The newly approved Bylaws of the Germanna FOUNDATION do not use the word “members” except with respect to the Board of Trustees, fifteen in number. There is no at-large membership in the Foundation. Technically, it could be argued that this was always the case. There never was a membership in the Foundation except for the Trustees. People made contributions to the Foundation but they were never members of the Foundation.
The initial Bylaws for the ASSOCIATION do define Membership:
“Membership in the Association is open to all individuals who are descendants of the Germanic people who settled in the Piedmont area of Virginia who may join as Single Members, or Family Members and who pay the specified dues. Single Members are individuals who pay annual dues. Family Members are related individuals in a single household who join as a single unit.
“A Life Membership may be extended by the Board of Directors, from time to time, based upon meritorious service to the Association. Life Memberships which exist at the time these bylaws are adopted shall continue for the life of the previous life member. Membership in the Association as an Associate Member is open to all individuals who wish to support the purposes of the Association. An Associate Member shall not be entitled to vote in any membership meeting of the Association.
“A Single Member and a Family Membership shall be entitled to one vote and to receive a single copy of the newsletters issued by the Foundation.”
I would object to the clause “who are descendants”. Who is going to check whether anyone is a descendant? Will you have to have documentation to prove that you are a descendant? Who is the judge of whether adequate proof has been furnished? This is just not reasonable.
I would recommend a single class of membership without regard to whether one is a descendant. In other words, anyone can join who pays the dues. (My wife objects strongly to being a second class citizen who has to sit in the back of the bus.) I can see a reduced price for additional members in a household who do not receive a copy of the newsletter. Every member is entitled to one vote if a vote of the membership should be taken.
I don’t think there is any danger to the assets of the Foundation if an external agent should decide to buy an indefinite number of memberships. The permanent assets of the Foundation are protected by the Trustees of it and an outside agent will have a difficult time influencing the choice of the Trustees. The Association will need some operating money but it would probably be insignificant to outsiders.
(20 Sep 06)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.