West Saint Paul Antiques

Approved 18 August 2012

1st RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - GENERAL

SECTION 1. OBJECTIVES. The objectives of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association are:

• To promote renewed fellowship of all Marines and Navy personnel who served with or
were attached to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division;
• To honor the memory of those who served in 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and are deceased; and
• To promote scholarly research and to preserve an accurate historical record of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion’s honorable service.

SECTION 2. NOT FOR PROFIT. None of the aforementioned objectives shall be construed to authorize the Association or individual members to conduct activities for profit, financial gain, or attempt to influence legislation.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. CRITERIA. All Marine and Navy personnel who were assigned to or were attached to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division are eligible for membership in the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association. Written documentation, such as a DD 214, is required to support all applications for membership.

SECTION 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP. The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association may grant Associate Membership to any parent, spouse, child or sibling of anyone, living or deceased, who was assigned or attached to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Associate Members shall not exceed 20% of the Association’s members. Associate Members have no voting rights at Association meetings.

SECTION 3. DECEASED MEMBERS. All who met the aforementioned qualifications for membership and are deceased will be carried on the Association’s deceased member rolls as they become known.

SECTION 4. DUES. The Association has no mandatory dues. However, Members and Associate Members are encouraged to make donations, at least annually, to help defray the Association’s operating expenses. An annual donation of $10.00 is suggested.

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS

SECTION 1. MEETINGS. The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association shall hold a general membership meeting at least once a year for the election of Association Officers and Directors and to conduct other Association business as deemed necessary. All Members present are eligible to vote on any Association matter. Meetings may be called by the President of the Association or by written petition of two-thirds of the members. In order to conduct Association business, there shall be a quorum of no less than ten Members present. Members may not give their vote to another by proxy.

SECTION 2. COMMITTEES. Committees shall be appointed by the President, from time to time, to: Audit the Treasurer’s Report, Nominate Officers and Directors; plan and prepare reunions, increase membership, publish the Association newsletter and special projects, such as the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Memorial.

SECTION 3. SUBORDINATE UNIT ASSOCIATIONS. Subordinate Unit Associations may be formed under the auspices of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association, comprised of members that served with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in subordinate units, such as Headquarters and Service Company, A Company, B Company, etc. Subordinate Unit Associations may develop their own by-laws, consistent with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion’s By-Laws, and elect their own Officers/Directors. Subordinate Units may seek assistance from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association with meeting/reunion planning and other authorized unit activities.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. ASSOCIATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. Leadership of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association shall consist of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, Historian, Chaplain, three Directors and the 1st Marine Division Association Unit Director.

SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee shall consist of President, Vice President, and Treasurer.

SECTION 3. ELECTION, TERM OF OFFICE AND REMOVAL. Officers of the Association shall be elected by the Association members at a General Membership Meeting for a term of three years; normally, the election of officers shall be staggered so that one third of the Association officers shall be elected each year. A vacancy in any office caused by any reason whatsoever may be filled by the President, with the written concurrence of the Executive Committee, until the next scheduled General Membership Meeting, when the office shall be filled by election. An Association Officer or Director may succeed himself, but he may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. Officers may be removed from office for just cause and absence from two consecutive Reunions and/or scheduled Membership Meetings, by two thirds vote of Members present at the General Membership Meeting.

SECTION 4. PRESIDENT. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Association. He shall have charge of the affairs of the Association, ensure adherence to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association By-Laws and shall ensure all decisions by the Membership are implemented. He shall ensure reports, contracts, documents, checks, bonds or other financial instruments are executed as authorized by the Executive Committee and/or resolution of the Members. He shall be a joint signatory on Association accounts, with check and debit card authority. The President shall represent the Association at meetings with civic, government and veteran organizations where representation by the Association is requested or deemed appropriate.

SECTION 5. VICE PRESIDENT. The Vice President shall have such authority and duties as
assigned by the President. He shall be a member of the Executive Committee. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall, consistent with the Association By-Laws, assume the duties of the President.

SECTION 6. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall record the proceedings of all Association Membership and Executive Committee meetings. He shall maintain sign-in sheets for recording attendance at all membership meetings. He shall be the custodian of Association records. He shall prepare, post, and disseminate all legal notices, correspondence and other materials as required by laws, statutes, and regulations. The Secretary shall prepare the minutes of all membership and Executive Committee meetings, maintain them for review by Association Members and provide these minutes to the membership at each annual Association Membership meeting. He shall perform all duties pertaining to the office Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the President.

SECTION 7. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall receive and collect all monies payable to the Association and deposit those monies in such bank or depository designated to handle the Association’s accounts. He shall make payment of all lawful obligations. He shall maintain custody of all Association funds, securities, and related documents. With the President, he shall be a joint account holder on Association accounts, with check and debit card authority. He shall keep or cause to be kept an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements; he shall render a statement of the Association’s financial condition as required, an annual financial report at the Association’s membership meeting and other report as required by law. The Treasurer shall perform all duties of his office and those duties assigned by the President.

SECTION 8. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR. The Membership Director shall work to increase Association membership and interact with veterans and military service organizations. He shall maintain the Membership Directory of the Association and, as the Association Web Master, maintain the Association Web Site. He shall perform all duties of his office and those duties assigned by the President.

SECTION 9. HISTORIAN. The Historian shall research, record, catalog and maintain historical
data and material pertaining to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. He shall be the custodian of historical material and artifacts donated to the Association. The Historian shall interact with the historical program of the Marine Corps. He shall foster public awareness of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion’s lineage, honors and achievements and interact with the media as the Association Public Affairs Officer. He shall perform all duties of his office and those duties assigned by the President.

SECTION 10. SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be responsible for maintaining order during all meetings and leading Members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall collect and count any and all written ballots when secret ballots or votes are conducted. He shall be the custodian of designated Association property and ensure it is on hand for reunions, membership meetings or other events as directed. He shall perform all duties of his office and those duties assigned by the President.

SECTION 11. CHAPLAIN. The Chaplain shall open all membership meetings with prayer.
He shall be the Association’s principal point of contact with the next of kin and families of deceased members, conduct or cause to be conducted memorial services as necessary and ensure that the Association honors the memory of deceased members appropriately.

SECTION 12. DIRECTORS. Directors serve as directed by the President; fill Association Officer and Committee leadership positions as required; perform other tasks pertaining to Association business; assist with reunion planning, preparation and execution; and provide liaison with the Membership.

SECTION 13. UNIT DIRECTOR. The Unit Director represents the Association at 1st Marine Division Association meetings. He shall perform other Association tasks as directed by the President.

SECTION 14. COMPENSATION. Officers and members shall not receive any salary or other compensation for services rendered to the Association.

SECTION 15. ASSOCIATION ACCOUNTS AND AUTHORIZATION TO EXPEND FUNDS. The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association shall maintain its accounts in a bank or credit union insured
by the federal government. As a minimum, the Association will maintain a checking and an interest bearing account. Association accounts shall be joint, with the Treasurer and President authorized to transact Association business. Members attending annual/periodic meetings shall review and approve
the Treasurer’s Report, and by simple majority vote any extraordinary expenses in excess of $1000.00. Upon written consent of the Executive Committee, Association expenses that may occur between Membership Meetings may be paid as necessary to ensure Association obligations are met and to benefit the Membership as a whole.

ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association By- Laws may be modified, amended or replaced by a two-thirds vote of the members attending a periodic Membership Meeting.

ARTICLE VI - DISSOLUTION

SECTION 1. PROCEDURE. The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association may be dissolved at periodic membership meeting upon a two-thirds vote of all Members present provided that an announcement of such intended action is published to all Members a least three months prior to the intended act of dissolution. In the event the Association is dissolved, all assets and property shall be transferred to the 1st Marine Division Association for use as exempt from federal taxation under Section 501 (C ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended or any successor statute thereto.

SECTION 2. ALTERNATIVE DISTRIBUTION. In the event that the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association shall be dissolved, the Members, by majority vote, may distribute all assets and property, less valid outstanding debts, accounts, claims, and necessary expenses of dissolution, to designated organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended or any successor statute thereto.