“With Good Will Doing Service”
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
CHARITABLE IRISH SOCIETY
PREAMBLE
THE CHARITABLE IRISH SOCIETY, founded in the town of Boston, A.D. 1737, was instituted for two purposes:
First. To cultivate a spirit of unity and harmony among all Irish residents and their descendants in the Massachusetts Colony and to advance, socially and morally, the interests of the Irish people and their cultural heritage.
Second.To alleviate suffering and to aid such of its members, or other worthy recipients, as by the vicissitudes of fortune, might be deserving of its charity.
ARTICLE I
Title
The style and title of this organization shall be “THE CHARITABLE IRISH SOCIETY,” hereinafter referred to as the Society.
ARTICLE II
Qualifications for Membership
Any person of Irish birth, or of Irish descent, or one who has demonstrated an interest in Ireland and Irish culture, or a spouse thereof, shall be eligible for membership in this Society. Honorary membership may be conferred upon such a person by the vote of the Board of Directors as provided in these articles. Such honorary members shall enjoy all the privileges that pertain to the membership, but shall be exempt from paying dues or any other assessment of membership.
ARTICLE III
Meetings of the Society
Section 1. The Anniversary meetings of this Society shall be held on the 17th day of March, the Festival of Saint Patrick, unless it should fall on a Sunday, in which case, the meeting shall be holden on the day preceding.
Section 2. There shall be such interim business meetings of the Society, as shall be called by the President with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors or upon the written request of at least eight members of the Board of Directors or twenty active members of the Society.
Section 3. Twenty members shall be deemed a quorum for the transaction of business at all Anniversary, and interim meetings of the Society.
ARTICLE IV
The Government
Section 1. The Government of this Society shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Keeper of the Silver Key, and these five officers, together with twenty other members, duly elected thereto, and any past presidents choosing to serve shall compose the Board of Directors of the Society.
Section 2. The governing body of the Society shall be under the supervision of the Board of Directors who shall determine all matters of policy and make such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the objectives and purposes of the Society.
Section 3. The officers and directors shall be elected annually at the Anniversary meeting, by ballot.
Section 4. The President, in January of each year, shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three past presidents, a member of the Board of Directors who shall be a non-officer, and two active members of the Society.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to solicit from the membership the names of candidates for officers and directors of the Society and submit a suggested list of nominees to the Secretary. The Secretary shall notify the membership, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the Anniversary meeting, of said list of nominees.
Section 6. Nominations for officers and directors, suggested by the Nominating Committee, shall be presented at the Anniversary meeting immediately preceding the election. The election of said nominees shall be made by a majority vote of the members then present and voting.
Section 7. The terms of all officers and directors shall be one (1) year, which shall begin at the end of the Anniversary meeting.
ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President as chief executive officer of the Society shall preside at all meetings of the Society and Board of Directors meetings; shall direct the affairs of the Society with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors, and shall perform all other duties as customarily incident of such office. Unless otherwise provided for in this Constitution, the President shall appoint all committees and shall be an ex-officio member of such committees.
Section 2. The Vice-President shall perform such duties as are designated by the President and shall succeed to the office of President in the event of death, resignation, or removal of the President. The Vice-President shall preside at meetings in the event of the temporary absence of the President,
Section 3. The Treasurer shall be the official custodian of the funds of the Society. The Treasurer shall receive all monies due the Society collected by the Secretary; shall direct the keeping of accurate books of account; shall cause audits to be made periodically as ordered by the Board of Directors; shall submit financial reports to the Board of Directors at its regular meetings and to the membership at the Anniversary and interim meetings; and shall receive, disburse and invest the funds of the Society in the manner determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Society and Government thereof; shall issue notifications of the regular meetings of the Board of Directors and interim meetings of the Society and shall be the official custodian of all records of the Society. At the Anniversary meeting, the Secretary shall submit a report of the activities and accomplishments of the Society, the number of meetings and members, and the resignation and deaths of members.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Keeper of the Silver Key to receive the names of candidates for membership from the Secretary, to whom they shall have reported; to inquire into the character of candidates and report thereon to the Board of Directors. It shall also be the duty of the Keeper of the Silver Key to inquire into the character and condition of individuals or agencies applying for the charity of this Society and report thereon to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
Board of Directors
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be the managing body of the Society and shall direct its affairs.
Section 2. A duly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors shall be one at which a majority of the Board are present.
Section 3. In the event of the temporary absence of the President and Vice-President, the duties of the presiding officer shall devolve upon the Treasurer, Secretary, and Keeper of the Silver Key, in that order.
Section 4. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of any officer other than the President or Vice-President, and in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of any non-officer holding member of the Board of Directors, the remaining members of the Board, by majority vote may select a successor who shall serve for the unexpired term.
Section 5. Any officer or non-officer holding member of the Board of Directors may be removed for cause upon a two-thirds vote of the members of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. The adoption of a resolution or carrying out of a motion at a meeting of the Board of Directors shall require a majority vote of the Board present and voting.
Section 7. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of the Society and Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
Membership
Section 1. Each person applying for membership in the Society shall be recommended by a member in good standing and, if approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, shall be admitted upon the payment of dues.
Any member who shall become an honorary member shall not be charged or required to pay dues, by a motion of any member of the Board of Directors and vote of three-quarters of the members of the Board.
Section 2. Every person, when admitted to this Society, shall subscribe to the Constitution and Bylaws and pay to the Treasurer the annual dues as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The annual dues shall be payable on the 1st day of July of each year then ensuing. Any member omitting to pay the annual assessment within sixty (60) days of billing shall receive a reminder notice. At the expiration of ninety (90) days thereafter if the dues remain unpaid, the member shall be suspended and, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, be removed from the roll of membership. Any member so removed shall be reinstated to membership upon application and payment of all outstanding current dues, but not to exceed payment of the three most recent years’ since.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments to the Constitution
This Constitution may be amended at the Anniversary meeting upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the members who are present and voting, prior notice of at least ten (10) days of such amendment having been given to the members of the Society.
Most recent Amendments adopted on March 16, 2019 at the 282nd Anniversary meeting.