Bylaws and Constitution-USS DeHaven Sailors Association

STATEMENT of PURPOSE

For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate patriotism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our shipmates while on board the USS DeHaven DD 469/727 naval ships; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

ARTICLE I: NAME

• Section 1. The name of this organization shall be USS DeHaven Sailors Association.
• Section 2. The national headquarters of the USS DeHaven Sailors Association shall be located at the site of the DeHaven Reunion President.

ARTICLE II: NATURE

• Section 1. The USS DeHaven Sailors Association is a civilian organization; membership therein does not affect civilian liability for military or police service.
• Section 2. The USS DeHaven Sailors Association shall be absolutely non-political and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.

ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATION

• Section 1. The USS DeHaven Sailors Association shall be organized in the national interest of the United States of America.

ARTICLE IV: ELIGIBILITY

• Section 1. Any person shall be eligible for membership in the USS DeHaven Sailors Association who was a crew member of the USS DeHaven DD-469 or USS DeHaven DD-727 and assigned to active duty at sometime while either ship was operated by the United States of American Naval Forces.
• Section 2. There shall be no form or class of membership except for "active membership" or "spouse" or "family member" of a crew member.

This article amended and adopted by reunion vote this 12 day of September 2024 at the Branson, Missouri 34th annual reunion.

ARTICLE V: NATIONAL REUNION

• Section 1. The future reunion location shall be determined by the members present at the national reunion.

This article amended and and adopted by reunion vote this 12th day of September 2024 at the Branson, Missouri 34th annual reunion.

ARTICLE VI: NATIONAL OFFICERS

• Section 1. The national reunion attendees shall elect the officers.
• Section 2. Such officers shall serve until their successors are chosen. No officer or member shall receive any payment of wages or services rendered.
• Section 3. The elected officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary,and Treasurer.
• Section 4. All additional officers shall be appointed by the president.

This article amended and and adopted by reunion vote this 12th day of September 2024 at the Branson, Missouri 34th annual reunion.

ARTICLE VII: FAMILY OF CREW MEMBERS

• Section 1. It shall be the purpose of the USS DeHaven Sailors Association to help the family members of any crew member with the ships history and any other benefits afforded to them by the government of the United States.

ARTICLE VIII: MEMBERS IN DISTRESS

• Section 1. It shall be the purpose of the USS DeHaven Sailors Association to help any member who by natural disaster or flood or wind or by fire, in any manner available to the USS DeHaven Sailors Association for assistance.
• Section 2. A special reserve fund shall be set aside for this purpose and only this purpose.

ARTICLE IX: NEWSLETTER

• Section 1. A news letter shall be mailed to each known member four times a year or more often if reunion chairperson deems a need to inform the membership of pending reunion business or location of new members.

ARTICLE X: FUND RAISING

• Section 1. The USS DeHaven Sailors Association shall have the right to seek donations and or sell items of interest to its members for the purpose of raising funds to cover news letter expenses and reunion expenses.
• Section 2. The USS DeHaven Sailors Association shall adopt an item for sale on a continuous basis that all profits shall be dedicated funds for the relief of its members in distress.

Adopted this 1st day of March 1993.

ARTICLE XI: USE OF DEHAVEN SAILORS NAME FOR FUNCTIONS

• Section 1. All DeHaven functions where the name implies DeHaven Sailors or DeHaven Service Members shall first be approved by the elected officials before any use there of.

Amended and adopted by reunion vote this 4th day of September 1993 at Portland Oregon 4th annual reunion.

ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

• Section 1. Upon dissolution of the Association, the elected officers shall make provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Association. They shall also disperse all of the assets of the Association to such organization or organizations that are organized and operated exclusively as a veterans organization in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(19).

This article amended and adopted by reunion vote this 12th day of September 2024 at the Branson, Missouri 34th annual reunion.

Elected Officials