Article I
NAME

The name of the Association shall be: “International Military Community Executives Association, Incorporated.”

Article II

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The mission of the International Military Community Executives Association is to assist the individual Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program and activity managers in developing techniques and management skills necessary to assure an outstanding military MWR system

1. Education—Assist in improving the educational climate for MWR program managers and expand educational opportunities for its members by promoting and/or sponsoring educational programs and activities.

2. Communications—Act as the vehicle for communications between and among MWR program and activity managers of all Services, and communication between these executives and the various military departments, to the end that group knowledge is developed.

3. Cooperation—Encourage inter-Service cooperation and a pooling of knowledge and efforts on area, regional, national, and international levels. Maintain close coordination with the Services Headquarters Staff and the congressional committees that impact on MWR.

4. Recruitment—Participate in the active recruitment of trained management personnel available for the business side of military MWR.

5. Retention—Assist in the retention of MWR executives in the profession by improving the climate and conditions under which they must operate.

Additional objectives of the Association are: to foster and maintain high standards and ethical practices among military MWR executives; to encourage and maintain a spirit of harmony and cooperation among members of the profession; to encourage a continued improvement in the skills, materials, and resources employed in the profession; to provide a legally constituted medium through which its members may direct and coordinate their collective efforts and ideas; by mutual endeavor, to promote and inspire public esteem by or through dissemination of information and educational programs; to work in coordination with regional and local associations in the interest of the profession; to speak for the military MWR executive profession as a whole on an international level and represent its interest at all times.

Article III

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. Membership Categories.

(a) Regular Member is any person, military or civilian, actively engaged in the management or supervision of military MWR programs and activities and filling a position of Director, Advisor, Manager or Assistant Manager. A Regular Member may also be any person who is assigned to various command levels in the Department of Defense or the Service Departments and who has a close working relationship with the military MWR system. A regular member also includes those who join under the provisions of Position Membership. Due to the variance in titles utilized in the various branches of the Service, eligibility for membership according to the above named positions shall be determined by the position held by the applicant in the MWR management structure.

(b) An Affiliate Member is any person who is classified as an instructor in an educational institution, military or civilian, which educates personnel for positions in military MWR programs and other organizations that are related to the MWR/Services Industry through the work they do and services they provide, but do not qualify as Regular, Position or Associate Members of IMCEA.

(c) An Associate Member is any person engaged in an industry which supplies materials or services to the Military MWR program. The number of Associate Members from any one company may not be limited.

(d) An Inactive Member is any person who has held a position which entitled him to membership as a Regular or Associate Member, but, due to retirement or change in profession, is no longer eligible for membership in any of these categories.

(e) An Honorary Member is any person who is so designated by the Board of Directors for outstanding contribution to the profession or to the military MWR system.

(f) A Professional/Complimentary Member is any person who is designated by the Board of Directors as a partner and affiliate of IMCEA who contributes significantly to enhancing the goals or objectives of this Association as well as those other Organizations that share the vision of this Association.

(g) A Lifetime Member is any person who is qualified in (a), (b) or (d) above and desires to pay a one time fee, to be determined by the Board of Directors, to become a lifetime member rather than pay annual dues.

Section 2. Application for Membership. Application for membership in this Association shall be made in writing on a form provided by the association and shall be accompanied by cash, check, or credit card payment for the first year’s dues.

Section 3. Admission of Members. Application for membership in this Association shall be rendered to the Board of Directors for action. A majority vote of the Board of Directors shall be necessary for the approval of each application for membership. The Board shall be empowered to interpret the intent of these Bylaws on questions of eligibility for membership under the various classifications for membership specified in Section 1 of Article III of these Bylaws.  This responsibility may be delegated the Association’s Executive Director.

Section 4. Participation. All categories of membership are entitled to attend all meetings of the Association and participate in all activities.

Section 5. Voting. Voting is restricted to Regular Members, Position Members, Honorary Members (only those currently in an active MWR position), and Lifetime Members (only those currently in an active MWR positions) of the Association. Associate members shall be entitled to one (1) vote for the entire group on any manner brought before the general membership and shall vote as a group. The one vote shall be cast by the Associate Council Chairman who has been elected by the Associate Members and approved by the Board of Directors to fill a three-year term on the Board of Directors. 

Section 6. Removal. Any member shall be liable to expulsion or suspension for good cause shown, on a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, such cause or causes to be noted in the minutes of the meeting.

Section 7. Reinstatement. The Board of Directors shall have the power of reinstating a member who has previously been expelled upon such terms and conditions as, in its discretion; it shall deem just and proper and said terms and conditions shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting.

Article IV

ORGANIZATION – STRUCTURE

Section 1. Organization. To achieve the objectives of the Association, the Board of Directors may at its discretion establish organizational units such as boards, councils, sections, or divisions to serve special interests of the military MWR management profession, including special units to serve staff specialists employed by Regular members.

By virtue of membership, members of units established for military MWR management staff specialists shall not have voting privileges in IMCEA. However, members of such units may have a vote in the affairs of that unit subject to overall Board of Directors control. Established units for military MWR management staff specialists may be represented on the Board of Directors by the Chairman of such units appointed for a term of one year by the President.

The Board of Directors shall exercise authority over all organizational units, including qualification for membership (unless these are otherwise stated in these bylaws), policies, services, programs and budgets.

Section 2. Chapters and Affiliate Organizations.

For the mutual benefit all, for the advancement of military, MWR management and in order to further the objectives of the IMCEA, the Board of Directors may charter groups of military MWR executives on a geographical or counterpart basis as Chapters and Affiliate Organizations of the Association. The Board of Directors shall have the power to establish such terms and conditions of Chapters and Affiliate Organizations, as it considers desirable.

Article V

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Section 1. Establishment of Dues. Dues and admission fees, if any, for all classes of membership shall be established by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Delinquency and Cancellation. Any member of the Association who shall be delinquent in dues for a period of ninety (90) days from the time dues become due shall be notified of such delinquency and suspended from further services. If payment not made within the next succeeding thirty (30) days, the delinquent member shall be dropped from the rolls and thereupon forfeit all right and privileges of membership, useless such suspension, at the request of the member, is waived by affirmative action of the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Refunds. Under normal conditions, no dues shall be refunded to any member whose membership expires for any reason. Requests for exception to policy will be reviewed by the Board of Directors for decision. In the event the Board of Directors waives this provision by affirmative action, only that unused portion of the dues will be refunded, based on the date of the request.

Article VI

OFFICERS

Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of this Association shall consist of a President, President-Elect, First Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer.

(a) The President. The President shall serve as Chairman of both the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He shall also serve as a member, ex-officer, with right to vote on all committees, except the Nominating Committee. He shall make all required appointments of standing and special committees and other appointments.

At the Annual Meeting of the Association and at such other times as he shall deem proper, the President shall communicate to members such manners and make such suggestions as may, in his opinion, tend to promote the welfare and increase the usefulness of the Association. He shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of President or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

In the event that the President becomes disassociated from MWR management during his term of office, the Board of Directors may meet to determine the eligibility of the President to continue in office. In the event that the Board determines that, for the good of the Association, the President should not complete his term of office, the Board may appoint the President-Elect to fill the unexpired term.

(b) The President-Elect. The President-Elect shall succeed to the office of President upon the expiration of the term of the President. The President-Elect shall act in the place and stead of the President in the latter’s absence or upon his request. In the event that the President-Elect becomes disassociated from MWR management during his term of office, the Board of Directors may meet to determine the eligibility of the President-Elect to continue in office. In the event that the Board determines that, for the good of the Association, the President- Elect should not complete his term of office, the Board may appoint the 1st Vice President to fill the unexpired term of office.

(c) The First Vice President. In the event that the President-Elect is unable to substitute for the President, the President shall appoint the First Vice President to serve for him. The First Vice President shall perform such other duties as are directed by the President.

(d) The Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain a correct record of the proceedings of the meeting of the general membership, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. He or she shall supervise the maintenance of all records of the Association. Further, he or she shall supervise the financial affairs of the Association and insure the proper maintenance of all financial records. Such duties of the Secretary-Treasurer as may be specified by the Board of Directors may be delegated to the Executive Director or a designated member of his staff.

Section 2. Qualifications for Office. To be eligible for election as an Officer of this association, a candidate must be a Member of the Association and have served on the IMCEA Board of Directors for one full term or must have gained equivalent experience prior to nomination.

Section 3. Term of Office. The Officers of this Association shall be elected for a term of one year except when an Annual Business Meeting falls on a date in excess of one year. Officers shall remain in office and carry out their assigned duties until replacements are elected and installed.

Section 4. Re-Election. No elected Officer having served one full term shall be eligible for re-election to the same office until at least one year shall have elapsed.

Article VII

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Authority and Responsibility. The administration of the affairs of the Association is vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the Association, its committees and publications; shall determine its policies or changes therein, shall actively prosecute its objectives and supervise the disbursement of its funds. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of the powers granted, delegate certain of its authority and responsibility to the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Composition. The Board shall consist of the officers of the Association, at least five (5) but not more than fifteen (15) other individuals elected from the general membership, the Immediate Past President, the Associate Council Chairman and Presidents of the Affiliate Chapters. There shall be at least one (1) director from each of the Services — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Branches of the service whose membership

exceeds fifty (50) on January 1 of the calendar year preceding the annual conference, will be awarded one (1) additional director position for each additional increment of fifty (50) members, or portion thereof, not to exceed a total of three (3) director positions for any given branch of

Service. To be eligible for election as a director of this Association, a candidate must be a Member of the Association and have the Certified Military Community Executive (CMCE) designation. If the Member is not a CMCE, they must initiate or complete the requirements within 18 months of service to be eligible to remain a Board Member.

Section 3. Term of Office. Directors shall be elected for three-year over-lapping terms when ever possible. That is to say, one or two Directors from each Service shall go out of office and one or two new Directors elected from each Service with each Annual Election.

Section 4. Vacancies and Removal. In the event of the resignation or death of a Director, the Board of Directors shall designate someone from among the Regular Members at large to fill the unexpired term of office.

Section 5. Voting.

Voting rights of a Director may be delegated to another and exercised by proxy.

Section 6. Voting by Mail. Action taken by a mail, email or fax ballot of the members of the Board of Directors, in which at least a majority of such Directors, in writing, indicate themselves in agreement, shall constitute a valid action of the Board if reported at the next regular meeting of such Board.

Section 7. Absence. Any elected officer or director who shall have been absent from two (2) consecutive regular meetings of the Board of Directors during a single administrative year shall automatically vacate the seat on the Board of Directors and the vacancy shall be filled as

provided by these Bylaws; however, the Board of Directors shall consider each absence of an elected officer or director as a separate circumstance and may expressly waive such absence by affirmative vote of a majority of its members.

Section 8. Meetings of the Board. The Board of Directors shall meet at least once every year, normally in conjunction with the IMCEA Conference. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or upon, written request of twenty-five (25) percent of the members of the Board. At any meeting of the Board, ten (10) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Each member shall be entitled to one vote; a majority of the votes cast shall decide the questions before the Board.

Section 9. Compensation.

Directed and elected officers shall not receive any compensation for their services.

Article VIII

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section I. Authority and Responsibility. The Executive Committee may act in one place and stead of the Board of Directors between Board meetings on all manners, except those specifically reserved to the Board by these Bylaws, pursuant to delegation of authority to such Committee by the Board of Directors. Actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Board by mail, email or fax or at the next Board meeting.

Section 2. Composition. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Association, Immediate Past President, the Associate Council Chairman.

Section 3. Meetings. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be at the call of the President or by him upon written request of five (5) members of the Committee. The time and place of such meetings shall be designated by the President. Five (5) members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Business.

Article IX

ELECTIONS

Section 1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee of the Association shall consist of the Immediate Past President as Chairman of the committee plus four other members appointed by the President, and approved by the Board of Directors. At least two (2) of the members appointed by the President shall not be an officer or director. There shall be at least one (1) but not more than two (2) representatives from each of the three (3) major Services, including the Past-President. Additional members may be added to the committee from both the Marine Corps and Coast Guard at such time as, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, participation in the Association by these two Services warrants such addition.

Section 2. Nominations. The Nominating Committee shall select one candidate for each office. Ninety (90) days prior to the Annual Business Meeting, the Nominating Committee shall supply the secretary with a list of the names of members it recommends as candidates for election as officers and directors. The Committee will assure the eligibility of the nominees and shall obtain the consent of the nominees before submitting their names as candidates.

Section 3. Additional Nominations from the Membership. Notice that the Nominating Committee will convene for the purpose of selecting a slate of officers will be provided the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to such meeting. Any group of at least ten- percent (10%) of the Regular Members, on written petition to the Secretary, may nominate candidates for Officers and Directors and have the names of such nominees added to the official ballot of the Association. Petitions must be received by the Secretary prior to the meeting of the Nominating Committee. If the Nominating Committee slate of Officers and Directors does not include persons nominated by petition, those names shall be added to the ballot if such nominees meet qualification to hold office.

Section 4. Ballots. No less than fifty (50) days prior to the Annual Business Meeting, a ballot will be mailed to each member of the Association who is eligible to vote in the election. The ballot will contain those names submitted by the Nominating Committee plus any additions to the nominations submitted in accordance with Section 3 of this Article.

Section 5. Return of Ballots. Ballots must be returned to the Headquarters of the Association no later than thirty (30) days after being mailed to the Membership. Ballots returned after this time shall not be counted.

Section 6. Elections. Candidates receiving the highest number of votes for each office shall be elected. If, however, no nominations are made by petition, the Secretary shall cast a unanimous ballot for the candidate of the Nominating Committee.

Section 7. Announcement of Results. Officers and Directors selected through the election will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Duly elected Officers and Directors will assume office at the end of the Annual Business Meeting.

Article X

STANDING COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS

Section 1. Standing Committees. There shall be no additional standing committees appointed.

Section 2. Additional Committee Appointments. The Board of Directors may appoint, as deemed necessary, additional committees. Examples include: Annual Conference Committee, Awards Committee, Certification Committee, Educational Committee, Finance Committee, Government Affairs Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, and Membership Committee.

Section 3. Councils. There shall be appointed the following councils: (a) Associate Council

(b) Past Presidents Advisory Council.

ARTICLE XI

EXECUTIVE AND STAFF

Section 1. Appointment. The Board shall employ a salaried staff head who shall have the title of Executive Director and whose term and conditions of employment shall be specified by the Board.

Section 2. Authority and Responsibilities. The Executive Director shall be the chief executive of the Association responsible for all management functions. He shall manage and direct all activities of the Association as prescribed by the Board of Directors and shall be responsible to the Board. He shall employ and may terminate the employment of members of the Staff necessary to carry on the work of the Association and fix their compensation within the approved budget. As Executive Director he shall define the duties of the staff, supervise their performance, establish their titles, and delegate those responsibilities of management as shall in his judgment be in the best interest of the Association. Employment shall be specified by the Board.

Article XII

FINANCE

Section 1. Budget. An annual operating budget covering all financial activities of the Association will be prepared by the Executive Director in advance of the next fiscal period and submitted for review by the Board of Directors not later than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the next fiscal period.

Section 2. Audit. The accounts of the Association shall be audited upon the change of Executive Directors and at other times as determined by the Board. The audit will be accomplished by a Certified Public Accountant who shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board and who shall provide a report to the Board of Directors. The annual Federal Tax Report prepared by a CPA can serve as one audit document. Other audits may be preformed by a member of the Board of Directors appointed for that purpose by the Board of Directors.

Article XIII

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended or repealed at any stated or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of two thirds of the members present and voting at such meeting. Amendments may be proposed by the Board of Directors on its own initiative, or upon petition of any twenty-five (25) Regular Members of the Association addressed to the Board. 

Article XIV

PARLIAMENTARY RULES

The Proceedings of the Association, Directors’ Meetings, and Executive Committee Meetings shall be governed by and conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article XV

DISSOLUTION

The Association shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these Bylaws and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the members of the Association. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, any funds shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified charitable, educational, scientific or philanthropic organizations to be selected by the Board of Directors.