Navy League
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Navy League of the United States
By Capt Rod Stewart, USN (Ret)
With the encouragement and support of President Theodore Roosevelt, The Navy League of the United States was formed to disseminate to citizens of our nation information concerning the condition of our naval and maritime forces. The objective and purpose of the Navy League was simple – to educate and motivate the American people.
The Navy League’s original mission translates into two main initiatives: First, our public education efforts are designed to inform the nation, and our political leaders, of the vital importance of comprehensive and fully prepared sea services. Secondly, through a network of 330 councils in the United States and around the world, to provide support for active duty sea services personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and their families . Hence, our membership includes citizens from all walks of life, in business and in public service, as well as retired and reserve military personnel.
In keeping with its educational objective, the Navy League also supports America’s young people through impressive youth programs, including sponsorship of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy League Scholarship Program.
Over the years the Navy League has compiled an impressive record of achievements in meeting this challenge. Today the Navy League conducts local, national and international educational programs aimed at understanding and garnering support for America’s maritime services, for the people who serve in them and for their families, for they also serve who only stand and wait.
The heart of the Navy League is the individual Council . Each council adopts the projects most directly related the each community and includes commitments to:
• Educate community leaders about the importance of sea power to our nation's survival and continued prosperity;
• Directly support the men and women serving in the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine;
• Support Sea Service family members - the parents, spouses, children and other relatives of service members; and
• Support the youth of our communities by giving time, talent and money to the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Naval & Marine Corps Junior ROTC units.
Navy League councils bring to life our motto ... "Citizens in Support of the Sea Services", The New Mexico Council is no exception in the pervasiveness of our endeavors; the most notable one being the activities of the USS NEW MEXICO (SSN 779) Committee of the New Mexico Council. Chaired by former submariner Dick Brown the “779 Committee” facilitated and coordinated a wide range of activities in support of the naming, construction, and support of the crew as well as fund raising for the commissioning ceremony held in Norfolk, Virginia on March 27, 2010.
BYLAWS
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES, NEW MEXICO COUNCIL
ARTICLE I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1
In addition to supplementing the Council Articles, these bylaws are intended to supplement the National Bylaws of the Navy League, and regulations governing local councils as promulgated by the Navy League of the United States.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
Classes of membership are as established in the National Bylaws. To be eligible for membership in this council, one must be a member of the national organization. No person shall be denied membership due to sex, race, color, or religion.
Section 2
Dues shall be in the amount set by the national organization for each established class of membership;, such dues to be paid directly to the National Headquarters. Council dues may be, established by the council Board of Directors. The council Treasurer shall solicit dues from the council members each January and maintain a list ofthose members who have paid the annual local dues.
Section 3
Members whose dues payments are current shall he considered Members in Good Standing, and shall have all resulting rights and privileges of membership, including the right to vote and to serve as council Officers and/or on the council Board of Directors.
Section 4
An individual's membership may be terminated for failure to pay required dues or assessments. In addition, a member may resign by forwarding a resignation in writing to the National Corporate Secretary, with a copy to the council President. Such resignations shall be effective when received by the National Corporate Secretary unless otherwise indicated in the letter of resignation.
Section 5
Any outstanding person who has shown and expressed unusual interest in this council and who has performed great service to the United States Navy shall be eligible for honorary membership upon unanimous approval of the council members present at a regular monthly meeting. No dues shall be assessed against such honorary members. Honorary members are privileged to take part in all social activities of the council, but shall not be eligible to vote or to hold regular office in the council.
ARTICLE III - PROHIBITIONS
Section 1
No officer or member of the council shall undertake in the name of the council or the Navy League any action intended to prejudice the aims of and the established
policies of the council or the Navy League and no member shall communicate with any Department of the United States government in the name of the Navy League on general policy matters without the approval of the council President and the National President.
Section 2
No use may be made of the Navy League name, logo, seal, or other symbol or indicia of the League, including lists of members' names and addresses, for any purpose other than direct fulfillment of the mission of the Navy League.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1
The New Mexico Council shall have the following elected officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The President may appoint a Judge Advocate.
Section 2
The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, the immediate past president if he or she is willing to serve, the regional Navy League Director and any former national Navy League Director if he or she is willing to serve. In addition, the Board shall have the following directors who shall be appointed by the President: a Judge Advocate and all chairmen of committees that are designated in these Bylaws as standing committees.
Section 3
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board at least 60 days before the annual meeting. It shall select at least one nominee for each office. Its nominations shall be disclosed in the announcement for the annual meeting along with a notice that nominations may also be made from the floor. No member of the Nominating Committee shall be eligible for election as an officer.
Section 4
The officers of the council shall be elected for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. The President shall not be elected from more than two consecutive terms.
Section 5
The officers shall be elected by a vote of the membership at the annual meeting in December of each year. New officers shall assume the duties of office effective on January 1 following the annual meeting.
ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1
The control and management of this council's assets and affairs shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board may adopt Bylaws and regulations or delegate its authority to the elected Officers and such other council members as it so desires: Council Bylaws and amendments must be consistent with national Bylaws and with the policies, purposes and objectives of the Navy League.
Section 2
The President shall direct the activities of the council; preside at meetings including those of the Board of Directors; appoint committee chairmen; assure compliance with National Bylaws and Regulations governing local councils; submit the council's annual report and other reports requested by higher authority; represent the council in public affairs and in national, region, and state organization activities.
Section 3
The Vice President shall preside over the Board in the President's absence and represent the Council when the President is unable to attend.
Section 4
The Secretary shall maintain council records such as Bylaws. Minutes of meetings, election results and an accurate membership roster, prepare an annual report to the council membership; handle correspondence as designated by the President; and provide appropriate notice of meetings.
Section 5
The Treasurer of the council shall maintain all financial records of council funds; establish the council's bank accounts, obtain Board of Directors approval for all disbursements; prepare and oversee the council's budget; submit a monthly report to the Board of Directors and an annual report to the membership; and prepare the financial portion ofthe council's annual report.
Section 6
The Judge Advocate shall advise the council President and Officers on legal matters affecting the council and interpret Bylaws and Regulations.
Section 7
In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of an officer, such vacancy shall he filled by approval of the Board of Directors with a candidate proposed by the President at the next regular meeting of the Board or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES
Section 1
An Executive Committee, chaired by the President, shall consist of the elected officers. The Executive Committee shall handle emergency matters that may occur between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to ratification by the Board at its next meeting.
Section 2
The Scholarship Committee shall be responsible for coordinating and awarding scholarships as establish by the Board of Directors.
Section 3
The Membership Standing Committee shall be responsible for member recruitment through publicity and other programs.
Section 4
The Programs and Activities Standing Committee shall arrange for programs and social activities including the Navy Ball.
Section 5
The Public Affairs Standing Committee shall coordinate all publicity including contributions to Sea Power Magazine.
Section 6
The USS New Mexico (SSN 779) Standing Committee shall coordinate all activities involving and supporting the crew of the USS New Mexico. The USS New Mexico (SSN 779) Committee shall manage funds entrusted to it by the Board of Directors in accordance an established budget. A copy of the Committee Budget will be provided to the Board of Directors. In order to respond quickly to needed expenditures, the committee shall operate within its own means, managing its resources with care and diligence. For expenditures that are less than $1000, the committee shall submit requests for payment to the Council Treasurer. For expenditures greater than $1000, the committee shall obtain Board of Director's approval. The .Board of Directors may approve the Committee Budget in advance, and thereby, provide approval for planned expenses. The committee shall submit bills to be paid, and cash and checks to be deposited, on a timely basis.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section 1
The Board of Directors shall normally meet on a monthly basis but may meet as infrequently as quarterly. A simple majority of the currently serving members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. The Secretary will maintain a list of currently serving members of the Board of Directors. Upon written request to the President by any three members of the Board of Directors, the President shall call, within three weeks, a meeting of the Board of Directors. Should the President fail to call such meeting so requested within the prescribed time, the requestors may issue such call, reciting the Presidents failure, and any meeting held pursuant to such call shall be a legal meeting and its acts and proceedings as valid and binding as though such meeting had been called by the President.
Section 2
The general membership of this council shall meet at least twice a year upon call by the President. Twenty members shall constitute a quorum. The Annual Meeting of Members shall be held in December of each year. At this meeting, the President, Treasurer and Secretary shall submit their annual reports to the members. Elections for council Officers and Directors for the subsequent fiscal year also shall be held at this meeting.
Section 3
Minutes of all meetings ofthe Board and general membership will be recorded by the Secretary, or an Acting Secretary, and copies thereof provided upon request.
Section 4
The rules set forth in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order that the council may adopt.
ARTICLE VIII - FISCAL YEAR
Section 1
The fiscal year of the council shall confonn to that of the Navy League of the United States National Headquarters (the calendar year).
ARTICLE IX - EXPENDITURES
Section 1
No money shall be authorized to be expended and no contract or obligation incurred in the name of or on behalf of this council beyond the money actually in hand, appropriated and set aside for the purpose.
ARTICLE X - GENDER
Section 1
Whenever the masculine form is used herein, the feminine form is intended to he included.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
Section 1
These Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board at which a quorum of the Board is present and providing notice of the proposed amendments is given in writing before such meeting.
ARTICLE XII - ADDRESS
Section 1
The council shall at all times maintain a post office box as its official address for the receipt of mail.
ARTICLE XIII - RATIFICATION
Section 1
These Bylaws have been adopted by vote of the Navy League of the United States New Mexico Council on November 14,2006 and were amended on April 2, 2012.
Section 2
A copy of these Bylaws has been placed in the minutes and records of the council.
