Fraternity-Testvériség, 2000 (78. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

2000-10-01 / 4. szám

BY-LAWS of the

HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION of AMERICA Founded 1896

2000 EDITION

As amended and revised by the Convention held from September 25 to 29, 2000. in Toledo, Ohio.

ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION

Name - Date of Organization - Incorporation - Home Office

1. The name of this organization is: "Hungarian Reformed Federation of America.’’ It was organized July 5, 1896, at Trenton, New Jersey, and incorporated by an Act of Congress of the United States of America in the District of Columbia, on March 1, 1907. The Home Office is in Washington, D.C.

Purpose and Objectives

2. The purpose and objectives of the Federation are the following:

a) To maintain and support the social and fraternal culture, heritage, language and religious traditions of Hungarians in America.

b) To provide life insurance and other investment opportunities to help secure the financial well-being and future of its members and their families.

c) To foster a sense of community among Hungarian- Americans by organizing and promoting, at both the national and local levels, group travel programs, social gatherings, commemorative events, and other activities designed to strengthen the shared affinity of its members to their ethnic and cultural heritage.

d) To utilize the resources of the Federation to assist two segments of the population to achieve their special needs and aspirations:

i. Elderly - by owning, supporting and operating

the Bethlen Home in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and establishing and maintaining other facilities which provide a healthy and nurturing living environment for individuals with particular emphasis on those individuals with special needs due to age or infirmity.

ii. Youth - by awarding scholarships from a Student Aid and Loan Fund to qualifying and deserving Federation members; by supporting summer youth camps; and by reaching out to actively involve young individuals in the leadership of the Federation and in the development and implementation of programs serving their needs.

e) To serve as a clearinghouse and catalyst to identify, articulate and support the needs and concerns of the American and global Hungarian community.

f) To publish newsletters, books, and other materials, both in print and by electronic means, to promote the good name and reputation of the Federation and of Hungarians in America, and to facilitate communication among and awareness by Federation members of each other's activities.

g) To apply the proceeds of insurance and investment activity to support the charitable endeavors and efforts of the membership and other organizations which serve any of the foregoing purposes.

Language - Seal - Motto - Official Publication

3. The official language of the Federation is English. The Hungarian language may be used by choice. The seal of the Federation is encircled with the inscription bearing the name of the Federation. In its center is an angel with outstretched wings, holding the Gospel in one hand and a trumpet in the other. The motto of the Federation is: "Si Deuspro nobis quis contra nos?" ("If God be for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31).

The official publication of the Federation is the Fratemity- Testveriseg.

ARTICLE II GOVERNMENT Legislation - Administration

4. The highest legislative body of the Federation is the Convention, which meets quadrennially.

5. The Federation is governed 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. There may be two classes of members in each branch - Regular or Insurance members, and Social or Non-insurance members. Each branch shall elect its own officers and conduct its local affairs.

7. Between Conventions, the branches may originate legislation, except for amendments to the By-laws, in the following manner: if the majority of the adult members of the branch present and voting accept the matter proposed for legislation , the same shall be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board, who shall bring it before the Board of Directors. If the majority of the members of the Board of Directors agree to refer the proposed legislation in the form of a motion to the branches, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, in consultation with the President-CEO, shall forward a copy of the motion to each branch for its vote. Any such motion shall include the date upon which the proposed legislation is to become effective. Each branch shall hold a meeting to vote on the motion within thirty (30) days from the date of mailing of the copy of the motion by the President-CEO. The vote of each branch is determined by the majority of the adult voting members present and voting at the meeting. The vote of each branch may be only "yes” or "no”, because a branch does not have the right to change the motion. The branches shall send the results of the vote taken to the President-CEO within sixty (60) days after the meeting. In the event results of the vote of any branch are not received in a timely fashion hereunder, such branch shall be deemed to have cast a “no” vote. The President-CEO shall acknowledge the receipt thereof and immediately report the results to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and the branches.

MEETINGS

Procedure - Discussion - Quorum - Voting

8. There are two kinds of meetings of the Federation: regular and special. Regular meetings are those prescribed in these By-Laws: Conventions, meetings of the Board of Directors, meetings of the Executive Committee, and branch meetings. Special meetings are called pursuant to the appropriate provisions of these By-Laws.

9. The Chairman of the Board of Directors will preside at the Convention. Board of Directors meetings, and Executive Committee meetings. The President of the branch shall preside at branch meetings. The Presiding Officer may vote only in the event of a tie vote, or when his vote may have an effect upon the outcome of the motion. It is the duty of the Presiding Officer to order a secret ballot if ten percent (10%) of the members present request it. A member may speak only once on a question. The Presiding Officer may grant him the right to speak a second time only if he has been personally challenged. The maker of the motion shall have the right of the closing remarks in the discussion.

10. The Convention, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or branches have the right to act only if the following quorum of the respective membership is present:

a) Fifty percent (50%) of the members of the Convention;

b) Sixty-five percent (65%>) of the members of the Board of Directors;

c) All members of the Executive Committee;

d) At least five (5) voting members at the annual and regular meetings of the branch;

e) Five percent (5%) of the voting membership at any special meeting.

If the quorum is not present at the first meeting of a branch for the election of delegates to the Convention, a second meeting shall automatically be called one week later at the same location and time. Those present, regardless of number, shall constitute a quorum.

11. The calculation and tally of any votes taken at any meeting, or in accordance with the provisions of Section 12 herein, shall be based