Masonic Home Ex-Students' Association By-Laws

Revision Date: 4 June  05

ARTICLE I – Name

This Association shall be known as THE MASONIC HOME EX-STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION.

ARTICLE II  Purpose

The purposes of the non-profit Association are:

(1)   to promote the welfare of the ex-students of the Masonic Home and School of Texas

(2)   to show appropriate appreciation to the Masons of Texas for their sacrifices in the interest of other people

ARTICLE III -- Membership

All Ex-Students of the Masonic Home & School shall become members of the Association automatically.  Membership shall in no way depend upon the payment of dues or contributions of monies for any purposes.  Noncompulsory dues shall be TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($25.00) per member annually, which shall help defray the costs of the newspaper, memorials and such other costs properly incurred by the Association.   

ARTICLE IV -- Officers

The Officers shall be a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Editor.

ARTICLE V – Nomination, Election, Term of Officers and Vacancies

A Nomination Committee of three (3) to five (5) people shall be appointed by the officers to propose a slate of officers to the membership.  This slate shall be published in the newsletter prior to the election.

All officers shall be elected for a two-year period and shall be elected at the biannual meeting (odd numbered years) held in the Ft. Worth/Dallas Metropolitan area, TX.  Only Ex-students of the Masonic Home and School of Texas shall have the right to vote in such biannual elections.  A simple majority of those present and voting shall be required to elect.

Vacancies except by the office of President shall be filled by appointment by the President for the remainder of the term in progress.  This appointment must be approved by a majority of the Officers present and voting.  A vacancy in the office of President shall be automatically filled by the Vice President.  Once the Vice President becomes President, the vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled using the procedure outlined above.

ARTICLE VI -- Duties of the Officers

Section 1.  President

The President shall be the chief executive of the Association with all the powers ordinarily pertaining to that office that are not specifically governed by other provisions of these by-laws.  He/She shall appoint all committees unless otherwise provided and shall be an ex-officio member of all such committees.  He/She shall preside at all meetings and shall cast a vote upon any issue or election at any meeting, which shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order.  The President shall serve on the McCaulay Memorial Masonic Scholarship Board.

Section 2.  Vice-President

The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties and shall preside at meetings in the event of the inability of the President to act, or in the event of the death of the President.  If the President leaves or becomes unable to perform his/her duties before the expiration of the current term of office, the Vice President shall assume the President's duties and powers until the next election meeting of the ex-students.  The Vice President shall chair the Reunion Committee and shall serve on the McCaulay Memorial Masonic Scholarship Board.

Section 3.  Secretary

The Secretary shall keep correct minutes of any meetings, be the custodian of the minutes and past minutes of the Association.  The Secretary shall keep the historical records not given to the Masonic Home Memorial Museum.  Such minutes and historical records may be examined upon written notice to the Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep the roster of this Association and shall provide mailing labels to the Editor upon request.  The Secretary shall publish the membership directory.

Section 4.  Treasurer

The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records and accounts of the Association, which may be examined at any time upon written notice to the Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for all collections and payment of bills properly incurred by the Association or the Masonic Home Memorial Museum.  These include, but are not limited to, costs associated with THE NEWS, the membership directory, the Museum and annual reunions.  The Treasurer shall submit written accounting of income, expenses and current account balances in each edition of THE NEWS.

Section 5.  Editor

The Editor of THE NEWS and the website shall be responsible for collecting data, information and news for inclusion in the ex-students' newspaper and shall be responsible for causing the publication and distribution of THE NEWS and maintenance of the website.  The Editor shall have authority, in performing the foregoing duties, to incur such reasonable costs as determined necessary in obtaining copying, cuts, photographs, newspaper articles, stationery, postage and costs of printing.  The Editor shall be in charge of publicity for the Association and may, from time to time, designate persons to aid and assist such Editor in the performance of the functions of such office.

ARTICLE VII -- Amendments

The Officers at any meeting may amend the by-laws of this Association, provided the changes are within normal operating procedures.  If any change would be of a major consideration, it should be voted upon by the membership.  The proposed amendment would be published in the newsletter and the by-laws would be amended by a majority vote of those members presently at the business session of the biannual meeting.