By-Laws

CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS of THE SAGE SOCIETY

Approved January 10, 2017

Amended January 9, 2018

Amended  February 8, 2022

Amended March 10, 2026

Article I

Name: The Sage Society

Founded in 2015 in Beaufort, SC by: Linda Shirley Robertson, Lainie Andrew, and Margaret (Jerry) Stocks. 

Article II

Mission Statement: The purpose of The Sage Society is to foster ongoing in-depth study of topics, using research and communication skills, to further the knowledge of its members.

Article III

Membership:

Section 1.  The members of this organization shall be of two classes:

1. Active members: Limited to 24 members   (approved March 10,2026)      Members attend meetings and present a paper on a regular schedule.   

 2. Associate members:

a. A member in good standing may request associate status after being a member of the Sage Society for 3 (three) years

b. A member in good standing may present a written request stating her reason for requesting associate membership to the Cabinet for approval.

c. The associate member may attend meetings but will no longer be required to present a paper or have voting rights.

d. Members must notify the Secretary if a leave of absence is requested. The Cabinet will review the request and accept or reject the request.   A leave of absence will be reviewed after one year. A previous member who has been on leave of absence will be eligible to fill the first vacancy if she wishes to return.  (Approved March 10. 2026)

Section 2.  Prospective new members:

A prospective new member may be proposed by an active member throughout the year.

·       A potential new member may be invited to attend 2 (two) meetings a year whenever possible.

·       New members may be voted on throughout the year, if there are vacancies.  (Approved February 8, 2022)

·        If there are no vacancies, the prospective new member will be added to the waiting list for consideration. when a vacancy occurs

·        Active members will vote by secret ballot to fill vacancies. Two negative votes preclude membership.

·       The prospective new members with the highest number of votes will fill the corresponding vacant slots. Those not elected at this meeting will remain on the waiting list.

  Section 3. Regular attendance:

If any member is consistently unable to attend most meetings, it will be assumed that member is no longer interested in participating in The Sage Society.

A Cabinet officer will contact the member to see if she wishes to continue in Sage Society or withdraw her membership.

Members are asked to contact the Secretary if the member will miss the next meeting or expects to be late.

 Section 4. Yearly presentations by the members:

 Each member is expected to present a program to the membership on a rotating schedule.   

Member presentations should last between thirty to forty-five minutes.

The schedule of presentations will be the responsibility of  the President and Secretary, following a system of rotation based on “Classes.” .  (Approved March 10,2026)

Article IV 

Officers: 

The officers of the organization shall comprise the Sage Society Cabinet:

Outgoing President

President

Vice-president   position removed Jan. 9, 2018

Secretary-Treasurer-Historian

Member-at-large

Web Master (Approved March 10, 2026)

Officers will be elected every two years and installed at the annual meeting in January each year.  The Cabinet is empowered to act in all emergencies. (bylaw approved  Jan.2018 )

The President and Secretary positions will be staggered two-year terms to ensure continuity. The Member at Large and the Webmaster will be elected on Presidential years. (Approved March 10, 2026) 

Article V 

Meetings:

 Regular meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month during Jan., Feb., March, Apr. May, Sept. Oct. and Nov. at 4:00.

The Annual meeting will be held in January on the second Tuesday of the month at 4:00.

New officers will be elected by a quorum ( 50 % +1) of the membership i. (Approved March 10, 2026)

·       New officers will assume their duties after being installed at the beginning of the annual meeting.

·       Slated officers will meet with the cabinet in November to prepare for the following year and conduct officer training.

   Special meetings may be called by the president.

Article VI

Finances:

 Dues will be $35.00 per year, collected, in cash, at the January meeting. (Approved 2024)

There is no need to establish a bank account.

The dues collected in January will be designated for a project voted on by the membership at the November meeting.

·       $25 will be distributed to, but not limited to, an organization that supports literacy.

·       $10 will be distributed to the organization that provides space for our meetings, if appropriate. Otherwise, the entire amount will go to the organization voted on by members. (Approved March 10, 2026)

A representative of the Society will disperse the funds collected at the annual meeting. She will report to the membership that the donation has been delivered. (Approved March 10, 2026)

Article VII

Amendments:

These By-Laws may be amended at an annual meeting or at a special called meeting provided the proposed amendment(s) have been submitted in writing (email) to the membership at least three weeks in advance.

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Appendix I: Duties of Officers

 Duties are subject to change as the Society progresses. (Posted in the officer notebooks)

 Appendix II: Calendar/Timeline

 The calendar and timeline are subject to change. (Posted in the officer notebooks)