BYLAWS 

Article I 

NAME 

The name of the Society is the Rutherford Historic
Preservation Society (also referred to as “ RHPS”
or “The Society”). 

Article II 

PURPOSE 

To preserve and disseminate the history of
Rutherford. 

Preservation Includes. 

1) Maintaining a list of historic properties and districts throughout the
borough. 

2) Recognition of notable individuals, families and events that have
contributed to the history of Rutherford. 

3) Participate, whenever possible, in historic ceremonies and 

borough sponsored events. 

4) Assist other borough organizations, businesses and 

individuals with historic tributes. 

Dissemination includes. 

1) Publishing a newsletter periodically throughout the year. 

2) Hosting media presence through a website and facebook page. 

3) Provide historic education through publications and open public meetings.

(Addendum 1a)

4) No substantial part of the activities of the organization is carrying on (political)

propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. Additionally, the

organization does not participate or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing

of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Article III 

MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1. Class of Membership 

Individual: Membership consisting of one person. 

Family: Members of the immediate family including children eligible for student membership.

Student: Those 13 to 21 years of age attending school or college. 

Senior Citizen: Those 62 years of age or older. 

Organization: An established nonprofit entity. 

Sponsor: An individual, group or organization that supports and/or promotes the Society, Corporate: Companies that donate funds or resources to the Society. Lifetime: A membership for the lifetime of the Society. 

Honorary: Individuals the Society wishes to honor for exceptional contributions to historic preservation. 

Section 2. Membership Dues 

Individual: $20 

Family: $40 

Student: $15 

Senior Citizen: $15 

Organization: $50 

Sponsor: $100 

Corporate: $250 

Lifetime: $500 

Honorary: Complimentary 

Section 3. Dues Collection 

Dues are payable annually, starting upon enrollment and thereafter on the enrollment anniversary.

Article IV 

OFFICERS, DUTIES AND TERMS 

Section 1. Officers 

Officers of the Society shall be a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Media Manager and Project Manager. Officers shall be nominated and elected by a majority Quorum vote and will serve for a two year term. 

Section 2. Duties of the Officers 

a) The Chairperson supervises all activities of the Society according to the rules within the bylaws. The Chairperson presides over and prepares agendas for all meetings. The Chairperson has signature authority for all Society funds in case of the absence of the Treasurer. 

b) The Vice Chairperson assists with the Chairperson duties and assumes the Chairperson's responsibilities in the event of absence, incapacity or resignation. 

c) The Treasurer safeguards the Society’s funds and maintains financial records. The Treasurer is responsible for all accounts receivable and payable. The Treasurer maintains the Society checking account with a reputable bank and reports on all 

transactions at each executive meeting. All expenditures must be approved for and voted on by the Executive Committee. 

d) The Secretary records Society meeting minutes and presents them for review and approval at the following meeting. The Secretary reviews and maintains a record of all Society correspondences. 

e) The Social Media Manager creates and maintains the content on the Society’s website and Facebook pages. Content and posts include 1) Society news and events and 2) links to additional historic information. 

f) The Project Manager prepares and maintains a list of all Society projects. The list contains committee responsibilities, assignments and timelines. Status and progress reports shall be prepared and presented at each executive meeting.

 (Addendum 1b) Executive Committee

g) The Executive Committee consists of all officers and trustees and will be on a

volunteer basis only. The members of the Executive Committee shall not receive any

compensation of any kind for their service.

h) No part of net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any private

shareholder or individual.

Section 3 Nomination and Elections 

The Society Executives nominate and elect Officers by majority Quorum vote. The Officers serve a two year term. 

Section 4 Vacancy of Office 

In the event that an office becomes vacant, a special nomination and election shall take place at the next subsequent meeting.

Article V 

MEETINGS 

Section 1 Executive Committee Meeting 

Executive Committee meetings shall be held monthly at a time and place to be determined on a month by month basis. Attendees include Society Officers, Trustees, advisors and invited guests only. 

Section 2 Member Meeting 

Member Meetings shall be open to all Society members and held periodically at a time and place to be determined. The purpose of Member Meetings is to inform members about Society status, projects and upcoming events. Members have the opportunity to discuss the Society’s impact, make suggestions or offer help with future projects or events. 

Section 3 General Meeting 

General meeting shall be open to the general public and be held at a time and place to be determined. The main purpose for General Meetings is to promote the Society and to encourage membership. The Society’s goals, services and historic preservation efforts shall be presented. 

Section 4 Quorum 

A Quorum, consisting of a simple majority of Executive Committee members, and is required for all Society votes. All Society votes shall be made by a simple majority of the Quorum. 

Article VI 

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY 

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all proceedings of the Society except when superseded by these Bylaws.

Article VII 

COMMITTEES 

Section 1 Committees 

The Committees shall be the Executive, Property, Thematic, Event and Social Media 

a) The Executive Committee consists of the Society Officers and Original Founders, (hereinafter referred to as “Trustees”) and shall be responsible for all Society activities. Additional members may be added by a majority Quorum vote, at the discretion of The Executive Committee. 

b) The Property Committee identifies residential or commercial properties possessing a unique historic architecture, architect or builder, or being the site of a historic event. 

c) The Thematic Committee identifies and acknowledges individuals, families and districts that have contributed to the heritage of Rutherford. 

d) The Events Committee plans and organizes members and volunteers for all external Society functions. 

e) The Social Media Committee creates and maintains the Society’s website, Facebook pages and email account and is responsible for all public 

announcements, promotions and correspondences. 

Section 2 Additional Committees 

Additional Committees shall be established, when necessary, at the discretion of the Executive Committee by a majority Quorum vote. 

Section 3 Committee Goals 

Committees shall be responsible for the planning and fulfillment of assigned projects and preparing progress reports to be presented at Executive Committee meetings. 

Article VIII 

FINANCIAL STRUCTURE 

Section 1 Fiscal Year 

The Fiscal Year of the Society shall be the calendar year. 

Section 2 Budget 

The Society Budget shall be prepared and approved by a majority Quorum vote of the Executive Committee at the beginning of each Fiscal year.

Section 3 Disbursements 

Upon approval of the budget, the Treasurer is authorized to make disbursements voted on and approved by majority Quorum vote of the Executive committee. The Treasurer prepares and presents a detailed report of all transactions at each Executive Committee meeting. 

Section 4 Receipts 

All monies received by Society from dues, donations, events and all other sources shall be promptly deposited into the Society bank account. 

Article IX 

AMENDMENT 

Bylaw Amendment 

1) Proposed changes to the Society Bylaws shall be made to and then approved by a majority Quorum vote of the Executive Committee. 

2) The approved amendment is presented to all Society members, in writing, by newsletter and/or website prior to taking effect. 

3) The Amendment is enacted if no written objection is received prior to the following Executive Committee meeting. 

Article X 

DISSOLUTION 

(Addendum 1c)

Upon dissolution of the corporation and after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, the Executive Committee (Officers andTrustees) shall dispose of the remaining assets of the corporation exclusively for one or more exempt purposes, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future federal tax code), or shall distribute the same to the federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by order of the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey in the judicial district where the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purpose or to such organizations organized and operated exclusively for such purposes as said court shall determine.

Article XI 

EFFECTIVE DATE 

The effective date of these Bylaws, being read to and approved by the executive committee is December 13th, 2022.

Addendum (1a,1b,1c)

Approved by the Executive Committee

February 8, 2023

Edward Gajda - Chairman

Rutherford Historic Preservation Society

February 8, 2023