Preamble In recognition of the fact that Clay-Ashland is known to be the home of the Richards and the Coleman, and in as much as there is known to be a mass migration from the City of Clay-Ashland, this dispersion has resulted in the family not being together and not knowing each other. In cognizance of the above, it has become necessary to keep the family tie going as well as to be able to perpetuate the principles and objectives, which have characterized these families over the years. Furthermore, it is not only essential, but also necessary that these values and morals and other characteristics of the Richards and Coleman Families be perpetuated; hence, it is necessary that the old and young meet, get acquainted and exchange ideas to accomplish the above. We have, therefore, organized ourselves into a family body to be known as the Richards and Coleman Family Association.

C O N S T I T U T I O N

ARTICLE I

Section 1: NAME AND DURATION

Section 1.1 - Official Name: The official name of the organization referred to in these Bylaws and Constitution shall be the Richards and Coleman Family Association, herein referred to as the Association.

Section 1.2 - Duration: The existence of the Association shall be perpetual, except that it may be dissolved by a majority decision of its members herein after constituted.

ARTICLE II OBJECTIVE

Section 1: The objective of the Richards and Coleman Family Association shall be, in general, to unite and keep the family tie alive and in particular, to be able to know each other and render assistance whenever possible.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1:

Section 1.1 - Membership: The in the Association shall be limited to members of the Richards and Coleman families and spouses.

Section 1.2 - Qualification: Any member, eighteen (18) years or older, shall be eligible to hold office in the Association.

Section 1.3 - Voting Rights: The members shall elect officers. Only members in good financial standing shall be eligible to vote in the Association.

Section 1.4 - Duties: The members shall propose and participate in programs and activities for the furtherance of the Association's goals and objectives. The members shall serve on committees of the Association, as deemed necessary.

Section 1.5 - Meetings: There shall be one general meeting at each Family Reunion. The Secretary of the Association shall inform the members of the time and place of said meeting at least sixty days in advance of such meeting.

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS

Section 1: The officers of this Association shall be: Chairman Assistant Secretary Co-Chairman Financial Secretary Treasurer Chaplain Secretary Parliamentarian Sargent of Arms

ARTICLE V EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected officers and the Chairmen of the Standing Committees. This Committee shall meet at least twice a year, using modern technology if necessary.

Section 2: The list of Standing Committees of the Richards and Coleman Family Association shall be:
Ways and Means Social Welfare Membership Genealogy Program and Entertainment Finance Nominations

ARTICLE VI MEETINGS

Section 1: The Annual Reunion shall be held every year for the first three years inclusive of 1998, at which time the venue of the next Annual Reunion will be decided upon.

Section 2: An emergency general meeting may be called by the Chairperson if it becomes necessary, or by not less than seven members requesting same.

Section 3: All Richards and Coleman Family Association meetings shall be governed by and conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS]

Section 1: Amendments to the Constitution of this Association shall be made only at the Annual Reunion, and by votes of two-thirds of the members present.

Section 2: No proposition to amend this Constitution shall be acted upon unless written notice has been given to the Secretary at least two months prior to the meeting. A copy of such a proposition shall be sent to each family at least one month before the date of the Annual Reunion, at which time, the amendment will be discussed and voted upon.

BYLAWS ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION

Section 1: The organization of this Association shall be governed by the democratic principles, and a core of officers duly elected for a period to be specified, hereunder, will govern this Association.

Section 2: This governing body shall be empowered to appoint Standing Committees and Temporary Committees when necessary.

ARTICLE II OFFICERS

Section 1: The Officers of the Association shall be elected for a period of two years.

Section 2: An Officer may be removed from office because of negligence of duty, and another elected to complete his or her term.

ARTICLE III DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

Section 1: Chairman of the Association

He/She shall:
(a) Convene meetings of the Association.
(b) Preside over all meetings of the Association.
(c) Enforce regulations relating to the administration of the Association.
(d) Approve all vouchers for disbursement of funds.
(e) Make a report at the Annual Reunion.

Section 2: Co-Chairman of the Association
He/She shall preside over the Association in the absence of the Chairman, or in the event of death, resignation or inability of the Chairman to perform, or at the request of the Chairman.

Section 3: Treasurer of the Association

He/She shall:
(a) Be responsible for ensuring an adequate and workable internal control structure.
(b) Receive from Financial Secretary and have custody of and be responsible for all funds and assets of the Association.
(c) Be responsible for the annual financial report.
(d) Be responsible for compliance with statutory reporting requirements, including filing of timely tax returns and payment of taxes, as applicable.

Section 4: Secretary of the Association -

He/She shall:
(a) Be responsible for the preparation and filing of all other records required by or policies of the Association.
(b) Keep a register of addresses of each officer and member, and in general, perform all duties incident to the Office and/or assigned by the Chairman.
(c) Inform the membership of the time and place of its regular meeting at least sixty days in advance of such meeting.

Section 5: Assistant Secretary of the Association

He/She shall:
(a) Assist the Secretary in all duties such as would be assigned by the Secretary, or in his or her inability to serve, succeed to the Secretary's duties.

Section 6: Financial Secretary

He/She shall:
(a) Be responsible for collecting, receiving and recording all funds and dues.
(b) Turn over all funds to the Treasurer upon proper receipt.
(c) Sign vouchers to the Treasurer authorizing disbursement of funds and will give a statistical and financial account at the Reunion Meeting.
(d) Shall submit a quarterly financial report and a full report at the Fourth Quarterly Meeting.
(e) Shall be responsible for establishing a Bank Account in the name of the Association.

Section 7: Chaplain of the Association

He/She shall be responsible for the religious activities of the Association.
Section 8: Parliamentarian
Section 9: Sargent of Arms

ARTICLE IV STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1: The Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Chairman upon the recommendation and approval of the Executive Committee. The term of office shall be the same as that of the Chairman.

Section 1.1: The Ways and Means Committee shall:

(a) Be responsible for conducting all fund raising programs and/or activities.
(b) Be responsible for the accountability of all funds disbursed and collected.

Section 1.2: The Membership Committee shall:
(a) Be the pivotal contact for all members of the Richards and Coleman Family Association.
(b) Compile and maintain a complete roll of the Richards and Coleman Families.

Section 1.3: The Program and Entertainment Committee shall be responsible for recommending and executing all activities and programs of the Association.

Section 1.4: The Social Welfare Committee shall:

(a) Arrange visitations to the sick, bereaved, etc.
(b) Encourage members who are regularly absent from meetings to become active in the Association.
(c) Develop a benevolent budget and submit it at the Annual Reunion.
(d) Encourage members to become increasingly aware of the objectives of the Association.
(e) Take some action in the event of the bereavement of a member of the Association.
(f) Organize a collage for every General Meeting, maintain an official album of pictures taken at the meeting and secure a video recording of Reunion events.

Section 1.5: The Genealogy Committee shall:

(a) Compile and maintain the Family Tree.
(b) Prepare and maintain the Family History.

ARTICLE V DUES

Section 1: The annual due shall be paid on or before the Family Reunion. Dues of $25.00 per adult (21 and above) annually.

ARTICLE VI QUORUM

Section 1: To constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, 25% of registered members in good standing must be present.

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

Any present or former officer and member of the Association or other such persons so designated by the discretion of the Association, or the legal representative of such persons, shall be indemnified by the Association. Such indemnification shall be against all reasonable costs, expenses and counsel fees paid to which any such person, or his or her legal representative may be made a party by reason of being or having been such an officer or member serving or having served with the Association. This shall exclude matters to which he or she shall be found guilty of negligence or misconduct in respect to the matters settled or otherwise terminated without final determination on the merits where such settlement of termination is predicated on the existence of such negligence or misconduct.

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Section 1: Amendments to the Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws and Constitution adopted by a two-third (2/3) voting membership of the Association present at the Annual Reunion Meeting.
Section 2: No proposition to amend shall be acted upon unless written notice thereof has been given to the Secretary at least two months prior to the meeting. A copy of such a proposition shall be sent to each family at least one month before the date of the Annual Reunion, at which time, the Amendment is to be voted upon.

Constitution and By-Laws Committee SIGNED: Othello Richards Chairman John D. Coleman Co-Chairman Mai George Sirleaf Member David A. Garnett, Sr. Member

Richards and Coleman Family Assoc. P. O. Box 2293 Montgomery Village, MD 20886