A BRIEF HISTORY AND SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SAR
The International Society of the SAR (International SAR – ITSSAR) was created in late 1999 as an administrative construct to handle several new members (in Mexico, Australia, and Micronesia) who lived far from any existing state-level society. Someone within the SAR had to receive and review their applications, someone had to request dues annually, and someone had to provide these SAR members with communications and represent their interests so that they could be functional participants of the larger SAR. The ITSSAR nurtures and trains overseas SAR members so that in the event that there are fifteen resident members within a nation, the members will be well-prepared to petition the trustees to form a state-level society.
This Society currently consists of approximately 55 members spread out so widely that there is little chance for personal interaction except through virtual meetings. When first formed, a “typical” organization, constitution and bylaws, and set of program elements were not feasible.
In September 2000, a set of bylaws for the ITSSAR were approved by the SAR Executive Committee to provide an explicit authorization for the construct and to ensure that there would be experienced leaders. The bylaws specify that the Vice President General of the International District will be ex-officio (by virtue of his office) the President of the ITSSAR.
These bylaws were significantly revised and approved in at the 2023 Congress in July 2023. With the revision of the bylaws, the ITSSAR is considered a regularly-constituted state-level society and is entitled to a trustee, alternate trustee, or delegates at the annual SAR Congress as are all other members of the National Society.
For further information on International SAR membership and eligibility, please refer to the International SAR Annual Dues Form or contact the International SAR President Jim Griffith.
THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BYLAWS
(Approved by the NSSAR Executive Committee on September 11, 2018. The International SAR is an administrative unit and has no constitution.)
Bylaw No. 1 – Name, Status, and Objectives
The International Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (ITSSAR) is recognized as a State and District Society of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). The ITSSAR operates under the Constitution and Bylaws of the NSSAR. The objectives shall be the same as those specified in the NSSAR Constitution.
Bylaw No. 2 – Territory and Membership
Section 1. The territory of the ITSSAR shall consist of all territory in any foreign country or other territory where no State Society has been authorized or organized by the NSSAR Board of Trustees.
Section 2. Membership qualifications shall be the same as those specified in the NSSAR Constitution, with the following restriction: Only residents in the territory of the ITSSAR may become “primary” members of the ITSSAR (paying national dues through the ITSSAR). This restriction does not apply to becoming a dual member of the ITSSAR (paying national dues through another state society).
Section 3. The ITSSAR may support the formation of a foreign society if the proposed foreign society satisfies the requirements set forth in the NSSAR Bylaws.
Bylaw No. 3 – Executive Board
The Executive Board of the ITSSAR shall consist of the society officers and the presidents of each chapter. Meetings of the Executive Board may be held as called by the President or Secretary with 10 days’ notice.
Bylaw No. 4 – Chapters
Section 1. The Society Executive Board may grant, upon written petition, a charter to establish a Local Chapter to not less than ten (10) members of the Society.
Section 2. Chapters shall adopt their own constitution and/or bylaws consistent with the general provisions of the Society’s Bylaws. All amendments to chapter bylaws must be approved by the Society Executive Board.
Section 3. Chapters shall elect their officers and board and shall conduct meetings and other activities consistent with the objectives of the Society.
Section 4. In the event a chapter, for a period of one (1) year, fails to function according to conditions as set forth in the original charter, or pursue the objectives of the National Society, the Society Executive Board may declare the chapter to be inactive. In the event of such action, all assets and property of that chapter shall be surrendered to the Society. All such assets and property shall remain in escrow for a period of four (4) additional years or until the chapter is reorganized. Should the chapter not be reorganized, such assets and property shall then become the property of the Society.
Bylaw No. 5 – Officers
Section 1. The incumbent Vice President General (International District) shall be the ITSSAR President. He shall have the duties, rights and responsibilities normally associated with the position of a State Society President and shall promote productive activity of society members in their communities.
Section 2. The President may appoint another Compatriot(s) to serve as Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, and Genealogist of the ITSSAR with the approval of the Executive Board. Each Officer shall have the duties, rights and responsibilities normally associated with his position in a State Society.
Section 3. The President shall nominate a National Trustee and Alternate National Trustee with the approval of the Executive Board.
Bylaw No. 6 – Indemnification
Section 1. Except as otherwise provided by law, a Society officer or trustee shall not be personally liable for monetary damages to the Society or any member resulting from any act or omission incurred in the good faith performance of his duties as such.
Section 2. The Society shall assume all liability to any member, organization or third-party person for all acts or omissions of an officer or trustee incurred in the good faith performance of his duties.
Section 3. The Society shall assume the liability for all acts or omissions of a non-officer volunteer, provided that:
a. The volunteer acting or reasonably believed he was acting within the scope of his authority.
b. The volunteer was acting in good faith.
c. The volunteer’s conduct did not amount to gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.
d. The volunteer’s conduct was not an intentional tort.
Bylaw No. 7 – Meetings
Section 1. An Annual Meeting of the Society shall be called by the President and held within 90 after the close of the NSSAR Annual Congress. Other meetings of the society may be held if called by the President, Secretary, or three Society members, with 20 days’ notice. The Secretary shall send to all members of the Society a written notice by electronic mail of the Annual Meeting not less than twenty (20) days prior to the date of the scheduled meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings of the Society, when called, shall be devoted to specific items of business as stated in the meeting notice. The same requirements for the calling of Special Meetings of the Society, regarding notices, etc., shall apply as established for the Annual Meeting.
Bylaw No. 8 – Meetings by Alternative Means
All meetings of the Society may be conducted through use of any means of communication by which all individuals participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. This provision shall allow for the use of the Internet, a conference telephone, video conference or other communications method so long as all individuals participating in the meeting can communicate with each other at the same time. A participant in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present at the meeting. Voting on all matters shall be permitted, with votes cast by individualized voice vote of the participants or by an electronic vote tabulation means by which the Chairman of the meeting shall be able to confirm the submission of a vote by an individual member. Proxy voting shall not be permitted. This provision shall be interpreted to permit any electronic means that combines voice and/or video communication with capability of document sharing either in advance of or during the meeting.
Bylaw No. 9 – Committees
The President may appoint standing or special committees, subject to approval of the Executive Board, as deemed necessary for the efficient administration of the Society’s business or for specific short-term projects.
Bylaw No. 10 – Fees and Dues
Section 1. Application Fee: No membership application or transfer into the ITSSAR shall be considered unless accompanied by a payment which is the sum of (a) the NSSAR application fee, (b) a $5.00 ITSSAR processing fee, and (c) annual dues as defined in Section 3 of this Bylaw. The ITSSAR is required to transmit the NSSAR application fee and NSSAR dues to the NSSAR. Annual dues that accompany applications that are registered on or after September 1 will be credited toward the year that starts the following January 1.
Section 2. Supplemental Fee: No supplemental application shall be considered unless accompanied by a payment which is the sum of (a) the NSSAR supplemental application fee and (b) a $5.00 ITSSAR processing fee. The ITSSAR is required to transmit the NSSAR application fee to the NSSAR.
Section 3. Annual and Lifetime Dues: The annual dues shall be the sum of (a) NSSAR annual dues and (b) $15.00 for ITSSAR annual dues. The ITSSAR is required to transmit NSSAR dues to the NSSAR. Annual dues must be paid in full by January 1 to cover the membership year for January 1 to December 31 of that year. Lifetime membership requires a one-time payment of $50.00 dues.
Section 4. Method of Payment: Fees and dues must be paid in United States Dollars (USD) by check drawn on a U.S. bank or by credit card payment or by a PayPal payment.
Section 5. ITSSAR processing fee and ITSSAR Annual Dues: The processing fees and ITSSAR annual dues will be transmitted to the NSSAR and retained in the ITSSAR account for use to defray operating costs of the society. Distribution of funds from this account must have the International Society President and the Treasurer General’s approval.
Bylaw No. 11 – Parliamentary Authority
The rules set forth in the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Society in all meetings in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the NSSAR Constitution and Bylaws and or any special rules of order the National Society may adopt.
Bylaw No. 12 – Code of Conduct & Conflict of Interest
Section 1. To preserve integrity and ensure accountability, the Society shall adopt and maintain in force the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy that is in effect at the National Society.
Section 2. Signatories acknowledging receipt of, and compliance with, said Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy shall include, without limitation, all members of the Executive Board and all Committee Chairmen. Execution of said Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy statement shall be required upon accepting the duties of the position and reaffirmed annually thereafter.
Bylaw No. 13 – Discipline, Procedure & Due Process
Section 1. Charges: A Compatriot may be charged for: (1) violating the (a) Code of Business Ethics and Conduct; (b) Conflict of Interest/Code of Organizational Conduct; (c) Whistleblower Policy; (d) Record Retention Policy; or (2) for rendering himself unworthy of membership by engaging in felonious conduct, misdemeanor conduct involving moral turpitude, or conduct disloyal to the ideals or prejudicial to the interests of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Section 2. Procedure & Due Process: The provisions regarding disciplinary procedures contained in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the investigation and hearing of any charges brought pursuant to Section 1 of this bylaw.
Bylaw No. 14 – Amendments
Section 1. Supremacy: These Bylaws are adopted subject to the provisions of the NSSAR’s Constitution and Bylaws. Any amendment to the NSSAR’s Constitution or Bylaws which conflicts with any provision of these Bylaws shall be regarded as automatically amending, repealing or modifying the provisions of these Bylaws to the extent of such conflict.
Section 2. Amendments: These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting at the Annual Meeting or at a special membership meeting designated to consider such amendments; provided that
a. such amendment must have been proposed by the president, the secretary, or by petition of three members of the ITSSAR, and b. the proposed amendment has been put in written form and received by the Secretary no later than 30 days before the Annual Meeting or special meeting, so that it may be included with the notice for the meeting.
