Constitution

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Contents
Article I: Name
Article II: Declaration of Policy
Article III: Membership
Article IV: Chapters
Article V: Ratification of Constitution and By-Laws
Article VI: Composition of Port Chapters
Article VII: Governing Body
Article VIII: Officers
Article IX: National Meetings
Article X: Revenue
Article XI: Membership Insignia
Article XII: Adoptions
Article XIII: Amendments
Article XIV: Adoption

General Preamble to the Constitution
"An adequate, efficient, prosperous MERCHANT MARINE is necessary for the naval and military safety and economic well being of the UNITED STATES."

Throughout the course of world history the seaman in general, and the Master Mariner in particular, have contributed immeasurably to the development of science, culture and civilization. The great discoveries, lines of communication, and commerce of the world have been developed by seamen and by commercial interests who were lead, counseled and directed by Master Mariners.

WHEREAS, the Master Mariners of the United States of America recognized the professional accomplishments off those who have preceded them, and,

WHEREAS, they, the Master Mariners, desire to maintain and enhance the professional tradition by continuing to advance the causes of maritime science, did in the year 1936, form THE COUNCIL OF AMERICAN MASTER MARINERS.

NOW, THEREFORE, The Council of American Masters Mariners declares its objects shall be to advance the causes of Maritime and Nautical Science by recognizing training criteria; accepting standard practices; fostering the exchange of maritime information and experience; encouraging the publication and study of professional literature; assisting in maritime research; assuming a public and impartial responsibility; and cultivating a continuing attitude of learning within the profession.

The Council of American Master Mariners is pledged to serve no personal or private ambition or interest but to promote broad general policies for the benefit of the national interest and of maritime endeavors.

Constitution of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
Corrected through 2008

ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be "The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc."

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF POLICY
Section 1. The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc., is a nonprofit association of persons having common professional interests, the objects of which are:

To promote an effective, efficient,prosperous American Merchant Marine which is of maximum benefit to the nation, the shipper, the mariner, the ship owner, and the financial community.
To render a public service by expressing the considered professional opinions of Master Mariners regarding maritime issues.
To encourage and promote advances in nautical education, training standards, and the publication of professional literature for the American mariner.
To cultivate an attitude of continuing education within the profession.
To foster an exchange of information between, and promote a spirit of friendship and common purpose among, all organizations whose members are dedicated to a strong United States flag merchant fleet.
To support and encourage improvement in all nautical facilities.
To enhance the rightful prestige of the American Master Mariner. (amended 1992)

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Amended 1976
Section 1. The membership of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall consist of four classes of members, namely: (a) Regular, (b) Special, (c) Associate, and (d) Honorary. The number of Associate Members shall not exceed 20%, and the number of honorary members shall not exceed 2% of the Regular members. The requirements for membership in the several classes are: (amended 1992)

Regular Membership: (#-R)

(#-RU) A Master Mariner holding a valid USCG unlimited Master’s License and who has commanded a vessel or vessels of over 5000 GRT on voyages may become a Regular Member on approval of the Executive Committee and upon subscribing to the Constitution and By-Laws and paying the admission fee, if applicable, and the dues for the current year. (amended 1991, 2008)
(#-RP) American Citizens serving as a Senior or First Class Pilot, with at least one years experience, certified to pilot vessels of 20,000 GRT or over and duly registered and licensed by their respective state, federal authority, Panama Canal Commission or authority recognized by the Board of Governors, shall be eligible for membership and may be accepted as a Pilot-Regular member on approval of the Board of Governors and subsequent payment of applicable fees and dues for the current year. A Pilot-Regular shall have all the rights and privileges as a Regular member as provided by the By-Laws. (added 1992, 2008)

Special Membership: (#-S)

(#-S)A person holding a valid USCG unlimited Master’s license but who has not commanded a vessel or vessels of over 5000 GRT on voyages. (amended 1991, 1992)
(#-S16)A person holding a valid USCG 1600 ton Master?s license who has commanded a vessel or vessels on voyages. (amended 2000)
(#-SP)American citizens serving as a Second or Third class pilot or pilot certified for less than 20,000 GRT or having less than three years credited pilot service and duly registered and licensed by their respective state, federal authority, Panama Canal commission or authority recognized by the Board of Governors. (added 1992)
(#-S5) A person holding a valid USCG 500 ton Master’s license who has commanded a vessel or vessels on voyages. (added 2008)
Special Membership must be approved of by the Board of Governors and upon subscribing to the Constitution and By-Laws and paying the admission fee, if applicable, and dues for the current year. A Special Member shall have all the rights and privileges as a Regular Member except holding elective office other than as provided in By-Laws. (re-lettered 2008)

Associate Membership: (#-A)
A person, even though not a licensed Master Mariner, who is serving as an official of a U.S. water transportation company in an executive, administrative or operational capacity; a member of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, or Military whose rank and responsibilities would be comparable to those of a Master Mariner; a licensed former member of a Cadet/Midshipman Chapter or a notable person serving with distinction in maritime related fields of education, training, research, regulation or government may become an Associate Member on approval of the Board of Governors and upon subscribing to the Constitution and By-Laws and paying the admission fee, if applicable, and the dues for the current year. An Associate Member shall have all the rights and privileges of a Regular Member, except holding elective office other than as provided in By-Laws. (amended 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008)
Honorary Membership:
A notable citizen of the United States of America or of a foreign country, of preeminent distinction in the maritime or related industry, and who is not qualified for Regular Membership may be elected as Honorary Member by the Board of Governors by an affirmation vote of all members present at any meeting of the Board. Honorary Members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of other members except of voting for and holding elective office. Honorary Members shall be exempt from payment of admission fees and dues. (re-lettered 1992)

Section 2. Life Membership: Any member in good standing may become a Life Member upon making written application to and with the approval of the Board of Governors and payment of the fee hereinafter provided; A member in good standing who has (a) completely retired from the maritime industry, (b) is over 70 years old, and (c) has paid total dues equal to or exceeding the amount required for Life Membership applicable at the time he joined the Council, may request in writing for Life Membership. The Board of Governors may consider such request and after considering the circumstances may approve Life Membership. Life Members shall retain the rights and privileges of their class of membership but shall pay dues in the amount of 50% of current annual dues. (amended 1997, 2008)

Section 3. Transfer of Membership: A Special Member shall be eligible for transfer to Regular Membership upon (a) commanding a vessel or vessels of over 5000 GRT on voyages or (b) having served with distinction as an official of a water transportation company in an executive, administrative or operational capacity, or in maritime related fields of education, training, research, regulation or government. (c) A Pilot-Special member shall be eligible for transfer to a Pilot Regular membership upon being certified as a senior or First Class Pilot on vessels of 20,000 GRT or over and having more than three years credited pilot service and duly as stated in Section 1(b) 2. Application for transfer shall be made in writing to and shall be subject to approval of the Board of Governors. (amended 1991, 1992, 2008)

ARTICLE IV
CHAPTERS
Section 1. Chapters which, having agreed to be bound by the Constitution and By-Laws of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. and having been granted a Charter, continue to perform the obligations as set forth in this Constitution and By-Laws and each Chapter shall be named: The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc., XX Chapter. (amended 1991)

ARTICLE V
RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Section 1. Every Chapter heretofore or hereafter granted a charter in The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. and accepting same, thereby accepts, ratifies and agrees to be bound in all things, not contrary to law, by this Constitution and the By-Laws of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. and amendments thereof, and to faithfully observe the provisions thereof.

ARTICLE VI
COMPOSITION OF PORT CHAPTERS
Section 1. The Port Chapters shall be composed as follows:

Any class of member of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. in good standing may become a member of the same class of Port Chapter of his choice so long as he continues to be a member in good standing of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.

ARTICLE VII
GOVERNING BODY
Section 1. The Governing body of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall be the Board of Governors consisting of the President, the immediate Past President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, the Regional Vice Presidents, and the Secretary/Treasurer, together with the Presidents of the Port Chapters. The President of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall serve as chairman of the Board of Governors provided for in Article VIII of the By-Laws of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. (amended 2008)

Section 2. The Board of Governors shall act on all matters pertaining to the operation and management of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. between meetings, as the Board is responsible to The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. for the control and management of the affairs of the Council, in conformity with the Constitution and By-Laws. The Board of Governors shall not incur any total financial obligations in excess of the sum of the estimated income determined by the Finance Committee for the current fiscal year and fifty percent (50%) of the accumulated surplus existing at the beginning of the fiscal year. (amended 1991, 2008)

Section 3. The powers not specifically reserved to or exercised by the National Board of Governors under this Constitution and By-Laws shall be exercised by the appropriate national officers with the advice of the Board of Governors. (amended 1991, 2008)

ARTICLE VIII
OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall be a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, one or more Regional Vice Presidents (the actual number of whom shall be prescribed by the By-Laws) and a Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 2. The President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, the Regional Vice Presidents and the Secretary/Treasurer of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall be nominated in accordance with the By-Laws and elected by a majority of the votes cast by the members in good standing at each National Meeting, and they shall be installed as the last order of business at each National Meeting. (amended 1998)

Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be one elected office. In accepting these dual responsibilities he is permitted to accept a salary as Secretary and does not relinquish the right of the Treasurer to vote at all meetings. He shall keep the records of the Annual Meeting, the Regular Meetings, the Board of Governors, and the Executive Committee. He shall take office upon being elected. (amended 1997, 1998)

Section 4. An Executive Vice President or Executive Secretary may be appointed by the President with the consent of the Board of Governors and his term of office and salary shall be set by them. (amended 2008)

Section 5. Officers of the Chapters shall be those specified in their respective Chapter following the election of officers as prescribed by the individual Constitution or By-Laws. (amended 1991)

ARTICLE IX
NATIONAL MEETINGS
Section 1.

The site of the National Meeting shall be determined at the Annual Board of Governors Meeting one year before the approximate date thereof, subject to change by the National Board of Governors to meet any emergency or special condition. The specific dates for each annual meeting shall be determined by the National Officers and subject to the approval of the Board of Governors. (amended 1998, 2008)
Chapters desiring the National Meeting shall submit their request to the National Board of Governors via the National President not less than two years in advance of the expected approximate date of such National Meetings. Such requests shall be in writing, signed by the President of the Chapter, attested by the Secretary thereof and approved by the Regional Vice President of the geographical region in which the Chapter is located. (amended 1991, 1998)
If no bona fide invitation is received for a National Meeting or if no agreement is reached on a site for the Annual Meeting, the selection of the time and place of the National Meeting shall be made by the Board of Governors. (amended 1998, 2008)

ARTICLE X
REVENUE
Section 1. Dues as provided for in the By-Laws shall be paid to The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.

ARTICLE XI
MEMBERSHIP INSIGNIA
Section 1. Every member in good standing of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. during the continuance of his membership shall be entitled to wear the emblem, badge or other insignia of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.

ARTICLE XII
ADOPTIONS
Section 1. By-Laws not inconsistent with this Constitution embodying additional provisions for the governing of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. shall be adopted, and may be amended from time to time.

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

1. The proposed amendment has been delivered to the National Secretary/Treasurer at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the opening of the Annual 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
2. 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; and
3. A copy thereof shall have been sent by the Secretary 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 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 a unanimous approval of the Board of Governors, amendments may be proposed and require a similar unanimous vote for adoption. (amended 1976, 1991, 1995)

ARTICLE XIV
ADOPTION
Section 1. Upon the adoption of this Constitution all previous Constitutions of The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. and Amendments thereto shall become null and void. (adopted 1967)