Constitution & By-laws
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
This document contains the
Constitution & By-Laws of the 15th
Medical Battalion Association, 1st
Cavalry Division. The 15th Medical
Battalion Association is a non-profit military
veterans organization.
Definition: The constitution or
by-laws are the rules of a society relating to
itself as an organization, and not the parliamentary
rules it follows. The by-laws define the
organization’s primary characteristics, how it
operates, and the relation of the assembly and
individual members to the organization.
This document was last
revised/updated on:
Date: 8 May 2018
By: Ron (Baby Huey) Huether
CONSTITUTION
NAME
15th
Medical Battalion Association, 1st
Cavalry Division.
MISSION
1. Establish contact with former
members of the 15th Medical Battalion, 1st
Cavalry Division, invite them to become Members, and
maintain an accurate membership database.
2. Promote goodwill and brotherhood
among our membership, their families, all veterans,
and military men and women presently serving the
United States of America.
3. Remain an apolitical organization
periodically promoting and supporting, as voted on
by the Membership, matters pertaining directly to
the advancement of skills, concepts, procedures, and
equipment for rescue and medical treatment of combat
wounds and non-combat injuries, and the care,
evacuation, and convalescence of these patients.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall consist of all
personnel formally assigned or attached on orders to
the 15th Medical Battalion, 1st
Cavalry Division for at least thirty days.
OFFICERS
1. The Officers shall be the
President, Vice President, Junior Vice President,
Secretary, and Treasurer.
2. The Executive Committee shall
consist of seven members; the Officers named above
and the two most recent Past Presidents.
3. The Executive Council for the
Association shall consist of the Executive Committee
and all Past Presidents.
BY-LAWS
Table of Contents
ARTICLE I. NAME
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ARTICLE II. GOALS & OBJECTIVE
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ARTICLE III. MEMBERS
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ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS/ORGANIZATION
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ARTICE V. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
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ARTICLE VI. OPERATING BASIS
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ARTICE VII. REGISTRATION FEES
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ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS PROCEDURES
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ARTICLE IX. BUSINESS PRACTICES
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ARTICLE X. OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION
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ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION/TERMINATION
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ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS
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ARTICLE I. NAME
Section 1.
Official Name:
A. The official name of the
Association shall be the 15th Medical
Battalion Association, 1st Cavalry
Division.
B. That name may appear in
abbreviation in some material as the 15th
Med. Bn. Assn, 1st Cav. Div. or simply 15th
Med Bn Assn. In this document the 15th
Medical Battalion Association and are the same.
C. The phrases or mottos “The Home of
Medevac” or “So That Others May Live” may also
appear in some material, documents, or banners. The
Air Ambulance Platoon (or Medevac) within the
Headquarters Company of the 15th Medical
Battalion, and its crews were responsible for the
rescue of wounded and injured soldiers in the field
during combat.
ARTICLE II. GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
Goal: Faithfully support and advance the Mission as
stated in the Constitution.
Section 2.
Primary Objectives:
A. Announce and hold an Annual Reunion
at a convenient time and place so the Members may
gather to discuss, conduct, and vote on business
affairs.
B. Ensure the Annual Reunion is a time
for the Members, their family, and their guests to
gather primarily for social purposes and renew the
bonds of our brotherhood.
C. Conduct affairs, both business and
social, in a fair manner, taking into consideration
the desire and welfare of the membership and in
keeping with the Mission.
D. Cooperate and coordinate
periodically with veteran and non-veteran
organizations involved in or concerned with Mission
3 of the Association as researched and recommended
by the Executive Committee and voted on by the
Membership.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERS
Section 1.
Definition of Members:
A. All personnel previously assigned
on orders, or attached on orders, for at least
thirty days to the 15th Medical
Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division are
deemed as potential Members, eligible to be enrolled
as Members upon completing an application and deemed
Members in good standing.
Section 2.
Membership Verification:
A. When the Membership Chairman and/or
the Executive Committee request, any individual
applying for membership in the Association must
produce an original copy of their DD-214 to qualify
for membership and must complete a membership
application.
B. Unless recommended by the Executive
Committee and voted on by the General Membership,
all veteran candidates for membership shall have
received either an Honorable or Medical discharge
from the Army.
C. Under certain extenuating or
mitigating circumstances deemed reasonable and
appropriate by a majority vote of the Executive
Committee, the Association may accept other
documents in lieu of a DD-214 in consideration for a
membership application.
D. The Executive Committee shall
consider all membership application under this
section on a case-by-case basis.
Section 3.
Membership Categories:
A. Charter Member.
The title Charter Member is an individual who either
formed the 15th Medical Battalion
Association or joined the Association before 18
April 1998 and are Members in good standing. A
Charter Member has full voting rights and privileges
at Annual Business Meetings or Special Business
Meetings.
B. Member. The
title Member is an individual in good standing with
the Association. A Member has full voting rights and
privileges at Annual Business Meetings or Special
Business Meetings.
C. Life Member.
The title Life Member is a Charter Member or those
Members who have paid their Life Membership dues
under the old By-Laws and are in good standing. A
Charter Life Member or Life Member has full voting
rights and privileges at Annual Business Meetings or
Special Business Meetings. (See ARTICLE VII, Section
1, Paragraph C also.)
D. Corporate
Membership. The title Corporate
Membership is conferred upon those companies having
significantly contributed to or supported the
Mission and/or Objectives. Nominations for Corporate
Membership made only by either a Charter Member or
Member, must be in writing stating the reasons for
consideration and submitted to the Executive
Committee at least 60 days prior to the Annual
Business Meeting so the Executive Committee may be
considering the nomination. The nomination, and the
Executive Committee’s recommendation, will be
announced and voted on by the Membership at the
Annual Business Meeting. Up to three employees of
the Corporate Membership company may be a Corporate
Member at any time. Corporate Members have no voting
rights or privileges in the Association and cannot
attend Annual Business Meetings or Special Business
Meetings unless invited by the President to make a
presentation or impart information relevant to or of
interest to the Association.
E. Associate
Member. The title Associate Member is
automatically conferred upon the current spouse of
any dues-current Charter Member or Member in good
standing. Associate Members have no voting rights or
privileges and cannot attend Annual Business
Meetings or Special Business Meetings unless invited
by the President to make a presentation or impart
information relevant to or of interest to the
Association. Associate Members shall also be members
of the 15th Medical Battalion Association
Ladies Auxiliary on a voluntary basis.
F. Honorary Member.
The title Honorary Member is conferred upon those
individuals recognized by the Association as worthy
by their deeds, accomplishments, contribution,
expertise, or position. Nominations for Honorary
Member can only be made by a Charter Member or
Member, must be in writing stating the reasons for
consideration, and submitted to the Executive
Committee at least 60 days prior to the Annual
Business Meeting. The nomination, and the Executive
Committee’s recommendation will be announced and
voted on by the membership at the Annual Business
Meeting. Annual dues for an Honorary Member is
waived. Honorary Members have no voting rights or
privileges in the Association and cannot attend
Annual Business Meetings or Special Business
Meetings unless invited by the President to make a
presentation or impart information relevant to or of
interest to the Association.
G. Nominating Eligibility.
If a current Corporate, Associate, or Honorary
Member wishes to have an individual nominated to
become an Honorary Member, they must find a Charter
Member or Member willing to nominate/sponsor that
individual.
Section 4.
Office and Voting Right:
A. All Charter Members, Life Members,
and Members in good standing may vote on motions at
Annual Business Meeting, Special Business Meetings,
and on any recommendation brought to the membership
by the Executive Committee.
B. All Charter Members, Life Members,
and Members in good standing may hold elective
offices in the Association or be appointed to serve
on a Committee by the President.
C. Corporate, Associate, and Honorary
Members may not hold elective offices, attend any
Annual Business Meetings or Special Business
Meetings, make motions, or vote on any matter.
D. Corporate, Associate, and Honorary
Members may serve on certain Committees or Special
Projects as appointed by the President, with the
majority approval of the Executive Committee.
E. There shall be no proxy voting on
any issue or motion. Members must
be present at Annual Business Meetings or Special
Business Meetings in order to vote.
Section 5.
Conduct, Behavior & Responsibility;
A. Members and their guests are
expected to conduct themselves in a respectable and
responsible manner while attending an Annual
Reunion.
B. Any damage or harm to either person
or property caused by any Member or their guests
while attending an Annual Reunion shall be the sole
responsibility of that Member and/or their guests.
C. Annual Reunion
registration form shall contain sufficient language
to convey and remind Members about their conduct,
behavior, and their responsibilities.
D. The 15th Medical
Battalion Association shall be held harmless for any
damages or of a Member or one of their guests
violating Section 4A or 4B above (see ARTICLE X.
INDEMNIFICATION in this Constitution & By-Laws
also).
Section 6.
Expulsion from Membership.
A. Periodically it may be necessary to
expel a Member for cause. Members of any
classification can be expelled for cause or conduct
that the Executive Committee, by a majority vote,
deem contrary to the best interests of the
Association, not in keeping with the Association’s
mission or objectives, or for having violated
Section 5 above. Given the potentially sensitive
nature of the reasons, and respecting the
individual’s privacy, the expelled member shall have
a choice:
1) Expulsion Under
Agreement: Abide by the Executive
Committee ruling with no announced or public reason
given to the membership.
2) Expulsion Under
Disagreement: If the Executive
Committee votes to expel a Member, and he disagrees,
the Member may petition the Executive Committee and
address the membership for a vote at the next Annual
Business Meeting. That petition must be
in writing, stating why the Member should be
retained and received by the Executive Committee
before the next scheduled Annual Business Meeting. A
motion must be made and seconded at the Annual
Business Meeting to retain that individual. This
motion must receive a two-thirds majority vote
(individual cannot cast a vote) for retention of the
Member. Any Member expelled from the
Association may re-apply for membership after one
year, or at the following Annual Reunion. That
application must be in writing to the Executive
Committee stating why membership should be granted
again or reinstated.
3) The re-applying individual may be
contacted if questions arise concerning their
re-application.
4) The Executive Committee shall
consider and vote on the application.
5) With a majority of the Executive
Committee casting an affirmative vote a motion will
be accepted and a Member vote taken at the next
Annual Business Meeting.
6) That vote shall be by secret ballot
and require a three-quarters majority to carry.
B. Any Member expelled twice for cause
shall not be eligible for re-admission or
reinstatement.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS/ORGANIZATION OF THE
Section 1.
The Executive Committee:
A. The Executive Committee shall
consist of the following seven Members;
1) President.
2) Vice President.
3) Junior Vice President.
4) Secretary.
5) Treasurer.
6) The two most recent living Past
Presidents.
B. The President shall be the Chairman
of the Executive Committee.
C. The Executive Committee is
responsible for conducting the day-to-day affairs of
the Association and shall convene at the Annual
Reunion prior to the Annual Business Meeting, and
periodically between Annual Reunions at the request
of the President either in person, by telephone, or
by computer as appropriate or convenient.
D. There are seven members of the
Executive Committee to ensure the Association has a
broad spectrum of experience and insight to make
recommendations and decisions in the best interests
of the Association and in keeping with the
Association Mission and Objectives.
Section 2.
Responsibilities and Authority of the Executive
Committee:
A. The Executive Committee is the
governing body of the 15th Medical
Battalion and all its relevant affairs.
B. The Executive Committee shall
conduct itself in a professional and ethical manner
in its management and supervisory duties over the
affairs of the Association and its mission.
C. Five members of the Executive
Committee shall constitute a quorum, either in
person, by telephone, or by computer.
D. The Executive Committee is
responsible for management of Association affairs,
which include, but not limited to:
1) Maintenance, upkeep, and
safeguarding records and membership lists.
2) Maintenance, upkeep, and
safeguarding historical items and documents.
3) Safeguarding and prudent us of
Association’s assets and monies, and financial
records.
4) Identifying, locating, and
recruiting new Members.
5) Seeking, accepting, and
safeguarding all contributions or donations,
monetary or in-kind.
6) Approving budgets and disbursements
or expenditures of Association monies.
7) Approving Annual Reunion sites,
logistics, and reunion activities.
8) Making recommendations on
Constitution & By-Laws amendments.
9) Diligent supervision of projects
and tasks assigned to Committees appointed by the
President.
E. The Executive Committee shall
perform other duties as prescribed by the
Constitution & By-Laws, or amendments.
F. The Executive Committee may
delegate authority and functions to specific Members
as it deems prudent or necessary with the approval
of the President.
G. In the event of any tie vote on
issues presented to the Executive Committee, the
President, serving as the Executive Committee
Chairman, shall have the authority to invoke
executive privilege and either:
1) Table the issue for further study,
or contact additional Executive Committee members
for a vote, or,
2) Cast an additional ballot to break
the tie vote in event timely action is necessary.
Section 3.
Officer Duties:
A. The duties of Elected Officers are
those customarily assigned for such positions,
prescribed by the President, and or contained in
these By-Laws.
B. President.
The President shall serve as the Chairman and
preside at all Executive Committee Meetings, the
Annual Business Meeting, Committee Meetings (at his
discretion), any Special or Emergency Business
Meetings, and any other meetings held conducting
official business matters or affairs. The President
may create committees for projects or tasks in the
best interests of the Association.
C. Vice President.
The Vice President shall report directly to the
President in all Association matters. In the absence
of the President, or his inability to serve, the
Vice President shall assume the President’s duties
as outlined in Section 3B above, or as outlined by
other Articles and Sections in these By-Laws.
D. Junior
Vice President. The Junior Vice
president shall report directly to the President in
all matters pertaining to the Association. In the
absence of the Vice President, or his inability to
serve, the Junior Vice President shall assume the
Vice President’s duties as outlined in Section 3C
above, or as outlined by other Articles and Sections
in these By-Laws.
E. Secretary.
The Secretary shall report directly to the President
in all matters pertaining to the Association. The
Secretary shall be responsible for, but not limited
to:
1) Maintaining accurate and timely
minutes and reports from Executive Committee
Meetings, Annual Business Meetings, and Special
Business Meetings.
2) Maintaining accurate and timely
By-Law amendments and including those in any revised
Constitution & By-Laws.
3) Maintaining all pertinent
documentation pertaining to Annual Business
Meetings, Special Business Meetings, and other such
meetings as directed by the President.
4) The President may periodically
assign other duties to the Secretary that are in the
best interest of the Association.
F. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall report directly to the President
in all matters pertaining to the Association. The
Treasurer shall be responsible for the fiscal and
financial integrity and solvency of the Association,
to include but not limited to:
1) Keeping accurate and timely
financial records including a balance sheet and an
income statement that includes a cash flow.
2) Maintaining and balancing bank
accounts and checking accounts.
3) Collecting and safeguarding
contributions and donations.
4) Reviewing and signing hotel and
vendor contracts at the request of the President.
5) Making a presentation at the Annual
Business Meeting on the Association’s year-to-year
financial position.
6) Preparing all appropriate and
necessary financial documents at the request of any
accountant retained by the Association for
independent accounting purposes or tax audits.
7) Obtaining proper approval and
signatures before making disbursements, and
reviewing the filing expense reports, receipts, or
other financial documents pertaining to the business
transactions.
8) Make available to the Executive
Committee all account numbers, PINs, passwords, and
signature cards in case the Treasurer is unable to
serve or perform his duties.
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