The

O’Brien Clan

Chapters

Articles of Association

Contents

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

Article 1 Name of
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  Property

Articles of Association

The  is a perpetual hereditary Chapter of people bearing the same surname, or having descended from an ancestor with that surname, or any of the variant spellings of the name O’Brien (O'Brians, O'Bryen, Bryan, Bryant, Bryen, Brian, Brien, Briens, Brine, Brion, MacBrien, MacBryen, McBrian, McBrien, McBryen) and other fine families who are descended from our progenitor, Brian Boru.. The Chapter is a non-profit organization, open to any and all individuals as set out in these Articles of Association, without regard to, race, color, creed, religious affiliation, age or gender.

Article 1

The name of this Chapter shall be The O’Brien Clan, and shall include all surnames descended from our progenitor Brian Boru.

Article 2

The aim of the Chapter is to promote and foster all the interests of the O’Brien Clan at home in Ireland and overseas.
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 Chapter.
To research and maintain an archive of materials relating to the O’Brien Clan and their ancestors for the use of Chapter members, including conducting, promoting or assisting research work into O’Brien Clan History.
To develop and maintain a library and database for the use of Chapter 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 O’Brien Clan.

Article 3

The Officers of the Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Chapter, shall prepare and present a summary of Chapter activities at the Annual Meeting.

Treasurer… The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection, distribution and accounting of the Chapter 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.

Chapter Historian… The Chapter Historian shall be responsible for the research and preservation of the Chapter History.

Chapter Genealogist… The Chapter 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 O’Brien Clan is "The O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, Chief of the O'Brien Clan., the 18th Baron Inchiquin (Lord of Inchiquin, Sir Conor Myles John O'Brien), 10th Baronet of Lemeneagh", The majority of the members will elect a Chapter 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 Chapter shall be open to all individuals who agree to abide by the Articles of Association.Their will be "NO" annual membership fees. Members with the O’Brien surname (or variations) and descendents thereof, are already members by right of heritage.Membership is defined as an individual member or as a husband and wife and all children under the age of 18 years. Such a membership shall have one vote. Members "are" life members. Such a membership shall have one vote. 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 Chapter 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 Chapter in achieving it’s goals and purposes, will make personal decisions and judgements that may, in hindsight, be detrimental to the interests of the Chapter 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 Chapter, member of any committee, or volunteer assisting the Chapter, liable for any good faith action taken, except where:

Such action involved the commitment of a crime.
Where such action was taken to expressly cause damage to the reputation or property of the Chapter or its members.
Where an individual having custody of the property of the Chapter 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 Chapter. In the event the Chapter ceases to exist, all funds, property, and assets will be assigned, at the discretion of the Executive committee, to The O’Brien Clan for the promotion and advancement of goals of the said organization.

Signed by: _____________________________________________________Chairperson

Date_____________________

Approved by: ___________________________________________The O’Brien, Chief of the Clan

Date____________________