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Section 1: Name. The name of this Chapter shall be the Erie Canal Chapter, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), hereinafter called "the Chapter."

Section 2: Location. The headquarters of the Chapter shall be located in the County of Oneida, State of New York.

Section 1: General Objective. The Chapter shall be a patriotic, educational, scientific, non-political, and non-profit making association of individuals, industrial organizations, and educational institutions. It shall provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and information in the fields of C4I.

Section 2: Specific Objectives. In furtherance of this general objective and in addition to the specific objectives specified in the By-Laws AFCEA International, the Chapter shall:

a. Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information in the field of C4I, i.e., communications, electronics, command and control, avionics, computer technology, audio visual techniques and photonics.

b. Operate in a non-profit mode.

Section 1: General. Membership in the Chapter shall be open to all individuals and corporations in New York State and surrounding vicinity.

Section 2: Classes of Membership. Classes of membership shall be as prescribed in the By-Laws AFCEA International.

Section 3: Dues. Membership dues shall be as prescribed by AFCEA International Headquarters.

Section 4: Administrative. Subject to Sections 1 and 2, above, the Chapter membership shall be administered pursuant to the following:

a. The term "members" except where specifically stated in these by-laws, shall mean regular and life members only as defined in By-laws AFCEA International.

b. Members shall be entitled to vote in all Chapter elections.

Section 5: Restriction. Only members of the Chapter shall be eligible to hold offices in said Chapter.

Section 6: Participation by Active Military and Government Personnel. Military and government personnel may serve in non-playing positions of responsibility in the Chapter if duly elected or appointed, if holding membership in AFCEA, and if in accordance with current military and government regulations and directives.

Section 1: Organization. The organization of the Chapter shall be comprised of its officers and a Board of Directors. The officers shall be elected in June of each year and shall serve from September 1st of that year until August 31st of the following years. The officers shall consists of President, Vice President-Chapter Affairs, Vice President-Programs, Vice President-Membership, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2: Composition of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chapter officers, past Chapter president and five elected members. The Board of Directors shall meet at least once each year and at the call of the President. A one-third majority of Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall serve the Chapter as stated in the AFCEA Chapter Officer's Handbook. The Secretary will make available to the general membership a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 3: Committee. The following committees shall be organized and function withing the Chapter: Arrangements, Awards, Education, Finance, Membership, Programs, Publicity, Nominating. The committee chairpersons are either designated Chapter officers, volunteers from the membership, or presidential appointees from the membership. These committees can consist of one or more people.

Section 4: Vacancies and Removal. A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the Vice President-Chapter Affairs. The Board of Directors shall fill casual vacancies in the offices of the vice presidents, the secretary, and the treasurer, by nominating and electing a new officer who shall serve the unexpired term of the predecessor. The Board of Directors, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of a quorum, may remove any officer or committee chairperson for cause.

Section 5: Compensation. Members of the Board of Directors shall not receive any compensation for their Board services.

Section 1: President. The president is the principal point of contact between the Chapter and its members, AFCEA International Headquarters, and the public at large. The President shall:

a. Perform all duties usual to that office.

b. Preside at all meetings of the membership and Board of Directors.

c. Appoint committee chairpersons with the advice of the Board of Directors.

d. Perform other duties as stated in the AFCEA Chapter Officer's Handbook.

Section 2: Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents shall render the President such assistance as may be required and in the absence of the president, assume the duties of president based on longevity with AFCEA.

Section 3: Vice President-Chapter Affairs. The Vice President-Chapter Affairs shall be the chairman of the Arrangements Committee.

Section 4: Vice President-Programs. The Vice President-Programs shall be the chairman of the Program Committee.

Section 5: Vice President-Membership. The Vice President-Membership shall be chairman of the Membership Committee.

Section 6: Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining all Chapter records, reports, and minutes of Chapter and Board of Director meetings, and is the Chapter interface with the Director of Chapter Affairs at AFCEA International Headquarters. The Secretary shall be the official correspondent for the Chapter and shall submit such reports as may be required. The Secretary shall also be responsible for all duties as stated in the AFCEA Chapter Officer's Handbook.

Section 7: Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for gathering, disbursing and managing Chapter funds and is the custodian of Chapter reserves. Expenditures in excess of $500 shall require the approval of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all Chapter funds, disburse funds as authorized by the Chapter officers and Board of Directors, prepare all financial reports, and maintain all tax records required of the Chapter operating as a non-profit, tax-exempt entity. The Treasurer shall provide a quarterly statement of income and expenditures to the President and Board of Directors, perform duties as stated in the AFCEA Chapter Officer's Handbook, and participate as a member of the Finance Committee.

Section 8: Vice President for Young AFCEAN Affairs. The Vice President for Young AFCEAN Affairs shall advice the President on the concerns of young AFCEANs (those under 35 years of age), including appropriate Chapter programs to attract more young members. In addition, this individual will serve as the Chapter point of contact for the regional member of the Young AFCEAN Advisory Council.

Section 1: Arrangements. The Arrangements Committee, shall be responsible for panning and arranging all meetings of the general membership, the Chapter officers and the Board of Directors as stated in the AFCEA Chapter Officer's Handbook. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, making meeting site reservations, arranging audio-visual support, registration and ticket disbursement, head table seating, protocol, newsletter preparation, and other responsibilities as required.

Section 2: Awards. The Awards Committee shall establish and operate a chapter Awards Program that recognized those Chapter members who deserve special recognition for accomplishments in their jobs and contributions to the goals, objectives, and general welfare of the Chapter and AFCEA International. The Chapter Awards Program will also support the AfCEA International Awards Program. Specific committee responsibilities include but are not limited to, advertising the International and Chapter awards programs to the Chapter membership, requesting award nominations from the membership, ensuring award nominations submitted to AFCEA International are timely and complete, and obtaining appropriate awards for Chapter winners.

Section 3: Education. The Education Committee shall promote academic achievement and excellence in the general fields of C4I. The committee shall develop and implement a Chapter scholarship program, based on guidance from the Chapter Board of Directors; advertise the program; request scholarship nominations; and select scholarship winners subject to the approval by the Chapter Board of Directors. In addition, the committee arranges for AFCEA members to judge high school science fairs and recommends Chapter awards for students with winning projects in the fields of AFCEA interest.

Section 4: Finance. The Finance Committee advises the President and Board of Directors on all financial matters and annually audits Chapter accounts. This committee shall develop a proposed budget for the following year by 30 July of each year and distribute it to the Board of Directors for approval. The Finance Committee shall also provide the Board of Directors with a revised annual budget by 28 February each year.

Section 5: Membership. The Membership Committee shall develop programs to secure new members and retain current members, both individual and corporate. Committee duties are covered in the AFCEA Chapter Officer's Handbook. In addition, the committee shall initiate and manage Chapter membership promotion programs and respond to those programs initiated by AFCEA International Headquarters. The committee shall also review the monthly membership roster provided by AFCEA International headquarters fo follow-up action on those members whose membership is about to expire. To assist in the retention of these members, the committee shall ensure necessary services are provided to all members.

Section 6: Programs. The Programs Committee shall be responsible for securing prominent guest speakers (emphasizing the objectives of AFCEA and the Chapter membership) for Chapter meetings and coordinating all other Chapter official functions (golf tournaments, conferences, symposia, etc), as required.

Section 7: Publicity. The Publicity Committee shall publicize all Chapter activities through various trade, military, and public journals, etc. Pre-event publicity may include flyers, company bulletins, newspapers, radio, TV, etc. Post-event publicity includes preparing and mailing releases for publications. The chairperson shall arrange for photographic coverage of meetings, symposia, and social events, as appropriate, and is the Chapter point of contact with the Editor of SIGNAL Magazine.

Section 8: Nominating. The Nominating Committee is responsible for presenting a slate of officers for approval at the June meeting. Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall be selected by the President. This committee shall have a minimum of three members, but all members of the Erie Canal Chapter are eligible to participate. The chairman, with the approval of the committee, will present to the Board of Directors the slate of officers prior to the elections in June.

Section 9: Other Committees. With the approval of the president and advice of the Board of Directors, other committees may be established for the purpose and scope of business not specifically chartered among the standing committees. these committees shall be for the specific purpose of running special events and special meetings.

Section 1: General. Regular meetings shall normally be scheduled monthly, usually the third Thursday.

Section 2: Meeting Notices. Written or printed notice shall be given to each member at least one week prior to regularly scheduled meetings, citing as a minimum, the date, time, place, and purpose of meeting.

Section 3: Board of Directors' Meetings. Board meetings may be called by the president or any other two Board members with three days' notice from the secretary.

Section 1: General. The Chapter is entitled to send one delegate per 100 members (but not less than two) to the annual AFCEA meeting held in conjunction with the national convention. Chapter delegates shall be appointed by the Chapter President with the advice and concurrence of the Board of Directors.

Section 1: Amendments and Repeals. These by-laws may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of those present at any regular or special meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present. Amendments, which have been adopted, shall become effective upon receipt of approval by AFCEA International Headquarters.

Section 1: Dissolution. On dissolution of the Erie Canal Chapter, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment all liabilities and legal obligations, dispose of all remaining Chapter assets by transferring such assets to an organization or organizations, at the time shall qualify as a tax exempt organization under applicable provisions and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code.