The name of the organization shall be the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard, Incorporated,
hereinafter referred to as the Association.

Section 1

The purpose of this Association is to organize all enlisted personnel of the Arkansas National Guard
to work together in unison for the purpose of advancing the standing, prestige, and welfare of the enlisted members.
The Association will strive to improve the position and status of enlisted personnel in their relationship with
their civilian community as well as in their military environment. These purposes will be sought after through
affiliation with the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.

Section 2

This Association may engage in attempts to promote legislation to attain its purpose.

Section 3

This Association shall be a non-profit organization.

Section 4

This Association shall not participate in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for public office.

Section 1 — Classes of membership

• Annual
• Life
• Associate
• Honorary
• Corporate
• New to the Guard Digital Annual Membership

Section 2 — Qualifications and requirements

1. Annual: Annual membership is contingent upon active assignment as an enlisted member to an Arkansas National Guard unit, or transfer/requested transfer to the Retired Reserve while under age 60, or ineligibility to retain active enlistment due to medical disability requiring discharge. Upon application and payment of prescribed dues, annual membership may be issued. Applications may be reviewed by the Executive Committee and disapproved by simple majority. Any person who did not meet membership requirements at the time of application, including non-payment of dues, is not considered to be or have been a member. Any annual member who reaches age 60 during a membership year may be awarded a gratuitous life membership.
2. Life: Upon application, payment of the prescribed amount, and approval by the Executive Committee, a person qualified to be an annual member may be issued a life membership and retain the rights and privileges of that class.
3. Associate: Upon application, payment of prescribed dues, and approval by the Executive Committee, a person not otherwise qualified for membership may be issued an associate membership. An associate member may not hold office or vote. An associate life membership may be purchased for $100.
4. Honorary: The Executive Committee may, by majority vote, confer honorary membership upon a person who has rendered outstanding service to the Association, the State of Arkansas, a political subdivision thereof, or the Arkansas National Guard. An honorary member may not hold office or vote.
5. Corporate: Upon application, payment, and approval by the Executive Committee, organizations with a common interest in the goals and objectives of the Association may join as corporate members. Corporate members are not entitled to representation.
6. New to the Guard Digital Annual Membership: Upon application, a complimentary 12-month enlisted digital annual membership may be issued to an enlisted member who enlisted or transitioned into the Arkansas National Guard within the previous 12 months and who has never previously been a member of the Association. This membership may hold office and vote and entitles the member only to digital access to EANGUS publications.

Section 3

Certified life and retired memberships existing prior to the 1989 membership year shall be rendered all rights and privileges accorded annual and life membership classes of the Association.

Section 4

The Board of Directors may establish checks and balances as necessary to ensure that the membership of the Association adheres to these objectives and purposes.

Section 5 — Dues

The yearly dues for an annual membership of the Association include annual membership for EANGUS. Dues are based on the individual’s rank at time of joining or renewing and are the total of EANGUS dues plus:

• E-1 through E-6: $4.00
• E-7 through E-9: $19.00

Associate membership annual dues are $10.00 for officers and non-Arkansas National Guard members. Lifetime Associate Membership may be purchased for a one-time cost of $100. Honorary membership is gratuitous. Life membership may be purchased prior to reaching age 60 for $140.

Section 6

Membership shall be on an anniversary basis starting on the day the membership is paid for and processed, then expiring the day prior to the one-year anniversary of that membership. Multi-year memberships may be bought, but will expire the day prior to the final year’s anniversary.

Section 7

Starting with the 2013 membership year, the primary means for membership payment will be through the EAANG website under the membership section. A printed flyer will still be available for individuals who want to pay through traditional means of cash, check, or credit card application.

Section 8

Membership flyers shall be issued to the unit as expeditiously as possible. Flyer and payment method may be mailed in by the individual or collected by the unit designated representative but must be forwarded to the office of the State Association’s Membership Chairperson or Treasurer as soon as possible.

Section 9

Membership shall be maintained in an automated system separated into unit of assignment and retired membership. This system will include all eligible members and the member’s mailing address.

Section 10 — Removal or denial of renewal

No qualified member shall be removed or denied renewal except for cause. Cause includes, but is not limited to, violation of the Association bylaws and/or policies, or conduct unbecoming of a member of the Association. Recommendations for removal may only come from a member of the Association and must be submitted in writing, including email, to the EAANG Secretary, who shall provide the recommendation to the Executive Committee.

If the recommendation is determined to be valid and warranted, the member recommended for removal will be notified in writing and given 30 days to provide a rebuttal prior to any vote of the Executive Committee. If the member cannot be located, or refuses to acknowledge or respond to the notification, the Executive Committee may proceed with a vote no earlier than 30 days after the first attempt to notify the member. Removing a member requires a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee. Members approved for removal are immediately removed from membership.

Section 11 — Resignation and refunds

Dues-paying members may resign from the Association upon written notification, including email notification, to the Secretary of the Association. Because dues are paid on an annual basis, such members, and life members, remain on the active membership rolls, with appropriate annotation, until the end of the current membership year. Members requesting resignation may request a refund of membership dues paid, and any refund, whole or partial, must be approved by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 1

The officers of this Association shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Starting with the election of officers at the 2012 Annual Conference, the officers shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors are elected and duly qualified.

Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates for office shall alternate between the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard. If the office of President is filled by a member of one branch, the First Vice-President must be filled by a member of the other branch, with the office of Second Vice-President being elected from the same branch as the President. If no person from the appropriate branch is nominated, a member from the other branch may be nominated from the floor and duly elected.

Section 2

The President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected at the annual conference on every even-numbered year.

Section 3

Ballots will be printed in advance of the annual conference listing the nominees for each office with sufficient space for write-in candidates. Ballots shall be distributed by the election committee prior to the election of officers at the annual conference.

Section 4

Elections shall be by written secret ballot except when a candidate for an office is unopposed. A majority 2/3 voice vote may be used to elect the unopposed officer. Electronic means of voting may be used in lieu of paper ballots when deemed appropriate by the Nominations and Elections Committee chair.

Section 5

Ballots shall be counted by the Election Committee immediately after voting has ended, and the results shall immediately be given to the Secretary for announcement.

Section 6

Nominees must have an honorable characterization of service as indicated by a final DD Form 214 or final NGB Form 22 for Soldiers and Airmen no longer serving, or a Letter of Good Standing from the nominee’s command for currently serving personnel. Nominees must meet membership requirements and must have no disciplinary action, imposed or pending, that would deem the nominee’s conduct unbecoming of a member of the Association.

Section 1 — President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating and election committees, exercise general supervision over affairs of the organization, exercise direct supervision of the Association employee(s), and perform such other duties as are ordinarily incumbent upon a President.

Section 2(a) — Vice-Presidents

The Vice-Presidents shall perform duties ordinarily incumbent upon a Vice-President and such other duties as may be assigned by the President.

Section 2(b) — Succession to vacant higher office

Vice-Presidents will assume the duties and responsibilities of the office above them in the event of resignation, termination, extended absences due to military duty of 60 days or more, or removal from office. Vice-Presidents remain eligible to run for the next office at the annual conference.

After each Vice-President has progressed upward, the President will seek nominations for the vacant position of Second Vice-President from all districts representing the branch of service that would then fill that position under Article IV, Section 1. Nominations will be accepted for no less than two weeks and no more than four weeks. Nominees must accept in writing. Once nominations close, the President will request a special election from the Board of Directors. If more than two individuals are nominated and a clear majority cannot be determined, the two highest vote getters will enter a runoff election and the highest number of votes wins. The elected nominee will be sworn in immediately and begin assuming the duties of the Second Vice-President. The Secretary must record the special election in minute format. The elected individual fulfills the remaining time of the outgoing officer’s term.

Section 2(c) — Multiple vacancies

If the offices of President, First Vice-President, and Second Vice-President are vacated, or any two of those positions are vacated within 90 days of each other due to resignation, termination, extended absences due to military duty of 60 days or more, or removal from office, a special election must take place.

The outgoing President shall seek nominations for each vacant position in accordance with the branch of service rules in Article IV, Section 1. Nominations will be accepted for no less than two weeks and no more than four weeks, and all nominees must accept in writing. Districts 1-10 receive two votes each in this special election, Districts 11 and 12 receive one vote each, and the Executive Board receives one vote each, including outgoing members and the past president, for a total of 28 votes for each vacant position. If more than two individuals are nominated and a clear majority cannot be determined, the top two enter a runoff. The elected nominees are sworn in immediately and fulfill the remaining time of the outgoing officers’ terms. The Secretary must record the special election in minute format.

Section 1 — Secretary

• Act as registered agent with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
• File any changes to the bylaws with the Internal Revenue Office and the Office of the Secretary of State.
• Attend all meetings: regular, special, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Association meetings.
• Record and publish minutes of Board of Directors and annual conference meetings.
• Keep the official copy of the bylaws with all amendments.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the President.

Section 2 — Treasurer

• Receive, receipt for, and be custodian of all funds of the Association.
• Deposit all funds in a bank, banks, trust company, or companies designated by the Board of Directors.
• Maintain records of monies collected, deposited, and disbursed in accordance with generally accepted accounting procedures.
• Be bonded for the amount of $2,000, the cost of the bond to be borne by the Association.
• Serve as representative of the Association when entering contractual agreements after consultation and approval of the Executive Committee.
• Ensure all bills and claims of the Association are paid.
• Serve as Chairperson of the Finance Committee.
• Have signature authority on all accounts of the Association.
• Furnish a quarterly financial statement to the Board of Directors and an annual financial statement to the general membership attending the annual conference.
• Furnish the Association’s CPA appropriate records for preparation of Internal Revenue Forms 990 and 990-T.
• Retain financial records to comply with the statute of limitations of the Internal Revenue Service.
• Ensure Internal Revenue Forms 990 and 990-T are filed with all appropriate federal and state agencies.

Section 1 — Annual Conference

• The Association shall conduct an annual conference on a weekend during the calendar year.
• The purpose of the annual conference will be the election and installation of officers, election and installation of Board Members by caucus, conduct of the general membership business session, and election of EANGUS Delegates.

Section 2 — Board of Directors meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet on a quarterly basis or as otherwise determined by the President.

• Board of Directors meetings may be conducted by electronic or virtual means as deemed necessary by the President.
• Voting may be by proxy if a member of the Board of Directors cannot attend and has submitted a proxy memo to the Secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

Section 1 — Composition

The Association shall have a Board of Directors consisting of the President, Vice-President, Second Vice-President, immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, five Board Members from the Army National Guard, five Board Members from the Air National Guard, one Board Member representing retired Air National Guard, and one Board Member representing retired Army National Guard. The President of the Association’s Auxiliary shall sit on the Board as an ex officio member who may add to discussion, debate, or activities but shall not be a voting member.

Section 2

The District Representatives shall be elected at caucuses of members of each district at the annual conference on every odd-numbered year. Each District Representative shall serve a two-year term.

Section 3

The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, may appoint a member from the district to fill a representative position if a representative was not selected by caucus at the annual conference. If any representative fails to attend a called meeting for two consecutive times without valid excuse, the office shall be deemed vacated by the Board of Directors.

Section 4

A quorum of at least forty-one percent (41%) of the voting members of the Board of Directors may transact the business of the Association at any official meeting. Each director should be notified either by mail or telephone at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.

Section 5

The appointment and compensation of all employees of the Association shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors and shall be established annually by the Board.

Section 6

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Association. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on emergency matters when there is insufficient time to call a full meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 7

Members of the Board of Directors, including elected Officers, must remain members in good standing, including payment of membership dues, for the period of their term. It is each member’s responsibility to ensure compliance. If membership expires or dues are unpaid, that member shall have 30 calendar days to become compliant. If not compliant at the expiration of 30 days, the Executive Committee may declare that Board position vacant by simple majority vote. No member of the Board may engage in the official business of the Association during the time their membership is out of compliance.

Section 8 — Duties and Responsibilities of District Representatives

1. Perform any and all duties imposed collectively or individually by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these bylaws.
2. Meet at such times and places as required by these bylaws.
3. Register civilian mailing and email addresses and telephone numbers with the Secretary of the Association.
4. Serve as a committee member where appointed.
5. Assist in planning and coordinating annual state association conferences.
6. Support the programs and activities of EAANG, EANGUS, NGAA, and NGAUS.
7. Promote cooperation and friendship among the Soldiers and Airmen of the Arkansas National Guard.
8. Relinquish all proprietary property used inherently for the purpose of conducting business of the Association upon vacating the current position.

Section 1 — Standing committees

Standing committees may be appointed as necessary to administer any programs sponsored by the Association. Committee chairpersons will submit a proposed budget to the Budget and Audit Committee chairperson outlining anticipated expenses prior to preparation of the annual budget proposal.

Section 2 — Nominations and Elections Committee

This committee shall consist of the two most recent Past Presidents. If one or both are not able to fulfill this position, the President may appoint another person to fill the vacated position(s). The committee’s duty will be to receive written nominations for the offices up for election and secure a letter of acceptance from each nominee. The committee will also distribute ballots, collect and count ballots, certify results of each office to the Secretary immediately after the results are known, destroy ballots after certification, and make its report to the general membership when called by the President.

Section 3 — Awards Committee

This committee will maintain and follow the Awards SOP, announce nomination timelines each year, collect nominations, facilitate Awards Committee meetings, assist the President in selecting winners, facilitate the purchase of awards for the Awards Banquet, help coordinate presentations, and manage other functions of the Awards Committee as required.

Section 4 — Corporate Sponsor

This committee makes and receives recommendations on the benefits of each corporate sponsor level, seeks out and establishes corporate sponsor relationships that benefit the sponsor, the Association, and the membership, maintains those relationships, oversees sponsor functions and opportunities, oversees advertisement and marketing for corporate sponsors and their services, and performs other functions to enhance corporate relationships.

Section 5 — Budget and Audit Committee

The Budget and Audit Committee shall audit the Association’s financial records annually, normally in January or February. Special audits, other than the annual audit, shall be conducted upon request of the President. This committee shall also prepare an annual budget covering a period of 1 May to 30 April for conference attendees’ approval. The Chairperson of each committee will serve on the Budget and Audit Committee.

Section 6 — Conference Committee

The Conference Committee shall plan all activities of the annual conference. It may establish a minimum necessary fee for members attending the annual conference. This fee shall not be charged to members attending the business meeting only. The Board of Directors must approve the fee, and it must be announced not less than 30 days prior to the annual conference.

Section 7 — Chaplain

A Chaplain shall or may be appointed by the incoming President. The Chaplain shall conduct the invocation and benediction at Association meetings and offer spiritual assistance when needed.

Section 8 — Parliamentarian

The President will appoint a parliamentarian to assist in following proper procedures set forth in the Association’s bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 9 — Auxiliary Committee

The Auxiliary Committee shall support the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard in attaining goals and objectives and provide support and fellowship among National Guard families. Along with supporting the Association’s legislative efforts, the Auxiliary Committee shall strive to serve as the voice of EAANG families.

Section 1

Expenses of Officers, Board of Directors, and Committees of the Association will be paid on the actual expense basis and only with approval of the Executive Committee. Normal expense means gasoline, telephone, single lodging not to exceed the maximum local lodging rate on the current DoD per diem table when commuting outside a 50-mile radius, program materials, and meals used in the course of Association business.

Section 2

Social activities and charitable expenses must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3

All allocations of funds in excess of bills due may be temporarily or permanently suspended, or collection procedures invoked, if after a report by the Treasurer it is the opinion of the Board of Directors that expenditure of these funds would be detrimental to the Association.

Section 4

All expenses, bills, or dispersal of funds in excess of $500 shall be accomplished using a two-party signature checking system. Authorized signatures will be the President, the Treasurer, and/or two annual or life members appointed by the Board of Directors at the first called Board meeting following the annual conference. A minimum of two signature holders must live in the central Arkansas area. Fifty dollars per month may be maintained as petty cash.

The annual accounting period of this Association shall close 31 December of each year.

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws or the special rules of order of this Association.

Section 1

All committees shall submit a written report of their activities to the conference. Committee chairpersons shall, if directed, give periodic reports of their committee actions to the President.

Section 2

The Treasurer shall initiate and submit all necessary reports and returns required by the State of Arkansas and the Internal Revenue Service. Internal Revenue Service Form 990 will be filed within 60 days of the Association’s annual accounting period.

Section 1

The First Vice-President and Second Vice-President will automatically serve as delegates to EANGUS. Up to a maximum of eight delegates will be elected at the Board of Directors meeting immediately prior to the start of business of the annual conference. Up to four each will come from within the Army and within the Air National Guard board members. For purposes of nomination and election, the retiree board member will be included in the count of four from the service in which that member retired. Nominations will come from the floor at the Board meeting and election will be by secret ballot.

Section 2

For remaining vacancies, any number of nominations may be made from the floor during the business session of the annual conference. Vacancy delegate elections will be by secret ballot and counted by any Association member if all election committee members are nominated. The Election Committee will record and certify a by-name list in order of votes received and provide it to the Secretary. If an elected delegate later withdraws, the next person on the list will replace that delegate.

Section 3

The actual number of delegate authorizations will be determined at the Board of Directors meeting scheduled immediately prior to the annual conference. All vacancies will be filled from the certified list maintained by the Secretary after the annual conference.

Section 1

These bylaws may be amended at the annual conference by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting, provided that a 30-day notification to the membership has been given.

Section 2

The bylaws may be amended at the annual conference by unanimous vote without prior notice, provided the Bylaws Committee has reviewed the proposed amendments and made its recommendation to the membership.

Section 3

Bylaws amendments adopted at the annual conference will become effective on the first day following the close of business of the annual conference, unless the adopted amendment specifically states an implementation date.

Section 1 — When Invoked

This article may be invoked by majority vote of the Board of Directors in the event that war, state, or national emergency is proclaimed by the President of the United States or the Governor of Arkansas, or where there are insufficient members present at the annual conference to constitute a quorum, or the annual conference cannot be reasonably called. When invoked, this article shall take precedence over any conflicting provision of the bylaws.

Section 2 — Authority to Act

In such an event, the remaining members of the Board of Directors are authorized and empowered to carry on and conduct the business of the Association, including all actions normally requiring a vote of the membership, during the period of such war or emergency and until the next annual conference following termination of such war or emergency.

Section 3 — Filling Vacancies

The remaining Board of Directors shall have the authority to appoint such members not called to active service to serve on the Board as members pro tem to fill any vacancies.