Bylaws.

ARTICLE I

PREAMBLE

 The membership of the Godfrey Dreher Chapter (hereinafter referred to as the “Chapter”), as members of the South Carolina Society (hereinafter referred to as SCSSAR) and the Sons of the American Revolution (hereinafter referred to as NSSAR), hereby agrees to the following approved Chapter Bylaws.  The Chapter member shall, for the purposes of these Bylaws, be hereinafter referred to as Compatriot(s).

The Bylaws serve the purposes of memorializing procedures for business, operation, and governance of Chapter affairs.  Upon adoption of the Bylaws, by the Chapter Compatriots, the Chapter shall conduct all business, operations, and governance in accordance with these Bylaws.

The official address of the Chapter shall be the address of the current Chapter President, during his term of office.

These Bylaws, as may be amended from time to time, supersede all prior Chapter Bylaws.

  1. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at, or in direct voice communication with, a meeting attended or represented by a quorum of its membership, provided that a copy of any proposed change or amendment shall be provided in advance to all members at least two weeks before the meeting at which the proposal is to be considered. 
  2. All amendments to these Bylaws shall be patterned after the Bylaws of the SCSSAR and NSSAR, and shall not be in conflict with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the SCSSAR.
  3. Any amendment adopted by the SCSSAR or NSSAR affecting the work of this Chapter shall immediately become a law of the Chapter without prior notice of amendment.
  4. Bylaw amendments may be proposed by the Executive Committee or any member of the Chapter.
  5. Bylaw amendments proposed by a member shall be presented to the Executive Committee for review to insure the proposed Bylaw is consistent with the provisions herein and above.

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

 The objectives of this Chapter are declared to be patriotic, historical, and educational.

The Chapter shall include those objectives intended or designed to:

  1. Perpetuate the memory of those who, by their services or sacrifice during the War of the American Revolution, achieved the independence of the American people;
  2. Unite and promote fellowship among their descendants, to inspire them, and the community at large, with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers;
  3. Encourage historical research in relation to the American Revolution;
  4. Acquire and preserve the records, documents, relics and landmarks of individual services of the Patriots of the war, as well as, services of deserving Chapter Compatriots.
  5. Mark the scenes of the Revolution, as well as, graves of Patriots and Compatriots, with appropriate memorials;
  6. Celebrate the anniversaries of the prominent events of the American Revolution War;
  7. Foster true patriotism, maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom and carry out the purposes expressed in the preamble of the Constitution of our country and the injunctions of Washington in his farewell address to the American people.
  8. Engage and instill in our community youth a knowledge of, and reverence for, the sacrifices that our American Revolution patriots gave in the birth of our nation.
  9. Recognize those Compatriots that make a dedicated effort to promote the Chapter and further the objectives noted above.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

  1. Compatriots of the Chapter shall be direct bloodline descendants of patriots who participated in establishing American Independence, as determined by the South Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SCSSAR) and National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR).
  2. Membership in the Chapter shall continue as long as all annual dues (NSSAR, SCSSAR, and Chapter) are paid in full.
  3. The privileges of holding office and voting shall belong to all Chapter Compatriots in “good standing”. “Good Standing”, for the purposes of the Bylaws, shall mean that the Compatriot has fulfilled all requirements of dues payment.
  4. Each Compatriot shall be entitled to one vote, and only one vote, in all matters affecting the entirety of the Chapter. The Compatriots’ vote must be exercised, in person, by the Compatriot. There shall be no proxy voting. 
  5. Membership application forms and procedures, evidence of membership and designation of a member shall be as set forth in the NSSAR Bylaw No. 1, “Membership” Sections 1 through 5.
  6. Applications for membership, and all supporting documentation, shall be submitted to, and approved by, the Chapter Registrar, the State Registrar and the National Society Registrar.
  7. A request for transfer, to or from the Chapter, shall be made in writing, by the transferring Compatriot, to the Chapter Secretary.   The Chapter Secretary shall coordinate all correspondence, relating to the transfer, with the South Carolina Society and the originating chapter of the Compatriot.
  8. The admission fees for membership must accompany the application and shall be as currently declared by the NSSAR, SCSSAR, and Chapter.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS
 Chapter Officers shall be elected and shall be: President,
Vice President of Chapter Development,
Vice President of Programs and Events,
 Vice-President of Technology,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Registrar,
Genealogist
 Chaplain,
Historian,
Commander of Militia
Commander(s) of the Colors
And such other officers as the Chapter may choose to have elected.

The Chapter officers shall be elected from the Chapter membership, by a majority percentage of the votes cast for each officer position, and shall serve for one-year, in a general election in a second quarter business meeting.  In the event that a business meeting, held for the purpose of conducting an election process, is prohibited from being held by an act of God or governmental action, the election process may be conducted through any technology methodology acceptable to the Executive Committee identified in Article IV.   The selected election methodology must protect and guarantee the anonymity of each Compatriot members’ vote and the officer candidates’ election validity in counting of votes.

  1. Officers’ terms shall begin at the next business meeting following their election or January 1, whichever is earlier.
  2. In case of a “during term” vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President of Chapter Development shall become President for the remaining term of the “position vacated” President.  In the event that the Vice President of Chapter Development declines the appointment, or is unable to serve, the Executive Committee shall vote and appoint an “interim term” President. 
  3. Vacancies in other offices shall be filled by an appointee selected by the Executive Committee. Such appointments shall be reported to the general membership and extend for the remaining term of office.
  4. The Executive Committee shall be as set forth in Article IV.
  5. No officer or Compatriot shall officially represent or obligate the Chapter financially, or otherwise, without advance approval of the Executive Committee.
  6. The Chapter may, by a two-thirds vote of the Compatriots present, or in direct voice communication, at a meeting attended by a quorum of its voting membership, for cause and after impartial hearing, declare a vacancy in any office, and fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term of such office; provided, however, that in the case of vacancy in office of President, the Vice-President shall be designated to fill such vacancy.

 DUTIES OF OFFICERS
 The PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and Executive Committee, and shall have a casting vote. He shall recommend strategic and tactical activities that will be undertaken by the Chapter during his term of office, and shall appoint all general and special committees necessary to carry out the work and programs of the Chapter during his term, subject to the review and consent of the Executive Committee.\
 The President shall represent the Chapter at all external meetings and the Vice-President of Development shall be the alternate delegate either to attend with the President, or in the event the  President cannot be present. (ex. the SCSSAR Board of Governors meetings).
 The VICE PRESIDENT of Chapter Development shall be the Chapter Presidents’ principal officer responsible for leading and achieving all Chapter centric goals and objectives.  Possible goals and objectives the Vice President might elect to pursue, but not limited too, are the following:

  1. Assess and recommend methodologies that improve Chapter meeting content, presentation, participation and infra-structure.
  2. Assess and recommend methodologies that establish excellent relationships and interactions with the community.
  3. Assess and recommend methodologies to improve Chapter Compatriot interest and participation in the activities of the Chapter.
  4. Provide the President with an independent critical assessment of Chapter general areas of performance and participation strength and weakness.
  5. Provide administrative leadership to all existing Chapter centric programs, currently including program officers of the Commander(s) of the Color Guard and Militia. 
  6. Other goals and objectives as assigned by the President

The Vice President of Chapter Development shall function as President in the absence of the President, or upon the President’s inability to act, and shall perform such duties as may be specifically assigned to him by the President or Executive Committee.
The VICE PRESIDENT of Programs and Events shall be the Chapter Presidents’ principal officer responsible for leading and achieving all community centric Chapter functions, goals and objectives.  Possible goals and objectives the Vice President might elect to pursue, but not limited too, are the following:

  1. Assess programs and events proposed, for Chapter participation, by the Chapter Compatriots, NSSAR, SCSSAR, DAR and other community, religious and fraternal organizations.
  2. Recommend programs and events to, and initiate and administer programs and events approved by, the Chapter Executive Committee.
  3. Act as the Chapters’ chief contact and liaison officer for all Chapter programs and event communications and commitments.
  4. Provide administrative leadership to all existing community centric program officers, currently including Historian, Chair/ Ladies Auxiliary, Chair/Youth Programs, Chair/Military Program and  staff Photographer.
  5. Provide the President with an independent critical assessment of Chapter general areas of performance and participation strength and weakness.
  6. Other goals and objectives as assigned by the President.

 The VICE PRESIDENT of Technology shall be the Chapter Presidents’ principal officer responsible for leading and achieving all Chapter technology centric goals and objectives.  Possible goals and objectives the Vice President might elect to pursue, but not limited too, are the following:

  1. Assess and recommend technologies, operations dynamics and documentation standards that improve Chapter meeting content, presentation, participation and infra-structure.
  2. Assess and recommend technologies that improve communications, relationships and interactions with the community.
  3. Assess and recommend technologies that improve Chapter Compatriot interest and participation in the activities of the Chapter.
  4. Provide the President with an independent critical assessment of Chapter general areas of performance and participation strength and weakness.
  5. Provide administrative leadership to all existing technology Chapter functions to include Directors of the Website, Face Book, Newsletter, Voting System and meeting presentation methodology.
  6. Other goals and objectives as assigned by the President.

 The SECRETARY shall take and maintain an attendance report for all meetings.  He shall prepare and maintain minutes for all regular meetings.  He shall furnish a copy of meeting attendance and minutes to the webmaster by e-mail at least a week before the next scheduled meeting.  He shall have charge of the Bylaws and records of the Chapter and record any approved changes and furnish a copy of any approved changes to the webmaster. He will serve as a member of the Executive Committee and record the minutes of the same.\ The TREASURER shall collect and maintain all operating funds of the Chapter. All funds shall be deposited in a banking institution approved by the Executive Committee and shall be placed to the credit of the Godfrey Dreher Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. The Treasurer shall expend funds of the Chapter only as budgeted. He shall keep a true account of receipts and disbursements and render a report of the same to the Chapter at the Chapter meetings. He shall also make such other reports as may be requested by the SCSSAR for tax purposes. The fiscal year of the Chapter, for tax purposes shall be the calendar year. The REGISTRAR shall assist new applicants and examine all applications and supporting documentation for membership in the NSSAR and report to the Chapter the status of applications at all regular meetings.  He shall examine supplemental applications in a similar manner.  The GENEALOGIST shall assist the Registrar by conducting genealogy research on assigned potential candidates and, if qualified, may serve the Registrar in application reviews. The HISTORIAN shall assist the Vice President Programs and Events insecuring program speakers on topics pertaining to our American heritage and history. He shall coordinate chapter grave markings for patriots and compatriots. He shall also arrange and coordinate for the chapter to be represented at one or more commemorative events per year. The CHAPLAIN shall lead an Invocation and Benediction at the beginning and close of each Chapter meeting.  The Chaplain may be assigned such other duties by the President, like assisting with chapter events and grave markings.

The COMMANDER OF THE COLOR GUARD shall be responsible for the display, storage and maintenance of the the Chapter flags, flag poles and flag stands.  The Commander must be trained and aware of proper etiquette, rules and guidelines for displaying and respecting of the Chapter flags.

The COMMANDER OF MILITIA shall be responsible for the leadership of “period uniformed” Compatriots that desire to participate in performing the function of  a uniformed color guard to the Chapter flags at grave markings, parades and meetings.  The Commander may, if desired, initiate classes in drilling of Compatriots with muskets.

ARTICLE IV

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 The Executive Committee shall be vested with the powers of the Chapter when the Chapter is not in session. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice President Development, Vice President Programs and Event, Vice President of Technology, Registrar, Secretary, Treasurer and all dues paying past Presidents.

  1. Two-thirds of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
  2. The Executive Committee shall meet upon call of the President.
  3. Limitations on the Executive Committee shall be as follows:
    1. No action of the Executive Committee shall conflict with action taken by the Chapter.
    2. The Executive committee shall not alter the bylaws or dues without a vote of the general membership.

ARTICLE V
CHAPTER MEETINGS

  1. The Chapter shall meet at least quarterly at a time, day, and place approved by the Executive Committee, with written notice to all members at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.   The Chapter currently meets  monthly, September through May, on the second  Monday of the month.
  2. A regular meeting is defined as a meeting which has been duly called with at least seven (7) days advance notice and is a meeting for the purposes of reporting and transacting the regular business matters and membership functions of the Chapter.
  3. At all meetings of the membership, twenty-five percent (25%) of the registered members age 18 or older of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, two (2) of whom must be Executive Committee members.
  4. Chapter business shall be conducted under Roberts’ Rules of Order, if so requested by a majority of those present.
  5. Meetings of the Chapter may be called at any time by the President, or in response to the written request of five (5) members, and with written notice of time and place sent to members in good standing at least ten (10) days prior to such special meeting.
  6. At any and all meetings, a summary of proceedings shall be taken and thereafter maintained by the Chapter Secretary, or, if he is absent or unable to function, then by a temporary Secretary appointed by the Chapter President or by the Presiding Officer at the meeting.
  7. Speakers and programs at meetings and sponsored events are expected to avoid partisan political issues or political candidates.  However, Constitutional officers of the state and of the United States are welcomed as speakers as long as their address avoids campaigning or partisan politics.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES

  1. The Executive Committee is identified in these Bylaws in Article IV.
  2. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President and may consist of any Chapter member or officer.  Only the current President is excluded from membership on the Nominating Committee. 
    1. The Nominating Committee shall provide a nomination for each office required by these bylaws and any office as requested by the President.
    2. Agreement to serve must be obtained prior to placing the person in nomination.
    3. Any officers may be reelected for additional terms as determined by the Chapter.
  3. The Honors and Awards Committee is automatically composed of past SAR Godfrey Dreher Chapter Presidents. The Committee Chairman may approve, for Committee membership, any past President of a “brother” SAR Chapter,  that has transferred his membership  to the Godfrey Dreher Chapter. The Committee is a semi-autonomous Committee that is responsible for reviewing and selecting potential Chapter Compatriots for recognition of performance and service to the Chapter.  The Committee does not receive directives from to the President. Instead, the Committee  accepts recommendations from all Compatriots with substance relating to honoring and recognizing  Compatriot Chapter performance and service.
  4. The Ladies Auxiliary  Committee is  composed of Ladies that have elected to participate in, and support the Chapter, in the achievement of the Chapters’ goals and objectives.  It is intended that the Committee will also support the Chapters’ common goals and objectives within our “sister” DAR Chapter, The Granby Chapter.
  5. The Youth Programs Committee is responsible for all SAR youth programs actively supported by the Chapter.  Currently, the Chapter is actively supporting the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout and Merit Badge Programs.
  6. The Military Awards Committee is responsible for all SAR award presentations to community R.O.T.C. and Junior R.O.T.C. programs.. 
  7. Other Committees maybe appointed at any time by the President who shall define their purpose and objectives. Special committees may be appointed to assist in the work and proceedings of this Chapter.

ARTICLE VIIMISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS

Warren W. Carothers, President

Date 1 MAY, 2020