The Ocracoke Preservation Society (OPS) was incorporated as a non-profit group existing under the laws and regulations of the State of North Carolina and dedicated to:

1. Encouraging, assisting, advising, and participating in the identification, preservation, and restoration of significant structures, buildings, districts, objects of local interest, historic charm, distinctive character and natural endowments of Ocracoke Island;
2. Facilitating and encouraging public participation in preservation programs and activities;
3. Cooperating with other agencies, organizations, and individuals, public and private, including the extension of such technical and financial assistance as may be available';
4. Purchasing, accepting, holding, and administering gifts of money, securities, or other property of whatsoever character for the purpose of carrying out its program;
5. Carrying out any other function to its overall purposes not otherwise inconsistent with the law.

Article I - Name

The name of the organization shall be: Ocracoke Preservation Society, Inc.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the organization shall be:

1. To encourage, assist, advise, and participate in the identification, preservation, and restoration of significant structures, buildings, districts, objects of local interest, historic charm, distinctive character and natural endowments of Ocracoke Island.
2. To facilitate and encourage public participation in preservation programs and activities.
3. To cooperate with other agencies, organizations and individuals, public and private, including the extension of such technical and financial assistance as may be available.
4. To purchase, accept, hold, and administer gifts of money, securities, or other property of whatsoever character for the purpose of carrying out its program.
5. To carry out any other function related to its overall purposes not otherwise inconsistent with the law.
6. To operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes as referred to in Sections 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 ("the Code") or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, and further, to operate exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of the organization within the meaning of Section 509 (a) (3) (A) of the Code or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, therein generally called "exempt purposes"; and
7. To encourage and assist local, state, and national legislators to enforce legislation consistent with our purposes.

Article III - Membership

A member shall be a person who has paid his or her annual dues. Annual dues may be determined at a regular membership meeting. Each member shall be entitled to one vote. No member may be present by proxy, nor may any member vote by proxy.

Article IV - Meetings

1. Members of the organization will meet at least twice yearly, in May and November, or on such date, as the Executive Committee shall elect.
2. Special Membership Meetings. Special membership meetings may be called at any time by any of the following: (1) not less than twelve (12) members; (2) the Executive Committee; or (3) the President.
3. Notice of Membership Meetings. Written or printed notice shall be given to the membership either by posting the notice in a conspicuous location in the Community, or by mail or by personal delivery, or by such combination of these methods, as the Secretary shall elect to employ. Such notice will be given not less than five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting.
4. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of twelve (12) members.

Executive Committee Meetings

All meetings of the Executive Committee shall be open to the general membership. 

Article V - Officers

The officers of the Ocracoke Preservation Society, Inc. shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Chairman, and Education Chairman. These, plus the Trustees, shall comprise the Executive Committee. Although the officers shall not assume their duties until January first, they shall sit with the presiding Officers at all meetings of the Executive Committee from the time of their election until they assume their posts. No officer shall, during his term of office, also hold the position of trustee.

Section 1. TERM.

The term of office shall be one year commencing on January first of the year following their electron at the last membership meeting of the year. The Executive Committee may, by a majority vote, recommend the removal of any officer of the organization for cause. Such action must be ratified by a majority of the voting members present at a meeting of the membership duly called. Such meeting to take place not less than thirty days after the recommendation. If the membership fails to ratify the action of the Executive Committee, the officer shall be retained. Should the membership ratify the Executive Committee’s decision, the membership shall elect an officer to fill the vacancy at that meeting.

Section 2. OTHER VACANCIES.

The Executive Committee is authorized to fill, by majority vote, any other vacancy in any office.

Section 3. DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the general membership and the Executive Committee. The immediate Past President shall be an ex-officio, nonvoting member of all committees.

Section 4. DUTIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.

The Vice President shall assist the President, preside at meetings in his absence and coordinate committees as necessary.

Section 5. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

The Secretary shall give proper notice of meetings and have custody or all books, records and papers, except as shall be in charge of some other person authorized by the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall make, or cause to be made, a record of all meetings of the membership, the Executive Committee, and of any committees that have the authority of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall handle correspondence, as requested.

Section 6. DUTIES OF THE TREASURER.

The Treasurer shall keep a detailed account of receipts and disbursements and shall report these at each meeting of the membership and of the Executive Committee and shall hold all reports in a permanent file. The Treasurer’s records shall at all times be subjected to inspection by any member of the organization. The Treasurer shall be bonded if deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer’s records shall be audited, if the Executive Committee or a member of the organization determines the results of the Federal Tax Form 990 indicates further review is necessary.

Section 7. DUTIES OF THE PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN.

The Publicity Chairman shall be in charge of promoting the activities of the organization.

Section 8. DUTIES OF THE EDUCATION CHAIRMAN.

The Education Chairman shall coordinate the activities of the Organization with the federal, state, and other organizations of similar purpose. The Education Chairman shall plan or coordinate programs related to preservation educational workshops.

Article VI - Trustees

There shall be five (5) Trustees, including a chairman, elected by the Trustees.

Section 1. DUTIES. Their function shall be to meet with the Officers to discuss and have an equal vote in the ongoing activities of the organization, and in determining the acquisition of any real estate or building, or the acquisition of any object with a value of five hundred dollar ($500.00) or more.

Section la. The Trustees shall act as the nominating committee and shall meet sufficiently ahead of the last meeting of the year of the general membership so as to produce a slate of officers and trustees. The slate of officers and trustees shall become a part of the notice of the last meeting of the year of the general membership. The Chairman of the Trustees shall be selected by the newly elected Trustees.

Section 1b. The Trustees shall act as the nominating committee and shall meet sufficiently ahead of the last meeting of the year of the general membership, so as to select the winner of the OPS Annual Historic House Award.

Section 2. NOTICE OF TRUSTEE MEETINGS. Written or verbal notice of all Trustee meetings shall be given to all Trustees by the Chairman.

Section 3. QUORUM. A quorum shall consist of three (3) Trustees.

Article VII - Museum Volunteers

All museum volunteers will be nonvoting members of the Executive Committee. They will provide support for museum activities.

Article VIII - Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Ocracoke Preservation Society, Inc. all assets remaining after the liabilities and obligations have been discharged or adequate provisions made for them, shall be

distributed to an appropriate charitable organization under Section 501 (c) (3) and Section 170 (c) of the code or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law chosen by the voting membership of the organization by majority vote at a meeting duly called.

Article IX - Conduct

All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rule of Order except as designated in these by-laws.

Article X - Amendments

Amendments may be made to these by-laws by a majority vote of the membership present at a general membership meeting or a special meeting with written or printed notice given to the entire

membership, not less than fourteen (14) nor more than thirty (30) days preceding the meeting, in which the proposed amendment is stated and notice given that it is to be submitted to the membership for approval at that meeting.