Base By-laws
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ARTICLE 1 - NAME
The name of this base of USSVI shall be THE “USS FLORIDA” base of UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS,
INCORPORATED. The term “USS FLORIDA Base” shall be synonymous with The “USS FLORIDA” Base of the USSVI.
ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Section 1. 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. To pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.
Section 2. The Statement of Purpose for the “USS FLORIDA” Base shall also be known as the CREED.
Section 3. A Primary duty of this base will maintain the Sub Vets WWII Basil Pearce, Jr. Chapter Memorial, located on the
St. John’s River (River Side Park) in Palatka, FL.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership is open to all personnel that are a member in good standing with National USSVI and have been
designated "Qualified in Submarines”. Or meets requirements for membership in Sub Vets WWII.
Section 2. Those members, who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have been
discharged under honorable conditions.
Section 3. All applications of new members shall be accompanied by proof, when requested, of eligibility under Section 1 of
this article. Form DD-214, letter from commanding officer, or a signature of a member in good standing attesting the
application to be true to the best of his knowledge, shall be accepted.
Section 4. All members in good standing shall be issued a membership card from National USSVI that displays the
submarine qualification insignia on one side (Dolphins) and "our creed" on the other side.
Section 5. Responsibilities of Members:
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Section 6. An associate member is a person who is not eligible for regular membership but is closely associated with a
regular member.
Section 7. Associate Membership is also reserved for persons not otherwise eligible for regular membership, but is related
to the Submarine Service by their deeds or actions.
Section 8. Each associate member must be sponsored by a regular member in good standing.
Section 9. Associate members are eligible for Life Membership.
Section 10. Each regular member may sponsor one other associate member not defined in Section 7 above.
Section 11. Anyone who is presently serving, or has served, in a currently allied Navy, and is Qualified in Submarines, may
become an Associate Member, and does not require a sponsor.
Section 12. Associate members may not vote in the National elections and cannot hold National elected office.
Section 13. Associate members may vote on Base matters, but may only hold elective base office of sec/treas.
Section 14. In the event an associate member's sponsor can no longer sponsor the associate member (i.e. transferred or
called to eternal patrol) the Base may assume sponsorship of the associate member.
Section 15. A non U.S. Citizen who becomes an Associate Member is not required to pledge loyalty to the U.S. Government
nor U.S. Constitution.
ARTICLE IV - PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Principal Officers of the Base will be the Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary and Treasurer.
Note: Base Secretary/Treasure may be combined.
Commander and Vice Commander are limited to TWO consecutive terms.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1. All general meetings shall normally be held on 4th Thursday of the month,1930 hrs, at VFW Post 3349, Palatka,
FL. When a social event is scheduled in lieu of the regular meeting, the meeting will be held at an alternate location and will
be announced in advance of the meeting.
Section 2. All meetings of this Base shall observe one moment of silence for its departed shipmates.
Section 3. Six (6) members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business at monthly
meetings. Once a quorum has been established, no member abstaining himself shall destroy the established quorum.
Section 4. Special meetings or Executive Board meetings may be called when warranted by the Base Commander.
Section 5. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote in person or by requested absentee ballot at any
general meeting of this base, provided however, that such member's name appears on the membership rolls at least fifteen
(15) days prior to such meetings.
Section 6. The general procedure of meetings of this base shall be in keeping with the normal parliamentary procedure as
set down by Roberts, "Rules of Order", Revised, however, any item not covered by “Robert’s” shall be referred to DETMER’
S MANUAL (Used by VFW national)
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The affairs and business of the base shall be managed by an Executive Board of at least five(5) members in
good standing of this base.
Section 2. This board will consist of elected officers: Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary, Treasurer and the
immediate Past Commander. If the board cannot get 5 members from the current officers and past due commander, then
the Base Commander will appoint the members needed to achieve 5 members on the E-Board.
Section 3. The term of office will be one (1) year. Any member in good standing may be elected to office, including
previous officers. The members of this board will assume office and their duties as outlined in Article VII.
Section 4. The Executive Board shall have the control and general management of the affairs and business of the base
under the existing by-laws.
Section 5. On matters not covered by existing by-laws, the Executive Board will investigate thoroughly and submit their
findings to the general membership to be voted on. A (2/3) two-thirds members present necessary vote required to act on
such matters.
Section 6. A member of the Executive Board may be removed from office for cause or without cause by two-thirds (2/3)
majority vote of the membership in good standing of this base.
Section 7. The Executive Board has authority to make expenditures of up to $100.00 in time sensitive situations without
resorting to a vote of the general membership.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this base shall be:
Note: Base Secretary/Treasure may be combined.
Section 2. Nomination and election of Base Officers shall be:
A. At the September base meeting, the Base Commander shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3)
members who shall solicit nominations for the elected offices.
B. The Nominating Committee shall issue a call for nominations of eligible candidates for base officers to all members in
good standing and shall report the slate of candidates at the October base meeting.
C. Nominations shall be submitted by any member in good standing on or before October 1st, to the Nominating Committee
but only if such nomination has the consent of the nominee that he will accept the nomination and serve if elected.
The Base Commander shall call for nominations from the floor at the October base meeting. Upon receipt of all
nominations, the Nominating Committee shall have published in appropriate media a ballot listing the names, in alphabetical
order, of all candidates nominated. There shall be a provision for “write ins’ for each office.
D. The voting will take place at the regular scheduled November business meeting. If a member can not attend the
November meeting and wishes to vote, he can request in a timely manner (Oct. 15th or before) and will be provided a
“Absentee ballot” which will be counted with the regular ballots. Any member issued a “Absentee ballot” showing up at the
November meeting shall submit the “Absentee ballot” for consideration. Lost “Absentee Ballots or late arriving ballots” are a
“LOST” vote.
E. The results of the election will be announced at the November meeting.
F. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for a particular office shall be considered to be “duly elected.”
G. The officers elected for the ensuing year will be installed at the December base meeting and will assume their duties on
January 1st.
Section 3. Duties of Officers
Base Commander
He shall preside at all meetings of the general membership and Executive Board. He shall cause to be called regular and
special meetings of the membership and the Executive Board, in accordance with these bylaws.
Base Vice Commander
He shall assist the Base Commander in conducting the business of the Base and shall act in the Base Commander’s place
during his absence or in case the Base Commander becomes incapacitated for any reason.
Base Secretary
He shall keep a record of the meetings of the general membership and of the Executive Board in appropriate books. He
shall be the custodian of the records. During the absence and/or inability of the Base Commander or the Base Vice-
Commander to render and perform their duties or exercise their powers as set forth in these by-laws, he shall act in these
capacities.
Base Treasurer
He shall have the care and custody of and be responsible for all the funds and securities of the base and deposit all such
funds in the name of the base in such bank as agreed to by the Executive Board. He or a designated officer shall sign,
make and endorse in the name of “USSVI-USS Florida Base” all checks, drafts, warrants and orders for the payment of
money and pay out and disposal of the same and receipt therefore; under the direction of the Base Commander and
Executive Board. He shall exhibit at all reasonable times his books to any member of the base, upon application. He shall
render a statement of the condition of the finances of the base at each regular monthly meeting of the general membership
and at such other times as may be required of him. He shall keep such records at a place to be designated by the
Executive Board.
He shall do and perform all the duties pertaining to the Office of Treasurer. The Treasurer shall make the year end
financial report to the National Treasurer. The Base Commander will appoint an Audit Committee to audit the financial
records of the Base at least once a year.
ARTICLE VIII - QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the organization shall consist of the persons qualifying as stated in these Bylaws and who agree to be
bound by these Bylaws, and the National Bylaws. There shall be no other qualification for membership other than those set
forth herein.
ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES
The Base Commander will appoint such committees, as he deems necessary for the proper conduct of the Base’s business.
ARTICLE X - MEMBERSHIP DUES
Section 1. The annual dues for this base shall be $10 per year plus the prescribed National dues. Life Members and
Holland Club members are exempt from paying National dues and are only required to pay the Base dues. Annual dues are
required to be paid by December 31st. Any member who has not paid their dues by April 1st, will have their “member in
good standing” status revoked and will be removed from the rolls. In the event that a Life Member fails to pay his Base
dues, he will revert to Member-at-Large (MAL) status.
Section 2. Annual dues will cover the period from January 1st to December 31st.
ARTICLE XI - FISCAL YEAR
Section 1. The fiscal year of the organization shall commence on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of
December in each year.
ARTICLE XII - BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Any member in good standing may submit resolutions to amend these By-Laws to the Executive Board thirty
days prior to the meeting in which the proposed amendment resolution will be voted on.
Section 2. All resolutions to amend these by-laws shall be read on the floor at two regular business meeting and at the 3rd
month read and voted by the membership present, a simple majority shall prevail.
Section 3. All amendments certified as being passed shall become effective the day voted on.
Section 4. The Base Secretary shall preserve for one (1) year the ballots and all other records pertaining to the balloting
under his supervision.
The name of this base of USSVI shall be THE “USS FLORIDA” base of UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS,
INCORPORATED. The term “USS FLORIDA Base” shall be synonymous with The “USS FLORIDA” Base of the USSVI.
ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Section 1. 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. To pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.
Section 2. The Statement of Purpose for the “USS FLORIDA” Base shall also be known as the CREED.
Section 3. A Primary duty of this base will maintain the Sub Vets WWII Basil Pearce, Jr. Chapter Memorial, located on the
St. John’s River (River Side Park) in Palatka, FL.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership is open to all personnel that are a member in good standing with National USSVI and have been
designated "Qualified in Submarines”. Or meets requirements for membership in Sub Vets WWII.
Section 2. Those members, who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have been
discharged under honorable conditions.
Section 3. All applications of new members shall be accompanied by proof, when requested, of eligibility under Section 1 of
this article. Form DD-214, letter from commanding officer, or a signature of a member in good standing attesting the
application to be true to the best of his knowledge, shall be accepted.
Section 4. All members in good standing shall be issued a membership card from National USSVI that displays the
submarine qualification insignia on one side (Dolphins) and "our creed" on the other side.
Section 5. Responsibilities of Members:
- To uphold the creed of the submarine veterans organization.
- To attend scheduled base meetings.
- To contribute thoughts, ideas and suggestions for the betterment of the organization, including actively recruiting new
members. - To participate in base activities, and offer assistance whenever possible.
- To subscribe to the bylaws of this base, and the National USSVI.
- To participate in the election of base officers, and National Officers, as per National procedures, in person or through
a requested absentee ballot, and elect responsible officers to act as their representatives in carrying out the
business of this organization.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Section 6. An associate member is a person who is not eligible for regular membership but is closely associated with a
regular member.
Section 7. Associate Membership is also reserved for persons not otherwise eligible for regular membership, but is related
to the Submarine Service by their deeds or actions.
Section 8. Each associate member must be sponsored by a regular member in good standing.
Section 9. Associate members are eligible for Life Membership.
Section 10. Each regular member may sponsor one other associate member not defined in Section 7 above.
Section 11. Anyone who is presently serving, or has served, in a currently allied Navy, and is Qualified in Submarines, may
become an Associate Member, and does not require a sponsor.
Section 12. Associate members may not vote in the National elections and cannot hold National elected office.
Section 13. Associate members may vote on Base matters, but may only hold elective base office of sec/treas.
Section 14. In the event an associate member's sponsor can no longer sponsor the associate member (i.e. transferred or
called to eternal patrol) the Base may assume sponsorship of the associate member.
Section 15. A non U.S. Citizen who becomes an Associate Member is not required to pledge loyalty to the U.S. Government
nor U.S. Constitution.
ARTICLE IV - PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The Principal Officers of the Base will be the Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary and Treasurer.
Note: Base Secretary/Treasure may be combined.
Commander and Vice Commander are limited to TWO consecutive terms.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1. All general meetings shall normally be held on 4th Thursday of the month,1930 hrs, at VFW Post 3349, Palatka,
FL. When a social event is scheduled in lieu of the regular meeting, the meeting will be held at an alternate location and will
be announced in advance of the meeting.
Section 2. All meetings of this Base shall observe one moment of silence for its departed shipmates.
Section 3. Six (6) members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business at monthly
meetings. Once a quorum has been established, no member abstaining himself shall destroy the established quorum.
Section 4. Special meetings or Executive Board meetings may be called when warranted by the Base Commander.
Section 5. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote in person or by requested absentee ballot at any
general meeting of this base, provided however, that such member's name appears on the membership rolls at least fifteen
(15) days prior to such meetings.
Section 6. The general procedure of meetings of this base shall be in keeping with the normal parliamentary procedure as
set down by Roberts, "Rules of Order", Revised, however, any item not covered by “Robert’s” shall be referred to DETMER’
S MANUAL (Used by VFW national)
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The affairs and business of the base shall be managed by an Executive Board of at least five(5) members in
good standing of this base.
Section 2. This board will consist of elected officers: Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary, Treasurer and the
immediate Past Commander. If the board cannot get 5 members from the current officers and past due commander, then
the Base Commander will appoint the members needed to achieve 5 members on the E-Board.
Section 3. The term of office will be one (1) year. Any member in good standing may be elected to office, including
previous officers. The members of this board will assume office and their duties as outlined in Article VII.
Section 4. The Executive Board shall have the control and general management of the affairs and business of the base
under the existing by-laws.
Section 5. On matters not covered by existing by-laws, the Executive Board will investigate thoroughly and submit their
findings to the general membership to be voted on. A (2/3) two-thirds members present necessary vote required to act on
such matters.
Section 6. A member of the Executive Board may be removed from office for cause or without cause by two-thirds (2/3)
majority vote of the membership in good standing of this base.
Section 7. The Executive Board has authority to make expenditures of up to $100.00 in time sensitive situations without
resorting to a vote of the general membership.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this base shall be:
- The Base Commander
- The Base Vice-Commander
- The Base Secretary
- The Base Treasurer
Note: Base Secretary/Treasure may be combined.
Section 2. Nomination and election of Base Officers shall be:
A. At the September base meeting, the Base Commander shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3)
members who shall solicit nominations for the elected offices.
B. The Nominating Committee shall issue a call for nominations of eligible candidates for base officers to all members in
good standing and shall report the slate of candidates at the October base meeting.
C. Nominations shall be submitted by any member in good standing on or before October 1st, to the Nominating Committee
but only if such nomination has the consent of the nominee that he will accept the nomination and serve if elected.
The Base Commander shall call for nominations from the floor at the October base meeting. Upon receipt of all
nominations, the Nominating Committee shall have published in appropriate media a ballot listing the names, in alphabetical
order, of all candidates nominated. There shall be a provision for “write ins’ for each office.
D. The voting will take place at the regular scheduled November business meeting. If a member can not attend the
November meeting and wishes to vote, he can request in a timely manner (Oct. 15th or before) and will be provided a
“Absentee ballot” which will be counted with the regular ballots. Any member issued a “Absentee ballot” showing up at the
November meeting shall submit the “Absentee ballot” for consideration. Lost “Absentee Ballots or late arriving ballots” are a
“LOST” vote.
E. The results of the election will be announced at the November meeting.
F. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for a particular office shall be considered to be “duly elected.”
G. The officers elected for the ensuing year will be installed at the December base meeting and will assume their duties on
January 1st.
Section 3. Duties of Officers
Base Commander
He shall preside at all meetings of the general membership and Executive Board. He shall cause to be called regular and
special meetings of the membership and the Executive Board, in accordance with these bylaws.
Base Vice Commander
He shall assist the Base Commander in conducting the business of the Base and shall act in the Base Commander’s place
during his absence or in case the Base Commander becomes incapacitated for any reason.
Base Secretary
He shall keep a record of the meetings of the general membership and of the Executive Board in appropriate books. He
shall be the custodian of the records. During the absence and/or inability of the Base Commander or the Base Vice-
Commander to render and perform their duties or exercise their powers as set forth in these by-laws, he shall act in these
capacities.
Base Treasurer
He shall have the care and custody of and be responsible for all the funds and securities of the base and deposit all such
funds in the name of the base in such bank as agreed to by the Executive Board. He or a designated officer shall sign,
make and endorse in the name of “USSVI-USS Florida Base” all checks, drafts, warrants and orders for the payment of
money and pay out and disposal of the same and receipt therefore; under the direction of the Base Commander and
Executive Board. He shall exhibit at all reasonable times his books to any member of the base, upon application. He shall
render a statement of the condition of the finances of the base at each regular monthly meeting of the general membership
and at such other times as may be required of him. He shall keep such records at a place to be designated by the
Executive Board.
He shall do and perform all the duties pertaining to the Office of Treasurer. The Treasurer shall make the year end
financial report to the National Treasurer. The Base Commander will appoint an Audit Committee to audit the financial
records of the Base at least once a year.
ARTICLE VIII - QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the organization shall consist of the persons qualifying as stated in these Bylaws and who agree to be
bound by these Bylaws, and the National Bylaws. There shall be no other qualification for membership other than those set
forth herein.
ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES
The Base Commander will appoint such committees, as he deems necessary for the proper conduct of the Base’s business.
ARTICLE X - MEMBERSHIP DUES
Section 1. The annual dues for this base shall be $10 per year plus the prescribed National dues. Life Members and
Holland Club members are exempt from paying National dues and are only required to pay the Base dues. Annual dues are
required to be paid by December 31st. Any member who has not paid their dues by April 1st, will have their “member in
good standing” status revoked and will be removed from the rolls. In the event that a Life Member fails to pay his Base
dues, he will revert to Member-at-Large (MAL) status.
Section 2. Annual dues will cover the period from January 1st to December 31st.
ARTICLE XI - FISCAL YEAR
Section 1. The fiscal year of the organization shall commence on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of
December in each year.
ARTICLE XII - BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Any member in good standing may submit resolutions to amend these By-Laws to the Executive Board thirty
days prior to the meeting in which the proposed amendment resolution will be voted on.
Section 2. All resolutions to amend these by-laws shall be read on the floor at two regular business meeting and at the 3rd
month read and voted by the membership present, a simple majority shall prevail.
Section 3. All amendments certified as being passed shall become effective the day voted on.
Section 4. The Base Secretary shall preserve for one (1) year the ballots and all other records pertaining to the balloting
under his supervision.
| USS FLORIDA - BASE PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA BY-LAWS AS AMENDED 10/23/08 BY MEMBERS VOTE |
**Download these bylaws here.