Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE CRETAN BROTHERHOOD "PSELORETIS" DETROIT, MICHIGAN AND SUBURBS (1972)

PANCRETAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Published by Konstantinou Sagkrioti, Chania - 1972

Article 1st - Founding

On March 11, 1923, the Cretans in Detroit, Michigan convened in a General Assembly and founded a mutual aid association under the name "Pseloretes".

Article 2nd - Pancretan Association

  1. The Cretan Brotherhood of Detroit "Pseloretes," although constituting an autonomous organization, is a member of the Pancretan Association of America (PAA), founded on October 14, 1929.
  2. The official name of the Association shall be: "Pancretan Association of America, Fraternity of Detroit 'Pseloretes'".

Article 3rd - Aims

  1. The purpose is the development of friendly ties and the mutual support, esteem, and solidarity of its members.
  2. The support and care of its members in case of accident or illness.
  3. The creation of a significant fund for the local needs of the Brotherhood.
  4. The expansion of its action towards the progress, moral, and educational development of its members and assisting them in obtaining American citizenship.
  5. Respect and obedience to the Laws and Authorities of the United States of America.

Article 4th - Resources of the Brotherhood

The resources consist of: Registration fees, annual subscription, voluntary contributions, extraordinary donations, and proceeds from dances, excursions ("PIC-NIC"), dinners, and other gatherings.

Article 5th - Members

  1. The Brotherhood consists of members of Cretan descent of both sexes, the spouses and children of Cretans, and those who have formerly settled in Crete.
  2. Members not of Cretan descent enjoy the same rights and benefits as those of Cretan descent.
  3. Honorary members are proclaimed by the General Assembly for offering noteworthy moral or material services.
  4. Members transferring from other PAA Chapters are exempt from the registration fee if they provide proof of good standing.
  5. Cretan students attending higher educational institutions are exempt from the registration fee and subscription for the duration of their studies plus one (1) year.
  6. A member of the Brotherhood cannot be a member of another similar "Cretan" Chapter or Association.

Article 6th - Registrations and Subscriptions

  1. The registration fee is set at five (5) Dollars.
  2. The annual subscription is set at fifteen (15) Dollars, payable in two semi-annual installments.
  3. Members aged seventy-five (75) years and over who have completed thirty (30) years as members (with Death Benefit Insurance) shall pay ten (10) Dollars annually.
  4. New members must be Orthodox Christian, healthy, and between eighteen (18) and sixty (60) years of age (with exceptions for former members).
  5. The registration of a new member must take place in General Assemblies by first depositing the registration fee.
  6. Monetary amounts paid for registration, subscription, or a death benefit are not refunded to any member who has withdrawn or been deleted.

Article 7th - Moral Obligations

Each member must respect and love the Brotherhood, work for its progress, respect the laws and execute the decisions of the Brotherhood. They must attend the General Assemblies regularly.

Article 8th - Care/Assistance

  1. Members are entitled to a sickness benefit for natural illness or accident of Fifteen (15) Dollars every week, excluding the first week, for a maximum of seven (7) weeks.
  2. A sick member must immediately notify the Board of Directors and submit a medical certificate after recovery.

Article 9th - Return to the Homeland

If a member who is completely destitute requests to return to their homeland for health reasons, an amount of up to Two Hundred (200) Dollars may be granted by the Brotherhood upon the approval of the General Assembly and prior medical certification.

Article 10th - Deaths and Funerals

  1. The Brotherhood shall lay a wreath not exceeding Twenty (20) Dollars in value.
  2. If a deceased member owns property and does not leave heirs, the natural and legal heir is the Cretan Brotherhood "PSELOREITES" DETROIT MICHIGAN.

Article 11th

  1. The Pancretan Association pays a death benefit of Three Hundred (300) Dollars to the legal heirs.
  2. If the funeral is not carried out by the heirs, the Brotherhood is obligated to bury the member and deduct the expenses from the death benefit.

Article 12th - Those Deprived of Rights and Benefits

Members are deprived of rights and benefits if they are ninety (90) days overdue in their subscriptions, feign illness, contract diseases through disorderly conduct, or fail to notify the Brotherhood in time. New members are deprived of benefits for ninety (90) days from registration, except in case of an unforeseen accident.

Article 13th - The Committee on the Sick

A three-member Committee on the Sick is appointed to ascertain the certainty of the illness, visit the sick member at least once a week, and ascertain the day of the onset and full recovery of the illness.

Article 14th - On Deletion

  1. A member whose conduct is contrary to the dignity and interests of the Brotherhood shall be deleted from its Register upon decision of the General Assembly.
  2. Members who are one (1) year overdue in their subscription are automatically deleted.
  3. Deleted members may be re-registered after three (3) years upon approval, but those who harmed the Brotherhood through fraud, theft, embezzlement, or forgery are excluded.

Article 15th - On Apology (Appeal)

A member who creates a scandal or slanders the Brotherhood is called upon by the Board of Directors to submit a written apology. Refusal to appear before the Board twice results in a proposal for deletion to the General Assembly.

Article 16th - On the Counselor of the Pancretan Association

The Secretary of the Board of Directors performs the duties of the PAA Counselor, maintains correspondence with the PAA Center, and manages the official publication of the Pancretan Association, "KRITI" (CRETE).

Article 17th - Administration

  1. The Brotherhood is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and five Councilors. Their service is a two-year term and unpaid, except for the Secretary's salary.
  2. The right to be elected belongs to all members in good standing for at least three months.

Article 18th - Duties of the Board of Directors

  1. The Board of Directors meets regularly twice a month. A quorum requires half plus one of the members.
  2. It manages the Brotherhood's property and regulates extraordinary expenses that do not exceed Two Hundred (200) Dollars.
  3. Board members who resign or are absent for three consecutive meetings are immediately replaced by alternate members.

Article 19th - Duties of the President

The President represents the Brotherhood externally, signs all documents and checks, convenes and presides over meetings, and oversees the strict observance of the Constitution and decisions.

Article 20th - Duties of the General Secretary

The General Secretary keeps all official books, including the Minute Books, the Register of Members, the Books of Correspondence, Receipts, Expenses, and the Book of the Official Seal.

Article 21st - Duties of the Treasurer

The Treasurer is the custodian of the Brotherhood's funds, manages the funds, collects subscriptions and fees, and maintains the receipts and expenses books.

Article 22nd - Duties of the Treasurer (Cont.)

  1. They pay all expenses after receiving a payment order signed by the President and the Secretary.
  2. They submit a detailed financial report every six months to the Board of Directors and the General Assembly.
  3. The Treasurer is personally liable for any amount over Two Hundred (200) Dollars spent in violation of the Constitution's provisions, as well as for any other financial irregularity.

Article 23rd - Auditing Committee

  1. A three-member Auditing Committee is elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term.
  2. It has the duty to examine the accounts of the Brotherhood every six months.
  3. They submit a detailed report to the General Assembly.

Article 24th - General Assemblies

  1. The General Assemblies are the supreme authority of the Brotherhood.
  2. They are either regular (held at least once every three months) or extraordinary.
  3. A quorum for the first meeting requires one-third (1/3) of the members.
  4. All decisions are made by absolute majority of the members present.

Article 25th - Elections

  1. Elections for the Board of Directors and the Auditing Committee are held every two (2) years in the month of January or February.
  2. The election is conducted by secret ballot.

Article 26th - The Seal

  1. The Brotherhood has a circular Seal which bears the inscription: "Pancreta Association of America - Fraternity of Detroit 'Pseloretis' Detroit, Michigan".
  2. The Seal is kept by the General Secretary.

Article 27th - Amendments and Final Provisions

  1. This Constitution may only be amended or revised by a General Assembly specially convened for this purpose.
  2. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present is required for the amendment to pass.
  3. In case of dissolution, the assets of the Brotherhood shall be transferred to the Pancretan Association of America (PAA).
  4. This Constitution takes effect immediately upon its adoption by the General Assembly.