VVA 1076 BYLAWS

Vietnam Veterans of America

Chapter 1076

Bylaws

ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose

A.    This body shall be known as the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1076, Inc., and is established under the laws of the State of Nevada and pursuant to the authority of the Constitution of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. and is hereafter referred to as the chapter.   

B.     The purposes of the Chapter are those prescribed by the Articles of Incorporation and by the Constitution of the Vietnam Veterans of America Inc.

ARTICLE II - Membership

A.    The requirements for membership in the chapter are the same as the requirements for the Vietnam Veterans of America Inc.

B.     Any member in good standing with the National organization may become a member of the Chapter by making a written request to the Chapter.

C.    Should any member in good standing become hospitalized or incarcerated, any dues that come due during such period of hospitalization or incarceration shall be waived. The Board of Directors has the discretion to waive the dues for any member at its sole discretion.

ARTICLE III - Officers

A.    The Officers of the Chapter shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Secretary.  The Officers shall be elected from among the members in good standing of the Chapter by the members present, in person, and entitled to vote at the annual meeting of the members, or as hereinafter provided. 

B.     No officer or Director shall hold more than one elected office identified in paragraph III, A, above, at a time.

C.    With the exception of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Duties of Officers are described in Article III Section 6 of the Constitution of Vietnam Veterans of America Inc.

D.    Sergeant-at- Arms:  The Sergeant-at-arms shall have the authority to keep order at all functions of the Chapter.  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall have the power to remove any and all members or guests that cause disruption of any event or meeting.  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall perform such other duties as the Board of directors may from time to time prescribe. 

E.     Only the treasurer and president are authorized to sign checks for the Chapter. Anyone authorized the sign checks for the Chapter shall be bonded. The level of bonding shall be determined by the Board of Directors. If the level of bonding specified by the Board exceeds the coverage provided by Vietnam Veterans of America Inc, then the cost of such bonding will be paid by the Chapter. In the event that either the president or treasurer is not available to sign checks, the Board of Directors may authorize another officer of the Chapter to temporarily sign checks. The officer so designated and the duration of his/her authorization shall be announced at the next regular Chapter meeting and shall be made part of the official minutes of that meeting.

ARTICLE IV - Board of Directors

A.    The membership of the Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers set forth in paragraph IV, B, below, and those Directors elected from the membership at large as specified in paragraph IV, C , below. The number of at large Directors shall be determined by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership.

B.     The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant at Arms shall be members of the Board of Directors and their terms of directorship shall be conterminous with that of the office held. 

C.    The Directors shall be elected from among the members in good standing of the Chapter by the members present, in person, and entitled to vote at the annual meeting of the members, or as hereinafter provided.  Each director shall hold office for a 1, 2 or 3 year term as determined by the Chapter, and until his or her successor is elected and has qualified.  A Director may succeed himself or herself any number of times.

D.    The duties of the Board of Directors members are described in Article III Section 5 of the Constitution of Vietnam Veterans of America Inc.   

ARTICLE V

Meetings

A.    Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held on such date as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Chapter and announced to the members at a Chapter meeting, or by notice to the members at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

B.     A quorum for the regular meeting shall be at least five (5) members not excluding the Officers. 

C.    No alcoholic beverages will be consumed at any meeting.  Any person who admits, or is believed to be intoxicated by a majority of the Officers present will not be allowed to participate in a chapter meeting and may be asked to leave.

D.    There is a no smoking policy in effect during meetings.

E.     Derogatory language toward any Vietnam and Vietnam era veteran or their families or guest at Chapter 1076 regular or Board of Directors meetings will not be tolerated.  Profanity will not be allowed. 

 Section 1 – Annual meeting

The annual meeting of the members of the Chapter shall be held in April of each year on a day and at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Chapter for the purpose of electing Officers, each for a one-(1) or two-(2)-year term as determined by the Chapter; Nominating Committee members, each for a one-(1), or two-(2)-year term as determined by the Chapter; Directors, each for a one-(1), two-(2), or three-(3) year term as determined by the Chapter; State Council delegates, who shall be elected for a term of two (2) years at the annual meeting occurring in each even-numbered year; and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

The duration of terms of offices for officers, election committee and directors will be recommended by the election committee and approved by the membership at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting. The election committee will present a slate of candidates for all elected offices no later than 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Those nominated must provide a copy of his/her DD 214 if not already on record with the chapter Secretary. Nominations for any office may be made by any member at the annual meeting. Election results will be reported in accordance with Article III, Section 9 of the National Constitution. Notice of the annual meeting will be accomplished by personal delivery, mail, email or phone call no more than 50 nor less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Records

A.    All records over one (1) year old shall be maintained in one or more locations to be designated by the board of directors.

B.     All records less than one (1) year old shall be maintained with the respective officer.

ARTICLE VII

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year for this chapter is specified in Article III, Section 10 of the National Constitution, Vietnam Veterans of America.

ARTICLE VIII

Amendments

These bylaws or provisions hereof, may be altered, amended, or repealed, or new provisions added hereto, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting at any regular meeting provided, however that any such proposed amendment is read in its entirety at two (2) regular meetings.