VETERANS FOR PEACE
Chapter 099
Asheville, North Carolina
BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Chapter 099, Veterans For Peace, Inc. (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
(a) Toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war
(b) To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations
(c) To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons
(d) To seek justice for veterans and victims of war
(e) 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. All members will act in a non-violent manner in accordance with the mission of VFP Chapter 099 when representing the organization.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership.
Membership in the chapter is gained by joining the national organization of Veterans for Peace, Inc., as a Full or Associate Member. The national office shall furnish an official roster of Chapter 99 members.
Section 2. Local Membership.
Members of Chapter 99 are requested to support the chapter by paying annual dues to be established from time to time by the chapter. Other individuals who support VFP goals and principles are welcome to attend chapter meetings and activities. Membership may not be denied because of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory practice.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meetings.
Meetings of the membership shall be held at least once monthly. Additional meetings may be called by the president or at the request of at least three members provided that members are notified at least 72 hours in advance.
Section 2. Quorum.
Six chapter members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. Voting.
Each VFP member, whether a Full or Associate member, shall be entitled to one vote on motions coming before a chapter meeting. Prior to consideration and vote on motions, each individual present, member or not, shall have an equal opportunity to speak to the motion.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS
Section 1. Office and Terms.
The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. They shall hold office for a term of one (01) year and until their successor is elected. The President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall be Full (veteran) VFP members.
Section 2. President.
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the chapter and an ex-officio member of all committees. The president shall preside at chapter meetings.
Section 3. Vice President.
The Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of that President’s absence and shall perform such other duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the President.
Section 4. Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of chapter meetings and shall also see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law. The Secretary 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 the chapter and for the performance of all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be from time-to-time prescribed by the President. The Treasurer shall submit a monthly Treasurer’s Report to the chapter membership.
Section 6. Vacancies.
Should there be a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency and shall serve until the next annual election. If the Vice President is unable to fill such vacancy, the chapter membership shall elect a President from among its members who will serve the remainder of the term being filled. Any other vacancy shall be filled by the chapter members and the successor shall hold office until the next annual election.
ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
Section 1. Executive Committee.
The officers, as described above, shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to take actions consistent with the purpose and bylaws of the chapter between chapter meetings when necessary and shall report any such actions to the next chapter meeting. The Executive Committee shall not spend or obligate more than $100 of chapter funds without a vote of the chapter.
Section 2. Formation and Reporting.
The president may appoint committees for specific purposes. Such committees may include members and nonmembers of the chapter, but formation of a committee must be approved by a vote of the chapter at a regular meeting. A committee chair shall be designated by the chapter President or, if the President so directs, elected by the committee members. The committee chair (or his or her designee) shall make regular reports to the chapter meetings as long as the committee is functioning.
Section 3. Term.
Committees shall continue to function until their tasks are completed or until discharged by the President. The need for the existence of each committee shall be reviewed by the chapter annually.
Section 4. Budget.
Committees may be assigned a budget, not to exceed $100, by the President or a larger budget by a vote of the chapter at a regular meeting. Requests by committees for additional funds must be approved by a vote of the chapter at a regular meeting.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS
Officers shall be elected annually at the September meeting of the chapter.
ARTICLE VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern VFP at any chapter meeting or committee meeting to the extent to which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
These by-laws may be amended at any chapter meeting provided notice has been provided to all chapter members at least 30 days in advance, along with the full text of the proposed change(s) and the time and place of the meeting.
ARTICLE X. FORMAL CENSURE OF A MEMBER
Chapter members may formally express their disapproval of a VFP099 member's actions that are deemed detrimental to the mission of VFP099. The following procedures shall be used to formally censure a member.
1. A formal complaint motion shall be made at a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
2. The formal complaint motion shall state in writing the exact actions that are the basis of the complaint: (a) the complaint shall identify the member involved and the time, location and relevant circumstances of the complained-of action and (b) the complaint shall state specifically why the action is considered so detrimental to the mission of VFP099 as to warrant formal censure.
3. In order to be advanced for further consideration and action, the complaint motion must receivve a "Yes" vote from a majority of members present.
4. If the complaint motion receives a "Yes" vote from a majority of members present, then a final decision on the complaint motion will be continued until the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
5. At the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the complaint motion will be brought before the members for final action. At that time, the subject of the complaint (or a representative selected by the subject of the complaint) may express opposition to the complaint motion. Grounds for opposition to the complaint motion shall be limited to the following: (a) the motion incorrectly states relevant facts and/or (b) the complained-of action is not detrimental to the mission of VFP099.
6. After any opposition to the motion from the subject of the complaint (or their representative) is presented, the members present, including the subject of the complaint, will vole on the complaint motion. Two thirds of the members present must vote "Yes" on the complaint motion in order for the complaint motion (i. e., the censure motion) to be adopted.
7. Once raised and voted upon as set out by these procedures, no further complaint motion may be made against the member who was the subject of the complaint motion on the basis of actions identified in the complaint motion.
8. The censure process will be initiated only after other efforts at resolution have been attempted.
