The Bead Society is the oldest of its kind in the United States. The Bead Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports the study, discussion, and shared knowledge of beads in the United States and throughout the world.

The Mission of the Bead Society is to disseminate the knowledge of beads and all related subjects. Our goal is to bring that knowledge to as many people worldwide as possible.

The Society meets monthly at the Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City, CA. We have two fundraising bazaars each year also at the Veterans. We offer research grants having to do with bead history, bead trade, bead manufacturing, and related subjects.

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Governance

The Bead Society put together their bylaws in 1982, and applied for IRS non profit status as a 501(c)3 organization. We were granted that as an educational organization. It has helped immensely with discounts with the US Postal Service, renting rooms for our monthly meetings, and  hosting our twice a year Bead Bazaar at the Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City.

Articles of Incorporation

Bead Society bylaws

The bylaws are particularly gnarly because they were created before easy computer access. These are a scan of the bylaws that I received from the files of Adel Mabe, former president, (1997-2009) when I became president in 2014. One of the big disadvantages of bylaws is that in order to revise them, a specified number of members need to be present. In our case, that is a two thirds vote.