CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF THE
KELSEY KINDRED

Adopted 9/15/28; Revised and Adopted 9/12/59; Revised and Adopted 8/2/97;
Revised and Adopted 9/9/00; Revised 9/2007

PREAMBLE

In order to pay due homage and respect to our revered ancestors; to express appreciation for the fine heritage with which they have endowed us; to perpetuate for posterity by means of suitable memorials, the memory of their lives of character; and to create a bond of fellowship and friendship among those who have descended through the Kelsey lineage; the Descendants of William Kelsey create this organization and adopt this constitution for the government of this organization.

Consistent with the most liberal spirit of tolerance in the achievement of our purpose we further agree that in its vigorous pursuit, the Kelsey Kindred at all times during the span of existence, maintain an attitude strictly non-sectarian, non-partisan, and non-sectional; nor shall it, as an organization, take any part in political issues or affairs of the State not directly concerned with the limited scope of its activities.

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be "THE KELSEY KINDRED".

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to carry out the ideas and plans expressed in the Preamble of this Constitution, and to bring honor to the name of Kelsey.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to those who have reason to believe they are descended from William Kelsey the ancestor and others with an interest in the Kindred. Those in either of these classifications may be enrolled upon the membership list.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

The officers of the Kelsey Kindred shall consist of the following; President, Executive Vice President, Recording Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, Genealogist, Information Technology Officer and Bulletin Editor. These officers shall be elected by a majority vote of enrolled members at a Kindred business meeting called for such purpose. They shall hold office for approximately one year -- from the close of the Kindred business meeting where they are elected, to the close of the next Kindred business meeting held for such purpose -- except for the new President who shall preside after his election. In the event of resignation or permanent inability of an officer to serve, or to fill any vacancy in the slate of officers, the Executive Board shall, by majority vote, elect a member of the organization to the vacated office and the new officer shall serve out the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE V. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the above mentioned elected officers and all Past Presidents in attendance at any Executive Board meeting. They shall meet at the call of the President, shall have full power to carry on the work of the organization, to act in all matters of the Kindred allowed by this constitution, and their acts shall be binding on the Kindred. A simple majority of the Executive Board will constitute a quorum, provided at least four (4) elected officers are present. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to approve an annual budget and authorize expenditures.

ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT

The President shall call and preside at all meetings of the Kelsey Kindred and the Executive Board, act as the Executive head of the organization, ensure that all meetings of the Kelsey Kindred and Executive Board follow the rules of the Constitution, make an agenda and follow the evolution of business to an end, appoint all committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, and perform all other duties which may fall within the province of the office.

ARTICLE VII. DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

It shall be the duty of the Executive Vice President to act for the President in any and all cases where the President is unable, for any reason whatsoever, to perform the stipulated duties of the office.

ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY

The Recording Secretary shall assist the President in the preparation of the agenda, include such agenda with meeting notices, record all minutes in a legible manner and submit such for correction and approval at the next meeting regardless of which body.

ARTICLE IX. DUTIES OF THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

The Membership Secretary shall receive all correspondence and applications for membership in the Kelsey Kindred and process them in a timely manner. The Membership Secretary shall also send dues notices and record an itemized receipt of payment, forwarding all payments to the Treasurer for deposit. The Secretary shall keep a current record of all members in an easily accessed form.

ARTICLE X. DUTIES OF THE TREASURER

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all monies received by the Kindred, and care for such funds. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the dispersing of funds. All checks will be signed by the Treasurer and one of the following officers: President, Executive Vice President or Genealogist. The Treasurer shall make an interim report current to within 45 days at all meetings of the Kindred. The Treasurer shall prepare the books for an annual audit, a financial report and proposed budget no later than April 15th, at which time it is available to the membership. The annual report is based on a calendar year. The Treasurer shall meet with the Executive Board to present the proposed annual budget for approval.

ARTICLE XI. DUTIES OF THE CHAPLAIN

It shall be the duty of the Chaplain to act in all matters within the province of such office.

ARTICLE XII. DUTIES OF THE GENEALOGIST

It shall be the duty of the Genealogist to gather from all reputable sources, information pertaining to Kelsey genealogy and history; to compile such information in a legible, permanent and easily accessed manner, to supervise and direct the publication of genealogical media authorized by the Executive Board; to review the application for membership in the Kindred and all supporting lineage documentation and attest to the fact that, as best as can be ascertained from the documents, the applicant is or is not a descendant of William Kelsey, the Ancestor.

ARTICLE XIII. DUTIES OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

The Information Technology Officer shall be responsible for maintaining Kindred website and keeping the Executive Board advised on tecyhnology-related issues.

ARTICLE XIV. DUTIES OF THE BULLETIN EDITOR

The Bulletin Editor shall publish the Kelsey Family News Bulletin at least twice a year. The Bulletin Editor shall accumulate materials to be considered for publication and publish those which are specifically requested by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XV. HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS (APPOINTMENTS)

Eight Honorary Vice Presidents, representing the eight confirmed branches of the Kelsey Family, descending from the four sons and four daughters of William Kelsey (Mark, John, Stephen, Daniel, Hester, Priscilla, Mary, and Abigail) shall be appointed by a quorum of the Executive Board present at a meeting.

The following Special and Standing Committees shall be: Publicity, Constitution and By-Laws, Auditing, Bulletin, Book Sales, Reunion, Scrap Book, Nominating, Monument (special). The President shall appoint all Committees except for the Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE XVI. COMMITTEES OF THE KINDRED

The President shall appoint the following Special and Standing Committees: Auditing, Constitution and By-Laws, Publicity, Book Sales, Monument (special), Reunion, Bulletin, Media, Scrap Book, Nominating.

ARTICLE XVII. MEETINGS OF THE KINDRED AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

Meetings shall be held at the call of the President. If the President shall fail or refuse to call a meeting and if it shall be deemed necessary by five elected officers that such a meeting be held, they may call a meeting of the Executive Board with written notice to the President.

ARTICLE XVIII. AMENDMENTS

This Constitution shall be amended only upon the approval of two-thirds (66%) of the descendant members in attendance at a membership assembly voting in favor of such amendment. The By-Laws shall be amended only upon approval of three quarters (75%) of the members of the Executive Board at a meeting.

ARTICLE XIX. DISSOLUTION

This Association agrees that no member or officer will benefit financially from this Association and if this Association be dissolved, any funds in the treasury will be donated to another similar association to be determined by the Executive Board.

1. MEMBERSHIP

A) A Descendent membership shall be defined as the lineal descent of William Kelsey. Upon approval of the line of descent by the Genealogist of the Kelsey Kindred, they will be given a reference number (as will their children) and will be recorded in the Kelsey Genealogy.

B) An Associate membership shall be defined as all those yet to prove their lineage, consorts of descendent members, adopted children, and all those with an interest in the Kindred. Associate members will not be given serial numbers.

      Those in either of these classifications may be enrolled upon the membership list on approval of the Kindred Genealogist and upon payment of the membership fee. They shall continue to hold membership so long as they desire by payment of dues.

2. MEMBERSHIP FEES AND DUES

A) Application fees and Membership dues shall be determined annually by the Executive Board and subsequently submitted to the membership for approval.

Memberships -

B) Life membership - The Executive Board may grant life membership to any member who makes application for a life membership or applies for life membership for any children and adults.
C) Junior membership - Junior membership may be granted to any member under eighteen years of age. He or she will receive a junior membership card and a certificate of membership for a one time fee.

3. MEMBERSHIP VOTING

Descendent Members over the age of twenty one (21), in good standing, shall be entitled to hold office, make motions and vote. Associate members over the age of twenty one (21) may hold offices except for President and Executive Vice President. They may make motions and vote on all issues of the Kindred except for the Constitution and By Laws.

4. QUORUM

A quorum of members for the transaction of business at an assembled meeting of the Kindred shall be twenty (20) active descendent members.

5. RULES OF ORDER

"Roberts Rules of Order" as newly revised, shall be the Parliamentary guide for all meetings.

6. MEETINGS OF THE KINDRED

The Membership shall hold annually a Reunion and Business Meeting.

A) Meetings may be held in August or September.
B) Meetings to be held in Connecticut and periodically may be held out of state to encourage wider membership participation.

7. SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at the call of the President a minimum of four times a year and prior to the annual business meeting

8. ABSENT COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Executive Board and Committee members established by the Constitution may participate in meetings by electronic means.

9. JOB DESCRIPTIONS

The Executive Board of the Kindred shall review and determine annually the job descriptions for each committee and additional duties of officers, as necessitated by the requirements of the Kindred.

10) FISCAL POLICIES

All officers are required to receive approval by the Executive Board for expenditures of $250.00 more than their normal operating expense.