Our society was incorporated in March of 1934 when papers were filed with the State of Wisconsin. The articles have only been updated once, in April of 1992. At that time Articles Three and Four were modified and Article Eleven was added. Below are the Articles as they've been updated. You can view scans of the original documents:
1934 - Articles of Organization
Know All Men By these presents, that the undersigned, adult residents of the State of Wisconsin, do herby make, sign and agree to the following.
To promote the study of astronomy and allied sciences and foster a public interest in astronomical subjects; give and sponsor public lectures; subscribe for and publish literature calculated and intended to diffuse information regarding astronomy and astronomical discoveries; purchase, lease, and otherwise acquire real estate for the purpose of erecting one or more astronomical observatories and all necessary auxiliaries thereto; conduct astronomical researches; cooperate with other educational institutions; conduct private meetings and public forums for scientific study and discussion; receive and accept gifts of land, goods, funds, and materials in order to advance the general purpose of the corporation, and to foster a sprit of fellowship among the members.
ARTICLE SECOND. - The
name of said corporation shall be Milwaukee Astronomical Society and its
location shall be in City of Milwaukee, County of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
ARTICLE THIRD. - The
corporation shall be non-stock and no dividends, distributions, or other
pecuniary profits shall be declared to the members thereof during its existence.
Upon liquidation of the corporation, members may receive no more than their
original investment in the corporation.
ARTICLE FOURTH. - The
general officers of said corporation shall be President, Vice-President,
Secretary, and Treasurer, and the Board of Directors shall consist of eleven
members. Directors are to be elected for a term of three years.
ARTICLE FIFTH. - The principal duties of the President shall be to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and to have a general supervision of the affairs of the corporation.
The principal duties of the Vice President shall be to discharge the duties of the President in the event of absence or disability, for any cause whatever, of the latter.
The principal duties of the Secretary shall be to countersign all deeds, leases and conveyances executed by the corporation, affix the seal of the corporation thereto, and to such other papers as shall be required or directed to be sealed, and to keep a record of the proceedings of the Board of Directors, and to safely and systematically keep all books, papers, records and documents belonging to the corporation, or in any wise pertaining to the business thereof.
The principal duties of the Treasurer shall be to keep and account for all moneys, credits and property, of any and every nature, of the corporation, which shall come into his hands, and keep an accurate account of all moneys received and disbursed, and proper vouchers for moneys disbursed, and to render such accounts, statements and inventories of money received and disbursed, and of money and properly on hand, and generally of all matters pertaining to this office, as shall be required by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may provide for the appointment of such additional officers as they may deem for the best interests of the corporation.
Whenever the Board of Directors may so order the offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person.
The said officers shall
perform such additional or different duties as shall from time to time be
imposed or required by the Board of Directors, or as may be prescribed from time
to time by the by-laws.
ARTICLE SIXTH. - The
said corporation shall hold its first meeting, for the election of officers, on
the 6th day of April, A. D. 1934, at 1426 Prospect Avenue in the City of
Milwaukee, County of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin.
ARTICLE SEVENTH. -
The offices shall be elected by the Directors, who shall first be elected by the
members of said corporation.
ARTICLE EIGHTH. - The
method and conditions upon which members shall be accepted and discharged or
expelled shall be as follows [nothing specified]
ARTICLE NINTH. - These articles may be amended by resolution setting forth such amendment or amendments adopted at any meeting of the members by a vote of at least one-half of all the members of said corporation.
ARTICLE TENTH. - NAMES AND RESIDENCES.
ARTICLE ELEVENTH. - Upon liquidation of said corporation, any and all excess assets available for distribution shall be given to Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin, for the benefit of its educational programs and the public good.
In Witness Whereof, We have hereunto set our hands, this Twenty-fifth day of January A.D. 1934.
