The Victorian
Society in America is formally dedicated to the chapter form of
organization, and the national office will do everything possible to
assist in the formation and operation of the individual chapters.
The Victorian Society in America is
a non-profit educational organization as determined by the Internal
Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3). Therefore, all chapters of
the national organization are considered integral parts of the Society
and are bound by the same restrictions and eligible for the same
benefits.
This information has been developed in accordance
with the by-laws of the Society to assist members forming a new
chapter.
5
STEPS TO FORMING A LOCAL CHAPTER
OF THE VICTORIAN SOCIETY IN AMERICA
1. There must be at least 25 people interested in becoming members of
a local chapter, who must be or become national members at
inauguration. The national office will provide a list of Society
members in your area.
2. An organizational committee for the chapter, with several actively
interested members, should be formed.
3. The organizational committee shall plan a recruitment meeting,
lecture, tour, dinner, open house or similar activity; arrange local
publicity for the event; send invitations to Society members in the
area; and announce the meeting to similar organizations such as
historical societies, preservation organizations and museums. It
should include in the program an introduction to The Victorian Society
in America, its membership opportunities and activities, and have
available copies of the most recent issue of the magazine
Nineteenth Century and newsletter The Victorian for
prospective members, as well as membership application forms from the
national VSA office.
4. The committee shall circulate a Petition for Chapterhood and have
active and pledged members sign that they are willing to support the
formation of a local chapter. To facilitate prompt approval of the
petition, non-members are encouraged to join the national Society at
the organizational meeting.
5. This petition shall be sent to the national office and a copy kept
for chapter records. Any new membership applications and dues should
be sent along with the petition. The national office will check the
names against the national membership list and register any new
members.
The
Petition will be forwarded the Board of Directors for approval at
its next regularly scheduled meeting.
New chapters will be
informed subsequently about by-laws, election of officers, Chapter rights and
duties, program planning, and the provision of a Chapter web site.
THE
VICTORIAN SOCIETY IN AMERICA
1634 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-636-9872
Fax: 215-636-9873
Email:
info@victoriansociety.org