Vacancies in office for any reason (except as herein above provided for presidential
vacancies) shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee. Any interim
officer so appointed shall serve until expiration of the term of the officer so replaced.

Article IV: Committees

Section 1.
   The Organization shall have permanent standing committees created as follows
with duties indicated:

A. Membership Committee: The Membership Committee shall consist of a chairperson appointed by the president, the treasurer, and one or more other members appointed by the president. The committee shall be responsible for all activities directed toward building and maintaining Organization membership, to best effect a continuing constructive program of activities.

B. Program Committee: The Program Committee shall consist of the president- elect and two or more members appointed by the president. The committee shallbe primarily responsible for arranging a balanced series of programs related to the purpose of the Organization for presentation at general meetings.

C. Projects and Publications Committee: The Projects and Publications Committee shall consist of a chairperson, the secretary, and one or more other members appointed by the president. The committee shall conduct a continuing survey to determine feasible areas of research in Grand Prairie history, shall, as means permit, and are made available by the Executive Committee, arrange for suitable publication of materials in the area of Grand Prairie history, and shall recommend to the Executive Committee, arrange for suitable publication of materials in the area of Grand Prairie history, and shall recommend to the Executive Committee sites and/or areas worthy of historical markings. At each annual meeting of the Organization the chairman of the committee shall report its activities for the previous year and make recommendations concerning future research projects and publications of the Organization.

D. Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee shall consist of a chairman and two additional members elected by the Executive Committee not later than three (3) months preceding the election of Organization officers. The committee shall meet, confer, and canvass the Organization membership as may be necessary to prepare a list of nominees. This list shall be publicized prior to the election of officers at the biennial election meeting in May in the odd years.

E. Newsletter Committee: The Newsletter Committee shall have one Chairman and the ability to assign a committee as needed.
Section 2.
   The president shall appoint such special committees specifying their duties, as may
in his/her judgment be necessary from time to time, to effect Organization purposes,
creation of such committees subject to approval of Executive Committee.
Section 3.
   Standing Committee members shall serve during the presidential term of their appointment
or election. Special committee members shall serve until the purpose of their appointment
has been effected, but not beyond the term of the president appointing them (unless
re-appointed). Additional standing committeesmay be created by the Executive Committee.
Article V: Executive Committee
Section 1.
   The Executive Committee of the Organization shall be composed of the Officers of the
Organization, the chairman of the Membership Committee.
Section 2.
   The Executive Committee shall meet on the call of the president as often as may be necessary
to conduct its business. A majority of the executive board shall be required to conduct official
business. The Executive Committee shall conductall Organization business, give official
direction to the officers, approve in advance all plans of work of the Organization between
annual meetings, and shallapprove in advance all Organization expenditures. Its proceedings
shall be recorded by the secretary of the Organization.
Section 3.
   As an operating principle, the Executive committee will assume the fullest possible responsibility
for the conduct of the Organization’s business, reducing to a minimum those matters to be
submitted to the membership at large. No individual board member shall spend over $300.00
without the approval of the board. Three (3) bids shall be obtained.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1.
   Meetings: The Organization shall hold four (4) meetings (see standing rule number 2) each
year. Normally, no business to be transacted at such meetings, which will be devoted to
programs on matters of Grand Prairie historical interest.
Section 2.
   When, because of conflict with holidays or other persuasive reason, it is considered impractical
to hold meetings on the day specified, the Executive Committee may prescribe a change of
date within the same month to hold such a meeting. It shall be published in the Newsletter.
Section 3.
   The time and place of all meetings shall be furnished to each member by the secretary.
Article VII: Rules of Order and Amendments to By-Laws
Section 1.
   The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern Organization
procedures in all cases where they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent
with these By-Laws, rule of order or standing rules of the Organization.
Section 2.
   These By-Laws may be amended at any regular business meeting by a majority vote of
votes cast of those present, notice of amend having been given each member not less
than two weeks previous to such meeting and vote.

Standing Rules of the Grand Prairie Historical Organization

  1. Meetings: August, November, February, and May – third Thursday of the month. Other general meetings
    may be held if deemed advisable by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Meeting dates may be
    changed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee provided a ten (10) day notice is given.
  2. Election Meetings: Biennial – In May of even number years.
 
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