BYLAWS OF THE TEXAS SOCIETY

OF THE CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Revised by Bylaws Committee of the T.S.C.A.R. and approved by Senior National Parliamentarian January 1996. Approved at T.S.C.A.R. State Conference, March 1997. Revised by Bylaws Committee of the T.S.C.A.R. and approved by Senior National Parliamentarian March 1998 and January 1999. Approved at T.S.C.A.R. Workshop, August 1998 and State Conference, March 1999. Revised by Bylaws Committee of T.S.C.A.R. and accepted at State Conference, March 2001. Amended at T.S.C.A.R. State Conference, March 2003 and March 2004 as recommended by the Senior National Parliamentarian. Amended in March 2007 by direction of the Senior State Board.

Use with the Bylaws of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution

 

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of this Society shall be The Texas Society of the Children of the American Revolution.

 

ARTICLE II – Objects

The objects of this Society shall be to foster a close relationship among the Societies in Texas; to strengthen and extend the influence of the C.A.R. throughout the State; and to promote the objects of the National Society.

 

ARTICLE III - Membership

The members of the Texas Society are the members of all Societies organized within the State of Texas who have paid state dues.

 

ARTICLE IV – Officers

Section 1. The State Officers of this Society shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Chaplain, Recording Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Historian, Librarian, and Curator.

Section 2. Senior State Officers shall correspond to officers authorized in Section 1. They shall be members in good standing of the Texas Daughters of the American Revolution, Texas Sons of the American Revolution, or Texas Sons of the Revolution.

Section 3. A member having served as State President, may be elected at an Annual Conference as Honorary State President for life with privilege of voting until membership in the National Society, Children of the American Revolution is terminated. A motion is made from the floor of the State Conference and the election is by voice vote.

Section 4. One having served as Senior State President may be elected as Honorary Senior State President for life at the annual meeting of the Senior State Board of Management. He/she shall have the privilege of voting as long as he/she shall be a member in good standing of the Texas Daughters of the American Revolution, the Texas Sons of the American Revolution, or the Texas Sons of the Revolution. A motion is made by a Senior from the floor of the Senior Board of Management meeting and the election is by voice vote.

Section 1.

A. State Officers shall be elected each year by a majority vote of ONLY C.A.R. members entitled to vote and voting at State Conference.

B. A T.S.C.A.R. member, to be eligible for the office of State President, Shall have been a member for not less than three (3) years and shall have served as a State Chairman of a Committee and at least one term on the State Board.

C. To be eligible for any other State Office, a member shall have been a T.S.C.A.R. member for not less than two (2) years and shall have served as a State Chairman of a Committee.

     D. An individual C.A.R. member may not serve as a T.S.C.A.R. State Officer and a State Chairman simultaneously at any given time Unless otherwise provided for within these bylaws.

Section 2. A Nominating Committee of seven (7) who are members in good standing of the Texas Society, Children of the American Revolution, shall be elected at the Annual Conference meeting of the State Board with only one (1) member from any one (1) society. It shall be the duty of this committee, five (5) being present, to prepare a slate of at least one candidate for each office on the State Board, to be filled at the Annual State Conference the next year. The consent of each nominee shall have been obtained in writing. A member may not serve two (2) consecutive terms.

The Senior State President and one other member of the Senior State Board or an Honorary Senior State President appointed by the Senior State President shall act as advisors to the Nominating Committee.

Nominations may also be made from the floor provided consent of the nominee has been obtained prior to the meeting. Notice of intention to run from the floor must be sent fifteen (15) days before the date of the State Conference to the Senior State President. It shall be the duty of the Chairman of the Nominating Committee to see that the slate of proposed officers is mailed to each State Officer, Senior State Officer, Society President and Senior Society President, not later than February 15.

Section 3. The Senior State President shall appoint Tellers who shall be members of the DAR, SAR, or S.R. Election of officers shall be by ballot, and a majority of votes cast shall elect. If there is only one nomination for each office, the Recording Secretary may be instructed to cast the vote of the Texas Society for the entire ticket.

Section 4. Vacancies in active State office, except that of State President to which the First Vice President succeeds, may be appointed by the State President, with the approval of the Senior State President, for the period until the next conference.

Section 5. The term of office shall be for one year beginning at the installation of the State President. Installation of officers shall occur at the close of the Annual Conference. The President is installed during the National Convention. No officer shall be eligible for re-election to the same office.

 

ARTICLE VI - Nomination and Election of Senior State Officers

Section 1. Election of Senior State Officers, with the exception of the Senior State President, will be conducted by the Senior State Board of Management at the time of the Board meeting in connection with the State Conference.

Section 2. A Nominating Committee of five (5) with a quorum of three (3) shall be elected by the Senior State Board of Management at the annual meeting preceding the year of election, with only one (1) member from any one (1) DAR/SAR/S.R. Chapter, and only one (1) member representing any one (1) C.A.R. Society. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate a least one candidate for each office to be filled. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall mail copies of the slate to each member of the Senior State Board of Management not later than February 15th of the election year. Nominations may be made from the floor providing the consent of the nominee has been obtained.

Section 3. Election shall be by ballot and a majority vote shall elect, if there is only one nomination for each office, the Recording Secretary may be instructed to cast the vote for the entire ticket.  

Section 4. Vacancies in active Senior State Offices may be filled by appointment by the Senior State President for the period until the next conference when an election shall occur. In case of vacancy to the office of Senior State President, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with Article IX, Section 2H of the National Bylaws.

Section 5. The term of office may be for two (2) years beginning at installation of the Senior State President, and no officer shall be eligible for re-election to the same office. No individual who has served four (4) years consecutively in state office shall be eligible for election to any other state office, except to appointment to the office of Senior State President, until the expiration of at least one year. Installation shall occur at the close of the Annual Conference. The Senior State President is installed during the National Convention.

ARTICLE VII - Duties of Officers

Part A - Duties of State Officers

Section A1. All State Officers are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, honorable, considerate and conscientious manner at all times. The State Officers, as the leaders of the State Society, are the role models from which the younger members learn. A State Officer must be a positive example for all members to admire and emulate. All State Officers shall perform the duties appropriate to the office, assisted by the respective Senior State Officer, and read the joint report, approved and signed by the respective Senior State Officer, at the State Conference. Other duties may be assigned by the State President, the Senior State President and the respective Senior State Officer.

Section A2. President - The State President shall preside at all meetings of the State Board and at the annual State Conference. He/she shall serve as Chairman of the State Merit Award Committee. He/she shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for in these Bylaws, after consultation with the Senior State President. He/she shall appoint two (2) members to serve on the Judicial Committee and two (2) members on the Administrative Committee. The appointed members must be from different societies. He/she shall be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee and shall appoint members for service to the State Society for special occasions, subject to the approval of the Senior State President. The State President shall represent the State Society on appropriate occasions. He/she shall conduct the necessary correspondence with members of the State Board and State Chairmen under the guidance of the Senior State President. He/she may attend meetings of the Senior Board of Management.

Section A3. First Vice President - The State First Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President. He/she shall assist the State President with programs for state functions, shall serve as Chairman of the Yearbook Committee and shall perform such other duties as requested by the State President or the Senior State President.

Section A4. Second Vice President - The State Second Vice President shall assume the duties of the State Chairman of Membership and shall perform such other duties as requested by the State President.

Section A5. Chaplain - The State Chaplain shall offer the opening prayer at all meetings of the Texas Society, C.A.R., including meetings of the State Board. He/she may administer the oath of office to State Officers. After conferring with the Senior State Chaplain, the Senior State President, and the State Convention Chairman, the Chaplain shall arrange the memorial services customarily observed at the Annual State Conference. He/she, cooperating with the Senior State Chaplain, shall be responsible for the program of the memorial services. He/she shall keep a record of deceased members and seniors, write notes of condolence, and see that the names are properly entered in the Book of Remembrances. After consultation with the Senior State Chaplain, he/she shall determine the winner of the Stephen Willoughby Memorial Award. He/she shall publish the history of the contest and the contest rules in the Yearbook and the Fall issue of the state newsletter.  

Section A6. Recording Secretary - The State Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the State Board and of the State Conference. He/she shall submit minutes of the State Conference within thirty (30) days of the close of the conference for approval to the State President, the Senior State Recording Secretary, and the Senior State President. Together with the Senior State Recording Secretary, he/she shall be responsible for the binding of all the minutes and state reports for the year of his/her term of office, having obtained these annual reports from state officers, state committee chairmen and society presidents.

Section A7. Organizing Secretary - The State Organizing Secretary shall promote the organization and growth of local societies and shall report the status of Societies at the State Conference. He/she shall see that notices about organizing societies are submitted to the state newsletter.

Section A8. Corresponding Secretary - The State Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for any required correspondence; and, with the Senior State Corresponding Secretary, shall see that all appropriate notices and announcements are sent to the membership.

Section A9. Treasurer - The State Treasurer shall make a summary report of receipts and disbursements, countersigned by the Senior State Treasurer, to the State Conference, this annual report being as of March 1 of that year. He/she shall be responsible for the sale of fund raising items.

Section A10. Registrar - The State Registrar shall keep a current listing of the members of the State Society.

Section A11. Historian - The State Historian shall place all newspaper clippings, notices, reports, and pictures of state and local Society activities in the State History Book as a record of the work accomplished. He/she shall keep the State Society's recorded history up-to-date and shall see that the history book is available for display when needed.

Section A12. Librarian - The State Librarian shall, with the Senior State Librarian, keep a complete descriptive record of all manuscripts, publications and books owned by the State Society and in possession of the State Society. He/she shall promote the projects of the N.S.C.A.R. Archives.

Section A13. Curator - The State Curator shall, with the Senior State Curator, keep a complete descriptive record of, and be responsible for all properties owned by the State Society, including the State and State Society Flags. He/she shall promote the projects of the Museum of the National Society.

Section A14. Duke and Duchess - The T.S.C.A.R. Duke and Duchess shall be chosen each year by a committee appointed by the Senior State President. The Duke and Duchess shall represent T.S.C.A.R. at appropriate functions and shall oversee the awards presentation at the annual State Conference banquet, under the direction of the State President and Senior State President, assisted by the Senior State Chairman of Awards and Presentations. The Duke and Duchess shall have no vote by virtue of this office.

Part B - Duties of Senior State Officers

Section B1. All Senior State Officers are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, honorable, considerate and conscientious manner at all times. The Senior State Officers, as the leaders of the State Society, are the role models from which all members learn. A Senior State Officer must be a positive example for all members to admire and emulate. All Senior State Officers shall perform the duties appropriate to the office, assist and advise the respective State Officer. Other duties may be assigned by the Senior State President or the Senior State Board of Management. Each Senior State Officer shall have the additional responsibility to attend meetings of the Senior State Board of Management, perform such duties as the Senior State President and the Senior State Board of Management may require, report to the Senior State Board of Management as the office requires, and prepare a written annual report to be incorporated in the report to be presented at the State Conference by the corresponding State Officer. 

Section B2. Senior State President - The Senior State President, appointed by the Senior National President subject to confirmation by the Senior National Board of Management, shall have general supervision of the Society in Texas and promote the National C.A.R. program as directed by the Senior

National President and the Senior National Board of Management. He/she shall, subject to confirmation by the Senior National Board of Management, appoint Senior Society Presidents, and Organizing Presidents; and shall appoint all senior committees, special or standing. He/she shall appoint three (3) Senior members of the DAR/SAR/S.R. to serve on the Judicial Committee and three (3) Senior members on the Administrative Committee with only one (1) representative per C.A.R. Society. He/she shall appoint a State Parliamentarian.

Section B3. Senior State First Vice President - The Senior State First Vice President shall preside in the absence or inability of the Senior State President and shall perform such other duties as may be required. He/she shall assist the Senior State President with programs for state functions and shall serve as Senior Chairman of the Yearbook Committee, being responsible for the compilation and distribution of the Yearbook with the help of the State First Vice President.

Section B4. Senior State Second Vice President - The Senior State Second Vice President shall serve as Senior Chairman of the Membership Committee and shall perform such other duties as may be required.

Section B5. Senior State Chaplain - The Senior State Chaplain shall offer the opening prayer at all meetings of the Senior State Board of Management and may administer the oath of office to incoming Senior State Officers. He/she shall assist the State Chaplain in carrying out all assigned duties.

Section B6. Senior State Recording Secretary - The Senior State Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Senior State Board and shall within thirty (30) days following each meeting send a copy of the minutes to the Senior State President, and to others as directed. He/she shall, together with the State Recording Secretary, be responsible for the binding of all minutes and annual reports from state officers, state committee chairmen and society presidents.

Section B7. Senior State Organizing Secretary - The Senior State Organizing Secretary shall promote the organization and growth of local societies and shall attend organizational meetings within the state whenever possible.

Section B8. Senior State Corresponding Secretary - The Senior State Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for any required correspondence and shall maintain the up-to-date mailing list of members and seniors.

Section B9. Senior State Treasurer - The Senior State Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due the State Society and shall deposit them to the credit of the Texas Society, C.A.R. in such bank, banks, or funds as may be designated by the State Society. He/she shall be the custodian of the funds of the Society and shall disburse such funds upon order of the State Society or the Senior State Board of Management. All orders upon the Senior State Treasurer for disbursements of funds shall be signed by the Senior State President. A Committee of two (2) appointed by the Senior State President shall audit the Treasurer's accounts before a new Senior State Treasurer assumes office.

A Finance Committee consisting of the Senior State President, Senior State Treasurer, and the Honorary Senior State Presidents shall approve the proposed budget prior to presentation to the Senior State Board of Management.

Section B10. Senior State Registrar - The Senior State Registrar shall assist the State Registrar in keeping a current list of all members of the State Society.

Section B11. Senior State Historian - The Senior State Historian shall assist the State Historian in placing all newspaper clippings, notices, reports, and pictures of state and local society activities in the State History Book as a history of the work accomplished. He/she shall see that the history books are properly maintained.

Section B12. Senior State Librarian - The Senior State Librarian shall assist the State Librarian in carrying out his/her duties. He/she shall obtain record information on T.S.C.A.R. material stored at the TX State Archives for the Librarian, and see that the manuscripts, publications, and books of the State Society are properly recorded and maintained. 

Section B13. Senior State Curator - The Senior State Curator shall assist the State Curator in carrying out his/her duties. He/she shall see that the property and Flags of the State Society are properly recorded and maintained.

Section B14. Each Senior Officer, Senior State Chairman and Senior Society President shall prepare a written annual report to be incorporated in the report to be prepared and presented at the State Conference by the corresponding officer. A copy of the report as presented at State Conference is submitted to the Recording Secretary for binding.

 

ARTICLE VIII - Annual Meetings

Section 1. A State Conference shall be held annually for the purpose of receiving reports of officers and of committees; for the election of officers; for programs in furtherance of the objects of the Society; and for any other business that may arise. The State Conference site and dates shall be decided by the State President and the Senior State President.

Section 2. The votes of the State Conference shall be the State Officers, eligible Honorary State Presidents, Society Presidents or their alternates, and delegates or their alternates from each Society. No member may be assisted in marking a ballot or voting except by a duly sworn teller.

Section 3. The delegates and alternates to the State Conference shall be members in good standing of the local societies which they represent, having paid state dues for the current calendar year in accordance with Article X, Section 1.

Delegates and their alternates to the State Conference shall be elected by the local societies as follows:

6 - 25 members, 2 delegates plus the president

26 - 50 members, 4 delegates plus the president

51 - 75 members, 6 delegates plus the president

76 -100 members, 8 delegates plus the president

Over 100 members, 10 delegates plus the president

Section 4. An Organizing President may attend the State Conference but may not vote prior to confirmation of the Society represented.

Section 5. A member at large may attend the State Conference but shall not be eligible to be a delegate or an alternate, or hold a State or Society office.

Section 6. A registration fee, the amount to be determined by the Senior State President and the Conference Chairman, shall be required for attendance at the State Conference.

Section 7. Twenty (20) voting members shall constitute a quorum.

 

ARTICLE IX - State Board and Senior State Board of Management

Section 1. State Board - The active officers of the State Society, the immediate Past President, the Honorary State Presidents, and the Society Presidents constitute the State Board. The Senior State President or Senior First Vice President shall attend the meetings of the State Board without privilege of voting.

The State President may invite State Chairmen to attend sessions of the State Board. They may speak but shall have no vote.

Section 2. The State Board shall meet at least once during the year and may adopt recommendations for projects, resolutions and other business of the organization, such recommendations to be presented to the Senior State Board of Management for approval. Seven (7) members shall constitute a quorum.

A Special Meeting of the State Board may be called at any time by the State President and shall be called by him/her upon written request of seven (7) members of the Board. Notice of business to be transacted shall be given by mail. Five (5) voting members shall constitute a quorum. The Senior State President or Senior First Vice President shall attend the meeting without privilege of voting.  

Section 3. The Senior State Board of Management - The Senior State Officers and Honorary Senior State Presidents together with the Senior Society Presidents shall constitute the Senior State Board of Management. The duties of the Senior State Board of Management shall be to receive the reports of its officers, adopt rules and regulations and transact the business of the Texas Society of the Children of the American Revolution. The Senior State President may invite Senior State Committee Chairmen to attend Senior State Board Meetings, but they shall have no vote. The State President is invited to attend the meetings of the Senior State Board of Management with voice but no vote.

Section 4. A Special Meeting of the Senior State Board may be called at any time by the Senior State President and shall be called by him/her upon the written request of seven (7) members of the Board. Notice of business to be transacted shall be given in the call. Not less than three (3) weeks notice of meetings shall be given by mail. Five (5) voting members shall constitute a quorum. 

 

ARTICLE X - Dues and Fees

Section 1. The annual State dues shall be two dollars ($2.00) per member, payable on or before January 1, for each calendar year. State dues may be paid in advance through a member's 22nd birthday, with no refund.

Section 2. Dues of members admitted by the National Society after July 1 in any year shall be considered as paid for that calendar year, however, dues must be paid for the ensuing year before January 1.

To be in good standing, dues shall be paid for the calendar year in which the member's 22nd birthday falls.

Section 3. Representative men and women who wish to use their influence toward the growth and prosperity of C.A.R. may become National Promoters by sending to the Senior State President the appropriate fee payable to the C.A.R. Senior National Treasurer. All other fees such as Senior Organizing President, Senior State President and Senior Society President are sent directly to the Senior National Treasurer. The Senior Society President's fee is paid with the Society's annual dues on the special form furnished by the National Society.

Section 4. State Patrons may show their interest in C.A.R. by giving five dollars ($5.00) or more each year to the Texas Society, C.A.R.

ARTICLE XI - T.S.C.A.R. Memorial Endowment Fund

Section 1. The T.S.C.A.R. Memorial Endowment Fund is a fund established from the former T.S.C.A.R. Building Museum Fund to ensure the continuing operation of the State Society.

Section 2. The interest/earnings from this fund shall be deposited into the checking account. Up to two-thirds of the annual interest/earnings may be used as operating funds for the State Society. The other one-third of the interest/earnings will be deposited back into the fund annually. Further, any monies not used during the year will be deposited back into the principal. The principal may never be used for operating expense.

Section 3. The sale of the T.S.C.A.R. Endowment Fund pins will benefit this fund. Donations to this fund may be made in memory or honor of friends, family members or C.A.R. members.

Section 4. The Finance Committee shall administer this fund, reporting annually to the Senior State Board of Management meeting at State Conference. All donations to this fund shall be handled by the Senior State Treasurer.

ARTICLE XII - T.S.C.A.R. Scholarship Fund

Section 1. The T.S.C.A.R. Scholarship Fund is a fund established to award the following scholarships to T.S.C.A.R. members:

          A. The Dortha Bishop 0’Bryant Scholarship was established in honor of Mrs. Richard O. O’Bryant, Senior State President 1979-1981.This scholarship is awarded to a high school senior to purchase books for the freshman year in college. This scholarship may not be awarded to the State President.

             B. The T.S.C.A.R. Scholarship was established in 1994 and is awarded to a high school senior or full time college student who embodies the ideals of C.A.R. More than one scholarship may be awarded if funds permit.

          C. The Catherine and Camille Keith Scholarship was established in 1996 in honor of Catherine Keith and her daughter, Camille Keith, T.S.C.A.R. State President, 1966-1967, in recognition of their years of faithful support to our organization. This scholarship shall assist a T.S.C.A.R. member in attending the National Convention.

Section 2. The guidelines for each scholarship shall be approved by the Senior State Board of Management.

Section 3. Sales of the T.S.C.A.R. Lone Star Pin, the Yellow Rose Pin and the Gold Star Pin shall benefit the scholarship fund. Donations may be made to this fund through the Senior State Treasurer.

Section 4. The Finance Committee shall administer the scholarship fund and recommend to the Senior State Board of Management at state conference the amount of each scholarship to be awarded based upon annual earnings. The scholarships will be awarded annually at the State Conference Banquet.

 

ARTICLE XIII - Mary Smith Fay Genealogical Scholarship

Section 1. The Mary Smith Fay Genealogical Scholarship was established in 2000 in memory of Mary Smith Fay, Senior State President 1971-1973. The purpose of the scholarship is to further the interest and work of members of the Texas Society Children of the American Revolution in the field of genealogy.

Section 2. The scholarship shall be funded by the $20,000 bequest from Mary Smith Fay's Estate. Two-thirds of the interest will be designated for scholarship and one-third of the interest will be deposited to the principle each year.

Section 3. Members eligible to apply for the scholarship must be seniors in high school or full time college students. The award will be made for the best essay (500-word minimum) on genealogy.

Section 4. Applicants must submit an application form postmarked by the deadline for the Scholarship. Applications will follow the application rules as stated on the application form in the Yearbook. Applicants may reapply each year of eligibility. Three judges will be appointed by the Senior State President.

Section 5. The Finance Committee shall administer the scholarship fund and recommend to the Senior State Board of Management at State Conference the amount of scholarship to be awarded based upon annual earnings. The scholarship will be awarded annually at the State Conference Banquet. The scholarship is to be used to further the recipient's academic education.

 

ARTICLE XIV - Local Societies

A local Society may adopt Bylaws or Standing Rules which, before adoption, shall be approved by the State Parliamentarian. Society Bylaws shall not conflict with the Bylaws of the National Society or the State Society.