BLUE STAR MOTHERS
OPERATING MANUAL
January 2007
Connecticut Blue Star Mothers
CT Chapter One -- Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
This manual is to be used in direct relationship with and under the regulations of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. as set forth in the ‘Title 36 United States Code, Chapter 38”
This manual is not to be considered as a separate Constitution and By-Laws for CT Chapter One of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., but as a useful tool for clarification for the particulars of common Chapter operating practices and procedures.
This manual is subject to review, vote, and change by the general membership of the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers - CT Chapter One - for the purpose of updates and/or for the purpose of smoother operating of the Chapter.
At no time is this Operating Manual to conflict with or be in opposition to the Constitution and By-Laws, the operating procedures, the established practices, or the proper protocol set forth by the parent Veterans Service Organization, the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
This operating manual shall assist us in running our Chapter until it is replaced by the Handbook which is presently being put together by the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. to be presented shortly to Chapter Presidents for clarity in operating Chapters.
ITEM ONE
The name of this Chapter shall be:
Connecticut Blue Star Mothers
CT Chapter One -- Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
ITEM TWO
Our Chapter began in May of 2006 when we started the necessary paperwork, foot work, and phone work to establish an official Chartered Chapter of the BSMoA. Our Charter meeting at which we officially completed our paperwork for Charter was held on August 31, 2006 at the Oakville VFD. Charter request and Charter Mother’s applications were submitted to BSMoA the following morning on September 1, 2006; with the BSMoA accepting that paperwork and signing in effect our official Charter on September 9, 2007.
ITEM THREE
The specific purpose of this Chapter is as follows: To Support One Another -- To Support Our Troops -- To Support Our Veterans.
ITEM FOUR
The motto of this Chapter is: EVERY MOM COUNTS!
ITEM FIVE
The mission of this Chapter is the same as the BSMoA which is as follows: “The mission of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., shall be to support the Armed Forces of the United States of America and it’s Veterans; to advocate for America’s Armed Forces and those men and women
who have served their country with honor; to maintain allegiance to the United States; to educate our members and others not to divulge military, naval, or other government information;; to assist and participate in ceremonies which honor, remember, and support our military men and women and Veterans; to assist in Homeland Security; to uphold the American principles of freedom, justice and equal rights and to defend the United States from all enemies.”
ITEM SIX
The members of this Chapter are in full agreement with the said Preamble of the Constitution of the BSMoA which states: "We, the mothers of members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, do unite to establish a permanent organization. Desiring to continue to be of service to our nation, we dedicate our time, and lives if necessary, to the perpetuation of democratic government, and are proud and honored that our sons and daughters have been chosen to serve their country."
ITEM SEVEN
The members of this Chapter are in full agreement with and have taken the loyalty oath set forth by the BSMoA which states: “I do solemnly swear that I am not a Communist or Fascist. I do not advocate nor am I a member of any organization that advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force or violence or other unconstitutional means or seeking by force or violence to deny any person their rights under the Constitution of the United States. I do further swear that I will not so advocate nor will I become a member of such an organization during the period I am a member of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I sign this oath freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me, God."
ITEM EIGHT
The members of this Chapter are in full agreement with the Americanism statement of the BSMoA as set forth in it’s Constitution which states: "Americanism is an unfailing love of country; loyalty to its institutions and ideals; eagerness to defend it against all enemies; undivided allegiance to the flag, and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
ITEM NINE
The membership of this Chapter is made of up three categories for application: ‘Blue Star Mothers’ - mothers who have or who have had children serving in the United States Armed Forces; “Blue Star Dads’ - fathers who have or who have had children serving in the United States Armed Forces; ‘Associate Members’ - those who wish to be members in the organization but do not have children or who have not had children serving in the United States Armed Forces. The category of those serving within the organization as ‘Blue Star Mothers’ are the only members that may hold office or have a recognized vote. All categories of membership require that the member be living in the United States or it’s Territories. The Blue Star Mother and the Blue Star Dad categories of membership require that if your child is no longer serving in the United States Armed Forces that he or she was honorably or medically discharged.
ITEM TEN
The Executive Board of this Chapter consists of the Elected Chapter Officers which are: The President, The Vice President (and any other designated VP Positions such as 1st VP, 2nd VP, CO-VP etc.), The Financial Secretary (and any other designated
Financial Secretary such as Co-Financial Secretary, 2nd Financial Secretary, etc.),
The Treasurer (and any other designated Treasurer such as a Co-Treasurer, 2nd
Treasurer, etc.,), The Recording Secretary (and any other designated Recording Secretary such as Co-Recording Secretary, 2nd Recording Secretary, etc.),
the Sergeant At Arms, our Chaplain, and all Past Chapter Presidents.
ITEM ELEVEN
The President of this Chapter shall follow the required duties set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws of the BSMoA for the Office of President. They are:
1. Represent the organization with dignity and impartiality.
2. Attend events including Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies, Blue Star Mothers conventions, etc.
3. Preside at convention, board and committee meetings, etc.
4. Be knowledgeable in the history and by-laws.
5. Appoint non-elected officers, committee chairs and DC representative making sure that the entire organization is represented in these positions.
6. Respond to member questions, inquiries from other organizations, media, etc..
7. Work with the (National) ‘Chapter’ Executive Board and the Finance Committee to maintain financial income to support the various programs and projects.
The President of this Chapter shall also follow the required duties established by practice and policy by the BSMoA for the Office of Chapter President. They are:
1. Organize, care for, and oversee the operating policies and procedures of the Chartered Chapter.
2. Accept, hold, and adhere to duties specific to the responsibility for the proper running of the Chartered Chapter.
3. Review all invitations extended to the Chapter for appropriate acceptance or decline. (Invitations are acceptable if they are representative of people, meetings, events, etc. that are in agreement with the Constitution, By-Laws, practices, procedures, and policies of the BSMoA.)
4. Extend and present all invitations appropriate for acceptance to Chapter members for proper discussion.
5. Speak for and represent the Chapter in all speaking engagements in relation to invitations that are accepted. (An alternate representative may be approved and appointed by Chapter President if the President can not attend.)
ITEM TWELVE
The Executive Board of this Chapter shall be the ‘governing authority’ of the Chapter. They shall be elected and/or appointed to oversee the proper, legal, and accepted standard for the operation of the Chapter and it’s membership. Each Officer shall follow and adhere to the duties set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws of the BSMoA and the required duties established by practice and policy within the BSMoA that are specific to their individual office. Materials, items, and paperwork related to a specific office shall be turned over immediately by the outgoing officer to or President of the Chapter. Officers shall at all times take the voice of the mothers into consideration when making decisions for the Chapter.
ITEM THIRTEEN
The Constitution and By-Laws of the parent organization shall govern the operation of CT Chapter One of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Our operational practices, procedures, and policies shall be in agreement with those of our parent organization. Roberts Rules of Order shall be used to provide our Chapter meetings, organizational operating practices, and necessary disciplinary proceedings with format and direction. The Chapter Parliamentarian shall oversee the implementation of RROO for our Chapter. The Parliamentarian may not concurrently hold an Executive Officer position within our Chapter and may not vote on Chapter issues, but rather must remain neutral throughout discussion, debate, and the taking of vote at said times.
ITEM FOURTEEN
The Chapter established year of operation shall be from January 1 of each calendar year until December 31 of each calendar year. Reports being presented to the Chapter Presidents by Elected Officers, Appointed Officers, Coordinators of Programs and Projects, Heads of Committees, etc. in December of each year to be filed for Chapter history. Reports being presented to the National BSMoA by the President, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer in January of the following calendar year. Audit of books taking place in December of said calendar year. (Audit required prior to this time if the books are to be passed from one Officer to another during the year.) Elections for the Executive Officers taking place in December of said calendar year. (Officers may hold Executive Office positions for any number of yearly terms to which they are elected by vote of the Chapter membership.)
ITEM FIFTEEN
All monies, properties, programs, projects, materials, gifts, etc., given for the establishment, development, and operation of the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers - CT Chapter One of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. becomes the property of said Chapter and remains with the Chapter when Officers or members leave. Projects and Programs can, of course, be duplicated within other Blue Star Mothers Chartered Chapters. Upon dissolution of final liquidation of the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers - CT Chapter One of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., all monies, properties, programs, projects, materials, gifts, etc., after discharge or satisfaction of all outstanding obligations and liabilities, that which remains, if any, shall be distributed in accordance with the determination of the National Executive Board and in compliance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., and all federal and state laws application thereto and all federal and state laws applicable to said organizations within the state of Connecticut. All said remaining properties including Charter, flag, history, financial record, minutes, money, etc. of this disbanded Chapter shall revert to the Department under which this Chapter functioned. If no Department exists, everything reverts to the National BSMoA.
ITEM SIXTEEN
All items above are subject to the Standing Rules, requests, and directions given to the Chapter President by the National Elected Board of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
ITEM SEVENTEEN
The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political organization. (non-political as set forth in 36 USC 38, section 950 -- the corporation and its officers and agents shall not contribute to any political party or endorse a candidate for public office), Thus, we do not support any political candidate; nor do we endorse any religious organizations. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization. We are here to support our troops, our veterans, one another, and the cause of patriotism. We are neither for or against the present war or past wars that this country has been involved in -- we are simply FOR our children!
ITEM EIGHTEEN
The Blue Star Mothers of America is a Veteran Service Organization chartered by the United State Congress and holds all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of said position (charter).
The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political organization. We do not support any political candidate nor do we endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization. We are here to support our troops, our veterans, one another, and the cause of patriotism. Linking to our website does not represent an endorsement on the part of Connecticut Blue Star Mothers or Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
