Big Bend Florida

Take a look at some of our members as they looked 15 years ago. I received these photos from Chris Duncan

Welcome to our new members, Jim and Bonnie Lewis who joined at the rally last weekend. Their address, phone numbers and e-mail address are in the “Members” section of the web site.

The following members have new e-mail addresses. These new address may be accessed at the “Members” page on the website

Charlie and Peggy Matthews
Lois Berry
Steve and Merry Berry

The Unit Constitution and By-Laws have been updated as per the changes made at the January 19, 2008 Rally. The changes and the rational are provided for your information.

To: Regular members of the Big Bend Florida Unit
Subject: Proposed changes to the Unit Constitution and By-Laws

The Executive Board met December 3 to discuss the following changes to the Unit Constitution and By-Laws. After discussion, these changes were approved by the Executive Board and are now being presented to the membership for their review and approval. The vote will be taken at the January 19 at the rally being held at the Veterans Memorial State Park. Two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting are required for approval of any changes to the Constitution. The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board.

Proposed change number 1:

The existing Constitution is as follows:
Article IV: Officers and their Election
Section 1: The officers of the Unit shall be Regular members of the Unit and shall consist of:
• President
• First Vice President
• Second Vice President
• Corresponding Secretary
• Recording Secretary
• Treasurer
• Four Trustees

The proposed change is to add the position of Third Vice President and the section would be as follows:

Article IV Officers and Their Election
Section 1: The officers of the Unit shall be regular members of the Unit and shall consist of:
• President
• First Vice President
• Second Vice President
• Third Vice President
• Corresponding Secretary
• Recording Secretary
• Treasurer
• Four Trustees

Rational: Since we now have a Third Vice President (Sheila Skipper), we need to change the Constitution to allow a Third Vice President.

Proposed change number 2:

The existing Constitution is as follows:
Article IV Officers and Their Election
Section 5: In the event of the death or resignation of the President or of the death, advancement or resignation of a Vice President, or an officer’s inability to fulfill the duties of the office, the next ranking Vice President (in the order first, second) shall advance thereto.

The proposed change is to add the Third Vice President to the succession would then be as follows:

Section 5: In the event of the death or resignation of the President of the death, advancement or resignation of a Vice President, or an officer’s inability to fulfill the duties of the office, the next ranking Vice President (in the order first, second, third) shall advance thereto.

Discussion: The Third Vice President would be added to the succession.

Proposed change number 3:

The existing Constitution is as follows:
Article VIII: Amendments
Section 2: Any Article of Section of this Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a business meeting of the Unit or a special meeting called for the purpose, providing in either case, a notice containing the proposed amendment or amendments has been mailed first class to each member of the Unit at least 15 days prior to such a meeting.

The proposed change is to change notification by first class mail to notification by the newsletter, first class mail and via e-mail and would be as follows:

Section 2: Any Article of Section of this Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a business meeting of the Unit or a special meeting called for the purpose, providing in either case, a notice containing the proposed amendment or amendments has been mailed to each member of the Unit at least 15 days prior to such a meeting.

Rational: The designation “first class” has been removed and such notice may be sent either via the newsletter, first class mail, or e-mail. This will facilitate the handling of such correspondence.

The proposed change to the By-Laws would be to add another Section to Article IV: Delegates regarding delegate voting. The Section would be as follows:

Article VI: Delegates
Section 2: A delegate to the annual meeting shall cast the total entitled votes of the constituent unit as determined by a vote of the regular members present and voting at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose, with such vote expressed a percentage of the votes for or against and the results applied to the total entitled regular member vote count of the unit. Except that a delegate may cast the total entitled vote of the constituent unit in whatever manner he determines proper on any matter, which has not been previously determined by a vote of the constituent unit.

Rational: This section provides a method to allow the proportioning of the total Unit’s vote to be the same ratio of those voting for and against the issue. For example if the Unit has 40 regular members and the vote on an issue is 15 for and 10 against, the delegate would cast the Unit’s vote as the same ratio as the vote or in this case 24 for and 16 against. Thus all persons voting would have their vote counted. The second part of the section permits the delegate to vote as they feel proper even though the issue may not have been voted on by the Unit.

We would encourage each member to attend the rally and vote on these changes. If you cannot attend, please give your comments and feedback to a member of the Executive Board.