By-Laws

ARTICLE I - NAME

SECTION 1.  This Camp shall be known as Lt. Ezra S. Griffin Camp #8.

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ARTICLE II - ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1.  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 Lt. Ezra S. Griffin  Camp #8, Sons of Union Veterans  of the Civil War. The camp is organized as an unincorporated association under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.  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.

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ARTICLE III - ACTIVITIES NOT IN FURTHERANCE OF EXEMPT PURPOSES

SECTION 1.  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 Bylaws, 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.

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ARTICLE IV- SEPARATION, DISSOLUTION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

SECTION 1.  In the case of surrender or forfeiture of the Camp, 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/Department/Other unit 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 Pennsylvania State Archives.

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.

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ARTICLE V- MEETINGS

SECTION  1.  The stated meeting of the Camp shall be held on the third Saturday of each month, unless changed by a majority vote.  No meetings will be held during the months of July and August.

SECTION  2.  The location of the meeting shall be the G.A.R. Memorial Library and Museum, Room 220, The Marketplace at Steamtown (mall), 300 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503, unless changed by a majority vote.

SECTION  3.  A special meeting may be convened by order of the Commander with the consent of Camp Council, providing no less than seven (7) days notice be given to all members.  No business shall be transacted except that for which the meeting was called.

SECTION  4.  Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION  5. The Camp, Camp Council, and Camp Committees may conduct electronic meetings or provide electronic participation to in-person meetings, provided all provisions detailed in Article 4, Section 1, and of the National Constitution (C, C & R) are met.

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ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION  1. Membership of the Camp shall be of three classes:

a. MEMBERS. Male descendants no less than fourteen (14) years of age who meet the qualifications stipulated in Article III of the National Constitution and Section 5 of the Articles of Incorporation. Members are lineal or collateral blood descendants of  honorably discharged Civil War Union veterans.

b. LIFE MEMBERS. Members who have fully paid the requisite Life Membership fee as established by the National Organization.

c. ASSOCIATES. Males at least fourteen (14) years of age who do not meet the qualifications stipulated in Article III of the National Constitution and Section 5 of the Articles of Incorporation but otherwise meet the requirements for membership established by the National Organization.

(1) The combined number of Associates shall not exceed one-third (113) of the total roster of the Camp at the time of election. At no time during a meeting of the Camp shall business be transacted if the number of Associates in attendance exceeds forty-nine percent (49%) of the total attendance then present at said Camp meeting.

(2) Associates may not be elected, appointed, or otherwise assume the offices of Commander-in-Chief,  Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice Commander-in­ Chief, National Secretary, National Treasurer or be appointed Commanding Officer of the Sons of Veterans Reserve. However, Associates are permitted to serve in any elective or appointed Office in this Camp or in the Pennsylvania Department.

d. The Camp can recommend Honorary Membership for an individual but only the Commander-in-Chief, with approval of the National Council of Administration, can award such membership.

e. The camp does not allow Junior Members or Junior Associates.

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ARTICLE VII - APPLICATION FEE

SECTION  1. The Application Fee for membership shall be the current National application fee, the current National and Department per capita dues along with the current Camp dues, all dues pro-rated as noted on the current Form 30.

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ARTICLE VIII - DUES

SECTION  1. Camp dues cover the period from January 1 through December 31.

SECTION 2. Annual dues shall be payable by March 1 of each year to the Camp Secretary. Members who do not pay annual dues by the deadline may be dropped for nonpayment by a vote of the Camp.

SECTION  3. Annual Camp dues shall be the sum of current National and Department per capita dues and an amount agreed upon by a vote of the Camp, except as noted in Section

4 below.

SECTION 4. Life members do not pay National per capita dues. Department per capita and camp dues for Life members are subject to the specifics outlined below.

a. 2012 LIFE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established in 2012 shall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing annual National per capita dues. These Life members remain subject to paying Department per capita and camp dues.

(1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National per capita dues for a member in this category.  Department per capita dues will continue to be submitted.

(2) There shall be no National organization reimbursement to the participant's Camp under the 2012 Life Member Program.

b. 2001 LIFE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. (closed to new participants effective 1 July 2012). Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established in 2001 shall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing annual National per capita dues. These Life members remain subject to paying Department per capita and camp dues.

(1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National per capita dues for a member in this category.  Department per capita dues will continue to be submitted.

(2) There shall be no National organization reimbursement to the participant's Camp under the 2001 Life Member Program.

c. 1996 LIFE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. (closed to new participants effective 19 Aug 2000).  Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established in 1996 shall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing annual National per capita dues.

(1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National per capita dues for a member in this category.

(2) Upon written request by the Camp Secretary or Treasurer, an annual reimbursement in the amount of twelve dollars ($12.00) shall be made to the Life Member's Camp.

d. PRE-1996 LIFE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. Camp members who have been accepted as valid National Life Members under the National Life Membership Program established prior to 1996 shall have their annual Camp dues credited with an amount equal to the existing annual National per capita dues.

(1) The Camp Treasurer will not submit National Per Capita Dues for a member in this category.

(2) Upon written request by the Camp Secretary or Treasurer, an annual reimbursement in the amount set by the National Council of Administration shall be made to the Life Member's Camp.

e. Annually between 1 January and 31 March, the Camp Secretary or Treasurer shall submit a request to the National Treasurer requesting reimbursement for pre-2001 Life Members.

f. If the amount credited for National Life Membership exceeds the Annual Camp Dues, the excess amount shall become a part of the general funds of the Camp.

SECTION  5. Dues shall be used for the administrative expenses of the camp only. Funds to support other activities of the camp or donations from the camp shall come from other fundraising activities.

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ARTICLE IX - ARREARAGES

SECTION  1.  No Brother shall be permitted to vote, or take part in the business of the Camp who is in arrears for dues.

SECTION 2.  Any Brother in arrears for dues in the amount of one (1) year shall be dropped from the rolls of the Camp.

SECTION 3.  A dropped member of the Camp may be reinstated in the Order on re-election by the Camp after paying such dues, re-instatement fee, or indebtedness to the Camp as it may prescribe.

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ARTICLE X - VOTING

SECTION  1.  All members in good standing shall be permitted an equal voice and vote on all questions and shall be eligible to hold any office in the Camp.

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ARTICLE XI - NOMINATIONS

SECTION  1.  The election of Officers of the Camp shall be held on the first meeting night of October each year; installation may be held the same night.  The Installing Officer shall be named by the Camp Commander or he shall specify the manner of selecting the Installing Officer.  The Installing Officer must be a member in good standing in our Order.

SECTION  2.  The Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Secretary, Treasurer and the required number of delegates and alternates to the Department Encampment shall be elected for a term of one (1) year in the manner prescribed by the Constitution, Rules and Regulations at the regular meeting in December.

SECTION 3.  There should be three (3) members of Camp Council elected as following­ One (1) for one (1) year, one (1) for two (2) years and one (1) for a period of three (3) years and thereafter each year, one (1) will be elected for a period of three (3) years.

SECTION  4.  No members shall be entitled to vote nor be entitled to nomination or election for office if he is in arrears for his dues.

SECTION  5.  No proxy votes shall be accepted for any office.

SECTION  6.  Any vacancy which may occur for any office shall be filled temporarily by the next officer in rank.  Such vacancy shall be filled permanently by a special election.

SECTION  7. Any officer who misses six (6) consecutive meetings shall vacate his Office.

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ARTICLE XII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION  1.  The Commander shall preside at all meetings of the Camp.  He shall decide all questions of order without debate, subject, however, to an appeal to the Camp.  It shall be his duty to detail all Officers and appoint all committees (of which he shall be a member ex-officio) not otherwise provided for, approve all orders or requisitions made on the Treasurer or Camp Council for appropriations of money, or any property of the Camp, and perform all other duties pertaining to his office.

SECTION 2.  The Senior Vice Commander and the Junior Vice Commander shall assist the Commander.  The Senior Vice Commander shall be responsible for promoting programs promulgated by orders of the Commander.  The Junior Vice Commander shall be responsible for promoting membership and organization under the direction of the Commander.

SECTION 3. The Camp Council shall devise and recommend measures for preserving and increasing the funds of the Camp; shall make its investments, leases and other contracts; secure a place of meeting; and dispose of all disputed accounts between the Treasurer and members of the Camp; examine and pass upon all accounts and bills incurred by any officer or committee of the Camp; examine the books, vouchers and other papers of the different officers, and shall at the end of each quarter, render a complete report showing its transactions and the financial condition of the Camp.

SECTION  4.  The Camp Secretary shall perform all duties pertaining to his office, keep all books of record, shall make duplicate annual reports to the Department Secretary on or

before the 30th day of April upon the forms prescribed by the Order, and furnished by the Department Secretary, showing all gains or losses in membership and the total membership, one copy of which shall be forwarded together with the per capita dues, covering the entire membership, due from the Camp, to the Department Headquarters, the other copy to be placed on file in the Camp. He shall draw all requisitions upon the Treasurer for the expenditure of money, upon the order of the Camp, and submit the same to the Commander for his approval, keeping a book for that purpose

SECTION 5.  The Treasurer shall hold funds of the Camp and have charge of its property not otherwise provided for.  He shall pay out the said funds upon requisition in due form from the Secretary, approved by the Commander; shall keep the accounts between the Camp and its members; shall collect all monies due the Camp, giving in all cases receipts therefore; shall notify all members in arrears; and at the next stated meeting after the close of each month, render to the Camp a detailed account of the transactions of the month and the money balance in his hand.  He shall make a quarterly report to the Department Secretary and shall perform all such other duties as pertain to his Office.