Lt. Colonel John E. Wool

Chapter SSWGBSNY

CONSTITUTION

AND BYLAWS

of the:

Lt. Col. John E. Wool of the

Sons of the War of 1812 Chapter,

Society of the Second War with Great Britain

in the State of New York,

General Society of the War of 1812

(Amended and Approved: March 15th, 2009)

CONSTITUTION:

ARTICLE I - TITLE

Section l. The title of this chapter shall be the Lt. Col. John E. Wool, of the Sons of the War of 1812 of the Society of the Second War with Great Britain in the State of New York of the General Society of the War of 1812.

Section 2. Headquarters shall be located in the City of Troy,

Rensselaer County, New York.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND NATURE

Section l. In addition to upholding the principles set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws of the General Society War of 1812 and the Constitution and Bylaws of the New York Society, and as set forth in the foregoing preamble, the purpose of this Chapter shall be strictly historical and benevolent, non-political and non-sectarian. Each member shall perform his full duty as a citizen according to his own conscience and understanding.

Section 2. The nature of this organization shall be to operate as a Chapter within the framework of the General Society of the War of 1812, and shall operate under the Constitution and Bylaws of the Lt. Col. John E. Wool, of the Sons of the War of 1812 Chapter. This Constitution and these Bylaws shall be an extension of those of the National Society and in no way shall they conflict.

Section 3. Freedom of expression is encouraged and exchange of ideas is recognized as a privilege for which our forefathers gave their lives. However, the Lt. Col. John E. Wool, of the Sons of the War of 1812 Chapter shall, in keeping with its goal of remaining politically non partisan, refrain from adopting any official political position which is partisan in nature. Nonetheless, the Chapter may from time to time adopt an official position on a political issue which affects the Chapter or the National Society in any way. Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to abridge the National Constitution or prohibit the adoption or advocacy of positions that are concerned with the general welfare of New York or The United States of America or its security; nor to abridge or prohibit the expression of the mind of the General Society of the War of 1812 in such matters by the adoption of any resolutions or petitioning to the Executive and Legislative Branches of the Government; provided that there is no identification, specific or implied, with any political party.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. All male descendants, lineal or collateral (after finding no lineal descendants) of those who served as officers of the or enlisted personnel in the Army or Navy to the end of the war, or who died in prison or while in actual service, or who were killed in battle or who were honorably discharged. Membership in this Society shall be governed by the Constitution and By-laws of the New York Society, General Society of the War of 1812.

Section 2. The term “collateral” as used in Section 1 hereof shall be defined as a legitimate relative by blood whose relationship to an ancestor of the same generation in the applicant's direct line can be proven and will only be accepted if an ancestor of lineal descent cannot be found.

Section 3. Applicants must be members in good standing in the New York Society and the General Society of the War of 1812 and approved by the Chapter Membership Committee.

Section 4. Applications for membership shall be read at any regular meeting and, if approved by those present, acted upon at once, or at the next meeting, or by the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee has the power to accept or reject any applicant for Chapter Membership if in their interest it is not in the best interest of the Chapter.

Section 5. This Constitution shall provide for the acceptance of Honorary Chapter Members. Election of any Honorary Chapter Member shall be by actual count vote. The affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members present at the meeting shall be necessary for election. Such members, however, may neither vote, pay dues nor hold office in the Chapter.

Section 6. Election of members shall be by actual count vote. The affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present at the meeting shall be necessary for election.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

Section l. Officers of the Chapter shall be as follows:

President-Elected

Vice President-Elected

Secretary-Treasurer-Elected

Chaplain-Appointed

Color Sergeant-Appointed

Chancellor-Appointed

Registrar-Genealogist-Elected

Historian-Appointed

Section 2. Duties of the Officers

a. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter, and preserve this Constitution according to the formal rules established by parliamentary usage. He shall appoint all committees, except the Executive Committee, and sign all official letters and documents, conduct the Chapter in all functions, and be a member ex-officio of all committees, save the Nominating Committee.

b. In the absence of the President or his incapacitation, the Vice President, shall discharge the duties incumbent upon the position. In fulfilling the normal duties of their offices, as outlined below, the Vice President may call upon the Chapter membership to aid him as the situation may require.

c. The Secretary-Treasurer shall perform all duties belonging to the position. He shall keep a written record of the proceedings of each Chapter meeting, and he shall make this report at each meeting. He shall report the Chapters finances at each meeting, and how the funds were collected and disbursed. Checks drawn on the Chapter will bear one of two of the following signatures: The President or the Secretary-Treasurer.

e. The Chaplain shall attend to the spiritual needs of the Chapter, give the Invocation and the Benediction at regular meetings and at such other functions of the Chapter.

f. The Chancellor shall have charge of all legal matters of the Chapter. He shall construe the Chapter Constitution and Bylaws when called upon by the President or any other member of the Chapter to do so. His legal interpretation shall be binding on the Chapter, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. He shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of New York.

G. the Color Sergeant shall have the responsibility of the presentation of all flags at all meetings, parades and assemblies of which the Chapter has a part

and be in command of the Color Guard at all functions.

h. The Genealogist should be well versed in the location and accessibility of historical records of and shall assist prospective members in establishing their eligibility for membership, if requested. He shall receive all Applications and forward them for review to the New York Society.

ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section l. The Executive Committee shall consist of: The President, who shall serve as Chairman;

The Vice President;

The Secretary-Treasurer;

The Chancellor;

And all Former Presidents.

Section 2. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be qualified to record all transactions of the Committee and who will provide each member of the Committee with a written account of the transactions. The Secretary-Treasurer must be selected from the membership of the Chapter. He shall prepare all forms and reports required of the Chapter and such other duties he is required to do.

Section 3. Vacancies: Should a vacancy occur among the Chapter Officers, the Executive Committee is authorized to appoint a replacement.

Section 4. Quorum: Three members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a majority number of executive committee members; until such time as the first President leaves office.

Section 5. Meetings: Regular meetings of the Executive Committee will be held quarterly unless deferred by the President. The time and place of the meetings will be as directed in the Bylaws. Special meetings may be held upon call of the President, or upon written request of three members of the Executive Committee. Committee members must be given at least five (5) business days notice of all special meetings.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held on those dates reflected in the Chapter Bylaws.

Section 2. Notice of regular meetings will be given by means of the Chapter newsletter, or by a Telephone Committee, which will be e-mailed, called, or mailed so as to reach each member residing in the area within five (5) business days prior to the meeting.

Section 3. Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, or the Executive Committee, at any time. Special meetings must be held upon written request of five (5) Chapter members. Five (5) business days written notice must be given all Chapter members prior to scheduling any special meetings.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS

Section 1. Eligibility to hold office: To be eligible to serve as an officer of the Chapter either elected or appointed, a member must be current with his Chapter, Society and National dues.

Section 2. Nominating Committee: The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee in the month of December. The committee shall consist of not less than three immediate former Presidents, if available, otherwise, one former President and the other two as appointed by the Executive Committee. The committee shall nominate a slate of officers (President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer) at the January Chapter meeting which time will be voted on at this meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

Section 3. Elections: All elections of officers shall be by written ballot, unless dispensed with by unanimous consent of those present, when they may be voted on by voice vote. A majority of votes cast shall be necessary for an election.

Section 4. The officers elected shall be installed at the January meeting. An elected officer not present at the installation may be installed at the next scheduled Chapter meeting.

Section 5. In case if a tie in any election, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Section 6. Executive Officers shall have a two year term.

Section 7. The absentee ballot shall be emailed or mailed within (5) business days of the election.

ARTICLE VIII - FEES AND DUES

Section 1. Fees and dues shall be paid as set out in the Constitution of the National Society and State Society and shall be collected by the State Society. Chapter dues shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00) per annum and due and payable on February 1st annually. Reinstatement fees shall be set by the National Society.

ARTICLE IX - PENALTIES

Section 1. Forfeiture of membership by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present may be declared against any member committing an act repugnant to this, or to the National Constitution or detrimental to the objects and purposes of the Chapter, New York Society and national society, provided, that at least two (2) weeks notice of proposed action shall have been given to such member by registered mail, and the member is given an opportunity to be heard.

Section 2. The penalty for the above act shall consist of forfeiture of right of suffrage, suspension and expulsion from the organization.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution may be offered at any meeting of the Chapter, but shall not be acted upon until the next regular meeting. A copy of the proposed amendments or its substance shall be sent to each member with a notice of the regular meeting at which the same is to be acted on, at least thirty (30) days prior to say meeting. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those present shall be necessary to its adoption.

ARTICLE XI - MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

Section 1. Chapter property: The Lt. Col. John E. Wool of the Sons of the War of 1812 Chapter is the sole owner of all property rights relating to its membership.

Section 2. Responsibility for maintaining the roster: It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer, or other person or persons appointed by the President to maintain the Chapter Roster.

Section 3. No use of the Chapter Roster by any member of the Chapter or other party will be allowed, except for:

a. The Chapter Newsletter, for distribution.

b. State and National membership reports.

c. Any purpose authorized by a majority of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XII - CHAPTER COLOR GUARD

Section 1. The Guard shall be known as “Wool’s Avengers“.

Section 2. The Colors of the Chapter and the Chapter Color Guard

will be the 15 Stars and Stripes National Colors; provisions for a chapter flag.

Section 3. The Guard shall represent the chapter at all functions where deemed possible.

Section 4. The makeup of the Guard shall be no less than 3 men whom are members of the chapter. Section 4. The Guard shall be commanded by the Color Sgt. Or if there is no Sgt. the President shall retain command of the Guard.

CHAPTER BYLAWS:

ARTICLE I - MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular quarterly meetings of the Chapter shall be held on the first Sunday of the months of March and September. Exceptions shall be given thirty (30) days notice in advance. Time and location are to be determined by the Executive Committee. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting where business is to be transacted.

Section 2. Special meetings may be held in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, Section 3, of this Constitution.

Section 3. Order of Business: The following order of business shall be observed in the meetings of the Chapter viz:

1. Call to order;

2. Invocation by Chaplain;

3. Salute to the Flags;

4. Reading of minutes of the last meeting; or having copies on the table for members to read and amend.

5. Nominations and election of applicants for membership;

6. Election of officers;

7. Installation of officers;

8. Inaugural address of President elect;

9. Reports of officers;

10. Report of the Executive Committee;

11. Report of Standing Committees;

12. Reports of Special Committees;

13. Reading of communications;

14. Motions and resolutions;

15. Unfinished business;

16. New business including any programs;

17. Benediction by Chaplain;

18. Adjournment.

ARTICLE II - VOTE

Section 1. No member shall be allowed to vote, to hold office, or to have the privilege of the floor that is not in good standing, as set forth in Article VIII, Section 1 of the Constitution of this Chapter.

ARTICLE III - APPEAL

Section 1. Any member having made an appeal from the decision of the chair, may discuss such an appeal, and the President may give his reasons for such a decision before the question is put; which, being passed upon by the members, shall be considered as settled.

ARTICLE IV - AD HOC AND STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. There shall be ad hoc and standing committees as directed by the President, those of which are to make written annual reports and recommendations to the Chapter.

ARTICLE V - RULES

Section 1. The rules at meetings of the Chapter shall be those set forth in Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to, or suspension of, these Bylaws may be made at any meeting of the Chapter, monthly or special, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided notice of the proposed amendments has been given in the call of the meeting. No amendments shall be made which are in conflict with any rules or regulations of neither the New York Society nor the National Society.

The Lt. Col. John E. Wool Chapter of Troy, NY

of The Society of the Second War With Great Britain in the State Of New York

of The General Society of the War of 1812.