3. A PPS Chapter must have a mission, officers, constitution, and by-laws compatible with those of PPS.

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1 Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Inc. was founded October 21, 1949 by Colonel Henry W. Shoemaker and his sister Blanche Shoemaker Wagstaff under the auspices of the PENNSYLVANTA FOLKLORE SOCIETY. The PPS Constitution and By-Laws were adopted in May 1969, revised in October 1986, revised in November 1994, amended in May 1998 revised in July 2003, revised in May 2010 CONSTITUTION ~ PENNSYLVANIA POETRY SOCIETY, Inc. adopted May 1969, revised Oct & November 1994, amended May 1998, and revised in July 2003, and May 2010 ARTICLE I NAME The name of this organization shall be Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Inc. ARTICLE II -- HEADQUARTERS The official address of the Society shall be decided by the Executive Board. ARTICLE III PURPOSES The purposes of this Society shall be to secure fuller recognition for poetry, to foster a more intelligent appreciation of it, to educate, encourage and assist American poets of ALL ages. ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP Members of the Society shall be persons who agree with the mission of the Society and support its Constitution and traditions. See Article l of the By-Laws. ARTICLE V OFFICERS, TRUSTEES, & EXECUTIVE BOARD 1. The officers of the Society shall be an Immediate Past President, an Immediate Past Vice- President, a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, a Recording Secretary,a Corresponding Secretary, a Historian, and at least 3 Trustees. 2. These officers, trustees, and NEWSLETTER Editor shall constitute the Executive Board to administer the affairs of the Society. The Board shall have power to fill vacancies in its own membership. It shall meet upon the call of the President with two weeks notice. ARTICLE VI CHAPTERS & AFFILIATES 1. A PPS Chapter shall be defined as a group of 5 or more PPS members living in a specific geographical area of Pennsylvania, who meet monthly or at least 6 times per year to read their poetry, conduct workshops, and inspire each other to grow in their craft. (Number of meetings per year is waived in the case of an existing PPS chapter which has met less frequently for a number of years.) 2. Public poetry reading events shall not be considered as chapter meetings. 3. A PPS Chapter must have a mission, officers, constitution, and by-laws compatible with those of PPS. 4. Application for chapter status or affiliation shall be made in writing to the Executive Board with a list of members and check covering dues of each member.

2 5. The Executive Board shall be empowered to approve or deny applications for chapter membership and approve or deny membership to individuals it feels would not serve the best interests of PPS. ARTICLE VII MEETINGS There shall be two regular meetings of the Society each year, on Saturdays determined by the Executive Board. Executive Board meetings shall be closed to all but Board members and if a Board member has a vested interest in a matter to be discussed, that matter shall be discussed last and the involved member shall leave the meeting prior to the discussion. If a member of the Board does not attend meetings, he/she may be dropped from the Board by a majority vote of Board members. ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS An amendment to this Constitution may be made at a Board meeting if notice thereof has been sent in writing to all PPS members at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted on. ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY All questions of parliamentary procedure shall be referred to Standard Parliamentary Procedure. ARTICLE X - ENDOWMENTS FUND 1. The Endowments Fund may be added to by contributions from members, non-members, the general public or other means. This fund shall be kept separate from other funds of the Society. The designated Trustee shall administer this fund. (Art. IV-ltem 10.) All monies shall be kept in a savings bank or invested in safe income-producing securities to yield the largest amount with the greatest safety. 2. The interest from the fund shall be used to award prizes given by the Society for poems entered in competition. The fund shall not be used for any purpose except to produce interest to use for prizes as long as the Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Inc. exists. 3. In the event that PPS, lnc. be dissolved, the amount remaining in the Endowments Fund, after all debts are paid, shall be given to one or more organizations furthering poetry which are exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ARTICLE Xl- AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION It is understood that these two amendments, Art. X: section 3, and Art. XI may not be changed, amended or revoked by the Society or it will lose the approved tax exempt status with the IRS The purpose of the corporation is exclusively educational and literary. In the event of termination or dissolution, its assets will be distributed exclusively for educational and literary purposes after all debts are paid, to one or more organizations which are exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Corporation Number

3 ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP By-Laws for the Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Inc. Persons who agree with the mission of the Society and support its constitution and traditions shall be eligible for membership. The Board reserves the right to deny renewal of membership to individuals at cross-purposes with the society and its traditions. 1. Categories of Membership: a. Honorary Membership: The Executive Board may recommend Honorary membership not to exceed one per year, for a total of five. to the membership, not to exceed one a year to a total of five. b. Patron Membership: Members who contribute $25.00 or more per year in addition to dues are Patrons. Organizations and businesses may also become patrons by donating $25 or more to PPS. All Patrons will be listed in the PPS PRIZE POEMS annuals. c. Active Membership: (1) Life at the discretion of the Board (2) Chapter on payment of current PPS dues to PPS, Inc. for each member of the Chapter (3) Members-at-Large on payment of dues. 2. Dues: The amount of annual dues shall be set by the Board and shall be paid during the PPS Membership Window which is from September 1 st through November 30 th. Prospective members may join and members may renew at any time of year, but if dues are not received during the Membership Window, they will not entitle these members to the reduced contest entry fees awarded to those who pay during the Window. Dues will not be pro-rated and will be due for everyone each September 1 st. 3. Privileges for Paid-up Members: a. are automatically members of NFSPS b. may enter any contests of PPS and NFSPS at member entry fees if dues are paid by November 30 th of the appropriate fiscal year. c. will receive a copy of PPS PRIZE POEMS, quarterly PPS newsletters, and STROPHES d. may request a PPS Membership Card e. may submit poems and news of awards and publication to newsletter 4. Voting: Active members shall be eligible to vote and hold office in PPS, Inc. but new members may not vote or hold office until they have attended two PPS bi-annual meetings prior to an election meeting. (Any member dropped from the roster of paid members and rejoining at a later date is considered a new member.) ARTICLE II - ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND TERM OF OFFICE 1. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of members in attendance at the Fall Business meeting of election years. 2. The term of office shall be 2 years. All Officers except the President may be re-elected at the discretion of the Board. The President may serve only two successive terms but may be re-elected at a later time. ARTICLE III TRUSTEES 1. There shall be a minimum of 3 Trustees, a maximum of Trustees shall be elected for a term of 6 years. New Trustees shall be elected

4 as each term expires. 3. Trustees shall become members of the Executive Board. ARTICLE IV DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES 1. Immediate Past President and Immediate Past Vice President shall have no specific duties, But are expected to support current PPS officers. 2. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society and Executive Board, shall appoint Editor-in-Chief of the newsletter, Editor of PRIZE POEMS, Committee Chairmen, and in consultation with Chairmen, appoint Committee members, shall be a member ex-officio of all committees (except the Nominating Committee,) a consulting member of each, and shall perform all other duties, including executive privilege, pertaining to the office. 3. Vice President: The Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President in the absence of or at the request of the President, and shall assist the President. 4. Recording Secretary: The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Society and Executive Board; sending a copy to the President within 30 days and retaining a copy for the Historical file. 5. Corresponding Secretary: The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to correspondence not taken care of by the President, the Treasurer, or the Trustees, shall coordinate PPS Public Relations activities, and send PPS news when appropriate to the STROPHES editor and NFSPS Webmaster. 6. Treasurer: a. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all Society receipts and disbursements, submitting a written report at each meeting of the Society, issue membership cards on request indicating the period for which dues are paid, and shall furnish dues information to the President, Membership Chairman, Database Keeper, the Contest Chair, and to NFSPS Contest Chair and NFSPS President. b. In the event that a Treasurer is not elected from the Membership, the Executive Board may ask Membership approval to employ a qualified Bookkeeper to perform financial duties. As a non-member the Bookkeeper will perform the financial duties, but will not serve on the Board. 7. Contest Chair: The Contest Chair shall attend to the business of contests with the assistance of the Executive Board: preparing the flier; selection of judges from a recommended list (PPS Members excluded); receiving entries; acknowledging winners; and publication of Prize Poems. 8. Editor of PRIZE POEMS: The Editor of PRIZE POEMS shall secure a printer and attend to the process of publication. 9. Editor of the Newsletter: The Editor shall prepare the newsletter for printing, keep up-to-date mailing list, ensure that mailing labels are prepared, and see that the newsletter and STROPHES are mailed to members.

5 10. Trustees: The Trustees shall guide financial policies of PPS, lnc., supervise the ENDOWMENTS FUND to insure funds are invested for highest return consistent with safety, inform donors when contest sponsorship monies are due, and see that there is an annual audit of PPS,Inc. funds. 11. Historian: The Historian shall keep written and photographic memorabilia of the Society and provide for this material to be preserved safely and passed on to future PPS,lnc. Historians. ARTICLE V COMMITTEES 1. Standing committees shall be appointed by the President and each Chairman shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive Board. 2. Special committees shall be appointed by the President for a special purpose and for a specified period of time. 3. A Nominating Committee of at least three members, with the chairperson appointed by the PPS President, shall be formed at least one year prior to the bi-annual election meeting. This committee shall prepare a slate of candidates who have consented to accept office and it shall present this slate at the spring meeting prior to the election. This procedure shall not preclude nominations from the floor. Members of the Nominating Committee may not nominate themselves for office and must resign from the committee if they want to run for office. ARTICLE Vl MEETINGS 1. Date and place of the two regular meetings of the Society shall be approved by the Executive Board. 2. Special meetings of the Society may be called by vote of the Executive Board with at least two weeks advance notice to all members. 3. The regular annual business meeting shall be the Fall meeting. 4. A quorum shall be a majority of members in attendance. 5. Board Members who do not attend meetings may be dropped from the Board. ARTICLE VlI AMENDMENTS These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of members present at any regular or special meeting, provided notice of the proposed amendment or revision has been sent in writing to each Board member and published in the newsletter prior to the meeting.