Constitution
and
By-Laws of the Spring Valley Cemetery Association
Article I - Name
The name of this body shall be the “Spring Valley
Cemetery Association”
hereinafter referred to as the Association.
Article II - Purpose
The sole purpose of this Association is to serve in
restoring,
beautifying and maintaining the rock enclosed cemetery located in
the valley
commonly known as Spring Valley. This cemetery is an
historic site
containing the known graves of Charles Massie, born 1727 that died
in 1817, who
purchased the property in 1768, along with others of his immediate
family. This cemetery is not, and it is anticipated that it
will not be
used for further internment of others, including descendants of
the Charles
Massie.
Included in such purpose is: purchasing, leasing, receiving
by gift or
bequest, and otherwise acquiring, owning, holding, improving, or
any interest
needed to carry out the above and to insure the welfare of this
Association.
Article III - Membership – Voting
Section – 1. The membership of this Association shall
be the
interested descendants of Charles Massie born 1727, died 1817, and
who is
interred in the cemetery located in Spring Valley, Albemarle
County,
Virginia. These descendants are many and widely scattered,
and in some
instances unknown. It is recognized that each has the right
of
representation as members in this Association; however because of
the
difficulties encountered in accessing each and all in the decision
making
process, the management of this Association shall be vested in a
Board of
Trustees.
Section -2. There should be no less than nine
and no more
than twelve trustees. Initially the founding trustees shall
be selected
from interested family members who volunteer to serve in that
capacity for a
period of two years. Subsequent trustees shall be elected by
the
membership at a called meeting published in the Nelson County
Newspaper.
Section -3. Trustees shall be selected by the
membership and
will serve for a period of five years and may succeed themselves
at the
pleasure of the membership. Vacancies on the board may be
filled by
majority vote of the remaining trustees until the next meeting of
the
membership.
Section -4. Descendants shall be defined
as those
persons who by blood descend directly from one of the children of
this Charles
Massie and the legal spouses of these descendants. Decisions
regarding
qualification shall reside in the Trustees where conflict
occurs.
Article IV – Support
Much of the work of this body depends upon the good
will and
voluntary work of its members. Often other phases of the
work including
maintenance, upkeep, and beautification of the cemetery require
financial
support. It is thus important that family members support by
contributions the work that cannot be done by volunteers.
For this
purpose a bank account will be maintained for the repository of
funds.
Article V – Meetings
From time to time meetings of the membership shall be
held.
Meetings shall be announced in the Amherst and Nelson County
Newspapers for two
weeks in advance of such meetings. Notification of the site
of such
meeting will also be publicized.
Trustees shall meet at least biannually and otherwise as
necessary for
the performance of their function. Trustees shall consider a
quorum to be
five trustees and the majority rule in making decisions. A
record of
trustee meetings will be kept and available for the information of
any
member.
Article VI – Officers
The officers of this Association shall be the President,
Vice-President
and Secretary- Treasurer. These positions may be combined in
any
combination at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees.
Article VII – Trustees
Control and Management of the Association shall be vested in
the Board of
Trustees who shall make such rules and regulations for the
management of the
assets of the Association and for any other matters dealing with
the cemetery
as it deems proper.
VIII – Amendments
This constitution may be amended or a new constitution
adopted by a
two-thirds vote of the members present at a general meeting of the
membership,
provided proper and adequate notification of such meeting is
made. Any
change to be voted upon at such meeting shall be sent in draft
form, mailed to
all Trustees at least 30 days prior to such meeting.
By-Laws, Rules and
Regulations
Article I – Operating Procedures
Section 1. There may be many differences of opinion as
to the
renovation, beautification and maintenance of this cemetery and
its enclosing
walls. Differences should be presented to the Trustees for
resolution. Their determined resolution shall be final
unless overturned
by a meeting of the membership. If a conflict is not
satisfactorily
resolved, any three members may request a called meeting of the
general
membership and the Trustees shall call a meeting within 60
days.
Article II – Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall preside over the
meetings of the
Association. He may be a Trustee, and as such preside over
the meetings
of the Board of Trustees. He shall perform the duties
incident to the
office.
Section 2. The Vice President shall act in the absence
of the
President and assist that officer as he may direct.
Section 3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a record
of the
proceedings of the Board and as Treasurer keep an account of all
money received
by the Association, and deposit the same in the bank to the credit
of the
Association. Disbursements shall be made under the
Treasurer’s
signature. He shall make a report of his disbursements and
the financial
condition of the Association to the Trustees at their meetings and
to the
membership at their meetings.
Article III – Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended or a new By-Laws adopted by a
majority vote
of the members present at a meeting of the membership.
Proposed changes
shall be mailed in draft form to all Trustees at least 30 days
prior to the
membership meeting that the change will be voted upon.