# Constitution & Bylaws

- Link: https://historicsteveston.ca/constitution-bylaws/
- Published: 2015-08-14T11:21:13-07:00
- Author: Sarah

# Constitution & Bylaws

The Steveston Historical Society has worked to preserve and promote the history 
of Steveston since 1976. Our **constitution** names the Society and sets out its
purpose: _to preserve and promote the history of Steveston_. Our **bylaws** describe
how the Society runs: who can join, how meetings and elections work, and what the
Board of Directors is responsible for.

## The bylaws at a glance

Membership

 * Anyone who agrees with the Society’s objects, and agrees to uphold the constitution
   and follow the bylaws, may apply to become a member.
 * Memberships run for one year, January 1 to December 31. Fees are set by resolution
   at the Annual General Meeting.
 * Each member in good standing has one vote. A group or business member votes through
   one authorized representative.
 * New members may vote 31 days after joining. A membership ends 60 days after it
   expires.

Meetings of members

 * An Annual General Meeting is held once each calendar year, within 15 months of
   the previous one.
 * Members receive at least 14 days’ written notice of any annual, general or special
   meeting.
 * Quorum is 10% of members in good standing, and never fewer than seven people.
 * Members may appoint a proxy in writing. The proxy holder must also be a member.
 * If 30% of members ask in writing, the Board must call a special general meeting
   within 21 days.

Board of Directors

 * Members elect a Board of up to ten directors at the Annual General Meeting, for
   two-year terms.
 * Directors must be members of the Society. The Board may fill a vacancy until 
   the next Annual General Meeting.
 * Candidates are put forward by the Nominating Committee, by a written nomination
   signed by the candidate and five members at least five days before the meeting,
   or from the floor.
 * Five directors make a quorum at Board meetings.

Officers and staff

 * After each Annual General Meeting the Board elects a Chair, First and Second 
   Vice-Chairs, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Past Chair serves in an advisory
   role.
 * Term limits apply to the Chair.
 * Two signing officers sign every cheque.
 * The Board may appoint an Executive Director, who reports to the Board.

Finances

 * The Society may borrow up to $5,000. Borrowing more, or issuing a debenture, 
   needs a special resolution passed by three-quarters of the members voting.
 * A financial agent, who is not a director or officer, reviews the books each year
   as of December 31 and reports to the Board and the Annual General Meeting.
 * If the Society is ever dissolved, remaining funds go to a registered charity 
   chosen by the members.

Rules of order

 * Anything the bylaws don’t cover follows Robert’s Rules of Order.

_This summary is provided for convenience. The PDF is the official text._

## Official document

## Constitution & Bylaws

2018 edition · PDF, 5 pages, 102 KB

[Download PDF](https://historicsteveston.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SHS-Constitution-Bylaws-2018.pdf)

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Thinking of joining? Please review the constitution and bylaws before you complete
a [membership application](https://historicsteveston.ca/membership/).

![Mosaic](/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Mosaic.jpg)

## Passionate About Steveston’s History?

Become a member of the Steveston Historical Society and help us in our mission to
preserve and promote the history of Steveston, BC.

[Find Out More](https://historicsteveston.ca/membership/)