SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION Florida Society Miami Chapter
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BY-LAWS Article I Section 1: Membership in this organization shall be of two categories.
members in good standing with the Florida Society of the Sons of the American Revolution hereinafter called F.S.S.A.R. This shall include those persons that have dual membership in the F.S.S.A.R. and another State Society recognized by the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, herein called N.S.S.A.R.
designated as Associate members as set forth in Section 3 and those persons who are members in good standing in the N.S.S.A.R., but not members of the Florida Society and who desire to affiliate themselves with this Chapter for a period of time. Members of this category shall not be entitled to vote and shall not be entitled to hold office in this Chapter. Dues for the two categories shall be set annually by the Board of Directors at a meeting prior to October 1st for the next ensuing year. Dues shall be payable prior to December 31st for the next ensuing calendar year. Section 2: Application for membership shall be processed through the duly elected Registrar of the Miami Chapter on the forms approved by the N.S.S.A.R. Section 3: An Associate membership in the Miami Chapter is available in the 1776 Group which is organized for men who are interested in becoming members of the Sons of the American Revolution herein called S.A.R. and who believe they are qualified by having an ancestor who took part in the Revolutionary War either as a soldier or patriot who assisted in obtaining our independence. Membership in the 1776 Group is temporary, shall be non-voting, and shall be in effect while the member is actually working on his genealogy for the purpose of qualifying for S.A.R. membership. Membership in this group may be extended to an individual motivated by the goals of the N.S.S.A.R. but who does not qualify through a Revolution War Ancestor. Membership in the 1776 Group ceases as soon as one is accepted into the F.S.S.A.R. or fails to pay his dues. The dues for membership shall be those as set by the Board of Directors of the Miami Chapter from time to time. Article II Section 1: The Miami Chapter F.S.S.A.R., Inc., herein called Miami Chapter shall hold twelve (12) regular meetings during the year. It shall hold a nominating committee meeting each year at the regular October business meeting nominating candidates for Chapter Officers for the ensuring year. An election shall be held in November. The Installation of Officers shall be held in February. Section 2: A Special Meeting of the Miami Chapter shall be called by the President upon not less than 10 days prior written notice to all members of the Miami Chapter upon the request in writing of at least three-fourths of the Board of Directors. Article III Section 1: The Board of Directors shall include only members in good standing in the Miami Chapter and shall consist of those officers as set forth in Article IV, Section 1. Section 2: The Board of Directors shall hold at least twelve regular meetings each year. The President may call special meetings of the Board of Directors and shall be responsible for designating the date and place of meeting and of all meetings of the Board. Section 3: After due announcement and publication of scheduled meetings, i.e., Board of Directors and/or Membership Meetings (including Monthly Luncheon meetings) those members in attendance shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of Chapter business. The Chairperson will cast the tie-breaking vote should the need arise. Article IV Section 1: The officers of the Miami Chapter who shall serve following their installation and until their successors assume office shall be, President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Chaplain, Genealogist, Historian, Editor, and all Past Presidents. Section 2: Prior to the October meeting of the Board of Directors the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three members, one of whom shall serve as Chairman. This committee shall select candidates for nomination for chapter officers for the next year. The Committee Chairman shall make a report of such selection at the next regular meeting. Prior to presenting such names at the meeting, the committee shall obtain from each nominee his consent to serve in the position for which he is to be nominated. Nominations for any office may be made from the floor but if no such nominations are received then the presiding officer shall call for a voice vote to elect the slate of nominees as presented by the nominating committee. If nominations have been made from the floor, ballots shall be distributed so that the members in attendance may vote secretly for all contested officers. The person receiving a simple majority of votes cast for any office shall be declared elected. Nobody shall be entitled to vote for the election of officers who are not at the time of the Annual Meeting a member in good standing of the Miami Chapter. Section 3: Officers so elected at the Annual Meeting of the Miami Chapter shall take office March 1st of each year after the Installation of Officers. Article V Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Miami Chapter; shall appoint such committees as are provided for by the Charter or By-Laws or vote of the Miami Chapter; shall enforce strict observance of the Charter and By-Laws of the Miami Chapter and of the F.S.S.A.R. and N.S.S.A.R.; shall secure active cooperation of all officers and committees during his tenure of office for the furtherance of the interests of the Miami Chapter, F.S.S.A.R. and N.S.S.A.R.; and he shall provide for the installation of the new officers at the February President’s Banquet. Additional Duties of the President: The President shall give suitable promotion to all functions of the Miami Chapter. He is responsible for the appointment of all Committee Chairmen, and he may remove the same whenever he thinks in the best interest of the Miami Chapter to do so, providing he names a new Chairman at once. The President shall conduct himself at all times so that by his actions, he shall cast honor upon the name of the Sons of the American Revolution. In case of the resignation or death of a President, the 1st Vice-President shall become President, and the office of 2nd Vice-President shall become 1st Vice-President and the office of 2nd Vice-President shall be left vacant until the next election of officers. Section 2: The 1st Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President; he is an ex-officio member of all standing committees. The 1st Vice-President shall select an auditing committee which shall audit the Miami Chapter’s financial records in March of each year. Section 3: The 2nd Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President or 1st Vice-President; he shall act as Chairman of an ad hoc committee to obtain reinstatement of delinquent members in April and May of each year. Section 4: The Secretary shall record and preserve the minutes of the meeting of the Miami Chapter and of the Board; shall conduct all correspondence of the Miami Chapter except where specifically provided for other officers; he shall retain and file copies of essential correspondence; he shall give due notice of the place of regular or special meetings, and he shall insure that the Miami Chapter has an adequate supply of Medals, Applications Forms, Work Sheets, membership promotion brochures, and such other forms and applications as are required. Section 5: The Treasurer shall receive all monies from whatever source derived for the Miami Chapter and pay all just bills, keeping accurate and clear accounting of same; he shall record the payment of all dues and keep a list of delinquent members and shall assist the ad hoc committee in reinstatement of delinquent members, and he shall assist the Secretary in preparing the accounting of members for submission to the F.S.S.A.R. each year. Section 6: The Registrar shall receive, review and process applications for membership in the N.S.S.A.R. He shall maintain and index copies of applications for membership and keep a record of the applications. He shall submit applications in duplicate to the F.S.S.A.R. Registrar. Section 7: The Chaplain shall be responsible for all religious services of the Miami Chapter; shall give the invocation and benediction at all regular meetings; and shall have charge of all Memorial Resolutions and Services. Section 8: The Genealogist shall assist prospects for membership in meeting the genealogical requirements of the Society. Section 9: The Historian shall maintain the History and Archives of the Miami Chapter. He shall do such historical research as is assigned to him by the President from time to time. He shall compile each year a record of the Officers of the Miami Chapter, the names of all members at the beginning of the year, of those deceased during the year, of new members and of all activities of the Miami Chapter worthy of mention. Section 10: The Editor shall be responsible for composing, writing and disseminate a Miami Chapter Newsletter which shall be sent to the members once each month at least ten (10) days prior to the regular monthly meeting. He shall include in the Newsletter items of interest to the members, including applications received, new members received, and new members of the 1776 Group, transfers, and deaths. He shall include in the Monthly Newsletter information supplied to him by the President, Secretary and other officers or members to produce an informative and interesting newsletter covering Chapter activities, meetings, statistics and other information about our chapter members in conjunction with the President as outlined in his duties. Article VI Section 1: The President shall, after his election, appoint members who shall serve for one year or until their successors are appointed, for the following Standing Committees: JOSEPH S. RUMBAUGH COMMITTEE. This committee is responsible for the promotion of the Joseph S Rumbaugh Contest in the public and private schools of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The Committee shall conduct all eliminations necessary to reduce the number of contestants to three (3) and shall present the three (3) contestants at the Miami Chapter Meeting each year prior to the FLSSAR Annual Meeting. PRESIDENT’S INSTALLATION COMMITTEE. This committee shall consist of two members, the current outgoing President and 1st Vice President elect. This committee will be responsible for arranging and setting up the Installation. D.A.R. – C.A.R. LIAISON COMMITTEE shall be responsible for seeing to good relations with the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) in the area and with the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) in the area. This Committee shall be composed of Past Presidents of the Chapter. The Committee shall promote such activities as will attract boys who are eligible for the C.A.R. and assist the C.A.R. Chapters in programs for their young men. ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE, consisting of three or more members, shall give telephonic notification of the meetings to all members who can be contacted just prior to the scheduled meeting. J.R.O.T.C., AWARDS AND MEDALS COMMITTEE shall present all medals awarded by the Miami Chapter. This Committee shall present R.O.T.C. medals at the University of Miami, Florida International University and at high schools and shall also present all other honorary medals given by the Miami Chapter. GEORGE WASHINGTON ENDOWMENT TRUST FUND COMMITTEE, consisting of three (3) members of the Chapter who have been recipients of the GWETF award. This Committee shall be responsible for determining recipients of this award by the Chapter. COLOR GUARD COMMITTEE consists of three or more members to attend to the maintenance and upkeep of uniforms, flags, guns and all other equipment owned by the Miami Chapter. Chairman of Committee will send quarterly reports of activities to the State Color Guard Commander. MERITORIOUS SERVICE COMMITTEE, consisting of three or more members of the Chapter who have been recipients of Section 2: Committee Chairmen shall be responsible for the proper and timely functioning of their committees and in the absence of all members of their Committees, shall request the President to make temporary appointments so that the functions of their Committee shall not be nullified. Section 3: The Board of Directors may suspend the operation of any of the foregoing committees or add new committees which the Board feels are needed to further the purposes of the Miami Chapter, F.S.S.A.R. and N.S.S.A.R. Article VII Section 1: Reimbursement for travel expenses. (a) Attendance at the quarterly and annual F.S.S.A.R. Board of Management (BOM) meetings, by Miami Chapter members is encouraged. Reimbursement of travel and living expenses to such meetings will be made to those who attended two (2) or more Miami Chapter BOD meetings and/or Luncheon Meetings subsequent to the last F.S.S.A.R. BOM meeting.
Session and/or Trustee/Leadership meeting by Miami Chapter members is encouraged. Reimbursement for travel and living expenses to such meetings will be made to those who attended two (2) F.S.S.A.R. BOM meetings or two (2) N.S.S.A.R. Trustee/Leadership meetings during the preceding year.
thirds vote of members present at a regular meeting of the Miami Chapter BOD taking into consideration distance, location, prevailing room rates, etc.
upon to provide a color guard or to post the colors the Miami Chapter will reimburse the participants for meals, if not provided, while representing the Miami Chapter. Section 2: Reimbursements for Non-Budgeted items. The fiscal year of the Miami Chapter is January 1st through December 31st. Request for reimbursement of expenditures, not budgeted, may be submitted, accompanied by paid receipts, to the Miami Chapter BOD as they occur. The BOD’s prior approval to make non-budgeted expenditures is required. Request for reimbursement of non-budgeted items are to be submitted to the BOD for consideration during the fiscal year in which they are made. Items for which reimbursement is made are the property of the Miami Chapter, S.A.R. Article VIII The By-Laws may be altered or amended by two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to and passed by the Board at the regular meeting and substantial notice thereof is made in the Miami Chapter Newsletter to the members prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be considered. Article IX Section 1: The order of business at regular meetings, as applicable, shall be:
Section 2: The Secretary shall include in his Report at each monthly meeting, items of interest to members including applications outstanding, approved or disapproved; resignations; transfers; deaths; or membership ceased where cause of cessation shall not be published. HISTORY OF THE S.A.R. The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was conceived as an organization formed in California known as “The Sons of the Revolutionary Sires”, as the result of the great patriotic fervor during the preparation for the Celebration of Independence at Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. Ten of the founders were Real Sons of the American Revolution, that is, sons of revolutionary soldiers. With the exception of the Society of the Cincinnati, founded at the conclusion of the war in 1783, this was the first Society in the country, whose members were exclusively descendants from Revolutionary Sires. This California Society was the pioneer of the modern hereditary, patriotic society, and its influence led to the formation of many others throughout the United States. In accordance with a resolution passed at a meeting of the Jersey Society on Aril 10, 1889, a call was issued inviting delegates from every existing society from all states and territories to meet at Fraunce’s Tavern in New York on April 30, 1889 to organize a National Society. Eighteen out of the twenty societies including the original one in California were represented and on that date the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution was organized. The Miami Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution was formed March 28, 1893 and was the first Sons of the American Revolution Chapter in the state of Florida. Miami Chapter has been fortunate in having had outstanding men as officers through the years with many progressing to high positions in the Florida and National Society. |
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