CAMERON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION BY-LAWS
[As revised, December 2008]
1.01 The existence and operation of a county historical commission is authorized by the State of Texas under Chapter 318, as amended, of the Texas Local Government Code. (*1)
1.02 The agency designated to coordinate and supervise historic preservation under the direction of the Cameron County Commissioners Court shall be known as the Cameron County Historical Commission, hereafter referred to as the Commission or CCHC.
1.03 The principal office of the Commission in the State of Texas shall be located at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, 317 E. Railroad Blvd., Port Isabel 78578, Cameron County.
1.04 A change in office location will not require revision of the By-Laws.
2.01 The purpose of the Commission shall be to coordinate and supervise the work of historic preservation in Cameron County. The work of the Commission is to supplement, augment, and encourage endeavors of other historical preservation efforts in the county, without duplicating the efforts of other organizations or individuals in multicultural art, science, history, and the promotion of historically related tourism.
3.01 The membership of the Commission shall include anyone of any age, but at minimum 18 years, sex, race, or ethnic background who has demonstrated specific interests in actively promoting the objective of this Commission. A member shall be an adult resident of Cameron County.
3.02 Prospective and qualifying members shall be appointed by the Cameron County Commissions Court during January of odd-numbered years for a two-year term.
3.03 Qualifying members are those who have met attendance requirements during the previous year (or years) and who have contributed time and effort towards the goals of the Commission.
3.04 Names of prospective members can be proposed by current members at anytime after the person has attended at least two meetings but will not be members until a vote for their membership is taken at the December meeting and until their appointment is made by the Cameron County Commissions Court at the January meeting of the Court.
3.05 Names of prospective and qualifying members shall be compiled before the end of each year.
3.06 Prospective members shall have the responsibility of submitting to the Chair their qualifications, interests, avocation, and vocational background prior to nomination for appointment by current member or officer.
3.07 Membership shall be composed of at least seven active members who shall represent all areas of the county.
3.08 Any member shall resign by filing a written resignation with the chairman, who shall in turn inform the County Commissioners Court of such resignation in the first Annual Report following the resignation.
3.09 The Executive Committee may suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing and may, by vote of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, terminate the membership of any member who has not met attendance requirement or any member who shall have engaged in unethical conduct.
3.10 If an active member fails to attend at least two regular meetings of the Commission: (1) during the first calendar year of the appointed term; or (2) during the second calendar year of the appointed term; without a valid excuse, then such member at the end of the first calendar year shall be automatically removed from the Commission; or at the end of the second calendar year shall not be nominated for another term; unless the member demonstrates continuing interest in the work of the Commission satisfactory to the Executive Committee.
3.11 In the event of a vacancy the Executive Committee may appoint a new member to the CCHC to fill the unexpired term of the departed member.
3.12 HONORARY MEMBERS: This category of membership may be accorded to an active member who has served for at least three terms and has demonstrated outstanding achievements or contributions to the Commission goals. Nominations to honorary status must be authorized by the majority vote of members present at a regular meeting. Recognition of outstanding work shall be submitted to the Executive Committee, in writing, from the member(s) requesting such designation for honorary status.
4.01 The Commission shall meet at least six times during each year at a time and place designated by membership or Executive Committee, except that at least one meeting shall be held in the county seat, Brownsville. Written notice shall be given for each meeting time and place.
4.02 Special meetings of the membership may be called by the Executive Committee, or by not less than one-tenth (1/10) of the members having voting rights.
4.03 Each member, including an honorary member, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting.
4.04 At least seven members in attendance shall constitute a quorum.
4.05 An annual meeting of the members shall be held in December of each year at the day and hour designated by the Executive Committee. In even-number years, election of officers will be held at the annual meeting.
4.06 Records of Open Meetings: The CCHC shall prepare and keep minutes of each open meeting. In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the minutes shall be available for public inspection.
ARTICLE V -- OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
5.01 Officers in the Commission shall be: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee will consist of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.
5.02 Officers shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee appointed in even numbered years by the Chairman and from the floor and elected by a simple majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting of the even-number years and shall assume office at the first meeting of the new term.
5.03 Officers may be re-elected, except that the Chairman may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
5.04 The term of office shall be two years beginning in January of the odd-numbered year.
5.05 A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, disqualification, or otherwise may be filled by the Executive Committee for the unexpired portion of the term.
ARTICLE VI -- DUTIES OF OFFICERS
6.01 It shall be the duty of the Chairman to preside at all meetings of the organization. The Chairman shall be ex-officio member of all committees; appoint all chairmen of all committees, except as otherwise provided, subject to the approval of the membership, have the authority for general and specific direction of the business and the affairs of the organization. The Chairman is responsible for presenting annual reports to the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and to the Cameron County Court, including current membership lists as requested by the THC and the Cameron County Court.
6.02 In the absence of, or in the event of the inability of the Chairman, it shall be the duty of the Vice-Chairman to act and perform all the duties of the Chairman.
6.03 Vice-Chairman will be informed by the Chairman on all matters that become available to the Chairman.
6.04 The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the Commission and shall have custody of all official records and papers of the Commission pertaining to it.
6.05 The Treasurer shall have records of all monies, assets, records and/or documents of the Commission in which the Commission has financial interests. The Treasurer shall submit a report at each meeting of receipts and expenditures, in detail, since the previous meeting. The Treasurer shall request payment from the budgeted funds that the Cameron County Commission designates in its annual budget. If the Treasurer doubts the legitimacy of the member's request for reimbursement, the Treasurer may request a discussion and vote at the next meeting before submitting request to the Cameron County Court.
ARTICLE VII -- STANDING COMMITTEES
7.0l Standing committees are: Executive, Finance and Budget, Historic Preservation, Historic Markers and Research, History Appreciation, Cemeteries, Roads and Sites.
7.02 The Executive Committee, composed of all the officers, complemented with the committee chairmen, and other interested members shall assist the Chairman in the formation of policy, long-range planning, and program direction.
7.03 The Finance and Budget Committee, (to be chaired by the Treasurer) is composed of the Commission officers. It shall prepare a budget to be presented to the Cameron County Auditor during September of each year after such budget proposals be presented for approval by the members of the Cameron County Historical Commission at the August meeting.
7.04 The Historical Preservation Committee shall coordinate and encourage the work of all entities in Cameron County engaged in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and site, historical artifacts, photographs, drawings, books, newspapers, written records and other documents, and of the spoken word.
7.05 The Historic Markers and Research Committee shall conduct research in the history of structures, places, and people. The Committee shall nominate appropriate structures and sites for State Historical Markers after providing the necessary applications and encouragement to applicants. This Committee shall conduct periodic surveys of all official markers in Cameron County.
7.06 The History Appreciation Committee shall be responsible for publicizing the work of the Commission through news media, books and articles for publication, speeches, power point programs, exhibits, tours, an internet website, newsletters, art history contests, and any other appropriate means. In addition, this Committee will work with schools, civic organizations, Chambers of Commerce, municipal governments, and others in an effort to make Cameron County citizens aware of the historical, cultural, and ethnic heritage found in the county.
7.07 The Cemetery Committee shall be responsible for maintaining a list of all county cemeteries, working towards their preservation and maintenance.
7.08 The Roads and Sites Committee shall be responsible for reviewing all road and site name changes proposed by the County Court Commissioners and making recommendations in this regard.
7.08 The Chairman is responsible for and shall appoint Ad Hoc Committees as deemed needed to conduct the work of the Commission. These may include but are not limited to oral history, museums, historic park coordination activities, and receptions for visiting dignitaries, scholars, researchers, and the like.
7.09 The Executive Committee may appoint non-CCHC individuals to serve on any committee, but they will not have voting privileges. Under rules of these By-Laws they later will be eligible to qualify for membership nomination.
ARTICLE VIII -- ORDER OF BUSINESS
8.0l Pledge of Allegiance to Flag of the United States of America
8.02 Introduction of guests and new members
8.03 Approval of minutes of previous meeting as distributed
8.04 Report of the Treasurer
8.05 Committee reports
8.06 Old business
8.07 New business, correspondence, and bills
8.08 Robert's Rules of Order, as newly revised, shall govern and apply to all the affairs of the Commission when same is not inconsistent with the expressed provisions of these By-Laws.
9.01 Amendment of these By-Laws requires notification in writing to the membership as well as a reading at a regular meeting of the Commission. Ratification may be made at the next regular meeting by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
ARTICLE X -- NON-PROFIT STATUS
10.01 The Commission operates as a non-profit organization by virtue of its being an arm of the county government and, as such, is not subject to sales tax on purchase of supplies and services to the Commission. Sale of any merchandise sponsored by the Commission shall be subject to collection of state sales tax and remitted to the proper agency. (*3)
10.02 The CCHC is authorized to receive gifts and donations specifically designated for particular CCHC projects. Such funds shall be deposited in the County's CCHC annual budgeted account for later disbursement. If unexpended they will be carried over to the next fiscal year budget of the CCHC.
ADOPTED by the Executive Committee for the Commission
Membership
On December 14, 2008.
Chairman: Lawrence Lof
Vice-Chairman: Mary Torres
Secretary: Norman Rozeff
Treasurer: Jose Gavito
* (1) Texas Local Government Code 318.003