Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center:
OBJECTIVES & GOALS
The Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center is
a relatively new organization that was informally started in 2003. The first
meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on July 13, 2006 and a Constitution
and Bylaws were adopted on October 11. 2007. We are an all-volunteer
organization with an enthusiastic membership of 265 individuals and businesses
[as of May 2008]. Sheffield Village is a traditional farming community of nearly
4,000 inhabitants in northeastern Lorain County, Ohio. The Village was settled
by New England families in 1815 as part of the Connecticut Western Reserve and
was organized as the first township in Lorain County in 1824. Today, Sheffield
Village is in a period of transition as residential and commercial development
spreads westward from the Cleveland metropolitan area. With a focus on
Sheffield’s rich heritage, the Society was created to discover, archive,
preserve, and interpret documents and other materials, which illustrate the
history of Sheffield and its environs, thereby engendering civic pride in our
community for old and new residents alike.
Our Society is fortunate in that we have obtained and renovated an early
1900s farmhouse as our museum and document archives, known as the Sheffield
History Center. We are also fortunate that many descendants of the early
settlers still live in the areas and they have graciously contributed many
documents, photographs, and artifacts to the History Center. Our greatest
challenge is the proper archiving and preservation of these valuable objects.
Our goal is to transcribe, electronically scan, or digitally record the
documents, maps, drawings, and photographs and preserve the original materials.
We are also exploring technique for the preservation of physical artifacts from
the mid-1800s, including wooden, leather, and textile objects, as we develop
methods for the proper storage, climate control, display, and handling of
delicate historic artifacts.
Dr. Charles E. Herdendorf, President and Director of the Sheffield Village
Historical Society & Cultural Center, is Professor Emeritus of Earth Sciences at
The Ohio State University where he directed the Ohio Sea Grant College Program.
He is a certified professional geologist and nautical archaeologist. Dr.
Herdendorf is a past director of the Great Lakes Historical Society of
Vermilion, Ohio and currently serves as a Director of the Lorain County
Historical Society of Elyria, Ohio and a Trustee of the Firelands Archaeological
Research Center of Amherst, Ohio. Dr. Herdendorf is responsible for the care of
collections housed in the Sheffield History Center. He is particularly
experiences in the recovery and preservation of marine artifacts and has
documented several shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes. Dr
Herdendorf is assisted in this endeavor by Mr. Ronald P. Forster, Vice-President
of the Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center, and Chairman of
the Society’s Archives and Collections Committee. Mr. Forster is employed by the
Avon Lake School District and served as President of the Sheffield Village
Council. Together, Dr. Herdendorf and Mr. Forster have formulated a set of
guidelines for the Sheffield History Center, titled Accession Policy and
Procedures for Historic Artifacts and Documents
ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS
Sheffield Village Historical Society and Cultural Center
The Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center has initiated a
history outreach program that is composed of six distinct but related projects,
which include: (1) a quarterly newsletter, titled The Village Pioneer, (2) a
proposal to establish a North Ridge Scenic Byway in Lorain County, (3) a Scenic
Byway Tour for Northeastern Lorain County, (4) a mapping and database project
for historic Garfield Cemetery, (5) a inventory of official records archived at
the Sheffield Village Hall, and (6) the Daniel Garfield Barn preservation
project. The description of each of these activities is organized in the
following manner—objective, approach, key individuals, accomplishments, and
budget.
Society’s Quarterly Newsletter, The Village Pioneer
Objectives—(1) to produce a full color, 8- to 10-page quarterly
newsletter that would announce the founding of a Historical Society for
the Village of Sheffield, Ohio—thereby attracting members to the
Society, (2) to publish high-quality articles of historic interest, and
(3) to inform citizens, businesses, and other organizations in the
region of events which focus on the heritage of the Village.
Approach—The Village Pioneer is published quarterly by the Society
(spring, summer, fall and winter). The front page contains a table of
contents (In This Issue…), a major headline articles, and a calendar of
Society Events. The interior pages are devoted to high-quality,
substantive articles of historic interest, news of Society activities
and acquisitions (such as the Society’s purchase of a new tower bell for
the Village Hall), and heritage issues that relate to the Village. For
example a cellular communications tower was proposed for construction
within 85 feet of the historic Sheffield Village Hall (built in 1873 and
listed on the National Register of Historic Places). An article pointing
out the visual and potential physical adverse effects of this proposal
was published in the March 2007 issue of The Village Pioneer. Based on
the recommendations of the Society, the design was modified to that of a
flagpole-type tower and relocated approximately one quarter-mile to the
west of the Village Hall.
Key Individuals—Charles E. Herdendorf (newsletter writer/editor),
Ricki C. Herdendorf (editorial review, computer page & digital image
layout), Kathryn Keefer (editorial review & newsletter distribution).
Accomplishments—The first newsletter, The Village Pioneer, was
published in December 2006 (Volume 1, No. 1), the second in March 2007
(Volume 2, No. 1), and the seventh is currently under preparation and
will be issued in September 2008 (Volume 3, No. 3). The newsletters were
distributed to approximately 200 households and over 100
businesses/organizations in the Village and surrounding region. As a
result of the first newsletter, the Society’s original membership of 13
increased to 94. Following the second newsletter the number of members
rose again to our current membership of 124. On September 29, 2007,
Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center was awarded the
Excellence Award from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies &
Museums for its superior newsletter and other outreach projects.
Establish a North Ridge Scenic Byway in Lorain County
Objective—to prepare a high-quality, document that nominates
State Route 254 in Lorain County as the North Ridge Scenic Byway and to
submit the proposal to the Ohio Scenic Byways Program within the Ohio
Department of Transportation.
Approach—In coordination with the Avon Historical Society, and with
endorsements from the three communities through which State Route 254
passes in Lorain County —Sheffield Village, Sheffield Township, and the
City of Avon—the Sheffield Village Historical Society prepared a
175-page, full-color proposal, which documents purpose and significance
of the route, outlines the natural and cultural setting along the
corridor, and describes in detail the scenic, recreational, cultural,
natural, archaeological, historical, agricultural, residential, and
commercial features along the proposed Scenic Byway. A management plan
for the Scenic Byway was also proposed.
Key Individuals—Charles E. Herdendorf (senior author/photographer,
Sheffield Village Historical Society), Ralph D. White
(co-author/photographer, Avon Historical Society), Thomas K. Hoerrle
(co-author, Lorain County Historical Society), Ricki C. Herdendorf
(computer page and digital image layout), Taylor J. Smith (president,
Avon Historical Society), Joe Richvalsky (architectural historian,
Avon), Brent Eberhard (archivist, Ohio Historic Preservation Office,
historic inventory forms), and Brian Redmond (archaeologist, Cleveland
Museum of Natural History).
Accomplishments—Proposal to establish a North Ridge Scenic Byway in
Lorain County was submitted to the Ohio Scenic Byways Program Office at
the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in December 2005. Copies of
the proposal were distributed to local libraries, the Lorain County
Historical Society, Lorain County Metro Parks, and supporting
communities and organizations. In May 2007, the Ashland District Office
of ODOT conducted a site visit of the proposed Scenic Byway and issued a
recommendation to the Program Office that the North Ridge Scenic Byway
be approved. In June 2007, Paul Staley, coordinator of the Scenic Byways
Program contacted Dr. Herdendorf indicating that his office had also
approved the proposal and that the final step was approval by the
director of ODOT. On August 23, 2007, James G. Beasley. Director of ODOT
notified Dr. Herdendorf by letter that the North Ridge Scenic Byway was
officially designated by the State of Ohio. Designation of State Route
254 as the North Ridge Scenic Byway will engender a greater public
awareness of the cultural and natural attributes associated with this
important corridor.
Scenic Byway Tour for Northeastern Lorain County
Objective—to develop a coordinated, inter-society activity that
would generate support for the Lorain County Historic Preservation
Network. Because of the recently designated Lake Erie Coastal Scenic
Byway and the proposal to create one along State Route 254 (North
Ridge/Detroit Roads) a committee was established to host a guided tour
in northeastern Lorain County.
Approach—The Sheffield Village Historical Society, in coordination
with the Avon Historical Society, the Avon Lake Landmark Preservation
Society, the Lorain County Metro Parks, the Sheffield Lake Park Board,
and the 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Memorial Foundation, prepared and
submitted a Proposal to Host a Northeast Lorain County Scenic Byways
Tour to the Lorain County Historical Society in May 2006. The purpose of
the tour was to raise funds to support the Lorain County Historic
Preservation Network and the local historical societies. The proposal
was accepted and the tour was conducted on September 9, 2006. The
15-mile tour followed northeastern Lorain Counties established and
proposed scenic byways—Lake Road in Avon Lake/Sheffield Lake and Detroit
Road in Avon/Sheffield Village. A passport and a map/guidebook was
prepared for the tour participants which included descriptions of seven
stops along the route. Guided tours were given at (1) the Sheffield
Village Hall & Garfield Cemetery, (2) 1820s Burrell Homestead in
Sheffield, (3) Shell Cove Park in Sheffield Lake—home of the famed
Devonian “Terrible Fish,” (4) 103rd O.V.I. Civil War Regiment Camp and
Museum, (5) restored 1902 Thomas Folger summer house in Avon Lake, (6)
1871 Old Avon Town Hall, and (7) the famed Avon Isle dance pavilion and
park. The theme of the tour was History Speaks!
Key Individuals—Charles E. Herdendorf (proposal author & tour
coordinator), Taylor J. Smith (proposal co-author & tour coordinator,
Avon Historical Society), Terry Wacker (tour committee & trustee, LCHS),
Marilyn F. Harley (tour committee, Lorain County Historic Preservation
Network), Matt Kocsis (tour guide & historian, Lorain County Metro
Parks), Deborah Wagner (tour guide, 103rd O.V.I.), John Early (tour
guide, Avon Lake LPS), Ralph White (tour guide, Avon Historical
Society), and Thomas K. Hoerrle (tour guide, Lorain County Historical
Society).
Accomplishments—The tour was an outstanding success with 150
participants and generated nearly $2000 to support county and local
historic preservation activities. The local newspaper carried individual
articles on the seven tour stops for several weeks before the tour. The
project demonstrated the advantages of several societies working
together for a common goal that also yielded an opportunity to deliver a
local message. Dr. Herdendorf was invited to give the keynote address on
the project at the Annual Lorain County Inter-Society Committee Meeting
on November 2, 2006. In addition to taking the members on a visual tour
or the seven stops, he presented 10 lessons learned from the project and
encouraged other sectors of the county to develop similar tours.
Historic Garfield Cemetery Mapping and Database Project
Objectives—(1) to re-map the gravesites in historic Garfield
Cemetery, (2) create a computerized database of the information
available on the decedents, and (3) publish a full-color report of the
project findings. The purpose of this project was to simulate interest
in the history of Sheffield Village by assembling a comprehensive
database and make it readily available to Garfield Cemetery visitors as
well as those wishing to pursue Sheffield’s heritage.
Approach—Utilizing old maps and field mapping techniques, the
location of 961 burial sites were determined. The location of the
gravestones in relation to the decedent (footstone or headstone) was
noted as well as the type of material from which the marker was
constructed and any inscriptions. From funeral director records, old
ledgers, and death certificates the gender, longevity, birth/death dates
and location, cause of death, military service, and relationship to
nearby decedents was entered in an Excel™ database. From these data,
color maps depicting the gravesites in each cemetery block were produced
depicting the location of family plots, grave markers, military service,
and relationships. Historical analyses were performed on the longevity
of decedents by time period and gender, as well as causes of death.
Because of the archaic nature of some of the medical terminology a
glossary was included in the report.
Key Individuals—Charles E. Herdendorf (senior author), Ricki C.
Herdendorf (co-author), Catherine Price-Gentile (Cemetery
Superintendent), Leo Sheets (Village Councilman), Kathryn Keefer
(Assistant to Clerk/Treasurer), Kenneth Kaczay (Village Service
Administrator), and Thomas K. Hoerrle (Lorain County Historical
Society).
Accomplishments—The Sheffield Village Historical Society published a
196-page, full-color report titled Historic Garfield Cemetery 1817-
2006: Historical Analysis, Description and Maps, and Information
Database with a companion folio of 9 color maps in September 2006.
Copies of the report were distributed to Village officials, local
libraries, the Lorain County Historical Society, and the City of
Sheffield Lake. This report has greatly facilitated the ability to
locate a specific grave and conversely to identify the person who is
buried at any particular location in the cemetery. For those wishing to
purchase a gravesite, the report has been a valuable asset in making a
selection.
Inventory of Official Records Archived at the Sheffield Village Hall
Objective—At the request of Village of Sheffield officials, the
Sheffield Historical Society conducted an inventory of official Village
records stored in the offices and basement of the Sheffield Village
Hall. The objective of the project was to produce a publication that
provided an easy way to locate and search the Village’s hard-copy files
for records on a specific topic.
Approach—The records in the offices and basement of the Village Hall
included files from 1934 through the 1990s for the Clerk/Treasurer,
Cemetery, Police, Fire, Service, Water, and Building Departments, the
Mayor’s Office, Village Council, and the Mayor’s Court, as well as
Ordinances and Resolutions. Many of the records in the basement were in
deplorable condition—water logged, dusty, and crammed in dilapidated
boxes. The first order of business was to dry the files and re-box them
in new containers. The file boxes were analyzed for general contents and
arranged chronologically by Village department on sturdy shelving units;
the boxes were then numbered sequentially from 1 to 381. The contents of
each box were then entered in a computerized database and labels were
placed on each indicating the contents.
Key Individuals—Charles E. Herdendorf (archivist/senior author),
Ricki C. Herdendorf (accountant/co-author), Kathryn Keefer (assistant to
the Village Clerk/Treasurer), Leo Sheets (Village Councilman), Michael
Zurich (Village Police Chief), Jeffrey Young (Village Fire Chief),
Kenneth Kaczay (Village Service Administrator), and Catherine
Price-Gentile (Garfield Cemetery Superintendent).
Accomplishments—The Sheffield Village Historical Society produced a
18-page inventory report of official records archived at the Sheffield
Village Hall and presented copies to all of the Village Departments. The
report contained a map of the 24 shelving units/file cabinets
cross-referenced to the boxes or files contained on/in each unit or
cabinet. The report has greatly facilitated finding records stored in
the Village Hall. The project also rescued important historic records
from loss through deterioration. As a result of the project, the Village
administration has created a records retention committee and has invited
Dr. Herdendorf to serve as a member.
Daniel Garfield Barn Preservation Project
Objective—The Daniel Garfield barn was constructed on North
Ridge in Sheffield Village during the Civil War period. The 10-acre farm
on which the barn stood was sold to an automobile dealership in 2004 and
the historic barn was scheduled for demolition. The Sheffield Village
Historical Society (SVHS) undertook a project to preserve this historic
building—thought to be the oldest farm building in the Village.
Approach—Using direct contact, media articles, letters of support
from historic preservation organizations, and a resolution (No. 459)
from the Village of Sheffield Council—the developer was encouraged to
preserve the historic barn.
Key Individuals—Charles E. Herdendorf (director, Sheffield Village
Historical Society & trustee, Lorain County Historical Society), Thomas
K. Hoerrle (trustee, Sheffield Village Historical Society), Arthur J.
Abraham (owner, Nissan dealership), William Bird (director, Lorain
County Historical Society), George Strom (president, Lorain County
Historical Society), Taylor J. Smith (president, Avon Historical
Society), and Ronald Krystowski (farmer & historic vehicle collector,
Avon).
Accomplishments—After several discussions, Mr. Abraham agreed to
donate the historic barn to the Lorain County Historical Society who in
turn transferred ownership to Mr. Krystowski with the stipulations that
the recipient remove the barn, rebuild it on his farm, and periodically
make the barn available for showing to the public as a historical
artifact. As of June 2007, the barn has been successfully removed and
reconstruction of the frame has been completed at the new
location—approximately three miles east of its original location. Also,
as a result of this experience, the Village of Sheffield Council passed
resolution No. 482 which requires the building inspector to notify the
Sheffield Village Historical Society of any potential demolition of a
structure within the Village.
Anticipated Future Projects
The Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center will
continue to issue its quarterly newsletter, The Village Pioneer, and distribute
it to Society members, as well as local officials, schools, libraries, and other
historical organizations. The Society will continue hold informative meeting,
guest lectures and tours of historic facilities in Sheffield Village and the
surrounding area. The Society will also continue its work to document the
history of the Village by collecting and preserving historic documents,
photographs, trade and domestic artifacts, and textiles.
Working with the Sheffield Village Council and Mayor’s Office, the Sheffield
Village Historical Society & Cultural Center is helping develop a ordinance to
preserve and maintain the North Ridge Historic District in the southern portion
of the Village. Hearings on this ordinance will began in March 2008.
In conjunction with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Sheffield
Village Historical Society & Cultural Center will co-sponsor an archaeological
project on a National Register Archaeological Site (Burrell Orchard Site, Ohio
33-LN-15) located in the Sheffield Village. Members of the community will be
invited to participate in an archaeological field school during the summer of
2008.
One of the major industries in Sheffield Village in the mid- to late-1900s
was the greenhouse agri-business for raising “hot house” tomatoes and other
vegetables. The Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center has
initiated a project to document the rise and decline of this industry in the
form of an illustrated publication. The project is scheduled for completion in
2008.
In a fashion similar to the process followed for Garfield Cemetery, Sheffield
Village Historical Society & Cultural Center has initiated and will complete in
compiling a database and map for St. Teresa Cemetery, the other major cemetery
located in Sheffield Village. The publication of the results of this project is
anticipated in 2009.
The Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center plans to initiate
a project designed to yield a Timeline of Milestones in the History of Sheffield
Village. The project will result in a bound publication that is generously
illustrated with both black & white and color illustrations
CONSTITUTION
Sheffield Village Historical Society and Cultural Center
Preamble
This organization, recognized by the Village of Sheffield, Ohio (Resolution
No. 469), is a nonprofit, unincorporated historical and cultural society
organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes under
section 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code, or any future federal tax code.
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Sheffield Village Historical
Society and Cultural Center, herein known as the Society.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of the Society is to discover, archive, preserve, and interpret
documents and other materials that further establish and illustrate the history
of Sheffield and its environs. The Society is established to promote the
heritage of our village by (1) making historic information available for
research and general interest, (2) providing educational opportunities, and (3)
encouraging the preservation of historical structures, artifacts, and monuments.
The Society recognizes that developing cooperative programs and projects with
other civic, educational, recreational, and historic organizations can best
achieve these goals. The Society is committed to engaging in diverse
fund-raising activities to fulfill its mission.
Article III - Membership
Membership in the Society shall be open to anyone interested in furthering
the purposes of the Society by payment of annual dues in amounts and categories
of membership as established by a Board of Trustees.
Article IV - Trustees
The responsibilities of the Board of Trustees shall be to govern, operate,
and guide the direction of the Society. The execution of this responsibility
shall be consistent with the Constitution, Bylaws, and terms of any other
agreement into which the Society may enter
Article V - Officers
The officers shall be members of the Board of Trustees, and shall consist of
president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and immediate past president.
The Board to Trustees shall elect from and the officers.
Article VI - Meetings
The Annual Meeting of the membership shall take place once each year at a
time and place selected by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall
meet at least quarterly. Additional meetings of the membership and invited
guests to conduct business and to present educational or informational programs
shall be held from time to time at places determined by the Board of Trustees.
Article VII - Amendments
Amendments to the Constitution shall be proposed by the Board of Trustees or
through written petition by the Society’s membership with at least 10 percent of
the signatures of members. The Constitution may be amended by a vote of
two-thirds of the either the Board of Trustees or the Society’s members. Notice
of the proposed amendment shall be presented to the Board and membership in
ballot form thirty days prior to the meeting where the votes will be cast.
Article VIII - Rules of Order
Standard parliamentary procedure shall be followed for the meetings.
Questions or conflicts in meeting procedure shall be resolved by reference to
Robert’s Rules of Order, so long as the solution is not in conflict with the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Society.
Article IX - Code of Ethics
The Sheffield Village Historical Society, its trustees, officers, members,
and any staff or volunteers shall be committed to responsible performance both
professionally and ethically.
Article X - Discrimination
The Society shall not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race,
religion, disability, sexual orientation, or national/ethnic origin.
Article XI - Dissolution
In the case of dissolution, the Board of Trustees shall take appropriate
action to transfer its collections, funds, and other assets to one or more
not-for-profit organizations having a similar mission and having exempt purposes
within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code, or any future
federal tax code.
Adopted October 10, 2007
BYLAWS
Sheffield Village Historical Society and Cultural Center
Article I - Membership
Any person, family, or business/organization may become a member of the
Society by agreeing to be bound by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society,
and by paying the annual membership dues established by the Board of Trustees.
Charter membership dues shall be set at $10.00 for individual members, $15.00
for family membership, and $25 for business/corporate or organization
membership. Each individual member shall have one vote. A family membership is
defined as all those persons living in a single family dwelling; each individual
shall be listed on the membership roster and each family membership shall have
the equivalent of one vote. Business/organization memberships shall indicate a
representative and have the equivalent of one vote. The Nominations and
Membership Committee will prepare a roster of members annually for distribution
by the Board of Trustees. Non-payment of dues by a date specified by the Board
of Trustees shall be deemed voluntary resignation from the Society.
Article II - Meetings of the Board and Members
Quarterly meetings of the Board of Trustees shall typically be held on
a consistent time, day, and week each quarter as determined by the Board. The
meeting shall consist of a business meeting and from time to time a program open
to the membership. The Education and Program Committee shall be responsible for
arranging educational or informational presentations. The Board of Trustees may
elect to suspend a quarterly meeting to accommodate other activities of the
Society or for other substantive reasons. A least one general meeting of the
membership shall be held annually.
Special meetings may be called at any time by order of the Board of Trustees
or the President. Special meetings may also be called upon the written request
of 20 or more of the voting members. The following Order of Business shall be
adhered to at Society meetings:
Welcome & Role Call
Secretary Report
Treasurer’s Report
Committee Reports
Presidents Report
Old Business
New Business
Schedule Next Board Meeting
Adjournment
Article III - Election and Voting
The Nominations and Membership Committee shall develop a slate of candidates
for an uncontested election to the Board of Trustees. Each candidate shall have
agreed to abide by the terms of office prior to the election. Nominations of
Trustees for election shall be announced at the monthly meeting immediately
before the Annual Meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the
announcement meeting, however, the nominee(s) must have agreed to the duties and
responsibilities of a Trustee. A member of the Society, may, through a written
proxy, authorize another to vote for him, or her at meetings, but the person so
authorized must himself or herself be a member of the Society, and such proxy
must be filed with the Secretary before the authorized person votes.
Article IV - Board of Trustees
The responsibilities of the Board of Trustees shall be to govern, operate,
and guide the direction of the Society. The execution of this responsibility
shall be consistent with the Constitution, Bylaws, and terms of any other
agreement into which the Society may enter.
The Board of Trustees shall consist of at least nine (9), but not more than
fifteen (15) members, who are active members of the Society. Three Board members
shall represent specific aspects of the Village of Sheffield and the remaining
members shall be elected at large. The designated members shall be (1) a
representative of the Village of Sheffield nominated by its Mayor (2) a
representative of the Lorain County Historical Society nominated by its
Executive Director, and (3) a representative of Lorain County Metropolitan Park
District nominated by its Director. The Founding Director of the Society shall
appoint the inaugural members of the Board of Trustee for a term of three years.
All elected members of the Board of Trustees shall serve a term of three (3)
years. The immediate past president shall be an ex-officio member of the Board.
All Committee Chairs, who are not regular members of the Board, shall be
ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees. Any vacancy on the Board of
Trustees caused by death, resignation, or removal shall be filled by appointment
from the Society membership by the Director with the concurrence of the Board of
Trustees.
A quorum for a Board of Trustees meeting shall consist of five (5) members of
the Board. The Board of Trustees shall meet at least quarterly. The Board of
Trustees shall manage the affairs of the Society and administer the policies of
the Society in accordance with Civil Law, and the Society’s Constitution and
Bylaws. The Board of Trustees shall designate those persons authorized to
conduct financial transactions for the Society. The Board of Trustees shall also
make recommendations to the members at regular and special meetings concerning
matters requiring decision of the membership. Board members are responsible for
attending board meetings, financial support of the Society, and serving on at
least one committee. Without Board of Trustee approval, no Society member shall
contract anything on behalf of the Society.
A board member may be removed from office, for a demonstrated cause, with a
two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees.
Article V – Officers
Officers of the Society shall include President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and immediate Past President. All officers shall serve a term of two
(2) years, being elected from and by the Board of Trustees. A vacancy in the
officer ranks shall be filled from among the remaining Board members.
The duties of the President are to serve as Director of the Society, to
preside at all meetings of the Society and the Board of Trustees, and to manage
the affairs of the Society. The President, in consultation with other Board
members, shall develop a Strategic Plan for the Society. This Plan shall be
reviewed and updated every two years. The duties of the Vice-President are to
discharge the duties of the President in the event of absence or disability of
the President, and to assist the President in executive duties. The duties of
the Past President are to provide continuity from one administration to the next
and to preside over meetings in the event the President and Vice President
cannot attend a meeting.
The duties of the Secretary are to keep a record of the proceedings of the
Board of Trustees and meetings of the Society, and to maintain a file of the
business correspondence and other official documents of the Society. The
Treasurer will serve as Business Manager of the Society and keep an account of
all monies, credits, accounts, and property of the Society. The President and
the Treasurer are authorized to make payment for routine Society expenditures
from Society accounts. Major expenditures require approval of the Board of
Trustees
The initial organizer of the Society, to be known as the Founding Director,
shall serve as the Society’s inaugural President for a term of three (3) years
and shall appoint the inaugural Board of Trustees and its Officers.
An officer may be removed form office, for a demonstrated cause, with
two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees.
Article VI - Committees
All committee members shall be appointed by the President in
consultation with other members of the Board of Trustees. All Society members
are encouraged to serve on committees by making their desires known to the
President or a Board member. Each committee shall provide quarterly reports too
the Board of Trustees. Committees shall elect a chairperson if the President
does not appoint one. Committees shall form sub-committees, as they are needed,
to fulfill their charge. The following standing Committees shall be established:
Membership & Development Committee—The committee shall consist of 5 or more
members, each being an active member of the Society. The objective of the
committee is to attract new members to the Society, in all categories
(individual, family, business, and organization) and recommend membership
policies and strategies to the Board of Trustees. The committee will maintain a
roster of all active members and committee assignments. The committee shall,
from time to time, recommend awards or other recognitions to members or other
worthy individuals or organizations for outstanding service to the Society or
for other significant contributions, which further the mission of the Society.
The committee is also charged with developing methods of raising funds to
support Society activities. The committee shall implement fund-raising
activities for the Society in consultation with the Board of Trustees.
Meetings & Program Committee—The committee shall consist of 5 or more
members, each being an active member of the Society. The objective of the
committee is to schedule and plan membership meetings, develop educational or
informational programs for the membership meetings, and formulate public
lectures, seminars, workshops, youth/school programs, exhibits, and other
educational activities for the Society. The committee is responsible for the
promotion of programs and projects by various means of publicity. The committee
shall contribute to the preparation of the Society’s newsletter and help attract
new members to the Society in conjunction with the Membership & Development
Committee. The committee shall explore and recommend special projects to the
Board of Trustees to be undertaken by the Society.
Archives & Collections Committee—The committee shall consist of 5 or more
members, each being an active member of the Society. The objective of the
committee is to enhance and maintain the historic collections of the Society.
The committee shall actively solicit the donation or acquisition of historic
artifacts for the Society. The committee shall develop archives and collections
management policies and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees for items
to be accessioned or deaccessioned. The committee shall oversee the Society’s
management practices for archives and collections, including the cleaning,
restoration, and maintenance of artifacts. The committee shall maintain an
inventory and descriptive catalog of items in the Society’s collections. The
committee shall develop a gift receipt and acknowledgment policy. The committee
shall also be responsible for investigating and recommending facilities to house
the collections.
Historic Documentation & Preservation Committee—The committee shall
consist of 5 or more members, each being an active member of the Society. The
objective of the committee is to document the historic resources of Sheffield
Village and its environs and to promote the preservation of these resources. The
committee shall actively solicit the donation or acquisition of historic
documents for the Society. The committee shall develop document-acquisition
policies and cataloging procedures in conjunction with the Archives &
Collections Committee. The committee shall maintain and periodically update an
electronic database of the Society’s document holdings. The committee will be
responsible for the preparation of the Society’s newsletter Village Pioneer. The
committee shall be responsible for placing pertinent historical information on
the Village of Sheffield website. The committee shall initiate projects to
document and preserve historic resources and to produce publications presenting
and interpreting the results of these projects.
Ad Hoc Committees—These committees will be formed from within the membership
to accomplish specific, short-term objectives. The President shall appoint a
chairperson, and that person shall appoint other committee members. The
committees shall report their progress at quarterly meetings.
An ad hoc Nominating Committee, consisting of the Society offices and
committee chairs, will be convened as needed to prepare a slate of candidates
for election to the Board of Trustees and for election of Society officers. The
Nominating Committee is also responsible for orientating new trustees to the
Society.
An ad hoc Finance Committee shall consist of 5 members, each being an active
member of the Society with at least 3 of whom shall be members of the Board of
Trustees. The committee is charged with the responsibility of annually reviewing
the Society’s financial records and fiscal policies and reporting to the Board
of Trustees. The committee shall also develop an annual budget in conjunction
with the Society officers for submission to the Board of Trustees for
consideration.
Article VII - Amendments
An amendment to the Bylaws may be proposed by resolution of any
Committee and must pass with a simple majority approval of the members
of the Board of Trustees. Notice of proposed amendments shall be
presented to Board one month prior to the meeting at which time the
action shall be taken.
Adopted October 10, 2007
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Sheffield Village Historical Society and Cultural Center
Charles E. Herdendorf, President
Andrew Minda, Vice President
Patricia Hoag, Secretary
Ricki Herdendorf, Treasurer
Jean Ackerman, Trustee
Matthew Bliss, Trustee
John Hoag, Trustee
Thomas Hoerrle, Trustee
Christine Huffman, Trustee
Matthew Kocsis, Trustee
Roy Kudrin, Trustee
Carol Minda, Trustee
Catherine Price-Gentile, Trustee
Barbara Sheets, Trustee
Meredith Williams, Trustee
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