Camp By-Laws
By-Laws
L. A. Tifft Camp # 15
Springfield, Massachusetts
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Department of Massachusetts
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1: This Camp shall be named the L. A. TIFFT CAMP 15, DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS, SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
ARTICLE II
OBJECTS
Section 1: The objects of the Camp shall be to emphasize the principles of the Order as expressed in the Constitution of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION
The Camp shall be constituted and remain constituted as provided by the Constitution and Regulations (C&R) governing the National Organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and shall be known as the L. A. TIFFT CAMP 15, DEPARTMENT OF MASSSACHUSETTS, SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR. The camp is organized as an unincorporated association under the laws of the State of Massachusetts. The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code.
ARTICLE IV
FEES ASSESSMENTS
Section 1: Annual Camp Dues Shall be:
A: National dues — as stated in the National Constitution and Regulations (C&R);
B: ...plus those so stated in the Massachusetts Department By-Laws;
C: ...plus amount to be determined by vote of the camp membership.
Section 2: The fee for Life Membership shall be as scheduled in the National C&R.
Section 3: The fees for Badges, Medals, Rituals, and other supplies shall be as published yearly by the National Quartermaster.
Section 4: Annual dues are due January 1st. Members whose dues are not received by March 31st will be automatically suspended unless extenuating circumstances are presented to and approved by Camp Council by the March Camp meeting.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section 1: This Camp shall hold its regular meetings at a designated place, date, and time as set by the Camp Commander. Deviations to the above may be made by a majority vote at a regular meeting of the Camp.
Section 2: Upon fifteen days notice, Special Meetings may be called by the Camp Commander, when in his judgment, the interests of the Camp demand it, or upon written request of not less than five Camp members.
Section 3: A written notice of a Special Meeting shall state the object of the Special Meeting and no business shall be transacted, except that specified in the notice.
Section 4: Five members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. No official Camp business shall be conducted unless a quorum is present.
ARTICLE VI
BONDS
Section 1: The Treasurer shall furnish a surety company bond in the amount of $1,000, if the Treasury exceeds that amount, for the faithful performance of his duties. The premium shall be paid by the Camp.
ARTICLE VII
SICKNESS
Section 1: The Sickness Committee shall consist of the Commander, Chaplain and Secretary
Section 2: The Sickness Committee shall have power to draw on the Camp up to the extent of $100 without action by the Camp, the same to be reported at the next regular meeting. Individual members may be helped only once a year except in dire circumstances.
ARTICLE VIII
EXPENDITURES
Section 1: No money shall be paid from the Camp Treasury for any purpose other than that stated in an approved motion, or as stipulated within these By-laws, except for the actual running expenses of the Camp, without a majority vote of the members present and voting at a Regular of Special meeting.
Section 2: All other disbursements shall be approved by the Camp Council.
ARTICLE IX
DISCIPLINE
Section 1: Each Brother of the Camp is expected to conduct himself properly at all times.
Section 2: The appearance of a Brother with the badge displayed shall be evidence that he assumes the privileges and discipline of membership. Any conduct unbecoming the "Good of the Order" shall warrant removal of the offending Brother from the meeting.
ARTICLE X
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: The duties of the Camp Officers shall be those prescribed in the National Constitution and Regulations. The Officers shall be prepared to assume such additional duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Department Commander or the National Organization.
Section 2: The Camp Secretary shall maintain, and update, as needed, a copy of the National Constitution and Regulations to be used as a ready reference for the explanation of Officers' duties and such other matters coming before the Camp.
ARTICLE XI
ACTIVITIES NOT IN FURTHERANCE OF EXEMPT PURPOSES
No part of the net earnings, if any, of this unincorporated association, shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the unincorporated association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes described in section 501(c)3. No substantial part of the activities of the unincorporated association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the unincorporated association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these by-laws, the unincorporated association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an unincorporated association exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an unincorporated association, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)2 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
ARTICLE XII
SEPARATION, DISSOLUTION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
Section 1: In the case of surrender or forfeiture of the Camp Charter, all Camp property and assets shall be turned over to the National Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War via the Department Commander of the affected Camp acting as his duly authorized representative to collect and hold all such property in trust for the National Organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, an organization exempt from taxes under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 2: All property of the Camp shall be held for the National Organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, as a charitable trust that is held and used for the purpose for which the Order exists. Any such transfer or disposal within six months of disbandment or surrender of the Camp Charter without the written consent of the National Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is prohibited. The property and funds of the Camp shall not be divided among its members.
Section 3: In the event the National Organization, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, no longer exists, said property and funds shall revert to the benefit of the first and any remaining organization of the Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic or in their absence, to the State archives of Massachusetts.
Section 4: Notwithstanding the above language, upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1: The following provisions also cover operations for this Camp:
a): The fiscal year of this Camp shall commence on January 1st of each year.
b): Associates are allowed in this Camp, but no more than one-third of the total membership.
c): Election period for Camp Officers shall be in accordance with the National Constitution and Regulations.
d): Installation period for Camp Officers shall be in accordance with the National Constitution and Regulations.
Section 2: Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the meetings of this Camp and its elements except as in the Rituals, the National Constitution and Regulations or the Department By-laws.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: These By-laws may be amended or altered by a three-fourths vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided written notice of such proposed changes have been given each member at least fifteen days prior to such meeting.
These Bylaws were adopted by the Camp on February 24, 1999.
These Bylaws were amended by the Camp on March 27, 2002.
These Bylaws were amended by the Camp on February 27, 2007.
The two amendments replaced Article III, Fees and Assessments to its present wording.
These Bylaws were amended by the Camp on January 27, 2010.
These Bylaws were amended by the Camp on June 20, 2018.
Approved by the Camp Commander ___________________________________