About Us

                              NORTHEAST GEORGIA VETERANS SOCIETY BY-LAWS  

I.  NAME 

• A.   The name of this organization shall be: Northeast Georgia Veterans Society (NGVS)  

II.  MISSION STATEMENT   

• A.    Provide an opportunity for fellowship with and service to military veterans living in the        Northeast Georgia area.    
• B.    Honor, preserve and promote the traditions, history, and achievements of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and, Space Force  - herein after called the United States Military.     
• C.    Conduct charitable and community service activities as determined by the officers and membership of  NGVS.    

 III.  MEMBERSHIP     

• A.     Membership in the NGVS shall be open to any person who served on active duty         in a military service branch and received a honorable discharge.       
• B.     NGVS membership is also open to any person who is a current or former member of the United States Military National Guard or Military Reserves. 
•  C.   Membership in the NGVS will not be denied to any qualified veteran on the basis of race, religion, sex, creed, or national origin.   
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IV  DESIGNATION AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND EXPENDITURES

• A. The NGVS shall be operated as a non-profit organization pursuant to law and regulations of IRS Code 501 (c) (3) and shall not be operated for profit or personal gain of any officer or member of the NGVS.   
•  B.   No officer or member shall receive a salary or monetary compensation other than for expenses incurred in conducting officer and/or membership approved NGVS activities.   
• C.   Expenditures for charitable purposes whether monetary or in-kind services can be made to NGVS members upon approval by the NGVS Board of Directors (BOD)..    
•  D.   The President shall have authority to make up to $500 in expenditures for emergency expenses.  The BOD can authorize up to $3000 in expenditures.  Expenditures for over $3000 must be approved by a voice vote of a quorum of the membership.
• E.  Due to cost of time, travel expense, and meal expenses at BOD meetings, the cost of BOD member's meals up to $15 per member will be paid from NGVS funds.  No alcoholic beverages will be bought from NGVS funds.     

V.  POLITICAL/COMMUNICATIONS POLICY   

• A.   The NGVS shall be non-political and non-partisan in political activities.     
• B.    The NGVS will not endorse political candidates.     
• C.    Public Officials and political candidates can address the NGVS to advise and inform    the membership on issues that may affect the members and make the members well informed citizens.     
• D.    NGVS membership roles, including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and any other identifying data cannot be used for political or commercial purposes.     
• E.     NGVS members can use the membership email list to communicate with each other about non-NGVS matters - jokes, military matters, etc.  However, sensitivity to decorum and crudeness should prevail.     

VI. DUES 

• A.   To defray costs associated with complimentary lunches for speakers, expenses for rental of, audio/visual equipment, rental of special occasions venues, and other expenses, an annual fee/dues - amount to be determined by the BOD - shall be assessed each year on each NGVS member.
• B Dues for current members are due at the date of the June meeting or before July 1st of each year.  Notification of the dues due date will be sent to the membership prior to the June m eeting.    
• C     Dues for new members will be assessed based on the date the member joins the NGVS.  If the member joins prior to January 1st of the year, the member is credited for that fiscal year.  If the member joins after January 1st, then he is credited for the remainder of the  fiscal year and the succeeding year.  
• D.     Elected officers may ask for additional contributions from the membership to defray costs of expenses, social activities, and charitable functions.          ,
• E.   If a member does not pay his/her dues within sixty (60) days after the due date, the President of NGVS shall cause a notice of delinquency to be sent to the delinquent member. Such notice may be sent by email or postal mail to the address of the member on file with NGVS. If the payment is not made within sixty (60) days after the date of sending such notice to the delinquent member, the membership of such delinquent member shall be suspended. Notice of the suspension shall be sent by the President of NGVS to the  delinquent member by either email or regular mail. A member which has been suspended pursuant to this paragraph may be reinstated upon payment of the unpaid dues and approval of the reinstatement by the President or the BOD.     

VII.  MEETINGS AND QUORUM 

• A.   The NGVS will meet once a month at a date, time and place to be determined by   the BOD.  
• B.   A quorum of the paid membership will be required for approval of projects, expenditures over $3,000, and participation of NGVS with other organizations in civic or charitable activities.
• C. A quorum for NGVS meeting will be 20% of the paid membership.     

VIII.   ELECTED OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS (BOD)        

• A.  OFFICERS                           

             1.  President: The President of NGVS shall: 

              (a) Have general executive authority over the affairs of NGVS, subject to guidance

from the BOD.                                                                                                                     (b) Conduct regular monthly meetings and represent the NGVS at other venues                                                             and Public functions in which the NGVS is invited or participating.  

                  (c) Represent the NGVS before governmental bodies and private organizations.                     

                  (d) Appoint all committees as necessary to carry out NGVS functions and programs.                              (e) Represent the NGVS before governmental bodies and private organizations.                        

  (f) Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.

                   (g)  Be an authorized signatory on NGVS financial accounts and all Georgia                       corporation and Federal IRS Documents.           

         (h)  In conjunction with Vice-President and members, solicit and recruit speakers for                   regular monthly meetings and NGVS special occasions.          

                   (i)  Be authorized to expend no more than $500 in emergency expenditures                               

                        from NGVS treasury without BOD or membership approval.

                    (j) Recruit new members whenever possible.                                                                                                  (k) Present to the membership recommendations/proposals from committees        

                     (l)  Serve as a voting member of the BOD                                                                                                                                                    .                   (m)  Appoint Honorary Officers who can serve as non-voting members on the BOD and               

                           appoint honorary members who can serve on committees to further the goals and           

                           objectives of the NGVS.

        .                  

        2.   Vice-President:   The  Vice President of the NGVS shall:          `

                  (a) In the absence or incapacity of the President, perform the duties of the                      President.            

                  (b) Assist the President as required, and perform any additional duties requested by                              President and/or BOD.

                   (c) In conjunction with Officers and members, arrange for speakers and                    programs for monthly meetings.

                   (d)  Recruit new members whenever possible.         

                   (e) Serve as a voting member of the BOD             

         3.  Secretary:  The Secretary of the NGVS  shall:

                    (a)  Attend and keep the minutes of all meetings of NGVS to include BOD meetings.             

                    (b)  Provide sufficient copies of minutes for business meetings and posting to NGVS 

                          web-site.         

                   (c) Receive and file correspondence necessary to meet any/all NGVS                                              legal requirements as required by state/federal law.   

                   (d) Perform all other duties incidental to the office as may be required by the President             .         or BOD

                   (e) Solicit and maintain membership information and records and ensure the President                                                    has a current membership roster. 

                   (f)  Recruit new members whenever possible.        

                   (g) Serve as voting member of  the BOD 

                   (h)  In the absence or incapacity of the President and Vice-President, assume the duties                

                          of President.

          4.  Treasurer: The NGVS Treasurer shall: 

.                    (a)  Have charge of all funds generated by NGVS and with approval of President and                                                                 

                            BOD set up bank accounts to conduct financial obligations of NGVS.    

                     (b) Keep an accurate account of NGVS financial transactions and render a balance 

                           sheet report when requested by the President or BOD.

                      (c)  Prepare a written financial report on yearly income and                   expenditures at the June meeting each year.   

                      (d) Ensure that expenditures for any project or NGVS endeavor over $3,000 shall                         have membership approval by a vote of a quorum of the membership before the              

                            expenditure is made.

                      (e) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of membership dues.  If a new

              member joins, the Treasurer will obtain the biographical and contact information on

    the new member and forward the bio and contact information to the Secretary for 

  maintenance of membership roles.                  

                      (f) Serve as a voting member of the BOD.      

   B.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS          

         1.   The NGVS BOD will be composed of the four elected officers, and an elected At-Large

               member.  The At-Large candidate will be chosen from the membership by the nomination

                process and/or the floor nomination process and secret ballot election.                              

          2.  The duties of the BOD will be:

                (a) Approve budgets over $500 for all projects to be conducted by NGVS            

                (b) Approve all contracts to be entered into by NGVS            

                (c) Provide guidance to President and Vice-President on significant actions, goals,

               objectives or projects to be undertaken on behalf of NGVS.            

                (d) Provide guidance and advice to all committees that are impaneled to further goals

     and objectives of NGVS.            

                (e)  Administer a program of awards to be designed by BOD.

   (f)  Have authority to expend up to $3,000 for emergency expenses without 

                  membership approval.

                (g) In the absence/unavailability of an elected officer, the BOD  will nominate and the

                      membership will vote on an acting officer until the elected officer is available. 

 IX.  APPOINTIVE OFFICERS

A. The President shall appoint certain officers to advance NGVS programs and ensure

             effective and efficient operation of the NGVS.  These officers serve at the pleasure of the

             President for a term to be determined by the President.    

        B.Current Appointed Officers are:         

               1. Sergeant-at-Arms:  Duties include:            

                     (a)  At monthly meetings ensure flags are properly displayed 

                     (b) Secure doors to meeting area and ensure only NGVS members and guests are

                          present in the meeting area.            

                     (c) Ensure the proper display of flags and NGVS banners at public events.

    (d) Recruit members to assist in handing out information brochures/fliers at public 

                       events.             

                     (e) Recruitment of new members.                        

               2.  Chaplain: Duties include  

                   (a) Offering the invocation at regular meetings and other NGVS events. 

          (b) Attempt to determine the well-being of members and inform the President and 

        membership of illness or deaths of members.             

                   (c) Along with the President, offer bereavement services to the family of deceased

         member..              

                   (d) Offer and procure flowers, food, charitable donations and other needs to family of 

                        deceased NGVS members.              

                    (e) Recruitment of new members.  

             3. Historian: Duties include:        

                     (a) Keeping and maintaining a written record of NGVS activities, accomplishments and 

 public events.          

                     (b) Responsibility for collection of photographs, newspaper clippings, and such other 

 items as necessary in the proper recording of NGVS history.   

                     (c) Responsible for affixing historical memorabilia in bound volumes so as to insure

     preservation.   

                    (d) Recruit new members whenever possible.    

X.  NOMINATING PROCESS, ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE     

        A.    NOMINATIONS PROCESS         

               1.  At the April meeting of an election year, the President shall appoint a Chair and

                    two members for the Nominations Committee.                 

                2. The Nominations Committee will solicit candidates for each elective office and ensure 

       the candidate's willingness to serve the term of a certain elected office.

                3. From the solicited candidates, who are willing to serve, the Nominations Committee 

           will select, by majority vote, a candidate for each elective office.              

         B.    ELECTIONS         

                1. At the May meeting of an election year, the Nominations Committee Chair will 

   present the slate of candidates voted on by the Nominations Committee. The Chair

  will present a candidate for President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and BOD

                         Member-At-Large..                  

                2. After the Nominations Committee has reported its slate of candidates, the President

  will open the nomination process to the attending membership.         

                3. If there are nominations from the floor and more than one candidate for a specific 

office is nominated, the President will conduct a secret ballot election for the

                        contested office. There will be no proxy or absentee voting provisions. A majority vote

                         from the attending membership will determine which candidate is elected to the 

                         contested office.         

                4.   If there are no nominations from the floor, the slate of candidates proposed by the 

Nominations Committee will be presented to the attending membership for a voice – 

yea and nay – vote.     

           C.    TERMS OF OFFICE         

                 1.  All terms of office for elective offices will be for two (2) years. There are NO term

        limit provisions as to consecutive terms. The term of office for the outgoing 

                     President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer will end at the June meeting and 

     new officers will take office at that time.          

                 2.  At the June meeting, the new President will preside over an appreciation ceremony

       for the out-going officers.      

 XI.   RESIGNATION AND IMPEACHMENT OF ELECTED OFFICERS    

             A. RESIGNATION OF AN ELECTED OFFICER          

                  1.  If an elected officer resigns, the remaining BOD members will select a candidate

         and present the candidate as an acting-elected officer to the membership at the next 

regular meeting.                         

                  2.  If the President resigns, then the acting-President will open nominations from the floor

                       and if there are nominations, the BOD candidate and the floor-nominated candidates 

                       will be compete for position in a secret ballot election.  A majority vote from the

                      attending membership will determine who will be elected to the vaacated position.                           3. The newly elected officer will serve out the term of the officer who vacated the office. 

             B. IMPEACHMENT OF AN ELECTED OFFICER   

                   1.  Any elected officer who commits a criminal act, an act of moral turpitude, or an act 

that brings public disdain or discredit upon the integrity or reputation of the 

                        NGVS, may be impeached.                         

                   2. To initiate the impeachment process, the BOD will prepare a bill of particulars into

                       an indictment of the officer.  If the impeachment involves the President, the BOD

        will suspend the elected President and appoint an acting-President who will present

                 the indictment at the next regularly scheduled meeting.             

                   3. The indictment will be presented in writing to members at the next regular meeting. 

           The members will debate the indictment and the President or acting-President will 

      call for a vote on impeachment.  A majority vote of the attending members will be

  required for the impeachment of an officer.  

                   4. The impeached officer will be replaced by the Nominations and Election process 

outlined in section X – sub-section A&B above.  The election for the vacated 

       position will take place at the next scheduled meeting after the impeachment vote.     

XII.  MILITARY OBSERVANCE DATES AND AWARDS    

              A.  NGVS Military Observance Dates:

                     1.  Vietnam Veterans Day – March 29th

                     2.  Memorial Day – May 30th

                     3.  Veterans Day – November 11th 

              B. AWARDS

                     1.  The BOD shall be responsible for the creation and administration of a program of

    awards to be presented to NGVS members and non- members deemed worthy of

                           recognition.  

             2.  The BOD shall recommend awards to the President for deserving NGVS members 

                           and non-members who have performed community services or service to

                          veterans.      

XIII. OFFICIAL NGVS UNIFORM

                 A. Uniform Occasions  

                       1.  On certain occasions such as: formal dinners, military funerals for members;

                            Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, the NGVS may wear a civilian uniform 

                            clothing that distinguishes NGVS members. 

                       2.  The wearing of the civilian uniform by members at certain functions will be at the 

    discretion of the President.

                       3.  The NGVS civilian uniform shall consist of the following:                

                            (a) Navy blue blazer for both men and women                

                            (b) Grey slacks or skirt                

                            (c) White shirt or blouse                 

                            (d) Black shoes                 

                            (e) Official NGVS name badge on right lapel                 

                            (f) Authorized miniature medals worn on left side of blazer

                            (g) Campaign Tie or scarf (go to website – legion.org - look for RWB tie – Item # 

  801.200)            

                       4. Any member who has an OFFICIAL military uniform from the branch of the military

    service in which he/she served and said uniform is in presentable fashion can

                   substitute his/her military uniform for the civilian uniform.      

XIV.  AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS

               A. These NGVS By-laws may be changed by amendment at either the monthly meetings or 

                     at a  BOD meeting.           

                B.  Notice of proposed changes must be communicated to the membership by email or at

       a monthly meeting.          

                C.  After discussion of the changes,  the membership must approve the changes by a      majority voice vote.

                D.  Changes to the By-laws shall be inscribed in the By-laws document by the current 

                      President and signed by that President and Secretary.             

Approved by the general membership. Attested to this, 26th day of May, 2022.      

President_______________________ Secretary__________________________

                  J. Ronnie Webb Ronald Hill