Constitution

This Constitution is adopted to preserve and promote the esprit de corps and interests of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment Association; its soldiers of the past, present and future; and of its associated members.

Article I

Identification, Insignia, and Term

Section 1. Identification

a. The Association shall be identified as "The 17th Field Artillery Regiment Association" and shall be referred to hereinafter as the "Association" in the Constitution and By-laws of the Association.

b. The active duty element(s) of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment shall be referred to hereinafter as "The Regiment" in the Constitution and By-laws.

Section 2. Insignia

The insignia of the Association will be the distinctive unit insignia of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment superimposed on the Field Artillery insignia of crossed cannons with the motto of "In time of peace prepare for war" printed in bold typeface.

Section 3. Terms of Existence

The Association shall have perpetual existence.

Article II

Purpose and Objectives

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of the Association is to establish and maintain a fraternal, nonprofit corporation to bring together those who have served honorably with or who are now serving in the Regiment. The Association is dedicated to basic, traditional American principals of love of country, respect for the flag, and law and order.

Section 2. Objectives

a. Honor those comrades who have served honorably, particularly those who have sacrificed their lives while serving with the Regiment.

b. Preserve and strengthen the comradeship’s formed while serving with the Regiment by publishing an Association newsletter, maintaining and distributing rosters of past members of the Regiment and Association, conducting reunions, presenting various awards and other appropriate means.

c. Gather historical materials relating to the Regiment in order to publicize, and preserve the memory of the common and valorous deeds and actions of the Regiment, its soldiers and its organic and attached elements. Compile a formal written history, assemble displays of memorabilia, and accumulate and preserve for posterity other materials associated with the Regiment.

d. Foster and maintain comradeship among all members of the Association.

e. Maintain contact with and provide unstinting support for the Regiment and its personnel. Assist, to the extent possible, in the professional development of the Regiment’s soldiers and student officers concerning their heritage as Field Artillery-men and the traditions of their predecessors.

Article III

Activities

Section 1. General Orientation

a. The Association shall be nonpolitical, nonpartisan, and nonsectarian with respect to all political and religious issues except as specified in Article II.

b. The Association shall not sanction any political or religious activities of members nor allow members to claim Association advocacy or support while participating in such activities except as specified in Article II.

Section 2. Revenue Generating Activities

a. The Association shall issue no capital stock and shall not be operated for the purpose of making a profit. The generation of revenues shall be solely for the support of Association objectives. The Association shall not declare nor distribute dividends to members.

b. No member shall be permitted to derive personal financial gain either directly or indirectly from any activities conducted by, or in the name of, the Association.

Article IV

Membership

The Association’s By-laws shall prescribe the persons eligible for membership in the Association, classes of membership, circumstances for exclusion or expulsion from membership, and related matters.

Article V

Authority, Organization, Responsibilities, and Powers

Section 1. General Authority

The ultimate authority for all matters relating to the Association rests with the membership. This Constitution will outline, and the By-laws delineate, specific limited authority and powers which are delegated to various Association officers. However, in the absence of such specific delegation, the authority remains solely with the voting membership.

Section 2. Organization

a. The Association will be governed by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the "Board," and which will be elected by the voting membership through procedures specified in the By-laws.

b. The Board shall be composed of the following elected association officers: President, First Vice-president, Second vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, and most recent Past President.

c. The Board shall be chaired by the association President unless at least four other elected officers vote for an alternate member of the Board to preside over the Board’s decision-making process.

d. The Board shall appoint additional officers or members in such capacities as provided in the By-laws to assist in the conduct of Association business

Section 3. Responsibilities and Powers

a. The By-laws shall set forth the responsibilities and powers vested in each Board of Directors Officer.

b. The By-laws shall specify the manner of the Officers’ election, term of office, succession, and related matters.

c. The By-laws shall prescribe the appropriate procedures for all other matters, not inconsistent with the Association’s constitution, which, in the view of the Board of Directors, may be necessary and proper to achieve the purpose and objectives of the Association.

Article VI

Financial Administration

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year for the Association shall be established and noted in the By-laws.

Section 2. Operating Funds

Operating funds for the Association shall be generated by the assessment of annual membership dues and other fund raising efforts. Dues shall be set in an amount recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the voting membership in a general membership meeting. No fund raising effort in the name of the Association may be undertaken without the approval and consent of the Board.

Section 3. Association Property

Acquisition, maintenance, and disposition of property by the association shall be accomplished in a manner prescribed and approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Indebtedness

The Association shall not enter into any manner of deficit financing of operations nor commit to any form of indebtedness.

Article VII

General Membership Meetings

Section 1. Scheduling and Announcement

Because the ultimate authority of the association rests with the voting membership, a general membership meeting shall be called each year and shall be held in conjunction with the reunion. The date, time, and place of the general membership meeting, business meeting, and reunion shall be announced well in advance to the Association members. Measures to accomplish this objective shall be stated in the By-laws.

Section 2. Purpose

The general membership meeting shall be used to determine and decide all matters not specifically delegated to the Board of Directors; all matters reserved to the general membership in the Constitution and By-laws; and such other matters of importance to the membership as are placed before it by the Board.

Section 3. Business Agenda

The manner for submitting business matters for consideration of the general membership shall be prescribed in the By-laws.

Article VIII

Amendments

Section 1. General

The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the voting members at a general membership meeting provided a quorum of ten percent (10%) of the total voting membership of the Association is present or has cast votes through written proxy.

Section 2. Procedure

Unless originating with the Board, all proposed amendments must first be submitted to the Board of Directors by written petition of at least five percent (05%) of the voting membership of the association and in compliance with procedures outlined in the By-laws.

Article IX

Auxiliary

The Association recognizes the 17th Field Artillery Regiment association Women’s Auxiliary and its important role as co-sponsor of the association’s objectives. The association shall provide all feasible and practical support to the Auxiliary, its interests, and its members.

ACCEPTANCE

The Constitution of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment association having been duly approved by the majority of voting members as herein described, we attest to its acceptance by the membership and our pledge as Association Officers to uphold and abide by its provisions.

The original document contains the printed names, signature and date signed by the following Persons.

Webster Cole

Neal Fouts

Paul Fusco

Rodivico Guerrero

Avery W. Hall

Donnie Hays

Norman R. Jones

John J. Picciolo

Albert M. Ryan

Rich Siebe

Mckinley Smith

Thomas Vernor

Terry Wallace