STATUTE OF THE SGHS

1 General Provisions

1. Slovak Genealogical-Heraldic Society (the Society) is a voluntary association of those interested in genealogy, heraldry and related disciplines.
2. The Society is an independent legal body.
3. The Society is resident in Martin (nám. J. C. Hronského 1, 036 01 Martin)
   

2 Goals of the Society

1. The Society aims at
   • contribution to development of genealogy, heraldry and related disciplines, especially to research of origin and relationship of persons and families originating from Slovakia,
   • facilitation of meetings of its members and supporters and exchange of information among them,
   • methodic assistance to its members, supporters and to institutions.
2. To reach these goals the Society
   • establishes and maintains contacts with partner organizations in Slovakia and abroad,
   • publishes books, periodical Genealogicko-heraldický hlas and other materials of theoretic and practical use,
   • arranges meetings of its members, focused on genealogy and heraldry,
   • builds its own library and archives open to the interested public.

3 Members

1. There are
   • ordinary members and
   • honorary members of the Society.
2. Physical as well as legal persons may become ordinary members. The person becomes an ordinary member as soon as an application form has been filled in and the yearly membership fee has been paid. The member then receives a membership card from the Society Committee. In justified cases the Society Committee can partly or fully get the member off membership payments.
3. A person with specific merits of development of genealogy, heraldry or related disciplines may become honorary member (member, president) of the Society. Honorary members are elected by the General Assembly of the Society.

4 Rights of Members

1. The Society members are entitled to
   • attend General Assemblies and other meetings of the Society,
   • participate in election of the Society's bodies and be elected to these bodies,
   • submit proposals to the Committee and the General Assembly,
   • receive publications of the Society,
   • use the library and the archives of the Society.
2. Every member is entitled to information about activities of the Society.

5 Membership Fees

1. Ordinary members have to pay the yearly fees in time. The Committee decides on the yearly fee changes from 0 – 30% in comparison to the previous year amount. If higher growth of the yearly fee is necessary, decides the General Assembly.
   
2. Honorary members do not pay the fee.
3. The fee is to be paid yearly not later than by the end of the previous year. Those who become members during the year have to pay the membership fee for the whole year. They are given all materials published during this year.
4. The fee can be prepaid for several years as well. In the meantime they are not involved in the contingent raise of the fee.

6 Cease and Suspension of Membership

1. Membership in the Society ceases by resignation, exclusion, death or cease of a collective member (legal body) existence.
2. The member is obliged to inform the Society of his resignation in writing.
3. A member who has caused damage to the Society's interests, who vilated the Statute, as well as for other justified reasons, may be excluded from membership by the Committee. A 3/5 quorum in the Committee is required for this purpose. Excluded member can appeal to the General Assembly.
4. If membership fees are not paid in time, the Committee is entitled to declare suspension of membership.

7 The Society's Bodies

1. The Society's bodies are
   • the General Assembly,
   • the Committee
   • the Audit Commission.

8 General Assembly

1. The General Assembly is the supreme body of the Society. It consists of all ordinary members of the Society (physical persons and delegates of collective members). It meets once in two years, an extraordinary session is convened in case of necessity or on request of at least one third of members. The Committee is in charge to call the convocation, the President of the Society is presiding the assembly.
2. The General Assembly deals with the activity report and the state of finance for the past period. It decides on substantial activities for the future, elects the Committee and the Audit Commission in direct and secret ballot. It decides on the changes of the Society Statute as well as on the Society’s break up and deals with and takes decisions on other matters considered to be of importance for the Society. 
3. The General Assembly is empowered to take decisions if at least one half of all ordinary members are present. If at time for which the assembly has been convoked, the above quorum is not reached, those present will decide whether the members attending be considered able to deal as the General Assembly, or another convocation be made for a meeting to take place later.
4. The Secretary makes record on the General Assembly proceedings and deliberation. The President or Vice President and at least one Committee member will sign the record.

9 The Committee

1. The Committee is the executive body of the Society. In the period between the General Assembly sessions the Committee manages the Society. It meets at least twice a year. It is summoned by the President who presides its meetings.
2. The Committee consists of the President, two Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer and six members. Its magistrates are voted by ballot within the Committee. Between two elections no more than three Committee members can be coopted. A quorum 3/5 is then necessary.
3. The President, the Vice President and the Secretary represent the Society. If a document on behalf of the Society is to be issued, it is to be signed by two of the above persons. Other persons can be empowered by the Committee to represent the Society. To fulfil specific tasks extraordinary commissions may be created by the Committee.
4. The President presides the General Assembly, convokes and presides the Committee meetings and supervises execution of their decisions. When absent he is represented by one of the Vice Presidents.
5. The Secretary administers agenda, library and archives of the Society, prepares materials for General Assembly and the Committee meetings, makes records on them and together with the Treasurer distributes the periodical and other publications of the Society.
6. The Treasurer administers economic agenda of the Society and together with the Secretary distributes the newsletter and other publications of the Society.
7. The Committee is entitled to deliberate if at least one half of its members attend. The motion is considered accepted if supported by the majority of those present. When no majority decision can be reached, the President's vote decides.

10 Audit Commission

1. The Audit Commission is the Society's body responsible for audits. With a two years mandate the Commission is elected by the General Assembly. It has to control the economy of the Society and inspect whether the Society's activities are developing in accordance with respective legal provisions. The Commission reports to the General Assembly.
2. The Committee cannot be dismissed without the Audit Commission report being presented to the General Assembly.

11 Management of the Society

1. The Society gets its resources from membership fees, from proceeds of its own activities and from donations of individuals or legal persons.
2. The Committee is responsible for the management of the Society; the Treasurer executs it's responsibility. Payments to and off the Society are made via the Society's account with a bank.
3. On 15 December the Secretary and the Treasurer submit the Committee their yearly management report as well as the activity plan proposal for the coming year and the respective draft budget. The Society management works according to the plan and budget as approved by the Committee before 15 February for the current year.
4. In case of dissolution of the Society it is up to the General Assembly to take decision about its property.

12 Research Teams, Sections and Clubs

1. The Society's Committee can make contracts with individuals or research teams to realize the Society's research and documentation projects.
2. Society members are invited and encouraged to establish clubs or specialized sections expected to fulfil the Society's goals. The clubs and sections have to have their own statute which have to be in accordance with the Statute of the Society.

13 Symbols and Abbreviation

The arms and the seal are the symbols of the Society.
1. The arms of the Society are blazoned as gules, a linden tree argent nascent of the central hill of a triple mount azure.
2. As abbreviation "SGHS" can be used.

14 Closing Provisions

1. The Society was founded on 26 October 1991 in (the City of) Martin.
2. This edition of the Society Statute was accepted by the General Assembly on 11 October 2003. After having been registered with the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic the validity of the Society Statute from 6 September 2001 has been expired.