Gabriel Chapter Bylaws

Updated 17 July 2023 – rewritten to include the U.S. Space Force

ARTICLE I (Name)

The official name of this Chapter shall be the General Charles A. Gabriel Chapter of the Virginia State Air & Space Forces Association. It may also be referred to as the Gabriel Chapter.

ARTICLE (Objectives)

Our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support our Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect our enduring Heritage.

To accomplish this, we:

EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unrivaled aerospace power and promote aerospace and STEM education for a technically superior and professional workforce to ensure national security;

ADVOCATE and promote aerospace power to favorably shape policy and resourcing decisions to guarantee the strongest aerospace forces in the world.

SUPPORT Airman, Guardians, and the Families of the Total Air Force and Space Force, including Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, civilians, families, and members of the Civil Air Patrol.

ARTICLE III (Limits)

The Chapter shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles, or for the promotion of candidacy of any person seeking office or preferment, or for any other personal or commercial gain.

The Chapter shall operate exclusively for the purposes specified in Air & Space Forces Association’s Articles of Incorporation, and shall carry on only those activities permitted to be carried on by an organization 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.

Upon dissolution of the Chapter, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE IV (Membership)

Section 1. Eligibility. A member of the Air & Space Forces Association shall be deemed to be a member of the Gabriel Chapter if they shall either have filed an application for such membership with this Chapter, are assigned to this Chapter through automatic affiliation from National, or shall have paid their AFA dues through, or credited the same to this Chapter. Members in good standing may transfer their affiliation to any AFA Chapter; however, members can only be a member of one chapter at a time. No person may joint the Chapter without first being a member of the Air & Space Forces Association.

[[Section 2. Community Partners. A company or business that wishes to support the aims of the Air Force Association for greater community understanding of the need for aerospace power in the defense of the nation may apply for affiliation with the Air Force Association and the Steele Chapter as an AFA Community Partner.

ARTICLE V (Finance)

Section 1. Dues. Annual dues are paid to the Air & Space Forces Association as required by the Association. No other dues are required.

Section 2. Fiscal and Operating Years. The Fiscal Year of the Chapter shall be January 1 through December 31. The Operating Year shall be October 1 through September 30.

Section 3. Reports. The Chapter Treasurer will file the required annual and semi-annual reports with the State Treasurer.

ARTICLE VI (Chapter Meetings)

Section 1. The Chapter shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be called by the President, by majority vote of the Chapter Executive Committee (EXCOM), or upon written request of not less than ten (10) of its members.

Section 2. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of ten (10) members present.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Members will be notified of regular meetings by email or other verified method, such as the Chapter website or other social media. Members will be notified of a special meeting no less than fourteen (14) days prior to a special meeting.

Section 4. Voting. Each member in good standing of the Chapter shall be entitled to one vote in all proceedings.

Section 5. The Chapter will host luncheon meetings which will be open to all members and the public.

ARTICLE VII (Officers)

Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Chapter shall be a President, Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The officers shall be elected by ballot via email to chapter members in good standing on an annual basis. The election of officers shall occur very year in August to allow for a transition of personnel, if needed. Elected officers will serve for a period of one year, beginning on October 1 and concluding 12 months later on September 30. Individuals may run for and serve for more than one consecutive terms.

Section 2. Appointed Officers. The President may appoint additional officers with the majority approval of the Chapter EXCOM. Appointed officers may be removed from office by the President or by majority vote of the EXCOM.

Section 3. Vacancies. In case of vacancy in any elected office, it shall be filled by appointment of the President for the remainder of the unexpired term and thereafter until a successor if elected, except that in the case of vacancy occurring in the office of President, the office shall be assumed by the elected Executive Vice President. If both posts are vacant, the EXCOM will temporarily elect a replacement from the remaining EXCOM members until a formal election can be held.

ARTICLE VIII (Chapter Executive Committee (EXCOM))

Section 1. Membership. The Chapter officers (elected and appointed) shall be members of the Chapter Executive Committee also referred to as the EXCOM. A Gabriel Chapter member in good standing who wishes to participate on a regular basis may become a member of the EXCOM. The member will request membership based on open positions or expertise. The EXOM will vote to approve or disapprove membership (majority role). The President may also designate someone as an EXCOM participating member with concurrence of the EXCOM.

Section 2. Duties. Between meetings, the administrative power of the Chapter shall be vested in the Chapter EXCOM. In addition to such powers as are specifically conferred upon it by the Bylaws, the Chapter EXCOM shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Chapter and may take such actions as it deems advisable, not inconsistent with it’s governing documents. It shall keep a written report of it’s meetings and report any actions taken in the name of the EXCOM between meetings.

ARTICLE IX (Committees)

Section 1. Standing Committees. The Standing committees of the Chapter shall be Membership, Finance, Aerospace Education, Chapter Events, and Family Outreach.

Section 2. Special Committees. Special committees may be created by the Chapter EXCOM, the President, or at a membership meeting. The respective powers and duties of such committees shall be defined when each committee is created.

Section 3. Meetings. Each committee shall hold meetings at such times as may be specified by its chairman, the President, by the Chapter EXCOM , or upon the request in writing of a majority of its members after due notice is given to committee members.

Section 4. Reports. Each committees shall keep a record of its proceedings and shall make a written report of its activities as may be required by the EXCOM.

Section 5. Duties. Each committee shall be charged with the duties assigned to it by the Bylaws, by the President or the Chapter EXCOM. Any question which may arise as to the jurisdiction of a committee shall be adjudicated by the President.

ARTICLE X ( Delegates to State Convention)

Delegates to the State Convention shall be as prescribed in the Virginia State AFA State Bylaws. The Chapter President and other Chapter delegates will be designated in time of the State Convention registration. The State President may request the names of Chapter delegates early to assess the numbers prior to the Convention.

ARTICLE XI (Discipline)

Section 1. Complaints against the Chapter or elected or appointed officers of the Chapter shall be handled as specified in the Air & Space Forces Association Bylaws and in the Operations and Procedures Manual under Disciplinary Procedures.

Section 2. The chapter shall not enter into any agreements , leases or other commitments or involvements of any kind or nature whatsoever, the direct or indirect effect of which shall be legally to obligate or constrain the Air & Space Forces Association, with the prior written approval of the President of Air & Space Forces Association or the Board of Directors, not shall they engage in any activity contrary to, or inconsistent with, the objectives or policies of the Air & Space Forces Association. Discussions and dissenting opinions will be held within the Air & Space Forces Association and, once resolved by the Board of Directors, the resolution will be followed by all.

ARTICLE XII (Parliamentary Authority)

The rules in contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall governed the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.

ARTICLE XIII (Bylaws review and changes)

The Bylaws will be reviewed annually. The Bylaws may be amended or changed by a majority vote of the voting members: present at a Chapter meeting or by an electronic vote of the membership, provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall been given by the Secretary to all members at least fourteen (14) days prior to deadline (Section 3), except as noted below in Section 1.

Section 1. If there are changes that need to be made on a minor administrative basis (non-impactful), the changes will be made and approved by the Chapter EXCOM.

Section 2. If the proposed changes to the Bylaws are major changes to the way the Chapter would operate or significant changes to the Bylaws construct itself, the Chapter EXCOM will annotate the proposed changes to the Bylaws and prepare them for Chapter adoption via Section 3.

Section 3. The Chapter Secretary will send out the amended Bylaws to all Chapter members with a 14-day comment and voting period. Upon conclusion of the open period, the Chapter EXCOM will convene at the next EXCOM meeting (if significant comments need to be reviewed/discussed) or via e-mail to review the decision as determined by the membership. Upon conclusion the changes will either be adopted or rejected, based on the results of the voting period and the resulting document published.

COVID-19 Luncheon Policy

Updated 23 May 2023

The Gabriel Chapter of the AFA values your continued engagement with us and remains fully committed to making everyone’s safety and well-being a priority. Gabriel Chapter continues to monitor COVID-19 closely and will take all necessary precautions to support the well-being of our attendees. In this respect, we follow these protocols and the recommendations and guidelines of public health officials for federal, state and local jurisdictions at the time of the event.

Currently, the Federal government ended the pandemic emergency, and masks are no longer required; however, it is a personal option if someone would care to wear one.

“People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.”

We ask that if anyone has a fever, feels sick, or has been exposed to COVID-19 within 5 days of the event that they do not attend for the safety of others.

We will not ask attendees for information regarding vaccination or testing status. However, the guidelines, protocols and notices below apply to all event attendees, regardless of vaccination status.

Safety measures

AFA Gabriel Chapter put in place protocols to help reduce exposure and transmission of the coronavirus as we re-introduced in-person events. By registering for this event, you agree to abide by the following Safety measures. If you are registering on another’s behalf, ensure that they agree to abide by these terms; you assume full responsibility for their acceptance of these terms.

I agree to adhere to and comply with all safety protocols outlined by AFA Gabriel Chapter and understand that I may be asked to leave the event if I do not comply. These protocols currently include the following, but may be updated or adjusted. Any changes will be communicated to attendees in advance of the event and/or upon attendees’ arrival at the event.

I will not attend if I have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days.
I understand that failure to comply with these regulations may be cause for removal from the event.
Masks are optional.

NOTICE OF RISK

By registering for this event, you affirm that you understand the following Notice of Risk. If you are registering on another’s behalf, ensure that the terms are acknowledged by attendee; you assume full responsibility for their acceptance of this notice.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. AFA Gabriel Chapter cannot prevent you from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while attending its events and/or entering onto premises where AFA Gabriel Chapter events are held. It is not possible to prevent against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to attend an event organized by AFA Gabriel Chapter and enter onto premises where its events are held, you may be exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. By attending you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

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