BYLAWS
of The POCONO BASE of UNITED
STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS, INC. (a) The name of this base of United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. shall
be "THE POCONO BASE OF UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS, INC.". ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (a) Pocono Base shall make all effort in its objectives and actions to support the principles of the creed of USSVI, to wit: " To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives
in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their
dedication, deeds, and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation
toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United
States of America and its Constitution." (b) The purpose of Pocono Base shall be to organize and promote fraternity among qualified submariners; to organize and support memorial activities which honor submarine veterans alive or dead, and to promote the education of the public regarding the deeds, exploits and sacrifices of submariners which have contributed to the history of submarines and the climate of freedom in the United States. (a) Pocono Base shall adopt no policy in conflict with any local, state,
or federal law. The fiscal year of the Pocono Base shall be from 1 January through 31 December to coincide with that of USSVI. Section 1. GENERAL (a) Membership in Pocono Base, requires concurrent membership in good
standing with USSVI. Section 2. REGULAR MEMBERS. Regular membership is restricted to men who have been designated "Qualified in Submarines" by the U.S. Navy, and/or anyone who is a regular member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of WWII. Section 3. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. (a) Qualifications for Associate Membership in Pocono Base shall be the
same as defined in Article VII, Section 6 of the Constitution of the USSVI. (a) Pocono Base membership dues will be ten ($10.00) dollars per fiscal
year. Section 1. POCONO BASE OFFICES. (a) Elected offices of the Pocono Base will be: Commander, Vice-Commander,
Secretary, and Treasurer. Section 2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (a) The Board of Directors shall direct and manage the affairs and
business of the Pocono Base. ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. BASE COMMANDER (a) Preside at all Pocono Base meetings. Section 2. BASE VICE-COMMANDER (a) Assist the Base Commander in the performance of his duties. Section 3. SECRETARY (a) Record the minutes of all Pocono Base regularly scheduled meetings and
meetings of the Board of Directors. Section 4. TREASURER (a) Assume custody and keep a record of all Pocono Base monies and assets. Section 5. GENERAL DUTIES OF ALL ELECTED OFFICERS Each officer shall: Section 6: OATH OF OFFICE Section 1. Administration Each newly elected officer shall promise to abide by the oath of office, which may be administered by any Base officer, past or present. Section 2. Oath Administrator: “ Do you promise to faithfully execute the office to which you have been elected, and will you to the best of your ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and serve the best interest of our nation; the submarine force and United States Submarine Veterans.” Office Holder reply: “I will.” Section 1. PROCEDURE Meetings of the Pocono Base shall be in keeping with the normal parliamentary procedures set down by "Robert's Rules of Order, latest revision. Section 2. SCHEDULE Pocono Base will conduct monthly meetings, at a time and place to be announced at a prior meeting and published in the newsletter. Section 3. AGENDA The agenda for regularly scheduled meetings shall be: (a) Call to Order. (i) National Officers who may be present, (e) Presentation of the Minutes for approval. Section 4. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS (a) The Base Commander shall schedule and hold Board of Directors meetings
as sufficient to meet the planning and business requirements of the Base per
Article VII, Section 2. (a) At a regular membership meeting the members present and at least two
elected officers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Section 1: ELIGIBILITY AND VALIDITY (a) In order for a vote taken on any matter at any general membership
meeting to be valid the meeting must have been announced in accordance with
Art.IX, Sect. 2. Section 2: VOTES NOT COUNTED (a) There shall be no voting by proxy. ARTICLE XII - ELECTION OF OFFICERS Section 1. NOMINATIONS & TIMING (a) The Base Commander, or an appointed committee, will solicit nominees
and present the slate of nominees to the Membership, at the January
meeting of even numbered years prior to the election. Section 2. UNFULFILLED TERMS Any vacancy in office shall be filled by appointment of the Pocono Base Commander, with approval of the Board of Directors, to complete an unfulfilled term. Section 1. PROCEDURE FOR SUBMISSION Any member in good standing may propose changes to these Bylaws by forwarding same in writing to an elected officer of the Pocono Base. Proposed amendments must include the following: (a) The Article(s) and Section(s) number of the bylaws to be affected. Section 2. NOTICE (a) These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote held at a regularly
scheduled meeting of the Pocono Base, provided that the proposed amendments
have been mailed to all members in good standing at their last known address
at least two weeks prior to such meeting. Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE Amendments, which are passed, will become effective at the close of the meeting. Section 1. DEFINITION Standing rules will be procedures and instructions for the administration and conduct of activities and business not specifically delineated elsewhere in these Bylaws. They will include, but are not limited to the operating directives for the Committees Section 2. PROMULGATION Standing Rules that are established shall be written, and considered an attachment to these Bylaws. Section 3. CHANGE PROCEDURES Standing rules may be adopted, changed, or suspended at any regular meeting, without previous notice, by regular parliamentary procedures according to Art. IX, Sect 1. ARTICLE XV [omitted due to numbering error] In the event the base dissolves or discontinues activities all assets and monies of the organization shall be turned over to the National Senior Vice-President, or as stipulated in the USSVI Bylaws. Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES The following are established as Standing Committees (a) Membership Section 2. TEMPORARY COMMITTEES Temporary committees may be established by regular voting procedures of the membership. Section 3. OPERATING REQUIREMENTS All committees shall have at least one member who has volunteered, or been assigned to perform the functions of the committee. In the case of Temporary Committees if no one assumes responsibility for the committee, then that committee and the reason for its establishment shall be dissolved. Section 4. REPORTS (a) All committees shall select a chairman who will be responsible for
preparing a report to be given by him, or another committee member, at each
regular meeting, or at the next meeting at which a report may be required
depending on the nature of the committee and the schedule of its events. ------------------ Standing rules adopted prior to 16 April 2003 Ref Art. VI (b) Persons whose membership dues have lapsed beyond 1 April shall be stricken from the regular member rolls, and the mailing list for the newsletter. Ref Art. IX, Sect. 2 The regularly scheduled meeting for Pocono Base will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1900 hours at the Pocono Pines American Legion Hall. Ref Art VII, Sect 1(f) Appointed Offices: The Board of Directors establishes the following offices: Chaplain, Chief-of-the-Boat, Storekeeper, Newsletter Editor, and Chairmen of the six standing committees listed in Art XVII, Sect I
AMENDMENTS No. 1; 2; 3 as voted upon and
accepted at the meeting on 19 May 2004 Amendment No. 1 In accordance with discussion, motion made and voice vote at the 21 January 2004 regular meeting of Pocono Base the Membership Dues section of the Base By Laws are to be revised as indicated below. The net effect of this change is that any Pocono Base member who is also a member of the Holland Club will be exempt from Base annual dues. Presently, there are five (5) Holland Club members on our rolls. Language of Change: Article VI - MEMBERSHIP DUES is amended as follows: (c) Pocono Base members who are USSVI Life members shall be subject to Base annual dues. (d) Pocono Base members who are Holland Club members shall be exempt from Base annual dues. (e) Provisions in this article may be changed by a majority vote of the members at any regularly scheduled meeting without following the notice procedure set forth in Art. XIII, Sect. 2. Description of change: (c) reworded for clarification (d) the provision as voted on at the Jan. meeting. (e) formerly Sect. (d) with rewording for clarification. Cost of change: The regular annual dues are $15.00 per man. For the year 2004 this amendment will result in a lessening of the base dues collected of $75.00. Amendment No. 2 Submitted by Jeff Owens To more accurately reflect the nature of committee business the names of
two of the standing committees are to be renamed as follows: Description of Change: Article XVII - Committees Cost of Change: No cost is expected. Amendment No. 3 Submitted by Jeff Owens In an effort to streamline the meeting agenda and eliminate some of the more mundane aspects of reading of the secretary’s minutes and any lengthy details of the treasurer’s report these items are to be posted on the base web site under development at least one week prior to the meeting, and additionally a written copy of the full minutes and report of the treasurer are to be available for inspection before the beginning of the regular meeting at which they would have been read in the past. The meeting agenda will be revised to indicate that these items are “presented for approval” without further reading. The treasurer’s comments will be limited to the expenditures and receipts of the previous month and the current balance. All members are invited and encouraged to consult either the web site or the printed copies available to fully follow base affairs. Description of Change: new wording: Article IX - Meetings, Section 3. Agenda Article VIII - Section 3. Secretary Cost of Change: No cost is expected. AMENDMENT No. 4 as voted upon and accepted at the meeting on 19 May 2010 Amendment No. 4 Submitted by Michael D. Smith In keeping with the changes made to the National By-Laws noting the change in the Submarine Veterans Creed from Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States Government to Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution and grace period for paying dues until 31 January from 31 March. Description of Change: new wording: ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (a) Pocono Base shall make all effort in its objectives and actions to support the principles of the creed of USSVI, to wit: " To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds, and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution." ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP Section 1. GENERAL (b) A member is considered "in good standing" if both USSVI national and Pocono Base dues have been paid by the 31st of January for the current year.
(b) Dues are due and payable by 31 December each year; in accordance with USSVI Bylaws dues not paid by 31 January are considered lapsed. AMENDMENT No. 5 as voted upon and accepted at the meeting on 18 May
2011 Amendment No. 5 Submitted by Michael D. Smith It was voted on and accepted by the members present at the 18 May 2011 meeting to change the Base Dues form its current payment due of fifteen ($15.00) per fiscal to ten ($10.00) per fiscal year. ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP DUES (a) Pocono Base membership dues will be ten ($10.00) dollars per fiscal year. |