CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC.
ARTICLE ONE
Organization
Sec. 1. The name of this organization shall be gold Star
Wives of America, Inc.
Sec. 2. The organization shall have a Seal, which shall
be in the following form: A Gold Star superimposed with
a Purple Bar bearing the words, "Gold Star Wives of America."
Sec. 3. The organization shall have an official flower.
The Pansy, which shall have the two upper petals in purple
and the three lower petals in yellow with a gold streamer.
ARTICLE TWO
Purposes
Sec. 1. The purposes of this corporation shall be as follows:
(1) To assist in upholding the constitution and laws of
the United States of America, and to inculcate a sense
of individual obligation to the community, state, and
nation.
(2) To honor the memory of those who made the supreme
sacrifice in the service of our country.
(3) To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles
of justice, freedom, and democracy for which members of
our armed services fought and died.
(4) To provide the benefits of a happy, healthful and
wholesome life to minor children of persons who died in
the service of our country.
(5) To promote activities and interests designed to foster
among its members the proper mental attitude to face the
future with courage.
(6) To aid when necessary the widows and children of persons
who died in the service of our country.
(7) To do any and all things necessary and incidental
to carry out the general purposes and objects of this
organization.
ARTICLE THREE
Legislative Department
Sec. 1. The legislative power shall be vested
in the National organization of Gold Star Wives of America,
Inc., which shall consist of:
(1) Its past national presidents in good standing in this
organization.
(2) Its officers, committee chairmen, and members of the
Board of Directors.
(3) All regional presidents and chapter presidents of
this corporation or, in their absence, the regional and
chapter immediate past presidents who are in good standing.
(4) Delegates for chapters and members-at-large.
Article Four
Membership
Sec. 1. Any citizen or national of the United
States who is a widow of any person who died while a member
of the armed forces of our country, or who died subsequent
to such service as a result of an injury or disability
incurred during such service, shall be eligible for membership
in the chapters of the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.,
if there is a chapter in the area within which the person
resides; however, where there is no chapter organized
within the place where such qualified member resides,
such qualified person may become a member-at-large. Proof
of eligibility shall be submitted with application.
Sec. 2. Membership charters shall be granted by the National
organization at such time or times as a local membership
group shall be established, consisting of at least five
(5) members. Such chapters shall be subject to all rules
and regulations of the national organization.
Sec. 3. To remove a member from this organization, three
written statements outlining complaints against a member
are to be read at an open meeting of the chapter. Membership
of the chapter will vote on the removal. Offending member
must be given written notice that she will be granted
an opportunity to appear to hear charges against her and
to be allowed to testify in her own defense. Membership
of chapter shall be notified that the entire case must
be presented by the president of the chapter in writing
for final approval of the national Board of Directors.
Sec. 4. Should any region not hold a Regional conference
within a given year, it shall be deemed inactive and no
refund of member-at-large dues will be returned from the
National Treasury to the Regional Treasurer. These members-at-large
shall then be considered members of the National organization
instead of Regional members.
Sec. 5. Upon written request stating reasons to the Board
of Directors, the Board may approve the membership dues
being paid directly to the National Treasurer and the
member being a member-at-large on a National basis only.
ARTICLE FIVE
Meetings
Sec. 1. The annual meeting of Gold Star Wives
of America, Inc. shall be held once a year at some time
during the middle of the calendar year at a time and place,
and on a date to be fixed by the majority vote of the
members of the convention. Minutes of the annual convention
shall be received by the chapters within ninety (90) days
after the close of the meeting, subject to approval at
the next annual meeting.
Sec. 2. The members of the Board of Directors shall meet
while the annual convention is in session each year, at
a time and place to be fixed by the Chairman of the Board
of Directors. Special meetings may be held from time to
time when considered necessary.
Sec. 3. The presence of not less than 25 members of the
National organization shall constitute a quorum at the
annual meeting, and the presence of not less than five
(5) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute
a quorum at meetings of the Board of Directors. But a
lesser number may adjourn the meeting for a period of
not more than thirty (30) days.
Sec. 4. Special Meetings of this organization may be called
by a majority vote of the Board of Directors from time
to time; and special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
the National President, or by not less than five (5) members
of the Board of Directors, after due notification to all
Board members.
Sec. 5. The secretary or President of each chapter shall
provide credentials to their duly elected and authorized
delegates representing their chapter at the annual convention
which can be presented to the National Secretary upon
request.
Sec. 6. Resolutions from regions, chapters, or individual
members must be in the possession of the National Parliamentarian
thirty (30) days prior to the annual national Convention
for compilation purposes. This does not exclude resolutions
that may be offered from the assembly floor as a direct
result of proper business discussion conducted thereon.
Sec. 7. No other person but the presiding officer of the
National Convention will be allowed to change the meeting
time at a National Convention.
Sec. 8. All National Convention mailing must be in the
mail at least six (6) weeks prior to the Convention date.
Sec. 9. All resolutions submitted at the National Convention
shall be those pertaining directly to Gold Star Wives
and Gold Star sons and Daughters.
Sec. 10. No member may be nominated from the assembly
floor unless present at the National Convention; or through
communication, such person has indicated her willingness
to serve in the event she is elected.
ARTICLE SIX
Voting
Sec. 1. At all annual meetings, only members of
the legislative department shall be entitled to vote.
In the event an acting national officer must be appointed
in order for the business of the General Assembly to be
properly conducted, the appointed officer shall be entitled
to vote. Members of the legislative department shall have
only one personal vote regardless of the number of positions
held.
Sec. 2. Each chapter shall be entitled to one delegate
to the National Convention for every five to ten (5-10)
paid-up members whose names appear on the records of the
Membership Chairman on June first (1) of each year preceding
the annual meeting.
Sec. 3. If more than one-tenth (1/10th) of the total members-at-large
from any one region are not present, one vote shall be
given to each member-at-large from that Region who is
present. If more than one-tenth (1/10) are present from
any one Region, then such members-at-large shall be entitled
to vote on the same basis as the chapter.
Sec. 4. A widow who may attend a National Convention and
first join the organization at that time, with the approval
of the General Assembly, will be entitled to a vote at
the National Convention.
Sec. 5. Each chapter may vote on any question coming before
the National Convention in accordance with the number
of delegates which the said chapter is entitled to regardless
of the number of delegates who actually attend the National
convention.
Sec. 6. No ballots shall be destroyed until six (6) months
after installation of the National Officers, and these
ballots shall remain in possession on the Nominating Committee
Chairman.
ARTICLE SEVEN
Order of Business
Sec. 1. The suggested order of business of this
organization shall be as follows:
(1)
Registration of members
(2)
Reading of minutes of the preceding meeting
(3)
Reports of committees
(4)
Reports of officers
(5)
Old and unfinished business
(6)
New business
(7)
Election
(8)
Memorial Services
(9)
Installation
(10)
Adjournment
ARTICLE EIGHT
Board of Directors
Sec. 1. The business of this organization shall
be managed by:
a]
A Board of Directors consisting of fifteen (15) elected
members.
b]
The National President of Gold Star Wives.
c]
The President of each active Region of Gold Star Wives.
Sec. 2. The Directors shall be elected by the National
organization at the annual meeting each year, to hold
office for three (3) consecutive years. Each year five
(5) members of the Board of Directors are to be elected.
Not more than
three (3) elected members from any Region shall be on
the Board simultaneously, and each active region shall
have at least one elected Board member.
Active Region
is defined as a Region holding an annual conference, sending
a written report to the National convention and having
representation at the National Convention.
The National
President shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of
directors.
Each Region
President, by virtue of election to that office, shall
be an Associate member of the Board of Directors with
voting privileges and with no Board assignment during
her tenure unless a duly elected or appointed Board Member.
Sec. 3. Any Director who fails to attend three (3) consecutive
meetings of the Board of Directors without written, acceptable
excuse shall be considered to have vacated her office.
Sec. 4. The members of the Board of Directors shall elect
among themselves a Chairman of the Board of Directors
and a Secretary to the Board of Directors to serve for
the term of (1) year.
Sec. 5. The Board of Directors may recommend Rules and
Regulations covering its meetings and covering the management
of the Chapters as it may in its discretion determine
from time to time.
Sec. 6. Vacancies in the said Board of Directors shall
be filled by vote of the majority of the remaining members
of the Board of Directors to serve until the next National
Convention.
ARTICLE NINE
Officers
Sec. 1. The officers of this organization shall
be as follows:
(1) National President
(2) National Vice President
(3) Recording Secretary
(4) National Treasurer
(5) Chaplain
(6) National Parliamentarian
(7) Historian
(8) The Regional Presidents
Sec. 2. All National Officers, including members of the
Board of Directors, (excluding Region Presidents) shall
be elected by written ballot, forms to be provided and
names of choice of Officers and Board members written
in.
Sec. 3. All members, officers and employees responsible
for disbursing organizational funds shall be bonded.
Sec. 4. Corresponding Secretary shall be appointed by
the National President.
Sec. 5. The National Treasurer's report shall be presented
at the National Convention; if the Treasurer is unable
to attend, the report must be in the hands of the presiding
officer at the National Convention.
Sec. 6. The National Parliamentarian shall have final
authority in deciding the answer to all questions concerning
Parliamentary procedure sent in by individual members
or chapters.
Sec. 7. National Headquarters shall be established in
the locality of the current national President and the
bank account shall be established at the convenience of
the National Treasurer.
Sec. 8. In the event the office of the National President
becomes vacant, such office shall be filled by the vice
President until such time as a general election may be
held. In the event both offices of the National President
and Vice President become vacant, the Board of Directors
shall appoint a person to fill the office of President
until such time as a general election may be held. In
the event a vacancy occurs in any of the other National
offices of the organization, such office shall be filled
by appointment of the President with the consent of the
Board of Directors to serve until such time as a general
election may be held.
Sec. 9. The National Officers of this organization, except
for the Regional Presidents, shall be nominated, elected,
and installed at the National Convention.
Sec. 10. No member except the National Treasurer and the
National Parliamentarian shall retain any one particular
national office longer than two (2) years. The National
Treasurer and National Parliamentarian, with their written
approval, may be re-elected for as many terms as meets
with the approval of the Assembly.
Sec. 11. The national Officers charged with the obligation
of carrying out the mandates of the Convention assembled
shall be required to report to the Board of Directors
if such duties are not completed.
ARTICLE TEN
Committees
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall be composed
of the National President, Vice President, Recording Secretary,
Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. This
committee shall meet at the discretion of the National
President, to plan procedures on projects approved by
the Board of Directors and/or the General Assembly, and
to handle urgent business when it is impossible for the
Board of Directors to meet. The Executive Committee is
directly responsible to the Board of Directors.
Sec. 2. The National committee Chairman shall be appointed
by the Board of Directors and shall be responsible tot
he Board of Directors for their specific duties.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
Dues
Sec. 1. Each member shall pay dues to the National
organization in an amount as is fixed from time to time
at the National Convention and upon payment, a membership
card will be issued to her.
ARTICLE TWELVE
Records
Sec. 1. Upon disbanding of a Chapter or Region,
all properties, records, and assets shall be turned over
to the National organization.
Sec. 2. The custodian of records and property shall be
designated by the Board of directors and any member shall
be granted access to all records for the purposes of Gold
Star Wives' business matters.
Sec. 3. All current National records, complete as of National
convention or expiration of duties pertaining to term
of office, are to be turned over to the incoming officer
at National convention if feasible, but no later than
thirty (30) days following convention. When it is impractical
to transfer records at national Convention because of
time, volume and/or mode of transportation, the records
shall be shipped via the best insured method with incurred
costs to be reimbursed by the National Treasury upon presentation
of paid receipt.
Sec. 4. Each officer shall have with her the officer pin
to turn over to the new officer, or pay for the pin if
she does not have it to turn over.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
Amendments
Sec. 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended
or repealed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3)
of the members of the Legislative Department at a National
Convention, providing such amendment has been submitted
to the General Assembly at the previous National Convention.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
Regional Divisions
Sec. 1. The United State is divided into separate
areas headed by a Regional President. Under the supervision
of the Regional President, a Conference is held each year,
at least sixty (60) days prior to the National Convention.
Voting at these Conferences is on the same basis as voting
at the National Convention.
Sec. 2. The Regions are as follows:
- NEW ENGLAND: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts,
Rhode island, Connecticut
- MIDDLE ATLANTIC: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, district of Columbia, Virginia
- SOUTH EAST: North Carolina, south Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi
- MIDWEST: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, West
Virginia, Michigan
- NORTH CENTRAL: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin
- SOUTH CENTRAL: Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Oklahoma, Texas
- SOUTH WEST: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah,
Nevada, Colorado, Hawaii
- NORTH WEST: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho,
Wyoming, Alaska
Revised
National Convention 1963
Amended
National Conventions 1970;1971;1974;1987;1993;1996
STANDING RULES
RELATING TO TREASURY
1. Checks written by the National Treasurer which
have not been presented for payment shall be declared
void 180 days from the date issued, and the money from
such checks shall be returned to the National Treasury.
The Treasurer shall notify the bank to issue a "Stop Payment"
for such check and shall be authorized to pay the fee
charged by the bank. The Treasurer shall notify the payee,
in writing, of such action. In the event the check was
not received by the payee, the Treasurer is authorized
to issue a replacement check. (1986)
2. The Stay-At-Home Tea is a National fund raising project
inviting all members to participate. local chapter members
may choose to participate as a Chapter. If so, the check
should be forwarded to the Fund Raising Chairman along
with a list of names and addresses of members in order
to have an accurate member participation percentage. (1997)
3. If the local Chapter wishes to make a donation, the
check should be sent directly to the National Treasurer.
4. No individual member may solicit funds in the name
of Gold Star Wives.
5. Money to be used for the Welfare Project to be presented
by the Chapter hosting the national Convention and presented
at the time of the Convention was set at the amount of
$500.00, said amount to come from the national fund Raising
Project, with the balance to be made up from the National
Treasury if needed. (1969) Increased to $1,000.00 (1985)
6. The National President is authorized to make donations
not to exceed $500.00 annually in the name of Gold Star
Wives of America when requests and/or opportunities are
received which would enable gold Star Wives to gain further
recognition as a service organization. (1992)
7. The National Treasurer shall be present at the Board
of Directors meetings as a voting member and shall serve
in the capacity of financial adviser and shall be assigned
to chair the budget committee. (1992)
8. Money collected from the fund raising for a designated
memorial or future monies given for an expressed purpose
will be placed in a separate savings account until such
time as it is needed. (1963)
9. A budget will be presented by the Budget Committee
and voted upon by the Assembly at the National Convention.
(1996)
10. Each officer and board member receiving monies advanced
by the National Treasurer will make an up to date account
of expenditures to the Board at the last meeting of the
year. Any funds left over are to be returned to the National
Treasurer. Those officers having large working funds who
anticipate a sizable surplus of unused funds should keep
an estimated amount for operating expenses and return
balance to Treasurer by May 31. (1967;1989)
11. The Potomac Area Chapter is encouraged to represent
Gold Star Wives of America at every opportunity and this
sometimes is in the laying of a wreath at ceremonies.
The Potomac Area Chapter will present the bill for flowers
to the national Treasurer. (1976)
12. Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is an associate member
of Veterans Administration volunteer Service (VAVS) National
committee. The VAVS Chairman and/or Deputy Representative
will attend the VAVS Annual National committee meeting.
The amount of allowance for each representative is to
be determined each year by the Board of Directors. (1987)
13. The National President's gift to be presented at National
Convention will be paid from the National Treasury in
an amount no to exceed $75.00. (1981;1987)
14. $3500.00 will be authorized annually to be spent to
send GSW representatives to Washington, DC to continue
to build support for our legislative agenda. (1998)
15. The Finance committee made up of the National Treasurer
and two members of the Board of Directors shall be able
to invest funds in accordance with the organization's
investment policy. Signature cards will be signed by the
National President and the National Treasurer. (1986;1998)
16. When a
new chapter is formed, Region officers
will furnish a list of the members-at-large in the immediate
area who will be considered members of the chapter, to
those organizing the chapter, the National Newsletter
Editor, and National Treasurer. Upon receipt of list,
the national treasurer will send $2.00 per member to the
new chapter from the National Treasury. (1982;1995)
17. At the next meeting of the Board of Directors following
disbanding of a chapter, the National Treasurer shall
report monies received. If the Board of directors agrees
that a Region is active and has incurred expenses due
to the formation of the chapter which became inactive,
disposition of the financial assets becomes the prerogative
of the Board of Directors. (1989)
18. The National Treasury shall pay reasonable costs of
convention Invitations, Convention Programs, Name Tags,
Supplies, General Assembly expenses (typewriter, microphones,
VCR, etc. - see Convention Guidelines), and meeting rooms
for conducting the business of the convention, and any
transportation costs necessitated by the location of the
Memorial Service, subject to Board approval. Delegate
Registration Fee shall be limited to actual meal and entertainment
function costs. (1992;1995)
19. A National officer or Board Member incurring expenditures
for the legitimate conduct of her office above and beyond
her working fund will employ the following procedure:
- Itemized expenditures to date PLUS anticipated additional
expenses shall be submitted to the National President
and Board Chairman for approval. In the event an additional
allotment is needed by the National President, the
request will be approved by the National Vice President
and the Board Chairman. If needed by the Board Chairman,
the request shall be submitted to the National President
and the Board Secretary will handle the memo;
- Providing funds are available in the "Reserve Account"
in the Budget, tentative approval may be granted;
- The Board Chairman shall prepare and mail a "Memo"
to the members of the Board of Directors advising
of the purpose and amount of the request. Upon receipt
of at least five (5) affirmative votes, the National
Treasurer shall be advised to forward the funds requested.
(1986)
20. The Chairman of the Board's working fund is to include
transportation and hotel accommodations for annual attendance
at National Veterans Day Ceremonies in Birmingham, AL.
(1986)
21. Gold Star Wives of America is now listed as a "Participating
(sponsoring) Organization" of National Veterans Day in
Birmingham, AL. A $2,000.00 donation will be an item in
the annual budget. An amount will also be included in
the budget to be contributed to National Veterans Day
Committee for ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery as a "Recognized"
organization. (1987) (1996)
22. Ten percent (10%) of the annual fund raising income
should be budgeted for annual welfare projects, to include
Convention Hostess Chapter Welfare Gift and National President's
special Welfare Fund. (1991)
23. Banking records should be kept for five (5) years
(National/Region/Chapter). (1989)
24. $1000.00 will be authorized in the budget each year
for the Gold Star Wives and Gold Star Mothers Reception
held annually in Washington, DC. (1992;1996;1998)
25. The National Treasurer is authorized to issue and
sign working fund checks not to exceed the largest budget
approved working fund. (1993)
RELATING TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
1. No invitations will be extended for National
convention in cities having a local chapter unless a duly
authorized invitation is made by the would-be hostess
chapter. (1963)
2. Because there are certain basic expenses involved in
Convention functions and there are certain financial and
other advantages to registering under the auspices of
gold Star Wives of America, there will be a basic registration
fee charged whether or not any functions are attended.
(1975)
3. A time will be set aside at National Convention to
honor the memory of our deceased members. (1964)
4. The Candlelight Installation Ceremony will be used
to install new officers following the convention Banquet.
5. Prior to National Convention, all Board members, National
Officers, and Region Presidents are to prepare a written
report, including a financial report if working funds
have been advanced. These reports will be prepared in
quantity specified by the Board Chairman (using assigned
report number) and mailed to the delegated member of the
Convention Hostess Chapter by the date directed. cost
of duplicating reports will be paid from National Treasury
and the Hostess Chapter will be responsible for having
al reports duplicated in sufficient quantity as needed
to prepare Convention packets for registered delegates.
Packets for Board members will be made available prior
to scheduled board meeting. (1980;1987;1993)
6. Adequate time to review contents of reports prior to
opening of general Assembly will eliminate reading or
summarizing reports. as the reports are called for on
the convention agenda the person responsible will take
the floor to make recommendations, entertain any questions
or discussion arising, and make presentation of the report
to the National Secretary. (1980)
7. Membership cards will be shown at time of registration
at National Conventions to insure delegates are members
in good standing of Gold Star Wives of America. (1980)
8. Resolutions submitted from the floor to the Assembly
pertaining to money allocations or future work of the
organization may not be voted on at that session, but
must wait an interval of time (after a recess or the following
session) and be submitted in proper written form for consideration.
(1981)
9. The Registration Fee for National Convention delegates
shall be limited to actual meal and entertainment functions
cost. See Item #18 under RELATING TO NATIONAL TREASURY.
(1983)
10. When children are brought to Convention by delegates,
they need to have the opportunity to get acquainted with
each other as soon as possible after arrival. When sufficient
number of children have been registered, the National
Convention Committee will make arrangements for such a
function. (1983)
11. Gold Star Wives supplies used for conduction National
Convention (such as Past national President's pin, decals,
stickers) are to be reimbursed at cost by the National
Treasury upon presentation of a bill from the Supplies
Chairman. (1985)
12. The following guidelines for dispensing fund raising
items at National conventin were adopted:
- Chapters or regions other than the Hostess group
will not actively promote and/or sell fund raising
items on the general assembly floor at National convention.
- Sales may be promoted through Chapter and Region
newsletter only. National newsletter will promote
National supply items.
- Through sharing of chapter and region newsletters,
members may be made aware of items which may be of
interest and editors may include notice of available
items heir chapter or region has for sale.
- Chapters/Regions may bring samples of items to National
convention for display in personal rooms and may take
orders for such items or dispense previously ordered
items. (1989)
13. Expenses of Board of Directors meetings before and
after general assembly will be considered as a Convention
expense and will be included in the budget (this could
include charges for room, microphone, refreshments, etc.)
(1989)
14. Registration refunds may be made only when possible
and at the discretion of the hostess chapter based on
the contracts they have with hotels and travel agency.
(1996)
RELATING TO MEMBERSHIP
1. The National Treasurer shall be responsible
for the official membership count which is used to establish
voting strength at national convention. The report shall
be based on dues mailed
(postmarked)
by Chapter and Region Treasurers
No later than
May 15 and received by the National Treasurer
no later than May 31. (1986;1993)
2. The fiscal year will be June 1 to May 31. (1969)
3. Membership dues will be collected on a calendar year
basis and are due January first (1) of current year regardless
of date first joined or payment in previous year. (1956)
4. Membership dues received by National Treasurer later
than may 31 will not be included in the voting strength
count for Convention purposes. applications for NEW membership
dated after June 30 shall be credited with dues paid for
the remainder of that calendar year
plus
the following calendar year. members renewing at any time
throughout the year will be credited for that calendar
year. (1969;1994)
5. Mrs. Pauline Bartsch is an appointed member of the
Board of Directors for an indefinite period and will chair
the Membership Records position. (1963;1980;1988;1993)
6. Annual dues were raised to $15.00 per year. $10.00
to be sent to the National Treasury; $5.00 to remain in
the Chapter/Region Treasury. (1992;1999)
7. Chapter members will pay dues to the Chapter Treasurer,
Members-At-Large will pay dues to the Region Treasurer
or in the event there is no Region Treasurer, to the Region
President. Immediately upon receipt of a member's dues,
a membership card will be prepared and mailed. At least
monthly, or more frequently if necessary, the Treasurer
will forward a check for $5.00 per paid member to the
National Treasurer along with the appropriate copy of
the Membership Report Form. At the same time, other copies
of the Membership Report Form will be forwarded to the
appropriate person as indicated on the MR form. (1966
with required updates)
8. The standard APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP FORM will be
printed on two-part action paper, with the original to
go to Membership Records chair and the second copy retained
by the Chapter/Region. The date of the applicant's check
will be the date used on the Membership Report form. (1970)
9. Membership cards will carry the expiration date of
December 31. (1971)
10. When a member-at-large moves permanently to a different
Region, the Region Treasurer from which the member is
moving will prepare a CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM transferring
the member. If no part of the calendar year has elapsed,
the $5.00 Region portion of dues will be forwarded to
the new Region (1992)
11. Procedure was established for the formation of New
Chapters. See relating to treasury (16).
12. To assist the Membership Chairman in efforts to restore
delinquent members to the rolls of GSW, Region/Chapter
Treasurers shall notify the Chairman of delinquent members
to be contacted.
It
is recommended that the names and addresses of delinquent
members as of the end of the calendar year be
typed
on labels and forwarded to the Membership Chairman
as soon as possible after December 31. REMINDER - Chapter
and Region Treasurers are responsible for sending dues
notifications to members, with at least one follow-up
during the year when dues remain unpaid.
13. Standard dues renewal notice forms will be provided
by the supplies Chairman and used by Chapter/Region Treasurers.
Such notices to be mailed in October.
14. A non-refundable Life membership will be offered and
a distinctive Membership Card will be issued. The Life
Membership will be prorated as follows:
| |
Under 40 years (of age) |
- $300.00 |
| |
41 to 55 years |
- $250.00 |
| |
56 to 69 years |
- $200.00 |
The Chapter or Region will keep 50% and 50% sent
to National, effective with dues of 1996. (1989;1994)
RELATING TO CHAPTERS
1. A Chapter Assistance Packet will be sent to
newly formed Chapters by the Chapter/Region Liaison Chairman.
This packet contains necessary information concerning
report forms and required filing dates.
2. A definite date for reporting the election of chapter
officers duly elected will be before Regional Conference,
which is usually held in April. Chapter Reports to Region
and National will be the responsibility of the outgoing
President. (1988)
3. Chapter Presidents are required to caucus with the
delegates of her chapter who are present at National Convention,
thus insuring that chapter votes are voted according to
the majority - except in cases where the chapter has previously
made its voting wishes known. (1971)
4. Newly organized chapters (or reactivated chapters whose
treasury has been turned over to the National Treasurer
upon disbanding) shall have assistance in establishing
a beginning treasury under guidelines set forth in Item
#16 under RELATING TO TREASURY. (1982)
5. A duplicate charter may be issued by the National President
providing copies of original records including date, officers,
and charter members can be provided. In the event no printed
or written records are available, the above information
will be accepted in the form of a written statement from
a charter member or early member recalled to the best
of her ability. (1986)
6. The procedure to be followed for requesting a Chapter
Name Change shall be:
- The minutes of an existing Chapter requesting a
change of name shall duly record complete proceedings
leading to the decision to request a change of name;
- A copy of such minutes are to be presented to the
National President;
- The National President will prepare a CERTIFICATE
OF CHAPTER NAME CHANGE, using the date of her signature.
That date will be the official date the Chapter assumes
the new name;
- The National President will include any Chapter
Name Changes in her Annual Report to the Board of
directors and General Assembly. National Officers
and Board Members whose assignment involves Chapters
are to be notified as soon as possible after action
has been taken. (1986)
7. The membership records of a disbanded chapter should
be sent to the Region Treasurer, who will become responsible
for assuming dues renewal notices and mailing of Region
newsletter. A list of members should be sent to the Region
President, National Treasurer, Newsletter Editor and Membership
Records Chairman.
RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS AREAS
1. Copies of correspondence or notices of Regional
Conference shall be sent to the National President and
National Newsletter Editor so they will be informed of
activities pertaining to Regional Conferences.
2. Because of difficulties experienced by the organization
in the past which could be traced to unofficial and unauthorized
statements, no form letter or other literature may be
circulated except by direction of the properly elected
officers.
3. An appropriate uniform (cape) is approved for use by
members of the Potomac Area chapter who carry the colors
of Gold Star Wives of America for official functions at
Arlington National Cemetery. (Required if the organization
is to be permitted to participate) (1975)
4. An attractive paperweight embellished with the Gold
Star Wives emblem or other appropriate gift is to be used
by officials to present when appropriate. (1978;1994)
5. The Board of Directors established the position on
the Board to be known as President Emeritus, which will
be filled by the most recent retiring National President,
and to act as an honorary advisor to the Board of Directors.
(1978)
6. Initials denoting Gold Star Wives of America in abbreviated
form shall be "GSW" only, otherwise, the full name must
be used (because GSAW could cause confusion as indicative
of an auxiliary organization). (1980)
7. A national supply item may not be duplicated as a fund
raising item by a Chapter or Region. (1986)
8. The Gold Star Wives of America Logo will be registered
to protect the organization against duplication for unauthorized
purposes. (1986) 9. Marie Speer (Marie Jordan) National
Founder of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., was granted
a non-dues paying, Honorary Life member status by the
Board of Directors January 17, 1948.
10. Chapter and Region members may retain any one particular
office longer than two (2) consecutive years. (1997)
