DON'T ASK-DON'T TELL /AMERICAN TRUE COLORS DON'T RUN
USING GOOGLE MAKING MILITARY VOLUNTEER LIFE EASIER: We share our Community of Practice Skills Links
www.vfwjohn.com/usflagcodeetiquette.htm
Miscellaneous References. UNITED STATES CODE. TITLE 4. CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG. §1. Flag; stripes and stars on. The flag of the United States shall be ...
FEDERAL CHARTER FOR STATE OF KENTUCKY
FEDERAL CHARTER FOR OKLAHOMA ADOPTED
This version of the ACO Corp. a C Corporation of Kentucky, and founded by TJ Morris tm ACIR sm, American Culture International Relations for the good of sharing in the American Culture Organizations, and ACE Folklife in the United States of America with interests in promoting the American Culture do hereby adopt this version of the national constitution and bylaws which were approved prior for the newly formed Military Women of America in September, 2012 and available for free in cyberspace on the Internet among fellow webmasters. We are all interested in the greater good and the health and prosperity for all. We announce that we recognize our federal charger based on these four (4) sections of Bylaws.
This version of the national constitution and bylaws was approved by the Military Women of America, Inc. Board of Directors in September 2010, upon recommendation by the Constitution and Bylaws committee.
This version of the national constitution and bylaws was prepared by Theresa J. Morris of Kentucky, prior United States Navy and Barbara Kortz of Indiana prior United States Marine Corp.
The Federal Charter was granted to the Military Women of America, Inc. on December 11, 2009. The name of the organization, the objective and purpose of the organization, membership eligibility and responsibilities of the national Board of Directors are the basis for the Federal Charter.
Therefore, these four (4) sections of the Bylaws
cannot be amended without putting our Federal Charter in jeopardy.
If you have any questions, please contact the national Constitution and Bylaws committee
chairperson/parliamentarian.
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
We, the undersigned, all citizens of the United States, and a majority citizens and residents of
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
We, the undersigned, all citizens of the United States, and a majority citizens and residents of Kentucky,
desiring to associate ourselves as a corporation pursuant to the Code of Laws for Kentucky, do certify as follows:
FIRST: The name and title by which this corporation shall be known in law as the ACO Corp, ACO-WVO and Military Women of America, Inc., a C Corporation of Kentucky .
SECOND: The Corporation shall have its existence in perpetuity,
THIRD: The object of the corporation is to promote the general welfare of all women veterans, especially the
members of the Military Women of America, Inc., and women veterans in hospitals or wherever they may be; to
provide publications pertaining to members and to further general education and civic betterment programs for the
general welfare of the community. Promote Made in USA
for all products and services including publications in ACE FOLKLIFE and TIMELY MANOR BOOKS. We shall share in American Computer Organizations and American Care Organizations.
FOURTH: The number of directors for the first year shall be three (3) Theresa J. Morris, President, CEO, Thomas R. Morris, Vice President, Treasurer, and Angela Parrish Cook, Secrettary. We shall recognize the adopted articles and by-laws for the greater good of the ACO-WVO as the Tri-State Women Veterans and for all organizations we form for all branches of the military who have served past and present. We honor the
Military Women of America, Inc. of which we shall share in the future of American Care Organizations as Communities of Practice Organizations in cooperation with all the VA Hospitals as volunteers.
FIFTH: In order to carry out the objects of the corporation, chapters of the organization may be established in accordance with the Bylaws of the organization. The names of the Commanders of existing chapters are Maxine Cavanaugh, Hawaii, and Sharon Smith, Oklahoma.
IN TESTMONY WHEREOF we have this 15 day of May, 2012.
THE FORMER of September 2010, hereunto set our hands and seals that we shall abide by the former Military Women of America, Inc. Constitution and Bylaws.
Constitution and Bylaws
INDEX
Article I – Name
Section 1. Name of Organization ................................................................................................ 1
Article II – Purpose
Section 1. Purpose – information and support............................................................................. 1
Section 2. Act as Liaison............................................................................................................. 1
Section 3. Serve on Women Veteran Advisory and voluntary committees................................. 1
Section 4. Provide services and support...................................................................................... 1
Section 5. Monitor legislative issues........................................................................................... 1
Article III – Membership
Section 1. Defines membership................................................................................................... 1
Section 2. Defines Associate membership .................................................................................. 1
Section 3. Defines Auxiliary membership................................................................................... 1
Section 4. Lifetime members....................................................................................................... 1
Section 5. Members-at-Large ...................................................................................................... 1
Section 6. Expulsion or suspension ............................................................................................. 1
Article IV – Officers
Section 1. First Board of Directors.............................................................................................. 1
Section 2. Titles of elected officers............................................................................................. 2
Section 3. Terms of office ........................................................................................................... 2
Section 4. Eligibility for Commander ......................................................................................... 2
Section 5. Term limits................................................................................................................. 2
Section 6. Immediate Past Commander....................................................................................... 2
Section 7. Bonding of Board of Directors................................................................................... 2
Section 8. Duties defined under Article IV, Section 10 .............................................................. 2
Section 9. Transfer of records ..................................................................................................... 2
Section 10. Board of Directors responsibilities........................................................................... 2
10.a. The Commander
10.a.1. Preside at all meetings....................................................................................... 2
10.a.2. Appoint Parliamentarian and Committee Chairs............................................... 2
10.a.3. Be ex-officio member of all committees........................................................... 2
10.b. The Vice Commander
10.b.1. Perform duties of Commander in her absence .................................................. 3
10.b.2. Assist Commander and act as representative .................................................... 3
10.b.3. Act as liaison with local chapters...................................................................... 3
10.b.4. Serve as Credentialing Officer for National Convention .................................. 3
10.c. The 2
nd
Vice Commander
10.c.1. Be responsible for all membership records ....................................................... 3
10.c.2. Keep a roster of chapter and at-large members................................................. 3
10.d. The Adjutant
10.d.1. Keep the minutes of the national organization and Board of Directors ............ 3
10.d.2. Conduct and maintain organization correspondence and files.......................... 3
10.d.3. Have charge of all MWA Inc. papers, archives and property, except funds..... 3
10.d.4. Prepare and maintain National Board of Directors’ meetings minutes............. 3
10.d.5. Be Responsible for Annual Convention notification......................................... 3
10.d.6. Keep and record use of incidental expense funds ............................................. 3
10.d.7. Other duties as assigned by Commander .......................................................... 3
10.e. The Finance Officer
10.e.1. Qualifications for Finance Officer..................................................................... 310.e.2. Custodian of all organizational funds, pay all bills, record all properties ......... 3
10.e.3. Prepare annual budget for approval by Board of Directors............................... 3
10.e.4. Co-sign all checks with designated officers ...................................................... 3
10.e.5. Perform duties as defines by Bylaws/Board of Directors.................................. 4
10.e.6. Submit books for transfer to successor within 30 days .................................... 4
10.e.7. Make deposits, pay bills and other duties.......................................................... 4
10.e.8. Serve as ex-officio member of Finance committee ........................................... 4
Section 10.f. The Chaplain
10.f.1. Lead invocation at all organizational events...................................................... 4
10.f.2. Lead annual memorial service ........................................................................... 4
10.f.3. Provide newsletter and website a list of deceased members.............................. 4
10.f.4. Prepare and maintain a Chaplain’s Handbook................................................... 4
10.f.5. Provide counseling services to members........................................................... 4
Section 10.g. The Sgt.-at-Arms
10.g.1. Be responsible for flags at all meetings............................................................. 4
10.g.2. Be responsible for good order and physical arrangements at all meetings........ 4
10.g.3. Escort guest speakers to the podium ................................................................. 4
10.g.4. Introduce new members and guests .................................................................. 4
Article V – Regional and State Commanders and Local Chapters
Section 1. Requirements for Chapters......................................................................................... 4
Section 2. State Organizations..................................................................................................... 4
Section 3. State laws and Local Chapters.................................................................................... 5
Section 4. Regional Requirements .............................................................................................. 5
Section 5. Local Chapter dues, etc. ............................................................................................. 5
Section 6. Chapter delegates to Annual Convention ................................................................... 5
Article VI – Quorums
Section 1. Quorums for Annual Convention business................................................................. 5
Section 2. Quorum for Board of Directors meetings.................................................................. 5
Article VII – Committees and duties
Section 1. Naming standing committees ..................................................................................... 5
Section 2. Legislative committee duties...................................................................................... 5
Section 3. Membership committee duties.................................................................................... 5
Section 4. Ways and Means committee duties............................................................................ 5
Section 5. Awards committee duties........................................................................................... 6
Section 6. Scholarship committee duties..................................................................................... 6
Section 7. Veterans Affairs committee duties............................................................................. 6
Section 8. Annual Convention committee duties ........................................................................ 6
Section 9. Constitution and Bylaws committee duties ................................................................ 6
Section 10. Community Projects committee duties..................................................................... 6
Section 11. WIMSA committee duties........................................................................................ 6
Section 12. Marketing and Public Relations committee duties................................................... 6
Section 13. Appointment of Special committees......................................................................... 7
Section 14. Chairperson duties.................................................................................................... 7
Section 15. Transfer of records ................................................................................................... 7
Article VIII – Annual Convention
Section 1. Dates and frequency ................................................................................................... 7
Section 2. Voting quorum ........................................................................................................... 7
Section 3. Members-at-Large voting........................................................................................... 7
Section 4. Proxies........................................................................................................................ 7
Section 5. Nominations by committee and from floor ................................................................ 7
Section 6. Election procedures.................................................................................................... 7Article IX – Board of Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors defined and duties........................................................................ 8
Section 2. Organizational management and duties...................................................................... 8
Section 3. Responsibilities for organizational publications......................................................... 8
Article X – Governing
Section 1. Guides for governing.................................................................................................. 8
Article XI – Dues
Section 1. Annual dues and distribution...................................................................................... 8
Section 2. Lifetime dues and distribution.................................................................................... 8
Section 3. Auxiliary and Associate dues determined by chapters............................................... 8
Section 4. Members-at-Large dues and distribution.................................................................... 8
Article XII – Dissolution
Section 1. National
1.a. Actions of Board of Directors required by IRS ............................................................. 8
1.b. Distribution of funds ..................................................................................................... 8
Section 2. National Vice Commander responsibility ................................................................. 9
2.a. Notify National officers of intent .................................................................................. 9
2.b. Provide National Organization with list of members.................................................... 9
2.c. Distribution of Chapter files.......................................................................................... 9
Section 3. Local Chapter responsibilities....................................................................................
2.a. Provide National Organization copy of Local Chapter Charter..................................... 9
2.b. Notify state as required ................................................................................................. 9
2.c. Articles of Dissolution................................................................................................... 9
2.d. Send all Local Chapter records to National Organization ............................................. 9
Article XIII – Amendments
Section 1. Requirements for amendments to Constitution and Bylaws....................................... 9
Article XIV – National Emergencies
Section 1. Continuation of operations......................................................................................... 9CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS – MILITARY WOMEN OF AMERICA, INC.
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Military Women of America, Inc.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of this organization shall be to provide information and support to its members and eligible
women military veterans in a non-discriminating manner;
Section 2. To act as a liaison between military women and government agencies;
Section 3. To serve on Women Veterans Advisory and Voluntary Services Committees in the Veterans
Administration, the Department of Defense and any other committee that seems appropriate with the approval of the
Board of Directors.
Section 4. To provide services and support to patients in medical facilities of the Department of Defense and
Department of Veterans Affairs throughout the United States; and
Section 5. To monitor legislative issues that would affect military and veteran women on the local, state and
national levels.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in Military Women of America, Inc. shall be open to all women who are serving, or have
served in the United States Armed Forces, United States Reserve Forces (including the Air and Army National
Guard), and who provide documentation of that service. All members shall have equal voting rights.
Section 2. Associate membership is open to anyone in sympathy with our purposes and not otherwise qualified for
membership, i.e. Department of Defense employees. Associate members will have no voting rights.
Section 3. Auxiliary membership is open to family members of those qualified for membership under Article III,
Section 1. Auxiliary members will have no voting rights.
Section 4. Lifetime members will receive a “Life Member” membership card from the national organization.
Section 5. Members-at-Large reside in areas where there is not a local chapter or in such cases where the personal
situation makes it impractical for said individual to be a member of a local chapter.
Section 6. A member may be expelled or suspended from the organization only upon a proper showing of cause.
Charge must be based upon disloyalty, dishonesty, and/or conduct unbecoming a member of the Military Women of
America, Inc. Any member so expelled or suspended has the right to appeal to the national Board of Directors. The
national Board of Directors shall be the final authority in the procedure to be followed in the revocation, cancellation
or suspension of membership.
Section 7. Members Emeritus of Military Women of America, Inc shall be: Mildred Cippola, Colleen Mussolino,
June Panzeri, Myra Gollhofer and Sharon Smith.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1. The first Board of Directors for Military Women of America, Inc. shall be appointed by the members of
the originating chapter in Oklahoma. They will hold office until the first election, which shall take place at the first
annual meeting in 2011.
1Section 2. The elected officers ofof this organization shall be Commander, Vice Commander, 2
nd
Vice Commander,
Adjutant and Finance Officer. The Chaplain and Sergeant –at-Arms shall be appointed as ex-officio officers.
Section 3. Officers shall be elected for a term of two (2) years at the annual national meeting in even-numbered
years, by a majority of delegates attending.
Section 4. After initial elections, candidates for the Commander position must have served at least one term on the
Board of Directors.
Section 5. Elected officers may not hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Section 6. The Immediate Past Commander shall serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. All members of the Board of Directors shall be bonded.
Section 8. The duties of the officers shall be such as specified in these articles and the parliamentary authority.
Each elected officer shall provide a quarterly written report to be published in the quarterly publication of this
organization. An annual report will also be required encompassing all activities for the year. Action suggested in any
annual report shall become motions for consideration at the next annual convention.
Section 9. At the conclusion of her term, each officer shall, if possible, transmit to their respective successors, at the
close of the installation meeting, all records and other property of the office as has been put in their respective
custody. Such transfer shall be completed at the conclusion of her duties in that office, not later than the first
meeting following the installation.
Section 10. It shall be the responsibility of the outgoing Commander to see that all records and equipment of the
organization are in good order and have been transmitted to the respective incumbents with thirty (30) days of the
annual convention.
a. The Commander shall:
1. Preside at all meetings of the organization and its Board of Directors.
2. Appoint a parliamentarian and Chair of all constituted and special committees, who shall hold
office at the discretion of the Commander, immediately following the conclusion of the
National Annual Convention at which she is elected. The standing committees of this
organization shall be Legislative, Nominating, Membership, Ways and Means, Awards,
Scholarship, Veterans Affairs, Annual Convention, Constitution and Bylaws, Community
Projects, WIMSA, and Marketing and Public Relations.
3. Be ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
4. Establish special committees as needed. She shall also appoint a Chair for each special
committee with approval of the Board of Directors.
b. The Vice Commander shall:
1. Perform the duties of the Commander in her absence. In the event of the Commander’s death,
resignation or inability to perform her duties, the Vice Commander shall become the
Commander for the remainder of the unexpired term.
2. Assist the Commander and act as her representative as requested.
23. Act as the liaison between the national organization and local chapters to ensure they have all
information and tools required to form and maintain local chapters according to the
Constitution and Bylaws.
4. Serve as Credentialing Officer for the National Convention.
c. The 2
nd
Vice Commander shall:
1. Be responsible for all duties and records involving the membership of the organization.
2. Keep a roster of Members-at-Large as well as those in local chapters.
d. The Adjutant shall:
1. Keep the minutes of meetings of the national organization and its Board of Directors
2. Conduct and maintain the general correspondence and files of the organization.
3. Have charge of all papers, archives and property of the Military Women of America, Inc.,
except funds.
4. Prepare and maintain an accurate and up-to-date file for the minutes of all Board of Directors’
meetings. Copies of specific meetings shall be available on the website.
5. Be responsible for notification of the national annual convention to all members through
email, letters, or in the quarterly publication of the organization no later than six (6) months
prior to the date the annual convention is to be held, and in all subsequent publications of the
national office.
6. Keep and record the use of up to $50 in cash monthly, for incidental expenses.
7. Be responsible for other duties that may be assigned by the national Commander.
e. The Finance Officer shall:
1. Be knowledgeable and capable of all bookkeeping, banking and accounting procedures.
2. Be custodian of all funds of the organization, pay all authorized bills and record all properties
of the organization. She shall submit all books and reports to an auditing committee of three
(3) members of the organization appointed by the Commander, one month before the end of
her term of office.
3. Prepare, with the finance committee, an annual budget for approval at the annual convention,
ensuring funds are allocated for insurance and other expenses.
4. The Finance Officer and either the Commander or Vice Commander shall sign all checks.
Any expenditure over the amount of $100 monthly must be approved by the Board of
Directors.
5. Perform duties pertaining to the office as defined by the Bylaws or as assigned by the Board
of Directors including:
a. Receive and deposit all dues from chapters and members-at-large as appropriate.
3b. Forward to 2
nd
Vice Commander all membership applications and a list of paid
members.
c. Present a financial report to the commander each month for approval by the Board of
Directors.
6. The Finance Officer shall submit the books to her successor within thirty (30) days of the
installation of service for the incoming Finance Officer.
7. Make deposits, withdrawals and pay bills as required by motion and approval of the
membership or Board of Directors.
8. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Finance committee.
f. The Chaplain shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors without voting
privileges and:
1. Lead the invocation at all meetings of the organization.
2. Lead the annual Memorial Service for members.
3. Provide newsletter and website a list of deceased members.
4. Prepare and maintain a Chaplain’s Handbook.
5. Provide counseling services to any member of the organization.
g. The Sgt-at-Arms shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors without voting
privileges and:
1. Be responsible for the presence of the flags at all meetings.
2. Be responsible for good order and comfortable physical arrangements at all meetings.
3. Escort guest speakers to the podium.
4. Introduce new members, guests and speakers to the membership.
ARTICLE V – REGIONAL AND STATE COMMANDERS AND LOCAL CHAPTERS
Section 1. A group of five (5) or more members or prospective members may apply to the national Board of
Directors to form a local chapter.
Section 2. Where several chapters exist within a state, a state organization may be established. The chapters and
members within that state will adopt procedures for a state organization including a procedure to elect state officers
if considered advisable, at meetings determined by the chapters and members within that state.
Section 3. State organizations and local chapters must be formed consistent with the laws of the state in which they
are formed.
Section 4. State organizations and local chapters may adopt a Constitution and Bylaws consistent with the nation
Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 5. Regions will be established to parallel the four (4) Veterans Administration regions.
4Section 6. Local chapters shall collect membership dues, accept new membership applications, and transmit
necessary papers and fees to the national Finance Officer.
Section 7. Local chapters shall be represented at national annual conventions by delegates.
ARTICLE VI – QUORUM
Section 1. A quorum for the transaction of business at a general conference of the organization shall be one-third of
the delegates, as determined by Article VIII of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Two-thirds of the Board of Directors must be present to establish a quorum for the transaction of
business at a Board of Directors meeting.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES AND DUTIES
Section 1. The Standing Committees of the national organization shall be: Legislative, Membership, Ways and
Means, Awards, Scholarship, Veterans Affairs, Annual Convention, Constitution and Bylaws, Community Projects,
WIMSA, and Marketing and Public Relations. Each Standing Committee chairperson shall provide a report at the
annual convention.
Section 2. The Legislative committee shall consist of at least five members of the organization appointed by the
Commander and shall be chaired by the Immediate Past-President. The committee shall:
a. Develop and recommend to the Board of Directors the Legislative policy of the organization.
b. Work closely with the Board of Directors to insure consonance with national legislative priorities
and goals.
c. Consider any legislative resolution referred to it by sponsoring chapter or chapters. The committee
may revise, amend or modify these proposed resolutions, putting them in the proper format before
referring them to the annual convention for action.
d. Render an annual report to the organization at the national annual convention.
Section 3. The Membership committee shall:
a. Assess the vitality of the organization’s membership program.
b. Develop and review plans, programs and strategies for future membership initiatives for referral to
the Board of Directors.
c. Requests for associate and/or corporate membership must be reviewed by this committee which
shall then submit a recommendation to the Board of Directors for approval as appropriate.
Section 4. The Ways and Means committee shall make recommendations for the investment and reinvestment of
organizational funds to perpetuate the established goals, budgets, and scholarships. It shall consist of a chairperson
plus a minimum of three (3) other members. The national Finance Officer shall be a non-voting member of the
committee. In addition to funding normal operations of the organization the following two types of funds will be
established for the organization:
a. A Growth Fund, with the objective being the growth of capital; and
b. A Growth and Income Fund, with the objective being current income and capital appreciation.
5Section 5. The Awards committee shall:
a. Review nominations and make recommendations on selections to the Board of Directors for annual
awards.
b. Periodically review the organization’s awards program for adequacy and administrative
effectiveness.
c. Develop and recommend to the Board of Directors changes to the awards program.
Section 6. The Scholarship committee shall accept applications for, and recommend to the Board of Directors,
candidates to receive grants to fund quality higher education for women veterans and their dependents.
a. The initial scholarship committee will be charged with establishing scholarship guidelines.
Section 7. The Veterans Affairs committee shall stimulate interest and participation and other health and social
needs of women veterans on the part of the organization in veteran’s hospital programs. The committee chairperson
shall be the liaison with the Veterans Administration in matters concerning members’ benefits, and shall be available
to answer members’ questions on securing benefits and services to which they may be entitled. The committee will
provide the latest updates to members through the national publication.
Section 8. The Annual Convention committee shall be responsible for planning and developing the special events
program for the annual convention of the national organization.
Section 9. The Constitution and Bylaws committee shall be responsible for reviewing the Bylaws of the national
organization. It must ensure that the Bylaws do not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation. It shall consider
suggested changes to the Bylaws and be responsible for presentation of proposals to the organization.
a. The committee shall examine and recommend for approval the Constitution and Bylaws of all
chapters seeking membership in the national organization as well as all proposed amendments to
the Constitution and Bylaws of existing chapters. All recommendations shall be submitted to the
Board of Directors for final approval.
b. All proposed amendments to the national Constitution and Bylaws shall be submitted for
publication in the 1st
quarter issue of the national publication prior to a meeting where they will be
voted upon.
Section 10. The Community Projects committee shall encourage local chapters and members-at-large to support
projects that are for the general welfare of the local community. It shall encourage local chapters to select such
projects that are best suited to the capability and/or adaptability of the local members.
Section 11. The Marketing and Public Relations committee shall compile and maintain a written and pictorial
history of the organization. It shall also be responsible for publicizing and promoting the objectives of the
organization through every possible medium, to include a quarterly national publication and website. The national
organization shall be used as a medium for disseminating information, reports and matters of importance to the
organization and/or other publicity purposes. The editor shall publish requests of national officers and chairpersons
regarding reports, various data; and the promotion of the general welfare of the organization. A publicity handbook
shall be published and maintained for use by local chapters.
Section 12. The WIMSA committee shall establish an annual fundraising event specifically for the Women in
Military Service for America Memorial Foundation and encourage chapters and members-at-large to participate in
and support WIMSA.
6Section 13. Special committees may be appointed by the national Commander, with approval of the national Board
of Directors as the need arises. Duties of these special committees shall be defined at the time of appointment. There
shall be a chairperson of each special committee. Each special committee chairperson shall provide a report at the
annual convention.
Section 14. The chairperson of each committee shall make every effort to encourage participation by members-at large.
Section 15. Not later than one (1) month following the close of the annual convention, all committee chairpersons
shall deliver all committee records/files to their successor.
ARTICLE VIII – ANNUAL CONVENTION
Section 1. Aco Corp, ACO-WVO as Military Women of America shall hold annual conventions beginning in 2012 and each year
thereafter between July and September. Requests to convene the annual convention outside this window must be
approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. A quorum of voting delegates for the annual convention shall be determined as follows:
One-third of the registered delegates/alternates/proxies.
Chapters with 1-5 members shall have one (1) delegate
6-15 members shall have two (2) delegates
16-30 members shall have three (3) delegates
31-50 members shall have four (4) delegates
Each 50 members thereafter can increase delegates by one (1).
Section 3. Members-at-large within a region may elect one (1) delegate for every five (5) members-at-large.
Section 4. When a chapter is unable to send a delegate to the annual convention they may appoint a proxy through
their region to represent their chapter.
Section 5. A Nominating committee of at least five (5) members shall be appointed at the odd-numbered-year
annual convention. The Immediate Past Commander will chair the Nominating committee.
a. The committee will nominate at least one candidate for each office to be filled.
b. Nominees shall be listed in the organization’s publication no later than May 31 of the year the
election is to take place.
c. Nominations from the floor of the convention shall be called for immediately following the
Nominating committee’s report.
Section 6. Elections will be held subject to the meeting agenda.
a. There will be three (3) tellers to count the votes.
b. Where candidates are competing a ballot shall be prepared.
c. Competing candidates may appoint observers for the election and counting procedures.
d. Ballots will be retained until the following convention.
e. Campaigning for an office may not be restricted except at session, workshops or other formal
meetings of the convention.
7f. In the event no candidate comes forth for a particular position/or an officer resigns from the Board
of Directors, the Board of Directors will fill the position with a member, complying with all of the
conditions of the position, to serve until the completion of the term or the next annual convention.
g. In the event no regional candidate comes forth for a Board of Directors position, the chapters within
that region may appoint a board member for their region to serve until the next annual convention.
ARTICLE IX – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors of this organization shall be the elected officers, the regional commanders and
Immediate Past Commander. Significant advisors may be appointed by the commander based on their area of
expertise. These advisors will be appointed on a temporary basis and will not have voting privileges.
Section 2. The management of the business for this organization between annual meetings shall be by the Board of
Directors. A quorum for the Board of Directors’ meetings shall be two-thirds of its membership.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for preparing and maintaining handbooks for Organizational
History, formation of Local Chapters and Annual Convention Responsibilities. Handbooks shall be reviewed yearly,
and made available on the website.
ARTICLE X – GOVERNING
Section 1. The Constitution and Bylaws of this organization shall be the guide for conducting all meetings. In cases
not covered, Robert’s Rules of Order current edition shall govern.
ARTICLE XI – DUES
Section 1. Annual dues are $25. Chapters will keep $12.50 of each member’s annual dues and send $12.50 to the
national organization. Annual dues will be paid by January 10 of each year. Dues for new members joining after
July 1 will be prorated to the next fiscal year.
Section 2. Lifetime membership dues for chapter and members-at-large will be $100. The chapter will retain $25 of
lifetime dues and send the national organization $75. All of the lifetime dues for a member-at-large will remain with
the national organization. Once a member purchases a lifetime membership they no longer are required to purchase
chapter or national annual memberships.
Section 3. Associate and Auxiliary dues will be determined by, and remain with the chapter.
Section 4. Members-at-large will pay annual dues of $25 to the national organization. A member-at-large, upon
later affiliation with an established local chapter shall pay $12.50 to said chapter for the current year. Immediately
upon acceptance into a local chapter, her member-at-large status shall be canceled, and she will be included in the
membership count of the local chapter.
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION
Section 1. National: In the event that the national organization should vote to dissolve the organization the
following actions shall be taken by the Board of Directors.
a. Notify the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Oklahoma Department of State, who holds the
Military Women of America, Inc. State of Incorporation, of the intent to cease operations.
b. Distribute remaining funds in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation.
8Section 2. Local Chapters: Upon receipt of the notification of intent to dissolve by a local chapter, the Vice
Commander shall:
a. Notify the national commander of the chapter’s intent to dissolve.
b. Provide the national 2
nd
Vice Commander and Finance Officer a list of members transferring to
other chapters or member-at-large status.
c. Instruct the local chapter commander to forward all of the local chapter files to the national
headquarters. These files will be retained for two (2) years in the event the chapter is reactivated.
d. Comply with all applicable state laws and regulations.
Section 3. Local Chapters: When a local chapter votes to cease operation the following actions shall be taken:
a. Forward the local chapter’s charter and a letter of intent to dissolve to the national Vice
Commander.
b. Provide a list of paid members transferring to member-at-large status and a list of members
transferring to another chapter. For the paid members transferring to another local chapter, provide
their new local chapter name and number to which they are transferring.
c. Forward copies of the Articles of Dissolution are sent to the local chapter’s state in which they
received their charter.
d. Forward all files pertaining to the local chapter to the national headquarters.
ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This constitution and bylaws may be amended at any annual convention by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the
delegates present and voting, providing that the proposed amendment was approved for proper form by the
Constitution and Bylaws committee. The final version to be approved by the originator and emailed to all members
at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting in which it is to be considered. Read receipt is required.
ARTICLE XIV – NATIONAL EMERGENCIES
Section 1. In a national emergency, the Board of Directors shall set up machinery to carry on the work of the
organization.
Adopted for incorporation purposes in December 2009. To be approved as required for amendments/revision
in September 2010.
9
Theresa J. Thurmond Morris June 09, 2009
We can change the policy but it will have to come from the Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama.
We are all Americans first and before that we are all men and women, with issues that need to be addressed now. There is too much red tape being wrapped around human beings civil rights. It should be every beings right to tell the truth.
Those who are in office have a responsibility to up hold the justice, democracy, and this republic for all citizens of these United States. Not just some because it feels right or because of popular constituent votes or polls taken. Doing what is right and telling the truth was what this country was founded upon.
Many arguments can be supported on both sides of the gender issues that we are facing in our future.
1st Lt. Dan Choi who graduated as an Officer and chose to serve the greater good and to be a part of something greater than himself.
I know what it feels like to take the oath to defend this country against both foreign and domestic enemies. I served my country and hope in some small way I still do.
We are born in a manner of speaking with hardware and software. Sometimes it seems that there some of us are born with software that does not match the hardware.
There is research about those who seem to be chemically wired to prefer the company of the same sex more so than the opposite when it comes to companionship. There are various views on why this has always been. The female spirit dominant in a male physical mind at birth is much like a computer that includes the software not just the hardware. In other words, we are researching more than just physical appearance. The mind and how we think may have more to do with how we are wired from birth.
It is time that this world get right with the truth that there are many spiritual good beings that believe in family, God, and country. Somewhere along the way, this country got it into rules, laws, policies, procedures and into the government personnel to right and accept such a thing in our laws that some of our children that grow up whether they become men or women should not be outward in appearance or action with who they really are.
The time has come for Americans to accept our truth. We have true colors and we don't run and hide from that which we do not understand. We prefer to know the truth.
The world prefers to know the truth. It is the truth that is at the heart of this policy "Don't Ask - Don't Tell." We have changed with the times and people in general are more accepting of what is different and not understood.
Our young adults in the military are told to don´t tell if someone ask if they are bi, gay, lesbian, transgender. The "Don´t Ask, Don´t Tell" issue in the military is ridiculous.
Somewhere along the way someone decided that we may know by looking at a person, or listening to them talk, that they may be gay, lesbian or transgender, but that we should simply allow them to enlist and serve their country but don’t ask others and don‘t tell.
If, those who are in paid professions as recruiters who wear the military uniforms and allowed these people into the military to serve our country, then they apparently decided that they were fit to pass the physical. This is proof enough that if they passed the physical that they have what it takes to serve our country. We know that they have to have proof of citizenship and that should be all they need. It should not be in their contract or even mentioned to these beings that they should not ask and don´t tell if anyone ask about whether they are bi, gay, lesbian, transgender.
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation is what this issue has been called by President Obama. If someone ask if you are a woman, black, Chinese, Mexican instead of African American, Asian, or Latino is this wrong? Gender issues and sexual preferences are not necessarily the same issue but it appears that our military has double standards.
This 1st Lt. Dan Choi looks Asian to me but I heard he was a translator and was needed by our military. Just because he has chosen to tell when asked if he is gay should not be a reason to put him out of the military. I see no different than putting me in the military as a woman with me serving with many gay men in the medical field. I made it 8 years with knowing many military gay and lesbian both who served as professionals and did their jobs. This is based on experience. They were not treated any different in the medical field in the Navy. The Army should not treat they personnel any different because their troops are declaring the truth. I saw this 1st Lt. Dan Choi of the U.S. Army Reserve on television and he represents many people who feel the same way as I do but do not have a chance to speak out on television.
It was not a choice it was how they are born. We are all both 50% male and 50% female from birth as creation with sperm and ovum that makes a fertilized embryo or egg.
This is a Human Right issue. Things have changed. Civil Rights, Human Rights, Freedom of Speech if not written into military rights will need to be. We will have to address all the changes that our culture has always known about but kept hidden in the shadows. This "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" policy of the military is only the tip of the iceberg.
Troops are smarter and better trained than we were in the 80´s. I saw women being put on ships. It was said by some men that they were there just to meet a man and get pregnant that was more of an issue than gay men in the Navy. The men were complaining about women in the military is that still an issue too? Some women were put out of the military.
In the news on the Internet the civil unrest on some major American Issues may become global issues. Which way will President Obama go with the issues of our times. These are the times that will try men´s souls, and women´s too. I was not a hippy, and a bra burned in the 60´s because I was living with the Viet Nam War barefoot and pregnant while my husband worked for NASA to stay out of the draft. I wanted to go to war and could not because I was a woman with children. I know from experience. I am 57 years old now.
I have had experiences out of body, near death experiences, and extra terrestrial contact experiences and that is the truth so help me God. I speak out now because it is the truth.
On Gay Issues, Obama Says "Don't Ask" The president, who favors civil unions but not marriage for gay couples, promised to repeal the "don't ask" policy as well as the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA), another Clinton-era policy, which requires that the federal government not recognize "a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage."
Gay Groups Growing Increasingly Impatient "The Court is signaling the other two branches of government that any change to this policy is going to have to come from them, the executive and legislative branches," CBS News chief legal analyst Andrew Cohen, who adds that the decision is not an endorsement of the policy. "The Court isn't endorsing the policy - it's simply choosing as it usually does to stay out of military policies. Historically the Justices have been willing to give great deference to the White House in military affairs," Cohen writes.
CBS News, Brian Montopoli, writes, Perhaps the highest-profile recent discharge has been that of Lt. Dan Choi, a linguist fluent in Arabic who publicly announced his homosexuality in March. In April of last year, the president explicitly addressed the discharge of officers like Choi in an interview with The Advocate magazine.
"We're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need," he said. Roughly 12,500 service members have been discharged under the "don't ask" policy since it was implemented, among them 800 "mission critical" troops. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected," he said. "If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs indicated that the administration is working with the military to end the policy in a responsible way. He also said that doing so requires a "legislative vehicle." (Legislation has been introduced in the House, but not the Senate, to change the law.)
As I stated in my last article on American Chronicle, The United States government needs to be revamped and this includes policies, and procedures not just the laws and statutes. I love my country and I am proud to be an American Woman! I am also a proud American woman advocate for all human rights for the entire world. I am a voting constituent here me. President Obama ran on "CHANGE" well,
"President Obama as Commander in Chief, Sir, with all due respect, now is the time for all good men and women be they straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to come to the aid of their country to assist in creating a better world for the greater good and the entire global community."
"Don't Ask- Don't Tell " policy needs to be changed ASAP. There are laws that need to be changed and the military policy on allowing bisexuals, gays, lesbians, transgenders into the military and telling them not to tell is one of those issues that we as Americans have not been willing to face in the past. But, times have changed.
As the global community is more accepting of the truth of all humankind on earth, we will grow into recognizing our true colors that don't run. We will become more aware and braver in our efforts for seeing the world as it really is. We have people that are different from the way we use to think. We should accept the truth and correct our mistakes.
ANEW NEWS
Print
Share
Email
?
![[visibleink.com] 417 jpeg](http://www.visibleink.com/files/417.jpeg){kind=link}
![[visibleink.com] 424 jpeg](http://www.visibleink.com/files/424.jpeg){kind=link}
![[evolution.binghamton.edu] banner png](http://evolution.binghamton.edu/religion/images/banner.png){kind=link}