Constitution

ARTICLE I – NAME

The organization shall be known as the Hawaiian Philatelic Society (HPS). 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose and objective of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society shall be as follows:
To encourage the enjoyment of philatelic matters, with an emphasis on Hawaiian philately;
To provide the membership with an appropriate forum within which to pursue the acquisition of philatelic knowledge;
To cultivate friendships and promote camaraderie amongst philatelists;
To encourage the pursuit of philately among youth through programs and educational endeavors;
To provide the membership with a forum to exchange and distribute philatelic material and information;
To abide by a policy of publishing a monthly bulletin for members in good standing;
To include in each monthly bulletin an auction, for members only, of philatelic material submitted by members of the Society;
To conduct an all-Hawaiian auction twice a year (May and December);
To publish twice a year (January and June) a journal, Po’Oleka O Hawaii, distributed to the membership and available to the public containing philatelic research, news, and information of interest to the membership;
To provide the membership with a forum to exchange and distribute philatelic material and information;
To assist in the suppression and ultimate elimination of undesirable practices in the field of philately.

Furthermore, the Society has been organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding provision of any future United States of America Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.
Membership in the Hawaiian Philatelic Society shall be open to any person declaring an interest in philately.

Section 2.
The membership of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society shall be comprised of four (4) categories. These membership categories shall be known as Life Members, Regular Members, Associate Members, and Youth Members (See By-Laws, Article V for details). No distinction nor discrimination shall be associated with any individual’s membership category unless specifically presented in this Constitution or in the By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society.

Section 3.
The direction and control of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society shall be vested in those of the Life and Regular Membership categories, and from these two membership categories, exclusively, shall all Officers be elected. In this regard, and all other actions brought before the membership, Associate and Junior Members of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society shall not enjoy voting privileges.

Section 4.
Any member who applied for membership and/or became a member of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society prior to January 1, 1911 shall be accorded the honorary distinction of being known as a Charter Member of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society.

Section 5.
The specific procedures for application for membership in the Hawaiian Philatelic Society shall be included in Sections V and VI of the By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS – ELECTED AND APPOINTED

Section 1.
The elected officers of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Auctioneer. These Officers, plus the Immediate Past Present shall constitute the Governing Board of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society.

The duties and responsibilities of the individual Officers shall be outlined in the By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society.

The Governing Board shall have full authority to act on behalf of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society upon all matters which may, from time to time, require immediate attention thus precluding the advice and consent of the Membership-at-Large. However, those actions shall be duly-noted in the minutes of that meeting and reported to the Membership.

Section 2.
The schedule of Annual Membership Dues shall be, from time to time, recommended by the Governing Board and voted upon by the Membership during a regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 3.
The Governing Board shall be responsible for creating and appointing the APS Representative, Editor of the Po’Oleka O Hawaii, Membership Chair and other positions as appropriate for maintaining and completing the goals of the Society.

ARTICLE V – DUES

Annual Membership shall be from October thru September and dues prorated on a quarterly basis as outlined in the By-Laws. Failure to remit Annual Membership Dues within an allotted three-month grace period shall result in the cancellation of membership in the Hawaiian Philatelic Society. Once cancelled, membership status may be regained through compliance with the membership procedures as outlined in the By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society.

ARTICLE VI – DISSOLUTION

Section 1.
No part of the net earnings of this organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that its members shall be empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II hereof. No substantial part of the activities of this organization shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Society 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Society shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation/organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States of America Internal Revenue Service Law) or (b) by a corporation/organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States of America Internal Revenue Law).

Section 2.
Upon the dissolution of this organization, the Governing Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Society exclusively for the purpose of the Society in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes as at the time shall qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States of America Internal Revenue Law), as the Governing Board shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the order of the Circuit Court of the county in which the principle offices of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated for such purposes.

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1.
This constitution and the accompanying By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society may be amended provided that such amendment be presented in writing to the Membership and Governing Board and be read at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society. The proposed amendment shall be voted upon by the Membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Membership.

Section 2.
Amendments to the Constitution and/or By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society must be voted upon at a regularly scheduled meeting, at which a quorum has been established. A quorum is defined by Roberts Rules of Order.

Section 3.
Amendments to the Constitution must be ratified by no less than a vote of three-fourths of the Regular and Life Members present. Amendments to the By-Laws must be ratified by no less a vote of two-thirds of the Regular and Life Members present.

Section 4.
All amendments to the Constitution and/or By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society, having been appropriately received and ratified through the procedures noted in Article VII, Section 1-3 shall become a part of these governing documents and take effect upon the announcement of the official ballot results. The Secretary shall record all proceedings involving proposal affecting either the Constitution or By-Laws of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society

Approved and adopted by the members of the Hawaiian Philatelic Society this day and year of 2018.

_______/S/____________
Wayne T. Yakuma, President