Chapter Bylaws

Article I — Name

The name of this organization is the "116th Field Artillery Regiment (FL)" Chapter of the United States Field Artillery Association, aka "Gator Redleg Association, Inc." aka "Gator Redleg Chapter, USFAA" hereafter referred to as the Chapter.

Article II — Purpose and Objectives

Section 1. Purpose.

The Gator Redleg Chapter of the USFAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association serving Florida’s Field Artillery Soldiers, veterans and their families. As a professional association, the Chapter promotes the efficiency of the Field Artillery by maintaining its best traditions, and perpetuating the memory and history of our fallen. As a non-profit, we support Soldiers through family scholarships and contributions to charities serving the veteran community. The Gator Redlegs foster camaraderie in the Field Artillery profession of arms and create a climate of mutual support within the community for our currently serving Field Artillerists.

Section 2. Objectives.

• a. Provide a support network for our veterans, military, and their families to turn to in times of emotional distress or financial hardship to truly ensure we “Never Leave a Fallen Comrade.”
• b. Engage in meaningful activities to preserve and strengthen the bonds of camaraderie between Artillerists past and present.
• c. Provide an avenue by which local governments, businesses and charities can express their support for our hometown heroes; Field Artillery Soldiers and veterans.

Article III — Officers and Governing Body

Section 1. Officers of the Chapter.

• a. The Chapter shall be governed by an executive committee consisting of the unit commander who shall serve as president and the following duly elected officers: a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer and seven (7) members of the committee.
• b. The elected officers of the executive committee shall be elected from the Chapter membership residing in the geographical or organizational area of the Chapter. They shall take office on the first day of the calendar year for which they were elected to serve, with the interim appointment by the President as required. Officers may be elected for a specified term.

Section 2. Termination of Officer Status.

Any elected officer may resign his office by submitting his resignation, in writing, to the executive committee of the local chapter. Such an officer shall continue to be responsible for the conduct of the duties of his office until his resignation has been formally accepted and a suitable replacement has been duly appointed.

Section 3. Removal from Office.

An officer of the Chapter may be removed from office through the following procedure:

• a. A Petition to Recall must be signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the membership of the Chapter and must be read initially at a Chapter meeting.
• b. Notice of the Petition to Recall shall be distributed to the entire membership of the Chapter, together with notification of the place, date and time of the meeting at which the petition to Recall is to be read again.

Section 4. Temporary Appointment of Officers.

The president shall, with the approval of the executive committee, appoint replacements to elective offices vacated, subject to formal approval by a simple majority of the membership present at the time a vote on this matter is taken at the next duly announced general membership meeting.

Section 5. Compensation for Chapter Committee Members.

The officers of the Chapter shall serve without compensation. With prior approval in principle by the executive committee, officers may be reimbursed for bona fide professional services performed or expenses incurred in the conduct of Chapter affairs.

Article IV — Duties of the Officers of the Chapter

Section 1. President.

The president shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter, call and preside at executive committee meetings, appoint any chairman and any other position required for the conduct of business. The president shall, in the unavailability or incapacity of the treasurer, sign checks and withdrawal authorizations on behalf of the Chapter, and the same shall be honored on his signature alone. As the chief executive officer of the Chapter, the president shall have general and active management of the business affairs and property of the Chapter, and he shall be responsible that all orders and resolutions of the Chapter and the executive committee are carried into effect.

Section 2. Vice President.

The vice president shall, in the absence or incapacity of the president, perform the duties of the president. The vice president shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the president.

Section 3. Secretary.

The secretary shall keep and maintain such records and files as may be required in the conduct of Chapter business. He shall act as the official custodian of the Chapter bylaws, charter and all current and past records, including the official file copies of past financial records. The secretary shall record the minutes of all business meetings of the Chapter and the executive committee, including actions taken by vote or direction of the president. He shall assist the president and the executive committee with the correspondence of the Chapter. He shall give notice of all executive committee and general membership business meetings as requested by the president.

Section 4. Treasurer.

The treasurer shall have charge and custody of all receipts, funds, and securities of the Chapter and shall secure them in the name of the Chapter in such depositories as may be designated by the executive committee. The treasurer shall sign all checks and withdrawal authorizations on behalf of the Chapter, and the same shall be honored on his signature alone. He shall keep accurate and current accounts in books belonging to the Chapter; collect local chapter dues as required; and shall render to the executive committee, as required, an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Chapter. The treasurer shall be bonded in accordance with policy established by the executive committee and the Chapter books shall be audited annually by a or agency designated by the president.

Section 5. Member.

A duly elected member of the executive committee will attend all committee meetings and advise and support the executive committee by exercising sound professional judgment on all matters presented to the committee. The committee member shall assist in the management of the committee business. He shall have the same responsibilities as the committee officers concerning the making or amending of Chapter bylaws and shall have the voting power to provide for the appointment of such officers, agents and employees in the bylaws as necessary and proper, and to prescribe their duties and compensation.

Article V — The Chapter Executive Committee

Section 1. Organization.

The executive committee shall consist of the Chapter president, the vice president, the secretary, the treasurer, and seven (7) members. Six (6) members present at a meeting of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2. Committee Responsibilities.

The executive committee shall be responsible to ensure implementation of all policies, orders, and resolutions of the Chapter membership. Lacking such guidance, the executive committee shall formulate and execute policy and initiatives deemed necessary and in the best interests of the Chapter. It shall determine the number and functions of s and shall generally supervise the business affairs of the Chapter. Decisions and actions taken by the executive committee shall be reported promptly to the Chapter membership at business meetings or through appropriate Chapter publications.

Section 3. Meeting Schedule.

The executive committee shall meet at the times and places set by the president, but no less than three times each calendar year. At the last committee meeting of each calendar year, appropriate arrangements shall be agreed upon for an orderly transition of authority and management to the incoming executive committee, as necessary.

Article VI — Nominations and Election of Committee Officers

Section 1. Appointing a Nominating.

The chapter president shall appoint a nominating, annually, not later than 1 October. The nominating shall select a slate of at least two (2) nominees for each Chapter office, exclusive of the President and duplications. Persons cannot hold more than one office at any time. Each nominee must agree to serve and to accept the responsibilities of the office for which nominated.

Section 2. Approval of Slate of Nominees.

After approval by the executive committee, the slate of nominees will be announced, in writing, to the Chapter membership no later than 1 November, annually. Additional nominations for Chapter officers may be submitted, in writing, to the secretary in the form of a petition signed by no less than ten (10) members of the Chapter, in good standing, and accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the nominee. Such petitions must be in the possession of the secretary no later than three (3) calendar weeks subsequent to the date of the announced slate of nominees.

Section 3. Election of Chapter Committee Officers.

No later than 15 December, annually, a duly announced general membership business meeting shall be conducted for the purpose of electing Chapter officers and considering such other business as may be appropriate at that time. Officers shall be elected individually in the sequence listed in Article III. A simple majority of the membership in good standing, present at the time the vote is taken, will be required for the election of each officer.

Article VII — Chapter Meetings

Section 1. Minimum Requirement.

There shall be a minimum of one (1) meeting of the Chapter per year. Additional meetings featuring matters of interest to the Chapter membership shall be scheduled, as directed, by the executive committee.

Section 2. Sponsorship of Events.

The Chapter's primary objective is to conduct its affairs as a professional organization or society. To achieve a financial base from which to support the Chapter goals, the Chapter can sponsor events or charge local chapter dues as deemed appropriate by the Chapter executive committee.

Article VIII — Chapter Membership

Section 1. Membership.

Chapter membership shall be open to all active and paid members of the United States Field Artillery Association (USFAA). Chapter membership is not restricted by rank, as any active and paid member of the USFAA can select membership in the Chapter. Chapter membership candidates can range from current and prior service members of 116th Field Artillery Regiment, Key Leaders and supporters of the 116th FAR from the Florida Army National Guard, Active and Retired Artillery personnel that reside in Florida and within the GATOR REDLEG area of membership, and friends, family, and sponsors that support the 116th FAR and the GATOR REDLEG Chapter. Chapter members must annotate or update their USFAA membership to reflect the selection of the GATOR REDLEG Chapter.

Section 2. Rights of Members.

All members shall have the rights to attend and to speak at Chapter meetings; to receive meeting notices, newsletters and other Chapter publications; and to serve on committees.

Section 3. Withdrawal from Chapter.

Any member may withdraw from the Chapter at any time during the year by tendering his resignation, in which case he shall not be entitled to any refund of local chapter dues paid in advance. Membership shall lapse ipso facto upon failure to pay local chapter annual dues in advance. Such withdrawal or lapse shall not operate to relieve any such member from liabilities said member may have incurred prior thereto as a member of the Chapter of the United States Field Artillery Association.

Article IX — Amendments to Bylaws

Section 1. Submission and Evaluation of Amendments.

Amendments to these bylaws may be initiated by individual written petition to the executive committee. In its wisdom and in light of other Chapter affairs, the committee shall formulate a position on the petition. The proposed amendment and the position of the committee shall be presented at the next Chapter meeting and provided to the entire Chapter membership through an appropriate publication.

Section 2. Voting on Amendments.

At the next subsequent meeting, the amendment will be called to a vote. A two-thirds majority of the members in good standing, present at the time the vote is taken, will be required to amend these bylaws.

Article X — Fiscal Matters

Section 1. Chapter Dues.

The matter of Chapter dues shall be determined, annually, at the first meeting of the newly elected Chapter executive committee. Chapter dues may be fixed or revised by the Chapter executive committee at a minimum level consistent with good business practices, the achievement of the objectives of the Chapter and the costs of Chapter administration beyond the annual dues expected by the United States Field Artillery Association. The exact amount of individual chapter dues shall be confirmed by a simple majority vote of the members in good standing, present at the next business meeting of the Chapter.

Section 2. Fund Raising for Chapter Support.

Funds may be raised to support the objectives and specific programs of the Chapter. Fund-raising events or activities may be planned and organized upon receipt of local approval of the installation or area commander having responsibility for the quality of life of the Chapter’s general membership. In all fund-raising efforts, volunteer workers and supporters must work without the benefit of compensation and all profits must be reported to the committee treasurer for approval by the Chapter executive committee. All funds identified for the fulfillment of scholarship or other giant programs must be retained by subsequent committee members.

Article XI — Dissolution

In case of the dissolution of the organization, whatever funds are contained in the treasury, at the time, will be used to satisfy any outstanding debts, liabilities or obligations. Upon the dissolution of the Chapter, the residual balance of these assets shall be donated to the United States Field Artillery Association national headquarters at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Article XII — Other Considerations

Section 1.

Other aspects of the Chapter’s objectives, organizations, operators and management, not specifically covered by these Chapter bylaws, are governed by the bylaws of the United States Field Artillery Association.

Section 2.

A recommended format for the conduct of chapter and executive committee meetings is Robert’s Rules of Order.