Constitution and By-laws
ARTICLE I NAME
The family organization shall be known as the Stowers Families of America.
ARTICLE II OBJECTIVE
The objective of the family organization shall be to strengthen the ties of fellowship and kinship between living members of the family; to maintain family unity through frequent association of family members in a social way. To perpetuate the memory and genealogy of the ancestors and descendents of the Stowers Families by combining the resources and efforts of the members of the family in performing genealogical research, and by unifying all genealogical, historical, and biographical research necessary for the compilation of complete and accurate family records.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
All descendents of any Stowers, and their husbands or wives, are eligible for membership in the Stowers Families of America. Persons who are not descendents of Stowers, but who are interested in the genealogy of our ancestors or descendents, are welcome as members of the family organization. Any person who wishes to become a member of the family organization may do so by contacting the Secretary, or by his/her name being submitted by another person.
Any member may have his/her name removed from the membership rolls by writing their request to the Secretary or the President.
ARTICLE IV MEETINGS
The meetings of the family organization shall consist of a National Reunion every two years and such other meetings or reunions as may be approved by the Executive Committee. The Bi-annual Meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by a vote of a majority of the members present at the preceding National Reunion. The agenda of the National Reunion shall include any necessary elections of officers and presentations of business matters, supplemented by such other general activities as may be desired by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V OFFICERS
The elected officers of the family organization shall consist of a President, two or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Financial Secretary which along with all past presidents shall constitute the Executive Committee. The election of officers shall be held in connection with every National Reunion of the family organization. The term of office shall begin at the close of the business session at which the officers are elected, and shall cover a period of two years. All officers shall be eligible for re-election. Failure to hold the National Reunion or any election of officers shall not disorganize the family organization.
All past Presidents shall remain a member of the Executive Committee for their life, with full voting rights and privileges.
The appointed officers of the family organization shall consist of a Genealogist and a Historian. The President or the Executive Committee shall make these appointments.
ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES
The Executive Committee or the President shall set up committees and make special assignments as necessary in administering the program of the family organization. Committee appointments and special assignments may be temporary or permanent, but such appointments or assignments shall be considered fulfilled at the time new elections of officers are held.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
The Articles and subsequent Amendments of the Constitution may be amended by a vote of three-fourths of the members present at the National Reunion.
ARTICLE VIII BY-LAWS
Section I It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to represent the family organization during the interval between National Reunions, to recommend the time and place of the National Reunion, to determine the order of business and approve the program for the National Reunion, to appoint a nominating committee for officers at least three months in advance of a given election, and to perform such other work as may be delegated to the Committee.
Section II It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the family organization, to preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, and to exercise general supervision over the family organization. It shall be the duty of the President to call special meetings of the Executive Committee as necessary for the purpose of carrying on the work of the family organization during the period between National Reunions. The President shall submit to the family organization at the National Reunion a report of all official acts of the Executive Committee, together with any other information and recommendations he may deem important.
Section III It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to carry out the policies of the family organization by developing and administering specific programs within their assigned spheres of activity. The Executive Committee must approve these programs. It shall be the duty of the Vice-Presidents to assist and counsel the President in all matters pertaining to the activities of the family organization. It shall be the duty of the Vice-Presidents to act on behalf of the President in his absence in the order of precedence. Upon the resignation or demise of the President, the Senior Vice-President shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee for the purpose of filling the vacancy until the next National Reunion.
Section IV It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the family organization and of the Executive Committee, and to perform such other secretarial duties as the President or Executive Committee may direct.
Section V It shall be the duty of the Financial Secretary to receive and keep an accurate record of all contribution, and other monies received by and in behalf of the family organization, and to handle all expenditures and disbursements for and in behalf of the family organization.
Section VI It shall be the duty of the Genealogist to supervise and direct the compilation of complete and accurate genealogical records of the ancestors and descendents of the Stowers Families. The Genealogist shall select assistants, subject to the approval of the President, to assist in the gathering of genealogical data, which assistants shall function as a committee, the Genealogist being the Chairman thereof. The Genealogist and his assistants shall have the authority to call upon all members of the family for genealogical data and for assistance in performing genealogical research, and they shall engage as many family members as will respond in this effort, supervising their research activities in an efficient manner and counseling and teaching when necessary. If it becomes necessary, the Genealogist may engage the services of professional researchers working on a fee basis, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
Section VII It shall be the duty of the Historian to supervise and direct the compilation and writing of biographical records, family histories, and personal histories pertaining to both ancestors and descendents of the Stowers Families. Assistants may be selected as necessary, subject to the approval of the President,
Section VIII There shall be no annual dues. Membership shall be by inheritance or by request. However, contributions are requested to assist in publishing bulletins, answering genealogical requests and doing research. Each member should contribute in accordance with his ability. All contributions should be mailed to the Financial Secretary.
Section IX The By-Laws of the Stowers Families of America may be amended, altered, or added to by majority vote of the members present at the National Reunion.