The Society's Board

The Board of Managers serves as the governing body of our state society between sessions of the annual state meeting. It carries out the policies and directives established at the annual meeting and ensures that the society's affairs are conducted in accordance with its constitution, bylaws, and the National Society's governing documents.

The Board consists of the state society's elected officers along with chapter presidents (or their representatives), past presidents, and rotational members elected by the membership. This composition ensures that both the leadership and the individual chapters have a voice in state-level decision-making.

Among its core purposes, the Board of Managers oversees the general administration and business affairs of the society, including approval of the annual budget, authorization of expenditures, and supervision of the society's assets and financial records. It reviews and acts upon applications for membership and awards, addresses matters referred to it by the state officers or committees, and resolves questions of policy or procedure that arise outside the annual meeting cycle.

The Board also plays a supervisory role over the society's committees and programs — such as those focused on historic preservation, education, patriotic activities like the Eagle Scout, JROTC, and youth essay contests, genealogical research, and community outreach—ensuring these efforts align with the mission of the Sons of the American Revolution to perpetuate the memory of those who achieved American independence.

Additionally, the Board of Managers acts as a steering body for planning state meetings, coordinating with chapters on state-wide events, and representing the collective interests of the membership in dealings with the National Society. In essence, the Board exists to provide continuous, responsible leadership and stewardship of the society's mission, resources, and reputation throughout the year, ensuring smooth operation and accountability to the broader membership.

Governing Documents

The governing documents of the Massachusetts Society are a layered framework. The Society was organized on April 19, 1889, and operates within the broader constitutional and administrative structure of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. In practical terms, the state constitution answers what the society is and what authority it possesses; the state bylaws explain how that authority is exercised day to day.

• State Constitution: The state constitution is the state’s foundational document. It establishes the society's name and official status, its purpose, structure of the its governance, offices and authorities, role of the annual meeting, the relationship of the state society and its chapters, and procedures for elections, nominations, meetings, and amendments.
• State Bylaws: The bylaws provide the operational rules for carrying out the constitution with the duties of the individual officers, composition and responsibilities of the Board of Managers, organization of the local chapters, annual and special meetings, voting procedures, membership dues and classes of membership, appointment and operation of committees, and financial administration and reporting.
• National Constitution and Bylaws: As a state society of the national organization, the state’s governing document must be read within the context of the National Constitution, Bylaws, and policies.
• Chapter Governing Documents: Local Massachusetts chapters operate under the authority of the State and National Societies. A chapter may have its own constitution or charter, rules and election procedures, committee assignments, and financial and membership practices.

Reference: Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 12th Edition