Gay Ohio History Initiative Bylaws

Code of Regulations

of

The Gay Ohio History Initiative

Article I

Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of the Gay Ohio History Initiative is to collect, archive and curate the history and culture of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender [GLBT] community in Ohio.

Article II

Membership

Section 1. General. Board membership shall be open to all individuals and entities subscribing to and supporting the purposes of this organization, regardless of age, sex, gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, culture, color, income, lifestyle, occupation, veteran status, condition of health, HIV status, disability or gender identity. Non-board members and honorary members may attend board meetings to observe proceedings, offer comments during the new business portion of the agenda at the end of the meeting and serve on committees of Gay Ohio History Initiative.

Section 2. Board Members. Board members shall be those individual or organizational members who have been named to the Gay Ohio History Initiative Board of Trustees. Only board members shall have the right to vote, nominate trustees and serve on the board of trustees. The Gay Ohio History Initiative Board of Trustees shall have no less than seven and no more than 15 members.

Section 3. Board Member Nomination Process. The Gay Ohio History Initiative Board shall appoint board members as needed in a number as determined necessary by the Board. Each member shall serve a three year term with the ability to have that term renewed two times. Parties interested in serving on the Board may submit a letter of interest to the Vice President at any time.

Section 4. Board Member Duties. All board members are required to serve as an officer and/or committee chair and/or be a member of at least one board committee. Further, all board members are required to assist the Gay Ohio History Initiative in annual fundraising efforts and to make an individual personal financial pledge. All board members are required to also be members of the Ohio Historical Society.
Section 5. Honorary Members. Honorary membership may be awarded by a two-thirds vote of the board of trustees to any person in recognition of notable or valuable contributions to the Gay Ohio History Initiative or to the furtherance of its stated purposes.

Section 6. Transfer. Membership in the Gay Ohio History Initiative is not transferable.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers. Election, Term. All officers shall be members of the board of trustees. The officers of the Gay Ohio History Initiative are: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

The officers are selected by a board election process. The President and Vice President will serve two-year terms, while all other officers serve one-year terms. Voting for elected positions will take place at a full board meeting in September each year. In the event that the elected individual is unable to complete the term of office, a replacement will be elected to complete the unfinished term by a majority vote at any meeting of the board of trustees.

Section 2. Removal, Resignation. Any officer elected by the board of trustees may be removed with or without cause by a majority vote of the trustees. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of an officer, the board shall elect a successor to fill the unexpired term.
Section 3. President. The President shall serve as the chief executive officer of the organization, and shall, under the general direction of the board of trustees, oversee that the organization complies with the mission of the Gay Ohio History Initiative as embodied in the Code of Regulations and policies. The President serves a two-year term and shall be elected during odd numbered years.

During the temporary absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall have the powers, duties, and functions of President.
Section 4. Vice President. The Vice President shall have such powers, duties, and functions as assigned from time to time by the President and/or the board of trustees. Additionally, the Vice President will coordinate board elections and appointments. The Vice President serves a two-year term and shall be elected during even numbered years.
During the temporary absence or disability of the Vice President, the President shall appoint an interim Vice President, who shall have the powers, duties, and functions of Vice President.

Section 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer of the Gay Ohio History Initiative shall be responsible for providing regular reports on the status of all GOHI funds being held for GOHI by the Ohio Historical Society. This position shall be filled by an employee of the Ohio Historical Society.
During the temporary absence or disability of the Treasurer, the President shall appoint an interim Treasurer, who shall have the powers, duties, and functions of Treasurer.

Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary of the Gay Ohio History Initiative shall be the keeper of the official record of the organization. The Secretary shall act as the organization’s parliamentarian at all meetings.
During the temporary absence or disability of the Secretary, the President shall appoint an interim Clerk who shall have the powers, duties, and functions of Clerk.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committees. The Gay Ohio History Initiative shall have three permanent committees – the Development Committee, the Marketing Committee and the Curatorial Committee. Only a board member may chair these committees, but a non-board member may serve on any of these committees.

Section 2. Development Committee. The Board shall appoint, from among the trustees, the Chair of the Development Committee and the other members of the Committee. The Chair of the Development Committee will oversee the operation of the committee.

Under the general direction of the President and the board, the Development Committee shall be responsible for all fundraising for the Gay Ohio History Initiative.

Section 3. Marketing Committee. The Board shall appoint, from among the trustees, the Chair of the Marketing Committee and the other members of the Committee. The Chair of the Marketing Committee will oversee operation of the Committee.
Under the general direction of the President and the Board, the Marketing Committee shall be responsible for general oversight of marketing, public relations and media relations affairs of the Gay Ohio History Initiative.
Section 4. Curatorial Committee. The Board shall appoint, from among the trustees, the Chair of the Curatorial Committee and the other members of the Committee. The Chair of the Curatorial Committee will oversee operation of the Committee.

Under the general direction of the President and the Board, the Curatorial Committee shall be responsible for general oversight of the curatorial and collections affairs of the Gay Ohio History Initiative. At least one member of the Curatorial Committee must be an employee of the Ohio Historical Society.

Section 5. Other Committees. The board of trustees shall create such other committees as it deems necessary. Members of these ad hoc committees need not be trustees. Each such committee and the members thereof shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section 1. General Meetings. Board meetings may be held at such times and places as shall be determined by the board of trustees. Except as governed by these Code of Regulations, all meetings of the board of trustees shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 2. Quorum. Four GOHI members, including at least two officers, present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. A quorum being present, all matters brought to a vote shall be determined by a majority of the board members voting.

Section 3. Voting by E-mail. Board member voting by e-mail is permissible when designated by a majority of the officers. In such circumstances, the same quorum requirements as in Article V, Section 2 above shall apply. In order to be valid, e-mail votes must be received within 72 hours of the initial e-mail requesting a vote. A quorum being present, all matters brought to an e-mail vote shall be determined by a majority of the board members voting.

Article VI

Amendments
This Code of Regulations may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the trustees at any meeting of the board.

Any amendments to this Code of Regulations will not be in effect until signed by the President and the Secretary and noted in the official record of the organization.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, representing the original GOHI founders, do hereby assent to the adoption of the following Code of Regulations for Gay Ohio History Initiative on this day, the _____ day of _______________, 2007 at Columbus, OH.