ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation is exclusively for educational and charitable purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) and the running of educational programs promoting historical miniature gaming and military history. The Corporation shall not be operated for profit and no part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any of its officers or members or of any private individual. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation; and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. In furtherance of its purposes the Corporation shall serve as a fund raising vehicle enabling the public-at-large to make gifts commensurate with their concern for the promotion of education and development of historical gaming and military history.

The Corporation has a racially non-discriminatory policy towards members and does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, sex and national or ethnic origin.

To fulfill its purposes and goals, the Corporation will solicit donations and contributions from the general public. The Corporation will receive and administer funds for such charitable and educational purposes such as providing members and the public-at-large with educational demonstrations, seminars and conventions devoted to the various aspects of historical gaming and military history.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. (a) The eligibility and qualifications for membership, and the manner of admission into membership shall be prescribed by resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or by such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. All such resolutions or rules and regulations relating to members adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be affixed to the By-Laws of the Corporation, and shall be deemed to be a part thereof. Such resolutions or rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors may prescribe, with respect to all members, the amount and number of imposing and collecting any initiation fees, dues or other fees, assessments, fines and penalties, the manner of suspension or termination of membership, and for reinstatement of membership, and, except as may hereinafter otherwise be provided, the rights, liabilities and other incidents of membership.

(b) The right or interest of a member shall not terminate except upon the happening of any of the following events: death, resignation, expulsion, dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation.

(c) Any action undertaken by the Board of Directors to suspend or terminate membership against the wishes of that member is subject to a vote of confirmation by the full membership of the corporation if the member whose membership is being suspended/terminated so requests.  A majority vote of members present at any Annual Meeting or General Membership meeting will be sufficient to uphold or overturn the Boards action.  The Board may conduct a Corporation-wide referendum instead if they so choose.

Section 2. The Board of Directors may cause to be issued certificates, cards or other instruments permitted by law evidencing membership in the Corporation. Such membership certificate, card or other instrument shall be non-transferable, and a statement to that effect shall be noted on the certificate, card or other instrument. Membership certificates, cards or other instruments, if issued, shall bear the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1. (a) The Annual Meeting of Members of the Corporation shall be held on such date or dates as shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The Annual Meeting shall be held on a date not more than twelve (12) months following the preceding Annual Meeting. Normally said date shall be Saturday morning during Historicon. Special Meetings of members may be held on such date or dates as may be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation from time to time and by the members on such date or dates as shall be permitted by law. At least one Special Meeting shall be held on Saturday morning during COLD WARS and shall be known as the General Membership Meeting. Special Meetings must comply with all requirements stated herein for the Annual Meeting.

(b) Any Annual or Special Meeting of Members may be held at such place within or without the State as the Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to time fix. In the event the Board of Directors shall fail to fix such place or time, or in the event members are entitled to call or convene a Special Meeting in accordance with law, then, in such event, such meeting shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation.

(c) Annual or Special Meetings of Members may be called by the Board of Directors or by any officer of the Corporation instructed to do so by the Board of Directors, except to the extent that Directors may be required by law to call a meeting, and shall be called by the Secretary on behalf of the members, when required to do so by law.

(d) Written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting shall be given for all meetings. Such notice shall state the person or persons calling the meeting. Notice for an Annual Meeting shall state that the meeting is being called for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting. Notice for the Special Meeting known as the General Membership Meeting shall state that the meeting is being called for the nomination of candidates for election to the Board of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Notices of other Special Meetings shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Any Special Meeting, only the business stated in the Notice of Meeting may be transacted thereat. Notice of Meeting shall be given either personally or by first class mail not less than ten (10) days nor more than fifty (50) days before the date of the meeting, to each member at his address recorded on the records of the Corporation, or at such other address which the member may have furnished in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. Notice shall be deemed to have been given when deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or other official depository under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States Post Office. Any meeting of members may be adjourned from time to time. In such event, it shall be necessary to provide further notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting if announcement of the time and place of the adjourned meeting given at the meeting so adjourned. In the event the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for an adjourned meeting, a new notice shall be given, in the same manner as herein provided. No notice need be given to any member who executes and delivers a Waiver of Notice before or after the meeting. The attendance of a member in person at the meeting without protesting the lack of notice of a meeting, shall constitute a waiver of notice by such member. Any notice of meeting to members relating to the election of Directors, shall set forth any amendments to the By-Laws of the Corporation adopted by the Board of Directors, together with a concise statement of the changes made.

(e) At every meeting of members, there shall be presented a list or record of members as of the record date, certified by the officer responsible for its preparation, and upon request therefor, any member who has given written notice to the Corporation, which request shall be made at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting, shall have the right to inspect such list or record at the meeting. Such list shall be evidence of the right of the persons to vote at such meeting, and all persons who appear on such list or record to be members may vote at such meeting.

Section 2. At each Annual Meeting of Members, the Board of Directors shall present an Annual Report. Such report shall be filed with the records of the Corporation and entered in the minutes of the proceedings of such Annual Meeting of Members.

Section 3. (a) Meetings of the members shall be presided over by the following officers, in order of seniority: the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President or, if none of the foregoing is in office or present at the meeting, by a Chairman chosen by a majority of the members in attendance. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of every meeting. When neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is available, the Chairman may appoint a Secretary of the meeting.

(b) Meeting agendas at all membership meetings shall include but not be limited to the following:

Section 4. The conduct of the Annual and any Special Membership Meeting will conform to Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 5. As a one time transition process, the 1995 Annual Membership Meeting is designated as an information and feedback only session, specifically as regards the implementation of these Bylaws. The meeting will be conducted IAW those parts of Article IV, Sections 3 and 4 as may apply. This Section of Article IV of the Bylaws is applicable to the 1995 Annual Membership Meeting only and is permanently rescinded effective 23 July 1995.

ARTICLE V

MEMBER VOTING

Section 1. Each member shall be entitled to one vote in all matters in which a member may participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, voting or participating in a meeting, expressing consent or dissent or otherwise voting without a meeting.

Section 2. To properly supervise voting procedures, the Directors may, but need not, appoint one or more Election Inspectors to act at any meeting and adjournment thereof, or in conjunction with any other methodology as may be specified to express consent, dissent or otherwise vote without a meeting. If Inspectors are not appointed, the presiding officer of a meeting may, but need not appoint Inspectors. Each appointed Inspector shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of Inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The Inspectors shall determine the number of memberships outstanding, the voting power of each, the number of memberships represented and the existence of a quorum. The Inspectors shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote of all members. The Inspectors shall make a report in writing of all matters determined by them with respect to such meeting.

Section 3. (a) A minimum of 40 members must be present at any meeting of the Corporation for a quorum to be established and maintained to allow the conduct of business. Members may also adjourn any meeting of the Corporation despite the absence of a quorum.

b) Rescinded.

(c) All other binding action shall be limited to Procedural Issues and will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the members. Procedural Issues are any issues which are not Substantive Issues, and include, but are not limited to, the capacity to mandate Board of Director action or a Corporation wide referendum on any matter within 90 days. Action on issues approved for referendum shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast. Mandating Board action or a Corporation wide referendum on a Substantive Issue shall be a Procedural Issue. Other than to mandate Board action or a Corporation wide referendum, binding action may not be taken on any Procedural Issue which is not listed in the appropriate Notice of Meeting. Procedural Issues shall be included in said Notice by the Secretary of the Corporation if so requested by at least two valid members not less than 30 days prior.

(d) Binding action on Substantive Issues may only be taken through vote of the Board of Directors or by a majority of the votes cast through a Corporation wide referendum. Substantive issues include only the following:

(e) Except as specified through referendum as noted in Article V, Section 3, Paragraphs (c) and (d) above, whenever the vote of members is required or permitted, such action may be taken without a meeting on the written consent setting forth the action signed by a majority of the members, or a majority of the Board of Directors, entitled to vote.

Section 4. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining members entitled to notice of, to vote, to express consent or dissent from any proposal without a meeting, to determine members entitled to receive distributions or allotment of rights, or for any other proper purpose. Such record date shall not be more than fifty (50) days nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting or consent or the date on which any distribution or allotment of rights, as the case may be, is to be made. In the event no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of members entitled to vote at a meeting of members shall be the close of business on the day ten (10) days preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The record date for determining members for any purpose other than that specified in the preceding sentence shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of directors relating thereto is adopted. Establishment of a record date shall apply to any adjournment of any meeting, unless a new record date is affixed by the Board of Directors for such adjourned meeting.

Section 5. No vote on business of the Corporation by either the membership or the Board of Directors shall be taken between the hours of Midnight and Seven o'clock A. M. (7:00 A.M.) (0700) local time, except is such vote is required for adjournment of a meeting in progress prior to that time.

Section 6. The minimum voting age for all HMGS voting shall be 18 years of age as of the date of record for the vote.

ARTICLE VI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors. Each director shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age, and shall be a member of the Corporation during his Directorship. A director of the Corporation may NOT simultaneously serve as a director or officer of another HMGS chapter. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be seven (7) persons. The number of Directors may be changed from time to time by amending these Bylaws, but said number shall never fall below three (3) persons. No decrease shall shorten the term of any director then in office.

Section 2. (a) The membership shall elect Directors to hold office for a period of two (2) years. The election will be by mail ballot which will be sent to the membership by first class mail. Ballots will be sent and postmarked no later than 60 days before the Annual Meeting. Final results will be sent and posted no later than 14 days before the Annual Meeting. Four members of the Board will be elected on odd numbered years and three elected on even numbered years. During each of said years, every member may cast votes for up to four or three candidates respectively. Each Director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which he was elected, and until his successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his prior resignation or removal as hereinafter provided. The term of a Director begins at the Board Meeting held immediately prior to the Annual Meeting. In case of special elections; Directors terms will commence at the start of the next board meeting following the election certification. Special election originated Director terms-of-office will end in-accordance-with the above succession conditions and will comply with the following normal term start date regardless of actual service dates.

(b) Nominations for election to the Board of Directors will be opened and closed at the General Membership Meeting prior to the election. Members need not be present to be nominated to the Board.

(c) Nominees for election who desire to present biographical data or a platform will be allowed the opportunity to do so by having said biographical data or platform attached to the ballot which is mailed to every member. Such information will not exceed 500 words in length and must be submitted to the Election Manager prior to a deadline announced no later than the General Membership Meeting.

(d) As a one time transition process, all seven directors will be elected by plurality in 1995, though each member cast ballots for no more than six candidates. The three directors elected in 1995 with the smallest number of votes shall stand for election once more in 1996. Further, to comply with previously published election guidance, balloting will take place outside the venue of the Annual Membership meeting. Instead members will cast their votes for the election of a Board of Directors either via a proxy ballot to a representative of the Secretary of the Corporation, or via a Ballot Box maintained at the Registration Desk of Historicon 1995. This Ballot Box will remain open for voting until 1200 hours, 22 July 1995. A specially appointed committee of inspectors will tabulate the votes and conduct such other duties as necessary IAW Article V Section 2 of these Bylaws, announcing the winners not later than the HMGS East Annual Banquet that same day. The newly elected Board of Directors will hold an Annual Meeting of the Board on 23 July 1995 as required by Article VI Section 5 of these Bylaws. Except as stated above, all other requirements concerning the election of a Board of Directors as specified in these Bylaws remain in effect. The requirement for the 1996 interim election excepted, these special procedures are valid for the 1995 Board of Directors election only, with this Section of Article VI of the Bylaws permanently rescinded effective 23 July 1995.

(e) The election officer will maintain election ballots in a sealed container for 30 days following the installation of any newly elected Director(s) or until 30 days pass following the resolution of any election protests.

Section 3. (a) Any or all of the members of the Board of Directors may be removed with or without cause by vote of the members of the Corporation through referendum. The Board of Directors may remove any director thereof for cause only by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the Board of Directors meeting in open session.

(b) A Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to an officer of the Corporation. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or such officer. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 4. Newly-created Directorships or vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a vote of majority of the Board of Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation. Vacancies occurring by reason of the removal of directors without cause shall be filled by a vote of the members. A Director elected to fill a vacancy caused by resignation, death, or removal shall be elected to hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor.

Section 5. (a) Meetings shall be held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

(b) No notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors for which the time and place have been fixed. Special meetings may be called by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by a majority of the directors then in office.

(c) Written, oral, or any other method of notice of the time and place shall be given for special meetings of the Board of Directors in sufficient time for the convenient assembly of the Board of Directors. The notice of any meeting need not specify the purpose of such meeting. The requirement for furnishing notice of a meeting may be waived by any Director who signs a Waiver of Notice before or after the meeting or who attends the meeting without protesting the lack of notice to him.

Section 6. Except to the extent herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation provided, a majority of the entire members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting held to remove one or more Directors a quorum shall consist of a majority of the Directors present at such meeting. Whenever a vacancy on the Board of Directors shall prevent a quorum from being present, then, in such event, the quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors excluding the vacancy. A majority of the Directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn a meeting to another time and place. Except to the extent provided by law and these By-Laws, the act of the Board of Directors shall be by a majority of the Directors present at the time of vote, a quorum being present at such time. Any action authorized by resolution, in writing, by all of the Directors entitled to vote thereon and filed with the minutes of the Corporation shall be the act of the Board of Directors with the same force and effect as if the same had been passed by unanimous vote at a duly called meeting of the Board.

Section 7. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. If there be no Chairman or in his absence, the President shall preside and, if there be no President or in his absence, any other Director chosen by the Board shall preside.

Section 8. Whenever the Board of Directors shall consist of more than three (3) persons, the Board of Directors may designate from their number, an executive committee and other standing committees. Such committees shall have such authority as the Board of Directors may delegate, except to the extent prohibited by law. In addition, the Board of Directors may establish special committees for any lawful purpose, which may have such powers as the Board of Directors may lawfully designate.

Section 9. Each Director shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote before a duly called and organized meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 10. No individual may serve more than three consecutive terms on  the Board of Directors without first taking a break in service of not less than two (2) years.  In filling vacancies for unexpired terms, a director who has served more than half a term in office is considered to have served a full term.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

Section 1. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as they may determine. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person except the office of President and Secretary.

Section 2. Each officer shall hold office until the Board Meeting immediately prior to the Annual Meeting of the Membership, and until his/her successor has been duly elected and qualifies. The Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause at any time.

Section 3. (a) The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have the responsibility for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation, and shall carry out the resolutions of the Board of Directors.

(b) During the absence or disability of the President of the Corporation, the Vice-President, or, if there be more than one, the Executive Vice-President shall have all the powers and functions of the President. The Vice-President shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

(c) The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all of the funds and securities of the Corporation, and shall deposit said funds in the name of the Corporation in such bank accounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The Treasurer shall, when duly authorized by the Board of Directors, sign and execute all contracts in the name of the Corporation when counter-signed by the President; he may also sign checks, drafts, notes and orders for the payment of money, which shall have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors and counter-signed by the President. The Treasurer shall publish an annual financial report. Said report will be published after the close of the fiscal year but prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Corporation. Additionally, an interim financial report will be provided by the Treasurer during each membership meeting.

(d) The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the Board of Directors and the minutes of the members. He shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation, and shall affix and attest the same to documents duly authorized by the Board of Directors. He shall serve all notices for the Corporation which shall have been authorized by the Board of Directors, and shall have charge of all books and records of the Corporation. The Secretary shall insure that the properly requested resolution of Procedural Issues is added to the agenda of the next membership meeting. He shall also insure that information concerning said issues is properly posted in the appropriate Notice of Meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

VOTING BY PROXY

Rescinded. Proxy voting by either the Membership or a member of the Board of Directors is prohibited.

ARTICLE IX

CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS

Section 1. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, in addition to the officers so authorized by these By-Laws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or may be confined to specific instances, provided, however, that under no circumstances may any officer or agent of the Corporation act on its behalf to contract for or bind the Corporation in matters where the dollar amount involved exceeds One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), without having first received the written authorization of the Board of Directors by resolution, or otherwise. In the absence of previous board direction, and in order to eliminate unnecessary conditions or charges, only the President or Treasurer (in the President’s absence or if the President negotiated the contract) may bind the Corporation by signing contracts in excess of $1,000.

Section 2. Checks, Drafts or Orders. All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes or evidences or indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. In the absence of such determination by the Board of Directors, such instruments shall be signed by either the Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer, the President, Executive Director, or by a Vice President of the Corporation. In the absence of a determination of the Board of Directors to the contrary by resolution, all checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes of evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation wherein the amount involved exceeds One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) shall be signed by the officers and agents of the Corporation as designated in the immediately preceding and, in addition, such instruments must be countersigned by another such officer or agent of the Corporation.

Section 3. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may by resolution, select.

Section 4. Investments. The funds of the Corporation may, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, be invested in such securities, stocks, bonds, debentures, real estate, partnerships, joint ventures, and syndications as are permitted by law.

Section 5. Gifts. The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the Corporation any contribution, gift, donation, bequest or devise for any purpose of the Corporation.

ARTICLE X

BOOKS AND RECORDS

The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of and relating to all accounts and funds maintained by it or on its behalf and shall also keep and maintain correct and complete minutes of the proceedings of its Board of Directors. Additionally, the Corporation shall keep at its principal office complete records detailing the names and addresses of all contributors or donors; and these records shall for each such person or entity reflect the specific amount donated or contributed. All books and records of the Corporation may be inspected by any member of the public at large, any donor or contributor, or the agent or the attorney of such donor or contributor for any proper purpose at any reasonable time at the principal officers of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XI

FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be 1 January to 31 December.

ARTICLE XII

SEAL

The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal, which shall be affixed to all official corporate documents pursuant to the requirements of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

ARTICLE XIII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notices are required to be given under the provisions of Titles 1, 2, 3, and 5, Corporations and Associations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or by the By-Laws of this Corporation, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent of giving such notice.

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section 1. These Bylaws may only be amended by vote of the Board of Directors or by a majority of the votes cast through referendum of the Corporation as a whole.

Section 2. All Bylaws changes made by vote of the Board of Directors (Board-initiated) shall be submitted to a referendum of the Corporation as a whole for ratification, as part of the next Board election ballot mailing specified in Article VI Section 2a of the bylaws. Board-initiated bylaws changes will go into effect as soon as the Board votes to implement them. Board-initiated bylaws changes that fail to be ratified by the membership in the Corporation-wide referendum will be rescinded as of the date that the election results are posted per Article VI Section 2a of the bylaws.

ARTICLE XV

EFFECTIVE DATE OF BYLAWS

The effective date of these Bylaws is 19 July 1995, or as amended.

The preceding is a true copy of the By-Laws of the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society (East), adjusted to include all changes voted on by Corporation-wide Referendum or by the Board of Directors through 9 December 2007.

Certified Official:

Bill Rutherford
Secretary of the Corporation