Alumni Association of U.S.Vets-Long Beach

dmin Bldg Conf Rm. Final Bylaws to be presented to U.S.Vets- Long Beach
Final Bylaws to be presented at the General Meeting of the Alumni Association of U.S.Vets- Long Beach for vote on 27 May 2015, 6:00pm, South Admin Bldg Conf Rm.]

Preamble: We the Alumni of U.S.Vets-Long Beach, in order to perpetuate the memories and comraderie of our time spent together at the Villages at Cabrillo, and to form a more practical organization through which we may promote greater interest in the development and welfare of our alumni, our parent organization (U.S.Vets-Long Beach), and the promotion of positive benefit toward current and future residents of U.S.Vets-Long Beach, do ordain and establish these Bylaws, as a foundation to serve the understood operating procedures and expectations of members. Our philanthropic endeavors will help ourselves, by reaching out to our new Alumni members and helping them. It is a hope that mentorship will be something that we Alumni can offer to new Alumni who are transitioning from the U.S. Vets- Long Beach support system to an Alumni self-perpetuating family. ARTICLE I. Name. The name of this organization shall be the Alumni Association of U.S.Vets-Long Beach. ARTICLE II. Objectives and Purpose. Section I - Objectives. To provide a medium by which the needs and interests of Alumni Association of U.S.Vets- Long Beach may be promoted, developed, enhanced, and its influences and services be extended to current and future residents, providing mentorship to new Alumni, and supporting the U.S. Veteran community. Aspire to perpetuate acquaintances, friendships, chapters, fellowships, with common purpose and advancement of the valuable system of services and resources as needed by the residents and alumni of U.S.Vets-Long Beach. Mentor ourselves. U.S. Vets-Long Beach helps Veterans help themselves. The Alumni Association of U.S. Vets-Long Beach helps ourselves, by helping eachother. Section II - The purpose of the U.S. Vet Long Beach Alumni Association, hereafter referred to as the Association, is to provide and maintain an Alumni program to afford successful graduates additional opportunities. Such opportunities shall be for site-specific services, social and recreational activities, community service and involvement, and educational and professional development. The purpose of the Association is aligned with the mission of U.S. Vets in that they help with the sucessful transition of veterans and their families through comprehensive support. Section II -
ARTICLE III. Membership. Section I - Membership Classes. There shall be the following classes of membership as defined by the Alumni Association of U.S.Vets-Long Beach: Active; Associate; Probationary. Section II - Active members. All graduates who have completed the expected standards of advancement toward the goals established by the U.S.Vets-Long Beach system of services and resources (established Programs). Program include Advanced Women's Program (AWP), Village Veterans Recover Center (VVRC), VIP, and/or SILS, and who have paid the prescribed dues (Dues TBD) established by Vote at Annual meeting of the Association. Acting Members have Voting rights within the Association and and holding office. Active Members have access to U.S.Vets-Long Beach Career Center Resources and receive an Active Member Alumni Card which provides identification to access Alumni benefits and resource including access to U.S.Vets-Long Beach facilities. Expansion to U.S.Vets Facilities with U.S.Vets organizations at other locations beyond the Long Beach specific location to be reviewed at future date (TBD) if National Chapters are formed at a future date. Section III - Associate members. All residents who have paid current Association prescribed dues. They have access to the same resources as Active Members, and receive an Associate Member Alumni Card. They are attendees at General Meetings, but do not have voting privileges. Section IV - Probationary Members. Associate Members who have circumstances not in accordance with the established definition of Associate Member defined in these Bylaws, will be considered for a 90 day probationary period to review the "in good standing" and "successful completion of the U.S. Vets-Long Beach Programs". Associate Member dues (or income dues waiver) must be maintained to be a member of this class. Section V - Association Dues. Life Membership will be granted upon purchase of the prescribed dues (TBD) as voted by the Association. Sustaining Membership is an Annual basis for membership based on paying annual dues (TBD) as voted by Active Members. Dues waivers for income consideration are (TBD). ARTICLE IV. Operating Procedures. Section I - Governing Body. The Governing Body of the Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors. Section II - Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the following: (Note: Voting rights are only prescribed as defined for Active Members of the Association.) Alumni Association Officers:
a) President
b) Vice President
c) Secretary
d) Treasurer
e) Past President
One representative of:
f) the AWP
g) the VVRC
h) the VIP
i) the SILS
U.S.Vets- Long Beach:
j) Clinical Director
k) Program Director
l) One onsite Staff Member of U.S. Vets- Long Beach
One Staff Member from each of:
m) Permanent Housing
n) Shelter Plus Care
o) PHD
ARTICLE V. Term of Office. Section I - The term of office for all offices shall be 1 year, from the date of election until successors are elected. Section II - Vacancies. VP shall act as President in interim. Any other vacancy shall be filled by appointment by Board of Directors, as reviewed and voted by Active Members. Section III - All Board of Directors shall serve 1 year terms beginning immediately upon their election or appointment. ARTICLE VI. Election of Officers. Section I - Officers and Board Members shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, held in the Fall. A General meeting of the Association shall occur 60 days prior to the General Meeting of the Board for the purpose of nominating individuals for the positions. Voting will be permitted up to two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Board. Use of By Mail votes and Proxy votes (TBD) using Active Member Alumni Card Membership ID number. Section II - Any Active Member may nominate another Active Member for an Office for the General Election. Section III - A Nominating body may be Appointed by the President and Chaired by the Vice President. ARTICLE VII. Duties. Section I - President shall preside over all Alumni Association meetings, regular and specific, to direct and carry out the policies of the Association, and oversee the general workings of the Association. The President shall act on behalf of the Association in all appropriate activities and provide written agendas for all business meetings. Section II - Vice President shall chair the Nominating Committee. The Vice President shall coordinate any of the appointment officers of the Association. Section III - Secretary shall record meeting minutes and make available within one week following an Alumni Meeting, and report at the next meeting. The Secretary shall maintain a roster of all current association members.The Secretary shall coordinate notices, invitations and other correspondence to Association Members. Section IV - Treasurer shall keep and report records of Alumni Association dues, fundraisers, account activity, at Alumni Association monthly and annual meetings. The Treasurer shall administer all revenues and disbursements of the Association. The Treasurer shall prepare a yearly budget and maintain receipt, and report on the financial status of the Asociation at each business meeting. Section V - Alumni Association Members- stay current on any prescribed (TBD) Association voted dues; offer recommendations for Alumni opportunities to participate in and advance to greater achievement of the stated goals of this Constitution. Participate in the strengthening of the greater good to lifting our Veteran community, current resident, Alumni, and future Veterans (TBD) of U.S.Vets- Long Beach. Section VI - Business meetings shall be held on a monthly basis (may be weekly during early phase of establishing the Alumni Association). Following the first General Meeting Election of Officers, a minimum of six meetings per year will be convened. Section VII - Active Member Voting- Only Active Members may vote. All Active Members will be provided an opportunity to vote, via information dissemination and in person or by mail/proxy vote, as agreed and established by the Active Members. Matters brought to vote include any matters that affect the General majority. Voting outcomes will be based on majority vote. Section VIII - The Board of Directors shall meet Quarterly. ARTICLE VIII. Committees. (TBD)
ARTICLE IX. These Bylaws shall be reviewed at the Annual General Meeting convened in the Fall to assess current needs of the Association and to allow revisions as determined necessary or beneficial by the Alumni Association Members. "Thank you Alumni, for all that you contribute and offer, and thank you for your service to the the United States of America. Paying it forward. Because, all gave some...and some gave all."