Article 1—Name
The name of this society shall be the Putney Historical Society, Inc.
Article 2—Purpose
The purpose of this Society shall be to bring together those persons interested in history, and especially in the history of the Town of Putney, Vermont; to discover and collect any materials such as books, papers, manuscripts, genealogical records and museum material, illustrative of life, conditions, events, and activities of the past and present, pertinent to the history of Putney; to acquire property or rights in interest of property in order to preserve historic resources. The Society shall provide for the preservation of such material and for its accessibility, as far as may be feasible, to all who wish to examine or study it; shall cooperate in efforts to preserve historic buildings, monuments and markers. The Society may disseminate historical information through the media of newspapers, or radio and otherwise, and may, from time to time, hold public meetings with historical programs. The Society shall cooperate with the state and county historical societies.
Article 3—Amendment
This constitution may be amended at any regular or adjourned meeting of the Society by a two-thirds vote of those voting, provided written notice, together with a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments, has been given to all members at least twenty days before the date of the meeting. Or it may be amended at a special meeting called for that purpose, with such notice and a two-thirds vote. All proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the board of directors.
Article 4—Limitations
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 2 hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of political statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this corporation.
Article 5—Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes with the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.