DESCENDANTS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION PATRIOTS

Founding Fathers

Charter Chapter

Established April 30, 2012

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the DESCENDANTS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION PATRIOTS, do hereby commit this Constitution to posterity in preserving the principles of Freedom and Liberty for all Americans and to provide the community with Patriotic Principles as set forth by our Forefathers. We are committed to honoring American Revolutionary War Citizen Soldiers that participated in the War. The Descendants Of American Revolution Patriots is dedicated to perpetuating the memory of those who, by their Services or Sacrifice, achieved the Independence of the American People.

ARTICLE I NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Descendants Of American Revolution Patriots (DOARP).

ARTICLE II SYMBOLS

The symbols of the DOARP shall be the Revolutionary War Minuteman, the Thirteen Star Flag with canton of five rows of stars – three over two design, and the Fifty Star American Flag. The mantra of the DOARP shall be Libertas, Justitia, Aequalitas. The colors of the DOARP shall be red, representing the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross and the blood of the Patriots shed on the field, and blue, representing vigilance and perseverance.

ARTICLE III TERRITORY

The Descendants Of American Revolution Patriots shall serve members in the State of Tennessee and expand to other States as members are added.

ARTICLE IV OBJECTIVES / MISSION

The objectives of this society are declared to be patriotic, historical and educational and shall include those intended or designed to:

Perpetuate the memory of those, who by their services or sacrifices during the War of the American Revolution achieved the independence of the American people;
Unite and promote fellowship among their descendants;
Inspire them and the community at large with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by their forefathers;
Encourage historical research in relation to the American Revolution;
Initiate and carry out programs to promote Patriotism among our youth at all levels;
Acquire and preserve the records of the individual services of the patriots of the War, as well as documents, relics and landmarks;
Promote through education the perpetuation of the historical people and events of the American Revolution;
Mark the historical sites of the Revolution with appropriate markers;
Celebrate the anniversaries of the prominent events of the War and the Revolutionary Period,
Foster true patriotism;
Maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom; and
Carry out the purposes expressed in the Preamble of the Constitution of our Country and the injunctions of George Washington in his farewell address to the American People.

ARTICLE V ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

Any male or female age 18 or older who is a current member in good standing of any American Revolutionary Society is eligible for membership. Submission of one’s Membership Certificate from any national, state, or local American Revolutionary Society shall suffice as qualification for membership.

Any person age 18 or older shall be eligible for membership in this Society who is a citizen of good repute in the community, and is the lineal descendant of:

an ancestor who was at all times unfailingly loyal to, and rendered active service in the cause of American Independence, either as an officer, soldier, seaman, marine, militiaman, or minuteman in the armed forces of the Continental Congress,
or those of any one of the several Colonies or States, as a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a member of the Committee of Safety or Correspondence, as a member of the Continental, Provincial, or Colonial Congress or Legislature,
or as a foreign national who came to North America and rendered service in the cause of American Independence,
or as a recognized patriot who provided goods and services in the cause of American Independence,
or as a recognized patriot who performed actual service by overt acts of resistance to the authority of Great Britain,

provided, however, that no person advocating the overthrow of the Government of the United States by use of force or violence shall be eligible for membership in the Society. Any such offense by an active member shall result in termination of his membership.

Spouses of DOARP members are eligible to be Auxiliary Members of the DOARP.

Any child under the age of eighteen of a DOARP member is eligible to be a Junior Member of DOARP.

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS

The officers of the Descendants of American Revolution Patriots shall include a President, Vice President, a Secretary/Historian, a Treasurer, and a Registrar/Genealogist.

The President, Vice President, Secretary/Historian, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years: The President may combine the duties of such officers as he deems necessary.

ARTICLE VII MEETINGS

The DOARP shall hold quarterly meetings. The President shall determine the meeting date, time and location. The quarterly meetings shall be held in February, April, July, and October.

The President shall call Special Meetings at his discretion.

The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee no later than October of each Election Year. This committee shall make its report at a Special Meeting no later than November of the same year. A Special Meeting for the purpose of electing officers for the upcoming year shall be conducted as per procedures in Article III, Section 2, of the Bylaws. These new officers shall be installed at the Annual Meeting in February. The newly installed officers shall take office immediately after installation.

ARTICLE VIII ORDER

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern in all cases in which they are applicable.

ARTICLE IX FINAL AUTHORITY

Once a decision has been made by the Membership, it cannot be rescinded without simple majority of members responding. Response may be by phone, fax, email, or U S Mail, within five (5) working days of date of notice.

ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and Bylaws may be altered or amended by affirmative action of the active members in a regular or special meeting by simple majority affirmative action of the majority of members present. Proposed amendments must be presented in writing to the membership at least 10 days prior to the meeting in which the vote on the changes will occur.

Amendments to the ByLaws