BYLAWS of The POCONO BASE of

UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS, INC.
As accepted 16 April 2003 with amendments 1; 2; 3 of 19 May 2004

(a) The name of this base of United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. shall be "THE POCONO BASE OF UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS, INC.".
(b) Within these bylaws the term "Pocono Base" shall be synonymous with “The Pocono Base of United States Submarine Veterans, Inc."
(c) Within these bylaws the term "USSVI" shall refer to the national organization of “The United States Submarine Veterans Inc.”

(a) Pocono Base shall make all effort in its objectives and actions to support the principles of the creed of USSVI, to wit:

" 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. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States Government."

(b) The purpose of Pocono Base shall be to organize and promote fraternity among qualified submariners; to organize and support memorial activies which honor submarine veterans alive or dead, and to promote the education of the public regarding the deeds, exploits and sacrifices of submariners which have contributed to the history of submarines and the climate of freedom in the United States.

(a) Pocono Base shall adopt no policy in conflict with any local, state, or federal law.
(b) In the event any proposed or established bylaw of Pocono Base is found in conflict with the Constitution or By Laws of USSVI, the latter shall take precedence.

The fiscal year of the Pocono Base shall be from 1 January through 31 December to coincide with that of USSVI.

Section 1. GENERAL

(a) Membership in Pocono Base, requires concurrent membership in good standing with USSVI.
(b) A member is considered "in good standing" if both USSVI national and Pocono Base dues have been paid by the 31^st of March for the current year.
(c) Each member shall be provided a current copy of the Pocono Base Bylaws upon joining. Additionally, current copies, including any recent amendments, shall be provided by the Secretary to any member who requests same.

Section 2. REGULAR MEMBERS.

Regular membership is restricted to men who have been designated "Qualified in Submarines" by the U.S. Navy, and/or anyone who is a regular member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of WWII.

Section 3. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.

(a) Qualifications for Associate Membership in Pocono Base shall be the same as defined in Article VII, Section 6 of the Constitution of the USSVI.
(b) Associate members may vote on all Pocono Base matters including officer elections, but may not hold Pocono Base elected office.
(c) In the event an associate member's sponsor can no longer sponsor the associate member (such as transfer or call to eternal patrol) the Base will assume sponsorship of the associate member.

(a) Pocono Base membership dues will be fifteen ($15.00) dollars per fiscal year.
(b) Dues are due and payable on 1 January each year; in accordance with USSVI Bylaws dues not paid by 31 March are considered lapsed.
(c) Pocono Base members who are USSVI Life members shall be subject to Base annual dues.
(d) Pocono Base members who are Holland Club members shall be exempt from Base annual dues.
(e) Provisions in this article may be changed by a majority vote of the members at any regularly scheduled meeting without following the notice procedure set forth in Art. XIII, Sect. 2.

Section 1. POCONO BASE OFFICES.

(a) Elected offices of the Pocono Base will be: Commander, Vice-Commander, Secretary, and Treasurer.
(b) The offices of Secretary and Treasurer, and any of the Appointed Offices may be held concurrently by the same individual.
(c) The term of office for elected offices will be TWO (2) years.
(d) All officers may succeed themselves in office.
(e) The term of office for elected officers will begin immediately after the business meeting at which the elections were conducted.
(f) Appointed offices created by the Board of Directors may include, but are not limited to: Chaplain, Historian, Parliamentarian, Editor of the Newsletter, Committee Chairmanships, Chief of the Boat, Base Storekeeper, and Webmaster.
(g) The term of office for appointed offices will begin immediately after confirmation and notification by the Board of Directors, and they may continue to serve until a new officer is appointed, or the current officer resigns.
(h) All officers serve without salary or pay for services to Pocono Base.

Section 2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) The Board of Directors shall direct and manage the affairs and business of the Pocono Base.
(b) The Board of Directors will be comprised by the elected officers and the duly appointed officers of the Pocono Base.
(c) Each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote regardless of the number of offices held. In the event of a tie vote the Pocono Base Commander's vote will decide.
(d) The Board of Directors will develop an annual plan of activities and budget for the Pocono Base by October for the next fiscal year.
(e) The Board of Directors will submit the annual plan and budget to the Pocono Base membership for approval each November.
(f) The Board of Directors may create Appointed Offices as may be necessary for the accomplishment of Base affairs.

Section 1. BASE COMMANDER

(a) Preside at all Pocono Base meetings.
(b) Preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors.
(c) Act as chairman exofficio of all committees.
(d) Be the prime representative of the Pocono Base at official functions.
(e) Oversee the performance of all committees and Pocono Base officers.
(f) For USSVI national elections shall collect the ballots, tally the votes, and forward same in a timely manner to the National Secretary.

Section 2. BASE VICE-COMMANDER

(a) Assist the Base Commander in the performance of his duties.
(b) Preside over meetings in the Commander's absence.
(c) Assume the duties of the Base Commander if he is unable to continue to perform his duties due to health or resignation.

Section 3. SECRETARY

(a) Record the minutes of all Pocono Base regularly scheduled meetings and meetings of the Board of Directors.
(b) Prepare the minutes for presentation, and posting to the base web site, at least one week prior to the next meeting, and a written copy to be available for review by the members at the next meeting.
(c) Answer and keep a record of all Pocono Base correspondence.
(d) Maintain the Membership Roll of the Pocono Base.
(e) Conduct Pocono Base Elections.

Section 4. TREASURER

(a) Assume custody and keep a record of all Pocono Base monies and assets.
(b) Establish, maintain, and manage any bank accounts as directed by the Board of Directors.
(c) Disburse such monies as may be approved by established rules and procedures, or as may be approved by voting procedures of the members.
(d) Assure the Tax Exempt status of the Pocono Base is maintained according to directions from USSVI.
(e) Keep complete and accurate accounting of the base finances, and prepare a running financial statement of the base accounts with year to date totals for receipts, expenditures, and current balance for presentation on the base web site at least one week prior to the next meeting, and a written copy to be available for review by the members at each meeting.
(f) Submit the Pocono Base "Control Report" and membership monies to USSVI according to its instructions.

Section 5. GENERAL DUTIES OF ALL ELECTED OFFICERS

Each officer shall:
(a) Attend all regular and board of directors meetings as much as is possible.
(b) Serve on the Board of Directors.
(c) Communicate with the members via mail; email and telephone regarding Pocono Base business.
(d) Upon replacement due to reelection or resignation turn over in a timely manner to his successor all information and correspondence relative to the office.
(e) In the event of the absence of the Treasurer any elected officer may take possession of any funds to be directed to the Base accounts. A written receipt for any monies received, including cash and/or checks shall be immediately issued by the receiving officer, including the Treasurer.

Section 6: OATH OF OFFICE

Section 1. Administration

Each newly elected officer shall promise to abide by the oath of office which may be administered by any Base officer, past or present.

Section 2. Oath

Administrator:

Office Holder reply:

Section 1. PROCEDURE

Meetings of the Pocono Base shall be in keeping with the normal parliamentary procedures set down by "Robert's Rules of Order, latest revision.

Section 2. SCHEDULE

Pocono Base will conduct monthly meetings, at a time and place to be announced at a prior meeting and published in the newsletter.

Section 3. AGENDA

The agenda for regularly scheduled meetings shall be:

(a) Call to Order.
(b) Moment of Silence in memory of our departed shipmates.
(c) Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
(d) Introduction of:

(i) National Officers who may be present,
(ii) Regional Officers who may be present,
(iii) Guests who may be present,
(iv) Members who are present.

(e) Presentation of the Minutes for approval.
(f) Presentation of the Treasurer’s Report for approval.
(g) Presentation of the Board of Director's Report. (if applicable)
(h) Committee Reports
(i) Coverage of Old Business.
(j) Introduction of New Business.
(k) Presentation of items for the "Good of the Order."
(l) Announcement of upcoming meetings and events.
(m) Adjournment

Section 4. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

(a) The Base Commander shall schedule and hold Board of Directors meetings as sufficient to meet the planning and business requirements of the Base per Article VII, Section 2.
(b) All duly elected and appointed officers shall be notified in person, or by written or other communication at least two weeks prior to a scheduled meeting date.

(a) At a regular membership meeting the members present and at least two elected officers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(b) At a Board of Directors meeting three members of the Board of Directors, two of which are elected officers, one of which is the base commander shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(c) Once a quorum has been established, no member absenting himself shall negate the quorum.
(d) In the event of a quorum not being present, a lesser number may adjourn the meeting to some future time and date.

Section 1: ELIGIBILITY AND VALIDITY

(a) In order for a vote taken on any matter at any general membership meeting to be valid the meeting must have been announced in accordance with Art.IX, Sect. 2.
(b) Each member or associate member in good standing shall be entitled to vote in person at any meeting of the Base; provided however, that the member's name appeared on the membership roll at least fifteen days prior to such meeting.

Section 2: VOTES NOT COUNTED

(a) There shall be no voting by proxy.
(b) Any member in good standing not voting will be considered as abstaining.

Section 1. NOMINATIONS & TIMING

(a) The Base Commander, or an appointed committee, will solicit nominees and present the slate of nominees to the Membership, at the January meeting of even numbered years prior to the election.
(b) The Commander, Vice-Commander, Secretary, and Treasurer will be elected by a majority vote of the members present and in good standing at the regular meeting held in the month of March in even numbered years.
(c) Additional nominations may be made by any member on the floor of the February meeting prior to the election.

Section 2. UNFULFILLED TERMS

Any vacancy in office shall be filled by appointment of the Pocono Base Commander, with approval of the Board of Directors, to complete an unfulfilled term.

Section 1. PROCEDURE FOR SUBMISSION

Any member in good standing may propose changes to these Bylaws by forwarding same in writing to an elected officer of the Pocono Base. Proposed amendments must include the following:

(a) The Article(s) and Section(s) number of the bylaws to be affected.
(b) The complete language to be adopted or changed within the bylaws.
(c) Explanation of the intent of the change.
(d) Estimated or actual cost, if any, involved.
(e) Author‘s signature and the date.

Section 2. NOTICE

(a) These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote held at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Pocono Base, provided that the proposed amendments have been mailed to all members in good standing at their last known address at least two weeks prior to such meeting.
(b) Submissions to officers of proposed amendments shall be forwarded to the Secretary in a timely manner, and the membership shall be notified within two months after the date of submission.

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

Amendments which are passed will become effective at the close of the meeting.

Section 1. DEFINITION

Standing rules will be procedures and instructions for the administration and conduct of activities and business not specifically delineated elsewhere in these Bylaws. They will include, but are not limited to the operating directives for the Committees

Section 2. PROMULGATION

Standing Rules that are established shall be written, and considered an attachment to these Bylaws.

Section 3. CHANGE PROCEDURES

Standing rules may be adopted, changed, or suspended at any regular meeting, without previous notice, by regular parliamentary procedures according to Art. IX, Sect 1.

 ARTICLE XV     [omitted due to numbering error]

In the event the base dissolves or discontinues activities all assets and monies of the organization shall be turned over to the National Senior Vice-President, or as stipulated in the USSVI Bylaws.

Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES

The following are established as Standing Committees

(a) Membership
(b) Ways and Means
(c) Flag Memorial
(d) Publicity
(e) Speakers Bureau
(f) Parades and Memorial Events

Section 2. TEMPORARY COMMITTEES

Temporary committees may be established by regular voting procedures of the membership.

Section 3. OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

All committees shall have at least one member who has volunteered, or been assigned to perform the functions of the committee. In the case of Temporary Committees if no one assumes responsibility for the committee, then that committee and the reason for its establishment shall be dissolved.

Section 4. REPORTS

(a) All committees shall select a chairman who will be responsible for preparing a report to be given by him, or another committee member, at each regular meeting, or at the next meeting at which a report may be required depending on the nature of the committee and the schedule of its events.
(b) The Secretary’s minutes for each meeting shall include the report of each Standing and Temporary Committee. Should there be no one present to make a report, or the committee has no activity to report, then the Secretary will record, “No Report”. If a Committee is not scheduled or expected to report either by direction, or by nature of its scheduled activities this will be recorded as, “No Report Scheduled”.

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Ref Art. VI (b) Persons who's membership dues have lapsed beyond 1 April shall be stricken from the regular member rolls, and the mailing list for the newsletter.

Ref Art. IX, Sect. 2 The regularly scheduled meeting for Pocono Base will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1900 hours at the Pocono Pines American Legion Hall.

Ref Art VII, Sect 1(f) Appointed Offices: The Board of Directors establishes the following offices: Chaplain, Chief-of-the-Boat, Storekeeper, Newsletter Editor, and Chairmen of the six standing committees listed in Art XVII, Sect I

In accordance with discussion, motion made and voice vote at the 21 January 2004 regular meeting of Pocono Base the Membership Dues section of the Base By Laws are to be revised as indicated below. The net effect of this change is that any Pocono Base member who is also a member of the Holland Club will be exempt from Base annual dues. Presently, there are five (5) Holland Club members on our rolls.

Language of Change:

Article VI - MEMBERSHIP DUES is amended as follows:

(c) Pocono Base members who are USSVI Life members shall be subject to Base annual dues.

(d) Pocono Base members who are Holland Club members shall be exempt from Base annual dues.

(e) Provisions in this article may be changed by a majority vote of the members at any regularly scheduled meeting without following the notice procedure set forth in Art. XIII, Sect. 2.

Description of change:

(c) reworded for clarification

(d) the provision as voted on at the Jan. meeting.

(e) formerly Sect. (d) with rewording for clarification.

Cost of change:

The regular annual dues are $15.00 per man. For the year 2004 this amendment will result in a lessening of the base dues collected of $75.00.

Submitted by Jeff Owens

To more accurately reflect the nature of committee business the names of two of the standing committees are to be renamed as follows:
Advertising and News to Publicity
Memorial to Parades and Memorial Events

Description of Change:

Article XVII - Committees
Section 1 (d) and (f) to be changed as above

Cost of Change: No cost is expected.

Submitted by Jeff Owens

In an effort to streamline the meeting agenda and eliminate some of the more mundane aspects of reading of the secretary’s minutes and any lengthy details of the treasurer’s report these items are to be posted on the base web site under development at least one week prior to the meeting, and additionally a written copy of the full minutes and report of the treasurer are to be available for inspection before the beginning of the regular meeting at which they would have been read in the past. The meeting agenda will be revised to indicate that these items are “presented for approval” without further reading. The treasurer’s comments will be limited to the expenditures and receipts of the previous month and the current balance. All members are invited and encouraged to consult either the web site or the printed copies available to fully follow base affairs.

Description of Change: new wording:

Article IX - Meetings, Section 3. Agenda
(e) Presentation of the Minutes for approval
(f) Presentation of the Treasurer’s Report for approval

Article VIII - Section 3. Secretary
(b) Prepare the minutes for presentation, and posting to the base web site, at least one week prior to the next meeting, and a written copy to be available for review by the members at the next meeting.

Article VIII - Section 4. Treasurer
(e) Keep complete and accurate accounting of the base finances, and prepare a running financial statement of the base accounts with year to date totals for receipts, expenditures, and current balance for presentation on the base web site at least one week prior to the next meeting, and a written copy to be available for review by the members at each meeting.

Cost of Change: No cost is expected.