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Veterans For Peace Chapter 111 Bylaws
Adopted at August 5, 2024 Meeting ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this corporation shall be Veterans For Peace, Inc. Chapter 111 (VFP-111). 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 1. To increase public awareness of the costs of war; 2. To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations; 3. To resist racism and repression in our home communities; 4. To oppose the militarization of law enforcement; 5. To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons; 6. To seek justice for veterans and victims of war; and 7. 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. (Amended August 2016) ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Full Membership. Full Members of Chapter 111 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 VFP and pay annual dues. Eligibility for Full Membership shall be determined by additional rules and regulations adopted by the VFP Board of Directors. Section 2. Associate Membership. Associate Members of VFP shall be members who are not veterans but who subscribe to the purpose, goals, and ideals of VFP and pay annual dues. Eligibility for Associate membership shall be determined by additional rules and regulations adopted by the VFP Board of Directors. Section 3. Non-discriminatory practice. Membership may not be denied because of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory purpose. Section 4. Restriction or expulsion from membership shall be the function of National Veterans For Peace, Inc. (VFP). Officers of Chapter 111 shall recommend restriction/expulsion of Chapter 111 members to National Veterans For Peace, Inc. stating their reasons for such action. Section 5. Funding. Chapter 111 shall have the power to raise funds as necessary for its operations. ARTICLE IV. DUES 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 VFP-111 shall be by and through the Board of Directors. Section 2. Number and Qualifications. The Board of Directors will consist of five (5) Directors. Members of the Board of Directors must be Full or Associate Members of Chapter 111 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. As of 2024, directors will have terms of 2 years starting on Jan 1 of 2025 through December 31 of 2026, and continuing in rotation until the bylaws are adjusted. An election will be held in October of even numbered years to allow for two months of mentoring as needed. Directors shall not serve more than 54 consecutive months in the same role, but are eligible for election back to a previous positions after a minimum of 12 months have passed. Section 4. Vacancies. Members of the board may resign at any time and a new board member will be elected to finish out the term, unless there is less than 6 months of the term remaining in which case the newly elected board member will complete the current term and serve for the following full term. Board members may take a leave of absence as need and without advance notice to attend to personal issues. They must provide the remaining board with any notes or scheduling that will be needed during their absence. The Treasurer may have extra steps to take before their leave of absence to assure that financial issues are responsible addressed. If the leave of absence extends for more than 180 days, the remaining board will discuss and vote on the need for replacement. In urgent situations, when a vacancy occurs due to the death, resignation, or termination of a Director or on the inability or refusal of a Director to serve, the board may temporarily appoint a Director to fill the vacancy on the Board of Directors until an election can be held. Urgent situations are not defined here but may include situations such as a global pandemic, infrastructure failure, or other interference with the ability to follow procedures established in the bylaws. Section 5. Quorum. Two members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. Determinations by the board or by the full membership will finalized on the first Monday of each month by 9PM local time. When possible, issues will be available for discussion via email, newsletter, or website no later than the 25th of the preceding month. This will permit discussion and debate before a vote is held during the monthly meeting. In recognition of health and transportation challenges, electronic and proxy voting will be allowed until 8:59 PM local time. Procedures for management of electronic/proxy voting will be available on the website in advance of each vote. Section 6. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall hold regularly-scheduled check-ins during the month of January, April, July, and October. The purpose of these check-ins will be to assure that each board member has the tools and information that they need for the projects that they are working on. Other members will be included in the check in as needed for success of ongoing projects. When possible, this check in will be conducted by the President and/or Vice-President through whatever communication means are available to each individual with a check in summary shared at the following monthly meeting. Section 7. Notice of Special Meetings. The President, as Chairperson of the Board, or any two (2) Directors may call special meetings of the Board. Meetings may be in person or virtual, and will utilize technical options available to the attendees. When possible, all Board members will be notified at least three (3) days prior to the suggested meeting date. Section 8. Open Meetings. Monthly meetings are open to the membership. The Board shall make a report of quarterly check-ins, special meetings, and official discussions at those meetings to the membership at the next Chapter 111 meeting. This information will be included in the meeting minutes that will be shared online by the 2nd Monday of the month. ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS Section 1. Office and Terms. The officers of Chapter 111 shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer who must be members and shall be elected by the membership of Chapter 111. They shall hold office until their successors are elected. 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 111. 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 Board meetings in the manner provided by Chapter 111 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 111 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 Financial Report at monthly meetings. Section 6. Executive Committee. Chapter 111 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. Vacancies. Should there be a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice-President shall succeed to the Presidency and shall serve until the next Board membership election. Other vacancies shall be filled by elections at monthly membership meetings. Section 8. 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 111 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 111 normally meets on the first Monday of the month at a location announced at the conclusion of each monthly meeting and will also be listed on the official Chapter 111 website. ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year of Chapter 111 shall be from January 1 through December 31 of the same year. ARTICLE X. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Decisions related to the daily management of the Chapter will be made by discussion and consensus of the board. These discussions may take place in person or through other communication. In the case that board agreement cannot be attained, the issue may be brought to the Chapter membership for a vote, by which majority will decide. If a decision by the board is not satisfactory to the Chapter membership by reason of non-compliance with the Statement of Purpose as written in the bylaws, it may be brought to the membership for a vote to change the decision. Issues brought before the membership will be allotted not less than two weeks for conversation before voting. Voting on open issues will occur during regular meetings. When available, online surveys will allow for votes to be cast and the online voting will close at 11:59 PM on the date of the regular meeting. Online voting, when offered, must be available for the duration of the conversation period. Individual accommodations will be provided as need for members not comfortable with online voting/discussion. The intention of this provision is inclusion and not favoritism. 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. Article XII. FUNDING Veterans For Peace, Inc. Chapter 111 (VFP-111) shall not solicit funding from individuals, corporations, or government entities whose actions or policies are judged by the Board to be antithetical to the Veterans For Peace Statement of Purpose (Article II) or mission. The Board may review donations received and may return any donation(s) deemed to have been made in bad faith. |
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Chapter 111 Bylaws
Adopted June 16, 2017
ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this corporation shall be Veterans For Peace, Inc. Chapter 111 (VFP-111).
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; and
- 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 111 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 111 and pay annual dues.
Section 2. Associate Membership.
Associate Members of Chapter 111 shall be members who are not veterans but who subscribe to the purpose, goals, and ideals of Chapter 111 and pay annual dues.
Section 3. Non-discriminatory practice.
Membership may not be denied because of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory purpose.
Section 4. Restriction or expulsion from membership shall be the function of National Veterans For Peace, Inc. (VFP).
Officers of Chapter 111 shall recommend restriction/expulsion of Chapter 111 members to National Veterans For Peace, Inc. stating their reasons for such action.
Section 5. Funding.
Chapter 111 shall have the power to raise funds as necessary for its operations.
ARTICLE IV. DUES
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 VFP-111 shall be by and through the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number and Qualifications.
The Board of Directors will consist of five (5) Directors. Members of the Board of Directors must be Full or Associate Members of Chapter 111 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 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 two (2) 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 regularly-scheduled meetings at least quarterly 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 111 meeting.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
Section 1. Office and Terms.
The officers of Chapter 111 shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer who must be members and shall be elected by the membership of Chapter 111. They shall hold office until their successors are elected.
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 111.
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 Board meetings in the manner provided by Chapter 111 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 111 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 Financial Report at monthly meetings.
Section 6. Executive Committee.
Chapter 111 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. Vacancies.
Should there be a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice-President shall succeed to the Presidency and shall serve until the next Board membership election. Other vacancies shall be filled by elections at monthly membership meetings.
Section 8. 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 111 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 111 normally meets on the third Friday of the month at a location announced at the conclusion of each monthly meeting and will also be listed on the official Chapter 111 website.
ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of Chapter 111 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 111 at 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.