Fraternity-Testvériség, 1976 (54. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1976-10-01 / 4. szám
THE BY-LAWS of THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION OF AMERICA As amended and revised by the Convention held in Ligonier, Pennsylvania from June 28 to July 2, 1976 1976 EDITION FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETY Home Office 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20016 BY-LAWS ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION Name — Date of Organization — Incorporation Home Office 1. The name of this organization is: “The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America”. It was organized July 5th, 1896, at Trenton, N. J., and incorporated by an act of Congress of the United States of America in the District of Columbia, on March 2, 1907. The Home Office is in Washington, D. C. Purpose — Object 2. The purposes and objects of the Federation are: to furnish its members with life, accident and health insurance; to support a children’s home and a home for the aged, known as the Bethlen Home of the HRFA in Ligonier, Pa.; and to promote social, fraternal and cultural activities among its members, among Americans of Hungarian descent and all others who are willing to conform with the fraternal objects of the Federation. No person shall be denied membership because of creed, color, sex, or national origin. Language — Seal — Motto 3. The official language of the Federation is English. The Hungarian language may be used by 12 choice. The seal is encircled with the inscription bearing the name of the Federation. In the center is an angel with widespread wings, holding in one hand the Gospel and in the other a trumpet. The motto of the Federation is: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31.) ARTICLE II GOVERNMENT Legislation — Administration 4. The legislative and executive body of the Federation is the Convention held quadrennially. 5. The Federation is governed during the interim between conventions by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall not have the power to amend the by-laws of the Federation. Administration and Referendum of the Branches 6. The Federation is composed of branches. Each branch shall elect its own officers and conduct its local affairs. 7. During the interim between Conventions, the branches may originate legislation in the following manner: if the majority of the members of the branch present and voting accept the matter proposed for legislation, the same shall be forwarded to the President who shall bring it before the Board of Directors. If the majority of the members of the Board of Directors agree to refer the motion to the branches, the President shall forward a copy of the motion to each branch for its vote. The vote of each branch is determined by the majority of the members present and voting at the meeting. The vote of each branch may he only “yes” or “no”, because the branch does not have the right to change the motion. The branches shall send their votes to the President who shall count them and immediately report the results to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and the branches. MEETINGS Discussion — Procedure ■— Quorum 8. There are two kinds of meetings of the Federation: regular and special. The regular meetings are those prescribed in these by-laws: Conventions, meetings of the Board of Directors and branch meetings. The special meetings are called pursuant to the appropriate provisions of these by-laws. 9. The presiding officer shall be the President of the body in meeting. The President shall vote only in the case of a tie. It is the duty of the President to order a secret ballot if ten percent of the members
