BYLAWS OF THE STAR TOYS MUSEUM, INC.

ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE


Section 1: The name of the organization shall be The Star Toys Museum, Inc.

Section 2: The Star Toys Museum, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, more specifically:

  1. To collect, preserve, and own toys and other articles, specimens and material things relating to and illustrative of the impact of Star Wars and other science fiction and fantasy cinema and literature upon society;
  2. To arrange, classify, and display such toys, articles, specimens, and material things for the education and entertainment of scholars and the public.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP


Section 1: Voting membership. Voting membership shall consist only of the members of the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Advisors. The Board of Directors may award the honorary title of "Advisor" to certain deserving individuals whom the Museum wishes to honor for their achievements or contributions to the Star Wars universe and/or the field of Star Wars and other science fiction toys. Advisor status shall be valid until and unless revoked by the Board.

Section 3: Donors. The Board of Directors shall award the honorary title of "Donor" to those who donate goods or time to the Museum. Donor status shall be valid until and unless revoked by the Board.

Section 4:
Supporters. The Board of Directors shall award honorary titles to those who donate money to the Museum, to be known collectively as "Supporters." The Board of Directors shall determine a schedule of honorary titles to be awarded to donors, depending on the value of their donation(s). Supporter status is valid for one year from the date of the donation.

Section 5: Benefits to Advisors, Donors, and Supporters. Each Advisor, Donor, and Supporter will receive, via U. S. Mail or electronic mail, a copy of the Museum Newsletter, when published. In addition, in the event that the Board of Directors should ever adopt an entrance fee for the Museum, that fee will be waived for Advisors, Donors, and Supporters.


ARTICLE III - SEMI-ANNUAL MEETINGS


Section 1: Semi-Annual Meeting. The date of the regular semi-annual meeting shall be set by the Board of Directors who shall also set the time and place.

Section 2: Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Notice. Notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by mail, not less than ten days before the meeting.


ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Section 1: Board Role, Size, Compensation. The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Council, and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the Curator and committees. The Board shall have up to seven and not fewer than five members. The board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses (except that reasonable compensation may be paid to any thereof for services rendered to or for the corporation affecting one or more of its purposes).

Section 2: Meetings. The Board shall meet at least twice annually, at an agreed-upon time and place. If it chooses, the Board may conduct meetings via electronic means, including telephone and electronic mail.

Section 3: Board Elections. Election of new directors or election of current directors to a second term will occur as the first item of business at the annual meeting of the corporation. Directors will be elected by a majority vote of the current directors.

Section 4: Terms. All Board members shall serve three year terms, but are eligible for re-election.

Section 5: Quorum. A meeting must be attended by at least sixty percent (60%) of the Board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed.

Section 6: Notice. An official Board meeting requires that each Board member have written notice two weeks in advance.

Section 7: Officers and Duties. There shall be four officers of the Board consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Their duties are as follows:

The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, supervise and control the affairs of the corporation and the activities of the officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident to his or her office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, or shall arrange for the meeting to be presided at by the Vice-Chair, Secretary, or Treasurer, in that order. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, he or she shall, in the name of the corporation, execute such deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, checks, or other instruments which may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors.

The Vice-Chair In the absence of the Chair, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice-Chair shall perform all the duties of the Chair, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the Chair. The Vice-Chair shall chair committees on special subjects as designated by the Board, and shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

The Secretary shall:

  1. Certify and keep at the principal office of the corporation the original, or a copy, of these Bylaws as amended or otherwise altered to date.
  2. Keep at the principal office of the corporation or at such other place as the board may determine, a book of minutes of all meetings of the directors, and, if applicable, meetings of committees of directors and of members, recording therein the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, how called, how notice thereof was given, the names of those present or represented at the meeting, and the proceedings thereof.
  3. See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law.
  4. Be custodian of the records and of the seal of the corporation and affix the seal, as authorized by law or the provisions of these Bylaws, to duly executed documents of the corporation.
  5. Keep at the principal office of the corporation a membership book containing the name and address of each and any members, and, in the case where any membership has been terminated, he or she shall record such fact in the membership book together with the date on which such membership ceased.
  6. Exhibit at all reasonable times to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefor, the Bylaws, the membership book, and the minutes of the proceedings of the directors of the corporation.

In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.

The Treasurer shall:

  1. Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the corporation, and deposit all such funds in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors.
  2. Receive, and give receipt for, monies due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever.
  3. Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements.
  4. Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the corporation's properties and business transactions, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses.
  5. Exhibit at all reasonable times the books of account and financial records to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefor.
  6. Render to the Chair and directors, whenever requested, an account of any or all of his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.
  7. Prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify, or cause to be certified, the financial statements to be included in any required reports.
  8. Chair the finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, and help develop fundraising plans.
  9. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.


Section 8: Vacancies. When a vacancy on the Board exists, nominations for new members may be received from present Board members by the Secretary two weeks in advance of a Board meeting. These nominations shall be send out to Board members with the regular Board meeting announcement, to be voted upon at the next Board meeting. These vacancies will be filled only to the end of the particular Board member's term.

Section 9: Resignation, Termination and Absences. Resignation from the Board must be in writing and received by the Secretary. A Board member shall be dropped for excess absences from the Board if s/he has three unexcused absences from Board meetings in a two-year period. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a three-fourths vote of the remaining Directors.

Section 10: Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be called upon the request of the Chair or one-third of the Board. Notices of special meetings shall be send out by the Secretary to each Board member postmarked two weeks in advance.

Section 11: Indemnification by Corporation of Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of the corporation shall be indemnified by the corporation to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of this state.

Section 12: Insurance for Corporate Agents. Except as may be otherwise provided under provisions of law, the Board of Directors may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation (including a director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation) against liabilities asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or provisions of law.


ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES


Section 1: The Board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, housing, etc. The Board Chair appoints all committee chairs.

Section 2: Executive Committee. The four officers serve as the members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors.

Section 3: Finance Committee. The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee, which includes three other Board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, a fundraising plan, and annual budget with staff and other Board members. The Board must approve the budget, and all expenditures must be within the budget. Any major change in the budget must be approved by the Board or the Executive Committee. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Annual reports are required to be submitted to the Board showing income, expenditures and pending income. The financial records of the organization are public information and shall be made available to the membership, Board members and the public.

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS


Section 1: Execution of Instruments. The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may by resolution authorize any officer or agent of the corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount.

Section 2: Checks and Notes. Except as otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as otherwise required by law, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the corporation shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Chair of the corporation.

Section 3: Deposits. All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

Section 4: Gifts. The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the nonprofit purposes of this corporation.

ARTICLE VII - CORPORATE RECORDS, REPORTS, AND SEAL


Section 1: Maintenance of Corporate Records. The corporation shall keep at its principal office:

(a) Minutes of all meetings of directors and committees of the board, indicating the time and place of holding such meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice given, and the names of those present and the proceedings thereof;

(b) Adequate and correct books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses;

(c) A copy of the corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the members of the corporation at all reasonable times during office hours.


Section 2: Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt, use, and at will alter, a corporate seal. Such seal shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation. Failure to affix the seal to corporate instruments, however, shall not affect the validity of any such instrument.

Section 3: Directors' Inspection Rights. Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation and shall have such other rights to inspect the books, records and properties of this corporation as may be required under the Articles of Incorporation, other provisions of these Bylaws, and provisions of law.

Section 4: Right to Copy and Make Extracts. Any inspection under the provisions of this Article may be made in person or by agent or attorney and the right to inspection shall include the right to copy and make extracts.

Section 5: Periodic Report. The board shall cause any annual or periodic report required under law to be prepared and delivered to an office of this state or to the members, if any, of this corporation, to be so prepared and delivered within the time limits set by law.

ARTICLE VIII - IRC 501(c)(3) TAX EXEMPTION PROVISIONS


Section 1: Limitations on Activities. No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and this corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws, this corporation shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 2: Prohibition Against Private Inurement. No part of the net earnings of this corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors or trustees, 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 of this corporation.

Section 3: Distribution of Assets. Upon the dissolution of this corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 510(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Such distribution shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of the laws of this state.

Section 4: Private Foundation Requirements and Restrictions. In any taxable year in which this corporation is a private foundation as described in Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the corporation 1) shall distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under Section 4942 of the Internal Revenue Code; 2) shall not engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in Section 4941(d) of the Internal Revenue Code; 3) shall not retain any excess business holdings as defined in Section 4943(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; 4) shall not make any investments in such manner as to subject the corporation to tax under Section 4944 of the Internal Revenue Code; and 5) shall not make any taxable expenditures as defined in Section 4945(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS


Section 1: Subject to the power of the members, if any, of this corporation to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of this corporation and except as may otherwise be specified under provisions of law, these Bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws adopted by approval of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X - CONSTRUCTION AND TERMS


If there is any conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall govern.

Should any of the provisions or portions of these Bylaws be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of these Bylaws shall be unaffected by such holding.

All references in these Bylaws to the Articles of Incorporation shall be to the Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, Certificate of Incorporation, Organizational Charter, Corporate Charter, or other founding document of this corporation filed with an office of this state and used to establish the legal existence of this corporation.

All references in these Bylaws to a section or sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be to such sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to time, or to corresponding provisions of any future federal tax code.


ADOPTION OF BYLAWS


We, the undersigned, are all of the initial directors or incorporators of this corporation, and we consent to, and hereby do, adopt the foregoing Bylaws, consisting of 10 preceding pages, as the Bylaws of this corporation.

Dated: 6 August 1998



/s/ Amanda Allen

/s/ Thomas G. Atkinson

/s/ A. Martin Gear

/s/ Ann Hackman

/s/ D. Jeannette Holloman

/s/ Don Sakers

/s/ Doug Warden

 


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