IOWA SOCIETY OF THE MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS CONSTITUTION
Adopted by the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Iowa, 3 May 1941, revised 23 November 1951; 20 November 1954; 19 November 1960; 18 November 1972; 19 November 1994; 6 May 1995; 4 November 2000; 6 May 2004; 6 Nov 2004; 7 May 2005; 5 November 2005; 6 May 2006; 5 May 2007; 6 Nov 2010; 3 November 2012; 2 November 2013; 6 May 2017; 6 November 2021; 4 May 2024.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this Society shall be “The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Iowa, Inc.”
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Society shall be:
SECTION 1. To perpetuate to a remote posterity the memory of our Pilgrim Fathers. To maintain and defend the principle of civil and religious liberty as set forth in the Compact of the Mayflower, “For the glorie of God, and advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our countrie.”
SECTION 2: To cherish and maintain the ideals and institutions of American Freedom, and to oppose any theories of actions that threaten their continuity, to transmit the spirit, the purity of purpose and steadfastness of will of the Pilgrim Fathers to those who shall come after us, an undiminished heritage of liberty and law.
SECTION 3. To promote the interests that are common to all the Member Societies of Mayflower Descendants which can best be served by a federal body, and to secure united effort to discover and publish original matter in regard to the Pilgrims, together with existing data known only to antiquarians, and to authenticate, preserve and mark historical spots made memorable by Pilgrim association.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Requirements
All persons over eighteen (18) years of age who are descended from a passenger on the Mayflower on the voyage which terminated at Plymouth, New England in December, 1620, shall be eligible for adult membership (A). All persons, so descended, who are less than eighteen years of age, shall be eligible for junior membership (B).
A. Adult membership
1. Any prospective member may request the Mayflower Lineage Check Form from the Iowa Society Historian. The furnishing of this form is not to be construed as obligating the Iowa Society, or any officer, or any member thereof.
2. This form, when filled out, is to be submitted to the Iowa Society Historian at iowahistorian@iowamayflower.org and must include the names of the ancestors of each generation from the applicant to the Mayflower passenger through whom application will be made.
3. The application fee shall be the total of the Iowa Society application fee and the annual dues for one (1) year in advance. (See Article III, Section 1 of Bylaws.)
4. When the application is approved by the Historian General and notice is given to the Iowa Society Historian, the member is considered elected on that date. The Iowa Society Historian or Iowa Society Assistant Historian notifies the Historian General of the election date and the Iowa Society number assigned. A copy of the approved application is returned to the Iowa Society Historian for his/her files containing the General Society Number. The Iowa Society Assistant Historian provides a copy of the approved application and membership certificate to the approved member.
5. If an application is rejected, the advanced Iowa Society dues shall be refunded to the applicant. The remainder of the application fee becomes the property of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and is not refundable.
B. Junior membership
1. Any member in good standing in the Iowa Society may make application for a junior membership on behalf of any person under eighteen (18) years of age who has prima facie proved lineage. “Prima facie proven lineage” shall mean that the junior, whose membership is being offered, is related to a present or past member of the Iowa Society, by blood, through the line through which such member was approved by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.
2. Junior members, between the ages of 18 and 25, may transfer to General Society adult membership, by making application for adult membership and paying the application fee and annual dues. When approved by the Historian General, Iowa Society and General Society numbers will be assigned.
3. To encourage Junior members to join the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, the original junior application fee will be deducted from the application fee for adult membership if application is made after age 18 and before their 25th birthday.
C. Friends of the Iowa Society of Mayflower Descendants
1. Family members (spouses, parents, grandparents, step-children, adopted children and half siblings) of an Iowa Society member, not eligible for regular membership, may become a Friend of the Iowa Society by submitting the Iowa Mayflower Society Membership Renewal Form to the Iowa Society Treasurer, and must include the name of the related Iowa Society member.
2. The application fee shall be the published annual fee for Friends membership.
3. Friends of the Iowa Society in good standing who have paid their annual dues shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Iowa Society and receive the newsletter, but may not vote, may not hold elective office, and may not be official members of the Iowa Society.
SECTION 2. Supplemental Lines
Any member who can trace descent from more than one Mayflower ancestor, may apply for supplemental lines of descent and pay an application fee to the Iowa Society for each line. If the supplemental line is rejected, the application fee becomes the property of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and is not refundable. The application procedure for supplemental applications is the same as original applications.
SECTION 3. Copies of Approved Applications
Any member of the Iowa Society may request from the Historian of the Iowa Society a copy of their approved application. Copies of supporting documentation may be requested from the Iowa Society Historian and may have copying and postage charges.
SECTION 4. Expulsion
Any member, for cause of misconduct prejudicial to the interest of the Iowa Society, may be suspended or expelled by two-thirds vote of the Board of Assistants, after being given an opportunity to explain why said member should not be expelled.
Article IV – Transfer, Resignation, and Reinstatement
SECTION 1. Transfers out
Any members of the Iowa Society, desiring to be transferred to another Member Society, may apply to the Treasurer of the Iowa Society for a certificate of good standing, and to the Iowa Society Historian for a notice of transfer.
SECTION 2. Transfers in
1. If a member of the Mayflower Society of another Member Society wishes to join the Iowa Society, such member may present to the Historian of the Iowa Society, a letter requesting transfer and a certificate of good standing in the previous Member Society. The Iowa Society shall require a copy of approved application and payment of such fees as may be currently in effect. Upon receipt and examination of credentials by the Iowa Society Historian, they shall be elected to the Iowa Society, given an Iowa Society Number, and a notice will be sent to the National office.
2. The Iowa Society Historian shall assign an Iowa Society membership number. (The General Society number remains unchanged.)
3. The Iowa Society Historian shall furnish the Historian General a notice of the date of transfer and the Iowa Society number that has been assigned.
SECTION 3. Resignations
Any member in good standing may resign from the Iowa Mayflower Society and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants by notifying the Iowa Society Treasurer in writing. The resignation dates from the date the Iowa Society Treasurer receives the notification. A member who wishes to be reinstated after resignation may be reinstated upon payment of all dues and fees. Such application for reinstatement must be accompanied with payment of dues for the year of resignation, if applicable, and dues for the current year of the reinstatement application. However, reinstatement is not allowed on a rejected line at any time for reinstatement.
SECTION 4. Dropped for non-payment of dues/Reinstatement
A member dropped from the Iowa Society for the non-payment of dues will be reinstated upon payment of all dues and fees.
A. Such application for reinstatement must be accompanied with payment of dues for the year dropped and dues for the current year of the reinstatement application. However, reinstatement is not allowed on a rejected line at any time for reinstatement.
B. Any dropped member, wishing to join another Member Society, must be reinstated in the Iowa Society before transfer can be made.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The Executive Officers of the Iowa Society are:
Deputy Governor General Assistant General
Governor Deputy Governor
Secretary Historian
Treasurer Counselor
A quorum shall consist of five members.
SECTION 2. The Board of Assistants shall consist of the above named officers and include the following:
Captain Surgeon Elder
Assistant Historian Junior Membership Chairman Newsletter Editor
Immediate Past Governor Governor Emeritus
SECTION 3. The term of office shall be for a three (3) year period.
A. The Deputy Governor General, Assistant General, Governor and Deputy Governor can be nominated to succeed themselves for a second three (3) year term, but not to succeed themselves for a third (3) year term, in the same office. They may again become eligible for that same office after an intervening term of three (3) years.
B. All other officers may succeed themselves in the same office for any number of consecutive three-year terms to which they may be elected.
C. The Board of Assistants may appoint to any office not filled, vacated, or created within the Constitution or Bylaws, until the next succeeding election.
D. Duties of all Officers, Assistants, and Standing Committees; Dues; Meetings; Order of Business and Amendments shall be governed by the Bylaws to this Constitution.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. The Constitution and the Bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting of the Iowa Society by a two-thirds vote, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to each member, fifteen days before the meeting.
SECTION 2. Any amendment adopted by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, affecting the work of the Iowa Society, shall become a law of the Iowa Society without notice of amendment to the membership.
BYLAWS
Adopted by the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Iowa, revised 4 May 1991; 19 November 1994; 4 November 2000; 1 May 2004; 6 Nov 2004; 7 May 2005; 5 November 2005; 6 May 2006; 5 May 2007; 6 Nov 2010, 3 November 2012; 2 November 2013; 6 May 2017; 6 November 2021; 4 May 2024.
ARTICLE I – OFFICERS
The Constitution of this Society specifies the following:
SECTION 1. The Executive Officers of the Iowa Society are:
Deputy Governor General Assistant General
Governor Deputy Governor
Secretary Historian
Treasurer Counselor
SECTION 2. The Board of Assistants shall consist of the above named officers and include the following:
Captain Surgeon Elder
Assistant Historian Junior Membership Chairman Newsletter Editor
Immediate Past Governor Governor Emeritus
SECTION 3. Duties of Respective Officers
A. The Deputy Governor General and the Assistant General are ex-officio members of the Board of Assistants.
B. The Governor shall preside at all meetings of the Iowa Society and shall be an officio member of all standing Committees.
C. In the absence or inability of the Governor to preside, the Deputy Governor will assume and perform such duties as pertain to the office of Governor. In the absence of both of the above, the Deputy Governor General will preside.
D. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Counselor. The Governor is chairman of this committee. The Secretary shall render a report to this committee at each meeting.
E. It shall be the duty of the Elder to officiate when called upon at any meeting of the Iowa Society.
F. The Captain shall act as Sergeant-at-Arms, maintaining order and decorum.
G. The Secretary shall keep minutes for all meetings; shall, with the Governor, certify all acts and orders of the Society; and shall conduct personal correspondence of the Iowa Society.
H. (not used)
I. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds and monies of the Iowa Society, for which a surety bond may be given. The amount on the bond shall be determined by the Executive Board. Expense of such bond shall be paid by the Iowa Society.
The Treasurer shall:
a. collect the annual dues,
b. pay out only such sums as the Iowa Society Board of Assistants shall direct,
c. be authorized to pay all bills in the normal routine of business,
d. keep a true account of receipts and disbursements,
e. give a full report at each annual meeting of the Iowa Society,
The books shall be open at all times to the inspection of the Governor and the Board of Assistants. A second signer will be authorized on the account.
Upon receipt of the billing statement from the General Society, the Treasurer shall pay to the General Society, the per capita dues based on membership of the Iowa Society as of December 31 of the previous year, except that no dues shall be paid to the General Society for any member of the Iowa Society who has been excused from paying the annual dues on account of his or her being actively engaged in the armed forces of his or her country of allegiance.
The Treasurer shall maintain an appropriate balance at GSMD to cover application fees.
J. The Historian shall examine and report number of approved and outstanding original and supplemental applications for membership; shall keep a complete list of members and of all lines of descent approved for them; retain a copy of all applications and make an annual report to the Board in writing.
K. The Surgeon shall have been duly admitted to the practice of medicine.
L. The Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Assistant Historian, and Newsletter Editor shall be exempt from the payment of annual dues. All expenses actually incurred by these five named officers, in connection with the duties of their respective offices, shall be paid by the Iowa Society upon presentation of an itemized report to the Treasurer.
M. The Counselor shall be an attorney-at-law and shall render legal aid and opinions upon matters pertaining to the Iowa Society, when requested by the Governor or Board of Assistants, without fee.
N. The Junior Membership Chairman shall keep a record of all Junior membership applications, issue Junior Membership Certificates, make a report at each annual meeting and notify Junior members, approaching 25 years of age, regarding application to the General Society. (Those not wishing to apply for adult membership will be dropped from the membership rolls.). Junior members have no annual dues.
O. The Newsletter Editor shall compile and publish the Iowa Hawkeye Newsletter in a timely fashion so that the notice of any Iowa Society meeting arrives 45 days prior to the event. The Fall issue shall contain the dues notice for the following year.
P. The Immediate Past Governor shall provide advice and assistance to the Board of Assistants in order to assure continuity of operations from the previous administration.
Q. The Governor Emeritus shall provide general guidance and assistance to the Board of Assistants as requested. The Governor Emeritus shall be a non-voting member of the Board. The Governor Emeritus shall have served as Governor of the Iowa Society for at least one term. This position shall be filled at the discretion of the nominating committee.
ARTICLE II – BOARD OF ASSISTANTS AND STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. The Board of Assistants shall have general charge and direction of the affairs of the Iowa Society as prescribed by the Articles of Incorporation. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a vacancy, or the
inability to act, occurs in any elected office of the Iowa Society, the Board of Assistants shall appoint a replacement to that office to serve until the next general election
SECTION 2. The Governor shall be Chairman of the Board of Assistants.
SECTION 3. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings and have them available for the Board of Assistants.
SECTION 4. The Board of Assistants shall appoint the delegates and alternates to the General Society meetings.
SECTION 5. The Governor and Board of Assistants shall appoint committees and fill vacancies occurring on committees. Each standing committee shall consist of three or five members.
SECTION 6. Each committee shall report, through its chairman, at each regular meeting of the Board of Assistants. No committee shall be dissolved until the debts, legally contracted by it, are paid and reported to the Board of Assistants.
SECTION 7. The Board of Assistants may, at any time, authorize the formation of a “Colony” in any district of the State of Iowa when ten (10) members, residing in such district, sign a petition and file it with the Iowa Society. All procedures for elections of the Colony Officials and the titles or designations of the proposed officials shall first be submitted in a written form for approval by the Board of Assistants.
The title of Governor shall not be used in designating any official of the Colony.
ARTICLE III – DUES
SECTION 1. The annual dues of the Iowa Society shall be established each year by the Board of Assistants at the annual meeting and those dues become due and payable prior to December 31, for the succeeding calendar year. The dues of new members shall be considered paid until a year from the following December 31 (one year’s dues are included in the application fee).
SECTION 2. Special assessments shall be made on a per capita basis.
SECTION 3. Any regular member who is in arrears for annual dues on December 31 shall be dropped from the membership rolls. Notification of this, by the Iowa Society Treasurer, shall be made by mail.
SECTION 4. The dues of Iowa Society members who attain 50 years of membership shall be paid by the Iowa Society.
SECTION 5. Annual dues shall be waived for any member of the Iowa Society who is actively engaged in the armed forces of his or her country of allegiance. The Iowa Society member shall resume payment of annual dues in the next dues period after leaving active duty.
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS
SECTION 1. The annual meeting of the Iowa Society shall be held on the first Saturday in May. Ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 2. A semi-annual meeting shall be held in the greater Des Moines area on the first Saturday in November. This meeting shall be known as the Compact Day meeting
SECTION 3. Special meetings
A. The Governor may, at any time, call a special meeting of the Board of Assistants or the Iowa Society. The object of such a special meeting must be stated in the notice.
B. If an urgent matter pertaining to the Iowa Society arises, the Governor, or his/her designee, may contact the members of the Board of Assistants by e-mail or telephone for their opinion. Voting for or against the proposal may be made at this time. A majority vote will prevail concerning the action to be taken.
C. Special meetings of the Iowa Society may be held by an internet meeting service designated by the Governor.
D. Should a National or State emergency or unforeseen event arise that prevents the Iowa Society from meeting in person, electronic or virtual mediums may be used for the purpose of receiving reports of officers and committees, for the election of officers, and for any other business that may arise.
SECTION 4. The Board of Assistants shall meet on the Annual and Compact dates and at such times and places as the Governor may determine.
SECTION 5. Notice of all meetings of the Iowa Society shall be given at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.
SECTION 6. The number of delegates to the General Congress shall be determined on the basis of membership.
ARTICLE V – ORDER OF BUSINESS
SECTION 1. The business of the Iowa Society, not covered by the Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution and Bylaws, shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.
SECTION 2. At the Compact Day meeting, prior to the Annual Meeting when new officers shall be elected, a nominating committee shall be appointed.
A. At the annual meeting that follows, the nominating committee shall present a list of candidates for these offices:
Governor Deputy Governor Secretary Elder
Treasurer Historian Captain Surgeon
Counselor Assistant Historian Junior Membership Chairman Governor Emeritus
Nominations may, also, be made from the floor with prior permission from the nominee.
B. Officers of the Iowa Society shall be elected by ballot, at the Annual Meeting, for a term of three (3) years. A majority vote elects. If there is but one nominee for each office, the vote may be by acclamation.
C. Deputy Governor General and Assistant General are nominated for election to the General Society Board of Assistants by the nominating committee. Election occurs at next Triennial Congress of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.
D. Officers elected shall take up their duties immediately after the meeting at which they were elected.
E. The nominating committee shall consist of at least 3 members.
ARTICLE VI – STATIONERY
SECTION 1. Stationery of the Iowa Society shall be used only by officers, or duly appointed committees, and only for the transaction of official business. No advertising, other than that relating to activities of the Iowa Society, shall appear on official stationery.
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. The Constitution and the Bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting of the Iowa Society by a two-thirds vote, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted, in writing, to each member, fifteen days before the meeting.
SECTION 2. Any amendment adopted by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, affecting the work of the Iowa Society, shall become a law of the Iowa Society without notice of amendment.
ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES
SECTION 1: Dissolution of Iowa Society.
Although the period of duration of the Iowa Society is perpetual, if for any reason the Iowa Society is to dissolve or other-wise terminate, the following procedures shall be followed:
A. Dissolution of the Iowa Society may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Assistants voting in a regularly called meeting of the Board. Notice of the dissolution proposal to the general membership shall be in the manner specified for proposed amendments to the Bylaws. Voting of the general membership shall be by written ballot, and approval by two-thirds vote of members present and voting shall be required for dissolution of the Iowa Society.
B. The Iowa Society shall comply with the procedures in the Bylaws of the General Society.
C. All debts of the Iowa Society shall be paid.
D. Any property which has been loaned to the Iowa Society shall be returned to its owner.
E. Any historical documents, artifacts, or any moneys remaining in the Iowa Society
treasury shall be given to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants or a Mayflower project as determined by two-thirds vote of the Board of Assistants. If the General Society of Mayflower Descendants is not in existence, any assets of the Iowa Society shall be given to a non-profit organization whose mission is education and the historical documents delivered to a repository appropriate for the materials of the Mayflower era.
F. No moneys or artifacts shall inure to a member or individual as specified in Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
SECTION 2: Dissolution of Colonies
Colonies must have a membership of ten (10) active members to form. If a colony falls below that membership or for any other reason feels it cannot continue to exist, the colony may choose, by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting, to dissolve. If a colony should find it necessary to dissolve, it shall follow the following procedures:
A. The Colony shall notify the Governor of the intent to dissolve.
B. All artifacts of the colony shall be delivered to the Iowa Society. If said Iowa Society no longer exists, the artifacts shall be delivered to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants or, in the case that the General Society no longer exists, shall deliver said artifacts to an appropriate repository or museum.
C. All debts of the colony shall be paid.
D. Any moneys remaining shall be sent to the Iowa Mayflower Fund. If the Iowa Society no longer exists, said moneys shall be donated to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. If said General Society no longer exists, the moneys shall be donated to a 501 (c) (3) organization, chosen by the Colony officers, which has as its main purpose education.
E. No moneys or artifacts shall inure to any member or individual.
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