Below are the Constitution and By-Laws of Crandall-Palmer Post 61
CONSTITUTION
OF
CRANDALL-PALMER POST 61
THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA
PREAMBLE
For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate a hundred percent Americanism; To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and goodwill on earth; To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of Justice, Freedom and Democracy; To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Crandall-Palmer Post No. 61, The American Legion, Department of Arizona.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
Section 1. The purposes of the Post shall be to promote the principles and policies as set forth in the foregoing Preamble, and the National and Departmental Constitution of the American Legion.
ARTICLE III
NATURE
Section 1. This Post is a civilian organization and membership therein does not affect or increase the liability for military or police service.
Section 2. This organization shall be absolutely non-political and non-sectarian, and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles or for the promotion of the candidacy for or incumbency of an elective office.
Section 3. Rank does not exist in The American Legion; no member shall be addressed by his military or naval title in any meeting of this Post.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility for membership in this Post shall be as prescribed by the National Constitution of The American Legion.
Section 2. There shall be no form or class of membership except as Active Member, Paid up for Life (PUFL) or Life Member as herein provided. Honorary membership cards shall not be issued by this Post.
Section 3. All applications for membership including Life Members shall be acted upon at the next Post meeting following the making of such application, providing proof of eligibility has been provided. At that time, it shall be accepted or rejected or referred for further investigation and consideration. If a majority of the members present and voting cast their vote against the acceptance of said application, then such application shall be rejected. A rejected application shall not again be considered until after the expiration of six (6) months from the date of such rejection. If, at the General Meeting at which the applications for membership in The American Legion are to be presented cannot be held due to the lack of a quorum, then approval of a new member application(s) or transfer may be given by the Executive Committee and membership cards may be issued.
Section 4. An applicant for membership in this Post who has been suspended from any other Post in the American Legion for misconduct or misrepresentation shall not be admitted to this Post.
Section 5. Any member of this Post may for cause be reprimanded, suspended, or expelled, after a hearing and trial, by two thirds (2/3) vote of all members of the Executive Committee upon charges being presented in writing. One (1) week written notice of the time and place when the Executive Committee will consider the charges against them. A written specification of the charges shall be given to the accused member and at such time and place shall be entitled to appear and defend himself against such charges. Cause for reprimand, suspension and expulsion within the meaning of this section shall consist of disloyalty, neglect of duty, dishonesty or conduct unbecoming a member of the American Legion. At anytime within thirty (30) days after a sentence of dismissal or expulsion; a meeting of the Post to consider same shall be called upon written request of twenty (20) members. At such a meeting an appeal may be restored by a vote of the majority of the members present. Notice of the purpose of the meeting shall be made available to the Post at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. This Section does not apply for suspensions of Clubroom Privileges.
Section 6. A member who has been expelled from Post 61 for any cause may never be reinstated to membership in that Post.
Section 7. The resignation of a member indebted to the Post shall take effect only when accepted by the Executive Committee.·
Section 8. Life Membership shall be made by selection rules as set forth in the By-Laws of the Post.
ARTICLE V
ORGANIZATION
Section 1. The administrative affairs of the Post, as provided in the By-Laws, shall be under the supervision of an Executive Committee, which consists of four (4) members; in addition to the elective officers herein provided. The terms of office for the four (4) members shall be staggered with one member elected for a three (3) year term, two (2) members elected for a two (2) year term and one (1) member elected for a one (1) year term. Length of the term for each to be based on the number of votes cast for each or another method acceptable to the four (4) elected members. The Executive Committee shall have such duties as provided in the By-laws. The Post may provide for such standing committees as the business of the organization may require. Duties and powers of such standing committees shall be supervised by the Commander.
Section 2. Crandall-Palmer Post 61, The American Legion, Department of Arizona shall be incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the statutes of the State of Arizona providing for such corporations. It shall also be registered with the United States Internal Revenue Service under the appropriate Federal statutes and codes covering such organizations.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this Post shall be as specified in the By-Laws.
Section 2. All elective officers shall be elected annually and they shall hold office for one (1) year or until their successors are duly installed.
Section 3. Every member of the Post in good standing shall be eligible to vote. After one year's membership in the Post members shall be eligible to hold office. Those officers (appointed or elected) who have resigned without providing extenuating circumstances, approved by the Executive Committee, shall not be eligible to hold a future appointed or elected office. Full time employees shall not hold an elected or appointed office in this Post.
Section 4. The duties of the Officers and the Executive Committee shall be as provided in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII
FINANCE
Section 1. The revenue of this Post shall be derived from membership dues and from such other sources as may be approved by the Post Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will insure that all funds received are deposited in the appropriate accounts and that all donations received are immediately deposited in Post 61's general account.
Section 2. The amount of membership dues shall be fixed and determined by the Post.
Section 3. The Post shall pay to the Department Headquarters the National and Department per capita dues.
ARTICLE VIII
ATTACHED ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1. The Post recognizes an auxiliary organization to be known-as Crandall-Palmer Unit 61, the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Arizona.
Section 2. Membership in the Auxiliary shall be prescribed by the National Constitution of the American Legion and the National Constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Section 3. The Auxiliary shall be governed by such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the National Constitution of the American Legion and the National Constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Section 4. The Post recognizes Squadron 61, Sons of the American Legion, Detachment of Arizona as a program within this Post.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This Constitution is adopted subject to the provision of the National Constitution of The American Legion and of the Department Constitution of the Department of Arizona, The American Legion. Any amendment to said National Constitution or Department Constitution which is in conflict with any provisions herein shall be regarded as automatically repealing or modifying the provisions of this Constitution to the extent of any conflict.
Section 2. This Constitution may be amended at any regular Post meeting by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of said Post attending such regular meeting, providing that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing and read at the previous general meeting. Notification of members will be by posting of a notice of the proposed amendment in the Post 10 days prior to the meeting in which it shall be voted· on. The notice shall contain the provision of the proposed amendment.
ARTICLE X
AUTHORITY
Section 1. The authority under which this Post shall function is vested in the National and Department Constitutions and Bylaws. Any provision in this Post's Constitution or Bylaws in conflict with that authority shall be void.
ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION
This Constitution was adopted in its entirety by action of the Executive Committee at its regular Meeting on the 6th day of March, 2008 and by the General Membership at its regular meeting on the 14th day of April, 2008
Skip Hicks
Commander
Frank Whitten
Adjutant
BY-LAWS
CRANDALL - PALMER POST NO. 61
THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. The Post existing under these By-Laws is to be known as Crandall-Palmer Post No. 61, The American Legion, Department of Arizona.
Section 2. The purposes of the Post are set forth in Article II of the Constitution.
ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT
Section 1. Management of the Post shall consist of its elected Officers and a four (4) member elected Executive Committee. The elected Officers shall be the Commander, First Vice Commander, Second Vice Commander, and the Finance Officer. · The Commander shall appoint the Adjutant, Assistant Adjutant, Service Officer, Chaplain, Post Historian, Sergeant-at-Arms, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Judge Advocate.
Section 2. The government and management of the Post are entrusted to the ten (10) Executive Committee Members and Officers.
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall consist of four (4) elected members who shall serve staggered terms in accordance with ARTICLE V, Section 1 of the Constitution plus four (4) elected officers. The elected officers shall be the Commander, First Vice Commander, Second Vice Commander, and the Finance Officer. These officers shall have the same powers as the other members of the Executive Committee. The appointed Adjutant and Past Commander on the Executive Committee are ad·hoc for the purpose of their duties and advisement. The Immediate Past Commander shall only have a tie breaking vote if necessary.
Section 4. The Executive Committee shall have charge of all affairs and business of this Post; shall adopt all rules and regulations necessary for the affairs of the Post; shall authorize all expenditures and contracts as well as all matters affecting it policy, finances, discipline, decorum, and harmony. This committee shall also be the final approving authority for all Post employees pay raises.
Section 5. The Executive Committee shall have entire charge of any and all real property belonging to or in the custody of the Post (i.e., Buildings, Land, Lots, etc.). They·shall approve leases, sub-leases and shall handle any transactions pertaining to the real property owned or being controlled by the Post. The four (4) member Executive Committee shall function as the Club Committee with the senior Executive Committee ·member (member serving 3-year term) serving as Chairperson. The Second Vice Commander shall serve as a member of the Club Committee with the same authority as the other members.
Section 6. Post Operating Procedures, when approved by the Executive Committee, shall be posted on Post and Club bulletin boards, and shall be made available to each member upon request.
Section 7. The Commander and Vice Commanders of the Post shall not hold an elected District or Department position.
ARTICLE III
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominations and Elections shall be as follows: Nominations shall be made from the floor at the regular meeting of the Post held in April of each year. If a person is interested in any elected position, he/she may indicate so in writing prior to the nominating meeting and need not be present to accept nomination. Said letter of intent must be filed with the Adjutant prior to the meeting. All nominated and appointed officers shall be required to have either a copy of a DD214 or an honorable discharge on file with the Post prior to the meeting at which nominations are held. Nominations of Officers shall be closed at this meeting and the name of each nominee shall be placed on a ballot. Voting for the Officers shall take place at the meeting place of the Post on the date of the regular meeting in May of each year.
Section 2. The Adjutant shall have prepared and available for election a poll list containing names of all members in the Post in good standing and adequate voting areas. The Commander shall designate one (1) to four (4) members to act as the Election Committee. The Adjutant and Asst. Adjutant shall be responsible for the ballot box. For the purpose of voting, the poll shall be open for eight (8) hours prior to the start of the General Membership meeting on the date of the election (second Saturday in May). Each member of the Post in good standing, if present, shall be entitled to a ballot. Any member who signifies to the Adjutant their inability to be present at the election of officers, at least four (4) days prior to the election, except in an emergency, shall be given a ballot that will be tallied with the other ballots. After the polls are closed, the Election Committee shall retire and consolidate all of the election results and announce the results of the election the same evening. The person(s) receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected. All officers elected shall take their oath of office, in a proper ceremony, at the meeting place of the Post during the month of June. They will take charge of their elected offices on the Monday following the close of the annual convention of The American Legion, Department of Arizona.
Section 3. A vacancy shall exist when an officer of this Post is absent from three (3) consecutive scheduled meetings of the Post without a reasonable excuse being presented to the Post Commander or Executive Committee prior to the third consecutive meeting. A vacancy shall exist after the resignation of a Post Officer.
Section 4. All vacancies existing in any elected office of the Post, for any cause, shall be filled by a special election. The election shall be announced at a General Meeting and voted on and installed at the meeting following the announcement of such vacancy. The person so elected shall hold office for the un-expired term of the committee, person, or officer who he/she succeeds. Notices will be posted at least ten (10) days prior to all regular and special elections.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICERS
Section 1. Duties of the Post Commander. It shall be the duty of the Post Commander to preside at all meetings of the Post and of the Post Executive Committee. The Post Commander shall have general supervision over all committees and the business affairs of the Post, and such officer shall be the Chief Executive of the Post. The Post Commander may approve all orders directing the disbursement of funds and shall make an annual report covering the business of the Post for the current year and make recommendations for the ensuing year which shall be read at the meeting held on the second Saturday in May. The Post Commander shall execute jointly with the Post Adjutant, without personal liability, all contracts, bonds, and other instruments in writing provided and required by the Executive Committee. The Post Commander, immediately upon taking office, shall appoint the chairpersons of the following standing committees as needed: Americanism, Relief and Service, Social, Finance, Sports, Public Relations, Law and Order, Oratorical, Boys State, Bingo, Building Committee, and Auditing. The Post Commander will also appoint, with approval of the Executive Committee, such special committee chairpersons as he/she shall decide are needed or as dictated by the Constitution (an example of which is the Life Membership Committee). As a voting member of the District Executive Committee, the Post Commander shall attend all District meetings or appoint (in writing to the District Adjutant) a representative in his/her place. When any American Legion meeting, besides Post meetings, are held at Post 61, it is the Commanders responsibility to provide welcoming comments at said meeting. In addition to the above, the Post Commander shall be the direct supervisor of the Club Steward, establish Club Steward Duties and Responsibilities, and shall give active guidance to the Club Committee.
Section 2. Duties of the First Vice Commander. The First Vice Commander shall assume the duties of the office of the Commander in the absence or disability of, or when called upon by the Post Commander. The First Vice Commander shall be Chairman of the Membership Committee.
Section 3. Duties of the Second Vice Commander. The Second Vice Commander shall assume and discharge the duties of the office of the Commander in the absence of the Commander and First Vice Commander, or when called upon by the Post Commander. He/she shall also be Chairperson of the Social Committee and an ex-officio member of the Club Committee.
Section 4. Duties of the Post Adjutant. The Post Adjutant shall have charge of and keep a full and correct record of all proceedings of all meetings. Keep such records as the Department and National organizations may require. In the excused absence of the First Vice Commander, the Post Adjutant shall render reports of membership when called upon. The Post Adjutant shall have general charge of all records of the Post, except those in the custody of the Finance Officer. He/She shall submit a statement of the meeting proceedings monthly to the Executive Committee and the Post membership. He/She shall act jointly with the Post Commander, without liability, to execute all contracts, bonds, and other instruments in writing provided and required by the Executive Committee. Under the control of the Commander, he/she shall handle all correspondence of the Post; and shall perform such other duties and acts required by the Executive Committee. He/she shall see that all moneys are turned into the Finance Officer for deposit.
Section 5. Duties of the Finance Officer. The Finance Officer of the Post shall be accountable for all finances of the Post and see that all funds are safely deposited in a local national bank, banks or Credit Unions which are members of the Federal Reserve System or National Credit Union Association. This also includes all Post Accounts falling under the Post Federal Tax Identification Number. The Finance Officer shall be a signer on all accounts of the Post. The Finance Officer shall report the financial condition of the Post, once a month, to the Executive Committee. The Finance Officer shall furnish such surety bonds at the discretion of the Executive Committee. The Finance Officer shall post a current copy of the Post Financial Report on the appropriate bulletin board monthly. He/she shall insure that all finance records pertaining to the operation of Post 61 (including the General Fund checkbook) do not leave the Post property unless authorized by the Post Commander. The Finance Officer may not change banks or bank accounts without the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee meeting in regular or special session.
Section 6. Duties of the four (4) elected Executive Committee Members. The Executive Committee Members shall meet on a monthly basis with the other elected officers of the Post for the purpose of conducting the relevant operation of the Post as described is Article II, Section 4. The four Executive Committee Members shall function as the Club Committee with the senior Executive Committee Member (the member serving the three-year term) serving as Chairperson. The Second Vice Commander shall serve as an ex officio member of the Club Committee with the same authority as the other members.
Section 7. Duties of the Service Officer. The Service Officer shall supervise all matters pertaining to the needs of veterans in their dealings with the United States Veterans Administration or any other bureau or department of the United States Government or any agency created by the State of Arizona affecting or dealing with veterans. He/she shall also have supervision over the employment of needy Legion members in outside work and shall supervise the giving of relief to indigents and the funeral services of members and veterans when requested. The Service Officer shall attend, when available, Department Service Officer Training.
Section 8. Duties of the Post Historian. The Post Historian shall be charged with the records and history of the Post and Post Members and shall perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office as may be determined by the Post Commander or Executive Committee.
Section 9. Duties of the Post Chaplain. The Post Chaplain shall be charged with the spiritual welfare of the Post and will offer divine but non-sectarian service in the event of dedications, funerals, public functions and adhere to such ceremonial rites as are recommended by the National or Department Headquarters.
Section 10. Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The Sergeant-at-Arms or Assistant Sergeantat-Arms shall preserve order at all meetings and shall perform other duties as may be assigned to him/her. He/She will set up the meeting hall and post the colors. At the start of the meeting, he/she will immediately request to be recognized and then recommend to the Commander that any member who is ill, intoxicated or has purposely tried to disrupt the proceedings of the general meeting be excused.
Section 11. Duties of the Judge Advocate. The Judge Advocate shall be the legal advisor for all Officers and Committees of the Post. He/she, at the direction of the Post Commander, shall form a committee of members of the Post, in good standing, and shall cause an audit of the Post financial records to be held on an annual basis just after the installation of new officers or more frequently if requested by the Commander. He/she should be available to the Service Officer for legal advice and to the Americanism Committee for matters concerning education and naturalization.
ARTICLE V
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Section 1. By a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members at a regular meeting, the Post shall have the power of removing from office any member of the Executive Committee or any Officer, for good cause shown, in accordance with Article IV Section 5 of the Constitution.
Section 2. Any person who has been either elected or appointed to any office or committee within Post 61 and who voluntarily resigns that position shall no longer be eligible for any future office or committee within the Post unless he/she has shown that there were extenuating circumstances that had caused his/her resignation. Said circumstances to be verified and approved by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VI
DELEGATES
Section 1. Delegates and alternates to the Department Convention shall be selected by the Post at a regular meeting of the Post to be held in April. Upon return from the Department Convention and at the next general meeting, each delegate will brief the membership on all meetings he/she attended and provide a written report to the appropriate committee. Any appointed delegate who has not previously been excused and does not attend and register at the Convention shall reimburse the Post the cost of his registration.
Section 2. Delegations shall vote in terms of full units and not as fractional parts of a vote. They may arrive at the vote in any manner that they see fit; the unit rule shall not control the vote of a delegation.
ARTICLE VII
STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. Membership. The Membership Committee shall have the duties of procuring new members, reinstatement of members and certification of members and shall be chaired by the First Vice Commander.
Section 2. Americanism Committee. The Americanism Committee's duties are to inspire patriotism and good citizenship through patriotic observance, patriotic and civic instruction in schools, Americanism of·undocumented citizens, information on anti-American propaganda, youth activities such as Boys State, Scouts, Oratorical contests, School Award Medals, Baseball, Flag etiquette, and other similar community activities.
Section 3. Relief and Service Committee. The Relief and Service Committee shall supervise the giving of relief to indigents, the employment of needy and worthy Legion members, funerals of members and care of families of all veterans. This Committee shall work under the Service Officer.
Section 4. Social Committee: The Social Committee shall consist of the Second Vice Commander as Chairperson. He/she shall have charge of all entertainment, dances, club shows and performances and shall supervise the activities of all other entertainment.
Section 5. Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall have the general supervision over the finances of the Post, will devise ways and means of raising finances and arrange for the authorization thereof, and will audit the accounts of the Finance Officer, supervise expenditures and prepare a budget. The Finance Officer shall keep a set of books showing the distribution of receipts and the disbursements of the Post. The Finance Officer along with the Finance Committee shall prepare an annual budget to be recommended to the Executive Committee at its July meeting. Final adoption of the budget for the fiscal year shall be at the Executive Committee meeting and the General Meeting in August
Section 6. Sports Committee. The Sports Committee shall organize, direct and manage all of the Post activities relating to baseball, basketball, football, and any other athletic sports including boxing and wrestling matches.
Section 7. Law and Order Committee. The Law and Order Committee shall perform those functions as outlined in National and Department guidelines.
Section 8. Public Relations Committee. The Public Relations Committee shall perform those functions as outlined in National and Department guidelines.
Section 9. Club Committee. The Club Committee will consist of the four (4) elected non- officer members of the Executive Committee and the Second Vice Commander as an ex officio member. The non-officer Executive Committee member serving the three (3) year term·shall be the Chairperson of the committee. Committee duties will be as follows: They will have complete charge of the Club Room with the exception of the supervision of the Club Steward which is the responsibility of the Post Commander. The Club Committee shall insure that all Club non-salaried employees do not exceed a part-time working schedule. They shall have the authority to recommend to the Executive Committee, the replacement of the Club Steward for any act that is not in the best interest of Post 61 and the American Legion. Said replacement shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee. The Chairperson will submit in writing a report to the Executive Committee each time they meet. The Committee will make a monthly report of revenue and expenses of the Club activities as soon as possible after the end of the month to the Executive Committee. The Club Committee, upon receiving an authorized report of violation of the Club Rules by a member, shall act within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of accepting the report and they shall have the authority to suspend a member's club privileges for a period of time with the approval of the Executive Committee either by telephone poll or a special meeting called for that purpose. Incident Report Procedures and Incident Report Forms for detailed handling of Club rule violations are contained along with Post Employee Duties and Responsibilities in the Post Operating Procedures.
Section 10. Building Committee. The Building Committee shall recommend to the Executive Committee various remodeling projects and repairs for existing Post properties. They shall also, when requested, provide preliminary planning for future new construction. During extensive remodeling projects they shall meet with other involved Post personnel to determine the status of work accomplished and work yet to be done.
Section 11. Bingo Committee. The Bingo Committee under the direction of the Bingo Manager and the Proceeds Coordinator shall insure that Bingo is conducted in accordance with Arizona State Statutes and the Arizona Department of Revenue Bingo Section rules. This committee will be made up of those members licensed by the State of Arizona to be authorized Bingo workers.
Section 12. Auditing Committee. Working with the Judge Advocate, the Auditing Committee shall audit all Post financial records on an annual basis or more often when requested by the Commander or the Executive Committee.
Section 13. Any officer elected or appointed, who is related to any individual who is the subject of any committee action shall abstain from any discussion or vote pertaining to that individual.
ARTICLE VIII
RESOLUTIONS
Section 1. All resolutions of State and National scope presented to this Post by a member or reported to this Post by a committee shall merely embody the opinion of this Post on the subject. A copy of same shall be forwarded to the Department Headquarters for its approval before any publicity is given or action other than mere passage by this Post.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
Section 1. The Executive Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on the Thursday Evening immediately preceding the General Meeting which is the second Saturday of each month; with the time of said meeting to be determined by the Post Commander at the organizational meeting in June or July. Four (4) members present shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The regular meetings of this Post shall be held on the second Saturday of each month at a time to be determined by the Post Commander at the meeting in June or July.
Section 3. The Post Commander or a majority of the Executive Committee shall have the power to call a special meeting of this Post.
Section 4. Upon written request of twenty (20) members, the Commander shall call a special meeting of the Post.
Section 5. Twelve (12) members including Officers at a regular or special Post meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Section 6. During any committee meeting including Executive Committee meeting, the Chairman (or Commander) may at any time request that spectators leave the area of said Committee meeting.
ARTICLE X
NOTICES
Section 1. Every member shall furnish the Post with his or her address for mailing purposes, including Zip Code, along with a phone number and email address.
ARTICLE XI
RULES OF ORDER
Section 1. All proceedings of this Post shall be conducted under and pursuant to Robert's Rule of Order when not in conflict with the National and Department Constitution and By Laws.
Section 2. The Membership of Post 61 shall have final approval of all activities and appointments within the Post.
ARTICLE XII
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Honorary Life Membership. Any member who shall have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Post or the American Legion for a period of 8 years minimum may be considered for Life Membership, provided that mere service as an officer, committeeman, or employee of the Post shall not in itself constitute distinguished service as referred to herein. Incumbent commanders shall not be eligible candidates for life membership.
Section 2. On the first day of each Legion year the Post Commander shall appoint a Life Membership Nomination Committee Chairperson, this Chairperson shall be a standing Life Member of the Post. The Life Member Nomination Committee shall consist of that Chairperson and four Life Members selected by the Chairperson. The Committee will report directly to the Commander of the Post. This Committee shall be the final approving authority for Life Membership in the Post.
Section 3. Nomination of a member for selection to Life Membership shall be in writing and shall set forth, in detail, the distinguished services of the recommended member and be accepted from Post 61 Legion Members. This writing shall be given to the Life Membership Nomination Committee Chairperson for investigation by the committee. The committee will investigate all writings presented to them prior to midnight of the last day of January for the year of the nomination. They will recommend, to the Post Commander, a minimum of zero (0) up to a maximum of two (2) Life Members per year. Nominees shall have no knowledge of their selection until the public announcement. The Post Commander shall be informed of the Life Member selections before the General Membership meeting in February and cause to be accomplished the necessary administrative functions to appropriately recognize those selected. The public announcement of such approval will be made at a special occasion around the Legion's Birthday or at a special function before the end of the month of May in the year selected.
Section 4. All non-selected nominations shall remain on file for three (3) years and be reviewed annually by the Life Membership Nomination Committee until the filing requirement expires.
ARTICLE XIII
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITIES
Section 1. The Post is incorporated, and no individual will be held responsible for liabilities or obligations incurred by Post #61.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at a regular meeting by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of said Post attending such regular meeting; provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing, and read at the preceding regular meeting; and provided, further, that notices shall be posted at least ten (10) in advance of the date when such amendment is to be voted upon, notifying said members that at such meeting a proposal to amend the By-Laws is to be voted upon.
ARTICLE XV
AUTHORITY - ADOPTION OF BYLAWS
Section 1. The authority under which this Post shall function is vested in the National and Department Constitutions and Bylaws. Any provision in this Post's Constitution or Bylaws in conflict with that authority shall be void.
Section 2. These Bylaws were adopted in their entirety by action of the Executive Committee at its regular meeting on the 8th day of September, 2022 and the General Membership at its regular meeting on the 10th day of September, 2022.
Ron Ross
Commander
Zoreda Kennon
Adjutant
