American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter BYLAWS
PREAMBLE WHEREAS
The Mothers of Sons and Daughters who served and died in the Allied Cause during the great World War, or died as the result of such service, in order to associate themselves together for loyal and patriotic service, do unite to establish this permanent organization.
CONSTITUTION OF AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS, INC.
Hampton Roads Chapter
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS, INC. – Hampton Roads Chapter ARTICLE II Nature and Objects
ARTICLE III
Eligibility and Membership
ARTICLE IV
Finance and Dues
ARTICLE V
Discipline
Code of Procedure
ARTICLE VI
Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with this Constitution and Bylaws.
PREAMBLE WHEREAS
The Mothers of Sons and Daughters who served and died in the Allied Cause during the great World War, or died as the result of such service, in order to associate themselves together for loyal and patriotic service, do unite to establish this permanent organization.
CONSTITUTION OF AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS, INC.
Hampton Roads Chapter
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS, INC. – Hampton Roads Chapter ARTICLE II Nature and Objects
- American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, is an organization of Mothers whose sons and daughters served and died while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, or died as a result of such service, or were missing in action.
- The objects of the corporation shall be: To keep alive and develop the spirit that prompted world services; To maintain the ties of fellowship born of that service, and to assist and further all patriotic work; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; To assist all Veterans and their dependents in the presentation of claims to the Veterans Administration; to give aid wherever and whenever possible to Veterans through voluntary service, monetary, or material contributions; To inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of country in the communities in which we live; To inspire respect for the Stars and Stripes in the youth of America; To extend needful assistance to all Gold Star Mothers and, when possible, to their descendants; and To promote peace and goodwill for the United States and all other Nations.
ARTICLE III
Eligibility and Membership
- Sec.1. Natural Mothers or adoptive mothers who were citizens or legal residents of the United States or the Territorial and Insular Possessions of the United States at the time of their sons' or daughters' induction into the United States Armed Forces and whose sons or daughters became missing in action, died while on active duty or died as a result of such service are eligible for membership in American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter.
- Sec. 2. Stepmothers who are citizens or legal residents of the United States or the DocuSign Envelope ID:
- Sec. 3. Chapter members in good standing are deemed members of the national organization of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter.
- Sec. 4. No person shall be a member of more than one Chapter at any one time.
- Sec. 5. Membership shall be active members in the Chapter whose dues, including per capita, shall be paid annually and collected by the Chapter.
- Sec. 6. Gold Star Fathers, Gold Star Siblings and Gold Star Grandparents are eligible to join as Associate Members. They pay no dues, hold no office and have no vote, but may be appointed as a Deputy to the representative at the VA Medical Center.
- Sec. 7. Rosters of the membership of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, shall not be released for political or commercial purposes without approval of the National Executive Board.
- Sec. 8. An honorary membership to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, may be granted to Mothers who were not citizens at the time of their sons' or daughters' induction into the United States Armed Forces and whose sons or daughters died while on active duty, became missing in action, or died as a result of such service. They pay no dues, hold no office and have no vote.
ARTICLE IV
Finance and Dues
- Sec. 1. The revenue of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, shall be derived from annual membership dues and from such other sources as may be approved by the National Executive Board.
- Sec. 2. All National per capita due and payable to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., shall be forwarded to the National Treasurer.
ARTICLE V
Discipline
- Sec. 1. All matters pertaining to suspension, expulsion, or any form of discipline of a member of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, shall be under the jurisdiction of the National Executive Board, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws. The rules relating to the handling of disciplinary matters shall be promulgated by the National Executive Board in the Code of Procedure.
- Sec. 2. Dishonesty, disloyalty, neglect of duty, insubordination or conduct injurious to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, or any member, Chapter, Department or National, shall constitute cause for disciplinary action. All charges must be made in writing and under oath by the accusers, and no member in good standing shall be suspended or expelled until a fair hearing is held in accordance with the rules set forth by the National Executive Board in the Code of Procedure.
- Sec. 3. Any former member who has been suspended or expelled from American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, shall not be reinstated or admitted to membership in any Chapter without the written approval of the National Executive Board and the Chapter to which the member belonged at the time of the suspension or expulsion.
Code of Procedure
- a. Whenever a case arises which would appear to justify disciplinary action against a member, the Chapter shall attempt to resolve the problem.
- b. If the Chapter is unable to reach a satisfactory solution, it shall refer the problem to the Department President with a full written summary of the case. The Department President then shall bring the matter before the Department Board and shall attempt to work out a satisfactory solution without formal disciplinary action. If the Department Board is unable to resolve the problem, it shall refer the summary furnished by the Chapter to the National Executive Board and shall submit therewith the recommendations of the Department Board.
- c. If, in the opinion of the National Executive Board, a formal hearing is necessary, it shall require that charges under oath and in writing be submitted to the National Secretary and a copy to the National President. Reasonable notice in writing of the charges made and the date set for the hearing shall be furnished to the involved member, and the member shall be given the opportunity to be present throughout the hearing. The National Executive Board shall not be bound by formal rules of evidence, but the involved member must be given a reasonable opportunity to confront her accusers, to question them and to present her own defense. The involved shall have the right to be represented by any other member of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, whom she may select to act as her counsel. The National Executive Board may also, in its discretion, allow the accused member to be represented by an attorney-at-law, and if the National Executive Board retains an attorney-at-law to represent it at the hearing, the member shall have the right to be so represented.
- d. Immediately following the close of the hearing, the National Executive Board shall consider the evidence and reach its decision. Notice of the decision of the National Executive Board shall be sent to the member(s) and to the Department and Chapter involved.
- e. The same procedure as set forth above shall be followed in any case where disciplinary action seems to be in order against a Chapter, except that action shall be initiated at the Department level. If disciplinary action should be required against a Department, the National Executive Board shall initiate such proceedings in the manner set forth in this Code of Procedure. After a hearing held in accordance with the Code of Procedure, the National Executive Board shall have full power to suspend or revoke the charter of any Department or Chapter and to expel or suspend any member of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter.
ARTICLE VI
Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with this Constitution and Bylaws.