Home Page

Links

House of Boyd

Genealogy

Scottish Heritage
United We Stand Boyd Cap Badge


Guestbook
The Bylaws


Article I
NAME AND ORGANIZATION


Section 1. THE NAME of this organization shall be THE HOUSE OF BOYD SOCIETY and it shall hereafter be referred to as THE SOCIETY.

Section 2. THE SOCIETY was formed on October 15, 1988 at an organizational meeting held at the STONE MOUNTAIN HIGHLAND GAMES.

Section 3. THE SOCIETY shall be incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of North Carolina and in the name of THE HOUSE OF BOYD SOCIETY, LTD.

Section 4. THE HEADQUARTERS of the Society shall be permanently located and situated at Grandfather Mountain Post Office Box 316, Banner Elk, North Carolina 28604. However correspondence with Officials of the Society may be directed to each Official's Home Address.

Section 5. THE OFFICIAL SEAL of the Society shall be the "CONFIDO EMBLEM" Which is a part of the Boyd Family COAT OF ARMS.

Section 6. THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Society shall be held at a Time and Place which shall be designated by the Executive Board as set forth in Article VII.



Article II
PURPOSE

Section 1. THE PURPOSE of the Society shall be to keep alive and perpetuate the Boyd Family, its allied families and their descendants whose ancestors originated in Scotland.

Section 2. TO PROMOTE and assist members with their genealogical research of the Boyd family.

Section 3. TO MAINTAIN and perpetuate a genealogical record of the Boyd family.

Section 4. TO PROMOTE and perpetuate Scottish heritage, customs and traditions; and to establish friendships with other Scottish Families or Groups particularly those in Scotland and other countries.

Section 5. TO PROMOTE and sponsor State, Regional, National and International Gatherings of the Boyd Family.

Section 6. TO PROVIDE for the growth of the Society through the Court of the Lord Lyon, H. M. New Register House, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Section 7. TO SPONSOR such projects from time to time that would encourage good citizenship among our youth and would perpetuate our Scottish heritage and Customs.



ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP


Section 1. TO QUALIFY for membership in the Society one must be a lineal descendant of The Boyd or an allied family, or one must be married to a member who is a lineal descendant of a Boyd.

Section 2. THE SOCIETY shall have the following classes of membership:

(A) INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP shall be open to all who qualify and who stay in good financial standing with the Society.

(B) FAMILY MEMBERSHIP shall be open to families consisting of husband and wife and/or children seventeen (17) years and under who qualify in all respects as individual members.

(C) LIFE MEMBERSHIP shall be open to all who qualify as individual members and pay such dues as set by the Society, and placed in a trust fund, or as requested by the lord Kilmarnock.

(D) HONORARY MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE OPEN to those persons, as determined by the Executive Board, Who have made outstanding contributions to the Society and to its Scottish Heritage And traditions or as requested by the Lord Kilmarnock.

(E) PATRON MEMBERSHIP is hereby extended to any member wishing to donate to the Society.

Section 3. ALL MEMBERS who have attained their eighteenth (18th) birthday and who are in good standing with the Society shall be entitled to One (1) vote on all matters to be voted on by the Society.

Section 4. ALL MEMBERSHIPS shall be for a period of one (1) year and shall begin on January 1st or July 1st of each calendar year; and all applications for membership must be accompanied by the current membership fee.

Section 5. ALL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES shall be set by the Executive Board.

Section 6. A ONE-TIME administrative fee shall be paid with each new membership application which shall be used by the Secretary to promote and perpetuate the genealogical record keeping of the Society.

Section 7. MEMBERSHIPS may be terminated if one has not paid the current fees within 120 days after the date on which it was due.

Section 8. A MEMBER, regardless of class of membership, who has brought grievious harm to the Society shall be dropped from the rolls of The Society by three quarters (3/4) affirmative vote of The Executive Board.



ARTICLE IV
ELECTIONS


SECTION 1. THE ELECTION of officers and Members of the Executive Board of Directors shall be held and announced at the AGM. At this meeting The Society shall:

(A) Elect its officers for a term of two (2) years as follows:

President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer

(B) Elect four (4) Members at large to its Executive Board of Directors for a term of four (4) years; and

(C) The Executive Board of Directors shall conduct and handle all aspects of the elections for the Society.

SECTION 2. OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS may be elected to succeeding terms.

SECTION 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS shall be by simple majority of votes cast by ballots. Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.

SECTION 4. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ELECTION as an officer or as a member of the Executive Board, One must be a member in good standing with the Society.

SECTION 5. A MEMBER shall be allowed to hold only one (1) elected office at a time, but may hold an appointive office concurrently.

SECTION 6. ONLY ONE MEMBER of a household may be elected to an office in the Society.

SECTION 7. THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE for the Society shall be the Executive Board. The Board shall handle it nominating process in the following manner:

(A) THE EXECUTIVE BOARD SHALL PUBLISH a list of all Offices and Board positions to be filled in the Dean Road.

(B) NOMINATIONS shall be made to the Executive Board for each position not later than the 10th of February before elections.

(C) ALL NOMINATIONS

.....(1) must be in writing

.....(2) must name the person and office

.....(3) must include a brief resume; and

.....(4) must verify that they would serve if elected.

(D) THE EXECUTIVE BOARD SHALL RECOMMEND a slate of officers to the Society, and shall publish its NOMINATION REPORT AND OFFICIAL BALLOT in the Dean Road.

(E) IN THE EVENT OF NO NOMINATIONS or declarations of candidacy being received in accordance with the by-laws, the incumbent shall continue in office.

SECTION 8. ALL VOTES shall be cast by using the Official Ballot or a reasonable facsimile, by signing their signature. Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.

SECTION 9. ALL BALLOTS shall be received or postmarked by no later than 15 days before the election date. Ballots post-marked or received after that shall not be allowed. All ballots must be signed..

SECTION 10. THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE for the Society shall be the Executive Board. The Board shall handle it nominating process in the following manner:

(A) THE EXECUTIVE BOARD SHALL PUBLISH a list of all Offices and Board positions to be filled in the Dean Road.

(B) NOMINATIONS shall be made to the Executive Board for each position not later than February before the Election.

(C) ALL NOMINATIONS

.....(1) must be in writing;

.....(2) must name the person and office;

.....(3) must include a brief resume; and

.....(4) must verify that he would serve if elected.

(D)THE EXECUTIVE BOARD SHALL RECOMMEND a slate of officers to the Society, and shall publish its NOMINATION REPORT and OFFICIAL BALLOT in the April issue of THE DEAN ROAD.

SECTION 11. THE TRANSITION of the outgoing OFFICERS to the incoming OFFICERS shall take place immediately following the election of Officers and Board members. The newly elected Officers shall be given all of the records and items pertaining to that office, either then or within twenty (20) thereafter to wit:

(A) The President shall receive the gavel, charter, President's files, and all other records pertaining to his office.

(B) The Vice-President shall receive all records pertaining to his office.

(C) The Secretary shall receive all records, membership rolls, files, correspondence, the Seal of the Society, and all other items pertaining to his office; and

(D) The transition of the Treasurer's Office shall be conducted in the following manner:

.....(1) The Treasurer shall receive all records, financial reports, bank accounts, check books, cancelled checks, and all other items pertaining to his office;

.....(2) The outgoing Treasurer shall transfer immediately or within twenty (20) days thereof all funds of the Society to a depository approved of and designated by the Executive Board;

.....(3) Prior to the transfer of funds, the Executive Board shall cause an audit to be made of the outgoing Treasurer's records and

.....(4) The incoming Treasurer shall be bonded in an amount designated by the Executive Board.



ARTICLE V
EXECUTIVE BOARD


SECTION 1. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall be the Governing Body of The Society and shall be in charge of its affairs including the management and control of its Business, Funds and Properties.

SECTION 2. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall be made up of the President and the Four (4) Members elected to the Executive Board.

SECTION 3. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall serve as the Nominating Committee for The Society as set forth in Article IV, and shall conduct the Elections for The Society.

SECTION 4. THE CHAIRMAN of the Executive Board shall be the President of The Society.

SECTION 5. ALL MEETINGS shall be held at a time and place or in a manner designated by the Chairman, and the Executive Board.

SECTION 6. A QUORUM of the Executive Board shall consist of a simple majority of its members.

SECTION 7. VOTING BY MEMBERS may be done in Person, by Proxy, by Telephone, or by Written Ballot submitted to the Chairman prior to the meeting, due to their vast distances from each other.

SECTION 8. ALL GRIEVANCES by members or others shall be directed to the President who shall then convey it to the Executive Board who shall act on it promptly.

SECTION 9. NO OFFICIAL BUSINESS of The Society shall be conducted at any meeting or gathering of members without prior approval of the Executive Board.

SECTION 10. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall approve the expenditure of all funds.

SECTION 11. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall oversee and be responsible for all the aspects of the management and publication of THE DEAN ROAD as set forth in Article X.

SECTION 12. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall have the power and authority to remove any Officer or other Official, whether elected or appointed, from his Office for: .....(1) failure to perform the duties of office; .....(2) for just cause; or .....(3) for refusing to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned by the President or Executive Board.

SECTION 13. VACANCIES IN OFFICE in the Society shall be filled by Appointment by the President with approval by the Executive Board.

SECTION 14. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND PRESIDENT shall have the authority to appoint Commissioners or Convenors or other Representatives to officially represent The Society in specific areas, states, regions or other localities; and to represent it in specific matters and for specific things and events.

SECTION 15. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall have the authority to amend or revise the By-laws of The Society pursuant to Article IX.



ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS

SECTION 1. THE OFFICERS of the Society shall be made up of:

...(1) a President; ...(2) a Vice-President; ...(3) a Secretary; ...(4) a Treasurer.

SECTION 2. THE PRESIDENT

(A) Shall conduct and preside at all meetings of The Society, and shall represent The Society at all functions;

(B) Shall appoint all committees, regular and special, necessary to carry on the functions of The Society;

(C) Shall make interim appointments to fill any vacancies of an elected official or other such vacancy in the Society as it may occur from time to time. However, such appointments must be made with the approval of the Executive Board;

(D) Shall sign all contracts with the secretary that have been first approved by the Executive Board;

(E) Shall serve as chairman and as member of all committees:

(F) Shall call all meetings of the Society and the Executive Board;

(G) Shall appoint all committees (Budget, Membership, Planning, Special, Etc.) As soon as possible after the general elections with the advice and consent of the Executive Board. The chairman of each committee may recommend two or three members for their committee;

(H) Shall co-sign with the Treasurer all bank accounts of The Society;

(I) Shall perform such other duties as may be designated from time to time by the Executive Board:

(J) Shall confer with the Officers from time to time, seeking their advice and keeping them appraised of the affairs of the Society.

SECTION 3. THE VICE-PRESIDENT

(A)Shall perform the duties of the President in his absence:

(B) Shall serve as chairman of the Program Committee;

(C) Shall serve as the coordinator for all meetings and gatherings of the Society;

(D) Shall perform such other duties as may be designated from time to time by President or the Executive Board.

SECTION 4. THE SECRETARY

(A) Shall keep the permanent records of the Society;

(B) Shall keep a permanent record of the membership of the Society, and a permanent record of the minutes of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY.

(C) Shall sign with the President all contracts and other documents on behalf of the Society; and

(D) Shall perform such other duties as may be designated from time to time by President or the Executive Board.

(E) Shall forward a copy of all membership applications to the President, Editor and Genealogist, and forward all funds to the Treasurer.

SECTION 5. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OR CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES shall perform such tasks as may be designated from time to time by the President or by the Executive Board.

SECTION 6. A CORRESPONDING SECRETARY to represent the Society in Scotland may be named by the Executive Board. Such a corresponding secretary must be a citizen and resident of Scotland bearing the surname of Boyd or be a member in good standing of the Kilmarnock Historical Society. Such a secretary shall perform such duties as may be designated from time to time by the President or the Executive Board.

SECTION 7. THE TREASURER SHALL:

(A) Keep a permanent record of all financial matters of the Society;

(B) Have charge and be responsible for all funds of the Society;

(C) Co-sign with the President all checks that shall be drawn on the Society;

(D) Make a bi-annual reports to the President, The Executive Board, and to the general membership by publishing such report in the Dean Road;

(E) Prepare the annual budget with the advice and consent of the Executive Board;

(F) Be bonded in an amount set by the Executive Board;

(G) Cause an annual audit to be made in time to be presented at the Annual General Meeting;

(H) Serve as an ex-officio member of the finance committee;

(I) Shall not disburse any Fund or pay any Debts or Bills without prior approval of the President or by the Executive Board; and

(J) Perform such other duties as may be designated from time to time by President or the Executive Board.

SECTION 8. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. The Executive Board shall have the power and authority to remove an officer for failure to perform the duties of his office as set forth in Article V Section 12.

SECTION 9. VACANCIES in the office of Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer of The Society shall be filled by the Executive Board and those appointed shall serve until the next election.

SECTION 10. VACANCIES ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall be filled by the President with the approval of the Executive Board and those appointed shall serve until the next election.

SECTION 11. VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT shall be filled by the Vice-President and he shall serve until the next election.



ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS

SECTION 1. THERE SHALL BE AN ANNUAL MEETING of The Society which shall be known as the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

SECTION 2. THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of The Society shall be held at a time and place which shall be designated by the Executive board.

SECTION 3. NOTICE OF THE AGM MEETING of The Society shall be given at the yearly AGM, and the notice shall be published in the next issue of The Dean Road.

SECTION 4. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall be held at the call of the President or at the request of the Executive Board.

SECTION 5. REASONABLE NOTICE of the meetings of the Executive Board shall be given in advance and shall set forth the time and place and the purpose of the meeting.

SECTION 6. ALL MEETINGS shall be conducted by Roberts Rules of order.



ARTICLE VIII
SERVICES, EXPENSES, AND FUNDS

SECTION 1. MEMBERS HOLDING OFFICE or members serving in any capacity in the Society are expected to serve on a voluntary basis and are expected to do so without pay.

SECTION 2. ALL LEGITIMATE EXPENSES incurred by officers and others on behalf of and which are necessary to carry on the day-to-day business of the Society shall be promptly reimbursed.

SECTION 3. ALL FUNDS generated from membership fees, sale of merchandise, and undesignated gifts shall go into the General Treasury Fund and it shall be used to carry on the business of the Society.



ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. THESE BY-LAWS may be revised, amended or rescinded from time to time by an affirmative vote of the members of the Executive Board of Directors provided, however, that the Board shall first publish in The Dean Road such proposed changes.

SECTION 2. PROPOSED CHANGES MAY BE MADE BY Members of the Society by submitting such recommendations in writing to the President who shall bring it before The Executive Board for full consideration.



ARTICLE X
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

SECTION 1. THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION of The Society shall be THE DEAN ROAD and it shall be published in the form of a newsletter at least quarterly. This shall be the only publication of The Society.

SECTION 2. THE SOCIETY recognizes the importance of THE DEAN ROAD to its image and in getting notices and information to its members in a timely and accurate manner.

SECTION 3. THE SOCIETY recognizes that the Editor of THE DEAN ROAD is one of the most important positions within its organization and that extreme care should be exercised in making the appointment to this position.

SECTION 4. CONSEQUENTLY, THE EXECUTIVE BOARD shall be vested with the full power and authority:

(A) To oversee all aspects of the management and publication of THE DEAN ROAD;

(B) To select and appoint the Editor of THE DEAN ROAD for such period of time as it sees fit to do so; and

(C) To remove the Editor from office for just cause or for being in the best interest of The Society.

SECTION 5. THE EDITOR of THE DEAN ROAD shall:

(A) Be generally in charge of editing and publishing the newsletter;

(B) Be in charge of assembling and organizing all items and the accuracy of all items and articles that shall be published;

(C) Be responsible for publishing and getting it out to the members of The Society in a timely fashion; and

(D) Be accountable and responsible to the Executive Board for all acts and things done.



ARTICLE XII
GENEALOGIST

SECTION 1. THE GENEALOGIST shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.

SECTION 2. THE GENEALOGIST shall maintain the Genealogical Records of the members of The Society.



ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION

SECTION 1. IN THE EVENT of the termination or dissolution of The Society, all assets shall be conveyed to an organization(s) qualified as a charitable or educational organization (s) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, and no part thereof shall be given to any individual.



ARTICLE XII
CHIEF OF THE SOCIETY

SECTION 1. THE HOUSE OF BOYD SOCIETY recognizes as its permanent CHIEF, The Lord Kilmarnock, Alastair Ivor Gilbert Boyd, 7th Baron of Kilmarnock and the successor male descendent of the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, and his successor heirs.

THE LORD KILMARNOCK has been officially recognized as the Head of the Boyd Family by the Court of Lord Lyon, H.M. New Register House Edinburgh, Scotland. He is a member of the House of Lords.

SECTION 2. THE LORD KILMARNOCK, Alastair Ivor Gilbert Boyd has officially designated The House of Boyd Society as the only Boyd Family organization in North America that he will recognize and sanction.



THESE BY-LAWS, after having been published in The Dean Road, were duly adopted by an affirmative vote of Two thirds (2/3) of the members present at the Annual General Meeting of The Society at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games on the Eight Day of July, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Five.



THE HOUSE OF BOYD SOCIETY

By William G Barneyback (SEAL)

Dr. William G. Barneyback

PRESIDENT

ATTEST:

Marilyn Boyd DeReggi (SEAL)

Marilyn Boyd DeReggi

SECRETARY


Note: The actual signatures are on file.

Note: These bylaws are a faithful transcription as written in 1995 including all redundencies and typographical errors such as the last three articles having the number XII.


©House of Boyd Society, 1995-2001
©1997 Cal Boyd, Last update 27 April, 2001