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ARTICLE I: NAME OF ASSOCIATION
The name of this Association
shall be “The 35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association Inc.,” a
federal tax exempt 501 C (19) nonprofit corporation registered with
the State of Florida, hereinafter referred to as the “Association.”
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association
shall be: to organize the veterans of the 35th Infantry Regiment of
the United States Army, in order to foster, encourage and perpetuate
the memory of the officers and men who distinguished themselves by
their services and sacrifices while with the 35th Infantry (Cacti)
Regiment; to promote and cultivate social intercourse and fellowship
among their descendents; to perpetuate the memory of the
achievements of the 35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment and its members;
to comfort and support the current active members and their
families of the 35th Infantry regiment: to promote the
National Defense, American patriotism and American citizenship; to
encourage historical research in relation to Wars; to acquire and
preserve the records of the services of the members of the 35th
Infantry (Cacti) Regiment as well as documents and relics; to mark
the scenes of the activities of the 35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment
with appropriate memorials; to celebrate the anniversaries for the
events of our Country’s Wars and conflicts; to foster true
patriotism; to maintain and extend the institution of American
freedom; and at all times to uphold and defend the Constitution of
the United States of America.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
1.
Annual
Membership: All persons who served in the United States Army with
the 35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment at any time, who are now retired
or on active service, having been honorably discharged, and who pays
the required Annual Membership Dues, shall be granted Annual
Membership.
2.
Life Membership: Any person who
qualifies for Annual Membership as described above and who pays the
required Life Membership Dues, shall be granted Life Membership.
3.
Memorial Membership: A widow, father, mother, child, brother, or
sister of a deceased 35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment member who would
have been eligible for membership in this Association if living,
shall be eligible to Memorial Membership and shall be entitled to
all privileges of membership except those of voting and holding
office.
4.
Honorary Life Membership: An Individual who has in a notable manner
provided extraordinary volunteer service or assistance or
demonstrated extraordinary support of the 35th Infantry
Regiment, or this Association, or fostered Cacti brotherhood, or in
some other notable way helped perpetuate the memory of the 35th
Infantry Regiment or this Association shall be eligible for Honorary
Life Membership. This Honorary Life Membership may be proposed by
any Cacti Member, in good standing, through a written request to the
current President. The President shall, in a timely manner, submit
and review the request with the current Association Officers and
upon a yes vote of the Board of Directors, the Honorary Life
Membership will be awarded and shall be entitled to all privileges
of membership except those of voting and holding office.
ARTICLE IV: FISCAL YEAR and
DUES
1.
The
fiscal year of the association shall run from January 1 to December
31.
2.
The dues of the 35th Infantry (Cacti)
Regiment Association may be adjusted at the Annual Business Meeting
by a 2/3 majority vote.
3.
Annual Active Duty Membership dues for
active duty personnel shall be $20.00 per year. This applies to
Cacti presently serving with the 35th Infantry Regiment
or who have previously served with said regiment and are still on
military active duty.
4.
Both Annual Memberships and Life
Memberships are separated into two categories. One is for members
receiving the Cacti Times electronically over the Internet, and one
is for members receiving the magazine by hard copy through the mail.
A.
A member may elect to change from the electronic version to the
mailed hard copy by paying the prorated difference. Conversely,
a member may elect to change from the mailed hard copy to the
electronic version, in which case the member will be rebated the
prorated difference. In both cases, notice must be either mailed
or e-mailed to the then current Secretary.
B. It is the responsibility of
the member to keep current his mail/email address. Send changes
to the Secretary.
C. Annual Membership:
Electronic Cacti Times - $15.00
F. Annual Membership: Mailed
Cacti Times - $25.00
E.
Life Membership Dues Schedule
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Life Membership:
Electronic Times |
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Life Membership: Mailed Times
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Age |
Dues |
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Age |
Dues |
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20-24 |
$540.00 |
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20-24 |
$1,080.00 |
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25-29 |
$500.00 |
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25-29 |
$1,000.00 |
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30-34 |
$450.00 |
|
30-34 |
$900.00 |
|
35-39 |
$400.00 |
|
35-39 |
$800.00 |
|
40-44 |
$360.00 |
|
40-44 |
$720.00 |
|
45-49 |
$310.00 |
|
45-49 |
$620.00 |
|
50-54 |
$270.00 |
|
50-54 |
$540.00 |
|
55-59 |
$230.00 |
|
55-59 |
$460.00 |
|
60-64 |
$190.00 |
|
60-64 |
$380.00 |
|
65-69 |
$150.00 |
|
65-69 |
$300.00 |
|
70-74 |
$120.00 |
|
70-74 |
$240.00 |
|
75+ |
$100.00 |
|
75+ |
$200.00 |
F.
The membership year runs from January 1 to December 31. Annual
membership dues shall be due and payable by 30 January of each
year of membership. Dues received prior to or at the annual
membership reunion shall be credited to that year’s dues. Dues
received after the annual membership reunion will be credited to
the following year’s dues. If dues are not paid by April 1st,
the member may be dropped from the rolls. An individual may
elect to pay Life Membership Dues in four (4) equal
installments. Payments are all due within the year of
application.
G.
Dues for Memorial Memberships and Honorary Life Memberships
shall be complimentary. All presently living 35TH Infantry
Regiment Medal of Honor recipients or former 35th Infantry
Regiment personnel who were Prisoners of War will receive a
complimentary Life Membership. The Board of Directors will
evaluate any future recipients, as individuals become eligible.
ARTICLE V: GOVERNMENT
1.
The governing body of this Association
shall be known as the Board of Directors (BOD), under the general
management of the elected Officers and immediate past three (3)
Presidents of the Association.
- Each member of
the BOD shall have one equal vote on the business of the Board.
The business of the Association shall be transacted by the BOD
at the call of the President or of a majority of the Board.
Meetings may be conducted either in person, via conference call,
electronic mail, or other correspondence as deemed appropriate
by the President and Board of Directors. Costs for in person
meetings, not to exceed one meeting per year, shall be limited
to $250 paid to each board member in attendance, or actual costs
per member, whichever is less. If meetings are held via
conference call(s), the expense of the conference call(s) will
be paid by the Association and documented in the annual
financial report. Since the BOD has been elected by the
membership, it has the authority to make decisions in the
interests of the membership, provided that a quorum of at least
two-thirds of the BOD is in attendance to vote. As a general
rule, decisions made in BOD meetings should be limited to those
of an emergency or time sensitive nature and not items that
could wait for action at the next Annual Business Meeting.
However, the BOD has the sole authority to decide which items it
acts upon outside the Annual Business Meeting. The BOD will
recommend sites/dates of the annual reunions to the Reunion
Advisory Committee.
2.
The
election of the Officers of the Association shall be held every two
years at the Annual Business Meeting. The Nominations Committee
consisting of three (3) Association members in good standing shall
prepare and present the slate of Officers. In addition, nominations
may be taken from the floor from any member in good standing. A
simple majority of those members in attendance shall be sufficient
to elect each Officer.
3.
Officers and Duties:
A.
President
1.
He shall, as he deems necessary or
advisable to appoint or remove any chairperson, in the best interest
of the Cacti Association.
2.
He
shall see that the Association books, records, statements are
properly supervised.
3.
He
shall serve as an ex-officio member on all committees except the
Nomination Committee.
4.
He
shall preside at and call all Association Meetings.
5.
He
shall work with the Association Officers to structure and set up the
Annual Business Meeting.
6.
He
shall compose the letter of invitation to be sent to all members for
the Annual Reunion. The letter will be sent out by the Association
Secretary via the Cacti Times magazine, email or regular postal
mail.
7.
He
shall conduct a special Memorial Ceremony in memory of all the
honored dead of the 35th Infantry Regiment during the banquet at the
Annual Reunion.
8.
He will
appoint members to the Audit, Membership, Memorial, Nomination,
Reunion and any special committees as needed.
9.
All
other Officers both elected and appointed shall report to the
President and He shall provide oversight to all areas of the
Association.
10.
He
shall appoint a Service Officer, Legal Advisor and Parliamentarian
to serve for the duration of his elected term.
B.
Executive Vice-President
1.
During
the absence or inability of the President, shall take the place of
the President.
2.
He
shall assist the President in the management of the Association.
3.
He
shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of
Directors or the President.
C.
Senior Vice President(s)
1.
Senior Vice President Membership
2.
Senior
Vice President WWII & Korea Affairs
3.
Senior
Vice President Public Relations
a.
Each
Senior Vice President will give a report on their area of
responsibility at each Annual Business Meeting and throughout the
year in the Cacti Times as needed.
D.
Vice President(s)
1.
Vice
President Membership and will assist the Senior VP Membership.
2.
Vice
President WWII & Korea Affairs and will assist the Senior VP WWII &
Korea Affairs.
3.
Vice
President Special Projects/Historian and will assist the Senior VP
Public Relations.
4.
Vice
President Internet Communications and will assist the Senior VP
Public Relations.
5.
Vice
President Information Services will be Cacti Times Editor/Publisher
and will assist the senior Vice Presidents of Membership and Public
Relations.
E.
Secretary
1.
He
shall be in charge of all membership cards, and mail the same, upon
payment of dues, to all members.
2.
He
shall keep all records and be ready for inspection, upon the
Presidents request.
3.
He
shall keep an up-to-date mailing list of members in good standing.
4.
He
shall keep the minutes of all meetings and read such at the Annual
business meeting.
5.
He
shall as appropriate mail out dues notice to Annual members.
F.
Treasurer
1.
He shall give a full financial report
at the annual business meeting.
2.
He
shall be responsible for all Association funds.
3.
He
shall ensure that deposits of funds are in the name of the
Association.
4.
He
shall keep all financial records and be ready for inspection, upon
the President’s request.
5.
He
shall open two (2) bank accounts in the Association’s Name. One
account for General Funds and the other account shall be an interest
bearing type account. Transfer of funds between accounts shall be
made as necessary and in the best interest of the Association.
6.
He
shall pay bills on behalf of the Association.
G.
Sergeant -at-Arms
1.
He
shall maintain order in Association meetings and carry out any
requests made by the Association President concerning the meetings.
2.
He
shall make sure that the meeting room for the annual business
meeting is set up so that a table is provided for the presiding
officer and he is facing the assembled membership.
3.
He shall make sure that an American
Flag is at the front of the meeting room for the annual business
meeting.
4.
He shall lead the
membership in the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of the
meeting.
H.
Term of Office and
Succession
1.
The
Officers of the Association shall be elected to serve for a term of
two years, or until their successor is duly elected and assumes
office. In the event of the death or resignation of the President,
the Executive Vice President shall succeed him. The Senior Vice
Presidents shall succeed the Executive Vice President, if necessary,
in order of Senior VP Membership, Senior VP WWII & Korea Affairs,
and Senior VP Public Relations. Should additional successions be
necessary the remaining Officers will meet in the most expeditious
fashion and elect a President by majority vote.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
1. The Annual Business Meeting
shall be held at the annual reunion.
A. The presence of
not less then five (5) Annual or Life Members shall be necessary to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser
number may adjourn to some future time and date.
B.
Only Annual and Life Members in good
standing have the right to vote. Questions shall be determined by
majority vote, except as noted in these Bylaws.
C.
Order of Association Business:
1.
Pledge
Allegiance
2.
Opening
Prayer
3.
Introduction of Members to Meeting
4.
Reading
of Minutes of Last Business Meeting
5.
Reading
of Finance Report
6.
Report
of Officers
7.
Report
of Committees
8.
Unfinished Business
9.
New
Business
10.
For the
good of the Order
11.
Nomination, Election and Installation of Officers as needed
12.
Closing
Prayer
2.
The
President may call Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors at any
time. As a general rule meetings will be held through electronic or
telephonic communication. A vote by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
BOD shall constitute a quorum. Questions shall be determined by a
majority vote.
3.
All
Association Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts
Rules of Order, Revised.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
1.
The
President of the Association shall make all appointments to
Committees, except as noted below.
A.
Audit Committee
will have three (3) members in good standing. Audit will take place
just prior to the annual business meeting.
B.
Reunion Advisory Committee
shall be chaired by a Past President appointed by the President. The
chairperson will appoint the committee members, with recommendations
from the Board of Directors. The committee will take the
recommendations of the Board of Directors for future reunion
sites/dates and actively seek reunion sites and hosts for reunions
two years into the future. The committee will report at the annual
business meeting regarding the site/date of the next annual reunion
and tentative sites/dates of the reunion following the next annual
reunion.
C.
Nominations Committee
will have three (3) members in good standing. This committee will
prepare a slate of Officers to be voted on by the membership at the
Annual Business Meeting.
D.
Membership Committee
will have at least three (3) members, in good standings, to seek new
members and will continue the efforts in finding other 35th
Infantry Regiment veterans. This committee will be chaired by the
Senior Vice President Membership. This committee will give a report
at the annual business meeting.
E.
Memorial Committee
will be chaired by one of the Association’s Past Presidents and at
least (3) members, in good standing, to seek out and preserve the
history of 35th Infantry Regiment and continue efforts to
complete a list of the veterans that gave their lives while serving
with the 35th Infantry Regiment.
F.
Scholarship Committee
will be chaired by the Senior Vice President Public Relations. The
committee will have at least (3) members who are Association members
in good standing. The Committee will advise on the fund from which
a scholarship(s) will be awarded, as prescribed by the Rules and
Regulations, which may be adopted by the Board of Directors from
time to time. Any scholarship must be awarded to a paid up active
member or the child (to include stepchildren), grandchildren or
great-grandchildren of an active member of the Association whose
dues are current for the year of application.
G.
Health & Welfare Committee
will be chaired by the Executive Vice President. The committee will
have at least (3) members in good standing including the Service
Officer. This committee will also advise on dispersal from the
Health & Welfare Fund, which may be established. The Health &
Welfare Fund will be used to help
those Cacti identified as being in need. Any disbursements from
this fund will be according to Rules and Regulations, which may be
adopted by the Board of Directors from time to time.
H.
Internet Communications Advisory
Committee shall be chaired by the Vice
President Internet Communications and shall have at least (2)
additional members to include a Past President and the Secretary.
The committee is responsible for the formulation of policy regarding
the Association’s Web Site. All policy will be presented to the
Board of Directors for review.
2.
The
President may appoint Special Committees for other purposes, as he
deems necessary.
ARTICLE VIII: PUBLICATIONS
The Association will prepare the
“Cacti Times” magazine at least two (2) times per year as funds
allow. The Editor/Publisher of the “Cacti Times” shall be the Vice
President Information Services. The President will review each issue
prior to publication and offer advice on content and form.
ARTICLE IX: MEMORIAL CEREMONY
At least once each year there
shall be a special Memorial Ceremony in memory of the honored dead
of the 35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment, observed by the
Association at its Annual Reunion, either at the Annual Business
Meeting or the Annual Dinner Banquet.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
These Association Bylaws may be amended by
two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present and voting at the Annual
Business Meeting of this Association. No proxy votes will be
accepted. The Board of Directors shall approve all changes to these
Bylaws, by simple majority, prior to submission to the Membership.
The Cacti Times will publish any proposed Bylaw changes at least one
(1) month before the annual business meeting, if possible.
ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert Rules of Order, newly
revised, shall govern in all cases not specifically covered by this
Association’s Constitution and Bylaws.
ARTICLE XII: EXPULSIONS AND REMOVAL
FROM OFFICE
1.
Membership Expulsions: Any Officer or Member of this Association
may, upon a three fourths (3/4) vote for impeachment by the Board of
Directors, be suspended from membership for misconduct or dishonesty
involving the Association. Any such member may be expelled from the
Association by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Members assembled at
the Annual Business Meeting.
2.
Removal
from Office: An Elected Officer may be removed from office, upon a
three fourths (3/4) vote by the Board of Directors, for failure to
perform the duties prescribed for the office, conduct unbecoming an
officer, conviction of a felony, dishonorable separation from active
military service, dishonesty or conduct prejudicial to the
Association.
3.
Appeals: In all cases involving Suspension, Expulsion or Removal
the accused will have the right to be heard in their own defense
before the Board of Directors. They shall have the opportunity to
present their own testimony or that of others before the BOD.
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President 
Executive Vice President 
Senior VP Membership
VP Membership
VP Information Services/Cacti Times Editor
VP Internet Communications
Secretary 
Immediate Past President
Past President
