Suggested Unit Constitution American Legion Auxiliary Preamble For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations during All Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity, the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of the American Legion; to consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. Article I -- Name The name of this organization shall be American Legion Auxiliary, _________________________ Unit No.____________, Department of _______________________________ Article II -- Nature Section 1. The American Legion Auxiliary is a civilian patriotic service organization that supports the mission of The American Legion. Section 2. The American Legion Auxiliary shall be absolutely non-political and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment. Article III -- Object Section 1. The object of the American Legion Auxiliary, ____________________________________________________________________ Unit No. __________, Department of ______________________________________, shall be as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution. Article IV -- Eligibility Section 1. Membership in The American Legion Auxiliary shall be limited to the: (a) Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion; and (b) Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who served during either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918, and any time after December 7, 1941, who, being a citizen of the United States at the time of their entry therein served on active duty in the Armed Forces of any of the governments associated with the United States during either eligibility period and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and (c) Grandmothers, mothers, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918, and any time after December 7, 1941, who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States during either eligibility period and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and (d) To those women who of their own right are eligible for membership in the American Legion. Section 2. There shall be two classes of membership, Senior and Junior. (a) Senior membership shall be composed of members over the age of eighteen years; provided, however, that a spouse under the age of eighteen years, who is eligible under Section I of this article shall be classed as a Senior member. (a) Junior membership shall consist of that group under the age of eighteen years, whose activities shall be supervised by the Senior membership. Upon reaching the age of eighteen years, Junior members shall automatically be admitted into Senior membership with full privileges. (b) Dues of both classes shall be paid annually or for life. Article V -- Unit Officers Section 1. The Unit shall elect annually a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, Historian and Sergeant-at-Arms who shall serve until their successors are duly installed or as otherwise provided. Article VI -- Executive Committee Section 1. There shall be an Executive Committee which shall consist of the officers and _________ additional members-at-large elected by the Unit. The term of office for members of the Executive Committee shall be for one year. Article VII -- Amendments Section1. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regular Unit meeting, provided the proposed amendments shall have been read at the previous meeting. Section 2. This Constitution shall be automatically amended to conform to the National and Department Constitution and Bylaws and Standing Rules of the American Legion Auxiliary. Suggested Unit Bylaws American Legion Auxiliary Article I -- Executive Committee Section 1. Between meetings the government and management of the Unit shall be entrusted to the Executive Committee and all proceedings of said committee shall be presented to the Unit at the next meeting for approval. Section 2. A vacancy existing in the Executive Committee, other than the Presidency, from any cause other than the expiration of a term shall be filled by a majority vote of the entire committee. A person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired term of the member succeeded. Section 3. One-third of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. Section 4. Special meetings may be called by order of the President, or on written request of at least three members of the Executive Committee. Uniform notice of such special meeting shall be given to all members of the Executive Committee; and, except in extreme emergency shall be given at least forty-eight hours in advance. At special meetings only business specified shall be transacted. Article II -- Duties and Powers of Officers Section 1. Duties of the Unit President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Unit and Unit Executive Committee; to enforce strict observance of the Constitution and Bylaws; to appoint members of the standing committees; to create such other committees and appoint members thereof as deemed advisable; to perform such other duties as custom and parliamentary usage require; and to appoint all officers not otherwise provided for. Section 2. Duties of the Vice President: The First and Second Vice President in the order named shall, when called upon, assist the President and in the President's absence, perform the duties of that office, and shall succeed the President in office in case of death, resignation or removal. Section 3. Duties of the Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record the proceedings and transactions of all the meetings of the Unit; to act as custodian of all books, papers, and records; to keep a record of names and addresses of the members, showing the source of their eligibility; to send out such notices as are directed by the President; to process the correspondence of the Unit; to keep on file in a comprehensive manner copies of all the correspondence sent and received; and perform such other duties as shall be required by the President. Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Unit Treasurer to receive all money belonging to the Unit and to account for them. The Treasurer shall maintain two separate funds, namely a general and a Poppy fund. All Poppy donations shall be placed in the Poppy fund and be used to assist the veteran and his/her children. The Treasurer shall keep an accounting of receipts and expenditures, making a monthly report thereon, and such other reports as may be deemed necessary by the Unit Executive Committee. Accounts shall be audited annually. The Treasurer shall pay all current bills before transferring all funds, books, and papers belonging to the Unit to a successor. Section 5. Duties of the Chaplain: It shall be the duty of the Chaplain to offer prayer at the opening and closing of each meeting, and to perform such other duties as the President may direct. Section 6. Duties of the Historian: It shall be the duty of the Unit Historian to compile historical records of the Unit and to make a report to the Department. Section 7. Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms: It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to preserve order at the meetings of the Unit and to perform such other duties as may be requested by the President. Section 8. Where deemed necessary, a Recording Secretary and a Corresponding Secretary may be elected to carry on the duties normally performed by the Secretary. Section 9. The office of Secretary may be combined with that of Treasurer and called “Secretary-Treasurer.” (Only include Section 8 or Section 9 if this is what your Unit wants and approves. Adjust titles of officers in Constitution Article V, and duties of officers in Bylaws Article II, as necessary.) Section 10. Any officer absent from three consecutive meetings without reasonable excuse shall be asked to resign in writing. If the officer resigns they will be replaced in accordance with the procedure in these Bylaws. If a resignation is not received, a pro tem officer may be appointed to insure the work of the Unit is carried out. Article III -- Dues Section 1. The annual membership dues of this Unit shall be listed in a Standing Rule, paid annually or for life, and shall include the Department and National per capita. Section 2. A member failing to pay annual dues, including the Unit, State and National assessments, by January 31, shall be classed as delinquent and shall be suspended from all membership privileges. Payment of back dues, after suspension, shall reinstate such member to active membership. Any member delinquent to December 31 of the year of delinquency shall automatically be dropped from the rolls and may be reinstated only by paying all back dues or by re-establishing eligibility and making application as a new member. Article IV -- Unit Meetings Section 1. The regular meetings of this Auxiliary Unit shall be held each month, unless otherwise specified, on the day and at the time given in the Standing Rules. Section 2. An Annual meeting of the Unit shall be held in the month of _____________ each year for the purpose of electing officers and receiving annual reports. Section 3. Special meetings of the Unit may be called by the President, by a majority of the Executive Committee, or upon written request of members of the Unit. Section 4. ___________________ members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Unit. Article V -- Election Section 1. Election may be by voice vote if there is only one candidate; but where there is more than one candidate for the same office, election shall be by ballot and the majority of votes cast shall be necessary to elect. Section 2. Delegates and alternates to Department Convention shall be elected at a Unit meeting duly called for that purpose not less than two weeks prior to the convention. Alternates shall have priority in the order of their election. Section 3. All officers and executive committee members shall be elected annually at a meeting duly called for that purpose. Section 4. Nominations will be made by the Nominating Committee and/or from the floor at the April meeting and remain open until immediately before elections in May. Article VI -- Committees Section 1. A nominating committee composed of three members shall be elected for the purpose of presenting a slate of Unit officers for the ensuing year. Section 2. An auditing committee composed of three members shall be appointed by the Unit President for the purpose of auditing the Treasurer’s accounts at the close of each term, and making a report of the audit to the Unit. Article VII -- Transfers Section 1. Transfer of membership from one Unit to another in the ___________ Department shall be upon application of the member to, and acceptance by, the other Unit, in conformity with National and Department Constitutions and Bylaws. Article VIII -- Discipline Section 1. For any violation of the Unit, Department or National Constitutions, or for conduct improper and prejudicial to the welfare of the Auxiliary of The American Legion, a member may be disciplined in conformity with the National and Department Constitutions and Bylaws. (23) Section 2. Neither this Unit in the Department nor any member thereof shall circularize any other Unit or member thereof without the consent of a Department Finance Committee. Section 3. Liabilities: No member or group of members shall subject this Unit to liability without authorization of the Unit. Article IX -- Parliamentary Authority Section 1. The Unit organization shall be governed by the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised,” on all points not covered by this Constitution and Bylaws Article X -- Amendments Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at a regular Unit meeting, provided the proposed amendments shall have been read at the previous Unit meeting. Section 2. These Bylaws shall be automatically amended to conform to the National and Department Constitutions and Bylaws and standing rules of the American Legion Auxiliary. Suggested Unit Standing Rules American Legion Auxiliary 1. The annual membership dues for this Unit will be $_____ for Sr. Membership and $_____ for Jr. Membership. 2. The monthly meetings for this Unit will be held on the _{what day of the month}_ at _{time}_. 3. Standing Rules may be added at a General Unit meeting with a majority vote. Standing Rules may be amended or rescinded at any meeting with a two-thirds approval. 4. Use of the American Legion Auxiliary emblem on items not ordered through National Emblem Sales must be approved before ordered. Application for approval must be made through the Department of Arizona Headquarters office and shall include a copy of the proposed art work, the name and address of the vendor who will be producing the items, and the number of items to be produced.