Constitution: Seagull Fight #61 Order of Daedalians

January 2007

Article I

Name and Purpose

Seagull Flight #61 Order of Daedalians, Hurlburt Field FL, is an independent private organization that shall be here-in-after referred to in the constitution and bylaws as the “organization”. The purpose of the Order of Daedalians is to represent a group of American World War I pilots, commissioned officers in the Air Corps, United States Army. In full realization of the constant lessening of their numbers due to the continued hazards of the calling and their advance in years, and in order to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, the love of country, the memories, sad and pleasant, of their service during that period, and the high ideals of sacrifice which placed service to the nation above personal safety or position; and to further cement the ties of comradeship which bound them together at that critical hour of our nations need, The Order of Daedalians was duly ordained and established in 1934, while invoking the blessings of Almighty God. Seagull Flight # 61 was chartered in April, 1979.

Article II

General Provisions

The organization operates on a military base only with the consent of the Installation Commander. This organization will be self–sustaining. There will be no direct financial assistance to the organization from any non–appropriated fund instrumentality (NAFI) in the form of contributions, dividends, or donations of monies or assets. Operation is contingent on compliance with AFI 34–223 and all applicable Air Force regulations. The membership is liable for organizational debts in the event that the organization’s assets are insufficient to discharge liabilities.

Article III

Officers and Governing Body

Section I. The executive power shall be vested in the Flight Officers who will be duly elected officers of the organization. Flight Officers operate under the purview and guidance as provided by the National Order of Daedalians Flight Manual and Bylaws. Local charter does not violate or invoke special considerations and/or provisions not authorized in the National charter. A local charter is obtained to operate on a military installation and to comply with the pertinent military regulations governing the operation of private organizations.

Section II. Unless specifically authorized in the National Order of Daedalians Bylaws or by the National Board of Directors, Flight Officers are not agents for and have no authority, expressed or implied, to act for or bind the Order of Daedalians, Incorporated, in matters of contract, and unless specifically directed shall not serve as employees or servants of the Order of Daedalians, Incorporated.

Section III. Elected officers will consist of a Flight Captain, Vice Flight Captain, Adjutant, Treasurer, Flight Provost Marshal and a Scholarship Chairperson. Other officers or committee chairpersons may be elected or appointed by the Flight Captain as he/she directs. It is the responsibility of the Flight Officers to ensure asset accountability, liability satisfaction, and assuring responsible financial and operational management.

Section IV. Newly–elected officers will consult 1 SOSVS/SVF for guidance/training on local base requirements, procedures, and information that supplements AFI 34–223. It is the responsibility of the organization to ensure that a new phone list/address is provided immediately upon change to 1 SOSVS/SVF for a current point of contact to always be on file. The new officers will submit updated constitution and bylaws to 1 SOSVS/SVF once elected.

Article IV

Membership Patronage

Section I. The membership of the organization shall consist of Founder Members, Named Members, Hereditary Members, and Honorary Members who have subscribed to the tenets and purpose of the Order of Daedalians as set forth in the Flight Manual and national bylaws. Membership is open to all persons regardless of race, sex, religion, or national origin, provided they meet the requirements of those documents.

Section II. Types of Membership: (Listed by Category)

  • Founder Member — a person who, prior to 12 Nov 1918 as a commissioned officer in any component of the United States Armed Forces, held a rating as a military pilot of heavier–than–air powered aircraft. Due to the ravages of time there are no living Founder Members.
  • Named Member — a military pilot, of heavier–than–air powered aircraft in any component of the United States Armed Forces, who is or has been a commissioned or warrant/flight officer and who is accepted as a member to perpetuate the membership of a Founder Member. Only two Named Members are authorized for any one Founder Member.
  • Hereditary Member — A descendant, real or adopted, of a Founder Member. There is no limit to Hereditary Members authorized for any one Founder Member.
  • Honorary Member — A distinguished person who is not otherwise eligible for membership in the Order. The National Board of Directors screens recommendations and selects the nominee to be submitted to the vote of the active membership. At least three quarters of the votes cast must be in favor of the nominee’s designation as an Honorary Member. The number of Honorary Members shall not exceed fifteen at any one time.
  • Active Members — Active Members shall consist of the following dues paying or Life Members, eighteen (18) years of age or over:
    • Named Members
    • Hereditary Members

Article V

Method of Financing

Section I. Dues. Membership dues will be paid annually at a rate as approved by the Flight staff. All dues are payable by the membership on 1 January of each calendar year. Members who join between January and October are charged full dues. Those who join after 1 October have dues waived until 1 January of the next calendar year.

Section II. The organization will conduct occasional fundraisers such as golf tournaments or other similar infrequent functions. Prior to such an event, if donations are to be solicited within the local community, requests will be submitted to 1 SOSVS/SVF who will review this request and forward to 1 SOW/JA and the 1 st Special Operations Services Commander for approval IAW AFI 34–223.

Article VI

Activities

Section I. The organization will not engage in activities that duplicate or compete with any base SVS activity or NAFI, including the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).

Section II. The organization must not prejudice or discredit the US Government or conflict with governmental activities in the course of doing business. Solicitation of funds by private organizations for themselves is prohibited on Air Force installations. In addition, this private organization is prohibited from conducting games of chance, lotteries, raffles, or other gambling type activities.

Article VII

Meetings and Quorums

Section I. General membership meetings will be held the third Thursday of each month, unless otherwise published. The meeting times are normally 6 PM unless otherwise published. Special meetings can be conducted at the discretion of the Flight Captain.

Section II. No voting will take place at a general or special meeting unless a quorum is present. Twenty–five percent of the active membership, physically present or represented by proxy at a meeting, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present at a meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present or represented by proxy or by solicited mail–in, and entitled to vote on the subject matter, shall be the act of the membership unless otherwise provided by law, Articles of Incorporation, or bylaws.

Article VIII

Adoption and Amendments

Section I. The organization will ensure the constitution and bylaws are updated every two years, or after a change of Flight Officers, and forwarded to 1 SOSVS/SVF for approval. The organization can make changes and/or revisions at any time during the year. Changes and revisions will be forwarded to 1 SOSVS/SVF for approval and are subject for final review by the 1st Special Operations Services Commander.

Section II. The constitution and bylaws amended by change or revision will remain in effect for a period of not less than six months.

Article IX

Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the organization, assets will be disposed of IAW 34–223. No individual member will benefit monetarily or materially from such disposition. Should disposition become necessary by the organization, the 1 SOSVS/CC will be notified in writing by the organization. The organization operates on an installation only at the discretion of the Installation Commander. Should he/she deem that there is just cause, or when the activities of the organization no longer provide a positive morale or service to installation personnel, the organization can be dissolved by the 1 SOSVS/CC or Installation Commander. Whatever funds contained in the Treasury at the time of dissolution will be used to satisfy outstanding debts, liabilities, or obligations. The balance of these assets will be returned in accordance with the National Order of Daedalians bylaws to the National headquarters for scholarships.

Article X

Insurance

Section I. The organization has the responsibility of obtaining liability insurance against personal injury and property damage claims, and for misappropriation or embezzlement of funds by its members.

Section II. By a majority vote of its members, the organization has determined that the normal course of activities of this organization does not require liability or fidelity insurance. There is a limited risk and extremely low–liability exposure.

Section III. A waiver of insurance request will be forwarded for the Installation Commander’s approval/disapproval. This waiver will be re–submitted annually for approval IAW AFI 34–223.