By-Laws

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Contents
Article I: Chapter Charters
Article II: Termination of Membership
Article III: National Board of Governors
Article IV: Officers
Article V: National Meetings
Article VI: Nominations
Article VII: Elections
Article VIII: Standing Committees
Article IX: Revenue
Article X: Periodical
Article XI: Headquarters
Article XII: Name and Emblem
Article XIII: Amendments

By-Laws of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
Corrected through 2008

ARTICLE I
Chapter Charters
Section 1. Application for Charters for Chapters shall be made to the Secretary of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. The Board of Governors is empowered to approve or disapprove said applications. In the event of the approval of an application by the Board of Governors, the applicant having paid its charter fee, a charter signed by the President and the Secretary shall be issued to such Chapter. Membership shall begin from the date of approval of the application. (amended 1991, 2008)

Section 2. A charter fee ten (10) times the annual dues shall be paid to The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. by each Chapter Chartered. (amended 1976, 1991)

Section 3.

The National Board of Governors shall adopt and prescribe a Standard Chapter Constitution which shall be adopted by all Chapters heretofore or hereafter admitted to membership. The National Board of Governors shall also have the power to amend such Standard Chapter Constitution, on its own initiative; or at the request of a Member Chapter in accordance with Section 3 (d) of this Article I. (amended 1991)
The National Board of Governors shall permit changes in the Constitution prescribed for Member Chapters if such changes are necessary to enable the Member Chapter to comply with the laws of any State or Territory or Commonwealth.
The National Board of Governors may permit other changes in the prescribed Constitution or Member Chapters, provided a good Cause is shown that such proposed changes are necessary to meet local conditions and do not conflict with the provisions of the National Constitution.
All changes in the prescribed Constitution which maybe desired by any Member Chapter shall be submitted in writing, together with the reasons therefore, to the National Board of Governors for approval or disapproval and to the Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 4.

A Cadet/Midshipman Chapter may be instituted at any of the Maritime Academies under the auspices of the regional local Chapter. Cadet/Midshipman Chapters will require a coordinator on the faculty of its respective academy. The Cadet/Midshipman shall elect their own officers and must accept the Standard Port Chapter Constitution as their governing document.
Dues shall be determined by the regional local Chapter, payable to that Chapter. Dues shall at a minimum cover the cost of providing the Council periodical to the members of the Cadet/Midshipman Chapter. Membership application shall be within the first month of a new class year.
The President shall appoint a national member to be in charge of Professional Development and Membership. This member will coordinate Cadet/Midshipman Chapters with the representatives from the regional local chapters.
Upon licensing as third mate, individual members of a Cadet/Midshipman Chapter will be eligible to become an Associate Member of the National Organization and a Companion Member of any regional Chapter. (added 2000)
Licensed Associate members from Cadet/Midshipman Chapters will pay 50% of current annual dues for a period of three years. After that time they will pay the full annual dues rate. A registration fee will not be required as long as continuous membership is maintained. They will not become Regular or Special members until the appropriate license and experience has been achieved. (added 2004)

ARTICLE II
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Any Chapter may be suspended by the National Board of Governors for good and sufficient cause, when such action is considered necessary and desirable. The Board may, however, for good and sufficient cause, restore such Chapter to membership in good standing.

Section 2. Any Chapter may resign from The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. provided said Chapter has fulfilled all its financial and other obligations to the Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. Such resignation shall be automatically effective upon delivery of the Charter of such Chapter to the Secretary/Treasurer of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.

Section 3. Any Chapter which shall for any reason cease to be a member of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall relinquish the name or any part of the name ?The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.? in its Chapter name, surrender its Charter, and shall not thereafter use the name, emblem, badge or the insignia of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. in any way whatsoever.

Section 4. A member who is two (2) years delinquent in payment of dues to the National office shall be so notified by the Membership Committee that he has ninety (90) days in which to pay his dues and become a member in good standing. Failing to do so, he shall be notified in writing by the Membership Committee that he is no longer a member of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. (amended 1998)

Section 5. In the event he submits his resignation in writing to the Council, the Membership Committee before accepting the resignation, shall determine the reasons and causes for such resignation. The Membership Committee shall make every effort to have the member rescind the resignation. Failing to do so, the Membership Committee shall remove the member from the membership rolls. (amended 1998)

ARTICLE III
NATIONAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Section 1. The National Board of Governors of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall be charged with the duty of whatsoever may be necessary for the furtherance of the objects of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc., the study and teaching of its fundamentals, the presentation of its ideals, its ethics, and its unique features of organization, and its extension throughout the world. Each member of the National Board of Governors shall have one vote.

Section 2. The National Board of Governors shall constitute the governing body of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. and its action shall be final, subject only to appeal at any National Meeting. Such appeal shall be duly filed with the Secretary/Treasurer of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening of said National Meeting. (amended 1998)

Section 3. The National Board of Governors shall exercise control and supervision over all officers and committees of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. and may, for good cause, after hearing, remove an officer or committee member by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Board provided such officer or committee member shall have been served personally or by registered mail with a notice containing a copy of the charges against him, at least thirty (30) days before the hearing thereon, said notice specifying the time and place of such hearing. At the hearing such person may be represented by counsel.

Section 4. The National Board of Governors shall meet at such times and places as it may determine, provided that the first meeting each year shall be held within thirty (30) days after the close of the National Meeting. (amended 1998)

Section 5. The National Board of Governors may, without meeting together, transact business by mail or wire by voting upon proposed resolutions mailed or wired to them by or with the approval of the President. Thirty (30) days shall be allowed for the return of the votes thereon by mail or wire to the Secretary/Treasurer. The voting shall be considered closed at the end of the thirty (30) days providing a majority of the members of the Board have returned their votes by the time or it shall be considered closed any time prior thereto if and when all the governors have returned their votes. In the event the President requires immediate action on any proposed resolution he may specify a definite hour and day of reply and such time shall be final, providing the President shall have allowed a member two (2) full business days within which to consider and reply to his request est. The majority of the votes received by the President at the time designated shall govern.

Section 6. A majority of the members of the National Board of Governors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, except in cases otherwise provided under the Constitution and By-Laws. At annual meetings and National Meetings a quorum shall consist of the members of the National Board of Governors in attendance. (amended 1998)

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1.

To be elected a National Officer of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. one must be a member in good standing of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
All officers except the Secretary/Treasurer shall serve without compensation. (amended 1998)

Office of President

The President shall be elected for two years at a National Meeting, by secret ballot or open ballot by a majority of the votes cast. The President shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. (amended 1998)
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Governors. The President shall appoint all standing committees in accordance with the By-Laws and shall supervise the work and activities of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. and perform such other duties as usually pertain to this office. He shall be a member ex-officio of all standing and special committees. (amended 1976, 1991, 2008)

The First and Second Vice President shall be elected for two years at a National Meeting by secret or open ballot by a majority of the votes cast. (amended 1976,1991, 1998)

The First Vice President or Second Vice President shall preside at all meetings when the President is absent. The First Vice President and Second Vice President shall perform such duties as are deemed necessary by the President and the Board of Governors, to assist the President in carrying out the objectives of the Council. (amended 2008)
In the event of the death, resignation or disability of the President, the First Vice President shall take over the office of the President and the Board of Governors shall appoint a new First Vice President.(amended 2008)

Office of Secretary/Treasurer

The Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected for two years at a National Meeting by secret or open ballot by a majority of the votes cast. (amended 1976, 1991, 1997, 1998)
He shall receive all moneys paid in and shall report deposits the same in such bank or banks as shall be approved by the Board of Governors and shall disburse same by the order of said committee. He shall make a periodic report to the Board of Governors as required, and a report to the National Meeting. He shall be required to give bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in a sum with sureties required by the Board of Governors. (amended 1997, 1998, 2008)

The Board of Governors shall from time to time fix the salary of the Secretary/Treasurer. (amended 1998, 2008)

Regional Vice Presidents

Regional Vice Presidents shall be elected for two years at the National Meeting by secret ballot or open ballot by a majority of the votes cast. These Regional Vice Presidents must first be nominated by the Nomination Committee with the agreement of the committee members that represent the Chapters of a specific region. In the event no member is nominated by the committee one shall be nominated by the Annual Meeting so that all regions will be represented on the Board of Governors. (amended 1976, 1991, 1998)
A Vice President shall be elected from each of the following geographical regions having a total of fifty (50) members:
NORTH ATLANTIC, which shall include the State of Virginia and all States to the north except the local areas of States bordering on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.
SOUTH ATLANTIC, which shall include states south of Virginia, the East and Gulf Coast of Florida to south and east of Cape San Blas, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and all other Islands in the Atlantic. (amended 1995, 1996)
GULF, which shall include all States on the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf coast of Florida north and west of Cape Sable and States lying to the north which would not come within the Great Lakes Region. (amended 1995)
GREAT LAKES, which shall include all States bordering on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Region, with the exception of those states also bordering on the Atlantic Coast which are divided with respect to coastal proximity.
NORTH PACIFIC, which shall include Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana Region.
SOUTH PACIFIC, which shall include California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii and all other US owned islands of the Pacific. (amended 1991 )
The Regional Vice Presidents shall be given such duties as are deemed necessary by the National Board of Governors to aid and assist the President. They should feel a particular interest in the Chapters of their Regions, and promote projects which will not only aid their regions, but The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. as a whole. The Regional Vice Presidents are automatically members of the Board of Governors as soon as elected.(amended 2008)

Other Vice Presidents: When the census of each class of membership, other than Regular, has 500 members in its category a Vice President from that category shall be elected by the annual meeting. When the census of the category drops below 500 members, the office of Vice President will be suspended at the next annual meeting. (added 1992, amended 1998)

ARTICLE V
NATIONAL MEETINGS Amended 1998
Section 1. A meeting of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall be held every two years (biennially) at a time and place to be determined as specified in the Constitution Article IX, Section 1. The normal time for holding the National Meeting shall be in the month of April and First two weeks of May. (amended 1976, 1991, 1998)

Section 2. The purpose of the National Meeting will be:

To report to the membership the activities of the Council during the previous year and to determine a program for ensuing year.
To transact other usual and customary business of the Council.
To sponsor and conduct the American Master Mariners Conference.
To discuss ways and means of furthering the objectives of the Council as set forth in the Constitution, Article II entitled ‘Declaration of Policy.’
To Elect the National Officers as prescribed elsewhere in these By-Laws.
The LaLonde Spirit of the Seas Award may be presented to any member in good standing. The award shall be presented annually or as deemed appropriate by an appointed Award Committee. Its presentation shall be made at the National Meeting or at a Professional Development Conference. (amended 1998, 2000)

Section 3. The officers of the National Meeting shall be the National Officers together with the Committee Chairmen appointed in accordance with other provisions of these By-Laws.

Section 4. The general pattern of events at each such National Meeting shall be set by the Board of Governors. (amended 1998, 2008)

Section 5. Delegates to the National Meeting shall be elected by the respective chapters. Each delegate must be a regular member in good standing of the Chapter he represents and must present to the Credentials Committee a certificate of appointment signed by the President and Secretary of his Chapter. (amended 1991, 1998)

Section 6. All members must register in order to attend scheduled sessions of the National Meeting. The Registration Fee shall be determined annually by the National Meeting Committee.

The Credentials Committee shall receive, examine and accept or reject the credentials of all persons appointed as official delegates of Chapters to the National Meetings. This committee shall maintain a list of all officially accredited delegates, which list shall be made available to the officers of the National Meeting. (amended 1998)

Section 7. Financing Annual Meetings

National Meetings shall be financed by registration fees and contributions by the Host Chapter with the assistance and approval of the National Headquarters. (amended 1998)

Section 8. Appointment of Committees

Prior to each National Meeting the National President shall appoint the following committees:

A Committee on Credentials, which shall consist of at least 3 members who shall be selected from the great geographical regions in which The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. is active.
Such other committees as may be necessary to insure proper handling of all convention and conference activities.

The President shall designate one member of each committee as Chairman. The President shall be ex-officio member of each Committee. (amended 1998)

Section 9. Duties of Committees

The Positions Committee, established in Article VIII of these By-Laws, is constituted as the Resolutions Committee for purposes of the National Meeting and shall receive from individual Chapters or groups, proposed resolutions on any subject which falls within the scope of the objectives of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. Such suggested resolutions shall be presented to the Chairman of the Committee or to the National Secretary/Treasurer in ample time to permit the Committee properly to consider the scope and text of such resolution prior to the day of the meeting. This Committee shall carefully consider all proposed resolutions submitted to it and may, on its own initiative, formulate and recommend additional resolutions. Unless the scope of any proposed resolution be clearly outside of or in conflict with, the broad objectives of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc., the same shall be reported out by the committee to the meeting. If the committee is unable to agree unanimously on the merits or text of any resolution(s), it shall present to the final session of the Meeting provided that there shall be at least two members of the committee subscribing to the minority report, who shall be given any opportunity to present and argue their views before the meeting delegates.
The LaLonde Spirit of the Seas Award shall be awarded through a committee comprised of five members of The Council of American Master Mariners in good standing. The Regional Vice Presidents or their designees shall serve as members. The National President shall appoint a Chair from the members appointed. No two members may be appointed from the same Chapter to ensure as broad membership coverage as possible and represent all coasts. The LaLonde Award committee duties are as follow:

Nominations for the award shall be open to any National member in good standing, whether alive or deceased, who best embodies the ideals of humanitarianism, professionalism, lifetime achievement, noteworthy accomplishment, contribution to the maritime industry and the Spirit of the Sea in their everyday lives. (amended 2005)
Publish annually in the fall issue of the Council periodical, a nomination form for the award. The committee shall then select a recipient by January 31st from the nominees they consider best qualified and most worthy. Committee members are not eligible to receive the award while serving on the committee. Members shall serve for a two year period, except that two members shall be carried over for a third year to ensure continuity. The carry-over members shall be elected by the committee. (added 2000)

The duties of other committees shall be assigned by the President when such committees are appointed. (amended 1998)

Section 10. Voting at the National Meeting (amended 1998)

Robert?s Rules of Order shall be the rules for conducting all matters coming before the meeting.
A Parliamentary Advisor shall be appointed by the President prior to the meeting.
Sixty days prior to the National Meeting, Proxy and Ballot notices will be forwarded to all members in good standing so that they may be advised of their right to vote in person at the National Meeting or to proxy their vote an authorized delegate, or another member in good standing who will be present at the meeting. The Ballot portion of the notice will treat voting for candidates for office and amendments to the Constitution or By-Laws or any other question where the Board determines a one man one vote opinion is needed. In order to insure the security of each voting members Ballot, the National Meeting Host Chapter will secure a U.S. Postal Service post office box that will be the mailing address for the return of that year?s ballots. This designated Post Office Box will be printed on the ballot as the only destination address. Only the ballots that are in the designated Post Office Box at the close of the U.S. Post Office business the day before the election will be counted by the Election Committee. Anyone who receives a ballot from any member should forward that ballot to the designated Post Office Box for that year. Ballots that are submitted to the National Meeting that were not in the designated Post Office Box will not be counted. (amended 1976,1991, 1996, 1998)
Each Chapter will designate at least one delegate who is a member in good standing to represent such chapter and vote all proxies which have been authorized by individual members. The Treasurer and Secretary of each Chapter shall certify to the appointment of each delegate from their chapter. (amended 1976)
A member in good standing, holding proxies for individual members will be allowed to vote for those members who have so authorized and were in good standing at the time the voting instrument was mailed. The number of ballots distributed to members in good standing shall equal the number of members in good standing calculated on the day of the mailing. (amended 1976, 1991)

ARTICLE VI
NOMINATIONS
Section 1.

A nominating committee composed on one delegate from each chapter shall be elected by said chapters no later than November first of each year. The President shall appoint a chairman from these delegates. The duties of the committee shall be to nominate candidates for all elected offices from all the available candidates. The findings of the committee shall be submitted to the National Secretary/Treasurer and the Board no later than the 15th of January following their election. (amended 1998)
Nominations must include, in addition to those names presented by delegates, any other Regular member in good standing who has submitted a written declaration as a candidate for a National office endorsed by at least 50 members in good standing. (amended 1976, 1991)
The Secretary/Treasurer is to have all the candidates placed on the ballot portion of the Proxy/Ballot notices and in the mail 60 days before the opening of the National Meeting. (amended 1991, 1998)

ARTICLE VII
ELECTIONS
Section 1. At the first session of the National Meeting the President shall announce the place, the day and the hour for holding the election of officers as directed by the Meeting and shall appoint an Election Committee, composed of not less than three accredited members who shall have charge of the election, the preparation and distribution of the ballots, and the counting of the same. Before the opening of the polls, the Secretary/Treasurer shall provide the committee with a list of the members in good standing as shown by the report of the Credentials Committee. (amended 1976, 1998)

Section 2. A member in good standing present shall constitute the voting body of the Meeting and shall be known as the electors. Each elector shall be entitled to cast one ballot in his own behalf and one for each member in good standing he represents by proxy. (amended 1976)

Section 3. The Election Committee shall report promptly to the Meeting the result of the balloting, which report shall be signed by a majority of the committee. After the committee has so reported, the chairman shall keep in his custody all ballots until such time as he shall be instructed by the Meeting concerning their disposal.

Section 4. If the result of any balloting fails to show a majority for any nominee, the President shall designate a time and place during the National Meeting for the casting of further ballots for that office under the supervision of the Election Committee. Prior to the second ballot the nominee having the lowest vote on the first ballot shall be dropped and on each succeeding ballot the same procedure shall be followed until some nominee shall have received a majority of all votes cast. (amended 1998)

Section 5. In the event there is no contest for any elective office, the procedure set forth in Sections 1 to 4 inclusive may, by unanimous vote, be suspended and the elections may be made by acclamation.

ARTICLE VIII
STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. There shall be the following standing committees:

Board of Governors
Positions Committee
Public Relations Committee
Membership Committee
National Meeting Committee
Constitution and By-Laws Committee
Finance Committee
Sidelights Committee

(amended 1995, 1998, 2008)

The membership of these committees shall be as follows:

Board of Governors

The President shall be the Chairman of the Board of Governors. Said committee shall consist of not less than ten (10) members of which not less than seven (7) members shall be Regular members. Membership shall be made up of the President, National First Vice President, the National Secretary/Treasurer, the five (5) Regional Vice Presidents, and at least two (2) members in good standing from the Chapters. Any members at large shall be subject to approval of a majority of the Board of Governors.(amended 2008)
The Board shall be allowed to conduct business by teleconference when they are individually not able to attend the meetings at a National level.(amended 2008)
The National First Vice President shall be the Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors. (amended 1996, 2008)

The Positions Committee shall consist of one member from each Chapter. The Chairman shall be appointed by the President from one of these members. (amended 1991)
The Public Relations committee shall be appointed by the President from among those skilled in this special field. (amended 1991)
The Membership Committee shall be appointed by the President. (amended 1976, 1991)
The National Meeting Committee shall consist of a General Chairman and such other Committee chairmen and members as may be required to successfully conduct the business of the National Meeting. The General Chairman shall be nominated by the Chapter in the meeting city subject to the approval of and confirmation by the President. Other Meeting Committee chairman and members shall be appointed by the General Chairman. The National Meeting Committee shall be appointed by the President as soon as practicable after the time and place of the National Meeting shall have been determined.
The Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall consist of a Chairman and members appointed by the President. (added 1995)
The Finance Committee shall consist of the National Secretary / Treasurer and two members in good standing appointed by the President. (added 2008)
The Committee Chair for Sidelights shall make all decisions affecting the publication including hiring of publisher, layout company, postage/mailing contract, provision for mailings abroad. He/she may choose to form a committee to oversee the production of the paper, which committee will include the President and Secretary/Treasurer. (added 2008)

All other committees shall be appointed as soon as possible after he enters upon his duties and certainly no later than the 30th day following his election. (amended 1976, 1991)

Section 2. The President may from time to time, with the approval of the Board of Governors, appoint such special committees as may be necessary, in his judgment or in the judgment of the Board of Governors.(amended 2008)

Section 3. The President shall designate the chairman of each committee appointed by him, and shall have the power to fill all vacancies that occur in such committee, except as otherwise provided in Section 1 hereof.

Section 4. All Standing Committee action shall be subject to ratification by the Board of Governors.

Section 5. Duties of Standing Committees

The Board of Governors is empowered to do all things necessary to assist the President toward the accomplishment of the objectives of the Council. (amended 2008)
Positions Committee
1. The Positions Committee during the course of the operating year shall consider and recommend appropriate positions to be taken by the Council in implementing its National Resolutions. Such positions shall encompass, but not be limited to, existing, pending or proposed legislation; shall represent matters of major significance in keeping with the objectives of the Constitution of the Council; and shall include suggested action to be taken by the National Officers, Committees, Chapters and Members.
2. Recommended positions shall be submitted to the Board of Governors through the President. The Board of Governors members shall be given ten days for submitting official comments or objections. These shall be given full consideration at the time the Board takes appropriate final action. (amended 1991, 2008)
The Public Relations Committee shall consult with the First and Second Vice Presidents and National Secretary as to methods and programs of Public Relations which will in its judgment, best serve the objectives of the Council. The Committee shall study and make recommendations specifically on ways and means of informing the membership, the American people and Government officials regarding the operations of the Council.
The Membership Committee shall review applications for membership and forward all applications fulfilling the requirements for membership together with their comments to the Board of Governors via the Secretary/Treasurer. (amended 1998)
The National Meeting Committee shall have full charge of all arrangements for the National Meeting subject to consultation with and approval by the Board of Governors. (amended 1998, 2008)
The Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall review all proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws submitted to the National Secretary/Treasurer. (amended 1998)

Determine the proposed amendment's intent, desired effect and validity.
Identify other Constitution and By-Law Articles affected by the proposed amendment, if any, should the proposed amendment be adopted.
Ascertain that the proposed amendment is couched in proper language and correctly placed in the Constitution and By-Laws with regard to any applicable Article(s).
Accept or reject the proposed amendment for a ballot vote in accordance with Article XIII of the By-Laws.
Report to the Board of Governors and advise them of any proposed amendment the Committee has rejected, including the reason(s) for rejection. In such cases of Committee rejection By-laws Article XIII Section 1(4) [Board of Governors approval, proposal and vote] and Article VIII Section 4 above shall apply. (amended 1995)

The Finance Committee Shall: (added 2008)

Assist the National Secretary/Treasurer as requested;
Monitor review and report the organizations investments to the Board of Governors;
To evaluate the investment strategies and policies of the organization;
Review and approve the annual budget.

ARTICLE IX
REVENUE
Section 1. The fiscal year of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall extend from January first to December thirty-first. The fiscal year of the Chapters shall extend from January first to December thirty-first.

Section 2. On or before the thirty first day of December each year, each chapter shall certify to the National Secretary/Treasurer the names by title of its newly elected officers and total number of its members in good standing of all classifications carried on its membership rolls as of the end of its fiscal year and shall furnish a complete list of such members including their business connections, mailing addresses, and the class of membership held. The Certificate and the list of membership shall be signed by the Chapter President and The Chapter Secretary and shall be transmitted in duplicate to the Secretary/Treasurer of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. on or before the date indicated. (amended 1998)

Section 3. Each member, excepting Honorary and Life members, shall pay to the Secretary/Treasurer of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc., annually the annual dues set for that year payable on the First day of January. Life Members shall have paid the sum of 10 times the annual dues at the time they are accepted for Life membership and 50% of the current dues rate thereafter. (amended 1991, 1997, 1998) Nothing in these By-Laws shall preclude the respective chapters from providing for payment of chapters? dues to finance chapter activities.

Section 4. The National Executive Committee shall provide for the audit of the books or accounts of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. by certified public accountants annually, or in its discretion, at more frequent periods. The Secretary/Treasurer shall submit his books and vouchers for audit whenever required by the Board of Governors.

ARTICLE X
PERIODICAL
Section 1. The Board of Governors may publish or have published under its supervision and control a periodical reporting its transactions.

ARTICLE XI
HEADQUARTERS
Section 1. The Headquarters of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall be maintained in the State residence of the sitting National President. (amended 1991, 2004, 2008)

ARTICLE XII
NAME AND EMBLEM
Section 1. In further fulfillment of the purposes and objects of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc., the Board of Governors shall create, adopt and preserve an emblem, badge or other Insignia for the exclusive use and benefit of all members, which shall be registered in the United States Patent Office.

Section 2. Neither the name, emblem, badge or other insignia of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. nor the name, emblem or badge or other insignia of any Chapter shall be used by any Chapter or by any member of a Chapter as a trademark or special brand for merchandise.

ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution shall be made only at a National business meeting provided:

The proposed amendment has been delivered to the National Secretary/Treasurer at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the opening of the National Meeting and a copy thereof shall have been sent to the chairman and members of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee by the National Secretary/Treasurer as soon as practicable for review; and at least ninety (90) days before the opening of the National Meeting any proposed amendment accepted by the Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall have been sent to the National Secretary/Treasurer; and a copy thereof shall have been sent by the Secretary/Treasurer to each Chapter at least sixty (60) days before said opening.
No amendment shall be placed on the ballot without prior review by the Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
Adoption of the proposal will be determined by a two-thirds (2/3) preference of the votes cast on the ballot. Amendments shall become effective on adoption unless otherwise stated in the motion for their adoption.
Or, after an unanimous approval of the Board of Governors, amendments may be proposed and require a similar unanimous vote for adoption. (amended 1976, 1991, 1995, 1998)