The By-Laws shall be consistent with the provisions of Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes and with the Articles of Incorporation and all subsequent restatements and amendments thereto filed with the Secretary of State under which this organization is incorporated as a non-stock, not-for-profit corporation, exclusively charitable and educational within the definition of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and shall govern the administration and activities of this organization.

Article I Name

The name of this organization shall be The French Canadian/Acadian Genealogists of Wisconsin Inc. and hereinafter referred to as FCGW.

Article II  -  Purpose

Exclusively charitable and educational, within the definition of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, registered with the Wisconsin Secretary of State, under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Article III Objectives

1. To  stimulate genealogical communication, education, interest and exchange of information, especially as it relates to French Canadian and Acadian genealogy, to/with individuals, libraries and organizations.
2. To provide instruction and/or assistance through publications, educational programs, workshops, and/or seminars for members and for the general public.
3. To foster careful documentatio n and promote scholarly genealogical research, writing and publication.
4. To foster and encourage interest and research in French Canadian and Acadian heritage and culture.
5. To encourage the collection, preservation and maintenance of genealogical or historical materials.
6. To champion ethical standards and practices in the field of genealogy.

Article IV - Membership and Dues

Section A - Membership
1. Any person, regardless of sex, race, color, creed or national origin, that subscribes to or promotes the objectives of FCGW, applies for membership, and pays the necessary dues, shall become a voting member of this organization and eligible to hold office.
2. Membership shall be terminated automatically for nonpayment of dues.

Section B - Membership Year
The membership year shall be twelve months and shall commence with the first day of July and run through to 30 June of the next year.

Section C - Dues
The amount of dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.

Article V - Meetings

Section A - Membership Meetings
Meetings are held each month except during the months of January and December at such place and such date as determined by the board.

Section B - Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held no less than six times per year and will be called by the President. Board members shall be notified of the time and place of the meeting  at least five  (5) days  prior to said meetings. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

Article VI - Officers

Section A - The officers of the FCGW shall be: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer. Each officer shall be elected for a two-year term and may succeed himself/herself for one consecutive term, except the Treasurer who may serve for more than two consecutive terms.

Section B - All officers shall assume office on January 1, following the election.

Section C In the election for 1992, and only for that election, the term of office for Vice-President, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary shall be for one year.

Article VII - Duties of Officers

The President shall:
1. Preside at all meetings of the general membership, and of the Board of Directors. The President may vote to decide a tie vote or not vote at all, whichever seems wiser to the President himself/herself.
2. Appoint all chairpersons of committees, with approval of the Board of Directors.
3. Be an ex--officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee.

The Vice President Shall:
1. Assume the duties of the President in the absence of, or at the request of, the President.
2. Assume the duties of the President for the remaining term of office in the event of a  vacancy in the office of President.
3. Assume the duties of program chairperson for all general meetings during his/her tenure in office.

The Recording Secretary shall:
1. Be the custodian of the organization's records except such as are specificall y assigned elsewhere.
2. Keep a record of the proceedings of the Society.
3. Keep and have available for reference at all meetings one book in which the Society's charter, by-laws and standing rules are kept current.
4. Maintain a current inventory of all legal documents and records.

The Correspondi ng Secretary shall:
1. Conduct the correspondence of the Society.
2. Maintain a file of Society correspondence.

The Treasurer shall:
1.  Collect all dues and be custodian of all funds of the Society.
2.  Sign checks for authorized disbursements on behalf of the FCGW.
3.  Make all financial records available for audit.
4.  Maintain a current membership list of all members in good standing.
5.  Present a statement of finances at each meeting.
6.  Make an annual financial report available to the organization at the end of each fiscal (calendar) year.
7.  Provide any financial reports required under local, state or federal law.
8.  Maintain current sellers permits as required under local, state or federal law.

Article VIII - Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the FCGW and shall in emergency situations have and may exercise the powers of the Board when it is not in session.

Article IX - Board of Directors

Section A - Members
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers, the Past President and Two Directors-at--Large herein referred to as the Board. Any Board member with three consecutive unexcused absences may be dismissed by the Board. Each member shall maintain records of his/her office and surrender same to his/her successor by DECEMBER 15, following the election.
2. The two Directors-at-Large shall be elected for a two year term.
3.  In the election for 1992, and only for that election, the term of office for one Director-at-Large will be for one year.

Section B -
The Board shall:
a. Transact the business of FCGW
b. Direct Committees
c. Appoint Chairpersons
d. Authorize disbursements
e. Appoint an historian

Section C - Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring on the Board shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board, except the office of President.

Article X - Nominating Committee

Section A - The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors no later than the first of August.

Section B -  The Nominating Committee shall:
Prepare a slate of at least one nominee for each vacancy to be filled.
Follow the nominating committee procedure which will be prepared by the Board.

Article XI - Elections

Section A - The election shall be by mail ballot.

Section B - The candidate with the simple majority of votes for any office shall be elected.

Article Xll - Special Committees

Special committees may be created as needed and the chairperson appointed by the President, with approval of the Board of Directors.

Article XIII - Other Provisions

1. Auditor--The Board of Directors shall appoint an appropriate auditor. The auditor shall review the financial records and render a written report to the Board, annually.
2. Personal Liability. No officer, director or member shall be held personally liable for any debt, liability or obligation of the FCGW. All persons, organizations and other entities having any claim whatever against the FCGW may look only to the funds, money due, and assets of the FCGW for  payment of any such claims due them.
3. Proceedings - The provision of Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes and the most recent revision of  "Robert's  Rules of Order" shall govern the proceedings of the FCGW.

Article XIV - Amendments

Section A - Any member in good standing may propose an amendment to these By-Laws.

Section B - Proposed amendments shall be presented to the Board of Directors at least one month prior to the notification of the membership.

Section C - Notification.
Upon receipt and acceptance by the Board, the Secretary shall circulate  notice, by U.S. Mail, with ballots, to the entire membership at least one month before the closing date of voting on the amendment.

Section D - Ratification   A two-thirds vote of approval of all votes cast is required to ratify any amendment.

Section E - By-Laws  shall be reviewed and published at least every five years.

Article XV - Inurement of Income

No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.

Article XVI - Legislative or Political Activities

No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.  The corporation shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Article XVII - Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of FCGW, the Board shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the FCGW, dispose of all the assets of the FCGW exclusivel y for purposes of the FCGW in such manner, to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization(s) under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principal office of the FCGW is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization(s) as said Court shall determine are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.