Our Commitment to Best Practices
In all we do, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society is committed to adhering to best practices for non-profit board governance, transparency, and accountability. We work closely with and are proud to be a member organization of the Charlottesville Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE). This page provides full public access to our Bylaws, policy and financial statements, and will be updated regularly.
ACHS Bylaws
THE BYLAWS OF THE ALBEMARLE CHARLOTTESVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – January 2020
Purpose. The Society is organized for the purposes set forth in the Articles of Incorporation: This corporation is formed for the purpose of studying and preserving the history of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia, and surrounding jurisdictions in Central Virginia. The corporation shall, without limitation, collect and preserve manuscript and printed materials and other physical remains pertaining to the history of this area. The corporation may exhibit such material in its own or other museums or elsewhere and may maintain and operate one or more museums for housing and displaying historical materials. It may present historical programs, lectures, exhibitions, and other related activities, as well as publish an historical magazine and other papers on historical subjects.
Policy Statements
A COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION – July 2020
We, the Board of Directors of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, are resolutely committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe the Society has an ethical and moral obligation to examine the history of all people, including those who have previously been socially, politically, and economically excluded. Our work is grounded on a belief in the worth and dignity of every human being.
STATEMENT ON MONUMENTS AND RACIAL EQUALITY – September 2020
“The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society exists to research, explore, and discuss issues of historical concern and relevance. We believe in the worth and dignity of every human being. We value discovery, integrity, and diversity in the writing and telling of history. We know that our history—local, regional, and national—impacts the present, shaping our institutions and defining who we are as a people. At times, history confronts our ideals and challenges our assumptions about the core values of our nation.”
CONFLICT OF INTEREST – May 2020
The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt Corporation’s (Corporation) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Corporation or might result in a possible excess beneficial transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable Corporations.”
PRIVACY POLICY – June 2020
As a matter of doing business, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society collects the names of individuals and related contact information (such as email addresses) for those who voluntarily register as members of the Historical Society, for our Personal Enrichment Classes, etc. We also collect names and contact information from those individuals and organizations who donate funds to support our work; from individuals who donate historic items to our Museum Collection; and from individuals who voluntarily sign-up to receive communication from us. We may use this contact information for specific, limited purposes (such as emailed news and updates). You may always “opt out,” either now or at any time in the future if you do not wish to receive communications from us. And you may choose to edit, verify, or change your contact information with us at any time.
CODE OF ETHICS– June 2020
This policy was ratified and approved by the Board of Directors of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society at their regular meeting on October 17, 2018 and updated for clarity in June 2020. A code of ethics must be broad enough to permit interpretation and flexible enough to evolve or change as the structure of the Society changes over time.
SOCIAL MEDIA – November 2020
The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society recognizes the importance of the Internet in all we do, especially in shaping public thinking about our organization and our current and potential work. We are committed to supporting honest, transparent, professional, and knowledgeable dialogue on the Internet through social media. This policy statement is intended to outline how our values should be demonstrated in online social media. These guidelines should inform the online actions of our staff, our Board members, and anyone who acts on our behalf.
POLICY REGARDING DOCUMENT RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION – September 2020
Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, Inc. (ACHS) is committed to maintaining records that are required by law; provide administrative, legal, and historical value; and minimize business risk for ACHS. ACHS is committed to the destruction of records in an appropriate manner ensuring the confidentiality of information. The purpose of this policy is to achieve a complete and accurate accounting of all relevant records within the organization; to establish the conditions and time periods for which paper based and electronic information and records will be stored, retained, and destroyed after they are no longer active for business purposes; and to ensure appropriate availability of inactive records.
POLICY REGARDING USE OF DEBIT CARDS & PERSONAL REIMBURSEMENT – September 2020
Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, Inc., (ACHS) wishes to facilitate efficient purchasing in furtherance of ACHS’s tax-exempt purpose. This policy describes the requirements for use of ACHS’s debit card for purchases and for reimbursement of expenditures made on behalf of ACHS by its Directors, Officers, employees, and other authorized individuals. All purchases made with the debit card or submitted for reimbursement must be made in furtherance of ACHS’s tax-exempt purpose. ACHS’s Virginia state sales tax exemption should be applied wherever possible.
ACHS MUSEUM COLLECTION AND LIBRARY DEED OF GIFT FORM – October 2020
I/We, _____________________________________, hereby give to the Albemarle County Historical Society Inc., d/b/a the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, a Virginia nonprofit corporation of Charlottesville, Virginia, absolute and unconditional ownership of the following, together with all copyright (in all media by any means now known or hereafter invented) and any associated rights which I/we have, with the understanding that the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society may keep or dispose of any property included in this Deed of Gift as it sees fit:
