USSVI Razorback Base
By-Laws
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USS RAZORBACK BASE BYLAWS
UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS INCORPORATED
(INCORPORATED MAY 1964)
ARTICLE I. NAME
Section 1. The name of the Base shall be USS RAZORBACK Base of United States Submarine Veterans,
Incorporated hereinafter referred to as USSVI.
Section 2. For the purpose of these Bylaws, the term “Base” shall be synonymous with “USS RAZORBACK Base
of USSVI”.
ARTICLE II EMBLEM
Section 1. The official emblem of this base shall be the red field with twenty-five (25) white stars on a blue
background and the lettering, USSVI RAZORBACK BASE, dolphins and a caricature of the Razorback Whale.
Section 2. Use or resale of the official emblem by any person, persons or group shall be as authorized and by
permission obtained in writing from the Base Commander, Vice Commander and a quorum of base membership.
ARTICLE III PURPOSE
Section 1. Statement of Purpose
To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their
country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater
accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States Constitution.
Section 2. Creed
The Statement of Purpose for the Base shall be also known as the Base Creed.
ARTICLE IV POLICY
Section 1. The Base shall adopt no policy in conflict with the laws and practices of the United States
Constitution and USSVI Bylaws.
ARTICLE V FISCAL YEAR
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Base shall commence on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first
day of December in each year.
ARTICLE VI MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. General
A. Members who have been discharged under honorable conditions from the Armed Forces of the United
States of .America. Proof of submarine qualification and honorable service must be provided upon request.
B. All members shall be bound by these Bylaws and the Constitution and Bylaws of USSVI.
C. A member is considered “in good standing” if both National and Base dues have been paid for the current
year.
D. Members whose dues are in arrears on April 1st of the current year will have their continuous membership
in good standing terminated and will be dropped from all rosters.
Section 2. Regular Members
A. Regular membership is restricted to U. S. citizens who have been designated as “QUALIFIED IN
SUBMARINES” by the U. S. Navy.
Section 3. Charter Members
A. Charter members are those members who were original members of the base on October 28, 2000.
Section 4. Life Members
A. Holland Club members will be granted Life Membership in the USS RAZORBACK Base at no cost.
Section 5. Associate Members
A. An Associate member is one who is not eligible for Regular membership or one who is closely associated
with a Regular member.
B. Each Associate member must be sponsored by a Regular member in good standing.
C. Associate membership is reserved for persons not otherwise eligible for Regular membership, but their
deeds or actions are related to the Submarine Service. (All Associate members must be at least sixteen (16) years
of age). This does not preclude any relative of a Regular member in good standing from applying for Associate
membership.
D. Any naturalized U. S. Citizen who is a “Qualified Submariner” of a currently Allied Navy may become an
Associate member, and does not require a sponsor.
E. Associate members may vote on all Base matters.
F. Associate members may not hold elective offices; however, they may hold any appointed office with
concurrence by a quorum of the general membership.
G. In the event an Associate member’s sponsor is unable to continue that support, e. g. leaves area or called
on Eternal Patrol, the Base may assume sponsorship of the Associate ember.
ARTICLE VII DUES
Section 1. Annual Base dues will be set by the Executive4and approved by the general membership and
payable to the Membership Chairman or his authorized representative.
Section 2. Dues are payable on or before December 31 of each year for the subsequent calendar year.
Section 3. The amount approved for annual base dues will be posted on the membership application and on
the base website at www.razorbackbase.corn.
ARTICLE VIII RULES OF ORDER
Section 1. The general procedure of meeting of this Base shall be in keeping with normal parliamentary
procedure set down in the current issue of ~‘Robert’s Rules of Order”.
ARTICLE IX MONTHLY MEETINGS
Section 1. The USS RAZORBACK Base shall conduct a minimum of six business meetings during the fiscal
year. The Executive Board shall meet prior to each scheduled meeting as necessary to set the agenda for the
next meeting.
Section 2. The base will meet on the fourth Saturday of the month or at other times approved by the
membership.
Section 3. The membership present at the opening of a meeting will be considered a quorum. Any member
who removes himself prior to adjournment will not be considered to remove the quorum.
Section 4. The order of business for the monthly meeting shall be:
A. Call to order.
B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C. Invocation.
D. Tolling of the bell for lost boats followed by a moment of silence.
E. Reading and acceptance of the minutes of the previous monthly meeting.
F. Reading and acceptance of the Treasurer’s report.
G. Reading of correspondence received.
H. Reports of committees.
I. Unfinished business.
J. New business.
K. Announcement of the next meeting or activity.
L. Good of the Order.
M. Benediction.
N. Adjournment of meeting.
ARTICLE X OFFICERS
Section 1. Base Officers
A. Elected Base officers shall consist of the following: Base Commander, Vice Commander, Treasurer, Chief
of the Boat and Chaplain.
B. Base Officers must be a Regular or Life Member and in good standing for a minimum of twelve months. A
nominee must be in attendance at the meeting when nominated for office.
C. The term of office for all elected Base Officers will be two (2) years or until their successor has been
elected or appointed.
D. The Base Commander will be discouraged from accepting or pursuing the position of Regional Director or
District Commander without first stepping down from USS RAZORBACK Base Commander.
E. Should an elected Base Officer become unable to complete his normal term, the Base Commander will
appoint a successor with concurrence by the Executive Board for the remainder of the elected term.
F. Appointed Officers shall consist of Base Yeoman, Storekeeper, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, and
Committee Chairmanships as necessary. These officers will be appointed by the Base Commander and approved
by a quorum of the Base membership.
Section 2. Executive Board
A. The Executive Board shall have the control and general management of the affairs and business of the
Organization.
B. The Executive Board will consist of all elected officers and the following appointed officers: Base Yeoman,
Storekeeper, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster and others as appointed by the Base Commander. All elected and
appointed Executive Board members may give input and vote on all Executive Board matters.
C. The Base Commander shall notify all Executive Board members no less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to
any Executive Board meeting. Three members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. Once a quorum
has been established, it cannot be removed by a member.
D. The Executive Board will take any action on all matters referred to them by the membership. All other
actions are to be considered a recommendation until the minutes are read and accepted at the next general
membership meeting.
Section 3. Base Commander
The duties of the Base Commander shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Act as the Chief Executive Officer.
B. Cause to call all regular and special meetings of the Base.
C. Preside over all regular and special meetings of the Base.
D. Enforce the National and Base Constitution and by-laws.
E. Direct and supervise the operation of the base.
F. Prepare and present an annual report to the Membership.
G. Submit in writing to all officers for confirmation, all apç~ointed officers and committee chairmanships
H. Be responsible for the promulgation of all pertinent information to the membership of the Base
I. work up, keep current and pass on immediately to his relief, a ‘~Turn Over” folder including all official
correspondence, records and official materials assigned to his care
J. In the absence of the Base Treasurer, write checks for Base expenses
Section 4. Vice Commander
A. In the absence of the Base Commander, shall preside at meetings and perform such duties as are
necessary.
B. Shall be responsible that only members in good standing and bonafide guests are admitted to all meetings.
Section 5. Yeoman
A. Shall keep minutes of all meetings and maintain files reference. Copies are to be forwarded to the Base
Commander.
B. Shall keep a file of all outgoing and incoming correspondence.
C. Sufficient funds will be provided to the Yeoman to carry out the responsibility of the office.
Section 6. Treasurer
A. Shall be responsible for all funds and securities of the USSRAZORBACK Base and deposit such in the
name of USS RAZORBACK Base, USSVI.
B. Shall read the monthly financial reports at the business and executive meetings and place copies on file
with the Base Commander.
C. The books shall be audited annually and prior to being by an auditing committee. This committee will
conssist of active members appointed by the Executive Board. The Board may require an additional audit as
deemed necessary.
Section 7. Chief of the Boat
A. Shall act as Master at Arms at all meetings. He shall assist \ the Vice Commander as necessary to ensure
only members of good standing and bona fide guests are admitted to all meetings.
Section 8. Chaplain
A. Shall perform all duties in accordance with the USSVI Manual.
ARTICLE XI EXPENSES
Section 1. Base Treasury funds may not be obligated for any purpose other than official Base matters without
concurrence of a quorum of the general membership
Section 2. Proof of expenditure for expenses must be provided by all elected officers or others designated by
the Executive Board.
Section 3. All other expenses not covered by this article must be approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE XII TRANSACTIONS
Section 1. There will be absolutely no soliciting, selling or bartering, etc. at any USS RAZORBACK Base
function unless the Executive Board considers such action to be beneficial to the Base.
ARTICLE XIII CHANGE OF BYLAWS
Section 1. Any member may submit a change to these bylaws by a typewritten change to the Executive Board
for consideration and recommendation. It will then be read at the next three monthly business meetings. At the
third meeting, the membership will then vote to accept or not accept. No change may be withdrawn after the first
reading.