By-Laws

           SOUTHEAST CONNECTICUT CHIEF PETTY OFFICER’S ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS.

           Section 1101.
      The Chapter shall have and maintain a budget.

Section 1102.
       The FB&I Committee shall prepare and present to the BOD
the Chapter Annual budget for the ensuing year (January 1- December31). 
The proposed budget will be provided to the BOD prior to the January
BOD meeting.

Section 1103.
        The BOD will review the budget presented by the FB&I Committee and
present its recommendations at the annual general membership meeting in January.

Section 1104.
         The budget must be approved by two thirds vote of the general 
membership attending the meeting in January.  If the budget is not 
approved it must be resubmitted to the BOD with the recommended changes.

Section 1105.
           The General Expense section of the budget will contain 3 sections;  
Chapter Operations, National Support, and Chapter Business.  The monetary 
amounts in each section will be according to Section 1102, 1103, & 1104.

Section 1106.
             After final budget approval the BOD will control expenditures covered 
in the Chapter Operations and National Support Sections. He President and the
Chapter BOD shall enforce the provisions of Section 1107.

Section 1107.
              After final budget approval the general membership will allocate the
funds and expenditures under the Chapter Business section:

a.  A “majority vote” means a simple majority of those members voting.
b.  Funds from the Chapter Business account are obligated by majority vote of
members at a General membership meeting or Special membership meeting
called by the President.
c.  Emergency expenses from the Chapter Business account may be obligated 
by approval of the BOD at any time.
d.  Individual motions obligating more than $200.00 each, must be presented to
the BOD for final approval.
e.  Any expenditures which will obligate more than $500.00 will require a 
proposal developed by the appropriate committee and presented in writing to 
the BOD prior to the next BOD meeting and General membership meeting.
f.  No single General membership meeting will obligate more than $500.00 
without prior approval of the BOD.
g. In cases of emergency, the Chapters BOD/Officers shall have authority 
to act in the best interests of the Chapter.  This action shall be ratified by 
the Chapter at its next regular meeting.

                                                    CHAPTER OFFICERS

Section 1417.
          President, Vice president, Secretary, and Treasurer are the minimum 
elected officers required for a Chapter.  The Offices of Secretary and 
Treasurer  may be combined. Chapters may have a board of directors.

Section 1418.
         Nominations for Chapter Officers shall be opened at a regularly scheduled
meeting 3 months prior to the election. Nominations will close at the regularly
scheduled meeting of the third month.  Ballot elections may be held at that 
meeting or mailed to the membership as provided for in section 1420 and the 
Chapter By-laws and standing rules. Chapters not holding monthly meetings 
may nominate by phone or mail.

Section 1419.
          All nominees for office shall be elected from the Chapters Regular 
membership in good standing or Affiliate membership for the offices of 
secretary  or Treasurer.  Nominations for office will be made to the 
nominating/ballot committee appointed by the President of the Chapter.

Section 1420.
            Chapter officers shall be elected by ballot.  The ballots shall be prepared 
by the Nominating /Ballot committee. A minimum of 2 nominees are desired for 
each elective office.  Ballots shall be provided to members, and return ballots 
validated in accordance with the chapters By-laws and standing rules and 
regulations.  Plurality vote shall elect. 

Section 1421.
               Chapters shall provide for the installation of their officers within 45 
days of election.  The official installing the elected officers may be a member of 
the Chief Petty Officers Association or a person selected by the Chapter.

Section 1422.
               Chapter Officers shall take office on the date of their installation and 
serve for the term of the office or until their successors are elected and 
installed.   Chapters may make provisions for their officers to serve more 
than one term  provided that a re-election process is accomplished for each 
term of office.   A term of office shall not exceed 2 years.

Section 1423.
               The Chapter Secretary shall promptly notify the CA of the names and 
telephone numbers of the officers installed and all changes of Chapter officers.

Section 1424.
               Should the office of President become vacant, the vice-president shall 
fill that office for the remainder of the un-expired term.  Vacancies that occur 
among other elected offices shall be in accordance with the Chapter Standing 
Rules and regulations.

Section 1425. 
               The Chapter President shall appoint from the Membership, the 
Chairman of any and all committees.

Section 1426.
               The Chapter shall require any Officer having custody of Chapter funds 
in excess of three thousand dollars to furnish a fidelity bond.  The bond 
premium shall be paid by the Chapter treasury.

Section 1427.
               Chapter Committees shall perform the duties of their titles and shall 
operate under the supervision of the Chapter President and Board of directors.

Section 1428.
               The Chapter President may appoint a Parliamentarian and a Master of 
Arms from the Chapter membership to assist in the conduct of meetings and 
other matters.

Section 1429.
               Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with this C&BL 
and Demeter’s manual of parliamentary procedure, blue book edition.

                                 INCORPORATION & BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

Section 1430.
               Any business enterprise or club operated or sponsored by a Chapter 
shall comply with the laws and ordinances of the State, country and City in 
which the chapter’s business, enterprise, or club is located.

Section 1431.
               The National Association shall not be responsible financially or 
otherwise for operation/management of any club or business enterprise either 
sponsored or endorsed by a Chapter.

Section 1432.
               Any club or business enterprise shall be properly Incorporated under 
the local laws of the State, county, and or municipality prior to being sponsored 
or placed in operation by any Association Chapter/national Auxiliary unit, 
except in those states or other areas where the laws of incorporation preclude 
any possibility of financial or other responsibilities reflecting upon the 
association.   Failure to comply with this section is sufficient cause for 
revocation or suspension of the Chapter/Units Charter in accordance with the 
provisions of Section 1408.