Williamson County Historical Commission
contact Wayne Ware (512)
863-2202
WILLIAMSON
6 Oct 2005
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the WILLIAMSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION in accordance with Article 6145.1 of Vernon’s Texas Civil Statutes.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE AND POLICY
a) conduct continuing programs of historical marker recommendations and placements in accordance with the Texas Historical Commission requirements;
b)
make recommendations to the
c)
accept, whenever feasible, artifacts or
historical documents in the name of the WILLIAMSON COUNTY HISTORICAL
COMMISSION or the
d) support, whenever possible, the programs of the Texas Historical Commission;
e) sponsor and encourage the work of Junior Historians in the schools;
f) collect written material concerning county history, such as old letters, unpublished manuscripts, pictures and auditory items;
g) continue to promote the preservation of historic cemeteries.
Section 2. It shall be the policy of the WILLIAMSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION that historical markers placed on private property will be paid for, whenever feasible, by the property owner.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 2. Term. Membership shall be appointed for two year terms
beginning January 1 of odd numbered years. In-term appointments shall
serve only until the next regular appointment date. Members may be
reappointed but should indicate their willingness to continue to serve
by communicating with the secretary or another officer. Members absent
for a period of twelve (12) months without some official communication
to the Chairman or Secretary shall be reclassified as an ASSOCIATE
MEMBER without voting power. Any associate member may be restored to
regular active membership when attendance and/or work resumes. After a
period of twelve (12) months without official communication with an
officer of WCHC, Associate Members may be removed from the membership
roll.
Section 3.
Section 4. Resignation. Resignation from the Williamson County
Historical Commission may be accepted after a letter of resignation has
been read into the official minutes by either the Chairman or Secretary
and forwarded to the
Section 5. Ex-Officio Members. Ex-Officio, non-voting members may
include the
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section 1. Enumeration, Election, and Term. The officers of the COMMISSION shall be Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the voting members present at the November meeting of even numbered years. Their term shall be for two years.
Section 2. Chairman. The Chairman shall be the Executive Officer for
the COMMISSION whose responsibility shall be to preside at all meetings;
appoint standing committees, task forces, and chairmen; report annually
to the County Commissioners Court on the activity and progress of the
COMMSSION. The Chair shall have the usual powers of supervision and
management as may pertain to the office and shall perform other such
duties as designated by members of the COMMISSION.
Section 3. Vice-Chairman. The Vice-Chairman shall preside at the
meetings in the absence of the Chairman; and, in the event the Chairman
is no longer able to serve in that capacity, shall possess all the
duties and responsibilities of the Chairman.
Section 4. Secretary. The Secretary shall notify members of all
meetings; keep an accurate record of attendance; record the minutes of
the meetings; and perform such other duties normally pertaining to the
office. This position may be combined with that of Treasurer.
Section 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive any monies given to or earned by the COMMISSION; shall act as custodian for these monies and deposit them in the COMMISSION bank account; present accurate accounting of the funds at each meeting; disburse funds upon approval of the COMMISSION; and perform such other duties as normally pertain to the office. This position may be combined with that of Secretary.
Section 6. Nominations and Election Procedure. Nominations for these
offices shall be made by a committee composed of three appointed
members. Nominations shall be made and presented to the general
membership at the November meeting of the even numbered year. In the
event more than one candidate is nominated for an office, election shall
be by written ballot. A majority vote of those present qualified to vote
and voting shall constitute election. Proxy or absentee voting will not
be allowed in officer election.
Section 7. Resignation and vacancy. An officer may resign the office
while not necessarily resigning membership on the COMMISSION by
submitting a letter to the COMMISSION which shall be read into the
official minutes. Vacancies occurring in any office other than the
Chairman shall be filled for the remainder of the term by electing a
substitute at the regular meeting following the resignation. The elected
officer shall fill out the remainder of the regular term.
ARTICLE V: FINANCIAL
ADMINSTRATION
Section 1. Fiscal Term. The fiscal term for
the WCHC shall coincide with that of the
Section 2. Budget. The proposed budget for the ensuing year shall be
prepared by the Budget Committee and presented in writing to the general
membership of the WCHC at the June meeting. The Treasurer shall serve as
the committee chair along with two appointed members.
Section 3. Allocations. Funds shall be disbursed by the Treasurer
upon authorization by the general membership.
Section 4. Receipt of Gifts. The WCHC shall be authorized to accept gifts of money and other property from any source for use in the furtherance of its lawful purposes.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meetings. There shall be a minimum of six regular meetings for the general membership as specified by the Texas Historical Commission. The date, time and place shall be determined according to the wishes of the WCHC. Notification shall be by mail.
Section 2. Organizational Planning. A planning meeting shall be held once each year; specific date, time and place shall be set according to the WCHC recommendations. The purpose of this meeting shall be to form a well-balanced program of work to encourage participation of all commission members; and to consider any other such business as is proper.
Section 3. Quorum. A quorum shall be required for the transaction of business at any meeting. A quorum shall be composed of the members present and voting. It should be understood that at least one fourth of the voting membership should be in attendance to consider matters of unusual importance.
Section 4. Parliamentary procedure. Parliamentary procedure will be according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 5. Special Meetings. It is the policy of the WCHC to meet once each month in regular session. One-third of the voting membership may request special meetings if necessary to conduct business between regular meetings.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES
Section 1. The Chairman of the WCHC shall appoint a chairman for each of the standing committees and task forces as needed. The chairmen for the committees shall serve the same two year term as the officers. Each member of the WCHC will be assigned to a committee in accordance with the member’s preference. Outside advisors or counselors may serve as non-voting members.
Section 2. Standing committees. In accordance with the recommendations of the Texas Historical Commission these five (5) committees shall be constant and on-going.
a) Historical Preservation – acquisition, preservation, storage and display of historical papers, records, and documents; establishing, improving, enlarging and/or supporting an historical museum; writing or up-dating county history; reprinting scarce historical materials and publications; assisting in the preservation of historic buildings, sites and historic cemeteries.
b) Historical Markers – study, survey, research and review subjects and sites for possible marking; prepare and submit appropriate applications; up-date marker lists; secure locations and obtain permission for erecting markers.
c)
History Appreciation – promote
d) Finance and Budget – prepare budget for adoption by WCHC voting members and present proposed budget to the County Commissioners; raise private funds to supplement that which was allocated by Commissioners Court as is necessary; monitor Treasurer’s records when requested by the WCHC by two-thirds vote of the total voting membership.
e) Advisory – provide advice and direction on citizen interests; serve as liaison between WCHC and others seeking advice, assistance, support or sponsorship for history-related projects and programs.
Section 3. Special Committees or Task Forces. The Chairman of WCHC may appoint a Chairman and members of special committees which will serve to accomplish a specific goal or project. The committee will be terminated at the completion of the goal or project unless otherwise directed by the WCHC.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the qualified members present and voting provided the amendments were submitted in writing to the general membership two weeks prior to that meeting AND ARE APPROVED BY THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.
ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION
If the WILLIAMSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION should
be dissolved by vote of the
Pardon our dust - we're under construction and we will have more information forthcoming.