THE RICE FAMILY REUNION
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I – NAME
SECTION 1: The name of this organization shall be the RICE FAMILY REUNION, INCORPORATED.
SECTION 2: The headquarters of this organization shall be located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of the RICE FAMILY REUNION is to keep the family together, To help build on the past; To acquaint the new members of the RICE FAMILY, To bring all the members of the LOCAL CHAPTERS together at least once a year, to socialize, to catch up on things that happened over the past twelve months and to worship together; To keep the RICE FAMILY together as a unit; To express the love we have for our forefather and each other; To acknowledge the FOOTSTEPS that have been made in history; and, To thank the Lord for letting the RICE FAMILY multiply and move forward.
ARTICLE III – STRUCTURE
SECTION 1: The structure of the RICE FAMILY REUNION shall be THE NATIONAL CHAPTER, and THE LOCAL CHAPTERS.
SECTION 2: THE NATIONAL CHAPTER shall be made up of all members from the LOCAL CHAPTERS and other members of THE RICE FAMILY, and shall be the governing body.
SECTION 3: THE LOCAL CHAPTERS shall be organized in each state or city as family members desire.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: The membership of the RICE FAMILY REUNION shall consist of all descendents of THE RICE FAMILY and their spouses.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
SECTION 1: THE RICE FAMILY REUNION shall meet annually the 3rd week in August, with the place to be decided by popular vote, giving first-time sites priority. It was decided in 1991 (San Antonio, TX) that the family reunion would be extended from Wednesday to Sunday. The host Chapter will send out schedule of activities planned for the week.
SECTION 2: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the RICE FAMILY REUNION shall meet annually at a time and place selected by the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE prior to the annual meeting.
SECTION 3: THE STANDING COMMITTEES should meet annually or as required at a time and place to be selected by the committee chairperson, and the meeting shall be prior to the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE meeting and the President shall preside.
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The elected officers of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION shall be:
A. President
B. First Vice-President
C. Second Vice President
D. Recording Secretary
E. Assistant Recording Secretary
F. Corresponding Secretary
G. Treasurer
H. Historiographer/Statistician
I. Parliamentarian
J. Chaplain
SECTION 2: No person under the age of eighteen (18) years of age shall be eligible to run for or hold an elected office.
SECTION 3: Only RICE descendants shall be eligible to hold a NATIONAL OFFICE.
SECTION 4: The president shall be chairperson of all standing committees.
ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1: The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall consist of the NATIONAL OFFICERS – President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Assistant Recording , Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Historiographer/Statistician, Parliamentarian, Chaplain, and each of the Local Chapter’s President and Recording Secretary.
SECTION 2: The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall convene on the said day of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION at a place designated by the President, and shall report findings to THE RICE FAMILY BODY.
SECTION 3: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall be responsible for:
A. The affairs of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION.
B. Filing vacancies in any office of the NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
ARTICLE VIII – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1: THE PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of the NATIONAL CHAPTER OF THE RICE FAMILY REUNION, give a full annual report of the Executive Committee at the national reunion meetings, appoint chairperson and members of all committee’s, and shall be the ex-officio member of all committees. S/He shall keep close contact with all LOCAL CHAPTERS OF THE RICE FAMILY REUNION. S/He shall be the only member with the power to call a meeting of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 2: THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT shall serve in the absence of the President and shall preside over the Executive Committee.
SECTION 3: THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT shall serve in the absence of the Absence of the president and First Vice President and preside over the Executive Committee and National Board Meeting.
SECTION 4: RECORDING SECRETARY shall keep accurate records of all meetings and shall perform all duties common to that office. In addition, the RECORDING SECRETARY shall make available to each local chapter copies of the minutes of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION MEETINGS.
SECTION 5: THE ASSISTANT RECORDING SECRETARY shall assist the RECORDING SECRETARY in keeping all records, and, in the absence of the RECORDING SECRETARY shall perform his/her duties.
SECTION 6: THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY shall conduct all correspondences with the LOCAL CHAPTERS at the request of the PRESIDENT.
SECTION 7: THE TREASURER shall keep an accurate record of all funds and transactions, and make available all financial records of the organization to all members upon request. S/He shall be chairman of the finance committee.
SECTION 8: THE HISTORIOGRAPHER/STATISTICIAN shall be responsible for recording the history and all other pertinent data of the RICE FAMILY. In addition, s/he shall keep statistical information important to or for research purposes. Other duties include, requesting all facts and figures Relating to the LOCAL CHAPTERS. This information shall be published at the request of the PRESIDENT.
SECTION 9: THE PARLIAMENTARIAN shall follow the Roberts Rules Of Order (newly revised additional) at all meetings. S/He shall work closely with the Constitution and BY-Law Committee of the RICE FAMILY REUNION.
SECTION 10: THE CHAPLAIN shall serve the RICE FAMILY REUNION whenever called upon by providing appropriate DEVOTIONAL SERVICES.
ARTICLE IX – STANDING COMMITTEES
The following shall be standing committees:
A. The Finance Committee
B. The Constitution and By-Laws Committee
C. The Nominating Committee
D. The Time and Place Committee
ARTICLE X – DUTIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE’S
SECTION 1: THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, with the TREASURER as Chairman, shall analyze the financial needs of the RICE FAMILY REUNION and report the findings to the Executive Committee.
SECTION 2: THE CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS COMMITTEE shall receive, study, and analyze all suggested recommendations from the RICE FAMILY MEMBERS, and shall suggest revisions on the basis of the recommendations to the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
A. All recommendations shall be in the hands of this Committee no later than six (6) months prior to the RICE FAMILY REUNION MEETING.
B. This Committee shall develop a Procedural Manual.
SECTION 3: THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE shall consist of five (5) or seven (7) members of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION who shall have been appointed by the PRESIDENT. If determine, they shall prepare a ballot for the election.
SECTION 4: THE TIME AND PLACE COMMITTEE shall consist of three (3) or seven members of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION. THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT WILL CHAIR THIS COMMITTEE. This committee will solicit from chapters and make recommendations for sites for three to five years in advance.
ARTICLE XI – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The Officers listed in Article VI of the CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS shall be elected by purality.
SECTION 2: THE NATIONAL OFFICERS of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION shall be elected to a three (3) year term.
SECTION 3: The Election shall be conducted by the PRESIDENT or representative appointed by the PRESIDENT.
SECTION 4: The next Election of officers shall be held in 1989 at THE RICE FAMILY REUNION MEETING at the time and place set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws, and said place of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION and said Election shall be held every (3) years thereafter.
ARTICLE XII – FINANCE
SECTION 1: The registration fee for THE RICE FAMILY REUNION ANNUAL MEETING shall be: 8/13
• Free for children Ages 0 – 4
• $35.00 for children ages 4 to 12
• $70.00 for young adults ages 13 – 17
• $100.00 for each person 18 years of age and over.
It shall be the responsibility of each LOCAL CHAPTER PRESIDENT to ensure that all fees are paid and adequate reporting to HOST CHAPTER by June 30th of each year. There will be a late fee of $10.00 if paid late. These fee’s are non-refundable. The Host Chapter will issue tickets to family members that paid their fee’s.
SECTION 2: The NATIONAL FAMILY REUNION will assist the LOCAL CHAPTER in preparing to host the Family Reunion. Immediately after the Family Reunion the Host Chapter shall if possible refund all money back to the National treasury.
SECTION 3: Each LOCAL CHAPTER shall pay an annual dues of $5.00 per member 18 years and over to THE NATIONAL CHAPTER. It is the responsibility of each LOCAL PRESIDENT to ensure that all money are paid by June 30th of each year and turned over to the NATIONAL CHAPTER TREASURER.
SECTION 4: All monies collected at the NATIONAL CHAPTER MEETING shall be turned over to the HOST CHAPTER.
SECTION 5: Each LOCAL CHAPTER shall be self-supporting and shall be responsible for aiding its needy and/or elderly members in getting to the NATIONAL MEETING.
ARTICLE XIII – THE EMERITUS GROUP
ALL past Presidents and Recording Secretaries shall be automatic members of this group. Their role/task is to provide and assure continuity and to advise and aid the incumbent officers when called upon.
ARTICLE XIV – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
THE ROBERTS RULE OF ORDER (newly revised edition) shall govern the proceedings of the body.
ARTICLE XV – AMENDMENTS OF CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
These rules may be amended or repealed at a regular meeting of THE RICE FAMILY REUNION by a PLURALITY vote of members present after following proper procedures as set forth in Article x; Section 2, A and B.
Article V, Section 1, revised August 15, 2004,
Article XII, Section 1, revised August 2014