We meet September through June, the 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30pm AZ time by ZOOM 954-102-5128. VETERANS FOR PEACE (VFP) TUCSON Chapter 13 BYLAWS
(Approved September 14, 2020)
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Veterans For Peace Tucson, Chapter 13
ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater respons
ibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others
(a) Toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war
(b) To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations
(c) To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons
(d) To seek justice for veterans and victims of war
(e) To abolish war as an instrument of national policy. To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open with the understanding that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace. Veterans For Peace Tucson, Chapter 13 is a chartered chapter of the Veterans For Peace (VFP), Inc.
2. VFP Tucson, Chapter 13 may form temporary coalitions with other organizations of like mind, subject to approval by the membership or by the Executive Committee. ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership. Membership in the chapter is gained by joining the national organization of Veterans For Peace, Inc., as a Full or Associate Member. The national office shall furnish an official roster of Chapter 13 members. Section 2. Local Membership. Members of Chapter 13 are requested to support the chapter by paying annual dues which will be established from time to time by the chapter. Other individuals who support VFP goals and principles are welcome to attend chapter meetings and activities. Membership may not be denied because of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or lack of religious affiliation, national origin, or any other discriminatory practice. Section 3. Chapter Officers. The right to vote and to hold elective office or appointed position within VFP shall be limited to active chapter members, both full and associate. Section 4. Dues, Fees & Assessments.
1. The basic annual dues level for active members will be set and collected by the national organization of Veterans For Peace, Inc.
2. Local dues will be set by vote of the membership, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee, and collected by the Treasurer. In cases of need, provision will be made for membership without local dues. ARTICLE V. POLICY-MAKING BODY
Section 1. Regular Meetings. Meetings of the membership shall be held at least once monthly from September through June at a time & place agreed upon by the Executive Committee. Additional meetings may be called by the president or at the request of at least three members if members are notified at least 72 hours in advance through the President. The chapter phone tree can be initiated by the President upon the consent of 2 other Executive Committee members. Quorum.
25% of chapter members shall constitute a quorum for making motions and taking actions. The policy-making body of VFP Tucson, Chapter 13 shall be the monthly meeting of active members. The Executive Committee is charged to take action between monthly chapter meetings as necessary. Each VFP member, whether a Full or Associate member, shall be entitled to one vote on motions coming before a chapter meeting. Prior to consideration and vote on motions, each chapter member present shall have an equal opportunity to speak to the motion. Non-members & guests shall have an equal opportunity to speak to the motion. ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
Section 1. Office and Terms. The officers of the Veterans For Peace, Tucson Chapter 13 shall be a President, a Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers are the chapter’s Executive Committee and must be up-to-date National VFP members. They shall hold office for a term of one (1) year or until their successor is elected. All officers are responsible to the Chapter membership. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the chapter and an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall preside at and finalize the agenda for chapter meetings. The President shall be the official spokesperson for Veterans For Peace Tucson, Chapter 13 and be familiar with the VFP Tucson, Chapter 13 and the Veterans For Peace, Inc. Bylaws. Vice President. The Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the absence of the President and shall perform such other duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the President, including Public Relations / Publicity for the Chapter. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of chapter and executive meetings and shall also see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law. The Secretary shall be responsible for the distribution of minutes, notice of meetings and agenda for all meetings to members of the Executive Committee and membership as appropriate, and perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the President. Section 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for drafting an annual budget in collaboration with the President to be submitted for approval by the chapter, receiving all funds of the chapter and paying out funds as approved by the chapter, and for the performance of all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be from time-to-time prescribed by the President. The Treasurer shall submit a monthly Treasurer’s Report to the chapter membership. Section 6. Vacancies. Should there be a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency and shall serve until the next annual election. If the Vice President is unable to fill such vacancy, the chapter membership shall elect a President from among its members who will serve the remainder of the term being filled. Any other vacancy shall be filled by a chapter member in a called Chapter meeting election. The successor shall hold office until the next annual election. ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
Section 1. Executive Committee. The officers, as described above, shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to take actions consistent with the purpose and bylaws of the chapter between chapter meetings when necessary and shall report any such actions to the next chapter meeting. Additional guests without voting privilege may be included upon agreement of the Executive Committee. Three of four Executive Committee members count as a quorum for an Executive Committee meeting. The Executive Committee shall not spend or obligate more than $300 of chapter funds without a vote of the chapter. Formation and Reporting. The President may appoint committees for specific purposes. Such committees may include members and non-members of the chapter, but membership of the committee must be approved by a vote of the chapter at a regular meeting. A committee chair shall be designated by the chapter President or, if the President so directs, elected by the committee members. The Committee Chair (or his or her designee) shall make regular reports to the chapter meetings if the committee is functioning. ARTICLE VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern VFP at any chapter meeting or committee meeting to the extent to which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws. All views will be respectfully heard in an attempt to reach consensus. ARTICLE IX. NOMINATION AND ELECTIONS
1. Notification of offices open for election, nomination procedures, and election timelines shall be announced at the November meeting, with nominations finalized at the December monthly meeting and elections the following January. Any active member, at his/her request, shall have his/her name placed upon the ballot for an office. b. The name of any active member may be placed in nomination by any other member, with the consent of the nominee.
2. Election of officers shall be by secret ballot including anonymous voting, as necessary.
3. The Executive Committee may adopt as necessary, Standing Rules, setting forth the procedures for conducting elections. ARTICLE X AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
These by-laws may be amended at any chapter meeting provided notice has been provided to all chapter members as is possible through the Secretary at least 30 days in advance, along with the full text of the proposed change(s) and the time and place of the meeting. The change will be passed when 2/3rds of the members present approve the change.
