Charter of the Association for Games & Puzzles International
Approved by the membership July 26, 2016
Name and History of the Organization
A.1. The organization shall be known as the Association for Games & Puzzles International, abbreviated AGPI, and henceforth known as the “Organization.”
A.2. The Organization was founded as the American Game Collectors Association (AGCA) in February 1985 by Bruce Whitehill, assisted by several advisors. The AGCA, though initially focused on pre-World War II American games, was open to all interested parties. The first convention was held in November, 1985. The IRS recognized the organization as a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization in January 1990.
Members voted in 1999 to adopt the name Association of Game & Puzzle Collectors (AGPC), to reflect the Organization’s decision to expand its scope to include games and puzzles of all eras and origins. In 2016 the Organization chose the name Association for Games & Puzzles International (AGPI), to reflect its growing focus on enthusiasts and research.
The international membership now includes collectors, game players, puzzle enthusiasts, game and puzzle makers, inventors and designers, historians, authors, researchers, and people interested in related playthings and popular culture.
Statement of Purpose
B.1 The Organization is an international non-profit educational organization dedicated to the advancement, collection, and preservation of games and puzzles throughout the world and across all eras.
B.2. The Organization is, further, an educational body gathering historical information and researching games, puzzles and the designers and companies that produced them. It also examines the social and cultural impact of games and puzzles.
- B. 3. The Organization disseminates game and puzzle information through several channels including its publications, website, events and electronic communications.
Membership
C.1. Membership. The Organization is open to all individuals and institutions that support the Organization’s purpose and programs. Members join and maintain membership by submitting an application form, paying membership dues, being accepted by the Organization and adhering to its Code of Ethics and Privacy Policy.
C.2. Charter Membership. Charter membership was available to all members who joined prior to December 31, 1985, provided they indicated they had a permanent collection of at least 50 pre-World War II American games and puzzles.
C.3. The Organization shall maintain a Code of Ethics for its members and a Privacy Policy dealing with personal information collected in the course of conducting its business.
Governance
D.1. Bylaws. The Organization shall have a set of Bylaws that provide the framework for governing its operations so long as the Bylaws are consistent with the Charter.
D.2. Officers and Executive Committee. The officers shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary. The officers shall be voting members of the Board of Directors and together shall form the Executive Committee. The election, terms, meetings, and duties for the officers and executive committee shall be further set forth in the Bylaws.
D.3. Board of Directors. Sole management and control of the Organization shall be vested in the Board of Directors. Composition, election, terms, meetings and committees for the Board shall be further set forth in the Bylaws.
Internal Revenue Service Requirements for Tax Exemption
E.1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the association is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an association exempt from Federal income tax under IRS §501(c)(3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal Tax Laws.
No part of the net earnings of the association shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the association, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the association), and no member, trustee, officer of the association or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the association's assets on dissolution of the association.
No substantial part of the activities of the association shall be carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation [except as otherwise provided by IRC§501(h)], and the association shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publication or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidates for public office.
In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the association shall, after payment of necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under IRC§501(c)(3) of 1986, as amended, or corresponding provisions of any future Federal tax code.
In any taxable year in which the association is a private foundation as described in IRC§509(a), the association shall distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under IRC§4942, and the association shall not (a) engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in IRC§4941(d), retain any excess business holdings as defined in IRC§4943(c), (b) make any investments in such manner as to subject the association to tax under IRC§4944 or (c) make any taxable expenditures as defined in IRC§4945(d) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal Tax Laws.
The wording and content of this section may change from time to time to comply with current IRS requirements.
Amendments
F.1. This Charter may be amended by sixty percent (60%) of the full paid membership in good standing whose vote is received within the specified time period. The proposed amendment must be first approved by the Board of Directors, and shall be sent to all members electronically, if possible, with a ballot and request that all votes reach the Board’s designated party within 14, but not later than 21, calendar days from the date the proposed amendment is sent.
1 The advisors were Debby and Marty Krim, John Mautner, and Herb Siegel.
