ARTICLE I — NAME

The name of the organization is the Redd Family Association.

ARTICLE II — PURPOSE

The Redd Family Association is a non-profit organization which furthers communication and contacts among and shares information about the history and descendants of David Benjamin Redd & Patience Redd who migrated to Bexley, Grand Bassa, Republic of Liberia from the United States of America. This family constitution also furthers communication and contacts amongst the offspring and spouses of all of David Benjamin & Patience Redd children namely: 1. Janie A. Redd-Davis 2. Ambrose Redd 3. Benjamin Redd 4. Sarah Redd-Cooke 5. Elizabeth Redd-  Deshield 6. Elijah J. Redd, and 7. Amezette Redd-Brown 8. Eliza Redd Moore Watson.

ARTICLE III — GOALS

Goals of the Redd Family Association shall be to:

encourage research in Redd family history;
foster formation and continuation of local and regional reunions and provide other opportunities to socialize with descendants of David Benjamin Redd;
encourage connection with members of one’s kin family;
maintain family histories, stories, traditions, records and artifacts;
to contribute to fellow members in case of unexpected emergency, and
develop activities, programs or resources as need is determined.

ARTICLE IV — MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Regular Members: Direct descendants and any connection to David Benjamin Redd through his children and their spouses are entitled to become Regular Members of the Redd Family Association, and shall have full membership rights including the right to hold office and vote on Society matters.

Section 2. Membership Fees: All adult members 18 years-old and above of the Redd Family Association should paid an annual membership fee of $100.00. Payment should be made with via cash, check or electronically (PayPal).

ARTICLE V – REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1. Authority: A member of representative should be selected from the below five regions as the main contact person to easily assimilate news and to do regularly well-being check on members within their respective regions. Regional representatives will be appointed by and report to the president. The president, vice-president and treasurer will serve as the representatives in their respective regions.

Section 2. Regions Composition: New England Region:(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont), Mid-Atlantic Region: (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.), The South:(Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,  North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia), Mid-West Region:(Illinois, Indiana,  Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin), The Southwest Region: (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas), and The West: (Alaska, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming).

Section 3. Family Reunions: A Reunion is defined as a gathering of either five or more families or twenty or more persons who are descendants of David Benjamin Redd which meets all of the following:
A.    Plans to meet at least annually,
B.     Encourages attendance of other Redd Family members,
C.    Has a designated contact person,
D.    Keeps records of Reunion attendance, events, and vital statistics of members to be filed annually with the Redd Family Association.

Section 4. Responsibilities: In managing the affairs of the Redd Family Association, the representatives shall be responsible for:
A.                Creating standing and special committees.
B.     Authorizing receipt and disbursement of funds.
C.    Determining programs and activities to be undertaken.

ARTICLE VI — MEETINGS OF THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1. Regular Meetings: The Representatives shall hold at least one meeting per year which may include the annual meeting. This meeting could be held during the annual family reunion. The location for meetings will be designated in the meeting agenda, to be mailed to each Council member or listed on the website http://www.reddfamily.net/one month prior to the meeting. Council member refers to all members of the Redd Family.

Section 2. Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting shall be held at a date and place to be specified by the president.

Section 3. Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the President as needed with sufficient notice to all Council members so that Representatives can provide input by mail if necessary. Notice of special meetings must include a statement of purpose of the meeting as well as the date, time, location and address of the special meeting and telephone or electronic contact numbers.

Section 4. Voting and Participation in Discussions: Provision shall be made for Regional members who live at great distances to provide input and vote by means of letters, telephone, or electronic media.

Section 5. Quorum: A quorum shall be one-half plus one of the number of duly appointed Representatives who shall be counted whether they participate in person, by mail, or electronically.

ARTICLE VII — OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Section 1. Officers: The elected officers of the Redd Family Association shall be: President; Vice-President; Secretary; and, Treasurer. Additional offices may be created as needed.

Section 2. Election: The officers shall be elected by majority vote of the Regular Members.

Section 3. Term: A term of office shall be for two years and shall begin after Installation at the Annual Meeting. No officer may serve more than two consecutive full terms in the same office.

Section 4. Removal from Office: By majority vote of the entire Council, the Council may remove any officer from office for failure to perform assigned duties or for other cause.

Section 5. Vacancies: A vacancy in an office during a term shall be filled by majority vote of the Council. The officer elected shall serve the remainder of the term of the person being replaced.

Section 6. Duties and Powers: Duties and powers shall include but not be limited to the following:

6.1. President. The President presides at meetings of the Council, appoints committee Chairs and members and is an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

6.2. Vice President. The Vice President presides at Council meetings in the absence of the President and assumes such duties as may be assigned by the President, the Council, or the Executive Committee.

6.3. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Council, send out meeting notices, and foster and promote new and existing local Redd Family Reunions.

6.4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the supervision of and accounting for all funds received or expended by the Redd Family Association. The Treasurer shall provide regular financial reports to the Council and shall see that all funds of the organization are deposited in a timely manner in designated accounts of the Redd Family Association and shall disburse funds only as authorized. A full financial report for all accounts shall be provided quarterly and at the annual meeting. Books shall be audited annually.

Section 7. In addition to elected officers, the Council shall appoint the following officers who shall serve as ex officio members of the Council:

7.1. Genealogist: The Genealogist shall maintain genealogical records: keep records of births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions; respond to genealogical queries; record transactions; and be custodian of the organization records of the Redd Family Association.

7.2. Historian: The Historian shall research and maintain family history, provide updates periodically, and recommend long-term ways to preserve family records and artifacts.

7.3. Webmaster/Newsletter Editor: The Webmaster/Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for maintaining, editing and disseminating a newsletter for members of the Redd Family Association.

ARTICLE VIII — COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. The President shall serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall oversee the business and activities of the Redd Family Association and shall be empowered to transact business as may be necessary between Council meetings. The Executive Committee shall submit a report of its actions at the next regularly scheduled or special meeting of the Council. Meetings of the Executive Committee will generally be called by the Chairperson but may be called by the Secretary when requested in writing or by two members of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Nominating Committee. A Nominating Committee of at least three persons shall be appointed by the Executive Committee from the regular membership of the Redd Family Association. The Nominating Committee shall select its own Chairperson who becomes a full member of the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee shall develop a slate or slates of nominees for offices which shall be mailed to all regular members at least three months in advance of the Annual Meeting of the Redd Family Association at which officers will be installed. Write-in nominations are accepted. The Nominating Committee shall suggest candidates to fill vacancies as the need arises.

Section 3. Appointed Officers may develop committees to: assist in carrying out their duties; encourage national and international working relationships; and, expand the number of persons with skills.

ARTICLE IX — ENACTMENT

These By-laws of the Redd Family Association will become fully effective when approved by majority vote of the membership of the Redd Family Association. The Nominating Committee required under these by-laws shall be appointed not later than June 2007.

ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed either by a majority vote of the Council or by a petition signed by at least twenty percent of the Regular Membership. To be adopted, amendments must be approved by two-thirds of the Regular Members voting on it, provided that the amendments have been submitted in writing to all Regular Members at least one month prior to the voting deadline.

ARTICLE XI — NON-INUREMENT

No part of net earnings or other income of the organization shall inure to the benefit of or shall be distributed to its members, trustees, directors, officers or other private persons except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, compensate necessary and reasonable expenses incurred while on organization business, and to make payments and distributions in the furtherance of its purpose.

ARTICLE XII — DISSOLUTION

If the Redd Family Association shall cease to carry out its purpose, all assets held by it in trust or otherwise, shall, after payment of its liabilities, be contributed to a non-for-profit cause benefiting the people within Grand Bassa County, Liberia.

The Redd Family Association By-laws
Prepared by:
Christian Eggerly- Chairperson
Charles Mombo  -Co-Chairperson
Joe Davis  Co- Chairperson
April 8, 2007

This is where Father David & Mother Patience Redd begun: