I. NAME:
This organization shall be officially known as South Carolina Society,
Order of Confederate Rose, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Society.” The
society became a non-profit incorporation in the state of South Carolina
effective August 27, 1999.
II. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this organization shall be to assist the Sons of Confederate
Veterans (SCV) in its historical, educational, benevolent, and social
functions, and to educate the public and ourselves about Confederate
History, and to honor and preserve its symbols.
The Society is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes
as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including
for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that
qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code,
or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
III. STRUCTURE:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
A. The state Societies of the OCR have banded together to form a Confederation
of States, each society having signed the “Articles of Confederation”.
These articles are an incorporation of our bylaws.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
B. The Societies Executive council will vote on the cost to publish an
advertisement in the national SCV Magazine Confederate Veteran. The
cost will be included in the annual budget.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
C. The Society will budget for SCOCR donated portion to the cost for
the national website. Cost will be determined by vote of Executive
Council.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
D. The Society will contribute to the host Society of the national OCR
business meeting, held during the national SCV Reunion week. The executive
council may vote at the National OCR business meeting to change the
current stated amount of $100.00.
E. The SC Society will host the national OCR Business Meeting when the
SC Division SCV or an SC SCV Camp hosts the national SCV Reunion.
IV. MEMBERSHIP:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
A. The members of the Society will be the OCR Chapters, and Independents
(Members at large). Applicatants must be 18 years of age at the time
of application. Those under the age of will apply for “The Thorns” or “The
Rosebuds” Each chapter is the judge of their own members. Chapters
are required to follow state membership guidelines as the foundation
of requirements. No known felons shall be admitted to the SCOCR.
B. Duration of Membership: Membership in the Society may be terminated
voluntarily by written withdrawal or by non-payment of annual dues. Local
chapters will handle suspension or expulsion.
C. Member-in-good-standing: A member is in good standing only when all
chapter and society financial obligations are paid.
D. At-large members will belong to Palmetto State Chapter.
E. At-large Chair will act as Chapter Rep on Council.
F. Conduct
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
1. Conduct. Members shall at all time conduct themselves as ladies so
as to bring credit and respect upon the Sons of Confederate Veterans
and the SCOCR as well as other state Societies and historical based organizations.
2. Conduct during SCOCR Executive Council meetings will be informal unless
the president or any member requests that proper parliamentary procedure
be followed.
3. Conduct at the Annual Meeting will use Roberts Rules of Order as a
guideline, including the appointment of a Sergeant-at-arms.
G. Attire
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
1. Proper and respectable attire suitable to the occasion, either modern
or period dress, will be required at all Society attended functions.
2. When the host of an event requests a certain style of dress or behavior,
SCOCR will honor that request (such as not wearing flag tee shirts or
carrying flags in the Confederate Memorial Day parade in Columbia).
H. Discipline
1. Violations of conduct at the Annual Meeting will be handled by the
Sgt-at-arms per RONR. SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 2008.
2. Breaches of conduct will be referred to the executive council. They
may choose to have one council member discuss it with the offender to
understand all sides of the issue. If further action is deemed necessary,
the council may write a letter to the chapter president and suggest that
they prefer charges against the chapter member and hold an investigation
and trial as outlined in RONR (Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised,
most current edition).
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
3. Termination. Membership shall cease by death, resignation, non-payment
of dues, or expulsion. Members may also be temporarily suspended in accordance
with this Constitution and Standing Orders.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
4. Expulsion. Any individual expelled from membership under the provisions
of this Constitution and Standing Orders shall be stricken from the roster,
and the Secretary and or Treasurer shall take care to note his name so
that he may not be readmitted nor reinstated to membership except by
a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Council upon recommendation
of the Society President.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
5. Discipline: Chapters, being the judges of their own members, may impose
discipline upon their own members. Chapters and or the Society may suspend
or expel a member from their respective Chapters or Society. At this
point the member in question is placed on probation and membership benefits
are placed on hold, being that she or he is no longer a member in good
standing of either the Society or a Chapter. If the Chapter or Society
wishes to have the member expelled from the Society, they shall proffer
charges to the disciplinary committee within 30 days of the dispensation
of the Chapter’s or Society’s action. At this point the procedures
are as described elsewhere in this article. If the member is not expelled
from the Society at the culmination of these actions, he may petition
the Disciplinary Committee for the right to transfer to a Chapter different
from whence he or she came. If this petition is denied, he may appeal
to the Executive Council.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
6. A member of the SCOCR may be censured, suspended or expelled from
membership only upon a proper showing of cause. Charges shall be based
upon disloyalty, neglect of duty, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming
a member of the SCOCR, or the commission of an act repugnant to the SCOCR
bylaws and Standing Orders. Charges may be proffered by their Chapter,
or by action of the Executive Council.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
7. Procedure: Charges shall be proffered in writing to the Society President
who shall promptly refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee. The
accused shall be presented a copy of the charges and invited to provide
a timely response. The Committee or sub-committee may conduct additional
inquiries as necessary. A two-thirds majority shall be necessary to decide
any question of guilt.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
8. Venue: The Committee or Subcommittee shall meet in person at an announced
meeting place of the Executive Council to hear testimony, receive investigative
reports, receive other information, and deliberate and vote on the question.
The Committee or Subcommittee may meet via teleconference. All proceedings
shall be in executive session.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
9. Report: After the conclusion of its business, the committee or sub-committee
shall report to the Society President their findings which she shall
disseminate to the Executive Council. If the committee or sub-committee
makes a finding of guilty, the accused shall be promptly notified by
the Society President using U.S. Mail or private carrier which provides
proof of delivery. If acquitted the matter shall be dropped and disregarded;
if found guilty, the accused shall have the right to appeal to the Executive
Council.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
10. Appeal: The accused may appeal the decision by submitting a request
for an appellate hearing to the Society President within thirty (30)
days of the date from which the notice was sent. The request for appeal,
once received by the Society President, shall be ordered for hearing
before the Executive Council in a timely manner. The Executive Council
may decide whether or not to hear the appeal; a majority shall be necessary
to uphold the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. The Executive Council
may remand the case to the Committee for reconsideration. The accused
shall be notified of the decision of the Executive Council by U.S. Mail
or private carrier which provides proof of delivery.
V. DUES:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
A. Annual member dues will be billed to the Chapters, and the Chapters
are authorized to collect the funds and forward them to the Society.
Each member of the chapters will pay $15.00 when they first join and
$10.00 annually for renewal dues. New members will be given a Society
pin and a membership certificate.
B. There is no Life Membership available at this time.
C. Each member-at-large will pay $10.00 annually, and submit it to the
Society. At-large will be given a Society pin and a membership certificate
when they first join.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
D. Renewal dues for individuals must be postmarked no later than May
31. Renewal dues postmarked between June 1 and June 30 will be assessed
a $5.00 late fee. Renewal dues postmarked between July 1 and July 31
will be assessed a $10.00 late fee. Renewal is not available after
August 1; individuals will need to rejoin the organization as new members.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
E. Chapters
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
1. Chapter Suspensions. Suspension of the charter of a Chapter shall
not affect the membership in the SCOCR of such Camp, nor impair their
tenure of office or eligibility as officers therein during such suspension.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
2. The Executive Council shall promptly suspend or revoke the charter
of any Chapter which fails to meet the obligations imposed upon it
by the SCOCR bylaws and Standing Orders, or commits an act repugnant
to this SCOCR bylaws and Standing Orders or detrimental to the objects
and purposes of the Confederation and Society.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
3. Reinstatement for suspension shall take effect immediately upon receipt
by the Society President of evidence of the removal by the suspended
chapter of its cause of suspension
During the interim between Conventions, the Society President shall have
the power to suspend the charter of any Chapter and suspend any officer
from his office for conduct detrimental to the Confederation and Society
upon proper proof; said action to be reported to the next regular meeting
of the Executive Council for approval and thence to the next General
Convention for final dispensation. Any Chapter, or officer so suspended
shall have the right to appear before the Executive Council.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
4. Any Chapter whose charter has been suspended or revoked shall not
be entitled to any rights and privileges of the Chapter, Confederation
or Society. The Society is charged with the duty of working with the
Chapter or Society or officer to remove the factors that necessitated
the suspension.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
5. Upon the failure of any Chapter Officer or Society Officer, whether
elected or appointed, to send in the required reports without reasons
satisfactory to the Society said officer shall stand suspended, and the
office shall be thereby vacant, and such vacancy shall be promptly filled
as provided for herein.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
6. The Executive Council, after notice and a hearing, may suspend or
revoke the charter of a Chapter which violates these bylaws and Standing
Orders, and may provide for the government and administration of such
chapter during such suspension or upon such revocation.
VI. FISCAL YEAR:
June 1 to May 31
VII. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
A. The Society will be governed by an Executive Council. The Council
will consist of one representative from each chartered chapter, and
the elected President. If a Council member cannot be present at a meeting,
a substitute should be sent and provided with credentials. Representative
will be the president of the local chapters.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
B. In the event the office of President becomes vacant; the Vice president
assumes the duties for the rest of the term, or until a replacement
may be elected.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
C. Nominees for president will be accepted at the January meeting of
the Executive Council. 45 days prior to the Annual Meeting, all chapters-in-good-standing
will be notified of the nominees. At the annual meeting, the president
will be elected by closed ballot with each chapter-in-good-standing
receiving one vote. A quorum for this ballot will be a majority of
chapters-in-good-standing in attendance
D. Term of office is for two years, or when a successor has been elected
or appointed. Any officer may serve up to three consecutive terms. After
a break of one term, that office may be held again.
E. In the event the office becomes vacant, the Council will choose an
individual to assume the duties for the rest of the term, or until a
replacement may be elected.
F. Any elected officer may be removed from office for misconduct or
willful dereliction of duty by a two-thirds vote by ballot of the Executive
Council. The cause of this disciplinary action will be one or more of
the following: disloyalty, neglect of duty, dishonesty, conduct unbecoming
to a member of the Order of Confederate Rose, an act repugnant to the
Sons of Confederate Veterans or the Order of Confederate Rose or detrimental
to the objectives and purposes of these organizations.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
VIII. OFFICERS DUTIES:
A. President shall represent the society, conduct and call meetings as
necessary, plan the Annual Meeting, appoint committees and chairs as
needed to assist in the operation of the Society, and represent the
SC Society OCR in the national Confederation of States activities.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
B. Vice President shall represent the chapter in the absence of the president
or by request of the president. She will communicate to the chapters
and Committees on behalf of the presidents. Vice President will assume
the office of President if seat is vacant until end of term or until
another election can be held.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
C. Secretary shall act as secretary, keeping Minutes, correspondence
and records of the Society.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
D. Treasurer shall maintain a checking account; collect, protect and
disburse funds of the society; and make reports to the Council. Treasurer
shall also maintain a list of names and addresses of members in the Society.
E. Other Representatives shall act on behalf of the Society and their
chapter to further the purpose of the Society.
IX. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
Executive council meeting must be held in person not via phone, conference
call, e-mail, post or private chat room. (Because all executive council
members are not informed)
A. The first meeting after the Annual Meeting will be to set a budget
for the coming year, and to act on resolutions made at the Annual Meeting.
The charter, documents, checks and books will be turned over as needed,
check writing authority will be established for the new President and
Treasurer, and the Council will review the books (or an audit arranged).
Projects for the Society may be discussed and planned as needed. Recruiting
of chapters will be discussed/ targeted. Brochure reviewed for changes.
Contact info for the Confederate Veteran will be reviewed for changes.
B. The Council will discuss and decide if any issues need to be presented
at a national level. Arrangements should be made to send a Society report
and/or representative to national for the convention.
C. Plans will be made to contact the host of the next SC Division SCV
Reunion in order to incorporate the OCR Annual Meeting. Plans for the
OCR business meeting and any programs or entertainment should be started.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 2008 3
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
D. The final meeting must be in January to finalize plans for the Society's
Annual Meeting, to accept proposed changes to the bylaws, and to accept
nominations for Society President (when needed).
X. ANNUAL MEETING:
A. The Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Division Reunion,
and that meeting will be open to all members of the Society.
B. Executive Council will bring the necessary business before the membership,
and make reports.
C. Each chapter should present a brief report about their past and future
activities.
D. Presentation of new members-at-large certificates may take place
during the meeting.
E. Investiture of new chapters may take place during the meeting.
F. Introduction of new chapter members may take place during the meeting.
G. The quorum for business at the Annual Meeting will be the number
of members present.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
H. Conduct at the Annual Meeting will use Roberts Rules of Order as a
guideline, including the appointment of Sgt-at-arms.
XI. BY-LAWS:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
A. Proposed changes to the bylaws of the SC Society Order of Confederate
Rose will be accepted at the January meeting of the Executive Council.
45 days prior to the Annual Meeting, all chapters-in-good-standing will
be notified of the proposed change(s). At the annual meeting, the proposals
will be discussed and accepted or rejected by closed ballot. Each chapter-in-good-standing
will receive one vote. A quorum for this ballot will be a majority of
chapters-in-good-standing in attendance.
B. Parliamentary reference is Robert’s
Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
C. The Council may vote on Standing Rules as needed.
D. Any issues not covered by these bylaws that need immediate action
will be addressed by the Executive Council.
E. The By-laws and Standing Rules may be re-numbered as necessary following
the approval of amendments, provided it does not change the intent or
meaning of any of its provisions.
XII. VOTING:
Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
A. Every chapter-in-good-standing who has paid dues for the current year
is eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each chapter-in-good standing
has one vote per issue.
B. No proxy votes will be allowed.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
C. E-mail votes will be allowed provided proper notice can be given to
members. No Mail in votes.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
D. Votes will be tabulated at the Annual Meeting by two (2) members appointed
by the State President with all members in good standing in attendance.
XIII. COMMITTEES:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
A. The President or the Council may initiate a committee and name the
Chair. Committee Chairs do not have to sit on the Council. Chairs may
appoint their own committee members. Chairs must give a report to Council
when requested. The President is a member ex-officio of all committees.
Any appointment made by the President may be removed by the President.
Any appointment made by the Executive Council may be removed by 2/3 vote
of the Executive Council. Any committee members appointed by a committee
chair may be removed by that chair. If further action is required, cause
of this disciplinary action will be one or more of the following: disloyalty,
neglect of duty, dishonesty, conduct unbecoming to a member of the Order
of Confederate Rose, an act repugnant to the Sons of Confederate Veterans
or the Order of Confederate Rose or detrimental to the objectives and
purposes of these organizations. Any judging committee will not consist
of more than one member of a chapter.
B. Standing Committees:
1. Budget and Finance Committee consists of all members of the Council.
2. Registered Agent will file for a SC tax exemption and maintain these
filings. (Any change in Registered Agent must be filed with the Secretary
of State.)
3. Contact Person will be shown in the OCR ad in the Confederate Veteran
magazine, and on the SC Society’s brochure. (The contact person
is not necessarily on the Council.)
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
4. Webmaster will maintain a website for the SC OCR.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
C. Optional Committees:
1. Membership Committee shall recruit new chapters in the society; and
assist in the chartering process of new chapters.
2. At-Large Committee will maintain a listing of the SCOCR members-at-large,
correspond with prospective members, and assure that they receive Society
mailings.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 2008
3. Society of the Black Rose will have a “Keeper of the Rite” to
be the contact point for members and organizations wishing to have the
presence of the Black Rose at an event.
4. Legislative/Heritage Committee will gather information about issues
and disseminate it to members.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
5. Editor will create a quarterly electronic newsletter which any member
may download from the website. Each active OCR Chapter is provided one
electronic copy of the newsletter for distribution to their chapter members.
The newsletter is also published on the SC Society OCR website.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
6. A Rose Bud Chairman may be appointed to coordinate Rosebud activities.
7. Confederation Representative may be appointed to represent our Society
on a National/Confederation level.
8. A chairman may be appointed to make arrangements for the Reading of
the SC Roll of the Dead each May.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
9. Scrapbook Judging Committee will be appointed by the President to
evaluate scrapbooks of all chapters-in-good-standing at the Annual Meeting
and to offer an award for the best.
XIV. WEBSITE:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
A. The Society will register a domain name and start and maintain a website.
A Webmaster will be appointed.
B. The cost of domain name registration will be considered an operating
expense as long as there are Society funds to cover it.
XV. SOCIETY of the BLACK ROSE:
A. The Society of the Black Rose is formed to organize SCOCR members
who have an interest portraying the persona of a widow or mourner.
Also, this group provides a contact point for those who wish to have
the presence of mourners at dedications and memorial services.
B. The Society will act under the SCOCR Executive
Council with a coordinator, the “Keeper of the Rite,” as
contact person.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
C. Membership requirements:
Be a SC Society OCR member-in-good-standing who has a mourning or partial
mourning ensemble appropriate to the 1860s.
D. Membership Benefits:
Receive a membership certificate to the Society of the Black Rose. Receive
or be able to purchase a black ribbon or pin with Society of the Black
Rose on it to wear at events. Special Ribbons may be given for the
attendees for some events.
XVI. DISSOLUTION:
In the event of dissolution of the Society, all assets are to be donated
or sold, and the money received donated to the South Carolina Division
SCV, and/or a qualified nonprofit historical cause chosen by a majority
vote.
XVII. SOCIETY LOGO:
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of April 30, 2009
The Society logo is based on the South Carolina Sovereignty flag. (The
flag has a red background with blue stripes, one vertical and one horizontal,
each centered. One large white star sits at the intersection of these
stripes. Four white stars appear on each side of the central star horizontally
and three white stars appear above and below the central star vertically.
In the upper left quadrant is a white palmetto tree and white gorget
(crescent) with the points toward the tree. The other three quadrants
show only the red background.) The society logo adds the letters SC in
white to lower left quadrant and the letters OCR in white to the lower
right quadrant. Use of this logo is strictly limited to the South Carolina
Society Order of Confederate Rose's official documents, pins, and statewide
fund-raisers. Other uses of the Society logo must be approved by majority
vote of the Executive Council. Individual chapters-in-good-standing are
encouraged to create a chapter logo, which is easily distinguished from
the SC Society OCR logo.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 27, 2010
XVIII. REINSTATEMENT OF AN INACTIVE CHAPTER
A. There must be at least 4 paid members in the reinstating chapter.
SCOCR must have their applications with the required recommendation
and referral signatures.
B. If a member is transferring from another chapter or at-large, SCOCR
should have a letter or email stating the desire to transfer.
C. SCOCR must have confirmation from the sponsoring SCV Camp that they
wish to have a supporting OCR chapter.
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STANDING RULES and other votes that remain in effect:
6/99 (at organizational meeting):
The Registered Agent will be Anne Gelwicks until changed by the Council.
The Society will file and maintain a tax-exempt status with the Secretary
of State’s office.
SC Society OCR Bylaws, as of March 2008 5
The Society will start and maintain a checking account, with at least
two Council members allowed to sign checks. One must be the Treasurer;
the other may be the President. (This has been done.)
4/20/02 (at Annual Meeting, Aiken):
SCOCR voted to sponsor the Columbia Confederate Memorial Day “Reading
of the SC Roll of the Dead”.
04/25/06 (via ballot):
If the SC Society Web Space allows for more than one domain at no extra
charge, the Confederate-Rose.org may share the allotted space.
SCOCR voted to purchase the current paperback edition of Robert’s
Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR).
Approximate cost is $18, not to exceed $25.00 with S&H and tax.
SCOCR voted to purchase the current short book that provides a simple
introduction to parliamentary procedure, Robert's Rules of Order Newly
Revised In Brief. Approximate cost is $7, not to exceed $12.00 with S&H
and tax.
04/25/07 (via ballot):
SCOCR will make a one time donation $195 to Palmetto Partisans to add
to their $300 so they can present a full scholarship to the winner of
Palmetto Partisans’ essay contest.
SCOCR will purchase a door prize to take or send to the national OCR
annual meeting in Alabama in 2007, not to exceed $100.00.
03/15/08 (at Annual Meeting, Lexington):
SCOCR will maintain an operating balance of no less than $2,000. All
funds over this amount will be denoted to one or more nonprofit worthwhile
projects within South Carolina.
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