Club Bylaws
Last Adopted April 13, 2007

ARTICLE I

Definition:
The name of this non-profit organization shall be The United States Naval Academy Parents Club of NJ (herein after referred to as “USNAPC-NJ” or the “Club”).

ARTICLE II

Purpose:

The purpose of this Club is to establish a strong link of friendship between all parents of Midshipmen; support the brigade of midshipmen with emphasis to NJ midshipmen; to promote a better understanding of the US Naval Academy; to assist the US Naval Academy Administration, as requested; and to promote the good & welfare of the Membership.  This organization is separate from other organizations such as the New Jersey Blue and Gold Officers, Navy League, US Naval Academy Alumni Associate, etc. and will cooperate with these in support of the United States Naval Academy.  The Club shall be non-political in nature.

ARTICLE III
Section I

Membership:

Any person may become a member of this Club upon application for membership and payment of the current membership dues.  The Membership of the USNAPC-NJ shall consist of the following types:

1)      Regular - Parents and/or guardians of Midshipman or graduates of the US Naval Academy.  For and voting purposes, the parents or guardians of a Midshipman or graduate are considered to be a single Regular Member, unless said parents or guardians have separate addresses and both pay Regular Member dues. The Executive Committee may set special discount rates for multiple-year dues payments.

2)      Associate - All other persons who are interested in the objectives of the USNAPC-NJ as approved by the Executive Committee.  Associate Members shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges of the USNAPC-NJ except that of becoming a candidate for an elected office, holding such elected office, and voting.

3)      Life Membership - After ten (10) years of Regular Membership, a transfer to Life Membership will be conferred.  The Executive Committee of the USNAPC-NJ may also award such Life Membership to individuals in recognition of outstanding service to this organization and/or to the USNA.  Life Members shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges of the USNAPC-NJ except that of becoming a candidate for an elected office and holding such elected office.

4)      Ex Officio  All of the Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officers and Naval Academy Alumni Association Liaison Officers assigned to this area for advice and support shall be ex officio Members. Ex officio Members shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges of the USNAPC-NJ except that of becoming a candidate for an elected office, holding such elected office, and voting.

Section II

  Dues:

The annual dues shall be set by the Executive Committee for regular and Associate Members. Life Members and Ex officio Members shall pay no dues.  The membership year begins 1 June of each year and ends 31 May of the following year A Member in good standing shall be one who is not delinquent in payment of any financial obligation to this Club.

The Executive Committee shall, if necessary propose assessments, which shall be levied on Regular Members with the approval of a majority of the Members present at a General Membership meeting                                                    

Section III

Voting:

Each Regular & Life Member in good standing of this Club shall have one vote, which such Member may cast in any call for vote among the Membership.  The vote of Members who are not in good standing of this Club shall not be counted in any call for vote among the Membership and shall be considered a nullity.

ARTICLE IV

Nominating Committee:

The Nominating Committee (consisting of a minimum of three (3) voting Members), shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the elected officers and announced to the Membership. The slate and or position vacancies, may be distributed to the general membership in advance of the Spring Meeting at their discretion. It shall prepare and nominate a complete slate of officers and directors, which shall be sent to the Membership (30)thirty days prior to the Spring Annual Meeting.  In addition to the slate of officers presented by the nominating committee, there shall be opportunities for nominations from the floor at the Spring Meeting.  A candidate for office must be a Regular Member in good standing and must consent to serve, if elected.  Election for each office shall be a simple majority of the voting Membership present.

ARTICLE V ORGANIZATION

Section I

Executive Committee

Under the chairmanship of the President, the Executive Committee shall include all elected officers (President, VP Arrangements, VP Membership, Secretary, and Treasurer) and the immediate past president. It’s duties and responsibilities shall consist of the following:

1)      Monitor and supervise all business of the USNAPC-NJ in the interim between regular meetings.

2)      Insure that all officers and committee chairmen faithfully execute their respective duties and responsibilities.

3)      Designate and fill any vacancies in any office as may occur after the annual election.

4)      Serve on the Board of Directors.

Section II

Executive Committee

The duties and responsibilities of the elected officers of USNAPC-NJ shall be to authorize the expenditure of funds and hold a minimum of two Board meetings each fiscal year on a semiannual basis at a time and place convenient for the Board members.  The officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year and shall hold office until a successor is elected. Club officers shall be elected from the regular membership of the club and shall have been a member for one year or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience to the nominating committee. Officers may be elected for successive one year terms. The office of President shall not be held for more than two consecutive terms.

1)      President - The President shall be the chief executive of the organization, preside at both regular and executive committee meetings, appoint chairpersons of all committees, be an ex officio member of all committees, represent USNAPC-NJ at all Official USNA functions where appropriate and/or required and shall perform all such duties as are incidental to the office and are properly required of him/her.

a.       Examples:

                                                               i.      I-day booth

                                                             ii.      Annual Presidents meeting

                                                            iii.      Graduation

                                                           iv.      Other events

2)      Vice President of Arrangements - This Vice President shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the President in his/her absence or at the direction of the President.  He/she shall assist the President in maintaining an active and efficient organization.  This Vice President shall also organize functions for the Membership to attend on a yearly basis. (i.e.: Spring and Fall General Meetings and Annual Picnic.) Regional Meeting –help organize meetings or gatherings for each region of the state.  He/she will work with the Vice President of Membership to acquire Members’ information for each region and arrange for Members in each region to host events. 

3)      Vice President of Membership -  He/she shall assist the President in maintaining an active and efficient organization.  This Vice President shall also approve all membership applications; promote privileges and benefits of USNAPC-NJ to potential members; attract and retain active participation of existing Membership; submit reports on the status of the Club Membership at each semiannual and executive meeting; and create and distribute a Club directory to all Members.

4)      Recording Secretary - The Recording Secretary shall record minutes of all meetings and submit them for approval by the Membership at each subsequent meeting.

5)      Treasurer – The Treasurer shall prepare and monitor an annual budget including reserves, collect membership dues and all other receipts for USNAPC-NJ; maintain necessary bank accounts and have custody of checks; maintain accurate records of all funds; and submit financial reports with respect to receipts, disbursements, budget tracking, reserves, and balances of all funds at each semiannual meeting.  A written report should be given to the Membership at the Spring and Fall meetings.

6)      Immediate Past President  - The immediate past president shall serve on the executive committee during the term of the subsequently elected President. The immediate past president shall also serve as the Liaison to the NJ Alumni Club for a period of one year. 

Section III

Board of Directors – The board shall consist of 10 members. The Board of Directors shall consist of the 6 Executive Committee members, 2 regular members elected by the general membership through the nominating committee slate, and 2 regular members appointed by the President.  All board members should be from the regular or Life classification. Board members shall provide advice and counsel to all officers and committee chairpersons.  Directors shall serve a one-year term.  Directors may be elected for successive one year terms.

Section IV

Standing Committees

Standing committees shown here are for example purposes only and are non-binding.  The club may change, add or delete Standing Committees as it deems necessary to effectively & efficiently run the club.

The duties of each standing committee are to carry out their respective tasks efficiently and in accordance with the decisions of the Board of Directors , and give committee reports to the Board as to the status of the committees’ activities.  Special standing committees may be appointed by the President as required. 

·        Webmaster/Historian – This committee shall maintain custody of the USNAPC-NJ website and scrapbook, keep a running history of Club activities and encourage contributions of publicity of USNA, The Brigade of Midshipmen and specifically Midshipmen from New Jersey.

·        Transportation – This committee shall be responsible for organizing, advertising and orchestrating the “Mid Express”.  Duties include traveling with the bus and providing snacks for the trip.

·        Newsletter – This committee shall be responsible for all aspects of publishing the Club newsletter, Anchors NJ.  Duties also include publicizing submission deadlines, soliciting articles and information, publication, sponsorships, advertising, and distribution.   

·        Sunshine – This committee will represent USNAPC-NJ to our Members who have experienced misfortune and extend good wishes and/or congratulations to those observing special occasions.  Duties will also include overseeing the “Dark Ages” cookie distribution to NJ Mids and other correspondence of the like as needed.

·        Tailgating – This committee shall be responsible for overseeing all operations necessary for holding tailgate activities concurrent with USNA home games as well as any USNA sports games when the teams are in or traveling through New Jersey.  Duties include but are not limited to organizing food donations, volunteers and housing any Club equipment needed for tailgating.  Chairmen reserve the right to organize as he/she sees fit.

·        Plebe Sponsors – This committee will arrange for Members with upper class Midshipmen to be paired up with new Members having Plebes.  Responsibilities include soliciting Member sponsors, organizing partnerships and facilitating the program as needed.

ARTICLE VI 

Section I

GENERAL MEETINGS

There shall be two General Membership meetings of USNAPC-NJ, to be scheduled in the Spring and Fall.  The Spring meeting shall also be designated as the Annual Meeting when the election of officers and directors shall take place. The specific date and site of each General Membership meeting shall be determined by the Executive Committee and shall be published to the membership with 30 days notice.

                                                Section II

SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings may be called at any time by the president or a majority of the Executive committee.  Appropriate notice shall be given to all members and the business transacted shall be confined to the matters stated in the notice and matters pertinent thereto.

Section III

QUORUM

At General and Special Membership meetings, for which proper notification has been given, quorum shall consist of ten (10) voting Members other than members of the Executive Committee.

Section IV

NOTIFICATION OF MEETINGS

The Vice President of Membership shall provide notice not less than (30) thirty days prior to any General Membership or (15) fifteen days for special meeting of this Club.  to all Members in good standing.  The notice shall state the time, date, location and nature of the meeting and shall, in the case of a special meeting, state the nature of the business to be transacted at the said special meeting. 

ARTICLE VII

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert’s Rules (Revised), where not contrary to the by-laws, shall be the parliamentary authority governing the proceedings for all USNAPC-NJ Meetings.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these by-laws may be made by a simple majority vote of Regular and Life Members present at a General Meeting provided written notice is furnished to the Membership at least two weeks in advance of the General Membership meeting at which time the proposed amendment(s) shall be effective immediately.

ARTICLE IX

DISSOLUTION

In the event it becomes necessary to dissolve this organization, the following shall apply:

1)      Dissolution will be initiated by the Executive Committee and submitted to the Membership at least 2 weeks prior to a General Membership meeting.

2)      Dissolution of this Club must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of paper ballots cast at a General Membership meeting.  Dissolution will become effective ten (10) days following the General Membership meeting.

All funds remaining in the treasury on the effective date of dissolution shall be transferred to a successor organization, if there be one, or to the United States Naval Academy Foundation.