Proceedings of the Convention of the Equal Rights and Educational Association of Georgia (1866)/Part 7
CONSTITUTION OF SUBORDINATE EQUAL RIGHTS
AND EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
PREAMBLE.
We, the friends of impartial justice, believing that in union there is strength, do organize ourselves into an Association to secure for all: 1st, equal political rights; 2d, assistance for the destitute; and 3d, the education and elevation of the people.
ART. I—the name—The name of this Association shall be the Equal Rights and Educational Association ofCounty, No.
ART. II—officers—The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Chaplain, an Examining Committee of three, an Executive Committee of five, and a Financial Committee of six.
ART. III—The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chaplain shall be elected by ballot annually, at the first meeting in January. All the committees shall be filled by the President on the night of his election, or so soon after as may be practicable. All officers are to continue until their places are filled. Vacancies may be filled at any of the regular meetings.
ART. IV—duties of officers—Sec 1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings; to call an extra meeting whenever he may deem it advisable, or upon the request of five members, to initiate new members, and to perform all duties that may devolve upon him by the Constitution and By-Laws.
2. It shall be the duty of the Vice President, in the absence of the President, to perform his duties.
3. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a true and impartial record of the doings of the Association, and in the absence of the President and Vice President to call extra meetings of the Association by the request of five members, and attend to such other duties as the Association may direct.
4. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to take charge of, and safely keep, all monies and other property intrusted to him by the Association, and pay out the same only upon a requisition drawn according to the vote of the Association and signed by the President and Secretary. He shall report once a quarter, and as much oftener as the society may direct. He shall give to the President a bond in such sum as the Association may require for the faithful performance of his duties.
5. The Chaplain shall open all the meetings with prayer.
6. The Executive Committee shall faithfully attend to all duties imposed on them from time to time, making a report when called upon.
7. It shall be the duty of the Examining Committee carefully to examine all propositions for membership to the Association, and when received by a Constitutional vote to examine candidates before initiated, and report to the President upon the same.
8. It shall be the duty of the Financial Committee to make all necessary arrangements for furnishing the Association with needed funds, and shall perform such other duties as the society may require of them.
ART. V—membership— Sec 1st. All persons who desire to become members of this Association shall first be proposed by a member in writing, stating name, age, business and residence.
2. The proposition shall be handed to the Examining Committee, who shall report upon the same as soon as practicable, either approving or disapproving.
3. After the committee have reported, a ballot shall be taken and if a majority vote in favor of the candidate he shall be declared elected,
4. After the candidate has been elected he shall be initiated as soon as practicable.
5. The candidates presenting themselves, the following questions shall be proposed to them by the Examining Committee: Will you do all in your power to alleviate the wants of the destitute, to assist in educating the people, to secure to all persons equal political rights, and defend and protect the Constitution and laws of the United States?
6. If the candidate shall answer each of the above questions in the affirmative, he shall be conducted into the room of the Association by the chairman of the Examining Committee, and be introduced to the President; after which, the candidates shall sign the Constitution and pay a fee of twenty-five cents, and be declared members of the Association.
ART. VI—representatives—When two or more Subordinate Associations shall have been organized in any county, they shall elect one representative for every twenty-five members, who, together with the President and Vice President, shall form a County Association.
ART. VII—This Association is authorized to make any By-Laws not in conflict with the State or County Associations.
ART. VIII—The meetings of this Association may be public or private.
ART. IX—The members of one Subordinate Association shall have the privilege of attending the meetings of all Subordinate Associations.
ART. X—The Treasurer of this Association shall pay into the Treasury of the State Association, twenty-five cents for each of its members and take a receipt for the same signed by the President of the State Association, and Secretary of the Council.