Preamble: In the spirit of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America, we do affix and establish these bylaws of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), Sacramento Valley, California chapter.
Article I – Name: Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Sacramento Valley Veterans, a Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights. In these bylaws, it is also referred to as Sacramento Valley Veterans.
Article II – Purpose: Section 1. The mission of the Sacramento Valley Veterans, a Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights is to provide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) veterans and service members in the Sacramento Valley representation, advocacy and involvement in the local community. We, the service members and veterans of the United States military, along with our civilian allies, promote equality and equal rights and treatment for all LGBT veterans and service members. We work to provide a legal, emotional and social environment in which to achieve the above objectives.
Article III – Articles and Regulations taking precedence: Section 1. Since Sacramento Valley Veterans is a subsidiary of AVER Inc., all actions of Sacramento Valley Veterans shall be consistent with the policies and procedures of AVER Inc.
Article IV – Statement of Non-Discrimination: Section 1. Sacramento Valley Veterans, its officers, agents, and members, will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnic or cultural heritage, place of national origin, ancestry, religion, age, economic or marital status, gender or gender identification, sexual orientation, or actual perceived differences in physical or other capacity.
Article V – Membership: Section 1. Membership in Sacramento Valley Veterans will not be constructed as defining or suggesting an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identification.
Section 2. Any person who subscribes to the stated purpose of the Sacramento Valley Veterans shall be eligible for membership in the Sacramento Valley Veterans.
Section 3. Every person who is eligible to be a member of the Sacramento Valley Veterans and who has paid annual dues shall be a member in good standing. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee, shall determine questions of eligibility.
Section 4. In order to be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors or any committees, a member must be in good standing.
Section 5. Any member whose actions are judged by a majority of the Board of Directors to be prejudicial or detrimental to the Sacramento Valley Veterans may be expelled from the Sacramento Valley Veterans, upon recommendation of the Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting at a regularly scheduled meeting of the membership.
Section 6. The Board of Directors shall set the annual dues consistent with the policies of AVER Inc. Dues are payable when a person joins the Sacramento Valley Veterans and annually thereafter.
Article VI – Board of Directors: Section 1: The Board of Directors represents and answers to the will and interest of the entire membership. The Board of Directors or its duly appointed representative is the sole authority empowered to assume and discharge debt or other financial obligation, enter into or terminate contracts, or otherwise speak and act in behalf of the organization.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President or upon call of a majority of the Board of Directors. Meetings require five days notice. In case of an emergency, notice may be waived by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Emergency actions or funding to a maximum of $100 may be authorized upon agreement by a majority of the Board of Directors. A good faith effort shall be made to poll all members of the Board of Directors. If necessary, the polling may be by e-mail and/or telephone. Any action taken by this method shall be communicated to the other Board members in a timely manner.
Section 5. The quorum for meetings of the Board of Directors shall be a majority of the voting members of the board. Proxies shall not be valid at meetings of the Board of Directors. No one member of the Board of Directors shall have more than one vote.
Section 6. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be open to the membership unless the Board, by a majority vote, calls for a closed session. Discussion at any Board meeting may be limited by a majority vote of the board to members of the board. Actions taken in closed session shall be noticed at the next general meeting of the membership.
Section 7. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to approve the budget; authorize the receipt of revenue and payment of expenses; set the membership dues; formulate policy and approve projects to carry out the purposes of the Sacramento Valley Veterans; review all projects and activities of the standing committees of the Sacramento Valley Veterans.
Article VII – Officers: Section 1. The elected officers of the Sacramento Valley Veterans shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Elected officers shall take office at the first general membership meeting following their election and shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected.
Section 2. The duties of the elected officers shall be as follows:
A. President. The President shall set the agenda for and preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the membership; appoint all members and the chair of any committees; serve as an ex-officio member of all committees; appoint such other committees or persons as may be deemed necessary; serve as the official representative of the Sacramento Valley Veterans in public forums; make decisions for the Sacramento Valley Veterans on policy when specifically empowered to do so by the Board of Directors; advise the membership of pertinent matters affecting the welfare of the Sacramento Valley Veterans; disburse funds of the Sacramento Valley Veterans within limits set by the Board of Directors; and act as Treasurer in the absence or inability of the Treasurer.
B. Vice President. The Vice President shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and of the membership in the absence or inability of the President; and perform such other duties as the President may direct.
C. Secretary. The Secretary shall maintain a record of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the membership; be prepared to read the minutes of the previous meeting at each meeting of the Board of Directors or of the membership; receive and maintain official Sacramento Valley Veterans records, the reports of elected officers, directors of standing committees and chairs of recognized caucuses; maintain a compendium of standing rules, resolutions and policies adopted by the Sacramento Valley Veterans and such correspondence as the President or Board of Directors may direct; and perform such other duties as the President may direct.
D. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the Sacramento Valley Veterans; receive and disburse funds of the Sacramento Valley Veterans; prepare an annual budget of anticipated revenues and expenses; provide an addenda to the budget as required; report the financial status of the Sacramento Valley Veterans to the Board of Directors on a regular basis; make an annual report to the membership; prepare and; provide all information necessary for periodic audits as may be directed by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. An officer may be removed from office upon recommendation of a majority of the Board of Directors on a roll call vote or upon submission of a petition signed by at least 25 percent of the members. Such recommendation or petition must be submitted to the membership at a called meeting and shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting to remove the officer.
Section 4. If an officer is removed per Section 3 above or by resignation, and the vacancy occurs prior to October 31, the Board shall have a special election by the membership at the next general membership meeting. Nominations will be taken from the floor and the vote by show of hands with the person receiving the most votes elected to office. If the vacancy occurs after November 1, the Board may appoint someone to fill the unexpired portion of the term of the vacated office.
Article VIII - Committees: Section 1. Committees may be formed at the discretion of the President. The President shall nominate the chair and members of any committees for ratification by a majority of the Board.
Section 2. Removal of a chair shall require a majority vote of the Board.
Article IX – Elections: Section 1. Every year, by a majority vote, the chapter will elect the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. They are elected at the membership meeting in the month of March and will assume office on May 1st. No elected officer may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office. A person must be a voting member in good standing for a year to be eligible for election as an officer on the Board of Directors. However, this requirement will not apply to the initial elections of Sacramento Valley Veterans Board of Directors.
Article X - Meetings: Section 1. Meetings of the membership shall be held at least four times each year.
Section 2. A quorum for meetings shall be those members present and voting, the meeting being duly advertised pursuant to these bylaws.
Section 3. Notice of all meetings shall be given to members in a timely fashion.
Section 4. Meetings may be closed to non-members at the request of any member and the approval of two-thirds of the members present and voting.
Article XI - Rules of Procedure: Section 1. The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for the club on all questions not covered by these bylaws.
Section 2. Questions of interpretation of these bylaws may be appealed to the Board of Directors whose decision shall be final.
Section 3. Membership records shall be confidential and the use of the club mailing lists shall require a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Article XII - Amendments: Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members voting after the proposed amendment has been approved by majority vote at a preceding regularly scheduled meeting.
Article XIII – Dissolution: Section 1. Upon dissolution of Sacramento Valley Veterans, assets will be transferred to the AVER Inc. In no event will any director, officer, or individual member retain any assets or benefits.
Article XIV – Ratification: We, the members of the American Veterans for Equal Rights, Sacramento Valley Veterans Chapter, have ratified these bylaws by a general vote with two-thirds voting in favor of ratification.
Bylaws adopted on April 7, 2004
Witnessed by, President, Sacramento Valley Veterans,Vice President, Sacramento Valley Veterans, President, AVER inc.
