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Lyceums or Institutes

PREAMBLE. Whereas, experience has shown that knowledge can be more readily acquired by combination of effort than singly, we, whose names are hereunto annexed, have agreed to form an association to be known as [here insert title], and for its better government, do hereby establish the following constitution : Article I.-The name, style, and title of this association shall be [here insert name], and its objects shall be the increase and the diffusion of knowledge among its members.

Article II.-1. The officers of this association shall consist of a president, two vice-presidents, a corresponding secretary, a recording secretary, a treasurer, a librarian, and a curator, who shall be elected annually on [here insert time of election and mode, whether by open voice or by ballot.] 2. The said officers shall hold their offices until their successors shall have been elected; and their powers and duties shall be similar to those of like officers in like associations.

Article III. There shall be appointed by the president, immediately after his election, by and with the consent of the association, the following standing. committees, to consist of five members each, namely: on finance, library, museum, lectures, and printing, who shall perform such duties and take charge of such business as may be assigned to them by vote of the association. Article IV.-1. Any person residing within [here state limits], who is above the age of twenty-one years, may become a resident member of this association, by consent of a majority of the members present at any stated meeting succeeding the one at which his name shall have been proposed; any person residing without the limits aforesaid may be chosen, in like manner, a corresponding member; and any person who is eminent in science or literature, may be elected an honorary member. 2. Each and every resident member, upon his election, shall sign this constitution, and pay over to the recording secretary the sum of [here insert the sum), and shall pay the like sum annually in advance; but no dues or contributions shall be demanded from corresponding or honorary members.

Article V.-1. This association shall be divided into the following sections, namely: 1. Natural Science; 2. Arts; 3. History; 4. Agriculture and Horticulture; 5. Mental and Moral Philosophy; 6. General Literature; to each of which sections shall be referred all papers or business appropriate to its department; and to one or more of these sections each member, immediately after his election, shall attach himself. 2. Each section shall report, from time to time, upon the business intrusted to it, as this association shall direct.

Article VI. This association shall meet monthly [here insert time], and at such other times as it may be called upon by the president, upon the written request of six members; of each of which meetings due notice shall be given, and at each and all of these meetings six members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article VII. - The rules of order embraced in "The Rules of Debate and Chairman's Assistant," shall govern the deliberations of this association so far as the same may apply; and the order of business therein laid down shall be followed, unless suspended or transposed by a two-thirds vote.

Article VIII.-Any member who shall be guilty of any public, felonious offence against the law, or who shall persevere in a course of conduct degrading of itself or calculated to bring this association into odium, may be expelled by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any stated meeting; and any member who shall neglect or refuse to pay his dues for more than one year, shall thereby cease to be a member of this association; but no member shall be expelled until due notice shall have been given him of the charges brought against him, and until he shall have had the opportunity of being confronted with his accusers, and of being heard in his own defence. Article IX. This constitution may be altered, amended, or abrogated, at any stated meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present; provided, that written notice of said alteration, amendment, or abrogation, shall have been given at a previous stated meeting. 1