BREMERTON BASE
UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS, INCORPORATED
-Established November 5, 1981-
BYLAWS
(Revised November 19, 2002)
(Article II Amended May 17, 2005)
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The Bremerton Base of United States Submarine Veterans Inc (USSVI) adopts in whole as it's own, the Constitution of the national organization of United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Should these bylaws conflict with the USSVI national constitution or bylaws, the later shall have precedence. The accepted informal name for the Bremerton Base is Bremerton Subvets. Within the USSVI national organization the Bremerton Base will be referred to as the Bremerton Base. In the interest of clarity in press releases and other communications with outside entities and the media, the Base may be referred to as the Bremerton Chapter of USSVI.
Article I. RULES OF ORDER
The general procedure on meetings for the Bremerton Base shall be in keeping with the normal parliamentary procedures set down by Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised.
ARTICLE II. DUES
Section 1. The annual dues will be established by the Board of Directors (E-Board). (Amd 5-17-05)
Section 2. Dues are due and payable on January 1st each year and remain effective until December 31st of the same year.
Section 3. Members whose dues are in arrears on April 1st of a current year will be dropped from the roster.
Section 2. Five percent of the regular members in good standing, at least two of which will be elected officers, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business at the Base meetings. Once a quorum has been established, no member absenting himself shall destroy the quorum.
Section 3. Special meetings or E-Board meetings may be called when warranted by the Base Commander.
Section 4. Each member in good standing, whose name has been on the membership roll for 15 days, shall be entitled to vote in person at any meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE IV. BASE MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Regular membership is restricted to all U.S. personnel having been designated “Qualified in
Submarines," by the U.S. Navy. Proof of qualification and of Navy. Proof of qualification and of
honorable service must be provided to the Base Secretary through the Membership Committee in
accordance with National Bylaws.
Section 2. Founding members are those members who participated in the original establishment of the
Bremerton Base in March, 1981. They are identified as Tudor Davis, Thomas Fiacco, Richard
Litscher, William Dean, Kenneth Kerns and Charles Whitlock.
Section 3. All members on or before July 17, 1982, in good standing, shall be known as Charter Members of
The Bremerton Base (119 members).
Section 4. Associate membership - A person who does not meet the requirements for Regular membership
may join as an associate member if sponsored by a Regular Member in good standing. Associate
members are not eligible to vote in National Elections. They may vote in all other Base election
activities and can serve in Base elected and appointed positions with the exception of Base
Commander and Vice Commander.
Section 5. Honorary members are people who, based on their knowledge and or contributions to the submarine
community, would be valuable members to the Bremerton Base USSVI. Honorary Members may
be elected as members of Bremerton Base. USSVI Honorary Members shall not be eligible to vote
or hold any office in the organization, elected or appointed, and are exempt from dues assessment.
Honorary Members may participate in all other Bremerton Base activities, including regular
meetings and special events, and may input
for the good of the order.
Section 6. Life members - a member, regular or
associate, may in addition become a Base life member by
paying the Base Life Membership dues, which shall be to the National Organization dues structure
provided that the member is also, or simultaneously becomes, a National Life Member.
ARTICLE V. ELECTED OFFICERS
Section 1. The E-Board shall have the control and general management of the affairs and business of the
organization. The immediate past base commander and the Bremerton Base elected officers, which
include the Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary, Treasurer and the Chief of the Boat
shall make up the E-board. Appointed Committee Chairmen and Project Managers may attend E-
Board meetings to give input, but may not vote. Three members of the E-Board shall constitute a
quorum. Once a quorum has been established, it cannot be removed by a member absenting himself.
Section 2. The E-Board is responsible for long range planning for recruiting, membership activities, finances,
ceremonies and other organizational goals.
Section 3. The term of office
for all elected officials will be for one year, or until successors have been
elected.
The Base Commander and Vice Commander may not hold the same
office for more than two consecutive years.
Section 4. Regular meetings of the E-Board will be held prior business meetings.
Section 5. Any vacancies
occurring on the E-Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term
by
majority vote of the remaining board members.
Section 6. A member of the E-Board may be removed from the E-Board, for cause, by a two-thirds vote of the E-board.
Section 7. The E-Board is
authorized to reimburse the Base Commander up to one hundred dollars ($100)
for
each official day of the National Convention for
food and lodging, not to exceed three hundred
dollars ($300) if so requested by him. No member of the
E-Board shall be paid any salary for
services rendered on behalf of the Bremerton Base.
Section 8. Base Commander Duties - The Duties of the Bremerton Base Commander shall include, but not be limited to:
A.
Act as the
Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of Base E-Board.
B.
Cause to be called all regular and special
meetings of the Bremerton Base.
C.
Preside over all regular and special
meetings of the Bremerton Base.
D.
Enforce the Constitution and Bylaws.
E.
Direct and supervise the operation of the
Bremerton Base.
F.
Represent the Bremerton Base at official
functions.
G.
Submit, in writing to the Base E-Board for
confirmation, all appointed officers and committee chairmanships.
H. Sign all certificates
notes, drafts, or bills of exchange, warrants or other orders for the payment
of moneys duly drawn by the Bremerton Base Treasurer, except as
provided elsewhere in the
Constitution and Bylaws, subject to the approval of the Base E-Board.
I. Be responsible for
the promulgation of all pertinent information to the membership of
the Bremerton Base.
J. Work up, keep
current and pass on, immediately to his relief a “Turn Over” folder, including
all
official correspondence, records, and official materials assigned to his care.
K. Be an ex-officio
member of all committees, except the “Nominations Committee” and
the "Resolution Committee"
Section 9.
Base Vice Commander Duties - The Duties of the Bremerton Vice Base
Commander shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Assist the Bremerton Base Commander in the discharge of his duties.
B. Assume the duties of the Bremerton Base Commander in the event of his absence, illness, or
call to eternal patrol.
C. Execute the powers and authority of the Bremerton Base Commander, when required, in the
absence of the Bremerton Base Commander.
D. Serve as a member of the Base E-Board.
E. Act as Chairman for the Ways and Means Committee.
F. Serve as a member of the Base Membership Committee.
G. Work up, keep current and pass on, immediately to his relief a “Turn Over” folder, including all office correspondence, records, and official materials assigned to his care.
A. Officiate when required in Bremerton Base matters in the absence of the Commander or Vice Commander.
B. Serve as a member of the Base E-Board.
C. Serve as a member of the Base Membership Committee.
D. Act as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee.
E. Be the clerk of the Bremerton Base and:
(1) Be the custodian of all non-financial records and materials, which shall remain Bremerton Base property.
(2) Keep permanent records as required by the Articles of Corporation, the National and
Base Constitution, and these Bylaws.
(3) Keep permanent records of the proceedings of all meetings of the Bremerton Base.
(4) Shall collect and retain all historical records for the base and its membership.
(5) Prepare and distribute the Base Ballot.
(6) Insure that only Base members in good standing vote on organizational business.
(7) Serve as the official organization correspondent, forwarding to officers and committee
chairman such correspondence as may be appropriate to the performance of their duties.
(8) Work up, keep current and pass on, immediately to his relief a ‘Turn Over” folder,
including all office correspondence, records, and official materials assigned to his care.
Section 11. Base Treasurer Duties - The Duties of the Base Treasurer shall include, but not be limited to:
B. Serve as a member of the Base Membership Committee.
C. Serve as a member of the Base Ways and Means Committee.
D. Be the Chief Financial Officer of the Bremerton Base.
E. Be the custodian of all financial records of the Bremerton Base.
F. Receive and be responsible for the collection of all moneys due and payable to the
organization.
G. Have custody of all organization funds, and shall provide for their safekeeping, retention,
disbursement, and investment in a manner acceptable to the Base E-Board.
H. Shall complete the annual summary financial report and forward it the National Treasurer.
I. Make such reports and returns as are required by Federal, State, and Local governments the
Articles of Incorporation, The Constitution, and these Bylaws, including the disbursement of
appropriate taxes and fees.
J. Maintain accounts appropriate to the structure and activities of the organization and in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
K. Upon election to the position as Base Treasurer, the Treasurer-Elect within 15 days and prior
to becoming custodian of the organizations funds shall apply for a personal bond in the
amount to be determined at the newly elected Base E-Board meeting held subsequent to the
Annual Business Meeting unless waived by the Base E-Board. All costs involved in securing
the required personal bond shall be borne by the organization. The outgoing Treasurer shall
be responsible to ensure that the present bond has been executed and that the organization is
fully protected prior to transferring any funds to the new
Treasurer. An incumbent Treasurer shall be required to comply with this requirement.
L. Work up, keep current and pass on, immediately to his relief a “Turn Over” folder, including
all official correspondence, records, and official material assigned to his care.
Section 12. Chief of the Boat - The Duties of the Chief of the Boat shall include, but not be limited to:
A.
Shall act as Master At Arms/Parliamentarian at all meetings. He shall
be responsible to the
Base Commander for ensuring that only members in good standing and bona
fide guests are admitted to all meetings.
B. Shall symbolically toll the bell for Lost Boats at all meetings.
ARTICLE VI. APPOINTED BASE OFFICERS OR POSITIONS
Section 1. The appointed officers are the Chaplain, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster and Storekeeper. Their term
of office will begin immediately after confirmation and notification by the Base E-Board. These
appointed officers serve at the pleasure of the Base Commander and may be removed/replaced at
his discretion.
Section 2. The Base Chaplain is appointed by the Base Commander. The Base Chaplain shall be consulted on
all Base matters pertaining and relative to the Spiritual Life of the Bremerton Base. He recommends
to the Base Commander persons to be considered for this office upon his relief.
Section 3. The Base Newsletter Editor is appointed by the Base Commander. He is responsible for gathering
And organizing of information to be published in a bi-monthly newsletter. He shall edit, print and
distribute the newsletters to all paid up Bremerton Base members and those persons denoted in the
National Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) (National officers, committee chairmen, district
nine bases and local veterans organizations).
Section 4. The Base Webmaster is appointed by the Base Commander. His duties are to maintain the Base
Website and serve as a member of the Base Membership/Publicity Committee.
Section 5. The Base Storekeeper is appointed by the Base Commander. If possible the Base Storekeeper will
obtain submarine memorabilia from qualified . The Base Storekeeper will solicit sales from the
Base members for the purposes of adding revenue to the Base to meet Base financial obligations.
He will make a written annual report (due June 30th) of sales, expenses, total profits and unsold
inventory to the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He will keep a record of sales,
expenses and profits by date of acquisition and date of sale. He will maintain a product sales
brochure book for members’ review at the meetings. He shall offer a display of products at each
meeting.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
Section 1.
Definitions:
A. Standing Committees are permanent committees.
B. Annual Committees are disbanded at the end of the
year.
C. Special Committees are appointed as necessary for the
Base Commander for a specific purpose
and are disestablished when that purpose has been fulfilled or deemed no longer necessary by
the E-Board.
Section 2. The Base Commander shall select a Chairman for each committee that he may appoint, and for all
Standing committees and shall serve as ex- officio chairman of all committees. The standing
committees shall be as follow:
B. Membership/publicity Committee – The Membership/Publicity Chairman is appointed by the
Base Commander. He, with other committee members, is responsible for recruiting new
members and retaining current members. He maintains accurate membership status, and shall
report the status of Bremerton Base membership at each business meeting. He is responsible
for publicizing Bremerton Base events by all available means.
C. Ways and Means Committee – Establish an annual budget and determine the methods for
acquiring the funds required to meet the expenses of the budget.
Section 3. The following are Annual Committees:
Nominations Committee - The Nominations Committee will expire at the end of the calendar
year. It shall be chaired by a member appointed by the Base Commander no later than February
1 and shall consist of three current members appointed by the Base Commander.
ARTICLE VIII. ANNUAL ELECTIONS
Section 1. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall conduct the nominations for the five elected Offices.
Section 2. The chairman of the Nominating Committee shall call for nominations of eligible candidates for the
five elected offices to all members on or before April 1. Nominations shall be submitted by any
member in good standing on or before May 1, to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee, but
only if such nominations are accompanied by a written consent of the nominee that he will accept
the nomination and serve if elected must be a member of good standing. Upon receipt of all
nominations, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall have published the names, in
alphabetical order, of all candidates properly nominated, at least thirty days prior tothe date of
elections. Additional nominations, when called for, shall be made from the floor, on the
day of the election, and shall be accepted upon the oral or written consent of the nominee that he
accepts the nomination and will serve if elected. Elections will normally be held at the business
meeting in
June. The new officers shal be installed during the month of July.
Section 3. All elections shall be by secret ballot vote of the
members in good standing.
ARTICLE IX. ORDER OF BUSINESS AT BASE MEETINGS
1. Salute to the Flag.
2. The USSVI Creed.
3. Moment of silence for our departed shipmates.
4. Tolling of the Bells for the current month.
5. Introduction of National, Regional, District and other visiting Base Officers in attendance
Stating name and office. (Shall include Bremerton Base members that may hold an upper echelon office).
6. Introduction of new members, potential new members and guests.
7. Secretary’s reading of the minutes of the last meeting.
8. Treasurer’s financial report.
9. Reports of standing committees.
10. Reports of annual committees
11. Reports of special committees.
12. Unfinished Business
13. New business:
(a) Resolutions
(b) Other business
14. Special Orders:
(a) Nominations from the floor for election of officers
(b) Validation and counting of ballots for officers
(c) Introduction of new officers
15. For the good of the Order.
16. Closing of monthly business meeting.
ARTICLE X. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the organization shall commence on the first day of January and end on the last day of December.
ARTICLE XI. BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Any member in good
standing may submit recommendations to amend these Bylaws to the E-Board
Section 2. All recommendations to amend these Bylaws shall be placed on the Base Commanders docket to be read to the membership.
Section 3. All amendments to
these Bylaws must be read at three consecutive regular meetings.
The third reading a Vote will be taken and a two-thirds majority vote 'yes'
shall be required to pass the amendment.
Section 4. All amendments certified as being passed shall become effective immediately.
Section 5. The secretary shall record in the minutes’ book the vote count pertaining to the balloting under this Article.