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BYLAWS

ARTICLE I        NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1
The name of the organization shall be Clan Moncreiffe Society, hereinafter referred to as “Society.”

Section 2
The objectives of the Society shall be:

  • To promote knowledge and pride in our Scottish heritage;
  • To establish and promote the Scottish arts of piping, drumming, field athletics, country and highland dancing, and history;
  • To establish and maintain a formal bond of friendship between the Clan Moncreiffe Society and our Hereditary Chief;
  • To promote attendance by members of the Society at the various Scottish gatherings and cultural functions;
  • To assist members with their genealogical research; and
  • To establish and maintain fellowship among individual members of the Society.

Section 3
The Society will establish and collect annual dues; procure and sell articles of clothing, jewelry, and other memorabilia associated with our Clan Moncreiffe and Scottish heritage; and solicit and accept any and all contributions to offset the Society’s expenses in maintaining the objectives of Section 2 above.

Section 4
The newsletter shall be published to inform Society members of past, current, and planned events of the Society.  The newsletter shall also serve as a general information publication for the Society membership.

ARTICLE II       MEETINGS

Section 1
Notice of the time and place of an Annual General Meeting shall be published in the newsletter and through internet resources, including but not limited to the Society’s website. A financial report will be provided to the membership at the Annual General Meeting.  The financial year of the Society shall be the first of October to the end of September.

Section 2
The ordinary business and activities of the Society shall be guided by the Council (Council as defined in Article IV).

Section 3
The President is authorized to take a vote of the Council by U.S. mail, telephone, or email and such action shall constitute a meeting of the Council.  Such action shall be reported at the next meeting of the Council and so recorded.

Section 4
Unless otherwise provided, meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.  Rules of order may be suspended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

Section 5
A quorum of the Council shall be a simple majority of the Council members in attendance at the Annual General Meeting.

Section 6
Special business pertaining to the good order and/or welfare of the Society may not be transacted in the absence of a quorum of the Council unless previously specified by the Council.

Section 7
The President may call meetings of the membership, in addition to the Annual General Meeting.  The membership will be notified by the Secretary, of the purpose, time, and place of the meeting, no less than 15 days prior to said meeting.  In the event the President is absent or fails to call a meeting, a simple majority of the Council may do so. 

ARTICLE III      MEMBERSHIP

Section 1
Applicants desiring membership are required to provide a completed membership application, appropriate application fees, and a lineage chart establishing a connection with a Moncreiffe or be invited to join by the membership as an associate member. 

Section 2

Membership of the Society shall consist of four classes:  Regular, Associate, Honorary and Organizational.  Other classes and categories of membership may be created by the Council with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members present and voting at a regularly scheduled Council meeting. 

Patron membership

    • Shall be limited to the current Chief of Clan Moncreiffe, Chief of Clan Hay, Chief of Clan Murray and Lord Moncreiff
    • Are not subject to annual dues;
    • Are not eligible to vote;
    • May not serve on committees;
    • May not hold elective office.

Regular memberships:

    • Shall be able to establish a genealogical connection with a Moncreiffe.
    • Are subject to payment of annual dues;
    • Shall be entitled to one (1) vote;
    • May serve on committees;
    • May hold an elective and/or appointed office in the Society; with exception of individual under eighteen (18) years of age;

Associate memberships:

    • Are subject to payment of annual dues;
    • May be invited by any regular member, subject to approval by the Council.
    • Shall be eligible to vote;
    • May serve on committees;
    • May not hold an elective office or be an elected official.

Honorary memberships:

    • Are not subject to annual dues;
    • May be granted by the Council to individuals who have displayed humanitarian deeds and a keen interest in Scottish culture and heritage;
    • Are not eligible to vote;
    • May not serve on committees;
    • May not hold elective office.

Organizational memberships:

    • Are not subject to annual dues;
    • May be granted by the Council to any organization which exhibits a keen interest in Scottish culture and heritage;
    • Are not eligible to vote;
    • May not serve on committees
    • May not hold an elective office.

Section 3
Membership dues

  • Annual dues are proposed  by the Council and approved by the Society.
  • Dues are payable on or before December 31.
  • The membership year shall run from January 1 through December 31.
  • Any change in dues shall require ratification of two-thirds (2/3) of the general membership that are present at a scheduled meeting and vote on the proposed increase.

Section 4
Termination of membership

  • Memberships may be terminated for the following reasons:  resignation, non-payment of dues, and/or expulsion by a vote of the majority of the Council present at a duly constituted business meeting.
  • Non-payment of dues for three (3) months after the same have become payable shall terminate the membership of any member, officer, or Council member unless excused by the Council for cause shown.
  • Expulsion is to be imposed only for cause as defined as, but not limited to, behavior that is detrimental to the Society.
  • Council members in good standing cannot be expelled from the Society except after conviction under the impeachment procedure as set forth in these By-Laws.
  • In the event of termination of membership by any means, or for any cause whatever, all such member’s interest in any property of the Society shall thereupon cease.
  • Any individual whose membership is terminated by the Council and feels that it is unjustified may, within thirty (30) days, appeal directly to the membership where a majority vote shall be decisive. 

Section 5
Impeachment Procedure
Upon report of the Council recommending such action, any member of the Society may be suspended or expelled by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Council members present at a duly constituted meeting for this purpose.  The person so charged shall be given at least fifteen (15) days notice of the meeting and of the charge(s).  The person shall be entitled to be heard at the meeting in person and with counsel.
Conviction of the aforementioned impeachment procedure of any member, officer, or Council member; or any crime involving moral turpitude may be just cause for that person’s expulsion from the Society.

ARTICLE IV      ELECTED OFFICERS

Section 1
The governing body of the Clan Moncreiffe Society shall be the Council, hereinafter referred to as “Council.”  The Council shall be elected by the membership and shall consist of a:

  • President,
  • Vice-President,
  • Secretary,
  • Treasurer, and
  • Immediate Past-President (not elected, automatic upon succession of next president)

Section 2
All elected officers of the Council shall serve for a term of three (3) years and are eligible for re-election to any office.

Section 3
All elected officers of the Council shall assume office after elections at the Annual General Meeting where elected.  All property of the Society, i.e., books, records, funds, etc., will be transferred as promptly as possible following the general election. 

Section 4
In order to be eligible as an elected official, members must have been in attendance for two out of the last three regular Annual General Meetings.

ARTICLE V       ELECTED OFFICIAL’S DUTIES

Section 1
The Council shall serve as the governing body of the Society and representatives of the general membership.  The Council establishes the governing policies of the Society.

Section 2
PRESIDENT

  • The President acts as the chief operating officer of the Society and represents the Society at all official functions as required.  The President shall assure that the Society operates within the guidelines established by the Council.  The President shall be assisted by the Vice-President, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. 
  • The President shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.
  • All proposed programs of work shall have the specific approval of the President prior to the commitment of Society resources and labor.
  • The Chief of Clan Moncreiffe has designated that the current President of the Society shall also have the title of Lieutenant to the Chief for North America.

Section 3
VICE-PRESIDENT

  • The Vice-President shall assist the President in the operation of the Society.
  • In the absence of the President or at the request of the President, the Vice-President shall fulfill the duties of the President.

Section 4
SECRETARY

  • The Secretary shall compile and maintain current roster of the members of the Society.
  • The Secretary shall keep proper minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the Society and of the Council.
  • Compile and submit to the Council an annual report of the operation of the Society.  In compiling the annual report, the Secretary may call upon any elected official for information to complete the report. The Secretary shall cause the minutes of the Annual General Meeting to be published in the newsletter in the first issue after the Annual General Meeting.

Section 5
TREASURER

  • The Treasurer shall have charge of all monies of the Society.
  • The Treasurer shall be responsible for collection of dues.
  • The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all monies in a Federally insured bank.
  • The Treasurer shall be responsible for payment of all Society accounts.
  • The Treasurer shall prepare and maintain the budget.
  • The Treasurer shall submit the accounts of the Society duly audited at the Annual General Meeting.
  • The Treasurer shall choose an auditor to review the Society’s financial statement and verify its accuracy.

Section 6
IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT
The Immediate Past-President shall assist the President in the operation of the Society.

ARTICLE VI      ORDER OF SUCCESSION

Section 1
If the President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the office until such time as the President shall be able to resume the duties of the office, but not to exceed the regular term of office.  If the office of President is vacant, the Vice-President shall assume the office of the President and a special election shall be held as set forth in Article VII to fill the newly vacated office of Vice-President.

Section 2
If the Vice-President is unable to assume the duties of President as set forth in Article VI, Section 1, the Council shall assume the duties of President until a special election is held to fill the office, as set forth in Article VII.  The Secretary will coordinate the duties of the President with the Council.

Section 3
If the office of the immediate Past-President becomes vacant, the previous Past-President shall assume the office to the end of the original term.

Section 4
If any other elected official is unable to fulfill the duties of his/her office, the Council shall assume the duties until such time as that person may resume serving in the office, but not to exceed the regular term of office.  The Council may declare the office vacant upon review and evaluation of the situation.  The Council shall call a special election to fill the office as set forth in Article VII.

ARTICLE VII     ELECTIONS AND VOTING

Section 1
A Nominating Committee of two (2) or more members of the Society shall be appointed by the President, with approval by the Council, to prepare the nominations for any offices to be elected in any given year.

Section 2

  • The Nominating Committee, with assistance from the Council, shall seek volunteers from the membership;
  • Candidates shall be contacted by the Nominating Committee to determine their willingness to serve.

Section 3

  • The report of the Nominating Committee and the slate of names proposed for each elected office shall be made known to the membership no less than twenty (20) days before the day of voting.
  • If the slate of nominees for any election is running unopposed, the slate shall be considered elected and no ballot need be sent to the membership.
  • The ballot form shall be sent or posted on the website no later than twenty (20) days before the day of voting. 
  • No nominations shall be accepted from the floor.
  • Candidates shall be elected by a simple majority of those members present at the Annual General Meeting.

ARTICLE VIII    APPOINTED LEADERS

Section 1
Appointed leaders are appointed by the current President with Council approval and serve until the end of the current President’s term.

Section 2
The Council shall designate geographic regions deemed necessary to ensure the ongoing development of the Society.

  • Each geographic region shall be represented by a regional Commissioner(s);
  • Commissioners are to represent the Society and actively seek new members by attending and sponsoring educational Clan tents in the local Highland games in their geographical area.

Section 3
 Additional leaders shall be appointed as necessary, to include but not be limited to the following:  Membership Chairman, Chaplain, Piper(s), Newsletter Editor, Genealogist(s), Parliamentarian(s), Publicity Chairman, Internet Chairman, Tartan Chairman, etc.

ARTICLE IX      COMMITTEES
Section 1
The Council shall have the power to establish any committee deemed necessary for the conduct of the business and operation of the Society.

Section 2
All committees shall be reviewed by the Council each year for the need of their continued existence.  The Council shall abolish any committee that is no longer needed or has fulfilled its purpose. 

Section 3
Committee members shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Council.

 ARTICLE X       AMENDMENTS

Section 1
The By-Laws of the Society may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members voting in a regular meeting or called special meeting for amendment purposes.

Section 2
Amendments must be presented in writing and shall be made known to the membership no less than twenty (20) days before the day of voting.

Section 3
All voting on any amendment to the By-Laws shall be conducted as stipulated in Article X, Sections 1 and 2.

ARTICLE XI      DISSOLUTION

Section 1
In the event of dissolution of Clan Moncreiffe Society, all Society assets, property and funds shall be liquidated and allocated to organizations with similar purpose as directed by the Council.

Section 2
No portion of such property and funds shall be distributed to any member(s) of the Society or any other individual(s), or to organizations not qualified under Section 1, above.

 

 

 

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