To further cement the bond of friendship existing between the ladies of SS. Peter and Paul Congregation, and the devotion of said individuals towards SS. Peter and Paul Parish, to provide a lasting memorial of this friendship and devotion, and to secure to ourselves and to all future ladies of this congregation the benefits of united efforts towards the promotion of these ideals, we, the Ladies of the SS. Peter and Paul Congregation, relying firmly on the blessing of Almighty God for the accomplishment of these ideals, adopt a guiding principal - this CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I - Name
This society shall be known as the Mary and Martha Society of SS. Peter and Paul Congregation of Waterloo,Illinois.
ARTICLE II - Object
Sec. 1 - The principal object of this Society shall be to serve as a bond of friendship between its members.
Sec. 2 - The secondary object of this Society shall be the financial assistance to the upkeep of SS. Peter and Paul Parochial School.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Sec. 1 - Eligible as members of this Society shall be all ladies, married or unmarried. They need not be members of SS. Peter and Paul Congregation.
Sec. 2 - Associate members may be admitted. There will be such ladies who are not practical Catholics, but who either have children in school or want to assist in the work of Christian education.
ARTICLE IV - Officers
The officers of the Society shall be the Pastor, who is the Reverend Moderator, a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
ARTICLE V - Committees
The President shall have the power to appoint Chairman of various committees to assist her in the different works of the Society.
ARTICLE VI - Elections
Election of officers shall be held at the regular May meeting.
ARTICLE VII - Amendments
Sec. 1- This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting provided the members be notified in writing at least five days previously of the change contemplated, and a quorum of twenty-five members or two-thirds of the mambas present at such meeting, whichever is greater, shall vote for such a change.
Sec. 2 - This Constitution is further explained by the set of by-laws following:
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - Membership
Sec. 1 - New members shall be admitted into the Society only at regular meetings.
Sec. 1 - An official record of the membership of the Society shall be kept in proper books provided for this purpose.
ARTICLE II - Benefits to Members
Upon the death of a member, the members shall assemble for prayer and the Treasurer shall have a Mass offered for the repose of her soul.
ARTICLE III - Officers
Sec. 1 - All officers except the Moderator shall be elected by ballot.
Sec. 2 - Anyone who is an active, paid-up member of this Society shall be eligible for election as an officer of this Society.
Sec. 3 - The term of all elected officers for this Society shall be two years, and they shall be eligible for one other successive term of two years.
ARTICLE IV - Duties of Officers
Sec. 1 - The Moderator shall serve as spiritual advisor of the Society. He shall either be the pastor of the parish or the assistant appointed by him
Sec. 2 - The President presides at all meetings. She shall also have the power to call special meetings any time she considers it necessary for the benefit of the Society.
Sec. 3 - The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of the President.
Sec. 4 - The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings in books provided for such purpose, and also the record of members.
Sec. 5 - The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all money received by her. She shall also keep an accurate record of all money spent by the Society. Before paying any bills, the Society shall approve of them at a regular meeting. The records shall be kept in proper books provided for such purposes.
ARTICLE V - Committees
Sec. 1 - The President has the power to appoint a chairman for as many committees as she sees necessary, in addition to the Executive, Nomination, Auditing, and Membership Committees.
Sec. 2 -The number of members serving on the different committees shall consist of as many as shall be deemed necessary by the chairman.
Sec. 3 - A committee chairman may spend up to $25.00 and an officer up to $50.00, providing they will report monies spent at the first meeting following the expenditure and the purpose for which it was used.
ARTICLE VI - Elections
Sec. 1 - The Nominating Committee shall at the meeting in which the elections are held, submit the names of two candidates for each office. The President shall then call for nominations from the floor of the meeting. A majority vote of all ballots cast shall constitute election.
Sec. 2 - The Vice-President of this Society shall succeed the President. The Vice-President and Secretary shall be elected in the even years and the Vice-President and Treasurer shall be elected in the odd years.
ARTICLE VII - Meetings
The regular meetings shall be the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings shall be held in the months of August through May inclusive and no meetings in June and July.
ARTICLE VIII - Dues
Membership dues shall be payable each year in advance to the membership chairman of the Society.
ARTICLE IX - Order of Business
1. Call to order and opening prayer
2. Reading and approval of minutes of last meeting
3. Report of Treasurer
4. Report of standing committees
5. Report of special committees
6. Report of communications
7. Unfinished business
8. New business
9. Closing prayer and adjournment
10. Social session
ARTICLE X - Amendments
These by-laws may be suspended at any meeting by a majority vote of the members present. They may be amended provided the Secretary shall at that meeting read the change contemplated, and a quorum of twelve (12) members or two-thirds of the members present at such meeting, whichever is greater, shall vote for such a change.