BY LAWS

I. GENERAL OUTLINE

A. Name of Society:

"Catholic Kolping Society of America, Detroit Branch Incorporated" Legal Title as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation filed at Lansing, Michigan October 3, 1928.� Renewed June 17, 1958.

B. Society Founder:

Father Adolph Kolping - Cologne, Germany, 1849.

C. Nature:

The Catholic Kolping Society of Detroit under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Detroit is a branch of the National and International Organization, bearing the character of a Christian Family under the guidance of a Praeses and the President.� A non-profit Organization operated for the common good; every profit motive other than for continuance of the Society is excluded.

D. Purpose

To promote the ideals of Father Kolping.� Namely:

1. Well informed, faithful Christians

2. Loyal, alert, conscientious Citizens

3. Be prepared for a successful married life and parenthood

4. Proficient in vocations or professions

E. Patrons:

1. St. Joseph is the Principal Patron; the model of the working man and of Christian Family life.

2. Blessed Father Adolph Kolping

II. GOVERNMENT - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. Society Government

The governing of the Society shall be vested in a Board of Directors.� Every Member of the Board of Directors must be a member in good standing and must be a good Christian.

B. Divisions

The Board will have (2) divisions, which will be called:

1. Regular Board

2. Rotating Board

The above to consist of sixteen (16) members.

C. Board Structure

1. Regular Board: eight (8)

a) Praeses

b) Kolping President (Catholic)

c) Ladies Executive (Catholic)

d) Sch�tzen President

e) Center Manager

f) Park Manager

g) Member, National Board of Directors

h) Society Treasurer

2. Rotating Board: eight (8)

a) Chairman (Catholic)

b) Assistant Chairman

c) Secretary

d) Five (5) additional Members

D. Board Position Rules

Any Rotating Board Member, except the Chairman, Assistant Chairman and Secretary, may hold any of the Regular Board positions.� If this occurs, the Board will function minus these people in the Rotating Board.� At the end of their term in the Regular Board, they will again revert back to the Rotating Board.� At the end of their term in the Regular Board, they will again revert back to the Rotating Board.� All other Board positions cannot be held jointly.� (Maximum amount of Board Members at anytime - sixteen (16)).� (Minimum amount - eleven (11).

E. Meeting Times

The Board shall meet at least six (6) times during each year.

F. Powers

Said Board shall have the power to make all necessary Bylaws for its own government and for the government of the Society.� A quorum is more than 50% of the entire Board Membership.

G. Control

The Board of Directors has the exclusive right to control and manage the Society and its affairs, fund, property and othe rsubject groups as may be formed or exist.� The Board of Directors, holding and managing all property of the corporation, shall not have the power to purchase, sell, dispose of or encumber the Real Estate without the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the general membership who are present in person or by proxy.� This is to be done at a General Membership Meeting of which the whole membership has been duly notified ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.

H. The Chairman is elected by the Board and the Assistant is appointed by the Chairman.

I. Any member in good standing, who wishes to be a Board Member, must express this desire in writing to the Praeses or Board Chairman.� When an opening occurs, the Board will consider all such members.� The Board reserves the right to male a selection by a simple majority (50%) plus one (1) vote.

J. If the Praeses is present, he will vote to break a tie and the Chairman will receive no vote.� The Chairman may vote only in the absence of the Praeses in order to break a tie.

K. Before a vote, the Praeses and Chairman may express their opini8ons and make recommendations to the voting Board.

L. A Board Member Resigns by submitting a written noticed to the Board.

M. New Board Member openings are created by end of term, death, resignation or expulsion.

N. A Board Member can be expelled from the Board if two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board are in agreement.� Note:� An entire Board, as described in Section II C.

O. The Board appoints committees and managerial positions; they include:

1. Center Manager

2. Park Manager

3. Center Custodian

4. Kitchen Custodian

5. Liquor Purchase Custodians

6. Board Secretary

7. Society Treasurer

8. Society Historian

9. Highlights Editor

Note: The list of duties entailed in these positions are the responsibility of the Board Chairman.

P. It is the Board of Directors' responsibility to seek and appoint a new Praeses.

Q. Any Board Member with Board approval is authorized to sign all official papers and legal document for the society.

R. Member, National Board of Directors is elected every two (2) years by the General Membership.

S. In the event the Board Chairman is unable to complete his term of office, an election must be held as soon as possible.

III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

A. At the September Meeting, an Election Chairman should be appointed from the membership and a nominating committee of three (3) should be formed, including the Chairman.

B. The duty of the nominating committee shall be to obtain candidates.� These names shall be presented tat the October and November meetings of the membership.

C. A notice (Highlights) of said Election Meeting shall be sent to all members entitled to vote.� Said notice shall be mailed at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting.� The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall fill the vacancy.

D. All Officers (except Praeses, Vice President and Ladies Executive Assistant) shall be nominated and elected annually by ballot at the General Meeting in December.� The Vice President of the Kolping Society is appointed by the newly elected Kolping President.� The Assistant Ladies Executive is appointed by the newly elected Ladies Executive.

E. The Office of the President and Ladies Executive of the Kolping Society can be filled only by a person who is a Catholic.� The President and the Ladies Executive must have been an Officer, held a Board position or a Board appointed position.

F. Duties of the Elected Officers will start the first of January.� Formal installation will be held at the St. Joseph Day Celebration.

G. Offices to be filled:

Kolping President (Catholic)

Vice President

Ladies Executive

Ladies Assistant Executive

Financial Secretary

Assistant Financial Secretary

Recording Secretary

Assistant Recording Secretary

Corresponding Secretary

Assistant Corresponding Secretary

Offices should be divided equally between male and female, if possible.

H. In the event the President or Ladies Executive is unable to complete their term of office, an election must be held as soon as possible.

IV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The Praeses is the Head of the Society,� He should be a Catholic Priest.

The Officers, as a group, must meet once a month.� They have the right and responsibility to control and manage all Society social functions through a chairman, if necessary, and all affairs concerning membership within the Society, but subject to change of nullification if so desired by the Board of Directors.� The Officers must transmit to their successors all records, papers and documents.

A. Praeses

The Praeses should attend all meetings.� He shall be a member of the Board of Directors and all committees, but has the right to vote only in the event of a tie.

The term of his office is unlimited; in case of his resignation, he should notify the Board three (3) months in advance, if possible.

B. President

The President is the Executive Office of the Society.� He shall:

1. Plan the business of the Meetings, call Officer Meetings once a month and preside at such Meetings.

2. Be a member of all committees and appoint committee chairpersons.

3. Review all applications for membership with the Officers.

4. Be in charge of the traveling Table Banner

5. Be in charge of Suggestion Box Answers

6. Purchase the weeding gift and present the same to the newly wed members at the next possible meeting they attend.

7. Appoint capable people for the following positions and jobs:

a) Writing Kolping Banner article each month

b) Sending pictures from out activities to the Kolping Banner Editor.

c) Have the Activity Calendar up-to-date.

d) Advertise activities when necessary.

e) Keep membership list up-to-date.

f) Keep Rosary Chain list up-to-date.

g) Represent the Kolping Society by bringing the Flag to Funeral Home or Burial.

h) Order a High Mass or flowers for the deceased member.

i) Keep up the Guest Registration.

j) Activity report on all Society functions (chairpersons)

8. Be responsible to the membership, through his chirpersons, to see that each Society functions is carried out in an orderly manner.� This includes:

a) Ordering waitresses

b) Ordering music

c) Printing tickets

d) Take care of checkroom

e) Advertising (press, radio, etc.)

f) Ordering Bartenders

g) Kitchen arrangements

h) Paying of bills and final report

i) Decorating and de-decorating

9. Along with the Sch�tzen President, Ladies Executive, and with the Officers establish the Activity Calendar for the coming year.

10. Be informed in advance of all activities within Kolping.

11. Be elected annually, but not for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

C. Vice President

The duties of the Vice President are dependent upon the wishes of the President.

D. Ladies Executive

The Ladies Executive is the Executive Assistant of the Society.� She shall:

1. Plan the business meetings and preside at the same.

2. Be a member of all committees and appoint committee chairpersons

3. Appoint capable people for the following positions:

a) Issue an invitation by telephone or mail to the Praeses for all events

b) Retain a list of Kolping Members' children - how many, age, sex

c) Order toys or presents when appropriate

d) Engage babysitters for meetings

4. Arrange date for Card Parties at the beginning of the year and appoint chairpersons for each Card Party and Christmas Party

5. Be responsible to acquire the birthday and Christmas gifts for the Praeses

6. Inform the Kolping President of all changes in dates of activities as soon as possible

7. Be elected annually, but not for more than two (2) consecutive terms

E. Ladies Assistant Executive

The duties of the Ladies Assistant Executive are dependent upon the wishes of the Ladies Executive.

F. Financial Secretary

The Financial Secretary is the custodian of the financial accounts and the official membership list of the Society.� The Financial Secretary shall:

1. Collect dues and issue membership cards

2. Keep membership records up-to-date and report any changes

3. Keep accurate records of all financial transactions and be prepared to render a statement at all times

4. Notify delinquent members of non-payment of dues by telephone or mail.� If no reply or explanation is received after the final notice, the delinquent member's name shall be dropped from the records after reviewing case with President and Officers

5. Keep an up-to-date list of Regular, Honorary Life and Honorary Members

6. Issue Regular, Honorary Life and Honorary membership cards

7. Sell all types of Kolping Pins and other Kolping items

8. Get Memorial card of the deceased member (usually obtained at Funeral Home) and file with deceased member record

9. Keep a record of all deceased members each year, recording name and date of death, also resignations and their reasons

G. Assistant Financial Secretary

Shall assist the Financial Secretary

H. Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary Shall:

1. Prepare an account of all deliberative proceedings of the Society and shall preserve such accounts

2. Keep accurate and current copies of the bylaws

3. Record the Minutes of the meetings

4. Read the Minutes at the meetings

5. Cut and collect all important paper, articles, advertising, etc, for reference and for the Society Historian

I. Assistant Recording Secretary

Shall assist the Recording Secretary

J. Correspondence Secretary

The Correspondence Secretary receives and replies to all correspondence of the Society.� The Correspondence Secretary shall:

1. Send notice of meetings and scheduled events

2. Report correspondence to the membership when called upon.

3. Preserve all important papers and documents

4. Mail monthly publication

5. Keep an up-to-date mailing membership list

6. Answer all correspondence as directed by the President.

7. Post announcements

8. Send greeting cards

9. Supply a current membership list ot the Board of Directorss on January 1 of each year

K. Assistant Corresponding Secretary

Shall assist the Corresponding Secretary

V. MEETINGS

Types: Regular and General Meetings.

A. ��Regular Membership Meetings

Regular Membership meetings shall be held monthly on the second Sunday afternoon of the month from October through March and on the second Friday night of the month from April through September.� These meetings are subject to change at the discretion of the Officers of the Society.

B. General Membership Meetings

General Membership meetings can be called by the Board of Directors only.� These meetings will deal with matters of a special importance to the welfare of the Society.� The December Meeting, which is the Election of Officers for the ensuing year, is always a General Meeting.

VI. MEMBERSHIP

The Society consists of Regular, Honorary Life and Honorary Members.

A. Regular Members

1. Prospective members must have attained their 18^th birthday and willing to espouse the objectives of the Kolping Society.

2. All members shall consider themselves honor-bound to promote interest in and give service to the society.

3. A prospective member must have a sponsor who has been a member in good standing for a period of one year, and be responsible to instruct them in Society rules and guidelines.

4. The minimum period of probation is three (3) membership meetings,.� During that time, the probationary member must attend three (3) membership meetings.� This period of probation shall not start until the applicant has been informed by the Society Officers.� The following closest Regular Meeting, dated to the Officers acceptance, will start the probationary period.�

5. The period of probation, being over, and� no objection having been raised against their reception, they shall be invited for informal initiation.� Formal initiation will be held each year for all members at the St. Joseph Day celebration.

6. Membership dues shall be paid prior to the informal initiation.

7. A member in Good Standing is one whose dues are not in arrears for more than one (1) year.

8. Only members in Good Standing shall be eligible to vote.

B. Honorary Life Members

1. Member must be 65 years or over, and have a minimum of 25 consecutive years of Kolping Membership prior to Honorary Life Membership.

2. If, at age 65, the member has not established his required 25 consecutive Membership years, this time is to be accumulated until the 25 consecutive years minimum are acquired, regardless of age.

3. A member can be made an Honorary Life Member without having reached the age of 65 or having reached the age of 65 or having acquired the 25 consecutive years membership only upon agreement of a quorum of the Board of Directors at which either the President or Praeses must be present.� This would happen only in a rare case deemed that way by the Board, and said member's name is to appear in the Board Minutes along with the quorum present.

4. If at age 65, a member does not have the required 25 consecutive years of membership, and he approaches the Praeses or the President who may deem that this member is not able financially to pay dues, he will be given a special rate and will be granted a Regular Kolping Membership card for that year.

C. Honorary Member

1. Given as a special consideration for distinguished service to the Kolping Society.

2. Pays no dues and has no voting rights.

VII. DEPARTURE, DISMISSAL, EXPULSION, & REINSTATEMENTS

A. Departure

Anyone is at liberty to cancel his membership by giving notice to the President or Financial Secretary.

B. Dismissal

Dismissal shall be given by action of the Board of Directors.� Poverty, lack of income or other unfortunate circumstances shall be taken into consideration with regard to payment of dues.

C. Expulsion

D. Expulsion shall be given for reasons of dishonest conduct, disloyalty toward the Kolping Society and its ideals and disloyalty toward the Church and State.

E. Reinstatement

For reinstatement, a Kolping Member must pay for the past two (2) years plus incoming year, and must have 25 consecutive years membership before becoming an Honorary Life Member.� This includes former members past the age of 65.

VIII. DUES

A. There shall be established in advance each year by the Board of Directors the annual dues for Regular Members of the Society.� Notice of such action shall be given at the next succeeding General Meeting of the members which shall have the right to 'vote to nullify' the action of the Board in this respect.� In the event such action of the Board is nullified, the dues shall revert to the same as the previous year.

B. Members failing to pay dues for two years shall at once be notified by the Financial Secretary.� If no reply is received or explanation offered within thirty (30) days, all membership rights and privileges shall be forfeited and their names taken from the roll.� Note: Final notification is to be made by mail.

IX. AMENDMENTS

A. The present Bylaws are detailed regulations for the local Society.� They must comply with the provisions of the National and International Bylaws.

B. Any changes deemed timely must be presented in writing to the Board of Directors.

C. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors is required for adoption.

X. DISSOLUTION

A. Only by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the whole membership ma a dissolution be effected.

B. For this particular purpose (3) General Meetings must be called and held at intervals of from eight (8) to ten (10) days and all members must be notified of these meetings beforehand.

C. All members in Good Standing are entitled to vote in such meetings.

D. The State laws must be observed in this matter.

E. The Society property or possessions shall be transferred to the Catholic Kolping Society of America.

XI. CONCLUSION

A. Adoption of these Bylaws annuls all previous statutes, bylaws and Amendments of the Catholic Kolping Society of America - Detroit Branch Incorporated as of October 30, 1981 and are not retroactive.

INFORMAL INITIATION

(Conducted by the Praeses, and in his absence the President)

1. Roll call alphabetically of candidates (husband and wife if married) and their sponsors by the Recording Secretary or appointed officer.

2. Candidates upon completion of roll call will come before the Praeses and general membership.

3. The President will ask the general membership to stand.

4. The Praeses will read aloud:

�� "Your application for membership into our society has been approved.� Are you well aware of the obligations you are about to contract?"

�� Candidate's Reply:� "I am."

�� Praeses:

�� "Remember that St. Joseph and Father Kolping should be your model, guide and inspiration in all your society activities, Do you promise to remain faithful to our devices: religion and virtue, industry and diligence, harmony and charity, cheerfulness and humor?"

�� Candidate's Reply: "I promise."

�� Praeses:

�� "I accept your promise and declare you hereby a member of our society and let you share in all its privileges and duties."

5. The new members are then congratulated and presented with a Kolping pin and a copy of the Bylaws.

NATIONAL INITIATION CEREMONY

1. The Initiation Ceremony should take placed on a feast of St. Joseph or on the following Sunday, or on the Kolping Memorial Day celebrated on the first Sunday in December.

2. This should be a Communion Sunday.

3. The Initiation Ceremony should be held at a Communion Breakfast and should be, if at all possible, at the Kolping Center or Kolping Meeting place.� The room should be properly decorated for this occasion.� A Kolping picture or Kolping bust should be the highlight of the decoration.

4. The ceremony should start with an appropriate song (Kolping Song) and during the song the Kolping flag should be presented.

5. The Secretary or the Chairman of the Membership Committee will step forward and address the membership body:

"Reverend Praeses, Kolping brothers and sisters, the following friends want to join the Kolping Family:

(As the names are read off, the prospective member walks to the speaker stand or designated area.)

After the introduction of the prospective members, the person introducing says:

"You all know the ideas and ideal of the Kolping movement and we want you to join us in brotherly cooperation and with us being about the aims of Kolping in you family, church, country and in your occupation, Therefore, I ask that they be accepted as members of the Kolping Family."

6. The Praeses and the President stand facing the prospective members.� The President addresses the prospective members and says:

"As President of the (branch) Kolping Society, I welcome you to our family.� Faithfully, we will stand together and, therefore, I ask of you that you promise faithfully to work for the Kolping movement and promise to uphold the� (branch) constitution and the National and International constitution."

7. In closing the Praeses should then give a speech to the new members.� (Suggestion:� "Through this oath you are now sons and daughters of Kolping and Kolping brothers and sisters.� You are not only members of the (branch) Kolping Family, but also members of the National and world-wide Kolping Movement." More can be added.)

8. Closing with a prayer and a song.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. OPENING - PRAYER

2. READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

3. READING OF COMMUNICATIONS

4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, COMMITTEE REPORTS

5. INITIATION

6. NEW BUSINESS

7. GOOD OF SOCIETY - LECTURES, ADDRESS

8. REPORT OF TREASURER

9. APPLICATIONS

10. CLOSING - SONG AND PRAYER

KOLPING MOTTO

A. RELIGION AND VIRTUE

B. INDUSTRY AND DILIGENCE

C. HARMONY AND CHARITY

D. CHEERFULNESS AND FUN

KOLPING SONG

There lived a sterling journeyman,

Whom all of us revere.

His name resounds so far, so clear.