A proposal to amend the Virginia State bylaws was given at Luray. Please see the proposed changes and be prepared to vote at Conclave 2018.
ARTICLE 5: STATE OFFICERS
205.2 Qualifications.
a) State Master Councilor.
1) The candidate must be an active member of the Association who has not attained his twenty-first (21st) birthday
2) Only Past Master Councilors or Past Presidents of DeMolay Clubs may be nominated.
3) The candidate must be registered and present at the election meeting, unless excused by the Executive Officer.
4) The candidate must give assurance to the Executive Officer that he will be a legal resident of the State of Virginia during his term of office.
4) The candidate must be a member of a chapter or club located in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
b) Deputy State Master Councilor.
1) The candidate must be an active member of the Association who will not turn twenty-one (21) during his term of office.
2) Present or Past Master Councilors, Present or Past Presidents of DeMolay Clubs may be nominated.
3) The candidate must be registered and present at the election meeting, unless excused by the Executive Officer.
4) The candidate must give assurance to the Executive Officer that he will be a legal resident of the State of Virginia during his term of Office.
4) The candidate must be a member of a chapter or club located in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
205.3 Election.
a) Officers shall be elected and installed at the Conclave, unless excused by the Executive Officer.
b) There will be nomination statement of support for any candidate from any official committee of the Association.
c) Each elected officer must receive a majority of the votes cast by delegates or alternates present and voting. 10
d) Candidates should have stated their intention to run for an elected office, at least twelve (12) hours before Conclave registration closes. Their names and intent shall be submitted to the Executive Officer and the State Master Councilor. This process will enable the members to meet the candidates and to nominate others from the floor during the business session if they feel the candidates are not qualified for a state office.
d) Candidates must submit a letter of intent to run for State office to the Executive Officer no later than July 1. The names of all candidates will be listed on the web site prior to Conclave. There will be no nominations from the floor.
e) Candidates, whether stating their intention in writing or being nominated from the floor, will be interviewed by the Executive Officer and the State Master Councilor. A recess of the business session will be declared if a nomination occurs on the floor.
f) There shall be, during each Conclave business session immediately preceding the election of the State Master Councilor and the Deputy State Master Councilor, a question and answer period. During this period, questions may be asked of the candidate(s) running for office. All questions must come from voting delegates present. The period of time is left to the discretion of the State Master Councilor and the Executive Officer.
205.7 Removal.
Any elected state officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of the State Council . The office being considered for removal will not having a vote on the question. The majority vote must have the approval of the Executive Officer of the Virginia jurisdiction. Failure to perform his duties, conduct unbecoming an officer, or resignation shall be cause for removal. The Executive Officer may at his discretion remove an elected or appointed officer at any time.
206.6 Vacancies.
ARTICLE 6: REGIONAL OFFICERS
a) Regional Master Councilor.
1) In the event of a vacancy in the office of Regional Master Councilor, the Deputy Regional Master Councilor will assume the office of Regional Master Councilor. If the region does not have a Deputy Regional Master Councilor, then a new Regional Master Councilor shall be chosen in the manner designated by that region.
2) If the Regional Master Councilor moves out of the region he is serving for a period of time which could reasonably be expected to last more than one half (1/2) of the remainder of his term of office, his office shall be declared vacant and refilled according to (1) above. (This does not included attending college outside of the region)
b) Deputy Regional Master Councilor. In the event of a vacancy of the office of Deputy Regional Master Councilor, a new Deputy Regional Master Councilor shall be chosen in the manner designated by that region.
206.7 Removal.
a) Regional Master Councilor. An unexcused absence by a Regional Master Councilor without permission of the State Master Councilor or Executive Officer, failure to perform his duties, conduct unbecoming an officer, or resignation will create a vacancy in that office.
b) Deputy Regional Master Councilor. Failure to perform his duties, conduct unbecoming an officer, or resignation will create a vacancy in that office.
c. The Regional Deputy with the approval of the Executive Officer has the authority to remove an elected or appointed Regional Officer..
ARTICLE 10: FINANCES
210.2 Dues. a) The Association is on a life membership plan. Each chapter shall send to the Executive Secretary five (5) dollars for each new petitioner initiated during a year.
b) A chapter in arrears for back association dues must pay its back dues as well as current year’s dues, with the exception of any dues remitted by the Association.