The Clan of the
Dál gCais

Articles of Association

Contents

Introduction.

This draft is a suggested Articles of Association and may be adapted to suit the needs of  the Dalcassian Clan Association.

Article 1         Name of Dalcassian Clan Association
Article 2         Aims and Objectives
Article 3         Officers
Article 4         President
Article 5         Membership
Article 6         Meetings
Article 7         Voting
Article 8         Honorary Membership
Article 9         Liability
Article 10       Dalcassian Clan Association Property

Articles of Association

The Dalcassian Clan Association is a perpetual hereditary association of people bearing the same descent having descended from a common ancestor, our progenitor, Cormac Cas.  The association is a non-profit organization, open to any and all families as set out in these Articles of Association.

Article 1

The name of this Association shall be The Dalcassian Clan Association, and shall include all surnames descended from our progenitor Cormac Cas.

Article 2

The aim of the Dalcassian Clan Association is to promote and foster all the interests of the Dalcassian Clan at home in Ireland, overseas and around the world.

To promote and foster kinship, friendship and camaraderie amongst all of the name and their descendants.

To establish and maintain an Executive Secretary Office, as a central point for communications for all members throughout the world.

To create communications amongst members by collecting, distributing, and publishing information about all aspects of the association.

To research and maintain an archive of materials relating to the Dalcassian Clan and their ancestors for the use of Dalcassian Clan Association members, including conducting, promoting or assisting research work into Dalcassian Clan History.

To develop and maintain a library and database for the use of Dalcassian Clan Association members in tracing their ancestry and family history.

To identify, mark, and preserve the historical and archaeological sites, treasures, and events relating to the clan, including graves, castles, ancient sites and residences of ancestors.

To bring members together at periodic gatherings at the Ancestral Homelands in Ireland.

To publish An Annual Clan Journal, periodic newsletters, books, and other pertinent literature and create communication with the public, industry and governments, to inform and educate the same about the history, culture and traditions of the Dalcassian Clan.

Article 3

The Officers of the Dalcassian Clan Association are the Executive Committee and should be elected from the membership.

Chairperson... The Chairperson shall be the presiding officer of the Executive Committee.  In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside over the meeting.

Executive Secretary..  The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for the keeping of Dalcassian Clan Association membership records, notifying the membership and recording minutes of all meetings.  The Executive Secretary's office shall be the communication and coordination center for the Dalcassian Clan Association, shall prepare and present a summary of Dalcassian Clan Association activities at the Annual Meeting.

Treasurer...  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection, distribution and accounting of the Dalcassian Clan Association funds and shall prepare and present a full account summary at the Annual Meeting.

Public Relations Officer...  The P.R.O. shall prepare or assist in the preparation and distribution of media notices and releases, as directed by the Executive Committee.

Dalcassian Clan Association Historian..  The Dalcassian Clan Association Historian shall be responsible for the research and preservation of the Association History.

Dalcassian Clan Association Genealogist... The Dalcassian Clan Association Genealogists shall be responsible for the creation and maintenance of Family History records and assist members in tracing their ancestry.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the above Officers plus an additional 4 members elected at Annual Meeting making a total of 11.

Article 4

In some cases a "Blood-Line" Chieftain will be available to serve as Chief of the Name.  The "Blood-Line" Chieftain for the Dalcassian Clan is "The Dalcassian, Prince of Thomond, Chief of the Clan of the Dál gCais, the 18th Baron Inchiquin (Lord of Inchiquin, Sir Conor Myles John O’Brien), 10th Baronet of Leamaneh", The majority of the members will elect a Dalcassian Clan Association Chairperson.  All registered members are invited to nominate persons for the office of Chairperson.  Only registered members may vote in election.  Term of Office may be one year or as with a number of Clans, three years.

Article 5

Membership in the Dalcassian Clan Association shall be open to all families who agree to abide by the Articles of Association Their will be "NO" annual membership fees.  Members with the Dalcassian Clan and descendents thereof, are already members by right of heritage. Membership is defined as an family.  Such a membership shall have one vote.  Members "are" life members.  All members will have full rights and privileges. All members of good standing may seek election to the Executive Committee.

Article 6

All meetings will be established by the Executive Committee.  All Executive Officers and Committee shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. All registered members may seek nomination to Executive committee and nomination must reach Executive secretary at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting to enable postal or proxy votes to be requested.  Only registered members may vote. All nominations, motions, resolutions, referenda and/or other business to be acted upon, must be submitted to the Executive secretary at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting, to be prepared in an agenda. Any item of business submitted must include name and signature of a registered member. Any proposed changes to the Articles of Association must be submitted for consideration and can only be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Executive Committee meetings may be held at other times at the direction of Executive Chairperson.

Article 7

All registered members are entitled to vote on all items of business brought before the annual  meeting and all matters submitted to the membership for vote by postal ballot. Postal and proxy votes will be accepted if submitted in writing 14 days prior to meeting. Voting for the Office of "Chairperson" will be by postal ballot of all registered members. All motions, resolutions, referenda and/or other items of business properly submitted for the agenda will require a simple majority vote to pass. Voting may be by a show of hands or in the case of elections to Executive Committee by a secret ballot at the direction of the Executive committee

Article 8

There are those individuals who by their actions, labors or deeds, contribute to the advancement of the goals of the Clan or family name. The Clan may acknowledge such persons by conferring upon them such honors as committee deems fitting i.e. Meritorious Service Certificate.

Article 9

It is expressly agreed and understood that all Officers and members working for and assisting the Dalcassian Clan Association in achieving it's goals and purposes, will make personal decisions and judgements that may, in hindsight, be detrimental to the interests of the Dalcassian Clan Association or individual members.  It is a specific condition of membership that no member at any time, or for any reason whatsoever, shall hold any appointed or elected office of the Association, member of any committee, or volunteer assisting the Dalcassian Clan Association, liable for any good faith action taken, except where: 1. Such action involved the commitment of a crime. 2. Where such action was taken to expressly cause damage to the reputation or property of the Dalcassian Clan Association or its members. 3. Where an individual having custody of the property of the Dalcassian Clan Association fails to deliver such property when directed by the Executive Committee.

Article 10

All property, purchased, produced, or gifted shall be the property of the Dalcassian Clan Association.  In the event the Dalcassian Clan Association ceases to exist, all funds, property, and assets will be assigned, at the discretion of the Executive committee, to the Dalcassian Clan Dalcassian Clan Association for the promotion and advancement of goals of the said organization.

Signed by:  _____________________________________________    Chairperson

Date:    ___________________________