|
Purpose of the Illinois Society: The objects of the Illinois Society shall be to perpetuate to a remote posterity
the memory of our Pilgrim Fathers; to maintain and defend the principle of civil
and religious liberty as set forth in the Compact of the Mayflower-- "for the glorie
of God and the advancement of the Christian faith, and honor to our countrie;" to
cherish and maintain the ideals and institutions of liberty, freedom, justice, and
equality, and to oppose any theories or actions that threaten their continuity.
To transmit the spirit, the purity of purpose and the steadfastness of will of the
Pilgrim Fathers to those who shall come after us, an undiminished heritage of liberty
and law. Our purpose is also to educate and to promote the objectives of the General Society.
Mission Statement of the Illinois Society: To promote Mayflower history and ideals.
Activities of the Illinois Society: The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois is a not for profit hereditary and lineage organization. It is affiliated with the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and in 1897 was one of the first state societies in the country to be recognized by the General Society.
We limit our membership to those individuals who are able to prove a bloodline to one or more passengers who sailed on historic voyage to the Americas on the ship Mayflower ship in 1620. The total current membership of the Illinois Society is about 1,100 members. The governance of our organization is entrusted to the Board of Assistants, a body of elected officers and board members. We have no permanent or paid staff and rely completely on the volunteer and uncompensated efforts of our membership.
In addition to reviewing, approving and maintaining documented lines from Mayflower passengers, the Illinois Society provides educational programs, publishes a newsletter for members, maintains a web-site, awards an annual educational scholarship, assists non-members in searching family histories and provides support to libraries and schools across the state.
|
