Constitution & By-Laws

New Jersey Council-Navy League of the United States

Whereas….

The Navy League of the United States will be the preferred resource for the education of both the United States Congress and the American Public on our sea services.

And whereas…

The Navy League of the United States is a civilian organization dedicated to informing the American people and their government that the United States of America is a maritime nation and that its national defense and economic well being are dependent upon strong sea services- United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard and United States Merchant Marine. With its principal goals being the educating our nation and its leaders, supporting the men and women of the sea services, providing assistance to sea service families and supporting sea services youth programs.

Now therefore be it resolved that the New Jersey Council is hereby charged with effectuating these goals. We pledge to support to the best of our abilities our adopted units and any other causes that this Council so undertakes.

NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES

NEW JERSEY COUNCIL

BY LAWS

(As amended on December 9, 2024)

Article I- General

Section 1 - The name of the Council shall be the New Jersey Council-Navy League of the United States,

Section 2- The principal office of the Council shall be located in the State

Of New Jersey, County of Middlesex, and the City of East

Brunswick

Article II- Membership

Section 1- Classes of membership are as established in the National By- Laws. To be eligible for membership in this Council, one must

be a member of the national organization. No person shall be denied membership due to sex, race, color or religion.

Section 2- Dues shall be in the amount set by the national organization for each established class of membership; such dues are to be paid directly to the National Treasurer. Council dues or assessments may be established by the Council Board of Directors and paid to Council Treasurer on or before January 1st of each calendar year.

Section 3- Members whose dues payments are current shall be considered Members in Good Standing, and shall have all resulting rights and privileges of membership, including the right to vote and serve as Council Officers and/or on the Council Board of Directors.

Section 4- An individual’s membership shall be terminated for failure to pay required dues or assessments within 30 days of due date. In addition, a member may resign by forwarding a resignation in writing to the National Corporate Secretary, with a copy to the Council President. Such resignations shall be effective when received by the National Corporate Secretary unless otherwise indicated in the letter of resignation.

Section 5- Any outstanding person that has shown and expressed unusual interest in this Council and who has performed great service to the United States Maritime Services, shall be eligible for an honorary membership upon unanimous approval of the Council members present at a regular meeting. No dues shall be assessed against such honorary members. Honorary members are privileged to take part in all-social activities of the Council, but shall not be eligible to vote or hold regular office in the Council.

Article III – Officers and Directors

Section 1- This Council shall have the following elected Officers:

President, Senior Vice-President, one or more Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Judge Advocate, Public Affairs Officer, Webmaster, Council Historian, Chaplain, Council Photographer and Parliamentarian...

Section 2- The Council Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Immediate Past President, all elected officers and a minimum of ten (10) but not more than twenty (20) members from the general membership. The Council’s Board of Directors shall also be open to any Past President. The Council Board of Directors and Elected Officers shall be limited to not more than thirty-five (35) regular members.

Section 3- The Officers and Directors of this Council shall be elected for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. The President shall not be elected for more than three consecutive terms or until their successors are elected.

Article IV- Duties of Officers & Directors

Section 1- The control and management of this Council’s assets and affairs shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board shall delegate its authority to the elected Officers and such other Council members as it so desires. The Officers and Board of Directors shall review and certify all Council expenditures. The Officers and Board shall also review and certify all Council By-Law changes before they are submitted to the membership for approval.

Section 2- The President shall direct the activities of the Council; preside at meetings including those of the Board of Directors; appoint committee chairman; assure compliance with National By-Laws and Regulations Governing Local Councils; submit the Council’s Annual Report to National Headquarters and other reports requested by higher authorities; represent the Council in public affairs and in national, regional and state organization activities.

Section 3- The Senior Vice-President shall be next in the order of succession. In the absence of the President, the Senior Vice-President shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of the President. The Senior Vice-President shall countersign the Council’s checks for expenditures and/or other reports as deemed necessary.

Section 4- The Council President shall have the authority to appoint a Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff shall serve at the discretion of the Council President and his/her appointment shall expire immediately upon the swearing in of a new Council President. The Chief of Staff shall have no voting privileges but shall have the right to hold proxy votes of up to seven (7) Officers or members of the Board of Directors who are not attending a duly recognized Council meeting. The Chief of Staff is authorized to prepare correspondence and other official documents at the direction and approval of the Council President.

The Chief of Staff shall assist in processing all reports, information, agendas and emails for distribution throughout the Council and to others as approved by the Council President.

Section 5- The Council shall be represented by three (3) Vice-Presidents.

The Vice-President of Military Affairs shall maintain communication with the Council’s adopted military units, as well as the Council’s Sea Cadet Units. He/She may request appointments from the Council President for Liaisons/Attache’s to specific military units.

The Vice-President of Community Affairs shall preside over the Council’s fund-raising activities, community outreach and shall maintain communication with the Council’s Community Affiliates. They shall oversee the operations of the Newsletter Committee if so established in order to maintain a clear and consistent message for the Council.

The Vice-President of Membership shall maintain an accurate membership roster. He/She will be chiefly responsible to notify Council members if their National membership status changes or if their dues have lapsed. He/She may request appointments from the Council President for a Recruitment and/or Retention Officer(s).

Section 6- The Council Secretary shall maintain Council records, such as the By-Laws, minutes of meetings, and election results. He/She will assist in preparing an annual report to Council membership, handling correspondence as designated by the President and to provide notice for meeting if directed.

Section 7- The Treasurer of the Council shall maintain all financial records of the Council, establish the Council’s bank account and serve as a co-signer with the designee on checks for all disbursement. He/She will assist in the preparation and oversee the Council’s budget. He/She shall submit a report to the Officers and Board of Directors at each meeting, along with the annual report to the Council membership and prepare the financial portion of the Council’s Annual Report.

Section 8- The Council President may appoint a Liaison for Policy and Protocol. The Liaison shall be a special advisor to the Council President where appropriate. He/She will be charged with the official duty of the transfer of Presidential responsibilities between an outgoing President and the President-Elect.

Section 9- The Judge Advocate shall advise the Council President and Officers on legal matters affecting the Council and interpret the By-Laws and Regulations.

Section 10- The Parliamentarian for the Council shall advise the President on matters of protocol by using the current copy of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised Edition. Together with the Council President he shall maintain good order at all Council meetings and events.

Section 11- The Council shall be represented by a Chaplain during all times of prayer. The Chaplain shall be either an ordained minister or a reverent Council member. In the event a Council Chaplain is unavailable, the Council President may appoint someone to fulfill that duty.

Section 12- The Council Historian shall maintain all old Council records, such as the By-Laws, minutes of meetings, annual reports, correspondence and any other such records that he deems appropriate. The Council Historian shall maintain a pre-designated area at the Rutgers University Alexander Library where all of the Council records will be cataloged.

Section 13- The Council Web-Master, will have the responsibility to maintain and update the Council’s Website and other Social Media platforms. He/She will, at the direction of the President, post important Council events, specifically the nominations and elections of officers. The Web-Master shall have sole discretion as to the form and content of all articles and posts on the official website of the New Jersey Council currently www.njcnlus.org

Section 14- The Council Public Affairs Officer shall be the special advisor to the Council President where appropriate or as needed. He shall prepare articles or photos relating to Council events and shall be an Ambassador of goodwill in providing these services to the Council’s adopted units.

Section 15- The Council Photographer shall be a special advisor to the Council President where appropriate or as needed. He shall prepare photos relating to Council events and shall be an Ambassador of goodwill in providing those services to the Council’s adopted units.

Article V- Elections of Officers

Section 1 - The election of Officers shall take place at the November meeting of the Council. Current Council Officers and members of the Board of Directors are the electors in the voting process.

Section 2- Nominations may be made from the floor at the election meeting. Nominations from the floor can only be made by a member in good standing and seconded by a member in good standing. The floor nominee must also be a member in good standing and accept the nominations. Nominees must be present to accept the nomination. A majority vote by the electors shall constitute a valid election to office. In the event that there are two nominees for a single position, a secret ballot election is warranted. In the event of a tie, the President shall cast the tie-breaking vote.

Section 3- The Election of Officers shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised Edition and presided over by the Council’s Judge Advocate or a person designated by the Council President.

Section 4- The Officers and Directors of this Council shall be elected for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. The President shall be elected for not more than three consecutive terms or until properly relieved.

Section 5- The installation of new Officers and Directors shall be during the month of January at the Installation Dinner and Awards Banquet unless otherwise announced.

Section 6- In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of an Officer, such vacancy shall be filled by the Council President with the approval of the Officers and Board of Directors. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of the Council President the Senior Vice-President shall fill the vacancy for the duration of the term of office. If the Senior Vice-President is unable or unwilling to serve in that capacity, a candidate will be nominated by the Officers and Board of Directors at the next regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

Article VI- Meetings

Section 1- The Board shall meet at least once each quarter upon call by the President. One-half of the Officers and Board of Directors including proxies shall constitute a quorum. Upon written request to the President by any seven (7) members of the Officers or Board of Directors, the President shall call, within three (3) weeks, a meeting of said Officers and Board of Directors. Should the President fail to call such meeting so requested within the prescribed time, the requestors may issue such call, reciting the President’s failure to do so, and any meeting held pursuant to such call shall be deemed a legal meeting, and its acts and proceedings shall be deemed as valid and binding as though such meeting had been called by the President.

Section 2- The general membership of this Council shall meet at least once each quarter upon call by the President. One half of the Officers or members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. The Council President or his/her Chief of Staff may hold not more than seven (7) proxy votes for Officers or members of the Board of Directors who are not in attendance.

Section 3.- The annual meeting of the New Jersey Council shall be held during the February meeting. During that meeting, the President, Secretary and Treasurer or Chief of Staff shall submit the Navy League Annual Report to the members. (Copies of these reports must be sent to the National Headquarters with copies to the appropriate State and Regional Presidents in the time period proscribed via email.

Section 4- Minutes of all meetings of the Board and general membership will be recorded by the Secretary, or Acting Secretary and copies thereof provided upon request after minutes have been approved by the Board.

Section 5- The rules set forth in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised Edition shall govern the Council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws and special rules of order that the Council may adopt.

Article VII- Committees

Section 1- A Nominating Committee shall be established annually at the February Council meeting. The Council President shall select three (3) Past Council Presidents to serve on this Committee. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall be the most Senior of the three (3) Past Council Presidents. The Nominating Committee shall submit in September notices of proposed nominees. They will be announced to the general membership through the Council web-site/newsletter. The Committee must select at least one member in good standing to fill each of the positions outlined in Article III of these By-Laws. The Nominating Committees selections shall be announced sixty (60) days in advance of the November meeting.

Section 2- A Finance Committee shall consist of the Senior Vice President, and the Treasurer. The Committee shall also include two (2) members from the general membership not holding an elected office in the Council. The Committee shall be responsible for providing assistance to the Council in the preparation of the budget and other fiscal matters incidental to the operation of the Council. Any proposals during the year not in the budget would have to be referred to the Finance Committee.

Section 3- An Audit Committee will be established on the call of the Council President or three other Council Officers or the Board of Directors. The committee must be established to audit the Council’s financial affairs if there is a change in the office of President or Treasurer. The results of the audit shall be written and presented to the Board of Directors within three (3) months of the Committee being established.

Section 4- The Council President shall appoint any member to preside over the Good and Welfare Committee. This Committee shall report to the President any sickness or death of any Council member or friend of the Council. The Good and Welfare Committee Chairman shall be empowered to send a floral arrangement, fruit basket or well wishes, as the Chairman deems fit and proper, within the established monetary guidelines established by the Board.

Section 5- The Council President shall appoint Council Officer: Web-Master to preside over the Website Committee. This Committee will have the responsibility to maintain and update the Council’s Website. The official website of the New Jersey Council will be www.njcnlus.com.

Section 5: The President shall appoint a Committee and Newsletter Editor The Committee shall be responsible for: creation, distribution and content of the Council’s Newsletter “The Anchor”. They will publish articles and an event calendar on an as needed.. They, at the direction of the President, notify the membership of important Council events, specifically the nominations and elections of officers and shall report the production costs and recommend the appropriate newsletter assessments or advertising fees. The Newsletter Committee shall coordinate their activities with the Vice President of Community Affairs and the Council’s Web-Master.

Section 6- The President shall appoint the members of such standing committees as may be provided for by the Officers and Board of Directors from time to time with such powers and duties as may be delegated by them. Each committee shall determine its own rules of procedure, subject to approval by the Officers and Board of Directors.

Section 7- The Board of Directors may, at their discretion, create an Advisory Committee of representative citizens to support the work of the Council.

Article VIII- Prohibitions

Section 1- No officer or member of the Council shall undertake in the name of the New Jersey Council or Navy League any action intended to prejudice the aims of and the established policies of the New Jersey Council or the Navy League. And no member shall communicate with any Department of the United States Government in the name of the New Jersey Council on general policy matters without the written approval of the Council President.

Section 2- No use may be made of the Navy League name, logo, seal or other symbol or indicia of the Navy League, including lists of its members names and addresses, or any purpose other than direct fulfillment of the mission of the Navy League.

Article IX- Fiscal Year and Audits

Section 1- The fiscal year of the Council shall conform to that of the Navy League of the United States National Headquarters. That being the calendar year.

Article X- Expenditures

Section 1- No money shall be authorized to be expended and no contract or obligation incurred in the name of or on the behalf of this Council beyond the money actually on hand, appropriated and set aside for that purpose.

Section 2- The Council President shall be allowed to spend up to $150.00 without the vote of the Officers and Board of Directors. Such expenditures are to be deemed necessary and relevant to the operations of the Council or where a meeting or poll is not reasonably possible within a proscribed time period. In the event that the Council President is unavailable during an emergent need, the Senior Vice President shall be granted the authority to make said expenditure.

Article XI- Gender

Section 1- Whenever the masculine form is used herein, the feminine form is intended to be included.

Article XII- Amendments

Section 1- These By-Laws shall not be amended unless the amendment has been approved by the Officers and Board of Directors and subsequently confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a general meeting. Notice of any proposed change or amendment shall be posted on the Council’s Website or in the Council Newsletter. All proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Council Secretary thirty (30) days prior to a meeting of the Board of Directors. The Secretary will send a copy of the proposed change to all Council Officers and members of the Board of Directors.

Article XIII- Miscellaneous

Section 1- No part of the funds of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of Section 501©(3) purposes.

Article XIV- Dissolution

Section 1- If the New Jersey Council by vote of the Board of Directors and Officers seeks dissolution for any reason, the Council President and members of the Board of Directors shall distribute any or all Council assets to the Council’s adopted units or other noteworthy causes.

Section 2- In case of revocation of the Council Charter, the Council President shall cause to be transferred to the National Treasurer all funds remaining in the treasury of the Council at the time it ceased to exist, provided that the National Headquarters is in existence at that time and is then exempt under 501©(3)of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

Section 3- In the event that the National Headquarters has ceased to exist at the time of the dissolution is not then exempt, all remaining assets of the Council shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future United States Internal Revenue law, or shall be distributed to the Federal government, or to a State or local government solely and exclusively for public purpose.

Section 4- Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction or the country in which the principal office of the Council was then located exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which is organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Article XV- Ratification

Section 1- This Constitution and By-Laws have been adopted by a vote of the Council on December 9, 2024.

Section 2- A copy of these By-Laws/Articles of Association has been placed in the minutes/records of the Council.

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