ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
 
                      USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)
 

                                         PREAMBLE

We, the former crew members of the Guided Missile Destroyer, UNITED STATES SHIP Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22) with the aims of: promoting and enhancing the memory and preserving the heritage of this vessel, and provide the means by which camaraderie, respect and fellowship may be continued through the years, do hereby establish, enact, publish and adopt these bylaws for and on behalf of the USS Benjamin Stoddert ASSOCIATION.
 

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this association shall be the USS BENJAMIN STODDERT ASSOCIATION.  Herein referred to as "THE ASSOCIATION." 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

THE ASSOCIATION shall be an unincorporated, fraternal, nonprofit organization, not affiliated with the U .S. Department of the Navy, which has as its primary purpose and intent the scheduling and conducting, at intervals to be determined by its membership, reunions and meetings of shipmates, and the establishment of communication within its membership, all as set forth in the Preamble of these bylaws.

The ASSOCIATION will also endeavor to lobby for the naming of a future vessel of the United States Navy in honor of Benjamin Stoddert.

ARTICLE III - OPERATING YEAR

The operating year of THE ASSOCIATION shall be from January 1 through December 31, each year. 

ARTICLE 1V - MEMBERSHIP

Full membership in THE ASSOCIATION shall be available to all former members of the ship's company of USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22) during any period of commissioned service, family members or relatives of former ship's company.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

Elected officers of THE ASSOCIATION shall be: Chairman and Co-Chairman.

The positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Storekeeper, Web master and Historian shall be comprised of volunteers or can be appointed by the Chairman on an as needed basis. All positions will have an assistant. Officers shall be drawn from the membership and elected by a simple majority during the final business meeting at each reunion held by the membership.  Officers shall serve until a successor is elected and installed.  If an office becomes vacated for any reason, before the next election, the vacancy may be filled by appointment by the Chairman of THE ASSOCIATION.
 

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                        ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The direction of THE ASSOCIATION shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will consist of the Chairman, Co-Chairman, Immediate Past-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and two at-large representatives of THE ASSOCIATION. The at-large representatives will be elected by the

general membership at the business meeting during a reunion.  The immediate past-Chairman and Secretary will not be voting members. The immediate past-Chairman will act in an advisory capacity to the board. The board members shall be responsible for presentation of items for discussion and member concerns to be brought up at the next scheduled reunion, to the Chairman.

ARTICLE VII - FINANCES

Dues for THE ASSOCIATION year or any part thereof shall be determined on an annual basis, except that dues received from new members after November 1st will be credited to the following year.  Dues shall be payable to USS Benjamin Stoddert ASSOCIATION and will be used to offset the cost of the newsletter.

ARTICLE VIII - BUSINESS MEETINGS

THE ASSOCIATION shall conduct general business meetings of its general membership during regular scheduled reunions at which time reports from officers and matters of concern submitted by members and the Board of Directors may be discussed.  The general membership meeting shall also include an election of officers as required.  The Board of Directors of THE ASSOCIATION shall conduct no less than one meeting at each scheduled reunion, and such other "called" meetings the Chairman may deem appropriate and/or necessary.
 
ARTICLE IX - REUNIONS

Reunions shall be scheduled on a regular basis as a means to promote camaraderie, respect and fellowship among THE ASSOCIATION members.  Nominations for the dates, frequency, and sites of future reunions will be determined by member surveys.  Final selection of inclusive dates and site for the reunions will be determined by the majority vote from the surveys. 

ARTICLE X - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A.) Chairman - The Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of THE ASSOCIATION.  He shall be the presiding officer at all meetings of THE ASSOCIATION general membership and Board Of Directors and shall prepare an agenda for each ASSOCIATION general membership meeting.  He shall be authorized to sign checks.

B.) Co-Chairman - The Co-Chairman will assist the Chairman and perform the duties of the Chairman should the Chairman for whatever reason not be able to carry out his duties.

C.) Secretary - The Secretary will be responsible for keeping the minutes of all meetings and insuring the Rules of Order are followed. He will be responsible for maintaining THE ASSOCIATIONS rosters of Crewmembers, Active crewmembers, Lost and Deceased Crewmembers. He will encourage the membership to action in the finding of "Lost Sailors" but without promise of reimbursement for any expenses incurred by members in such an endeavor. Produce and distribute a fresh Active Member Roster for the attendees at each reunion. Assist with the preparation of the reunion packet. Be responsible for the operation of the Registration Desk at each reunion. Will serve on the Board of Directors as Secretary and be a non-voting member.

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D.) Treasurer - The treasurer will pay all legitimate bills in a timely manner. Establish and maintain a checking account in the name of the USS BENJAMIN STODDERT with two (2) signatories. Maintain records sufficient to create financial reports as may be required by the Committee and the Membership. Provide a report to attendees at each reunion during the business meeting

E.) Storekeeper - The ship's Storekeeper will maintain the inventory of USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22) materials. He will have these items for sale both by mail order and from the Ship's store at each reunion. The profits from the ship store will be placed into THE ASSOCIATIONS general fund

F.) Newsletter Editor - The newsletter editor shall be responsible for publishing THE ASSOCIATIONS newsletter to be forwarded to all active ASSOCIATION members as required. Reunion notifications will be sent to all known crewmembers. Keep an accurate record of Newsletter expenses, both production and mailing. Make recommendation to the Committee and Membership at each reunion as to the future subscription rate and time periods of subscriptions. Encourage the membership to provide information and items of interest for inclusion in the newsletter.

G.) Web Master - The Web Master will maintain the Web site for THE ASSOCIATION.

H.) Historian - The Historian will maintain the physical memorabilia of the ship. Encourage Association Members to submit items of historical interest relating to the STODDERT during her years of service. Arrange to have selected STODDERT Historical Documents brought to and displayed at each reunion. Maintain and periodically update the SHIP'S HISTORY which is a narrative, chronological record of the Ship's activities.

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS - A Board of Directors as described in Article VI shall provide advice and consent and direct the business and financial affairs of THE ASSOCIATION as prescribed by the Chairman.
 
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at any scheduled general business meeting by a two-thirds (b) majority vote by those ASSOCIATION members present.
 
These bylaws are hereby approved and adopted on _________________________

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