CONSTITUTION INDEX
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Name Of Association
ARTICLE II Objectives Of The Association
ARTICLE III Membership And Dues
A. General
B. Membership
1. Regular Member.
2. Associate Member.
3. Honorary Life Member.
C. Dues
1. Annual Dues.
2. Lifetime Dues.
ARTICLE IV Organization
A. Officers
B. Board Of Directors
C. Meetings Of Board Of Directors
C. Terms Of Office
D. Chapters
E. Chaplain
G. Vacancies
ARTICLE V General Business Meetings, Reunions, or National Conventions
A. General Business Meetings
B. Quorum
C. Voting
D. Voting By Officers And Directors
E. Guests
F. Reunions Or National Conventions
F. Rules And Procedures
ARTICLE VI Combat Control Monuments/MEMORIALS
A. General
B. Name Placement
C. Funds
ARTICLE VII Amendments To The Constitution
A. General
B. Voting
ARTICLE VIII RESTRICTIONS
ARTICLE IX Construction
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CONSTITUTION
Preamble
The United States Air Force Pathfinders, later redesignated as Combat Control Teams, were activated in January 1953 at Donaldson Air Force Base, Greenville, South Carolina. Air Force leadership realized its need for, and the value to its having, a dedicated and professionally qualified Air Force unit specifically tasked to: establish assault zones, control air traffic, place radio and visual en-route/terminal navigational aids, provide limited weather observations, and provide communications command and control to rear echelon elements. Unique to these types of operations was the capability to deploy via any overt or covert means; by land, sea, or airborne insertion into or extraction from areas of operations in hostile or otherwise non-permissive environments worldwide.
Since its inception Combat Control has taken on even more duties as war fighters including counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance, special reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, counter-drug and fire support operations. The use of demolitions for the removal of unexploded ordinance and other flight obstacles has become a primary part of their mission as well. Combat Controllers have constantly been in the forefront in their use of advances in technology. From improved communications through the use of secure voice military satellites to the use of global positioning systems and laser equipment, unmanned aerial systems and Joint Terminal Attack Control (JTAC) systems for fire support operations. Combat Controllers have continued to provide the Air Force and United States Special Operations Command with a highly mobile and technologically advanced ground combat force.
In 1975, a small group of active duty and former Combat Controllers gathered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida to establish a fraternal organization to join all controllers together into a one-of-a-kind brotherhood. From these meager beginnings, those men had the vision that was driven by the strong bonds of patriotism, conviction and commitment never to fail.
Therefore, it is by these presents that we formalize our Association and our love for each other presently, and with the spirits of those revered, brave, departed Controllers who gave their lives for us, their comrades, and for the Land and principles they loved. This is especially true for the remembrance of any Prisoners of War and those who are unaccounted for as the result of contingency operations or war.
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ARTICLE I
NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION
The name of the organization is Combat Control Association, Incorporated. For the purpose of this document the term Combat Control or Combat Controllers encompasses enlisted Combat Controllers, Combat Control Officers and Special Tactics Officers.
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ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION
The objectives of the Combat Control Association are:
A. To honor Combat Control personnel and Special Tactics Officers of all ranks who have helped make this nation great through personal sacrifices and achievements, and to perpetuate the memory of those persons through records and reports of their deeds and contributions.
B. To foster, promote and encourage a continuing sense of historical appreciation for the origin and growth of Combat Control and the role it has played in economic, political, humanitarian and military operations worldwide.
C. To receive and maintain a fund or funds, to use and apply in whole, or any part of any income derived there from or the principal thereof for charitable, literary, or educational purposes; either directly or by contributions to organizations structured under the law, as is this one, or duly authorized to carry on similar activities.
D. To cooperate with other recognized organizations that are actively engaged and interested in similar aims.
E. To carry on programs to perpetuate the memory of deceased veterans of Combat Control and to comfort their survivors.
F. To instill, inspire, and strengthen patriotism, and to sponsor or participate in activities of a patriotic nature.
G. To provide social and recreational activities for members.
H. To engage in any and all activities incidental thereto or necessary suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any of the aforementioned objectives.
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ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
A. GENERAL. Members are Regular, Honorary, or Associate members who are not in arrears for dues or other financial obligation to the Association. Members may resign their membership.
B. MEMBERSHIP. There shall be three categories of membership: Regular, Associate, and Honorary.
- REGULAR MEMBER. Such membership is restricted to active duty, retired, or separated military personnel who are or were qualified as Combat Controllers, who held an appropriate Primary, Control or Duty AFSC, in the U. S. Air Force, the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard. Regular members shall be entitled to vote and to hold office in the Association. Regular memberships shall be on an annual or lifetime basis.
- ASSOCIATE MEMBER. Such membership will be comprised of reputable persons, military or civilians not otherwise eligible for Regular membership, who shall apply for such membership, and be accepted by the Board of Directors or by vote of the general membership. Foreign Combat Controllers who graduate from CombatControlSchool may be Associate members. Spouses of deceased life members and the spouse/next of kin of any KIA controller shall automatically be eligible for Associate life membership without any further payment of dues. Associate members may not hold any Association office or vote. Associate members may serve on non-policy making committees, but are not entitled to any Regular member privileges while in that capacity. Associate memberships shall be on an annual or lifetime basis.
- HONORARY LIFE MEMBER. Honorary Life Membership may be awarded to persons who have made a substantial contribution through their leadership to the Combat Control career-field over the years. These persons have the same standards of excellence as every Combat Controller, but have never been assigned to Combat Control. The Board of Directors shall consider nominees for Honorary Life Membership for approval. Honorary Life Memberships are not subject to dues.
C. DUES. There shall be two categories of membership dues: Annual and Lifetime.
1. ANNUAL DUES. Annual dues are calendar year based and are due and payable January 1st of each year. Members delinquent for over one year in annual dues will not be eligible for CCA membership privileges. The amount assessed for annual dues may be changed by a majority vote obtained during a general business meeting, in which a quorum is present, or by an electronic/written ballot sent to the entire membership. If changes are thus made, the Secretary will record such changes in the meeting minutes thereof or other documentation as appropriate. Annual dues are $25.00 dollars per year.
2. LIFETIME DUES. Individuals eligible for Regular or Associate membership may apply for lifetime membership. A member in good standing may convert from annual to lifetime membership. Lifetime dues are due and payable upon application. The amount assessed for lifetime dues may be changed by a majority vote obtained during a general business meeting, in which a quorum is present, or by an electronic/written ballot sent to the entire membership. If changes are thus made, the Secretary will record such changes in the meeting minutes thereof, or other documentation as appropriate. Life membership dues are $150.00 dollars. Any annual member not in arrears may convert to Life Members by paying an additional $125 Dollars.
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ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION
The Combat Control Association shall be organized at the national level, with corporate headquarters located in the state of Florida. It is organized as a not for profit organization in accordance with the laws of the state of Florida and the Internal Revenue Service.
A. OFFICERS. Association officers shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers will serve as the Executive Committee.
B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Committee and three Regular members elected during the general business meeting. The President shall act as the Chairman. The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Association. During intervals between general business meetings, the Board of Directors shall be responsible for the general policies and programs of the Association and for the control of all funds of the Association.
C. MEETINGS. The Board of Directors will conduct regular formal meetings. It will disseminate information to the general membership by available common means of communication (Newsletter, Blogs, Email or Telephone). Notice of board meetings may be made at a prior meeting or by common means of communication.
E. TERMS OF OFFICE. The term of office for each member of the Executive Committee and each member of the Board of Directors shall be three years. No person may be elected to the office of President or Treasurer for more than two consecutive terms.
F. CHAPTERS. (Optional) Chapters may be strategically placed to serve the general membership in regional areas as determined by the Board of Directors. They shall be organized in accordance with locally developed By-Laws, and shall be approved by the Association’s Board of Directors. Chapter officers shall consist of a President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer.
G. CHAPLAIN. The President may appoint a Chaplain, from the membership, who shall attend to details of memorials, funerals, and similar spiritual functions.
H. VACANCIES. In the case of a vacancy in any elected or appointed office, the Association President shall fill the vacancy with the approval of the Board of Directors until the next general business meeting. In the case of a vacancy occurring in the office of President, the Vice President will assume the office. If vacancies exist that cannot be filled by election at the next business meeting then the serving Board of Directors and Executive Committee may continue to conduct all business for the Association until such vacancies can be filled.
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ARTICLE V
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETINGS, REUNIONS, OR NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
A. GENERAL BUSINESS MEETINGS. General business meetings shall be held a minimum of once per year, in accordance with Florida state law, as a not for profit organization. Normally, the general business meeting will be held in conjunction with reunions.
B. QUORUM. A quorum shall consist of at least 25 Regular members (including proxies) in good standing. In the event there is no quorum, all matters pending vote of the membership shall continue in status quo. The Association Secretary, or another officer of the association if the Secretary is not available, shall have the membership roll available at general business meetings to verify membership status and establish existence of a quorum. Topics that require a vote may be presented to the members at large prior to the General Business meeting and votes received by any officer of the Association, may be counted as part of the Quorum. All votes must be verified, by an Officer of the Association, as being received by a regular member in good standing before the vote can be counted as part of the Quorum.
C. VOTING. Only Regular members in good standing may vote in a general business meeting. Each Regular member present shall be entitled to one vote on each issue properly introduced for determination by vote. Regular members in good standing may invest their proxy vote to a Regular member in good standing on any or all issue(s) to be decided, after thirty days notice announcing said issue(s) to be voted. Regular members in good standing may also cast their vote by common means of communication as discussed in Article V paragraph B.
D. VOTING BY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. The officers of the Association and members of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to all of the privileges and benefits of the Regular members attending the general business meeting. Officers and Directors that are unable to attend the regular meeting may cast their votes via proxy or by common means of communication as discussed in Article V, paragraph B.
E. GUESTS. Guests may be present at general business meetings upon unanimous vote of the members.
F. REUNIONS OR NATIONAL CONVENTIONS. Reunions or National Conventions shall be held at a time and place fixed by the Board of Directors or as specified by the majority of the voting membership at a general business meeting, prior to the next reunion. Location and dates of a reunion shall be published at least six months in advance in the Association’s Newsletter, or by other electronic or written communication.
G. RULES AND PROCEDURES. The members in the general membership meeting, and subject to change by them, shall set rules and procedures for the meeting by vote. In the case of unresolved procedural disagreement, Robert’s Rules shall guide.
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ARTICLE VI
COMBAT CONTROL MONUMENTS/MEMORIALS
A. GENERAL. The Association shall establish and maintain, or coordinate for the maintenance of, monuments honoring fallen Combat Controllers, as it deems necessary and appropriate. Establishment and/or maintenance of Combat Control monuments will be as directed by the Board of Directors with the approval of the general membership. All correspondence and other documentation relating to Association supported monuments will be filed with the Secretary at a permanent file location. Any financial records or receipts will also be provided to the Treasure for accounting purposes.
B. NAME PLACEMENT. The names on the monuments shall be placed and maintained in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws, established by the Board of Directors, with the approval of the general membership. Change or approval normally would be at a general membership meeting or by electronic or written ballot to the entire membership, as recommended by the Board of Directors.
C. FUNDS. The Association shall maintain a fund for monuments/memorials and these monies shall be kept separate from the general account. From time to time, the Association may conduct fundraisers for maintenance of monuments/memorials, and will accept contributions on a continuing basis.
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ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
A. GENERAL. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting membership present at a general membership meeting of the Association, in which a quorum is present, or by an electronic or written ballot, to the entire membership. It may also be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors; provided that any such amendment by the Board of Directors shall be subject to change or revocation by a majority vote of the voting members, at the next general business meeting, that is published well in advance, in which a quorum is present, or by an electronic or written ballot, to the entire membership.
B. VOTING. Any business of the Association, including changes to the Constitution, approved by the Board of Directors, may be sent to the entire voting membership by electronic or written ballot, for a vote. The membership will normally be given thirty days, from the date of mailing or transmission, to respond on the issue(s). The Secretary will record the vote and notify the membership within ten days on the outcome of the vote.
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ARTICLE VIII
RESTRICTIONS
No substantial part of the activities of the association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
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ARTICLE IX
CONSTRUCTION
If there is any conflict between the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution and By-Laws, the spirit, intent and provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall govern.
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<– Combat Control Association By-Laws –>
