The Constitution of Clan Flanagan
Accepted December 27, 2004
- The Clan shall be known as the Clan Flanagan or (in Irish) Clann
Ó Flannagáin.
- The Clan shall be a non-profit cultural organization, and shall
not engage in commercial activities for profit.
- The primary purpose of the Clan is to safeguard the heritage of
Flanagan descendents worldwide through research and education. This
includes the compilation of relevant genealogical and historical
information, its dissemination to both Clan members and to the
general public by means of either printed or electronic media, and
advice and assistance to Clan members engaged in genealogical and/or
historical research.
- In order to further the purposes of the Clan, a current
membership roster shall be maintained and distributed via print or
electronic media to Clan members annually; the organization of
periodic Clan gatherings at frequencies and venues decided by the
members; and the creation and maintenance of a Clan website; any
other means for creating a sense of identity among the Clans
members.
- The income and property of the Clan shall be applied solely
towards the promotion of its primary purpose as set forth in this
constitution. No portion of the Clan's income and property shall
be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of a dividend,
bonus, or otherwise by way of profit to members of the Clan. No
officer shall be appointed to any office of the Clan paid by salary
or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or
money's worth from the Clan. However, nothing shall prevent
payment in good faith by the Clan of:
- reasonable and prompt remuneration to any member, officer or
servant of the Clan (not being an officer) for any services
rendered to the Clan;
- interest not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by the
officers or other members of the Clan;
- reasonable and proper rent for premises leased by any member
of the Clan (including any officer) to the Clan;
- reasonable and proper out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any
officer in connection with their attendance to any matter
affecting the Clan;
- fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money's
worth to any company of which an officer may be a member holding
not more than one-hundredth part of the issued capital of such
company.
- In the event of the dissolution of the Clan, after satisfaction
of it debts and liabilities, any property or financial assets remain,
it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Clan.
Instead, such property shall be given or transferred to some other
charitable institution or institutions having a purpose similar those
of the Clan. The institution or institutions to which the property is
to be given or transferred shall prohibit the distribution of its or
their income and property among its or their members to an extent at
least as great as is imposed on the Clan by virtue of this clause.
Members of the Clan shall select the relevant institution or
institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far
as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall
be given or transferred to some charitable object.
- Annual accounts shall be kept and made available to the legal
entities entitled to inspect said accounts. Accounts shall be audited
in accordance with current legislation.
- The funds of the Clan, if any, will be lodged in a separate Clan
bank account and will be managed by the Treasurer. Withdrawals from
the Clan bank account must be signed by the Treasurer. Any incomes or
withdrawals must be entered in the Treasurer's annual
statement.
- All descendants of any individual named Flanagan (or recognized
spelling variations thereof) are eligible to join the Clan.
- Full membership of the Clan is available to any eligible person
aged eighteen years or more.
- No dues are currently in place, but may be implemented by a
yes/no vote of the membership at its scheduled Clan gathering or via
paper or electronic means. If implemented such dues shall be set at
an amount not to exceed the minimum sum required to fund
administrative costs deemed appropriate by the executive
committee.
- Elected officers of the Clan will include a Chairperson
(Cathaoirleach), a Vice-Chairperson (Leas Cathaoirleach), and
Secretary/Treasurer (Runai/Cisteoir). Officers must be members of the
Clan. Any member in good standing may nominate a candidate for these
positions, and terms will run from January 1 to December 31.
Elections will be held in November of the year prior to the next term
or as soon thereafter as possible. Election to office will be by
majority vote.
- Non-elected officers will include a Historian/Genealogist
(Stairtheoir/Seanchai) and Webmaster (Lionfhoirbreoir), selected by
the current Executive Committee.
- The Executive Committee will consist of the Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Historian, and Webmaster.
- All members of the Executive Committee will remain in office for
a minimum of one-year.
- The Executive Committee will convene in person or liaise via an
appropriate medium at least once per quarter at a suitable
venue/date/time.
- All members of the Executive Committee are required to assist in
the general running of the Clan, and take an active role in Clan
affairs.
- Clan gatherings will be held at a venue/date/time to be decided
by the Executive Committee.
- This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of
the Clan's membership.
