MEHER CENTER CHARTER

Chartered Purposes of Meher Spiritual Center, Inc.

From the South Carolina Certificate of Incorporation for Meher Spiritual Center, Inc., September 30, 1959

The objects and purposes for which this corporation is formed are as follows:

1. To found within the United States of America a non-sectarian and non-profit religious organization, devoted and dedicated to the name and spiritual purposes of Meher Baba, and to the dissemination of his teachings, without supplanting professed religious convictions or beliefs, but for the enhancement and strengthening of the spiritual life.

2. To establish, operate and maintain a central headquarters near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to be known as Meher Spiritual Center and such additional local centers in South Carolina and in other States of the United States, and to designate and appoint such officers, agents and other employees, as may be considered necessary or advisable to carry on the purposes and activities of this corporation.

3. To acquire by purchase, lease, devise, bequest, gift or otherwise, such property, real or personal, whether improved or unimproved, in the State of South Carolina, or in any State of the United States, and to improve, develop, sell, mortgage, lease or sublease such property, as may be necessary or advisable to carry on the purposes and activities of this corporation.

4. To exercise and enjoy all other rights and privileges necessary, appropriate or proper for the carrying out of the objects, purposes and activities of this corporation, which are not inconsistent with the corporation laws of this State.

5. To make gifts of real and personal property for religious, charitable, conservation, literary or educational purposes.

6. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of any members, trustee, officer of the corporation, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the corporation), and no member, trustee, officer of the corporation, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the corporation.

Amplification of Chartered Purposes of Meher Spiritual Center, Inc.

By Elizabeth C. Patterson (President of Meher Spiritual Center, Inc.), November 10, 1959

I, The undersigned Elizabeth C. Patterson, one of the organizers of the eleemosynary corporation above named and the president of said organization, do hereby give the following information in amplification of the purposes and powers of the corporation:

The present plans for the corporation are:

  1. To maintain a spiritual retreat for rest, meditation and prayer; and to have same located on a tract of land near Myrtle Beach, in Horry County, South Carolina, which would be the headquarters of the organization.
  2. To maintain a library primarily of universal religious, philosophical and inspirational books accessible to the public on certain days.
  3. Hold group meetings for reading of the Discourses of Meher Baba and other universal truths.
  4. To make gifts of clothing, and like necessities, to poor or needy persons.

Amendments to Chartered Purposes of Meher Spiritual Center, Inc.

November 27, 1959

  • That the word “conservation” be deleted from Paragraph V of the objects and purposes of the corporation;
  •  That there be deleted from Paragraph VI the language “and no member, trustee, officer of the corporation, and or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the corporation,”  and in lieu thereof substitute the following:”… and, in the event of the dissolution of the corporation, no member, trustee, officer of the corporation, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets, and all such assets shall be distributed for their stated purposes, or to scientific, educational, religious or charitable organizations, trust or community chests, funds or foundation meeting the requitements of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any subsequent revenue law.”