ARMENIAN GENERAL ATHLETIC UNION (HOMENETMEN) INTERNAL BYLAWS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES REGION Los Angeles, California 2016 1 The general bylaws of the HOMENETMEN [ARMENIAN GENERAL ATHLETIC UNION] were formulated and ratified by the first World Congress of the organization, held on December 11-13, 1974, in Beirut, Lebanon. This first HOMENETMEN World Congress, which holds a unique place in the almost sixty-year history of the organization, set the foundations for the organization’s transnational structure; it was attended by 23 elected representatives from across the Armenian Diaspora, as well as many other notable members of the organization, present in an advisory capacity. The general bylaws of the HOMENETMEN are inspired by the spirit of the organization and democratic principles. These are the two foundational principles upon which our young and vision-oriented organization is based. Beirut, 1974 First round of modifications – 1979, Second World Congress Second round of modifications – 1983, Third World Congress Third round of modifications – 1991, Fifth World Congress Fourth round of modifications – 1999, Seventh World Congress Fifth round of modifications – 2003, Eighth World Congress Sixth round of modifications – 2007, Ninth World Congress Seventh round of modifications – 2011, Tenth World Congress Eighth round of modifications – 2015, Eleventh World Congress The numbers in quotes are the corresponding numbers of articles in the HOMENETMEN general bylaws. Bolded text reflects articles in this region’s internal bylaws. 2 NAME The organization is called the Armenian General Athletic Union (HOMENETMEN), and Scouts. GOALS The goals of the Armenian General Athletic Union (HOMENETMEN) are: a) To cultivate physically fit, mentally healthy, and morally descent Armenians and model citizens. b) To educate its members to be hard-working, courageous, patriotic, law-abiding, and disciplined individuals. c) To cultivate among its members a sense of duty, responsibility, and honor as well as a spirit of camaraderie and mutual assistance. d) To instill in its members a sense of high sportsmanship. METHODS The organization will achieve its goals through the following means – a) Scouting. b) Athletic activities and competitions. c) Lectures, educational programs, and public events. d) Publications and support of educational/cultural events focusing on Armenian language, Armenian history, and the activities of the organization. e) Clubs and gymnasiums. f) Youth division (ages 18-30). 3 BYLAWS MEMBERSHIP Article 301 “1” – Any Armenian, regardless of gender or religious affiliation, can become a member of HOMENETMEN, as long as he or she accepts the organization’s bylaws and agrees to abide by its rules and decisions. Article 302“2” – Any individual wishing to become a member of HOMENETMEN must apply with a written application to a chapter's Executive Board, in accordance to his/her region’s regulations. Applicants 18 and older must have their membership application sponsored by two current members of the organization who have been members for at least two years. Article 303 “3” – The applicant becomes a member of the organization with the approval of the chapter's Executive Board. Article 304 “4” – All members must meet their moral and financial obligations to the organization. Article 305 “5” – A member of HOMENETMEN may not be a member of another athletic or scouting organization. An exception may be made with the approval of the Executive Board of the Region or Megusi* region (according to their internal bylaws). * Megusi is a region with less than 3 chapters OR a total of less than 250 members. Article 306 “6” – Members who transfer from one region to another, or from one chapter to another, must present an official transfer document. a) Transfers from one chapter to another must be permitted by the Executive Board of the Chapter, and approved by the Regional Executive Board. b) Transfers from one region to another must be permitted by the Executive Board of the Chapter, approved by the Regional Executive Board, and facilitated by the Central Board. Article 307 “7” – A member may not simultaneously be part of two HOMENETMEN bodies or committees that have jurisdiction over one another. 4 FLAGS Article 308 “8” – The flag of HOMENETMEN is – The flag is provided to each region by HOMENETMEN Central Board. Article 309 “9” – The flag of HOMENETMEN scouts is – 5 The flag is provided to each region by HOMENETMEN Central Board. Note A - All chapters within Homenetmen Western United States Region have their flags similar to the flag of Homenetmen. Chapter name and founding date will be displayed below Homenetmen shield. Note B - Within the HOMENETMEN Western United States Region, regional, scouting and chapter flags must be six feet in width and four feet in height. MEETINGS AND EXECUTIVE BOARDS Article 310 “10” – HOMENETMEN conducts the following meetings a) Chapter general membership meeting. b) Megusi general membership meeting. c) Regional representative meeting. d) World Congress. NOTE - Division general membership meeting is also conducted within Western United States Region. Article 311 “11” – The following Boards are elected by the above-mentioned meetings: a) Chapter Executive Board. b) Megusi Region Executive Board. c) Regional Executive Board. d) Central Board. 6 NOTE - Division executive body is elected by the division general membership meeting, except scouting division which is appointed by the Chapter Executive Board. Article 312 “12” – All decisions taken in meetings and by the Executive Boards must be ratified by a simple majority. Exceptions to the rule are noted in these articles of this Bylaws-: See articles 350 “39” A; 362 “50” (note); 406 “72”; 428 “92”; and 475 “134.” Article 313 “13” – An Executive Board is considered dissolved if, during its term, it loses a majority of its members. In such cases, the Executive Board must call for the appropriate meeting to take further action. CHAPTER Article 314 “14” – Any group of 15 or more individuals above the age of 18 may form a new chapter. The new Homenetmen chapter is considered officially established when it receives the appropriate approval from the corresponding Executive Board with jurisdiction over the area. Article 315 “15” – Each city may have only one chapter. Additional chapters may be established only with the approval of the Regional Executive Board. DIVISION Article 316 – A division is a section of a chapter whose members are devoted to a specific activity. Article 317 – A chapter in addition to its athletic and scouting divisions, may have auxiliary divisions that focus on social activities, public relations, the chapter’s finances, organizational activities, and educational activities. Note – A division’s members may be further divided into groups. Article 318 – A member may be a part of multiple divisions and groups within a chapter. Article 319 – The Chapter’s Executive Board confirms the executive body of each division, which is responsible for the activities of that division. A representative from the Chapter's Executive Board may attend divisions’ executive body's meetings with the right to vote. Article 320 – Each division must have its general membership meetings. 7 MEETINGS A. DIVISION GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Article 321 – Division general membership meetings are attended by members of the division who have paid their dues, are at least 18 years old and have been members of HOMENETMEN for at least six months. Article 322 – A representative of the Chapter’s Executive Board must attend division general membership meeting. Article 323 – Division general membership meetings are considered official only if a majority of members of the division who are at least 18 years old are present. Note A – If a scheduled meeting is postponed due to the lack of quorum and is rescheduled, the rescheduled meeting will meet quorum requirements regardless of the number of participants. Note B –The Executive Board of the Chapter or division’s executive body must inform members of the division of upcoming division general membership 1st and possible 2nd scheduled meetings dates at least 10 days in advance. Article 324 – Division general membership meeting – a) Listens and evaluates division executive body’s all activities and financial reports. b) Develops a general plan of activities for the upcoming year, approves budget and makes decisions and recommendations. c) Discusses and resolves various issues brought to the table by chapter’s Executive Board, division's executive body and members. d) Elects division executive body. CHAPTER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Article 325 – The chapter general membership meeting is the supreme meeting of the chapter. Article 326 “16” – The chapter general membership meeting, during which Executive Board is evaluated and elected, is convened once a year. If needed, chapter’s Executive Board may decide to convene general membership meetings more than once a year. Article 327 “17” – All members of the chapter older than the age of 18, who have been members of the organization for at least six months, and who have fulfilled all financial obligations to the organization, can participate and vote in the chapter general membership meeting. 8 Article 328 “18” – Chapter general membership meetings are considered official only if majority of members who have the right to vote during the meeting are present. Note – If a scheduled meeting is postponed due to the lack of quorum and is rescheduled, the rescheduled meeting will meet quorum requirements regardless of the number of participants. The Executive Board of the chapter must inform members of the chapter of upcoming chapter general membership scheduled meeting date as well as any postponements. Article 329 “19” – The general membership meeting to which the Executive Board is accountable: a) Evaluates the Executive Board based on its activities and financial reports. b) Makes decisions and recommendations for upcoming Executive Board. c) Elects Chapter’s Executive Board. d) When necessary, elects a number of representatives according to the by-laws to the regional representative meeting, as well as a maximum of two substitute representatives, who are elected separately.