Note 1:
From the Webmaster   ----   The 2002 PA copy by R. Baker that was previously posted was a duplicate of this document (below) from Nat'l Sec T. Conlon. Thus it has been removed by direction of the Nat'l Cdr. and the C&B Chairman."

Note 2:
From the Nat'l Cdr.   ----   "What is posted here does not recommend against voting on the issue. It simply recommends against placing the PA on the ballot, something the C&B committee can do."

THIS YEAR’S PA’S
PROPOSED USSVI CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS AMENDMENTS FOR 2002

Listed below are the ballot issues that we will vote on in this year’s
National Ballot. We will vote on eight (8) Constitution changes and eight (8) Bylaws changes.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION AMENDMENTS

CONSTITUTION 1 (C1/02)

Article III -- PURPOSE -- SECTION 1: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

AS READS: Section 1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. To perpetuate the memory
of our Shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while
serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice
be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge
loyalty and patriotism to the United States Government.

AMEND TO READ:

(C1A) Section 1 (Last sentence) Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the
United States Government.

OR

(C1B) Section 1. (Last sentence) Eliminate the last sentence altogether.

OR

(C1C) Section 1. (Last sentence) I pledge loyalty and patriotism to
the United States of America and its’ Constitution.

CHOOSE ONLY ONE!

INTENT OF AUTHORS: It is obvious that there is controversy over the
correct wording, therefore ballot will be written so as to indicate a choice
of one sentence or the other (or to eliminate the sentence).

COST TO IMPLEMENT: There are printed materials that include the ‘Creed.’
They will need to be replaced. This includes finalized materials already
in the hands of members such as Holland Club Cards, etc.

CHOOSE ONLY ONE!

C&B Committee recommends AGAINST placing this PA on the Ballot.

CONSTITUTION 2 (C2/02)

Article VII -- MEMBERSHIP-- SECTION 1 G.(new subparagraph)

AMEND TO READ: Section G. To avoid conflicts of interest, Base Officers
must be a primary member of the Base that they serve.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: Base Officers are involved in ballot counting and
other duties that demand unquestionable integrity.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

CONSTITUTION 3 (C3/02)

Article VII -- MEMBERSHIP -- SECTION 5 -- HOLLAND CLUB-- PARA. A.

AS READS: HOLLAND CLUB -- A. Any member who has been designated "Qualified
in Submarines" for over fifty (50) years and who is either (a) a National
Life Member and in good standing for a minimum of one year, or (b) an annual
member in good standing for five consecutive years may elect to become
a member of the "Holland Club" within the organization.

AMEND TO READ: Any member who has been designated "Qualified in Submarines"
for over fifty (50) years and who is either (a) regular member of US Submarine
Veterans of WW II and a USSVI National Life Member for 30 days, or a Regular
Member of the Submarine Veterans of WW II and an annual member in good
standing for one year, (b) a National Life Member and in good standing
for a minimum of one year, or (c) an annual member in good standing for
five consecutive years may elect to become a member of the "Holland Club"
within the organization.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: The youngest qualifying member of the regular membership
of the US Submarine Veterans of WW II is in their seventh decade and their
expected lifetime is coming to the end: the minimum term of one year of
USSVI membership for LIFE members is changed to 30 days and the minimum
term for Regular USSVI membership is shortened from five years to one year
to allow the largest possible number of this group of submarine veterans
to enter into, participate in and be recognized and honored by inclusion
into the Holland Club.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: Insignificant

C&B Committee recommends AGAINST placing this PA on the Ballot.

CONSTITUTION 4 (C4/02)

Article VII -- MEMBERSHIP--SECTION 6 -- ASSOCIATE MEMBERS-- PARA. H.

AS READS: Associate Members may vote on Base matters (if permitted by
Base Bylaws) and may not hold elective Base office.

AMEND TO READ: Associate Members may vote on Base matters (if permitted
by Base Bylaws) and may hold the elective Base offices of Secretary and/or
Treasurer (if permitted by Base Bylaws).

INTENT OF AUTHORS: To PERMIT a Base to utilize the talents of an Associate
Member in the Base. A professional secretary who wants to volunteer for
Base Secretary, for example, should not be precluded by the Constitution.
The US Submarine Veterans of WW II Chapters would have shut down long ago
but for their Associate (e.g. USSVI) Members holding local office. A small
Base especially may need the service of an Associate Member.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

CONSTITUTION 5 (C5/02)

Article XI -- OFFICERS--SECTION 1A

AS READS: Nationally elected officers of the organization will be: President
(National Commander), 1st Vice President (National Senior Vice Commander),
2nd Vice President (National Junior Vice Commander), National Secretary
and National Treasurer.

AMEND TO READ: Nationally elected officers of the organization will
be: National Commander, National Senior Vice Commander, National Junior
Vice Commander, National Secretary and National Treasurer.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: The terms President, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice
President are redundant and archaic.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

RIPPLE EFFECT: Should this Amendment be approved by ballot, the following
appropriate corrections will be made to these documents: Constitution Article
VII Section 5D

Constitution Article XI Section 1D

Constitution Article XVI Section 3

Bylaws Article V Section 1

Bylaws Article V Section 2

Bylaws Article V Section 3

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot

CONSTITUTION 6 (C6/02)

Article XI -- OFFICERS-- SECTION 1B

AS READS: The prerequisite for National Office is that the Nominee must
be a Regular or Life Member in good standing a minimum of thirty consecutive months.

AMEND TO READ: The prerequisite for National Office is that a Nominee
must be a Regular or Life Member in good standing a minimum of thirty
consecutive months.

Nominees for Junior Vice Commander must have completed at least two
years as a Member of the Board of Directors.

Nominees for Senior Vice Commander must have completed at least two
years as a voting Member of the Board of Directors.

Nominees for National Commander must have completed at least one year
as Senior Vice Commander or Junior Vice Commander

INTENT OF AUTHOR: Familiarization with our Constitution and Bylaws,
along with the Board of Directors operations necessitates time and experience
at the various positions. In (1) above the following could qualify as eligible:
District Commander, Regional Commander, National Secretary and National
Treasurer. In (2) above the following could qualify as eligible: Regional
Director, National Secretary, National Treasurer and Junior Vice Commander.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

CONSTITUTION 7 (C7/02)

Article XII -- MEETINGS-SECTION 1, PARA. B.

AS READS: Should there be multiple bids, a vote will be conducted on
the floor of the Annual Business Meeting, to determine the host Base, the
date and the location.

AMEND TO READ: Should there be multiple bids, a vote will be conducted
on the floor of the Annual Business Meeting, to determine the host Base,
the date and the location. Host Base may use professional convention planners
if they desire.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: To insure that bases with smaller memberships have
an opportunity to host a convention and provide them with the same opportunity
as the Board of Directors as set forth in Article XII, Sect 1, Para C.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

RIPPLE EFFECT: Constitution Article XII, Sect 1, Para. A. Changes bidding
from two years to three years.

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

CONSTITUTION 8 (C8/02)

Article XII -- MEETINGS- SECTION 1, PARA. A.

AS READS: Bases desiring to host a National Convention must place their
bid, in the form of a written proposal, at least two years prior to the
National Convention they wish to host.

AMEND TO READ: Bases desiring to host a National Convention must place
their bid, in the form of a written proposal, at least three years prior
to the National Convention they wish to host, for adequate planning. The
written proposal must be submitted to the Board of Directors, via the National
Senior Vice Commander thirty days prior to the Base’s presentation to the
membership.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: To establish a set of guidelines and ground rules
for bidding on the USSVI National Convention.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

RIPPLE EFFECT: C Art XII, Sect 1, Para. D would be negated by passage
of this amendment.

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

BYLAWS 1(B1/02)

Article I -- BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING--Section 1

AS READS: Section 1. The Annual Board of Directors meeting and Special
Meetings of the Board of Directors will be chaired by the senior National Officer present.

AMEND TO READ: Section 1.The Annual Board of Directors meeting and Special
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall conduct and consider any such
organizational business as shall come before them.

The Board of Directors shall meet a minimum of three (3) times during
the organizational year.

The meetings will be held:

Immediately following the Annual Business Meeting.

At a time approximately midway through the organizational year.

During the week immediately preceding the Annual Business Meeting.

The senior National Officer present shall preside over the Board of
Directors meetings and Special Meetings of the Board of Directors.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: Adopting this proposal would mandate that the Board
of Directors meet at least three times per year to conduct USSVI business.
If there is sufficient additional organizational business, the National
Commander may call additional meetings as deemed necessary.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: The National budget allocates approximately $10,000
per year for Officers travel to the Annual Business Meeting and the Mid-term
Meeting. This cost can vary, depending on the meeting location, travel and lodging

RIPPLE EFFECT: Delete Article IV Section 4

The C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

BYLAWS 2 (B2/02)

Article V -- DUTIES OF OFFICERS-- Section 3

AMEND TO READ: New subparagraph F.

Section 3 F. Be responsible for the direction and control of the National
Office.

**(Re-letter succeeding subparagraphs to G and H)

INTENT OF AUTHOR: Assigns responsibility of our National Office, presently
in Silverdale, Washington to the Junior Vice Commander.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

BYLAWS 3 (B3/02)

Article V -- DUTIES OF OFFICERS -- SECTION 7-DISTRICT COMMANDERS

AMEND TO READ: Article V Section 7H (new subparagraph)

H. Serve as members of the Awards Committee, as outlined in Article VI Section 15.

** Re-letter the succeeding subparagraph to the letter "I"

INTENT OF AUTHOR: Updates the listing of District Commanders duties.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

BYLAWS 4 (B4/02)

Article V -- DUTIES OF OFFICERS-SECTION 7

AS READS: Section 7 DISTRICT COMMANDERS:

The duties of the District Commanders shall include but not be limited to:

Assist the Base Commanders within their respective districts in the
performance of their duties.

Appoint all committees, committee chairmen and appointed officers as
required to conduct District business.

Represent his District at official functions.

Oversee the performance of all Base Commanders within his District.

Approve Base Bylaws, insuring compliance with National and State laws
regulating the operation of the organizations within his District (i.e.
chartering, maintaining non-profit status, etc.).

Provide assistance as requested by the Base Development Chairman.

Serve as members of the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity but
without voting privileges.

Prepare a "Turn Over" folder for his relief, containing all information
and correspondence relative to his office.

AMEND TO READ: Section 7 DISTRICT COMMANDERS:

The District Commander reports to the Regional Director. The duties
of the District Commander shall include but not be limited to:

Assist the Base Commanders within their respective district in the performance
of their duties, to include providing assistance as required to insure
the proper operation of base meetings and events, recruiting and retention.

Appoint all District committees, committee chairmen and appointed officers.

Represent his respective District at all official functions.

Assist the Regional Director with the oversight of the performance of
all Base Commanders within his district; the performance guidelines having
been established by the Regional Director.

Approve Base bylaws, insuring compliance with National and State laws
regulating the operation of the organization within his district (i.e.
chartering, maintaining non-profit status, etc.)

Actively promote the establishment of new bases with the assistance
of the Base Development Committee.

Perform liaison with other veteran organizations including SVWW II in
their respective areas.

Annually prepare a written report on the ‘state of his district’ to
be given to his Regional Director with copies for publication in each of
the District’s Base Newsletters.

Serve as members of the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity without
voting privileges.

Prepare a "Turn Over" folder for his relief containing all information
relative to his office.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: To increase the value of the position of District
Commander to the Bases within the District and to USSVI as a whole.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: Insignificant.

C&B Committee recommends AGAINST placing this PA on the Ballot.

BYLAWS 5 (B5/02)

Article VI –COMMITTEES- (New Section 16)

AMEND TO READ: Section 16-CONVENTION COMMITTEE

A. The Convention Committee shall be a standing committee. The committee
chairman shall be by the National Commander, with additional committee
members appointed as necessary.

The duties of the Convention Committee shall be to promulgate and disseminate
guidelines for preparing proposals when a Base is planning to bid on the
National Convention. The Convention Committee shall make themselves available
to any Base seeking assistance or information on hosting the National Convention.

A written proposal to the National Senior Vice Commander must contain,
but is not limited to, the following information:

The location city of the proposed National Convention.

The name of the host hotel.

The host hotel guaranteed room rate and the current tax rate.

The date the host hotel will start accepting reservations.

The number of rooms in hotel for handicapped guests.

The availability of airport shuttles, indicate cost or no cost.

Where convention headquarters and meeting(s) will be held, if other
than the host hotel.

Approximate range of banquet tickets.

RV Parks in the area with approximate distances from the host hotel.

Points of interest in the area.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: To publish the guidelines and ground rules as set
forth in Proposed Amendment to Constitution Article XII, Section 1 A.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

The C&B Committee recommends placing this PA on the Ballot.

BYLAWS 6 (B6/02)

Article VI-COMMITTEES-Section 11. BASE DEVELOPMENT

AS READS: A. The Base Development Committee shall be a Standing Committee.
The Committee Chairman shall be appointed by the National Commander, with
additional committee members appointed as necessary.

AMEND TO READ: A. The Base Development Committee shall be a standing
committee. The Committee Chairman shall be appointed by the National Commander.
The Committee shall include all District Commanders; with additional committee
members appointed as necessary.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: To make District Commanders members of the Base Development
Committee.

RIPPLE EFFECT: Article V Section 7.F.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

The C&B Committee recommends AGAINST placing this PA on the Ballot.

BYLAWS 7 (B7/02)

Article VI COMMITTEES (New Section 16 or 17)

AMEND TO READ: BASE COMMANDERS

The Base Commanders Group (BCG) is a Standing Committee. The purpose
of the BCG is to (1) share information helpful to the daily operation of
the Bases, (2) consider and debate issues of concern to the organization
as a whole, and (3) report recommendations to the Board of Directors via
the National Commander. The BCG is an advisory group to the USSVI Board
of Directors. Any member who is currently serving as a USSVI Base Commander
is automatically a member of the BCG. All National Officers. National Committee
Chairmen and Past Base Commanders are invited to participate as non-voting
members. Members of the BCG will annually select (1) a Chairman who will
represent them directly to the organization’s National Commander; (2) a
Moderator for the BCG-BBS; and (3) a BCG Secretary. The method of communication
for the BCG may include (but will not be limited to) a BCG newsletter distributed
via the Internet POC network and an Internet Forum (BCG-BBS).

INTENT OF AUTHOR: It is in the interest of USSVI that the operation
of the Base Commanders Group (BCG) be encouraged as it contains the most
interested and future leaders of the organization as a whole. This group
also has the collective experience and local contacts to know what needs
to be done to improve the organization. To formally recognize the existence
of the group and define their advisory role to the Board of Directors through
the office of the National Commander.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: Insignificant

RIPPLE: None, other than correct Section numbering.

The C&B Committee recommends AGAINST placing this PA on the Ballot.

BYLAWS 8 (B8/02)

Article VII Section 3. NATIONAL BALLOT

AS READS:

During the sixty days (60) immediately preceding the Annual Business
Meeting and in time to permit at least thirty days (30) for the members
to cast and return their ballots, ballot forms and envelopes, as hereafter
prescribed, shall be mailed by the National Secretary to each member in
good standing to his last known address.

The ballots shall be printed or typed and shall contain:

The Names, in alphabetical order, of all qualified candidates for each
Nationally Elected Office and one additional blank line for a write in
vote for each office, with a clearly defined space opposite each name and
the write in line for a member to indicate his choice.

AMEND TO READ:

During the sixty (60) days immediately preceding the Annual Business
Meeting and in time to permit at least thirty (30) days for each member
to cast and return their ballots in a manner as directed by the National
Secretary, who shall have conveyed to each member in good standing a national
electoral ballot.

The Ballot shall, at minimum, contain the following information:

The Names, in alphabetical order, of all qualified candidates for each
Nationally Elected Office and one additional blank line for each office
with a clearly defined space opposite each name and the write in line for
the member to indicate his choice.

INTENT OF AUTHOR:

Under the current system the National Secretary is directed to direct-mail
to each eligible member in good standing a National Ballot even if there
is a less expensive way and equally effective way to do so. There are alternative
methods to provide ballots to members that may be more cost effective,
and even better methods may present themselves in the future. This amendment
allows the National Secretary flexibility in choosing the method(s) of
delivery and collection and provides for an opportunity to better control
the costs of administering the national election.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: It is anticipated that implementation of this Proposed
Amendment will save money.

RIPPLE EFFECT: None

The C&B Committee recommends AGAINST placing this PA on the Ballot.

SAMPLE OF ONE OF THE PA’S FROM LAST YEAR

January 3, 2001

Andrew Sorbie

Chairman, Constitution and Bylaws Committee

SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment to USSV Constitution

ARTICLE VII Section 5 (Holland Club)

AMEND TO READ: Article VII Section 5 E, F and G (new paragraphs)

Base Commanders will periodically review their Membership and notify
the Membership Chairman and the Holland Club Commander, as Members approach
the eligibility requirements.

The Membership Chairman will periodically review the Members-at-Large
for eligibility and initiate the admission process as Members become
eligible, including a notification to the Holland Club Commander.

The Holland Club Commander will notify the Editor of all new Holland
Club members for proper recognition in the American Submariner.

INTENT OF AUTHOR: Assigns responsibility to the Base Commanders and
the Membership Chairman instead of it being the members responsibility
to initiate the admission process as Members become eligible for the Holland Club.

COST TO IMPLEMENT: None

AUTHOR: John J. Carcioppolo (Groton Base)

Revised by C & B Committee 4/14/01 (ID # C2)