USS Newport News Liaison Committee Bylaws

Article I - Name
The name of this committee shall be the USS NEWPORT NEWS LIAISON COMMITTEE, hereafter referred to as the Committee.

Article II - Purpose and Duty
This Committee shall have the responsibility and duty to maintain a liaison for a continuing relationship with the City of Newport News and the USS Newport News (SSN750), its officers and crew.

Article III - Membership - Click here to view current Membership Directory

Section 1
The committee shall consist of the following:
Ten voting members appointed by the City Council:
- One member representing the financial community
- One member representing the professional management community
- One member having a sea-service background (preferably in submarines)
- One member representing the shipbuilding industry
- Six  members appointed from the citizenry at-large

Non-voting ex-officio members:
- Ship's ombudsman
- The chairman of the ship's recreation committee or designated representative
- One member appointed by the City Manager
- One member appointed by the Superintendent of Schools

Section 2
Council appointed members shall be appointed for terms of four (4) years

Section 3
The Committee may, by a majority vote of the voting membership, recommend to the City Council the removal of a Committee member for any of the following reasons:
a.  Failure to carry out agreed upon assignments
b.  Missing more than three regular meetings without just cause within a six month period
c.  Any other just cause

Section 4
Any member of the Committee may be removed by City Council at any time if it finds the best interest of the City would be served by such action.

Section 5
All appointed member vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term.

Article IV - Officers and Duties

Section 1
The officers shall consist of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary.  Officers shall serve for a term of one year and shall be elected by and from the membership of the Committee, and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.  A majority vote of the entire voting membership shall be required for election.

Section 2
The duties of the Chairman shall be as follows:
a.  Preside at Committee meetings at which he/she is present
b.  Call special meetings of the Committee
c.  Serve as a liaison between the Committee and City Council
d.  Serve as a liaison between the Committee and the submarine
e.  Establish standing and ad hoc committees, appoint members to each committee, and name its chairman

Section 3
The duties of the Vice Chairman shall be as follows:
a.  Preside at Committee meetings in the absence of the Chairman
b.  Assume the chairmanship of the Committee should that position become vacant
c.  Perform any of the duties assigned by the Chairman

Section 4
The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:
a.  Keep official minutes of regular and special meetings of the Committee
b.  Make and maintain a record of regular attendance and special meetings of the Committee
c.  Send to members notices of upcoming meetings
d.  Serve as a member of the Historical Committee
e.  Perform any other related duties assigned by the Chairman

Section 5 - Vacancies
Should vacancies occur in the office of Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall assume the office for the duration of the term.
Should a vacancy occur in the offices of Vice Chairman and/or Secretary, the members, by a majority vote, shall elect a replacement to complete the term.

Article V - Meetings

Section 1
Regular meetings shall be held on the fourth Monday of each month, unless otherwise agreed to by a majority of the voting membership.

Section 2
Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or at the request of at least six of the voting members.

Section 3
A quorum of at least six voting members shall be required to conduct business.

Article VI - Committees

Section 1
The standing committees and their duties shall be as follows:
a.  Finance Committee
    - prepare the Committee's annual budget request to submit to City Council
    - coordinate fundraising activities for the Committee
    - monitor expenditures
    - any other duties deemed appropriate

b. Historical Committee
    - maintain a log of Committee activities, events, gifts, displays, etc.
    - any other duties deemed appropriate

c.  Promotions Committee
    - promote Committee and ship activities
    - identify opportunities for ship participation
    - maintain a liaison with the City staff
    - any other duties deemed appropriate

d.  Scholarship Committee
    - distribute scholarship applications
    - review applications and award scholarships
    - work with the Finance Committee to raise scholarship funds

Section 2
Special (ad hoc) committees may be created by the Chairman as they are needed.

Article VII - Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the entire voting membership at two consecutive regular meetings of the Committee.  A proposed amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Chairman, who will have it distributed to the membership at least one week prior to the meeting at which it shall be voted upon.

Article VIII - Effective Date
These Bylaws shall take effect upon approval by a majority vote of the entire voting membership.

Revised September 1996

Amendment 1
When awarding scholarships by the Scholarship Committee, the following timetable shall be used:

• Applications from potential recipients must be received or postmarked by March 15 of each calendar year.

• The Scholarship Committee shall meet no later than the following May 1 to award scholarships.

• Scholarship recipients shall be notified by June 1.

Adopted 2001