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Proud
 to Have Served
Franklin Veterans Club
Bylaws
(as amended December 6, 2007)

Articles
 


















ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the “Franklin Veterans Club,” Incorporated.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

          Section 1.  The purpose of this organization is to contribute to the general welfare of the community and especially to the welfare of distressed veterans and their families.

          Section 2.  To promote the cause and well being of members of the Franklin Veterans Club.

          Section 3. To hold, lease, buy and sell real estate and to do all things necessary to carry out the purpose of the organization.

          Section 4.  To support the community in the following manner:

        a.     Scouting
        b.     Little League
        c.     Farm League
        d.     Continuing Education Grants Program
        e.     Annual Children’s Christmas Party
        f.      Annual Fruit Baskets to the Elderly
        g.     Memorial Day Observances
        h.     Any charitable non-profit organization which supports the
                community and requests contributions from the Franklin
                Veterans Club
        And any other charity or activity deemed appropriate by the membership.



ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP  

Section 1. The Club will allow four categories of members:

a. Regular Members.

(1) All veterans who have honorably served in the Armed Forces for at least 180 days and have been Honorably Discharged from service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America or Allied Forces shall be eligible for Regular Membership.

(2) Persons now in service with the Armed Forces of the United States shall also be eligible for Regular Membership, provided they have served for 180 days.

(3) All candidates for Regular Membership must show proof of honorable military service. Any valid active duty, reserve, or retired military ID card is sufficient proof. Additionally, form DD-214 may be submitted as proof provided that it reflects an honorable discharge and includes the applicant’s final date of service.

(4) A candidate becomes a Regular Member upon paying his or her initial membership fee and yearly dues and being accepted by the membership by secret majority vote at a stated or annual meeting.

(5) Regular Members have full voting privileges.

(6) Certain Regular Members have been assigned Life Membership. Annual dues are waived for all Life Members.


b. Widow/Widower Members.

(1) As courtesy and an honor, the Club will grant Widow/Widower Membership to spouses of Regular Members who die with their membership in good standing.

(2) Widow/Widower Members do not have voting privileges and will not be charged annual dues. Their membership shall be for life or until resignation.

(3) Widow/Widower Members shall have the same access to the club as Regular Members and will be subject to all the provisions of Article III, Section 2.

c. Associate Members.

(1) Individuals may be nominated for Associate Membership by any regular member and approved for membership by a two-thirds secret majority vote of the membership at any annual or stated meeting. There is no specific eligibility criterion, however the membership should take into consideration the below list of factors which should not be deemed exclusive:

(a) Contributions or potential contributions to the club.

(b) Character.

(c) Demonstrated behavior and decorum.

(d) Service to the community.

(2) Associate Members will be assessed the same dues and have the same access to the facilities as Regular Members and will be subject to all the provisions of Article III, Section 2. Additionally, Associate Members are required to physically attend at least two stated meetings during each calendar year. For purposes of this section, attendance at the Annual Meeting shall be counted as attendance at a stated meeting. If this requirement is not met, the Associate Member's membership may be terminated by action of the Board of Directors.

(3) The number of Associate Members shall be limited to 20.

(4) Associate Members do not have voting privileges.

d. Special Associate Members.

(1) The Board of Directors may appoint individuals, from time to time as needed, as Special Associate Members. Persons in this category will be those workers and other functionaries who are required by law to have Associate Membership in order to fulfill their club related duties and responsibilities. Access to the club and privileges will be granted and modified by the President as authorized by the Board of Directors. Special Associate Members will not be assessed any dues or fees and their membership will be for a period of one year only, renewable annually by majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may terminate a Special Associate membership at any time by majority vote.

(2) Special Associate Members do not have voting privileges.

Section 2. Any member found to be guilty of conduct unbecoming a member of the Franklin Veterans Club may be disciplined by loss of membership or lesser punitive action by the Board of Directors. Members in good standing shall not lose their membership until given a hearing in accordance with the provisions of this section. However, the Board of Directors may, at their discretion, accept the conviction of a member of a felony as prima facie evidence of conduct unbecoming a member of the club and, without a formal hearing, terminate the individual's membership.

a. Accusations against members shall be made in writing, shall bear the signature of the accuser, and shall be delivered to the President.

b. The President shall appoint a Conduct Review Committee to investigate, report their findings, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The latter shall either dismiss the accusations, prefer formal charges against the accused member to terminate his or her membership, or impose lesser punitive action.

c. When formal charges to terminate a membership have been preferred, the Board of Directors shall appoint a special Membership Review Committee to hear the case. The Membership Review Committee shall consist of no less than five nor more than nine members and shall include no more than two members who are Directors.

d. A true copy of the formal charges to terminate membership shall be delivered to the accused (in hand or by registered mail) stating a definite date, time, and place for the accused to appear before the Membership Review Committee for a hearing. The accused shall be allowed a reasonable time to prepare a proper defense, but not beyond two weeks. When formal charges to terminate a membership have been preferred, the member shall be temporarily suspended from membership and shall remain in that status pending final determination of the case. Failure to appear before the Membership Review Committee shall result in presumption of guilt.

e. The Membership Review Committee shall either dismiss the formal charges or approve termination of the membership and deliver their decision to the Board of Directors for action.

f. At the next stated meeting after any action is imposed, the individual shall have the right to appeal any punitive action by the Board of Directors or the decision of the Membership Review Committee to terminate membership. For the appeal to be heard by the members, written notice of the intent to appeal must be received by the President in advance of the next stated meeting. The members may set aside punitive action imposed by the Board of Directors or the decision of the Membership Review Committee by a two-thirds vote.



ARTICLE IV: DUES

        Section 1.  The dues per year for each member shall be voted by the membership, which becomes due at the Annual Meeting, plus $10.00 initial membership fee. Any member who has not paid his/her dues by December 31st of the current year shall lose his/her good standing.

         Section 2.  Any member who is two years behind in dues may be terminated from membership by vote at an annual or stated meeting. Any member terminated for dues in arrears may rejoin the club only by completing the entire new member application process. 

         Section 3.  All members will be assessed a $1.00 fee for an electronic access card to the clubhouse.



ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

        Section 1. The Annual Meeting shall be held on the first (1st) Thursday of January, except when the first Thursday falls on New Year’s Day, in which case the Annual Meeting will be held on the following Thursday. This meeting shall be at 6:30 p.m. at the place designated by the Directors as the Clubhouse, at which meeting not less than five (5) or more than ten (10) Directors, a President, a Vice President, a Clerk, and a Treasurer shall be chosen by secret ballot. Any other business which might come before the meeting shall also be acted upon.

        Section 2.  Stated meetings shall be held on the first (1st) Thursday of each month, except when the first Thursday falls on a holiday or immediately precedes a holiday, in which case the stated meeting will be held on the following Thursday. These meetings shall be at 6:30 p.m. at the place designated by the directors as the Clubhouse, at which meeting any officer might be elected by written ballot to fill such post which has been vacated by death or resignation. Any other business, other than the general election of officers, which might come before the meeting may also be acted upon.

         Section 3.   The date and/or time of the annual and stated meetings may only be rescheduled in the event of adverse circumstances and then only by two thirds vote of the Board of Directors.  Special meetings shall be held at such times and places designated by the president, with the approval of the directors, to act upon any business that might come before the meeting other than election of officers or amendments to the By-Laws.


ARTICLE VI: QUORUM

         Section 1.  At all meetings of the organization, ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum.

         Section 2.  At all meetings of the Directors, a majority shall constitute a quorum.

         Section 3.  Majority rules.



ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

         Section 1.  The elected officers of the organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Clerk, Treasurer, (and a Board of not less than five or more than ten Directors), who shall hold office for one year or until their successors are chosen at the next Annual Meeting. Vacancies caused by deaths or resignations may be filled at stated meetings.

         Section 2.  The appointed officers of this organization shall consist of a Chaplin, Public Relations Officer, Service Officer, Provost Marshal, First Lieutenant, Club Manager, and such other officers that the Directors might deem necessary to carry out the business of the organization. All said officers are appointed by the Directors for the duration of the year, but may be removed or replaced at pleasure by the Directors.

        Section 3.  All Elected Officers and all Appointed Officers must be voting members in good standing except for the Club Manager who may alternatively be an Associate Member.

        Section 4.  Any elected or appointed officer of the Franklin Veterans Club may be removed from office for failure to perform the duties of the office to which elected or appointed. Such removal shall be by two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors  is authorized to define, in each case, what constitutes failure to perform the duties of said office.



ARTICLE VIII: PRESIDENT

         Section 1.  The President of this organization, who shall also be a Director, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall be President of the Board of Directors.

          Section 2.  The President shall preside at all meetings and shall authorize all checks made out by the Treasurer.

          Section 3.  The President of this organization, subject to vote of the members, shall sign all contracts, deeds, and other instruments in writing relating to the property and business of this organization.

          Section 4.  The President shall appoint the temporary officers needed to fill positions of absent officers, and shall also appoint members to such committees as the President or the Board of Directors deem necessary to carry out the business of the organization.

          Section 5.  The President, with the approval of the Directors, shall call such Special Meetings as he deems necessary to carry out the business of the organization.



ARTICLE IX: VICE PRESIDENT

          Section 1.  The Vice President of this organization, who shall also be a Director, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall fill the chair in the absence of the President.

          Section  2. The Vice President shall be responsible for processing all membership applications, collecting dues, maintaining all membership records, and controlling member access to the club.  




ARTICLE X: TREASURER

          Section 1.  The Treasurer of this organization, who shall also be a Director, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting.

          Section 2.  The Treasurer of this organization annually, and more frequently as may be required by the Directors shall make a full and clear statement of the financial condition of the organization and all the assets of every description. He/she shall keep proper books which at all times shall be open to the inspection of the Directors.

          Section 3.  The Treasurer shall have the custody of the funds, under the direction of its Board of Directors.



ARTICLE XI: CLERK

          Section 1.  The Clerk of the organization, who shall also be a Director, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting.

          Section 2.  The Clerk shall be present at all meetings and shall keep an accurate account of the proceedings at such meetings in books provided for the purpose, which shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of the members.

Section 3.  In the absence of the Clerk from any meeting, a temporary Clerk shall be appointed who shall record such proceedings in the aforesaid books.



ARTICLE XII: APPOINTED OFFICERS

          Section 1.  The Chaplin shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible after the annual election. He or she shall offer prayer at the opening and closing of meetings and at such other times that may be desirable.

          Section 2.  The Public Relations Officer shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible after the annual election. He/she shall keep in contact with the press and public and give out such information concerning the organization’s meetings and plans that require publicity and advertising.

          Section 3.  The Service Officer shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible after the annual election. He/she shall be a liaison between the organization and any veteran or family that requires or desires aid or information.

Section 4.  The Provost Marshal and at least one Assistant, shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible after the annual election. It shall be their duty, with the aid of all the members, to keep order at the organization’s meetings and functions.

          Section 5. The First Lieutenant shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible after the Annual Election. It shall be the First' Lieutenant's duty to order supplies and to see to the maintenance of the club building, grounds, and equipment. The First Lieutenant shall report directly to the Board of Directors and will attend all meetings of the Board of Directors.

          Section 6.   The Club Manager shall be appointed by the Board of Director’s as soon as possible after the Annual Election. It shall be the Club Managers’ duty to see to the ordering of supplies, rental of the hall, and any other duties that the Directors may assign.

          Section 7.   Any other officer may be appointed by the Board of Directors which it deems necessary to carry out the business of the organization.



ARTICLE XIII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

          Section 1.  The election of a Board of not less than five or more than ten Directors shall act after the Annual meeting and appoint all other officers which are necessary to carry out the business of the organization. It is its duty to inspect the Treasurer’s books, make sure of  the eligibility of candidates, designate meeting places for annual and stated meetings, appoint committees which it might deem necessary.



ARTICLE XIV: POWERS OF THE MEMBERS

          All the powers of this organization, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or by these By-Laws, are vested in the members at the meeting.



ARTICLE XV: TWO-THIRDS VOTE

         These By-Laws may be altered, amended, diminished, or enlarged at any annual or stated meeting of this organization by two-thirds of the members present, providing the resolution or motion for such amendment has been voted on and passed by a majority of the members at the previous annual or stated meeting.



ARTICLE XVI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

          Section 1.  The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with other adopted rules.