CONSTITUTION
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
Fort Irwin, California Chapter
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1-1. Name. The name of this organization will be the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
Section1-2. Purpose. The purpose of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is to promote recognition of the NCO who, as a squad leader, consistently demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, professionalism and regard for the welfare of his soldiers. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is an elite organization of NCOs whose demonstrated performance and inherent leadership qualities and abilities are characterized by those of Sergeant Audie Murphy.
ARTICLE II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 2-1. Authority. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is established as a Private Organization (PO) under the provision of AR 210-1 and NTC Circular 210-1, and exists on the military installation known as Fort Irwin by the express consent of the Fort Irwin Installation Commander. This consent is contingent upon compliance with the requirements and consideration of all Army regulations and applicable State and local laws. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club will operate as a private organization, by individuals not action within the scope of their official capacity as soldiers, employees, or agents of the United States Government.
Section2-2. Support from the United States Government. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is not an instrumentality of the United States Government and must be self-sustaining and may not receive financial (appropriated funds and non-appropriated funds) or other assistance from the United States Army or Fort Irwin. No seal, insignia, or other identifying device of the local installation or other military department or service may be utilized, unless written permission to utilize the symbol or insignia is received from the Installation Commander. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club may receive limited support from Fort Irwin for support of events sponsored in conjunction with the installation. The Installation Commander or his/her designated representative will approve this support in writing.
Section 2-3. Equal Opportunity. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club fully supports the United States Army and Fort Irwin's policies on equal opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex; nor with it support or associate with persons or organizations which do. All activities conducted by the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club will not prejudice or discredit the military services nor any other agency or official of the United States Government.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 3-1. Membership. Active component, Army Reserve and Army National Guard NCOs in the ranks of corporal through Sergeant First Class are eligible to become members. Honorary membership may be extended to selected personnel who fit the image of a SAMC member but would normally be allowed to compete. Sergeant Morales members in good standing will be extended honorary membership.
Section 3-2. Dues. No membership fees will be assessed from any members.
Section 3-3. Liability. All members shall be personally liable for all outstanding debts and liabilities if the assets of the Sergeant Audie Murphy are insufficient to discharge such debts and liabilities.
Section 3-4. Knowledge of Constitution and By-laws. All members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club will be required to read this constitution and by-laws as a condition of membership.
ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS
Section 4-1. Meetings.
Section 4-1-1. Regular Meeting. membership meetings will be held once a month to conduct normal business.
Section 4-1-2. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting shall be held for the election of officers and may coincide with a monthly meeting during the month of September, provided there is a quorum of members present. In the event a quorum is not present, a special meeting will be scheduled within 30 days form the date of elections; if a quorum is then not present, it will be presumed that there is lack of interest in the organization by its members and the organization may be subject to dissolution.
Section 4-1-3. Special Meetings. Special meetings ma be called, as required, by the President with the Secretary sending out notices at least one week in advance of said meeting. Notices shall state the reason for the meeting, the business to be transacted, and by whom the meeting was called.
Section 4-1-4. Executive Meetings. The Executive Committee and special sub-committees may meet in executive sessions to plan and organize activities for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. All such meetings with a synopsis of the business conducted will be reported at the next Regular or Special Meeting.
Section 4-2. Minutes. For every membership meeting held, the Secretary will prepare a set of minutes outlining the events which transpired at the meeting. The minutes will be reviewed by the President and signed by both the President and the Secretary. A copy of the minutes will be provided each officer of the organization, the Directorate of Community Activities Private Organization Office, and to any member who desires a copy.
Section 4-3. Quorum. A quorum shall be considered 25% of the general membership and at least one officer of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club also, or with 3 of the 4 officers and 10% of the members. A quorum for an annual meeting shall be considered 25% of the general membership and at least 2 of the 4 officers.
ARTICLE V
FINANCE
Section 5-1. Self Sustaining. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is considered to be a self-sustaining non-federal entity and its income will be attained primarily through contributions, and fund raisers.
Section 5-2. Fundraising.
Section 5-2-1. General. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is authorized to conduct any type of fundraising held on or advertised on Fort Irwin IAW NTC Circular 210-1 and approved at Regular or Special Meeting. The Director of Community Activities must approve all fundraising activities held on or advertised on Fort Irwin.
Section 5-2-2. Members Only. Fundraising activities directed toward and for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club members only may be conducted without the Director of Community Activities.
Section 5-2-3. DCA Approval. A Typewritten request for permission to conduct a fundraiser will be provided to the Director of Community Activities at least 45 days prior to the event; 90 days for an opportunity drawing or casino/Monte Carlo type events; and 15 days for car washes or bake/food sales.
Section 5-3. Commercial Sponsorship. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is not authorized to solicit for commercial sponsorship. However, it may request donations form commercial organizations/vendors subject to the following restrictions: 1) A disclaimer (found in NTC Circular 210-1) is provided to each vendor. This disclaimer informs the vendor that its donation to the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is solely the benefit of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and not for Fort Irwin nor the U.S. Army. A completed copy of the disclaimer form must be provided to the Fort Irwin Commercial Sponsorship Officer located in the DCA Marketing Office, Bldg 550, before the organization may receive any cash, goods, or services from the commercial organization/vendor; 2) Advertisement, promotions, or publicity to the commercial organization/vendor is not exchanged for or in order to receive the donation. For example, the vendor's logo or name on posters, banners, T-shirts, flyers, or any other announcement at the event is prohibited. The name of the commercial organization/vendor may be used to properly identify a donated good or services; for example Smith's Hotel in Big Toad, CA donates two nights stay at its hotel, it is permissible to name Smith's Hotel in order to accurately identify the prizes.
Section 5-4. Bank Accounts. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is authorized to open a commercial saving and/or checking account at commercial financial institution (bank or credit union). The bank account will be in the name of the Vice President and the Treasurer.
Section 5-5. Accounting System. A singe entry accounting system will be utilized to account for all revenue and expenditures.
Section 5-6. Treasurer Report. The Treasurer will prepare a financial report at all regular or special meetings reflecting the income and expenses incurred since the last meeting. The Vice President will verify the accuracy of the Treasurer's Report prior to it being presented at a regular or special meeting. Both the Treasurer and the Vice President will sign the report.
Section 5-7. Audits. An audit of all funds received or expedited by the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club will be conducted upon the change of the Treasurer or every two years, which ever is sooner. A copy of the audit will be presented at the next regular or special meeting and a copy will provided to the DCA Private Organization Office. An audit may be conducted by 3 non-office holding members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club or by an outside individual who is an off-duty DOD civilian employee in the grade of GS-09 or above and in job series 510 (accountant) or 511 (auditor), or a public accountant. The cost of hiring an individual to conduct an audit will be borne by the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
Section 5-8. Expenditure of Funds. The expenditure of all funds must be approved by a majority vote of the members present at a regular or special meeting. The President may authorize the expenditure of funds to support events sponsored by the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club if the expenditure was unexpected and it is impractical to convene a special meeting of the membership. The expenditure of funds will be reported by the President at the next regular or special meeting and provide an explanation on why it was necessary to authorize the expenditure.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS AND GOVERNING BODY
Section 6-1. Executive Committee. The establishment, administration, operation, and dissolution of the organization are under the general supervision of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President may appoint members to sub-committee (such as Entertainment Sub-Committee, Fundraising Sub-Committee, or Constitution Committee) to assist the Executive Committee in the execution of their duties.
Section 6-2. Term of Office. The members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the general membership to a term of office not to exceed on year. Members of the Executive Committee may be elected to more than one consecutive term of office.
Section 6-3. Recall of an Officer. All officers of the executive committee serve at the behest of the general membership. The general membership when dissatisfied with a member of the Executive Committee may recall to terminate this officer's term of office. A recall shall be conducted at a general or special meeting and will become effective upon a two third vote of the entire general membership, not just two thirds of the present membership. Once an officer has been recalled, a special election will be held at the next regular meeting to replace the recalled members. In the case of the recall of the President, the Vice President will assume the responsibilities of the President and the special election will be for a new Vice President. In the case of a recall of the Secretary or Treasurer, the Vice President will assume the duties of the recalled officer until a new officer is elected. In the event of the recall of the Vice President, the Secretary will assume the duties of the Vice President until the election of a new Vice President.
Section 6-4. Duties. The duties of each member of the Executive Committee are outlined in the By-laws.
Section 6-5. Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws.
Sections 6-5.1. Approval. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Constitution and By-laws may be adopted, amended, or replaced by the approval of majority of the members present at a regular or special meeting. Any amendments or changes to the Constitution and By-laws of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club are subject to the final approval of the Fort Irwin Installation Commander. Proposed amendments or changes will be provided to the DCA Private Organization Office for processing in accordance with NTC Circular 210-1.
Section 6-5-2. Recommended Changes. Any member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club may propose changes to the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club's Constitution and By-laws.
Section 6-6. Certification as a Private Organization. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is required to be certified as a private organization on Fort Irwin to be able to operate on this installation. The certification is good for only two years and their recertification process must be initiated 120 days prior to the expiration of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club's certification. The President is responsible ensuring the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is certified as a private organization on Fort Irwin.
ARTICLE VII
DISSOLUTION
Section 7-1. Dissolution. Upon receipt of notification form the Installation Commander or upon agreement of three fourths of the general membership at special meeting called by the President to consider Dissolution, the organization shall be dissolved. A written notice of the dissolution of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club will be provided to the DCA Private Organization Office with a notice of the disposition of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club's assets.
Section 7-2. Disposition of Assets. The disposition of assets upon dissolution of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club shall be as follows:
Section 7-2-1. Outstanding Liabilities. Payment of outstanding debts and liabilities.
Section 7-2-2. Remaining Assets. All remaining assets will be donated to the Fort Irwin Installation Morale Welfare Recreation Fund (or any other disposition).
ARTICLE VIII
ADOPTION
Section 8-1. This constitution was adopted in accordance with the provisions of this constitution on 4 Sep 03.
>>>>>>>>signed<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>signed<<<<<<<<<
ELIZABETH A. SIMMONS RANDY COLLINS
SFC, U.S. ARMY SSG, U.S. ARMY
President Secretary