Charter of the Joseph Bucklin Society

General description
The Joseph Bucklin Society is a national organization dedicated to historical and genealogical research and the dissemination of educational material. The Society is not connected with any denomination or political group.

Name of society and general purposes of society
BECAUSE: The colonists of the seventeen century who planted the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Colony were one of the most influential groups of settlers of North America. William Bucklin and his descendants were a vital part of that group that determined the initial character of what became the United States of America.

AND BECAUSE: Joseph Bucklin, in the Gaspee Affair of 1772, was the first American who deliberately shot an English military man in an attack upon the English. (The Gaspee Affair was an outstanding event in the formation of the American Revolution. Joseph Bucklin and his relatives were typical of the early Americans who rose in the American Revolution to start what became a new nation.)

NOW THEREFORE: The Joseph Bucklin Society is named for Joseph Bucklin and is dedicated to researching and preserving the history of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island colonists and transmitting their example of courage, zeal, faith, duty, and honor.

Scope of our work
Our scope of research, study, and education includes:

  1. the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Colony, in the period 1600— 1799; and England in the same time period (with particular reference to the Dorset area), and
  2. the Bucklin family, with particular reference to the period 1600 — 1899, and
  3. the Gaspee Affair (including the legal and political background as it relates to the American Revolution).

Goals of the Joseph Bucklin Society
Our goals are:

  • To research, preserve, and publish the events of the Gaspee Affair, its historical background, and the succeeding events up to the time of the Lexington Alarm, both in England and New England.
  • To research, preserve, and publish the geopolitical events of 1600 to 1799 in England and New England.
  • To locate the origins and family histories in England of the Bucklins.
  • To make, preserve, and present a genealogical database including all the descendants of the Bucklins to the eighth generation from William Bucklin, with the reconstructed biographies and ancestries of the Bucklins as well as can be established, plus the lineages to the present day as submitted to us.
  • To call attention to the books, articles and research established both by others and also by our own research findings.
  • To engage in public ceremonies honoring the colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Rhode Island Colony, the participants in the Gaspee Affair, and Americans living at the time of the American Revolution.

Activities, Expenses, and Assets
No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be attempting to influence legislation; and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. This organization shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this organization.

The organization recognizes that any contributions or membership fees to date pay only a small part of the operating expenses of this organization. The entire assets of the organization are furnished by Leonard H. Bucklin and are his sole property, and any use of the assets of the organization by him are for the purposes of the organization.

BYLAWS

Office
From time to time the Officers shall determine the location of the principal office of the Society. It may be any location within the United States. The Secretary shall keep, at the principal office, a copy of these bylaws and minutes of all meetings of the Officers. The principal office as of 01 June 2014: 310 Santillo Way, Downingtown, PA 19335, and the office continues there to the present date.

Internet addresses and pages may be maintained by the Society.

Officers
All business and affairs of the Society shall be managed solely by the Officers. Initially the Offices shall be a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, an Executive Director, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Chairperson shall be in general charge of the organization. Should the Chairperson be absent or otherwise incapable, the Vice-Chairperson will assume the duties of the office. The Executive Director shall be the chief executive officer and shall manage the day to day affairs of the Society. In addition, the Executive Director may take any action that may be decided by majority vote of the Officers, subject to reversal or change by a majority of the Officers. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of the meetings of the Officers, and will chiefly be responsible for formal correspondence with the members. The Treasurer shall be the Society’s chief financial officer and shall keep and maintain correct books of all accounts and transactions of the Society.

Any number, or all, of the five Offices can be held by the same person. An Officer may resign at any time upon written notification to the Chairperson, Executive Director, or Secretary. Any Officer may be removed at any meeting of the Officers upon a majority vote of the Officers. Any Office vacated can be filled by a majority decision at a meeting of the Officers. Offices can be eliminated or New Offices can be created by majority vote of the existing Officers. The number of Offices may never be less than three nor more than seven.

Initially Officers will receive no salary, pay, or compensation for their services other than reimbursement for expenses as filed with and recorded by the Treasurer.

Officers for each year, with a term of office of one year or until their successor is elected and qualified, will be elected at a meeting of the Officers on or about the 10th day of June of each year.

Meetings
The Officers shall convene at least once a year and whenever else and in a manner they deem necessary to conduct business, either at the principle office, or any other place, or by any communication media felt appropriate by the Officers. Either (a) two or more of the principal Officers, or (b) Sixty percent (rounded to the nearest full percent) of all Offices (not Officers) must be present for a quorum to be declared. Each Officer has one equal vote, no matter how many Offices he/she holds.

Changes to these bylaws
These bylaws may be amended when the Officers shall agree unanimously to the change.

NOTE: THIS WEB SITE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION. THE ABOVE COPY OF THE CHARTER AND BYLAWS IS ONLY OCCASIONALLY UPDATED TO REFLECT PRESENT WORDING.  THE CHARTER, AS AMENDED TO THE DATE THIS IS READ, AND THE BYLAWS, AS AMENDED TO THE DATE THIS IS READ, MAY HAVE DIFFERENCES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LATER AMENDMENTS NOT REFLECTED IN THE ABOVE WORDING.