Page 20 - 2021 SPRING Sojourner Newsletter

20 THE SOJOURNER

3. FUNCTIONS: The primary function of the National Board NR 18.3 Disciplinary Actions
of Directors is to exercise general supervision and control over 2. NATIONAL ACTIONS: The Board of Directors for Trustees
the policy, Purposes, National By-Laws, and National Regula- and National Officers, and the National President for all others,
tions, and that the Trustees, National Officers, National Com- after thorough investigation of alleged dishonorable conduct or
mittees, other National Bodies, Chapters and members operated conduct inimical or detrimental to the aims and Purposes, Na-
within these National Directives. National Board of Directors tional By-Laws, National Regulations, and other Directives of
will elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary/ the National Sojourners, Inc., has the authority to take one of the
Treasurer. following actions:
4. DUTIES: a. Issue a letter of complete exoneration to the party(ies) alleged-
a. Chairman: Upon election by the Directors, he assumes re- ly involved, with distribution of information copies where appro-
sponsibility for the proper functioning of the Board of Direc- priate.
tors, presides at Board meetings, and receives nominations b. Issue a directive to cease and desist from activities deemed to
from among the National Board of Directors for a Vice- be inappropriate.
Chairman and Secretary, who are elected by a majority vote of d. Remove the individual from appointed or elected office.
the National Board of Directors. He reports to the National g. Charges preferred against National Officers shall be referred to
Convention the policy status of the Order. He is an ex-officio the National Board of Directors President for action for Trustees
member of all Committees. and National Line Officers. The National President will generally
b. Vice-Chairman: Assists the chairman and in his absence resolve the matter as provided in NR18.3 for other officers. If
assumes his duties as chairman. the Board of Directors or National President deems it appropri-
c. Secretary: The Secretary shall record the minutes, conduct ate, either will direct the temporary suspension of the accused
correspondence, maintain the National Board of Directors Pol- and refer the matter to the Board of Directors to a special trial
icy File and perform such other duties as may be assigned. committee consisting of at least five Sojourners to be appointed
d. Interim National Secretary-Treasurer: In the event of disa- by him. In the event the committee determine if the evidence
bility, death or resignation of the National Secretary-Treasurer, supports the charge. If not, a letter of exoneration shall be issued
a member of the National Board of Directors designated by the over the signature of the Chairman of the Board of Directors or
Chairman, after consultation with the National President, shall National President with information copies distributed where
assume the responsibilities of the National Secretary-Treasurer appropriate.
until a successor is appointed or elected. If the charges are substantiated, the Board of Directors, commit-
e. The National Line: All National Line Officers, Trustees, tee Trustees and National Line Officers, and the National Presi-
Committees, other National Bodies, Chapters, Clubs, and mem- dent, for all others, shall issue an appropriate action in accord-
bers are responsible to the Board of Directors and National ance with paragraphs a through g above.
President for operating within the definitions, requirements, 4. APPEALS/FINAL AUTHORITY/REPRESENTATION:
and policies contained in the Purposes, National By-Laws, Na- a. All individuals disciplined in accordance with paragraph 3a
tional Regulations, and other National Directives of National above shall have the right to appeal to the National President, the
Sojourners, Inc. The Board of Directors focuses on ensuring Board of Directors, and the National Convention, in turn. Such
compliance by the Trustees and the National Line, while the appeals, directed to National Headquarters (Attention: National
National President focuses on compliance by Committees,
Chapters, Clubs, and members. Judge Advocate), must be made within ninety days of receipt of
formal notice of disciplinary action.
5. MEETINGS:
a. The National Board of Directors normally meet two times a d. The National Convention, acting by secret written ballot is the
year at the Annual National Convention (ANC) and at the Mid- final appellate authority on all disciplinary actions appealed to it.
Winter Meeting (MWM) at the call of the Chairman. At ANC, Acting in its appellate capacity, the National Convention may:
the Directors meet before the election of officers to address and (1) Sustain the action of the Board of Directors or National Pres-
resolve any issues occurring during the year. A second meeting ident. (2) Sustain the recommendations of the Board of Direc-
at the ANC after the election of officers will be convened to tors/National President/Chapter.
elect officers of the Board of Directors for the ensuing year and NOTE: If approved, nominations and elections to fill the posi-
address any policy areas of interest. The Board of Directors tion of Board of Directors will be conducted to permit Directors
also meet in full business session at the Mid-Winter Meeting. to be installed for the 2020-2021 Sojourner Year.
They may meet in special session any other time called by the ____________________________________________________
Chairman or as requested by a majority of the National Board _
of Directors for necessary business. Three or more National 2020-14: B-Ls ARTICLE 19.2 & 19.6 and NRs 6.2 & 8.1.1
Directors constitute a quorum. Any Sojourners may attend Budget and Audit
meetings but may not be accorded the privilege of the floor ex- Whereas, the governance structure of National Sojourners, Inc.,
cept as covered in (b) below. since 1922 has been based on a division of responsibilities be-
b. In addition to the National President and National Secre- tween the National President and the National Trustees. The Na-
tary-Treasurer (ex-officio members), other non-voting partici- tional President, a position of short-term tenure, has authority to
pants in meetings of the National Board of Directors may nor- supervise and direct the general activities of the Order based on
mally include the National President-Elect, National Vice- his vision and goals/objectives. The National Trustees, by struc-
Presidents and the Judge Advocate, all of whom may present or ture, a more deliberative body with longer tenure is composed of
discuss any matter of National Board of Directors concern. Any nine Sojourners of great experience at the national level who are
other member of National Sojourners may request permission particularly knowledgeable in matters of management, finance,
to participate in any portion of meetings of the Board of Direc- and budget, focus on fundamental fiduciary duties as necessary to
tors as he may have pertinent interest. ensure long-term stability and financial solvency;
6. ORDER OF BUSINESS: The Chairman will prepare and Whereas, the goal of the National Regulations is to provide clear
distribute an agenda prior to each ANC and MWM. and unambiguous implementing procedures and processes for