This Council shall be known as the USO Council of New England, hereafter referred to as "the Council".

Upon acceptance of these by-laws and the issuance of a charter by United Service Organizations, Inc., hereafter referred to as "National USO", the Council shall discharge the objects and purposes for which such charter has been issued in the New England region, which includes the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The purpose of the Council shall be to further and discharge within the area of its activity the objects, functions and purposes of National USO in serving the members of the armed forces as an advisory and coordinating body to improve availability and use of morale and recreational facilities for military personnel. Its objectives are:

a. To promote close liaison and cooperation between the armed services, and the units within the services, of off-duty recreational facilities and events of interest, whether in the civilian community of the military organizations.

b. To express, through the USO as a central agency for civilian-sponsored recreational and morale activities, the specific needs and desires of the military in promoting social, recreational, spiritual and cultural opportunities.

c. To furnish guidance and support in meeting those needs.

Members of the Council shall be composed of:

a. Senior commanders of each of the armed services in the New England area, or their appointed representatives.

b.The presidents of recognized local USO Councils located in the New England area.

c.Clerical representatives of the three major faiths, civilian and lay representatives of USO member agencies, and representatives of other recognized important community groups in each of the New England States.

The membership of the Council shall number not less than thirty (30) nor more than fifty (50), It shall include charter members together with additional members appointed by the armed services and local USO Councils, and others chosen and elected in manner specified in Section 3 of this Article.

In addition to the initial membership, new members of the Council representing the groups specified in Article II, Section 1c may be elected upon a majority vote by the Council membership present at the annual meeting of the Council upon recommendation by the Executive Committee of the Council. Vacancies may be filled in similar manner to serve for unexpired terms.

Except for designation to fill an unexpired term, members shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. Members may be re-elected without limitation.

The Council shall hold an annual meeting of its members during the month of April of each year in the City of Boston, Massachusetts for the purpose of holding elections of new members, for the consideration of reports and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. In addition, the Council will meet regularly at various locations in the several New England states to hear reports and review the work of the Executive Committee. Special meetings may be held at such time and places as may be designated by the Chairman.

Notice of meetings shall be given in writing to members of the Council not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) days in advance of such meeting, directed to them at their addresses appearing on the records of the Council.

Ten (10) members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.

The officers of the Council shall be a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a President, Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurers. Each of such officers shall be elected annually by the Council at its annual meeting, and shall be eligible for reelection without limitation.

The Chairman of the Council shall be the National USO New England Regional Chairman. He shall preside at all meetings of the Council membership and shall perform the usual duties of a chief executive of an organization. He shall appoint the Chairman of all sub-committees and shall be a member, exofficio, of all sub-committees.

The Vice Chairman shall be a senior commander of the armed services in the New England area. He shall in the absence of the Chairman perform all the duties of the latter.

The President shall be responsible for the program activities and shall perform the usual duties of a chief administrative officer of an organization. He shall be the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The Vice Presidents shall be the National USO Chairmen for the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The Secretary shall attend and keep minutes of the meetings of the Council, issue notices of all meetings of the Council and in general, shall perform all the duties and functions incident to the office of Secretary.

The Treasurer shall perform the duties customarily pertaining to such office.

The Assistant Treasurers shall, in the absence of the Treasurer, perform all the duties of the latter.

In the event of the death or resignation of any principal officer prior to the expiration of his term, the Council shall fill such vacancy from its membership.

ARTICLE IV

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President of the Council, one (1) representative/ appointed by each of the armed services, and nine (9) civilian* members appointed by/the Chairman of the Council from its membership to serve until the next annual meeting of the Council. The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all powers of the Council between meetings of the Council. It shall conduct regular meetings on a monthly schedule and special meetings as required. The minutes of these meetings will be distributed to each member of the Council. The actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Council at its next regular meeting. The Executive Committee may appoint working sub-committees, to include non-members, as required. (*Change from five (5) authorized 9/20/78)

The Chairman may appoint such other committees as required, in accordance with National USO policy.

The fiscal year of the Council shall commence on the first day of April and end on the thirty-first day of March in each year.

The accounts of the Council shall be audited each year as of the date on which the fiscal year ends. Such audits shall be made by a certified public accountant of recognized standing.

At the annual meeting of the Council, the members shall elect a delegate-at-large and a delegate from each of the New England states to serve as members of the USO National Council.

These by-laws may be amended by the Council by a vote of two thirds of its members present and voting at any regular meeting, notice of the proposed amendment having been given at a previous regular meeting and a copy of notice having been sent to National USO, through established channels, provided, however, that no amendment shall be binding until approved by National USO.

Upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to National USO, the Council may be voluntarily dissolved by vote of its membership at a meeting expressly called for such purpose. The Council may also be dissolved upon revocation of its charter in accordance with procedures specified in the by-laws of National USO. Upon dissolution of the Council, all its funds and property, its books and records, and its Council charter shall be transferred and delivered promptly into the custody of such person as shall be designed by National USO for such purpose.