LHS Bylaws (revised 2025)

BYLAWS

OF THE LAKESIDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this organization shall be the “Lakeside Historical Society” (also known as “LHS”).

ARTICLE II OBJECTS AND PURPOSES
Section 1: The objects and purposes shall be to discover, collect and preserve artifacts, books,
pamphlets, maps, genealogies, photographs, pictures, field books, and any and all articles,
materials, historical landmarks, buildings, and other property which may establish or illustrate
the history and to perpetuate the heritage of the United States of America, and particularly the
Lakeside area.
Section 2: To publish and disseminate such historical matter as this Society may authorize.
Section 3: To operate a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: The membership year shall be from January 1 to December 31. Dues not paid by
February 1st will be considered delinquent.
Section 2: Classifications.
A. Individual membership
B. Family membership
C. Business/Organization membership
D. Life membership for Individuals
E. Life membership for Business/Organization
Section 3: Qualifications.
Any person interested in the purpose of this Society may become a member upon payment of
annual or life membership dues. Only members in good standing may hold office.
Section 4: Voting.
Only members in good standing may vote. Family memberships shall be entitled to two (2)
votes. Business/Organization memberships shall have only one (1) vote.

ARTICLE IV MEETINGS
Section 1: General Meetings.
The General Meeting for the Society shall be the fourth Monday of each month, unless
otherwise specified by the elected officers. The President may designate the time and place of
each meeting. Meetings should be advertised in the newsletter, if possible.
Section 2: Quorum.
A. Fifteen (15) members shall constitute a quorum at a General Meeting for the transaction
of any business of this Society.
B. Nine (9) board members, as defined in ARTICLE IV: Section 4, shall constitute a
quorum at a Board Meeting for the transaction of any business of this Society. Only
Board members shall be allowed to vote.
Section 3: Special Meetings.
Special meetings may be called by the President or by the elected officers. The Secretary may
also call a special meeting upon the written request of not less than ten (10) members in good
standing.
Section 4: Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers as described in ARTICLE V and the
Standing Committee Chairpersons as described in ARTICLE VI.

ARTICLE V OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Section 1: Governing Body.
The governing body of the Lakeside Historical Society shall be the elected officers, namely the
President (or Co-Presidents), Vice President (or Co-Vice Presidents), Secretary and
Treasurer, who shall be elected for a term of one (1) year.
Section 2: Elected Officers.
The elected officers of the Society shall be a President (or Co-Presidents), Vice President (or
Co-Vice Presidents), Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 3: President.
It shall be the duty of the President (or Co-Presidents) to preside at all meetings of this
Society, call such special meetings as are herein provided for, see that the bylaws, rules and
regulations are enforced, appoint chairpersons of standing committees, and supervise
generally the affairs of this Society. The President(s) may appoint a Parliamentarian and any
other officer or chairperson as needed, upon approval by the Board. 
Section 4: Vice President.
The Vice President (or Co-Vice Presidents) shall be responsible for the General Meeting
programs, shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President, and perform such other
duties as ordinarily pertain to the office. If the President’s office becomes vacant because of
death, resignation or otherwise, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President for
the unexpired term. In the case of Co-Vice Presidents, the Board may decide who to appoint
through vote or consensus.
Section 5: Secretary.
The Secretary shall record and preserve minutes of all meetings and provide a copy of the
minutes to the President(s) within a week. The Secretary shall retain all permanent records.
Upon their retirement, the Secretary shall turn over to their successor, or to the President(s),
all records or other property of this Society in their possession.
Section 6: Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall receive and be responsible for the funds of the Society and shall be
accountable to the membership of this Society. The Treasurer shall pay all current bills, under
the direction of the Board, keep the membership informed of the financial status of the
organization, give a full-itemized accounting at each Board meeting, and prepare an annual
report given at the January General Meeting. If the January General Meeting is postponed or
canceled, or there are other extenuating circumstances, the Treasurer will submit the annual
report for inclusion in the next possible newsletter and the report to the membership shall be
made at the next scheduled General Meeting. The Treasurer is, unless other arrangements
are approved by the Board, responsible for filing all forms and reports with the County, State
and Federal agencies and maintaining LHS compliance with these agencies. Upon retirement,
the Treasurer shall turn over to their successor or to the President(s) all funds, books, records,
and any other property of this Society that is in their possession.

ARTICLE VI STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Section 1: All Chairpersons are members of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: All recommendations shall be presented to the Board of Directors.
Section 3: All Chairpersons shall bring a report of their activities to the Board of Directors.
Standing committees include:
A. Archivist: In charge of the place where this Society’s historical materials are stored
and/or displayed.
B. Hospitality: Welcomes and greets members and guests at meetings and activities,
oversees that the attendance book is signed, recruit refreshment hosts for General
Meetings.
C. Membership: Responsible for membership drives, collect dues, issue membership
cards, and keep an accurate record of all members in good standing. Upon request,
provide the President(s), Treasurer, and Secretary with a written, regularly updated list
of new members and notify members of delinquent dues.
D. Newsletter: Responsible for the editing, publishing, and mailing of this Society’s
newsletter. Will maintain a record of the activities of this Society by, among other things,
supplying a compilation of the previous year’s newsletters for filing in the Society’s
archives.
E. Press & Publicity: Endeavors to enlist the aid of all newspapers and publications to
properly publicize our Society and its arms. Acts as a liaison between LHS and the
community and government agencies.
F. Lakeside Design Review Board (LRDB) – Seat 5: The Lakeside Design Review Board is
authorized by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego to advise on
development projects in our community. The LDRB reports to the Planning and
Development Services of the County. LHS has a designated seat on the LDRB. A
representative of this Society shall be designated by the LHS Board at least three (3)
months prior to the end of the incumbent’s term, or when necessary due to vacancy.
The regular term is for two (2) years. Once a nomination is made, the President(s) will
immediately notify the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, District 2, of the Board’s
decision, in writing.
G. Memorials: Acknowledges memorials received and notifies families of gift donation.
Orders plaques and mounts on Memorial Board. Writes article for newsletter.
H. Sunshine: Sends card to members who are ill or have lost family members.
I. Bricks: As funds are received, orders and places brick on Memorial Walk.
J. Building/Grounds/Restoration: Responsible for repair, maintenance and preservation of
historical grounds.
K. Museum: Enlists and trains docents, plans and publicizes displays, conducts inventory
and manage all deed of gifts.
L. Webmaster: Maintains and updates the Society’s website.
M. Gift Store: Directs and organizes operation of the LHS Gift Store.
N. Kitchen Coordinator: Directs and organizes operation of the food fundraisers.
O. Living History Days: Directs and organizes the planning and operation of the annual
Living History Days event. Acts as liaison with Lakeside Unified School District to assist
in promoting inclusion of Lakeside history to school curriculum and to encourage the
membership of students.
P. Facility Rental and Use: Directs, manages, and schedules use of facilities by other
groups and organizations. Manages rental use of church and hall rentals for weddings,
memorial services, etc. Updates rental agreements as needed. Works with Gift Shop
Committee Chair (or can be the same chairperson).
Q. Additional committees and chairs may be created and designated as needed by the
Board of Directors.
R. Event Coordinator: Plans and coordinates off-site LHS-sanctioned activities, events,
field trips for members.

ARTICLE VII ELECTIONS
Section 1: Nominating Committee.
A. At the March General Meeting, a Nominating Committee of three (3) plus an alternate
shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present to serve for the remaining
year. The committee shall meet with the Parliamentarian immediately after their election
to select a chair and to determine a meeting date.
B. A slate of officers shall be presented at the October General Meeting. Further
nominations may be made from the floor at the November General Meeting, at which
time the election of the officers shall be held. Officers shall be elected by a majority of
members present through a show of hands or, if there is more than one candidate for an
office, by written ballot.
C. Elected officers shall take office on January 1st the following year. They will be
recognized at the January General Meeting and newsletter.
Section 2: Generally, no member shall hold the same elected office for more than two (2)
consecutive years, with the exception of the Secretary and/or Treasurer positions, who may
serve longer. If no member comes forward for the president and/or vice president position
upon the end of a particular term limit or the position goes unchallenged, another term can be
allowed, upon vote or consensus of the Board.
Section 3: Vacancies in any office shall be filled by a majority vote of the members present at a
General Meeting, except in the case of President as stated in ARTICLE V: Section 4.
Section 4: Any officer may be removed from office for due cause, after notification by a vote of
two-thirds of the members present at a General or Special Meeting

ARTICLE VII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order – Revised (latest edition), shall govern the
proceedings of the Society except in such cases as are governed by these bylaws.

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at a General Meeting
provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting.

ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION
All property owned by the corporation (LHS) is and shall be irrevocably dedicated to the
purpose for which the corporation was formed and is existing. Upon liquidation, dissolution, or
abandonment of the corporation, such property and assets shall be distributed to a non-profit
fund, foundation, or corporation which has established its tax status under Section 501(c) (3) of
the Internal Revenue Code.

STANDING RULES

1. Board Meetings of elected officers, chairpersons, and any members who wish to attend,
will be generally held on the second Thursday of the month, at 10:00 a.m. in the LHS
History Center. Minimally, they should be held before each General Meeting, no later
than the Thursday prior to that date. The President(s) shall determine the need to
reschedule, if necessary. For the purposes of the operation of this Society, the
President’s office may be shared by two members who shall work together to achieve
the goals of the office and the Society. Co-Presidents shall be nominated and voted
upon in the same manner as a single President. Each Co-President may serve for two
terms. Ideally, a new co-president should be elected every other year, so that the terms
overlap to ensure a smooth transition, training and consistency. The same rules apply to
the Vice-President’s position.
2. The Board shall annually review the Society’s insurance needs and make
recommendations.
3. The Treasurer will provide a proposed budget to the Board at the November Board
Meeting, unless there are extenuating circumstances. In such a case, the Treasurer will
provide a proposed budget as soon as reasonably possible at the end of the calendar
year. Prior to submitting a proposed budget, the Treasurer should meet with the
President(s) to discuss the upcoming budget year. The budget shall be published in the
Society’s December newsletter and approved at the January General Meeting, or per
ARTICLE V, Section 6.
4. There shall be no disruptive talking during the General Meeting. Members wishing to
speak will be recognized by the President(s) and allowed three (3) minutes to speak.
5. The Historical Society buildings shall not be used for church meetings on a regular
basis.
6. The Historical Society buildings may be available for club organization meetings,
weddings, receptions, memorials, etc., at the discretion of the Society.
7. Furnishings and equipment of the Society may be borrowed and loaned with permission
of the President(s) or Gift Shop Chair. Items must be noted in the logbook (date & time)
when borrowed and returned. Care must be taken to ensure these items will not be
needed for Society events during their absence. Items’ condition should be verified
upon return.
8. Yearly dues are as follows:
i. Individual – $20
ii. Family – $35
iii. Business/Organization – $50
iv. Individual Lifetime – $200
v. Business/Organization Lifetime – $500
9. The Society will pay one (1) registration fee for a representative to the Annual Congress
of History Conference.
10. Archival materials, documents and pictures may not leave the premises.
11. An annual financial audit shall be conducted by a member appointed by the Board by
April of that next year.
12. The Board shall authorize who can sign checks for the Society.
13. The President may appoint, from the membership, two (2) board members at large, with
approval of the Board. Their term would coincide with the appointing president(s) (for
one year). Their rights and duties would include those of all board members.
Additionally, they would act as liaison to the general membership, attend all Board and
General Meetings, and receive assignments and duties from the Board, as needed.
14. Any repair or maintenance required by or for the Society. Before commencing with such
work, the project must be approved by the President(s) and Treasurer. An invoice
should be submitted to the Treasurer for the record. Such an invoice should include the
name and contact information of the person performing the work, a
description/explanation of the type of work and its extent, the proposed cost, and the
name of the person approving such work.
15. These Bylaws of the Lakeside Historical Society shall be reviewed every five (5) years,
beginning with the calendar year 2025, for accuracy and possible updates. In January of
the review years, the Board of Directors will create a Bylaws Review Committee to
review and recommend alterations, if necessary.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

In 2020, a global pandemic resulted in mass public closures and eliminated public meetings for
an extended period. Many organizations, including our own, were without pertinent procedures
to manage operations in such a situation. This necessitated the creation and addition of these
Emergency Management Guidelines, in order to set policies and procedures for any possible
similar future occurrence.
1. The LHS Board of Directors must acknowledge an emergency and authorize
implementation of Emergency Management Guidelines. This can be done by telephone or
email, dependent on the time factor. Authorization can be done by vote or consensus.
2. Upon declaration of an emergency, the Board may, by vote or consensus, extend the terms
of office indefinitely, for up to one year at a time.
3. The Board may, by vote or consensus, suspend certain required Society policies and
procedures including (but not limited to):
a. Budget and Treasurer requirements
b. Board and General Meetings
c. Other events and/or procedures required by or within LHS
4. Such suspension would be valid within that calendar year and should be re-evaluated by
the Board at the beginning of the following calendar year.
5. Upon the declaration of an emergency, the Board shall communicate its decisions and
intentions to the members via the newsletter and email.

These revised Bylaws were approved by a vote of the members at the General Meeting of the Lakeside Historical Society held on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

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