Constitution Rules and Regulations

Preamble

We, the members of the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, have formed this Patriotic Organization for the purposes and objects herein set forth; to commemorate the deeds of the Veterans of the Civil War; to bear true allegiance to the government of the United States of America; to uphold the constitution and be firmly opposed to anything that may threaten our National form of government.

Constitution Rules

CHAPTER 1 - ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this Organization shall be the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

ARTICLE II: Principles and Objects

Acknowledging a firm belief and trust in Almighty God, and believing that under his beneficent care and guidance the free institutions of our land - by the assistance and sacrifices of our soldiers and sailors - have been preserved, and the integrity of the nation maintained, the objects of the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, are therefore declared to be:

     Section 1.  To assist the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in all their principles and objects.

     Section 2.  To perpetuate the memory of the services and sacrifices of the Union Veterans of the Civil War for the maintenance of the Union, particularly through patriotic and historical observances, especially the proper observance of Memorial Day, Lincoln's Birthday and Appomattox Day.

     Section 3.  To inculcate true patriotism and love of country, not only among our membership, but to all people of our land, and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, universal liberty and justice to all.

     Section 4.  To oppose to the limit of our power and influence, all movements, tendencies and efforts that make for the destruction or impairment of our constitutional Union, and to demand of all citizens undivided loyalty and the highest type of Americanism.

ARTICLE III

The several constituted bodies of the Organization shall consist of:

     1. Subordinate organizations to be known as Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War ____________(*Name)____________ No. _____

Department of ____________________________ * No Auxiliary shall be named for a living person.

     2. State Organizations known as Department of _____________Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

     3. A national organization known as "The National Organization of the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War."

ARTICLE IV: Eligibility to Membership

Membership shall consist of: FIRST, wives, sisters, daughters, legally adopted daughters, grand-daughters, great-granddaughters, and so forth, nieces and great-nieces and so forth, not less than twelve (12) years of age, of the deceased or honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines who served in the Union Army or Navy during the Civil War of 1861 to 1865; SECOND, wives, mothers and legally adopted daughters of eligible Sons of Union Veterans in good standing; THIRD, any widow, mother or Veterans who was in good standing at the time of his death; FOURTH, Departments and Auxiliaries may establish Associates, provided that the number of Associates in any Auxiliary shall not exceed one-third (1/3) of the total membership of the Auxiliary at the time of election.  At no time during the meeting of an Auxiliary, a Department, or the National Organization can business be transacted if the number of Associates in attendance exceeds forty-nine percent (49%) of the total attendance then present at said meeting.  Said Associates shall not be eligible to hold the office of National President or National Vice President due to the lack of lineal or collateral descent from a Union Veteran of the Civil War.  All applicants must be American or naturalized citizens of the United States before being accepted in the Auxiliary.

ARTICLE V: Religion and Politics

This Order being strictly non-sectarian and non-partisan, the introduction or discussion of sectarian or partisan topics is strictly prohibited in any of its bodies.

ARTICLE VI: Formation and Disbandment

     Section 1.  An Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War may be formed by a Department President (or the National President where no Department exists).  Applications for the formation of an Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War be approved and endorsed by the Camp to which it is to be an Auxiliary.

     Section 2.  An Auxiliary may be organized  independently when in the discretion of the Department President (or National President where no Department exists) it is deemed advisable.

     Section 3.  The disbanding of a Camp does not disband their Auxiliary.  They shall retain their name and number and exist independently until the organization of another Camp, to which they may become an Auxiliary upon written application from the Camp to Department Headquarters.

     Section 4.  The National President, upon recommendation of the Department President, shall have power to revoke the Charter of any Auxiliary which does not conform to the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Order.

     Section 5.  A Department may be formed by the authority of the National President, said Department to consist to three (3) or more Auxiliaries.

     Section 6.  Auxiliaries organizing in a state where no Department exists shall be known as Provisional Auxiliaries, and shall be under the direct control of the National President, to whom they will appeal for instruction, sending all reports and Per Capita Tax to the National Secretary, and they will function exactly as any other Auxiliary.

ARTICLE VII: Membership

     Section 1..Regulation for the admission of members, not conflicting with Article IV hereof, shall be as prescribed by the National Organization of the War.

     Section 2.  A member in good standing, upon written application to her Auxiliary, shall be entitled to receive a Transfer Card or a Honorable Discharge, and it her Auxiliary be disbanded or suspended, shall be entitled to a Transfer Card or Honorable Discharge from the Department President, if she was in good standing at the time her Auxiliary disbanded or was suspended.

ARTICLE VIII: Secrecy

Any member who shall divulge of names of members causing the rejections of applicants, or any information as to such cause of such rejection, or shall in any way divulge any of the private affairs of the Auxiliary shall, on due conviction by semi-military trial, be dishonorably dismissed.

ARTICLE IX: Amendments

All proposed amendments to this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the National President, upon prior approval by some Department, not later than forty (40) days preceding the National Encampment of the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and such proposed amendments shall be published in General Orders preceding such meetings.  Such proposed amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and entitled to vote at a stated meeting of the National Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans, and shall be effective when favorably acted upon and ratified by not less than ten (10) Departments, and proclaimed in General Orders, whereupon they shall be and become a part of this Constitution.

Regulations

CHAPTER 1 - SUBORDINATE AUXILIARIES

ARTICLE I: Formation and Disbandment

     Section 1.  When an Auxiliary is organized, the membership thereof shall be not less then ten (10) members.

In states or territories where there are camps without an established Auxiliary, or in Departments needing growth, the National President shall issue a Provisional Auxiliary Charter to five (5) or more applicants.  This Provisional Auxiliary shall have for the time being all the powers and duties of a regular Auxiliary and shall file all the required forms.  When the membership of a Provisional Auxiliary reaches ten (10) or if it has existed for three (3) years, the National President shall declare it a fully established Auxiliary.

     Section 2.  Upon the formation of an Auxiliary there shall be issued to it a Charter which shall be signed by the National and Department Presidents, and countersigned under seal, by the National and Department Secretaries.  No Charter shall be issued until the Auxiliary is instituted.  Any new Charter issued must be closed within sixty (60) days.  The name of an Associate cannot be placed on the Charter.

     Section 3.  The fee for an Auxiliary Charter shall be Thirty Dollars ($30.00) and should be sent to the National Secretary with the application, Ten Dollars ($10.00) of which shall be sent to the Department from National.  In States where no Department exits, a fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) should be sent to the National Secretary.  The National Organization shall furnish the Charter and the supplies.

     Section 4.  An Auxiliary in arrears for Per Capita Tax for one (1) year can have its Charter revoked by the Department President and in the case of a Provisional Auxiliary where there is no Department, by the National President.

     Section 5.  A charge of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) shall be made for the re-issue  of a Charter; in instances where a Charter has been destroyed by fire or flood, the re-issue shall be granted by the National Organization without cost to the Auxiliary.

     Section 6.  No Charter shall be surrendered by an Auxiliary as long as ten (10) members thereof in good standing desire its continuance.  In the event of the surrender or forfeiture of a Charter, all the Auxiliary property, including Charter and all money, shall be turned over to the Department President, or to her duly authorized representative, and become the property of the Department.

ARTICLE II: Membership

     Section 1.  All applications for membership in the Order shall be made on application blanks furnished by National or Department Headquarters.

     Section 1a.  Dual membership is not allowed.

     Section 2.  A proposed applicant may, if they wish, be a guest of an Auxiliary for two meetings before being required to join.

     Section 3.  The application shall be presented at a regular meeting by a Sister in good standing, who will vouch for the moral standing and eligibility of the applicant.

     Section 4.  After an application has been received and read by the Secretary, a committee of three (3), not including the member presenting the application, shall be appointed to carefully investigate the applicant.

     Section 5.  An application may be withdrawn while in the hands of the Investigating Committee, but after the committee has reported, it must take its regular course.

     Section 6.  After the reading of the report of the committee by the Secretary, the members hall cast their vote as prescribed by the Ritual.

     Section 7.  A member dropped for nonpayment of dues may join another Auxiliary as a new member, provided her application states the fact of former membership.

ARTICLE III: Admission From Other Auxiliaries and Transfers

     Section 1.  A member in good standing in her Auxiliary may, on application, receive a Transfer Card which, in order to be valid, must be deposited within six (6) months from date of issue.  The transfer of a Department or National Officer must be placed within thirty (30) days, otherwise she will forfeit her office.

     Section 2.  A member may deposit her Transfer Card in any Auxiliary or re-deposit it in her original Auxiliary, after having been reported on the same as a new member.  A regularly filled application blank must accompany each Transfer Card.

     Section 3.  A member who deposits her Transfer Card with an Auxiliary within the prescribed six (6) months shall retain her past honors in the Organization.

     Section 4.  A member out on transfer shall not be entitled to a Membership Identification Card.

ARTICLE IV: Honorable Discharge

Upon written application, and the return of her badge, a member in good standing shall receive an Honorable Discharge.  Such member may again join the Order upon regular application.

ARTICLE V: Junior Members

     Section 1.  Girls ages 8 through 11 will be called Junior Members.  They will not have voting privileges and will not pay dues.  The Auxiliary will not pay Per Capita Tax on them.

     Section 2.  Junior Members will be issued a Junior Membership Card by the Auxiliary they are joining and can be issued a special badge.

     Section 3.  A Junior Member may hold office as a Guide, Assistant Guide, Color Guard, Inside or Outside Guard.  They may not be elected or appointed to any major office until they become full members.

     Section 4.  At age 12, the Junior Member may become a full member of the Auxiliary by paying the Five Dollars ($5.00) application fee to National and any other fees required by the local Auxiliary.  Upon being accepted as a member with full rights and privileges, quarterly Per Capita Tax will be paid to National.

     Section 5.  The name of a Junior Member may be placed on a Charter with the designation of "Junior Member" affixed after her name.  The Junior Member may not be counted in the number required to begin an Auxiliary.

     Section 6.  Sections 1 through 5 are the only rules and regulations set and governed by National.  All other questions regarding local Auxiliary or Department dues, fees or other items will be decided at the Department or local level, as long as they do not contradict C.R.&R.

ARTICLE VI: Finances

     Section 1.  Each Auxiliary shall regulate its dues, fees and revenues, provided the minimum initiation fee for members shall be not less then One Dollar ($1.00).

     Section 2.  Each Auxiliary may establish such admission fees to be paid by members joining by transfer, as it may deem proper, not exceeding, however, the amount required of a new member.

     Section 3.  A member six (6) months in arrears for dues shall not be entitled to vote, nor to be elected to office.

     Section 4.  Any member of an Auxiliary who is one (1) year in arrears in the payment of her dues may, by vote of the Auxiliary, be dropped after three (3) delinquent notices are sent.  Until her name is dropped from the roll, the Auxiliary shall be subject to Per Capita Tax on such member.

     Section 5.  Each Auxiliary shall have a General Fund for current expenses that may by vote of the Auxiliary be used for any purpose whatsoever.

     Section 6.  The funds of a disbanded Auxiliary shall be turned over to the Department, and those of Provisional Auxiliaries where there is no Department  to the National.

ARTICLE VII: Meetings

     Section 1.  Regular and special meetings of an Auxiliary shall be held as provided by their respective By-Laws.

     Section 2.  In the absence of a President, the Vice President or a Past President may preside; in the absence of the President, Vice President or any Past President, the members of the Auxiliary may elect a temporary presiding officer.

     Section 3.  The President shall call a special meeting at any time she shall find it necessary, due notice being given every member, stating object or meeting, and no other business may be transacted at that meeting, unless the notice stated "any other business that may come before the meeting."

     Section 4.  Where it is found impossible to hold meetings on date of regular meeting, same may be postponed to another date upon vote of the Auxiliary, when it shall be known as a regular meeting and so marked.

     Section 5.  Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum at a regular or special meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: Nomination and Election of Officers

     Section 1.  The nomination and election of all Auxiliary officers, including Delegates and Alternates, shall be held in conformity with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  A Sister may ne elected to office if not present, if the nominator can vouch for acceptance by the candidate.

     Section 2.  A vacancy in any of the elective offices may be filled by an election at any stated meeting, with the exception of Auxiliary President which shall be filled by the Auxiliary Vice President.  Notice of said election must be given to each member of the Auxiliary.

Vacancies occurring in the appointive offices may be filled by the President at any stated meeting of the Auxiliary.

     Section 3.  The elective officers of the Auxiliary shall consist of a President, Vice President, three (3) Trustees, Secretary, Treasurer, Patriotic Instructor, Chaplain, Guide, Assistant Guide, Inside Guard, Outside Guard, first and second Color Guards and Press Correspondent.  The appointive officers shall consist of a Counselor and Musician.

     Section 4.  An Auxiliary Counselor must be a member in good standing of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; in the case of an independent Auxiliary, where no Camp exists, the Counselor's chair may be filled by a Past President in good standing.

     Section 5.  An officer being absent without good excuse for three (3) consecutive regular meetings may be deposed and an election held to fill the vacancy.

     Section 6.  Each Auxiliary shall elect at the same time with other officers, a National Delegate and Alternate, and Such Department Delegates and Alternates as it is entitled by the Department By-Laws.

     Section 7.  Auxiliaries are to hold election of officers in October with installation in November.

ARTICLE IX: Duties of Officers

     Section 1.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Auxiliary and shall preserve order and decorum therein.  She shall enforce a strict observance of this Constitution, Rules and Regulations, the Auxiliary By-Laws, and all orders received from proper authority.  It shall be her duty to appoint all committees and sign all requisitions for money to be drawn from the treasury.  At all elections she shall appoint two (2) sisters as Tellers, and after reading of the ballot by the Secretary, she shall declare the result.  She shall perform such other duties as pertain to her office and the welfare of the Auxiliary.

     Section 2.  The Vice President shall assist the President in preserving order and decorum.  In the absence of the President, she shall take charge of the meeting.

     Section 3.  It shall be the duty of the Trustees to constitute an Auditing Committee and report quarterly.  The President, Secretary and Treasurer shall not be eligible to the office of Trustee.

     Section 4.  The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the meetings of the Auxiliary which shall be read in full at the succeeding meeting and, if necessary, corrected and approved.  She shall keep in books, kept for that purpose, a copy of this Constitution, Rules and Regulations, and Auxiliary By-Laws, to be subscribed to by every candidate on her becoming a member; a Descriptive Book containing the full facts of each member, on which the rights to membership are based, such as name, residence, date of application and initiation, giving in concise form a brief, but complete history of the case;  all such other books as are required to keep full and complete records.  She shall perform all other duties pertaining to her office, and on surrendering the same, shall turn over to her successor all books, papers, etc. in her possession, belonging to the Auxiliary, taking a receipt therefore.  She shall conduct all correspondence unless otherwise ordered, draw all requisitions for bills approved by the Auxiliary and such other monies as may be expended by vote of the Auxiliary, prepare and forward the required reports of the gain and loss of membership to the Department Secretary.  She shall send with the June 30th Quarterly Report each year, a list of the names and addresses of all members carried on the rolls of the Auxiliary, on which Per Capita Tax is being paid.

     Section 5.  The Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the Auxiliary.  She shall pay all requisitions drawn by the Secretary and approved by the President; and shall notify all members in arrears for dues at the end of each quarter and give a report at the close of each meeting of the receipts of the evening.  She shall keep a correct account of the financial standing of each Sister with the Auxiliary and perform all other duties of her office not herein mentioned and, at the end of her term in office, shall turn over to her successor all of the funds, books, papers and other property of the Auxiliary in her possession, taking a receipt therefore; she shall prepare the required Quarterly Reports of the financial standing of the Auxiliary.

     Section 6.  The Patriotic Instructor shall perform all the duties in connection with that office for the purpose of teaching patriotism and love of country.  She shall forward to the Department Patriotic Instructor at the close of her year, upon official blanks, a report of her year's work.  Patriotic Instructors in Provisional Auxiliaries where there is no Department shall report directly to the National Patriotic Instructor.

     Section 7.  The Chaplain shall conduct the devotional services of the Auxiliary, and officiate at the funeral of deceased Sisters.  She shall forward to the Department Chaplain immediately after Memorial Day, a report of the activities of the Auxiliary for the previous year.  Chaplains in Provisional Auxiliaries where there is no Department report directly to the National Chaplain.

     Section 8.  The Guide, Assistant Guide, first and second Color Guards, Inside and Outside Guards, Press Correspondent, Musician, and Counselor shall perform such duties as are prescribed by the Ritual of the Order.

ARTICLE X: Committees

     Section 1.  The President shall appoint all committees.  The Sister first named on a committee shall act as chairman until they meet and elect a permanent chairman.  The chairman of all committees shall call the meetings of their committees.  No committee shall be finally discharged until all debts contracted by it are paid.

     Section 2.  The President shall be ex-officio on all committees except Investigating Committee on application for membership.

ARTICLE XII: Title of Members

In the meetings of the Auxiliary all members hall be addressed only as Sister except when holding office, when they shall be addressed by the title of the office which they hold in the Order.

ARTICLE XIII: By-Laws

Auxiliaries must adopt for their government, By-Laws subject to the approval of the Department Presidents, or of the National President where no Department exists; and no By-Laws shall be approved which are inconsistent with the Constitution, Rules and Regulations.

CHAPTER II - DEPARTMENTS

ARTICLE I: Charters

     Section 1.  Upon the formation of a Department, there shall be issued to it a Charter under the hand and seal of the National President.  On the Charter shall be the names of all Auxiliaries that comprise the Department at the time the Department is organized.

     Section 2.  The Charter fee for a new Department shall be Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00), this amount to cover the cost of all supplies needed for the organization of the Department.

     Section 3.  Each Department under the direction of the National President shall be governed by the Department Encampment so long as it acts in conformity with its Charter.  The Encampment shall be held annually at the same time and place as that of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

     Section 4.  Two (2) or more States may consolidate to form a Department.

ARTICLE II: Membership

     Section 1.  The membership of the Department Encampment shall consist of its own elective and appointive officers, its Past Department Presidents, Past Department Secretaries and Treasurers in good standing, Auxiliary Secretaries and Treasurers who have served five (5) consecutive years, its sitting Auxiliary Presidents or Vice Presidents, Past Presidents in good standing, and one (1) Delegate and as many more as the Department shall decide.  One (1) Delegate will be allowed from the Membership at Large, to be chosen by the Department Secretary.

     Section 2.  Each voting member present at a meeting of the Department Encampment shall be entitled to one (1) vote, and each voting member must present a credential card from the Auxiliary of which she is a member, signed by the Auxiliary President and Secretary and bearing the seal of the Auxiliary.

     Section 3.  Departments may provide for Membership at Large.  Applications for such membership shall be directed to the Department President or Secretary, who shall accept or reject same.  Records of such membership shall be kept by the Department Secretaries and Treasurers.  Transfers or Honorable Discharges shall be issued to Members at Large upon application to the Department Secretary.  Membership fees shall apply to Members at Large in the same manner as regular members.

ARTICLE III: Department Officers

     Section 1.  The elective officers of the Department shall be a President, Vice President, Department Council of three (3) members, Secretary, Treasurer, Patriotic Instructor, Chaplain and Press Correspondent.  The President shall appoint a Chief of Staff, Personal Aide and Counselor, to be a Brother in good standing in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War or a Past Department President.  No member shall be eligible for election to the office of Department President who is not present and entitled to vote at the Department Encampment, except by the unanimous rising vote of the Encampment.  A candidate for the office of Department President must be a Past Auxiliary President.  A candidate for the office of Department Vice President must be a Past or Sitting Auxiliary President.  Department Presidents are not permitted to serve more than two (2) years at one time.  If the Department is mall, special dispensation may be given by the National Organization.  (Voting shall be by a closed vote or Australian ballot, whichever the Department By-Laws provide).

     Section 2.  In addition to the elective officers above named, the Department shall elect two (2) Delegates and two (2) Alternates to the National Encampment.

Section 3.  Any vacancies which may occur in the elective offices of the Department shall be filled by the Department Council with the exception of the office of Department President, which office shall be filled by the Department Vice President.  Any vacancies which occur in appointive offices of the Department shall be filled by the Department President.

ARTICLE IV: Duties of Officers

     Section 1.  The Department President shall be the executive officer of the Department, charged with the duty of administering the affairs of the Department.  She shall preside at all meetings of the Department Encampment, name all appointive officers, including Department Aides, appoint all standing and other committees unless otherwise provided by the Department By-Laws.

     Section 2.  The Department Vice President shall assist the President in preserving order and decorum and in the absence of the Department President, shall fill her office.

     Section 3.  The Department Council shall carefully audit the books of the Department Secretary and Treasurer.  They shall thoroughly check all vouchers and canceled checks; satisfy themselves the balance of cash on hand agrees with a certified statement from the bank which the Department Treasurer shall be required to present, so a correct statement of the financial standing of the Department can be presented at the Annual Encampment.  The Department Council shall fill any vacancy occurring in an elective office of the Department with the exception of Department President, which shall be filled by the Department Vice President.

     Section 4.  The Department Secretary shall conduct all official correspondences and issue all orders under the direction of the Department President; keep correct records of the proceedings of the Department Encampment; the reports of officers for publication if so ordered by the Encampment; draw all requisitions for money upon the Department Treasurer; make out all Quarterly Reports and transmit them to National Headquarters.  She shall compile a completer list of names and addresses of all Auxiliary members and take a complete census every five (5) years, said censuses to be forwarded as of the June Quarter to the National Secretary and National Treasurer to keep on file.  She shall render a consolidated report of the gain and loss of membership for the Department Encampment and perform such other duties as pertain to her office.

     Section 5.  The Department Treasurer shall hold the funds and property of the Department, giving her receipt thereof; and fill all requisitions drawn by the Department Secretary.  All requisitions must be approved by the Department President before being honored by the Department Treasurer.  She shall furnish bond in a reliable bonding company.  No money may be invested by the Department Treasurer without a vote of the Department Encampment.  She shall prepare and forward all Quarterly Reports required by the Constitution, Rules and Regulations and make a consolidated financial report for the Department Encampment.

     Section 6.  The Department Patriotic Instructor shall work in conjunction with the National Patriotic Instructor for the betterment of patriotic teaching.  She shall compile the work of the various Auxiliaries for their fiscal year.  This report shall be forwarded to the National Patriotic Instructor upon approval by the Department, not later than July 1st of the current year.

     Section 7.  The Department Chaplain shall consolidate the reports of the Auxiliary Chaplains, make a report at the Department Encampment and then forward her consolidated report to the National Chaplain on approval of the Department Encampment, not later than July 1st of the current year.

     Section 8.  The Department Press Correspondent shall compile items of interest as furnished by Auxiliary Press Correspondents and prepare same for publication in THE BANNER.

     Section 9.  The Chief of Staff shall direct and assist the Department Aides in raising funds for the maintenance of the Department and perform such other duties as the Department President may require.

     Section 10.  The Department Personal Aide will have many opportunities to assist the Department President during her term of office.  Her thoughtfulness and services will make the Department President's work much easier and will bring comfort to her on many occasions.

     Section 11.  The Department Counselor will act as advisor and counselor to the Department President.  In order to make just and fair decisions he/she must be familiar with the Constitution, Rules and Regulations governing our Order.  He/she must also have a full knowledge of the laws, customs and decisions of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, since the rules of that Order decide all questions of order not contained in our Constitution, Rules and Regulations.

ARTICLE V: Finances

     Section 1.  Each Department shall assess each Auxiliary within its jurisdiction a Per Capita Tax on every Sister in good standing, out of which shall be paid the National Per Capita Tax.  Auxiliary Quarterly Reports together with Per Capita Tax must be forwarded to Department Headquarters before the tenth (10th) day of January, April, July and October, or the Auxiliary will be penalized a late fee of Five Dollars ($5.00).

     Section 2.  Each Department is allowed to regulate its own Per Capita Tax on Auxiliaries under its jurisdiction, this amount to be decided at Department Encampment and to be incorporated in Department By-Laws.

     Section 3.  Auxiliaries pay Per Capita Tax the first quarter they are instituted, unless the end of the quarter is in the month they are instituted.

ARTICLE VI: By-Laws

A Department Encampment must adopt By-Laws not conflicting with this Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Order.  Said By-Laws will be approved by the National President.  By-Laws may be amended by vote of the National Organization.

CHAPTER III - NATIONAL ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE I: Charter

The Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is incorporated under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Ohio.  The copy of our incorporation papers together with the amendments thereto shall be placed in the care of the National Treasurer.  The Charter shall be in charge and custody of the National President.

ARTICLE II: Membership

     Section 1.  The membership of the National Encampment shall be as follows: All Elective officers and National Chief of Staff; Past National Presidents; Past National Secretaries; Past National Treasurers; Sitting Department Presidents or Vice Presidents; Past Department Presidents in good standing; Department Secretaries and Treasurers having served five (5) consecutive years; Sitting Auxiliary Presidents or Vice Presidents; two (2) Delegates or Alternates from each Department; one (1) Delegates or Alternate from each Auxiliary, however, a Provisional Auxiliary shall not have an additional Delegate until it has become a fully established Auxiliary; one (1) Delegate from Membership at Large, to be appointed by the Coordinator of Membership at Large.  Each voting member shall pay a registration fee of Seven Dollars ($7.00).

     Section 2.  Life Memberships are hereby established, the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the Permanent Fund of the Order.  The cost thereof shall be Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.00) up to and including the age of 49 years; Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) from the age of 50 years up to and including 64 years; and Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) from the age of 65 years and over.  When a member is given a Life Membership, she must pay her dues for one year to her Auxiliary.

     Section 3.  A Membership at Large Program was instituted whereby eligible women from states where we have no Departments, may become Members at Large of the National Organization.  The application fee id Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) and the annual dues are Fifteen Dollars ($15.00), Six Dollars ($6.00) of which is to be used for a subscription to THE BANNER.  The dues money is to be retained by the Coordinator of Membership at Large Program for working capital in the same manner as an Auxiliary or Department must have working capital.  The application fee shall be forward quarterly along with the Quarterly Report and Per Capita Tax to the National Treasurer, to be deposited in the Permanent Fund of the Order.

     Section 4.  An Auxiliary or Department which fails to pay its Per Capita Tax or fails to make reports, shall not be entitled to representation in Department or National Encampment.

     Section 5.  Each voting member shall present a properly signed, sealed credential card from the Auxiliary of which she is a member.

ARTICLE III: Encampments

     Section 1.  The National Encampment shall hold its annual meetings at the same time and place as the Commandery-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

     Section 2.  A special meeting of the National Organization of the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War may be convened by order of the National President with the consent of the National Council for purposes therein stated, and no business shall be transacted at such special meeting except for the purposes for which said body convened.

ARTICLE IV: National Officers

     Section 1.  The elective officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, three (3) members of the Council, Secretary, Treasurer, Patriotic Instructor, Chaplain, Press Correspondent, Washington, D.C. Representative, and Historian each to be elected for a five (5) year term.  The Coordinator of Membership at Large is to be elected for a three (3) year term.  The National Secretary and National Treasurer shall not succeed themselves.

     Section 2.  A candidate for the office of National President or National Vice President must be a Past President of her Department.

     Section 3.  The appointive officers shall be Chief of Staff, Personal Aide, Counselor, and Supply Officer.  The National Counselor is to be a Past National President.

ARTICLE V: Nomination, Election and Vacancies in Office

     Section 1.  All the elective officers shall be chosen by Australian Ballot.  In the event that there is but one (1) candidate for each elective National Office, it will be permissible to dispense with the use of the Australian ballot only by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, and elect by acclamation.  Nomination of officers is to be made the first order of business of the afternoon session of the second business day of the Encampment.  The Credential Committee will be seated with the Election Committee and will receive credentials at any time up to the actual closing of polls.  Polls will be open and voting held immediately after nominations and closed when all have voted.  Installation shall be the last order of business of the Encampment.

     Section 2.  Vacancies occurring in elective offices of the National shall be filled by the National Council with the exception of National President, which shall be filled by the National Vice President.  Vacancies occurring in appointive offices of the National Organization shall be filled by the National President.

     Section 3.  A National Vice President who fills an unexpired term of National President shall be entitled to past honors the same as a National President.

     Section 4.  If an officer is elected or appointed and is not present for the Installation, a letter must be sent to the National Secretary within thirty (30) days saying the officer has been installed and giving the name of the Installing Officer.

ARTICLE VI: Duties of Officers

     Section 1.  The National President shall preside at all meetings of the National Encampment, appoint as many special aides as she may deem necessary, and all committees not otherwise provided for.  She shall sign all Charters, the names of Charter Members to be written in by Department Presidents.  She may suspend appointive officers for cause; shall decide all questions subject to appeal to the National Encampment.  She shall approve all requisitions drawn on the Treasurer, and perform all other duties pertaining to her office.

     Section 2.  The National Vice President shall perform such duties as the National President may require and fill her office in her absence or in case of disability.

     Section 3.  The National Council shall carefully audit the books of the National Secretary and Treasurer.  They shall thoroughly check all vouchers and canceled checks and satisfy themselves that the balance of cash on hand agrees with a certified statement from the bank which the National Treasurer shall be required to present, so a correct statement of the financial standing of the National Organization can be presented at the Annual Encampment.

All unfinished Encampment business shall be administered by the outgoing and incoming Councils.

     Section 4.  The National Secretary shall conduct all correspondence that properly belongs to her office.  She shall pay over to the National Treasurer all monies received by her.  She shall draw requisitions on the National Treasurer for all bills, the same to be approved by the National President, and perform such other duties and keep such books and records as the National Organization may require.  She shall render a consolidated report of the numerical strength of the Order at the Annual Encampment.  She shall keep file a complete list of names and addresses of every Auxiliary member, said census to be forwarded by Department Secretaries.

     Section 5.  The National Treasurer shall receive, hold and account for all funds of the National Organization; pay all requisitions drawn by the National Secretary and approved by the National President.  She shall furnish a bond in a sum to be approved by the National Council.  She shall make a monthly report of the financial standing of the Organization to the National President.  She shall maintain a Permanent Fund Account for such purposes as voted by the National Encampment.  At the Annual Encampment she shall render a consolidated report of the receipts and disbursements, together with an itemized account of the Permanent Fund and all securities.  Investments may be made within the same bank or Savings and Loan.  Certificates of Deposit may be rolled over by approval of the National President.  She shall prepare a budget for the coming year to be presented to the Delegates at National Encampment for their approval.

     Section 6.  The National Patriotic Instructor shall consolidate reports, issue circulars of instruction for local Auxiliaries regarding the promotion of patriotism and perform such other duties as may be required by her office.  She shall raise funds for the purpose of leaving a memorial in or near the convention city in memory of the Grand Army of the Republic.  Any love gift authorized by the Encampment shall also be drawn from this fund.

     Section 7.  The National Chaplain shall consolidate all reports of Department Chaplains and report to the National Encampment.  She shall arrange the memorial program for the National Encampment and perform all other duties pertaining to her office.

     Section 8.  The National Press Correspondent shall compile items of interest as furnished by the Department Press Correspondents and prepare same for publication in THE BANNER.

     Section 9.  The Washington, D.C. Representative shall have residence in the District of Columbia or its suburbs.  She shall accept, on behalf of the National Organization of the Auxiliary, service of legal papers or summons and immediately transmit the same to the National President for action.  She shall represent our Order on all appropriate occasions and at Memorial Ceremonies and Patriotic Functions at the Capitol.  She shall keep herself informed about legislation pending before Congress which is pertinent to the purpose or activities of our Organization.  She shall promptly inform the National President of any such legislation on which our Organization should take action and has not already done so and shall be ex-officio a member of the "Committee on Legislation."

     Section 10.  The Coordinator of Membership at Large shall respond to all inquiries regarding membership; supply applications to prospective members and approve membership applications.  She shall make out Quarterly Reports and transmit them together with Per Capita Tax to National Headquarters.  She shall render an annual membership and financial report at the National Encampment, keep the National Headquarters informed of any Members at Large address changes and engage in recruiting and publicity.

     Section 11.  The National Historian shall collect and preserve all historical and biographical material pertaining to the Civil War, to members of the Grand Army of the Republic, or to members of the Order.

     Section 12.  The National Chief of Staff shall direct the National Aides and raise funds for our National Organization and perform such other duties as the National President may direct.

     Section 13.  The National Personal Aide will have many opportunities to assist the National President during her term in office.  Her thoughtfulness and services will make the National President's work much easier and will bring comfort to her on many occasions.

     Section 14.  The National Counselor will act as advisor and counselor to the National President.  In order to make just and fair decisions she must be familiar with the Constitution, Rules and Regulations governing our Order.  She must also have a full knowledge of the laws, customs and decisions of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, since the rules of that Order decide all questions of order not contained in our Constitution, Rules and Regulations.

     Section 15.  A Parliamentarian may be appointed to serve during the National Encampment.

     Section 16.  The Supply Officer will fill all orders for supplies required by the Departments and Auxiliaries, charging a reasonable and uniform price for the same.

     Section 17.  The Encampment Stenographer shall make a full report of the National Encampment omitting lengthy discussions and responses which are not relevant to any action of the Encampment, prepare the Minutes for each session and transcribe the notes of the Encampment within sixty (60) days after the meeting.

ARTICLE VII: Finances

     Section 1.  The National Organization shall assess upon each Department a Per Capita Tax, to be payable in four (4) installments on or before the twenty-fifth (25th) day of January, April, July and October, or the Department will be penalized a late fee of Five Dollars ($5.00).

     Section 2.  The Per Capita Tax from each Department to National shall be seventy-five cents (75¢) per quarter on each member.

     Section 3.  Each Provisional Auxiliary where there is no Department shall pay seventy-five cents (75¢) per quarter on each member direct to National Headquarters.

     Section 4.  All new applicants for membership will pay a Five Dollar ($5.00) application fee over and above any fees charged by the Auxiliary.  This surcharge will be sent to the National Treasurer for deposit in the Advertising Fund.

     Section 5.  An Honor Roll Fund has been established, the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the Permanent Fund of the Order.  Anyone can contribute to this fund in memory of deceased members or in honor of living members.  When a contribution is received, two (2) copies of the Honor Rill Certificate are typed; one copy is retained in the living book and the other copy mailed as directed by the donor.

     Section 6.  The fiscal year of the National Organization shall close July 31st of each year.

ARTICLE VIII: Authorized Expenditures

     Section 1.  That in addition to One Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($150.00) paid to the National President for office expenses, she be allowed Two Thousand Dollars (2000.00) to be used by her or her authorized representative for traveling expenses.  No other money be granted for traveling expenses.  A Testimonial of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) will be given the National President.

     Section 2.  The National Secretary and National Treasurer shall each receive an honorarium of Three Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($350.00) per year.  No additional amount shall be expended for special work that may belong to either office.

     Section 3.  The National Convention Pianist shall be paid Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for her work.

     Section 4.  The National Historian will ne allotted One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for expenses incurred in handling the National Archives.

     Section 5.  The National President, National Secretary and National Treasurer shall be allowed the sum of eight cents (8¢) per highway mile, round trip, for travel to and from the National Encampment.  The Vice President; three (3) Members of Council; Patriotic Instructor; Chaplain; Press Correspondent; Chief of Staff; Director of the Budget; Washington, D.C. Representative; Membership at Large Coordinator; Historian; Counselor and Personal Aide shall receive the sum of two cents (2¢) per highway mile, round trip.

     Section 6.  The National President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be allowed their hotel bills for the period of the National Encampment at the current rate of a single room.  The amount allowed for board shall not exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for each officer.

     Section 7.  The National Chief of Staff shall be paid Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for her expenses at National Encampment.

     Section 8.  The Encampment Stenographer shall be paid the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00).  Council will discuss with current Stenographer the price of doing the Proceedings and a fair price for the extra work to prepare Proceedings for the printer.

     Section 9.  In the event of the death of a National Officer or Past National President, the National President is authorized to send Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) in her memory to either the Auxiliary Honor Roll or to her favorite charity.

ARTICLE IX: Committees

The National President may appoint such standing and special committees as may be necessary for the advancement of the Order.

ARTICLE X: Order of Business

(May be used so far as applicable in Department Encampments)

This order of business may be transposed except that the Installation of Officers shall not be held until all other business has been completed.

CHAPTER IV - GENERAL REGULATIONS

ARTICLE I: Bonds

     Section 1.  The National and Department Treasurers shall furnish bonds, subject to the approval of the Council members, said bonds to be held by the Presidents of either bodies.

     Section 2.  The National Treasurer shall furnish bonds in a sum to be determined by the National Council.  The bonds shall cover the full assets of the National Organization.

ARTICLE II: Seals

All official papers of each Auxiliary and all higher branches of the Order must bear the stamp of their official seal.

ARTICLE III: Badges

     Section 1.  The badge shall consist of the Regulation badge, purchased from National Headquarters.

     Section 2.  There shall be five (5) prescribed ribbons for the Order: For National - the center a broad stripe of gold, with a narrow border of red, white and blue on each side.  For Department - a broad stripe of red, with a narrow border of red, white and blue on each side.  For Auxiliary Officers - a broad stripe of blue, with a narrow border of red, white and blue on each side.  For floor members - Tri-color (red, white and blue).  For Junior Members - a broad stripe of white, with a narrow border of red, white and blue and white on each side.

     Section 3.  All Past Presidents and no others, may wear the special Cross of the Order, with the ribbon of their branch attached, to indicate the honorable position they have held.

     Section 4.  The recognition pin or badge shall be purchased from National Headquarters.

     Section 5.  The National Organization shall own three (3) gold badge bearing the inscriptions "National President," "National Secretary," and "National Treasurer."  The Department Organization shall own three (3) badges bearing the inscriptions "Department President," "Department Secretary," and "Department Treasurer" to be worn during their official term.  Each officer shall be responsible for her badge and shall turn it over to her successor in office.

     Section 6.  The retiring National President shall be presented by the National body with the Past President's badge consisting of a gold cross attached to a gold bar, inscribed "Past National President."

     Section 7.  There shall ne a small Life Membership Pin to be given to each Life Member.  The pin is to be worn on the ribbon of the membership badge.

     Section 8.  The badge must always be worn over the heart.

ARTICLE IV: Discipline

     Section 1.  The offenses cognizable by the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War are:

                       FIRST - Disloyalty to the United States of America, or violation of any pledge given at the time of initiation, or obligation taken at the time of assuming any office of the Order.

                       SECOND - Disobedience to the Constitution, Rules and Regulations, By-Laws or orders issued by the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

                       THIRD - Conduct unbecoming a member in her relation to the Order.

     Section 2.  Charges against members shall be preferred, trial boards appointed, trials conducted, appeals allowed and such procedure followed as is provided in the Laws of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for the discipline of its members.

ARTICLE V: Decisions

Requests for information or decisions regarding the Constitution, Rules and Regulations or the Ritual, must be forwarded by the Auxiliary President or Secretary (not by individuals) to the Department President; those from Departments to the National President.  The National President shall decide all questions subject to appeal to the National Encampment.

ARTICLE VI: Membership Identification Card

     Section 1.  Each member, upon payment of her dues, will be issued by the Auxiliary treasurer an official Membership Identification Card, certifying that the member to whom it is issued is in good standing, having paid her dues for the period indicated thereon.

     Section 2.  All members are required by the Auxiliary President to exhibit a current official Membership Card in order to gain admission, to vote, or to hold office in an Auxiliary of the Order.

     Section 3.  The National Treasurer is charged with the responsibility of keeping a supply of Membership Identification Cards which the Auxiliary Treasurers or Secretaries and Coordinator of Membership at Large may order.

     Section 4.  The National Treasurer will issue a Life membership Card to each Sister who is a Life Member of the Order.

ARTICLE VII: Ritual

The Ritual of the Order is hereby made a part of the Regulations of the Order in all matters not inconsistent herewith.  Any Auxiliary member may purchase a Ritual for her own personal use.  Each Auxiliary may purchase twelve (12) additional Rituals for which the Auxiliary is responsible.

ARTICLE VIII: Permanent Fund

The Permanent Fund of the Order shall consist of such monies as have been derived from the Life Membership Fees, donations to the Honor Roll Fund, application fees for Membership at Large Program and such other monies as may be added thereto by vote of the National Encampment.

ARTICLE IX: Eligibility to Office

     Section 1.  A member in good standing in her own Auxiliary is eligible to any office in the Department, except that of Department President or Department Vice President.  A candidate for the office of Department President or Department Vice President must be a Past Auxiliary President.  A candidate for the office of National President or National Vice President must be a Past President of her Department.

     Section 2.  Associates shall not be eligible for the office of National President or National Vice President.

     Section 3.  A National Member at Large who meets all requirements may be elected to National Office.

ARTICLE X: Rules of Order

The Rules of the Order of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Roberts Rules of Order shall be the law to decided all questions of order not herein contained, the first named to take precedence over the latter, and each Auxiliary shall procure copies of the same.

ARTICLE XI

     Section 1.  All laws, rules and regulations heretofore existing and in force are hereby repealed.

     Section 2.  The within and foregoing regulations may be altered or amended at any regular Encampment of the National Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War by a majority vote of all members present and entitles to vote.

 

Revised, adopted and authorized by the 114th National Encampment held at Lansing, Michigan, August 17 - 20, 2000.

Committee:

Margaret Atkinson, P.N.P., PA

Beatrice Greenwalt, P.N.P., NY

Catherine Hartman, P.D.P, PA

 

MARY JO LONG

National President

 

ATTEST:

Frances A, Murray

National Secretary

Rules of Order

(For the instruction of Auxiliary Presidents)

 

1. It shall be the duty of the President to state to the meeting every questions that has been properly moved and seconded, and pronounce the decision after the vote has been taken.  Before the question has been voted on she shall ask "Is the Auxiliary ready for this questions?"  If no Sister rises, she shall call for the voting sign of the Order.

2. When a Sister rises to a point of order, the President shall grant her permission to state the same, and after she has done so, the President shall decide the question of order.

3. The President cannot put a question before the Auxiliary until it has been properly moved and seconded.

4. If more than one member rises to speak at the same time, the President shall decided who shall speak first.

5. When a vote has been taken and the President is doubtful of the vote, she shall call for another vote which shall be taken standing, and the Secretary shall be instructed to count the yeas and nays and to report the result and she shall declare the result of the vote.

6. When a member desires to speak, she shall rise and properly address the chair, and when speaking shall confine herself to the subject under discussion and be careful to avoid all personal or sarcastic language.

7. Any conversation or disorderly conduct while a member is speaking shall be deemed sufficient cause, if continued in, to censure any member so doing.

8. Any motion may be withdrawn by the mover before being seconded or with the consent of the seconder, before a vote has been taken thereon, and when so withdrawn, no record of it shall be made on the Minutes.

9. The name of a member making a motion shall be entered on the Minutes.

10. No member shall be interrupted while speaking except to call her to order or ask for an explanation.

11. A motion to adjourn is always in order, except while a member is speaking or a vote is being taken.

12. All reports shall be made in writing and signed by the members making the same.