ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be THE MARTIN-LEVERETT ASSOCIATION, INC

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Association shall be to:

A.   Strengthen the bonds between the descendants of the Martin and Leverett families

B.   Implement suggestions for change in all areas of social, economic and religious life through standing and ad hoc committees of the Association

C.   Encourage the pursuit of higher education by providing scholarship grants to students whose parents or guardians have been active members of the Association for three (3) Years prior to the students' application;

D.   Carry on all activities permitted for a Non-Profit Corporation allowed under section 501 (C) of the Internal Revenue Law of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future IRS law

E.   Engage in all other activities proven   beneficial to the members of the Association.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Any person by reason of birth, marriage or adoption, may, upon payment of an annual registration fee, amount set by the Board of Directors and approved by the whole Association, become a member of the Martin-Leverett Association, Inc.  They shall be entitled to all of the privileges accorded to the original membership of the Association.   Children ages 21 years and up who remain in the family home are adults and must pay an additional registration fee.

ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Interim Board

The initial Board of Directors shall consist of the Incorporators of this Association who are three (3) in number and nine (9) members-at-large totaling twelve (12) and shall be divided into three (3) groups of four (4) members each. One group shall serve for a one (1) year term.  The second group shall serve a two (2) year term, and the third group shall serve a three (3) year term as Directors.  The division of the groups and length of the initial term shall be determined by the initial Board at the first regular meeting following the issuance of the Charter, or as soon there after as practical.

Section 2.  Regular Board

Board membership shall be open to any active member in good standing with the Association.  Board members shall serve a three (3) year term.  After having served a term, members shall not be eligible to serve again until one (1) year from the date of last service on the Board. The exception to the above concerns the President Emeritus, Vice-President Emeriti, Recording and Financial Secretaries Emeriti, who, because of their long-term experiences with the Association, shall remain life long members of the Board. The Board of Directors shall be composed of fifteen members, four of which shall be the Emeriti officers.

Section 3. Eligibility and Election

Only active members in good standing with the Association shall be eligible for election.  No member shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same office, but shall be eligible for re-election after a lapse of two years. Members shall be elected in the autumnal business meeting, the opening meeting of the Association, and shall assume office during the last session of the Association.

Section 4 Meetings

The annual meeting of the Board shall be held the Saturday before the first Sunday in October.  Notice of such annual meeting shall be necessary in order to legally constitute the meetings, and a majority of the Directors shall be present.   Should a member not attend, the member may name a proxy with the approval of the Board

Section 5. Quorum

One-half of the existing number of the Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting A simple majority at such meeting shall vote on and control the matters determined during such meeting.

ARTICLE V  OFFICERS

Section 1. Elected Officers

The elected officers of this Association shall be a President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and six, (6) Directors. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these By-Laws and implied by their respective titles.

The Board shall appoint the following officers:  Membership Secretary; Financial Secretary; Assistant Treasurer; Finance Chairperson, Assistant Finance Chairperson; and any other officers as deemed necessary. Each such officer shall hold office for two (2) years or until a successor shall be duly appointed.

Section 2.  Eligibility for Office

A.   Only active members are eligible for election or appointment.

B.   No member shall serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office, but shall be eligible for re-election or appointment after a lapse of one year.

Section 3.  Election

A.   All elections shall be done during the annual business meeting, the opening session of the Reunion, by the whole Association. New officers shall be installed in the closing session.

Section 4.  Vacancy

A.   Should any officer become unable to discharge the duties of such office, the Board shall declare the office vacant and proceed to appoint a successor, if it is an appointed officer.  For elected offices, a Nominating Committee shall submit the names of candidates for the office(s) to be voted on in the next annual meeting.

Section 5.  Duties of Officers

A.     The President shall:

1.  Have the general and active management of the Association

2.  See to it that all orders and resolutions of the Board and the Association   are   carried   out

3.   With the approval of the Board, execute contracts, leases,

Deeds, and all other instruments, which require a Seal

4.   Preside at all Association, Board and Executive Board meetings

5.   Appoint all Standing Committees, appointed officers, with

The exception of the Nominating Committee;

6.   Appoint someone to act in place of absent officers.

B.        The First Vice-President shall:

1.   Assume   of duties   of   the   President

C.             Second Vice-President shall:

1.         Act in the absence of the First-Vice President.

D.  The Secretary shall:

1.   Attend and record the proceedings of the meetings of the Association, Board of Directors and the Executive Board;

2.   Keep all committee reports on file

3.   Make the minutes and records available to members upon request

4.   Have charge of the records and Seal of the Association

5.   Attest to the signature of the President on all instruments and contracts requiring the Association Seal.

E.        The Treasurer shall:

1.         Be bonded for a sum sufficient to protect the Association from loss

2.               Receive and keep an accurate account of funds received

3.             Provide receipts for funds received

4.               Deposit all funds in such bank as designated by the Board

5.         Pay all bills by check

6.         Make a report of the financial standing at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.  Composition

A.   The Executive Board shall be composed of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary,

Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Finance Chairperson, and Assistant Finance Chairperson.

Section 2.  Meeting               

A. The Executive Board shall meet the Saturday before the first Sunday in October prior to the Board of Directors meeting.

Section 3.  Authority

A.   The Executive Board shall:

1.   Have general supervision of the affairs of the Association

2.   Make recommendations to the Association.

3.   Be subject to the orders of the Association, and none of its acts

Shall conflict with action taken by the Association.

Section 1.  Quorum

Five (5) Executive Board members shall constitute a Quorum

ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1.

There shall be the following Standing Committees:

A.   Membership                   H.   By-laws

B.   Time and Place              l.     Ways and Means

C.   Planning                         J.   Auditing

D.   Finance                          K.   Nominating

E.   Memorial                           

F.   Scholarship

G.   History

The President shall appoint the chairperson of each committee.  Members may then volunteer or be drafted to serve on the respective committees. All committee plans shall be submitted to the Executive Board and Board of Directors for approval.

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of The Martin-Leverett Association, Inc. in all cases not provided for in these By-Laws.

ARTICLE X - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1.

All checks and drafts shall be signed in such a manner as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.

The President with the approval of the Board of Directors shall execute all debts and mortgages made by the Association and agreements to which the Association shall be a party.

Section 3.

The President shall be authorized to accept warranty deeds, security deeds, mortgages, bills of sale, and title retention contracts for the Association and place them in a safety deposit box.

ARTICLE XI - COLORS AND LOGO

The colors for the Association shall be yellow, white and green.

The logo shall be the Martin-Leverett Family Tree.

ARTICLE XII -DISSOLUTION

Should the members of the Association decide that it has reached its maximum usefulness and is no longer needed to fulfill the objectives of the Association and wish to dissolve the organization, after all debts are paid, all remaining finances shall be placed in the Scholarship Fund to help further the education of past active members children.

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at any annual meeting by a majority vote provided, the proposed amendment was submitted in writing to the active members prior to the annual meeting. Voting shall be by a standing vote.