The Lithuanian Society of Genealogy and Heraldry (hereinafter – the LSGH) is the public legal entity with limited civil liability having its name, which purpose is to study the Lithuanian historical, genealogical and heraldry heritage, promote and support interest in the roots of our ancestors, promote the youth’s interest in history of our nation and country, coordinate the activity of the LSGH members, represent the members interests and defend them, answer other public interests. The legal form of the LSGH shall be the association. LSGH bears its seal and has accounts in banks.

Articles of Association of the Lithuanian Society of Genealogy and Heraldry

1. General provisions
2. Purposes, type and scope of activity
3. Members of the Lithuanian Society of Genealogy and Heraldry
4. Organizational structure and management
5. Assets, income and property
6. Procedure for communicating notices and announcements
7. Termination of activity

1. General provisions

1.1. The Lithuanian Society of Genealogy and Heraldry (hereinafter – the LSGH) is the public legal entity with limited civil liability having its name, which purpose is to study the Lithuanian historical, genealogical and heraldry heritage, promote and support interest in the roots of our ancestors, promote the youth’s interest in history of our nation and country, coordinate the activity of the LSGH members, represent the members interests and defend them, answer other public interests. The legal form of the LSGH shall be the association. LSGH bears its seal and has accounts in banks.
1.2 In its activities LSGH shall be guided by the Constitution, Civil Code, Law on Associations of the Republic of Lithuania and other legal acts, and the present Articles of Association.
1.3. LSGH shall operate in the entire territory of the Republic of Lithuania by establishing its structural subdivisions. LSGH headquarter address: Kauno g. 10-5, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania.
1.4. the LSGH has been established for a period of unlimited duration. The LSGH shall be entitled to receive support.

2. Purposes, type and scope of activity

2.1. Goals of the LSGH shall be:
2.1.1. To associate the LSGH members into the society representing their professional interests in Lithuania and abroad.
2.1.2. To develop genealogy and heraldry,  increase the role of genealogy and heraldry specialists in the society, encourage the professional incentive of its members.
2.1.3. To promote and carry out the scientific research in the field of genealogy, heraldry and history.
2.1.4. To raise the qualification of the LSGH members, develop their professionalism by organising conferences, seminars, courses, training workshops and other events.
2.1.5. To prepare offers for the Lithuanian Government on improvement of operations of genealogy, heraldry, history sciences, archives and libraries.
2.1.6. To develop the LSGH relations with analogous societies, organizations and institutions of foreign countries.
2.2. Type and scope of the LSGH activity:
2.2.1. Encourage the professional incentive of its members and their interest in genealogy, heraldry and the history of Lithuania.
2.2.2. Defend the rights of its members.
2.2.3. Select and publish materials of genealogy, heraldry, history, regional studies theory and methods.
2.2.4. To develop the genealogy-heraldry cultural heritage of Lithuania.Approve descriptions of the tribesm, family and personal logos, blazons, biograms (genealogical trees). Issue certificates of origin, carry out genealogical researches, develop genealogical trees.
2.2.5. To issue and distribute publications of professional literature.
2.2.6. To organize seminars, conferences, symposiums, congresses and other events, lectures and public meetings with specialists of genealogy and other fields.
2.2.7. To exchange information with analogous foreign societies and specialist delegations, to represent Lithuania in international professional organisations.
2.2.8. To prepare draft documents regulating the activities of Lithuanian genealogy, heraldry and history specialists, and to propose them for legislature and regulatory institutions.
2.2.9. To implement the right of genealogy, heraldry, history and regional studies specialists to different and impartial information.
2.2.10. To organise meetings, piquets, demonstrations, processions, other peaceful unarmed gatherings and mass events according to the order specified in legislation.

3. Members of Society

3.1. The LSGH shall have members and honorary members.  They shall be registered in the LSGH divisions.
3.2. Only legally capable natural persons not younger than 18 year old, and legal entities, establishments, unions, organizations and associations recognising the Articles of Association of the LSGH, assisting in implementation of the LSGH programme and paying the membership fees, shall be the members of the LSGH. The LSGH division meeting shall accept new members.  The LSGH Board shall approve the new members. Persons (natural and legal) who have contributed to the Lithuanian history, heraldry and genealogy may be the members of the Association.
3.3. Persons who have contributed to Lithuanian genealogy, heraldry and history shall be the honorary members. The honorary members shall be elected in the LSGH Board, according to the offering of the LSGH Board or congress. They shall be exempted from membership fee.
3.4. Every year the LSGH divisions shall prepare the list of their members and give the original to the LSGH Board. The list of LSGH members shall be freely accessible to every member of the Society. The LSGH secretary shall manage the list.
3.5. The LSGH member may:
3.5.1. Vote at the general meetings of the LSGH members.
3.5.2. Be elected to the LSGH management bodies.
3.5.3. Get familiarised with the LSGH documents and obtain information on the LSGH activities.
3.5.4. Participate in the LSGH events, submit proposals on local issues.
3.5.5. Represent the LSGH in other institutions and organisations within its competence and powers.
3.5.6. Secede from the LSGH against notifying in writing the LSGH division where he has been a member.
3.6. The LSGH member shall:
3.6.1. Adhere to the Articles of Association of the LSGH, and resolutions, orders, decisions adopted by its bodies.
3.6.2. Contribute to the achievement of the LSGH tasks and goals.
3.7. The LSGH members shall pay the entrance and annual membership fees. The amount of such fees shall be established by the LSGH congress. The fee shall be payable within the first half-year of the calendar year. The LSGH division shall transfer 25 percent of its income from the entrance and annual membership fees to the representative authorised by the LSGH chairman. The remaining amount shall be used for the needs of the LSGH division. The LSGH congress may amend the order of payment and amount of the fees.
3.8. The LSGH Board shall consider the LSGH members’ disputes and claims. If the claimant is not satisfied with the LSGH Board solution, he shall file the appeal to the general meeting of the LSGH members.

4. LSGH bodies

4.1. The supreme LSGH body shall be the general meeting of the LSGH members (Congress). It shall be convened by the LSGH Board at least once every three (3) years. The Congress shall be legitimate provided more than half of the members – delegates elected in the LSGH society divisions according to the representation norms established by the LSGH Board, and LSGH Board members are present.  By a simple majority of votes of those present at the meeting, the meeting shall:
4.2.1. Consider the draft documents regulating the activity of archives and libraries.
4.2.2. Elect and remove from office the LSGH chairman, assistant chairman, fix his salary, if any. The chancelor and the secretary may also be elected.
4.2.3. Elect and remove from office the Board and the Examination Commission, Heraldry Commission and Revision Commission members, establish the amount an order for compensation (remuneration) for their work.
4.2.4. Establish the amount of the LSGH membership fees.
4.2.5. Approve the LSGH annual financial statements, activity reports of the LSGH Board, Examination Commission, Revision Commission and Heraldry Commission  and the LSGH.
4.2.6. Solve other issues within the competence of the general meeting of members.

4.3. By a 2/3 majority of votes of the LSGH members present at the Congress, the Congress shall:
4.3.1. Approve the LSGH Articles of Association, amendments and modifications, the LSGH activity program.
4.3.2. Adopt the resolution on the LSGH reorganization or liquidation.
4.4. The extraordinary LSGH meeting may be convened at the request of 1/5 registered divisions, or of more than half of all the LSGH Board members.
4.5. The annual meeting shall consider the reports of the LSGH Board and the Revision Commission, the financial activity and issues of the LSGH division activities submitted prior to the beginning of the meeting.
4.6. The LSGH Board shall be the collegial management body consisting of eleven (11) members. The Board members shall be elected from among the LSGH members by the LSGH meeting for the period of three years. The Chairman and Secretary of the LSGH Board shall be elected by the LSGH Board. The Board includes the Chairman of the LSGH , his assitants, Chancellor, LSGH secretary, Chairman and Chancellor of the LSGH Examination Commission, Chairman and Secretary of the LSGH Heraldry Commission. The LSGH Board shall be guided by the Board chairman, who shall organize the Board meetings and coordinate the activities of the Commissions. The Board members shall be  elected by the LSGH Congress for 3 (three) years.  The LSGH Board shall appoint the LSGH representatives: publication editor, representative for public relations and media.

4.6.1. Adopt the resolutions to establish and liquidate the LSGH departments, consider the issues of legal status of the LSGH divisions, and manage the LSGH membership registration of the LSGH divisions.
4.6.2. Maintain the relations with the LSGH subdivisions, and coordinate their activities.
4.6.3. Form the work groups and provisional teams for analyzing the relevant professional activity problems and preparation of draft documents.
4.6.4. Elect the LSGH honorary members.
4.6.5. Shall be in charge for convening and organizing of the Congress.
4.6.6. Perform other functions assigned by legislation and other legal acts for the collegial management body.

4.7. In the event of the LSGH Board member’s withdrawal from the Society or in other cases when he is unable to discharge his duties, he shall be replaced by the candidate to the Board members.
4.8. The LSGH Board may adopt resolutions if its meeting is attended by more than 1/2 of its members. The LSGH Board shall adopt resolutions by a simple majority of votes of its present members. In the event of a tie of the LSGH Board members’ votes, the LSGH Board chairman's  and the LSGH chairman’s vote shall be casting.
4.9. The LSGH chairman shall be the sole person LSGH management body. He and his assistants, Chancellor, Secretary shall be elected for the period of one year by the LSGH Congress for three years according to offer by the previous cadence Board. The LSGH chairman, his assistants, Chancellor, Secretary and the Board chairman shall form the Board, which coordinates the everyday activity of the LSGH,  report to the LSGH Congress and LSGH Board for its activity, take care about the implementation of the LSGH activity program and resolutions of the Congresses, , conferences; represent the LSGH in other institutions and organizations, manage the correspondence and economic, financial activity, consider the issues of asset usage.
4.10. The Examining Commission.
4.10.1. On the basis of the submitted documents, and applications the Commission shall approve the tribe descriptions, biograms (genealogical trees), issue thereof certificates, arrange their production and handover and registration.
4.10.2. The Examination Commission shall consist of the Chairman of LSGH and the Chairman of LSGH Board. The LSGH Congrese shall elect the Commission members for a period of 3 (three) years. The persons involved in analysis of historical documents may act as the consultants of the Commission.
4.10.3. The management includes the Chairman and the Chancellor of the Commission elected at the meeting from among the Commission members. The Chairman or the Chancellor of the Commission, if assigned by the LSGH management, may perform the functions of the Chancellor or Secretary of LSGH.
4.10.4. The Commission shall elect the Secretary from among its members.
4.10.5. The activities of the Commission shall be governed by the requirements of the regulations approved by the Chairman of the LSGH, Chairman of the LSGH Board.
4.11. Heraldry Commission.
4.11.1. If required by the individuals, the Commission shall carry out registration of not nominated family or personal logos. Projects of the personal, family or tribe logos supported by their descriptions and other documents shall be submitted to the Commission for consideration. The Commission shall issue certificates for registered family or personal logos and blazons and approve other submitted documents. The Commission shall arrange production of the certificates and their handover to the holders.  The Commission’s decision and its publication shall be equal to the blazon validation process.
4.11.2. The Heraldry Commission shall consist of the Chairman of the LSGH and the Chairman of the LSGH Board. The Commission members shall be elected by the LSGH Congress for a period of 3 (three) years. The persons involved in heraldry can act as the consultants of the Commission.
4.11.3.    The management includes the Chairman and the Chancellor of the Commission elected at the meeting from among the Commission members. The Chairman or the Chancellor of the Commission, if assigned by the LSGH management, may perform the functions of the Chancellor or Secretary of LSGH.
4.11.4. The Commission shall elect the Secretary from among its members.
4.11.5. The activities of the Commission shall be governed by the requirements of the regulations approved by the Chairman of the LSGH, Chairman of the LSGH Board.
4.12. The LSGH control body shall be the Revision Commission elected at the LSGH Congress for the period of one year. The number of the Commission members shall be at least 3. The Revision Commission shall elect a chairman and secretary from among its members. The Revision Commission shall carry out all inspections of the LSGH financial activity. The Revision Commission shall report to the Congress, by submitting the activity report every year.

5. LSGH divisions

5.1. The LSGH may establish its divisions (hereinafter referred to as the Divisions).
5.2. The Divisions shall be established on a territorial basis. The activity of Division may be terminated by the general meeting of the Division members, provided 2/3 members or the LSGH Board are voting for the activity termination, according to the order specified in legislation. The divisions shall accept new members.
5.3. The LSGH Board shall approve the regulations of Divisions, and shall appoint the Division managers- chairmen.
5.3.1. The LSGH Division shall have assets in its disposition, carry out the accounting, and may have its account at the bank.
5.3.2. The Division assets shall be formed from 75% of the initial and membership fees, sponsor contributions, target payments, support, other legally received income.
5.3.3. The Division activity may be terminated by the LSGH Board in a way of merger, dissociation or liquidation if the LSGH division fails to adhere to the requirements of regulations and/or valid legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania.
5.3.4. The Division Board shall approve the documents regulating the division’s activities, which do not contradict the Articles of Association of LSGH.

6. Assets, income and property

6.1. The assets shall be formed from the initial and membership fees, sponsor contributions, target payments, support, other legally received income.
6.2. The property shall include:
6.2.1. Different material values, premises and equipment, devices and materials, acquired for the assets of the organization, sponsors or assets obtained in any other legal way. The property shall be acquired, accounted, stored and used according to the order specified in legislation and established by the LSGH Board.
6.2.2. The LSGH archive. The archive shall be formed and stored on the basis of legislation of the Republic of Lithuania and other normative acts.
6.3. The LSGH may use any income received from any sources only for the implementation of goals and tasks as specified in its Articles of Association
6.4. The LSGH assets shall be held in current and currency accounts in one of the banks registered in the Republic of Lithuania.
6.5. The assets shall be used for correspondence, for the development of relations with analogous foreign societies, organizing of events, preparation and printing of editions, payment of bonuses and allowances, and for implementation of other goals and tasks of the LSGH according to the resolutions of the LSGH Board.

7. Procedure for communicating notices and announcements

7.1. Public notices and announcements of the LSGH shall be publicized in the daily Lietuvos žinios (hereinafter – the Daily).
7.2. The information on providing the conditions on the LSGH reorganization shall be announced in the Daily for 3 (three) times in intervals of no less than 30 (thirty) days, or one announcement in the Daily shall be made and all the LSGH creditors shall be notified by registered letters no later than before 30 (thirty) days to the meeting, which agenda includes this issue.
7.3. The information on the LSGH liquidation shall be announced in the Daily for 3 (three) times in intervals of no less than 30 (thirty) days, or one announcement in the Daily shall be made and every LSGH creditor shall be notified against his signature, or by a registered letter. The resolution to liquidate the LSGH must be disclosed in the manner prescribed by law.

8. Termination of activity

8.1. The LSGH activity shall be terminated upon the order specified in the legislation of the Republic of Lithuania, or according to the resolution adopted by 2/3 majority of the LSGH members present at the meeting.
8.2. The meeting shall appoint the liquidation commission and establish the procedures for its work.
8.3. After the LSGH liquidation, its property, after settlement with creditors and hired employees, shall be used according to the decision of the liquidator or the liquidation commission according to the legislative provisions of the Republic of Lithuania.
Issues not discussed in the present Articles of Association, shall be managed according to the procedure specified in the laws and other legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania.

The LSGH Articles of Association are signed on the 14th of July, 2009.
Česlav Malevskis
Person authorized by the LSGH incorporation meeting