ESTONIAN ARCHIVES IN THE U.S., INC.
Constitution
ARTICLE I, NAME
The name of the Corporation is Estonian Archives in the U.S., Inc.
ARTICLE II, PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to promote means and opportunities for the education and enlightenment of the public in the Estonian culture and heritage; to study and research Estonian literature and history; to solicit, collect, preserve and exhibit Estonian artifacts, books, art, literature and all materials concerning Estonian culture and heritage; to promote exhibitions, lectures and research and visits to the archives for the edification of the public and to develop an understanding of the Estonian history, heritage and folklore; to provide facilities and areas conductive to furthering these aims.
ARTICLE III, SCOPE
The Corporation is a non-profit organization. This Corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for educational, literary and scientific purposes to promote and preserve Estonian cultural and historic heritage for public benefit.
ARTICLE IV, MEMBERSHIP
Organizations interested in furthering the objectives of the Corporation may be admitted to the membership. Membership classes, application procedures and dues are established in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE V, MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS
Voting rights of membership are established in the By-Laws. All members are entitled to receive such notices and publications of the Corporation as may be issued during their membership.
ARTICLE VI, MEETINGS
The Annual Meeting of the Corporation is held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may designate. Special Meetings may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or by the membership as established in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII, ADMINISTRATION
The affairs and the property of the Corporation are managed by the Board of Directors. The Board is composed of elective Officers and such other Directors as may be established in the By-Laws. The President, the Vice-President, the Secretary and the Treasurer are Officers of the Corporation and are elected to perform their as provided by the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VIII, CONTROL OF ASSETS
The Board of Directors may accept any contribution or legacy or gift for the Corporation. No part of the Corporation’s income is distributable to its members, delegates, Directors or Officers and the Corporation shall not have or issue shares of stock or pay dividends.
ARTICLE IX, DISSOLUTION
The dissolution of the Corporation shall be decided by the General Meeting of Annual Members, the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Annual Members required for enactment. A motion by the Board of Directors for dissolution shall be communicated to members at least fourteen days prior to the General Meeting called to decide said motion.
In the event of dissolution, the residual assets shall be transferred as determined by the General Meeting, to another non-profit organization with purposes and programs similiar to those of the Corporation.
ARTICLE X, OTHER PROVISIONS
No substantsial part of the activities of this Corporation shall consist of carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence proposed or pending legislation. It shall not participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
ARTICLE XI, AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and/or the By-Laws of this Corporation may be changed and/or amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Annual Members voting within thirty days after mailing of ballots. The changes may be initiated either by the Board of Directors, or by petition of at least one-third of Annual Members, addressed to the Secretary.