eo gE CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS OF Lt ei~2- Orthodox Episcopacy of the United States and Canada which ie the American higher religious authority designated by the said Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. ARTICLE IIT: PROPERTY All property ané estates of this religious corporation, real or personal, shall be and the title to ssme shall vest exclusively in this religious corporation and shall be governed by the Lews of the State of Illinois relative to such religious corporations. ARTICLE 1 DURATION OF THIS RELIGIOUS COR The duration of this corporation shall be perpetual. ARTICLE V: REVENUE A. The revenue or income of this reli- gious corporation is to be derived from the following sources: 1, Membership dues from all members. 2. Collections as made on each Sundey or the various Saints’ days and other religious holidays. 3. Contributions by the members. 4. Payments for the performance of Sacraments. 5. Sale or disposition of graves. 6. And ary and all other relative sources. = 3 ARTICLE VI: MEMBERS A. Every Christian, mele or female, who is 18 years of age or over end is-of Al- banian nationality or of Albanian descent or extraction or one of his parents, if of Albanian descent or extraction, or one who is the spouse of an Albanian or one who is @ spouse of one of Albanian descent who is of the Eastern Orthodox dogma and adheres to the cenons, laws and discipline of the Eastern Orthodox Church, may become a member of this religious corporation. B. Application for membership may be mede in writing on forms provided for by this religious corporation. C. All members of this religious cor- poration shall alan apply and become members of the Albanian-American Orthodox Episcopacy of the United States and Canada. ARTICLE VIEt A. Regular members of this religious corporation shall be those members. who apply and do become members under the provisions contained in the foregoing Article VI. B. Any member who shall fail or refuse to pay bis or her dues for a period of three months after said dues have become due, shall cease being @ member of this religious cor- poration and be stricken from the rolls of membership from this religious corporation provided, however, the secretary of this religious corporation shall first notify, in writing, the said manber who is delinquenti= of the proposed suspension at least ten (10) days prior to the day of suspension. C. All the members shall be provided with a card of membership signed by the presi- dent of this religious corporation and counter- signed by the secretary. D. All members being suspended or strick- en from the rolls shall not be entitled to a refund of any dues that they may have paid. E. Any member who has been dismissed or stricken from the rolls may re-apply for mem— bership by filing a new epplication as pro- vided in Paragraph B of Article VI. F. The amount of the dues to be paid by the members shall be fixed by the general assembly. ARTICLE VIII All the members who are in good standing are endowed and shall enjoy the following rights and privilege A. They shall participate in all the regular and special general assemblies of the membership. B, They shall have the right to be elected to office of this religious corpora- tion three months after they have been accep- ted as members of this religious corporation. -5- ARTICLE TX: MANAGEMENT This religious corporation shall be gov- emed by a Board of twelve (12) directors. The formation end selection of the officers of the Boerd of Directors is herein later provided in the succeeding Articles. ARTICLE BOARD ON ELECTIONS Ata regular or a special meeting called for this purpose on the last Sunday of the month of September in every election year, a board of three shall be elected, who will constitute or be known es the Board on Blec- tions. It will be the duty of this Board on Elections to supervise, manage, control, and direct the Election of the Board of Directors and the Officers of the Board of Directors. The existence of this Board of Elections shall terminate upon completion of the elec- tion and the installation of the new officers. ARTICLE XI: ELECTION OF OFFICERS A. The election of the members of the Board of Directors shall take place on the last Sunday of the Month of November every two years. The election shall take place in the premises of the St. Nicholas Albanian Church of Chicago loceted at 1656 North Rockwell Street, Chicago, Illinois, or in any other structure or location where the St. Nicholas Albanian Church of Chicago may make its headquerters. B. Only the regular menbers who are intee good standing and not delinquent in the pay- ment of their dues shall be given a ballot to vote at the election of-the Board of Directors and the election shall be conducted by secret ballot. C. Any member who is not delinquent in the payment of his dues may submit to the secretary of this religious corporation, a statement of cendidacy for membership to the Board of Direc- tors not less then thirty (30) days prior to the day of election. D. After the expiration of the thirty (30) day period for the formation of candi- dacies, and within seven (7) days efter such expiration, the Board on Elections shall meet and receive from the secretary of this reli- gious corporation all statements of candidacies that have boon oubmitted and may determine if the candidates are in good standing end are qualified to be candidates; and shall place those names on the ballots of candidates who are in good standing and qualify. E. After the completion of the ballot- ing there shall be a count and the twelve (12) candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared to be elected members of the Board of Directors of this corporation. F. Within ten (10) days sfter the elec- tion, the newly elected Board of Directors shall meet at the invitation of the Board of Elections and under the chairmenship of the Chairman of the Board of Elections shall elect the president of the Board of Directors, the vice-president, the treasurer and secre~ tary, who will be the officers of these re- spective offices for this religtous corporation. ae G. After the organization of the Boara of Directors as hereinabove provided, the new Board shall demand and receive of the outgoing Board of Directors all of the books, records, funds, etc. which belong to and are the proper- ty of this religious corporation. H. A minimum of thirty-three and one- third (33-1/3rd) of the total membership in good standing of this religious corporation shall be required in order that a meeting for the election of the Board of Directors may be deemed to be in order and to constitute « quorum. I. A member of the Board on Elections may not be a candidate for director nor member to the Board of Examiners. A] the foregoing in these Articles X and XI describing the mode, manner and method of election of officers shall apply and commence in operation beginning with the year 1956. There 1s an election to be held for a new Board of Directors at the end of 1955 in the month of December. It is clearly provided that the election of the Board of Directors scheduled to be held in December shall be made by nomination from the floor in lieu of the method provided for in the herein Articles X and XI. ARTICIE XII. DUTIES OF BOARD OF z DIRECTORS The members of the Board of Directors shall be expected to participate and take part in all meetings of the Board of Directorsf -8- end members and to cooperate in the spirit of cooperation end love with the President of the corporation for the promotion of the interests of this religious corporation. It shall also be the cuty of the members of the Board of Directors to be present at church during ser- vices to hendle the matter of collections and to menage and direct any and all enterprises intended for the benefit of this religious corporation. ARTICLE XIII: SUSSTITUTION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Any member of the Board of Directors shall be stricken as such member of the Board: A. In the event of their decease. B. For non-payment of dues. C. In the event of expulsion. D. In the event they should be absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors without good cause. The Board of Directors shall have the power to and jurisdiction to de- termine if any of the members of the said Board of Directors is in violation of any provision con~ tained in this Article. ARTICLE XIV: DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT The President of the Board of Directors is also President of this religious corpora~ tion. He signs all documents for this corpora- tion. He appoints all conmittees of the Board of Directors or members for the execution of any°and all duties and projects. He is the Executive Authority of this corporation, he supervises the strict comli- ance and enforcement of thie Constitution and 1s reéponsible to the Board of Directors end members for the good end efficient operation of the services of this religious corporation. He presides over the meetings of the Board of Directors and of 2)1 assemblies of the members, regular or speciel, declaring the opening and closing of same. The President shall have the right to vote on any issue or question as any other member, and inthe event of a tle vote, he shall be empowered to break said tie by voting agein. ARTICLE XV: DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT The Vice-President has the same duties and obligations es the President in the ab- sence or inability of the president to be present at any méeting of the Board of Direc- tors or the Membership. In the event of the death or resignation of the president, the Vice-President will become:the president and in such event, the office of Vice-President shall remain vacant and be filled at the nextrot regular election as provided for herein. ARTICLE XVI: DUTIES OF THE TREASURER ) The Treasurer shall receive all the in- J come and collections of this religious corpora- tion and shall issue proper receipts of same. He shell deposit all the moneys collected in the name of the corporation in a responsible benk, which bank may be selected or designated by the Board of Directors. He shall make pay- ment of all claims that are payable by the corporation and which have been first approved for payment by the Board of Directors. Such payments shall be made by check and are to be counter-signed by the President and the Secre- tarye He shall keep permanent books and records showing with prover entries all the collections and payments he hes made. At the pleasure or discretion of the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall issue a quarterly or semi-annual report of the economic and financial status of this corporation, said report to be submitted to the Board of Direc- tors and a copy of same to be affixed on the bulletin board of the Church. The Treasurer shall be personally liable for any loss of moneys belonging to this re- ligious corporation, and in view of this, the J Board of Directors is obligated to obtain a surety bond for the Treasurer, the premium for which surety bond shall be paid by this cor- poration. ae ARTICLE XVII: DUTIES OF SECRETARY ‘The Secretary shall attend all the meet- ings of the Board of Directors and the meet- ings of the members, be they regular or special, and the general assemblies. He shall keep the minutes and 2 record of all motions made and discussions hed and decisions arrived at, at all of the meetings. He shall conduct all the correspondence for this religious corporation and shall co-sign with the President, all the documents and correspondence issued or dis- patched by this religious corporation. In the event of the absence of the Secretary or ine- bility to attend the meetings, the Board of Directors shall designate one of its members to act as temporary secretery; in the event of the death or resignation of the secretary, then the Board of Directors shall select one of its members to act as Secretary for the duration and balance of the term of the Secre. tary. ARTIOIE XVETE: All the eforementioned officers are men- bere of the Board of Directors and shall have and enjoy the same rights and privileges as all other members of the Board of Directors in participating in discussion and debate and in voting on any issue or question raised be- fore the Board of Directors. ARTICLE XIX2 ‘The Board of Directors at ite discretion may retain the services of an Executive Sec- retary. The salary of the said Executive Secretary to be fixed by the Board of Directors.-12- MEETINGS OF THE. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARTICLE XX The Board of Directors meets regularly on the First Sunday of each month and there shell be @ special meeting of the Board of Directors when the occasion or necessity demands it; on which occasion, the President shall call such special meeting. Seven (7) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a.quorum for the opening of the meeting, and the meeting shall be deemed to be in order and quorum no matter how many members remain in attendance after the opening of same with the hereinabove men- tioned quorum of seven. For any special or reguler meeting, there shall be notice by mail sent to the members not less than three (3) days before ‘the day designated for the meeting; the notice shall be express and specific in advising the topic that will come up for discussion. All decisions of the Board of Directors shall be in conformity with and not contrary to this Constitution and By-Laws and decisions shall be arrived at by a majority vote of the Board members present and voting, and it can be either by roll call or by secret ballot. ARTICLE 10: In the matter of the expenditure of any amount exceeding Four Hundred ($400.00) Dol- lars for any purpose whatsoever, the consent of the General Assembly shall be had and obtained. - 13 - ARTICLE XXL. GENERAL ASSEMBLIES OF Ss The regular Assemblies of the members shall take place on the First Sunday of the months of January and June of each year; special assemblies shall be called whenever the need for same presents itself. The Generel Assemblies, be they regular or speciel, shall be deemed to be in order and vith quorum if a minimum of twenty-five (25) members in good standing are present at the opening of the said meeting. In the event of the absence of a quorum, the members shall be invited to another meet— ing within fifteen (15) days, on which occa= sion the Assembly shall be deemed to be in - order and with quorum no matter how many mem~ bers are present. Notice of the meetings of the Assembly, special or regular, shall be sent by mail not less then seven (7) days before the day set for the meeting; seid notice to be explicit in stating in full the purpose of the meeting. All voting and decisions shall be done and had by a majority of the members present and voting either by voice or secret ballot. In the event of a tie vote at a mecting of the General Assembly, the President of thie religious corporation, as the presiding officer, shell be entitled to cast the de~ ciding vote.-ue ARTICLE XXIII: COMPLAINT AND TRIALS OF ‘OFFICERS OR MEMBERS Each member of this religious corporation who is in good standing, has the right to file a complaint against another member or an of~ ficer or the entire Board of Directors of this religious corporation. The document of com- plaint shall be handed to the Secretary and the ‘Secretary is obliged to set a day for a hearing on the complaint and to notify by pro- per copy of the complaint and a summons, the defendant or the member complained against. The trial shall be set within thirty (30) days of the day of the filing of the complaint and ten (10) days after the service of copy of the complaint to-the defendant or defendants. The trial of the member shall be had be~ fore the Board of Directors and the parties in interest, be they complainants or com- plained against, and they shall be privileged to appeal a decision of the Board of Directors to the next General Assembly. In the event the entire Board of Directors are complained against, then venue and juris— diction will vest in a Board of Twelve selected for this purpose by the General Assembly. Upon a finding of guilty, the punishment that may be imposed may be suspension from membership of a given term of time or expul- sion from membership. ARTICLE XXIV: BOARD OF EXAMINERS The Board of Examiners shell consist of Three (3) members who are elected in the mode - 15'= and manner provided herein for the election of the Board of Directors, and shall be elected simultaneously with the Board of Directors. The Board of Examiners shall meet repu- larly every six (6) months end specially whenever the occasion calls. Decisions mey be had by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the presiding officer shall cast the de- ciding ballot. ‘The Board of Examiners shall supervise the strictest enforcement of this Constitu- tion and By-Laws by the Board of Directors. The Boerd of Examiners shall be endowed with the privilege of examining any and all books of this religious corporation and any other document et any time, provided that it should make such demand of the Board of Di- rectors with @ written petition or statement. The Board of Examiners shall vork with and cooperate with the proper accountant in the matter of the examination of the books and records of this religious corporation. ARTICIE XXV: FISCAL YEAR The fiscel year of this religious corpora- tion begins January 1st of each year and ends December Sist. The Board of Directors shall retain the services of a public accountant who will audit all the books and records of this re- ligious corporation and submit his report to‘ - 16 - the Hoard of Directors who in turn will submit same to the General Assembly; the Board of Examiners as hereinabove provided, shall work with and cooperate with the public accountant 1 in this endeavor. The accounting provided for in this and the foregoing paragraph shall be had not less than once each year at the end of the fiscal year. ARTICLE XXVI: THE PRIEST The priest that will be retained by this religious corporation shall bear his appoint ment to such office as priest for this reli- gious corporation by, through, and from His Grace, the Bishop of the Albanian-American Or- thodox Episcopacy of the United States and Canada, and shall be of Albanian nationality or extraction. The priest shall have the right to partici- pate in the General Assemblies and the Board of Directors, tut may not vote. The priest shall be unhampered by anyone in the performance of his religious duties. The salary of the priest shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, and the said Board of Directors shall advise the offices of the Albsnian-American Orthodox Episcpacy of the United States and Canada in Soston of the salary that this religious corporation can pay a priest in order that the Episcopacy may be able to properly and intelligently make an ap- pointment of a priest. -17- The Holy Liturgy may be seid and sung in both Albanian and English languages. A visiting or a guest priest who may participate in the Holy Liturgy, etc. may use, In so participating, his om native tongue or in the alternative, he may use the English language. Any and all other help or employees necessary for the good function of the church edifice shall be employed and re- tained by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE XXVII: Roberts Rules of Order shall be enfor- ced and applied at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the General Assemblies. In the event of any issue or question srising not provided for by this Constitu- tion, then the next General Assembly may en- act such rules and regulations as are neces- sery to govern said given situation. ARTICLE XXVIII: This Constitution may be amended by the affirmative vote of seventy-five (75%) per- cent of the menbers in good standing, present and voting. Notice shall be sent to all members of any proposed amendment to this constitution with @ complete copy of the proposed amend-i - 18 - ment not less than seven (7) days before the day of the general meeting which may be celled for the purpose of taking up said proposed amendment. In all other respects, meetings called for the purpose of amending this constitution shall follow the order provided for herein in Article XXII, relative to General Assemblies. This Constitution consisting of Twenty~ Eight (28) Articles, was unanimously adopted vy the special meeting of the entire member- ship of the Albanian Orthodox Church, the St. Nicholas of Chicago, which meeting was held on Saturday, the 27th day of November, 1955, at the meeting hall of the said church, 1655 North Rockwell Street, Chicago, Illinois. Said meet~ ing having been called with proper notice and full advice to the members of the purpose of the of the meeting more than eight (8) days prior to the date of such meeting. Done at Chicago, Illinois, this 27th day of November, 1955. CHRIST PEROY (Signed) (SEAL) PRESIDENT GUST SUTTER (Signed) PAUL SAWATAS (Signed) STEVE THEMELY (Signed SAM KARAKOSTAS (Signed) wembers of Constitution Committee LEO MICHAEL (Signed) (SEAL SECRETARY N 19's OTES= 20 - NOTES