Article I – Name and Purpose

     The name of this organization shall be “The Skaneateles Historical Society”(SHS). The organization, located in Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York, shall be a non-profit corporation. Its purpose shall be to conduct and encourage historical research and to collect, preserve, and exhibit historical material related to the Town of Skaneateles. The Society shall operate the SHS Museum at the Creamery as an educational resource for the public, a repository for its collections, and a place to present exhibits and educational programs.

Article II – Membership

     General membership shall require payment of dues each January.

     Honorary life membership (no dues) shall require a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Nominations for honorary life membership may be made by any member.

     Members in good standing for at least three months previous to any election may vote in that election.

Article III – Meetings and Programs

     All meetings and programs are open to anyone.

     The Board of Directors shall meet on the second Tuesday of each month at a time to be specified in the Newsletter.

     Programs shall be given each month, except June, July, August, and December, generally on the fourth Tuesday.

     The annual meeting, when elections take place, shall be on the fourth Tuesday of June.

Article IV – Officers and Directors

     Officers shall include President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer, each elected to serve a two-year term.

     There shall be six elected Directors, who will serve three years each, with two directors elected each year.

     Officers and Directors shall take office at the conclusion of the June meeting.

     In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall serve out the unexpired term. In the event of a vacancy in any other office or board position, a special election shall be held at the next regular program.

     By the month of April, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee, which shall present a slate of candidates at the May program.

     The Board of Directors shall consist of all five officers, six elected directors, and the Town and Village Historians. Each member shall have one vote.

     A quorum shall consist of six voting members.

     No person shall hold office if not a member, and no member shall hold more than one office at a time.

Article V – Museum Director

     The Museum Director shall be a paid consultant, whose duties, hours, and compensation shall be mutually agreed upon by the SHS Board of Directors and the Museum Director.

Article VI – Duties of Officers and Board Members

     The President shall preside at all meetings, call special meetings of the Board of Directors as needed, file the required state reports, and establish and make appointments to committees.

     The Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall plan and publicize the monthly programs.

     The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of the business meetings of the organization.

     The Corresponding Secretary shall acknowledge monetary gifts, including memorial gifts, send sympathy and get well cards, and write official correspondence as requested.

     The Treasurer shall keep financial records, prepare reports as appropriate, supervise banking and paying of all bills of the organization, be responsible for financial documents, and work closely with the Gift Shop Chairperson and the Museum Director.

     The Board of Directors shall have general control and supervision of the funds and property of the organization, set its policies, and review all acquisitions and deaccessions. All non-budgeted, non-emergency items in excess of $1,000 shall be brought to the membership for approval.

Article VII – Committees

     The organization shall have certain standing committees, as listed below; other committees may be established as needed by the President. Committee members may be either from the Board or from the general membership. Each fall, in consultation with the Board, the President shall prepare a list of all standing committees, their composition, and their chairpersons, where appropriate, for publication to the general membership.

     The Museum Operations Committee shall be responsible for the renovation and maintenance of the Museum.

     The Finance Committee, chaired by the Treasurer, shall consist of the President, Treasurer, a member from the Museum Operations Committee, the Museum Director, and a member from the general membership. The Finance Committee shall prepare the annual budget and present it in May to the Board of Directors for approval and then to the general membership for adoption at the June meeting.

     The Archives and Research Committee shall be responsible for the supervision and use of the historical records and shall conduct and assist in historical research.

     The Acquisitions Committee shall be responsible for the acquisition and deaccession of all non-cash gifts and for the cataloging of these items, using standard Society forms.

     The Membership Committee shall be responsible for collection of dues, issuance of membership cards, and maintenance of a current membership list. The Committee shall provide the Treasurer with a record of dues collected and provide to the President, at the time of elections, a list of eligible voters.

     The Hospitality Committee shall ensure that light refreshments are available at each Society function.

     The Gift Shop Committee shall be responsible for the operation of the Gift Shop, including selection and purchase of items for sale, pricing of the items, inventories, displays, and staffing of the shop. The Chairperson shall also be responsible for the maintenance of records of purchases, sales, and sales tax collection. The Committee, with Board approval, may arrange for gift shop items to be sold at commercial outlets.

     The Exhibits Committee shall prepare and maintain a series of rotating exhibits in the Museum and at the 1st National Gifts bank vault.

Article VIII – Endowment Fund

     An Endowment Fund shall be administered by the SHS and kept in an appropriate account as determined by the Finance Committee.

     The SHS Board and its Finance Committee shall adhere to principles set forth in the "Permanent Endowment Fund of the Skaneateles Historical Society" and the "NY; Estates, Powers and Trust Law Section 11-2.3: Prudent investor act."

Article IX – Amendments

     Amendments to these bylaws shall be introduced at a general meeting after review by the Board of Directors. At the next general meeting following this introduction, provided that all members are notified by phone or mail in advance of said meeting, amendments shall be enacted by a 2/3 vote of the members present and shall take effect immediately.

Article X – Parliamentary Authority

     Robert's Rules of Order shall govern The Society in all cases where they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

Article XI – Dissolution

     A motion to dissolve The Society and terminate its activities shall be introduced at a general meeting after review by the Board of Directors. At the next general meeting following this introduction, provided that all members are notified by phone or mail in advance of said meeting the dissolution motion will be presented for a vote. Dissolution will require that 2/3 of the general members in attendance vote in its favor.

     Prior to dissolution, the Board of Directors shall be responsible for meeting all current requirements of state and local authorities.