Fraternity-Testvériség, 2004 (82. évfolyam, 2-4. szám)

2004-10-01 / 4. szám

BY-LAWS of the

HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION of AMERICA

Founded 1896

2004 EDITI ON

As amended and revised by the Convention held from September 20-22, 2004, Ligonier-Greensburg, Pennsylvania

ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION

Name- Date of Organization -1 ncorporation - 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 mántán and support the social and fraterná culture, heritage, language and religious traditions of H ungari ans i n A meri ca.

b) To provide life insurance and other investment opportunities to help secure the financial wál- bei ng and future of its members and the r f ami I i es.

c) To foster a sense of community among Hungarian- A meri cans 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 tha'r ethnic and cultural haitage.

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

i. El dal y - by owning, supporting and

opaating the Bethlen Home in Ligonia, Pennsylvania, and establishing and mántáning otha facilities which provide a healthy and nurturing living environment for individuás with parti cui ar emphasi s on those i ndi vi dud s with special needs due to age or infirmity.

i i. Y outh - by awardi ng sehol ar-shi ps from a Student Aid and Loan Fund to qualifying and desaving Fedaation mem-bas; by supporting summa youth camps; and by reaching out to actively involve young individuás in the leadaship of the Feda-áion and in the

development and implementál on of programs 9ervi ng the r needs.

e) To serve as a clearinghouse aid cááystto identify, articuláe and support the needs and concans of theAmaican and globá Hungarian community.

f) To publish newslátas, books, and otha máaiás, both in print and by electronic means, to promote the good name and reputáion of the Fedaáion and of Hungaians in Amaica, and to facilitate communi cái on among and awaeness by Fedaáion membasof each otha'sactivities.

g) To apply the proceeds of insurance and investment activity to support the chaitable endeavors and efforts of the membaship and otha organi záions which 9erve any of the foregoing purposes.

Language-Seal -Motto-Official Publication

3. The official language of the Fedaáion is English. The Hungaian language may be used by choice. The seal of the Fedaáion is encircled with the inscription bearing the name of the Fedaáion. In its centa is an angá with outstretched wings, holding the Gospel in one hand and a trumpet in the otha. The motto of the Fedaáion is: “ S Deus pro nobis quis contra nos?” (“If God be for us who can be against us?’ -Romans 8:31).

The official publicáion of the Fedaáion is the Fratanity- Testvaiseg.

ARTICLE II GOVERNMENT Legislation - Administration

4. The highest legisláive body of the Fedaáion is the Convention, which meetsquadrenniály.

5. The Fedaáion is govaned báween Conventions by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shál not have the powa to amend the By-Laws of the Fedaáion.

Administration and Refaendum of the Branches

6. The Fedaáion is composed of branches. Thae may be two classes of membas in each branch - Regula or Insurance membas, and Sociá or Non-insurance membas. Each branch shál áect itsownofficasand conduct its local áfárs.

7. Báween Conventions, the branches may origináe legisláion, except for amendments to the By-laws, in the following manna: if the majority of the adult membas of the branch present and voting accept the matta proposed for legisláion, the same shál be forwarded to the Chár of the Boad, who shál bring it before the Boad of Directors. If the majority of the membas of the Boad of Directors agree to ráa the proposed legisláion in the form of a motion to the branches, the Chár of the Boad of Directors, in consultáion with the President, shall forward a copy of the motion to each branch for its vote. Any such motion shál include the dáe upon which the proposed legisláion is to become áfective. Each branch shál hold a meáing to vote on the motion within thirty (30) days from the dáe of mái ing of the copy of the motion by the President. The vote of each branch is dáamined by the majority of the adult voting membas present and voting á the meáing. 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 shá I send the results of the vote taken to the President within sixty (60) days áta the meáing. In the event results of the vote of any branch are not received i n a timáy fashion haeunda, such branch shál be deemed to have cast a “ no” vote. The Presi dent shal I acknowledge the reca pt