Tom Sturtevant Chapter 001
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this corporation shall be Tom Sturtevant Chapter Veterans For Peace, Inc. Chapter 001 (VFP).
ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others
- To increase public awareness of the costs of war
- To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations
- To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons
- To seek justice for veterans and victims of war
- To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.
To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open with the understanding that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of promoting world peace and environmental stability.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Full Membership.
Full Members of Chapter 001 shall be veterans of the Armed Forces of the U.S., or veterans of the Armed Forces of foreign nations. They may also be Merchant Marines or other U.S. Citizens who have served in a professional capacity with or in service to the Armed Forces of the U.S. in an area and during a period of war, conflict, or other hostile activity. Full Members must subscribe to the purpose, goals, and ideals of Chapter 001 and pay annual dues. Eligibility for Full Membership shall be determined by additional rules and regulations adopted by the membership of Chapter 001.
Section 2. Associate Membership.
Associate Members of Chapter 001 shall be members who are not veterans but who subscribe to the purpose, goals, and ideals of Chapter 001 and pay annual dues. Eligibility for Associate Members shall be determined by the membership of Chapter 001.
Section 3. Honorary Membership.
Honorary Membership may be conferred by the membership of Chapter 001. Honorary Membership shall carry none of the obligations of the organization but shall entitle the holder to all the privileges except those of holding office. Honorary Membership must subscribe to the purpose, goals, and ideals of Chapter 001. Eligibility for Honorary Membership shall be determined by additional rules and regulations adopted by the membership of Chapter 001.
Section 4. Non-discriminatory practice.
Membership may not be denied because of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory purpose.
Section 5. Restriction or expulsion from membership shall be the function of National Veterans For Peace, Inc. (VFP).
Officers of Chapter 001 shall recommend restriction/expulsion of Chapter 001 members to National Veterans For Peace, Inc. stating their reasons for such action.
Section 7. Funding.
Chapter 001 shall have the power to raise funds as necessary for its operations.
ARTICLE IV. DUES
All Full and Associate Chapter 001 Memberships are contingent on the payment, in advance, of fixed dues set by the membership of Chapter 001 and shall have the authority to set rules for waiver of dues in situations it deems appropriate. Membership in National VFP, Inc., regarding dues, shall be governed by National VFP bylaws.
ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers.
The management of Chapter 001 shall be by and through the Officers of Chapter 001 who may, at their discretion, consult with the Board of Directors on specific matters with final authority to be vested in the membership of Chapter 001 membership. Officers of Chapter 001 are automatically Ex Officio members of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number and Qualifications.
The Board of Directors will consist of three (3) Directors. Members of the Board of Directors must be Full or Associate Members of Chapter 001 at the time of nomination and through their term of office. The Chapter President shall be the Chairperson of the Board.
Section 3. Term of Office.
Initially, members shall be appointed to staggered terms of three (3), two (2), and one (1) year. When a member’s term ends, an election shall be held to select a replacement on the Board. A full term of office of a Director shall be three (3) years. The term shall be from January 1 to December 31. Directors shall not serve more than two (2) full terms consecutively.
Section 4. Vacancies.
A vacancy of the Board of Directors shall arise on the death, resignation, or termination of a Director or on the inability or refusal of a Director to serve. The President may temporarily appoint a Director to fill the vacancy on the Board of Directors until the membership elects a member to the Board.
Section 5. Quorum.
A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section 6. Meetings.
The Board of Directors shall hold a regularly-scheduled meeting at least annually on a date to be determined by the Board. The President, as Chairperson of the Board, or any two (2) Directors may call special meetings of the Board.
Section 7. Notice of Special Meetings.
The President or any two (2) Board members may initiate special meetings of the Board by personally contacting all other Board members at least three (3) days prior to the suggested meeting date.
Section 8. Open Meetings.
Meetings of the Board of Directors are open to the membership. The Board shall make a report of the discussions at those meetings to the membership at the next Chapter 001 meeting.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
Section 1. Office and Terms.
The officers of Chapter 001 shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer who must be members and shall be elected by the membership of Chapter 001. They shall hold office until their successors are elected. Officers are automatically Ex Officio members of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. President.
The President shall be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall preside at all meetings of Chapter 001.
Section 3. Vice-President.
The Vice-President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence, including acting as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and shall perform other such duties as prescribed by the President.
Section 4. Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings in the manner provided by Chapter 001 for that purpose. He/she shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be from time-to-time prescribed by the President.
Section 5. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of Chapter 001 and for the performance of all duties incident to the Office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be from time-to-time as prescribed by the President. He/she shall submit a monthly Treasurer’s Report at monthly meetings. The Treasurer’s Report must be approved by the membership at regular membership meetings.
Section 6. Executive Committee.
Chapter 001 shall not have an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors mirroring the Executive Committee of National VFP. Instead, the Officers shall govern as provided for in Article V, Section 1.
Section 7. Committees.
- The Officers, Board of Directors, and the membership have the authority to form Standing Committees or temporary committees for any purpose from time-to-time and to disband committees whose purpose has been fulfilled. Currently, Standing Committees include Membership, Education, Media, Nominations, MaineShare, and Outreach. The Officers, Board of Directors, and the membership have the authority to approve the number of persons to serve on each committee as required for the purpose for which the committee is formed.
- Membership of committees shall be on a volunteer basis and shall have the power to elect a Chairperson, set the purpose and scope of its activities, and report on its activities at monthly Chapter 001 meetings. In addition, the Membership Committee shall keep a register of the mailing addresses of all members which shall be furnished to the Membership Committee by such members.
Section 8. Vacancies.
Should there be a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice-President shall succeed to the Presidency and shall serve until the next membership election. Other vacancies shall be filled by elections at monthly membership meetings.
Section 9. Raise Funds.
The membership shall have the power to raise funds for approved projects or purposes from appropriate sources as necessary to its operations.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS
Elections may be held at any time upon a vacancy of any established Chapter 001 position due to any reason. All Members and Associate Members are eligible to vote for persons nominated by the members. Additional positions may be added from time-to-time upon the vote of the membership.
ARTICLE VIII. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Chapter 001 normally meets on the last Thursday of the month at a location announced at the conclusion of each monthly meeting and will also be listed on the official Chapter 001 website.
ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of Chapter 001 shall be from January 1 through December 31 of the same year.
ARTICLE X. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern proceedings in Chapter 001at any meeting or committee meeting in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws. Respectful consensus shall be the governing principle of the Chapter and, if necessary, a majority of the assembled membership shall resolve disputes.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Proposed bylaw changes must be advertised at least one (1) month in advance of the meeting where such changes shall be discussed. All proposed changes or amendments shall be agreed to by a majority vote of members in attendance at the succeeding meeting.
