HISPANIC HERITAGE CLUB

RHEIN-MAIN AIR BASE, FRANKFURT, GERMANY

The name of this organization shall be the Rhein Main Hispanic Heritage Committee, hereafter referred to as the HHC. The principle place of operation shall be Rhein-Main Air Base (AB), Frankfurt, Germany.

The HHC shall be organized as a Type 3 – affiliated Private Organization and shall operate on Rhein-Main AB in a manner consistent with the provisions of AFI 34-223, Private Organization Program. The organization shall be self-sustaining and is not an instrument of the United States Government. The HHC will operate on Rhein-Main AB only with the consent of the Wing Commander. Meetings shall be conducted primarily in service facilities on Rhein-Main AB. Other facilities may be used infrequently with approval of the ABG Commander. Operation is contingent upon compliance with the requirements and conditions of all applicable Air Force instructions.

The purpose of the HHC is to provide a forum which fosters greater interaction and friendship between the many cultures and national origins of Rhein-Main AB than might be expected to be achieved through normal performance of duty and to promote cultural awareness and respect for diversity. The HHC shall also be committed to the promotion of the general welfare of the military and civilian community; the stimulation of public sentiment to that end, and the providing of such social features as will promote that purpose.

All people, regardless of race, color, creed, or national origin can be a member of the HHC. Membership shall be granted to any eligible individual upon registration with the HHC Secretary or designated representative. Membership shall carry the privileges of voting (as per Article II, section 2b in the By-Laws) in HHC elections and other business, serving as a HHC elected or appointed officer, right-of-first-refusal for activities with attendance limits, and placement on a mailing list to receive the HHC minutes and other correspondence. The HHC hereby assures it will comply fully with all requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the end that no person, shall, on the grounds of race, religion, sex, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in or otherwise subjected to discrimination in the conduct of programs and activities sponsored by this association.

The members of the HHC shall be such persons of good moral and ethical character, as befits members and dependents of the Air Force or other military services.

The government of the HHC shall be vested in an Executive Committee, who shall be members of the organization. The Executive Committee shall consist of members who shall be nominated and elected or appointed in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws. The Executive Council shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The responsibilities and duties of the officers are outlined in the HHC By-Laws.

The election of officers in the presence of a Hispanic Heritage Club Election Committee shall be conducted in accordance with the HHC Charter Section on Election Procedures. They shall form the Executive Committee and their duties shall be such as are set forth in the By-Laws.

The Executive Committee shall appoint from volunteers a social committee, professional development committee, community service community, membership committee, shadow/tour visit committee, historian, and organizational representatives, all to serve for a period of six months or until their successors are appointed and take office. Their duties shall be such as are set forth in the By-Laws.

General membership meetings will be held monthly. These meetings will be called by the Executive Committee to discuss general membership business or to support committee activities. Any such meeting shall be scheduled far enough in advance to allow adequate publicity of the event (preferably at least two weeks advance notice).

A quorum shall be required to conduct general membership business. Quorum shall be defined as the presence of at least ten members and must include at least three officers. Should any action before the general membership require a veto, the necessity of a secret ballot will first be determined. A simple majority will be required for passage of the issue. Each member present will have one vote as defined in the By-Laws. In the event of a tie, the issue will be re-voted. If a tie occurs in the second vote, the vote of the president or designated representative will be counted twice and will settle the matter.

The membership may be held liable under German Laws for organizational debts in the event the organization’s assets are insufficient to discharge liabilities.

The HHC is a low risk organization, therefore, a waiver of insurance has been granted (see attached approved waiver of insurance). This waiver does not release Rhein-Main HHC from obtaining insurance commensurate with the risks involved in special events, and does not protect the organization or its members from valid claims or successful suits. Therefore, the Rhein-Main HHC will purchase insurance coverage when scheduled special activities are an insurable risk.

The HHC shall be nonprofit, nonpartisan, and nonsectarian. All activities of the HHC will be carried on without pecuniary profit or gain to its members and without paying dividends or other remuneration to its members. No remuneration shall be paid to its officers as such. The HHC shall enjoy every capacity and authority granted or conferred by all laws and regulations now in force or that might hereafter be passed regarding organization of its type.

General operating fund for the HHC will be raised by means of fund-raising activities sponsored by the HHC and will be maintained in accordance with guidance in AFI 34-223 and the By-Laws of the HHC. Government facilities, equipment, etc., will not be used without the express permission of appropriate authorities. The HHC will not engage in activities which compete with those of any Services Squadron activity, non-appropriated fund instrumentality (NAFI), or Air Force Exchange operation on Rhein-Main AB, except as provided in AFI 34-223. All fund-raising activities will be receive written authorization from, and coordinated with, the Rhein-Main AB 469^th Chief of Services.

The HHC is a self-sustaining special interest group that will operate outside the scope of any official position any member may have in the federal government. The HHC shall have no privileges of a NAFI as defined in AFI 34-223. As such, the HHC will not hire employees; will not sell alcoholic beverages outside the organization, including beer; and will comply with Air Force health standards of AFI 48-116, Food Safety Program, if authorized to sell food and / or beverages. The HHC shall not use in its title or letterhead the name or seal of the Department of Defense or the acronym "DOD" – the name, abbreviation, or seal, or insignia of Rhein-Main AB. The exception, with the approval of the Wing Commander, shall be the name "Rhein-Main AB," with which the HHC is associated, due to the expressed purpose and role of the HHC in the Air Force community.

Section 1: The President shall be responsible to insure the club’s constitution and authorization is reviewed annually and is consistent with Air Force policies as amended.

Section 2: The President together with the Treasurer shall establish a system for the protection of club assets and insure liabilities do not exceed the limits.

Section 3: The President shall be responsible to insure the waiver of insurance has been approved and is current.

This constitution shall be effective after adopted by a simple majority of HHC members present at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the constitution and the HHC President, 469^th ABG/JA, and 469^th ABG/CC have approved it. This constitution shall remain in effect, subject to subsequent revisions and amendments, until superseded or rescinded by proper authority or a simple majority of HHC members present at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on restriction.

A simple majority of members present at that meeting will be required to pass the amendment. The Executive Committee may institute minor modifications for spelling errors, working clarification, and the like after advertising the proposed changes to the general membership. If no objection is raised within 10 workdays of the notification, the revisions are passed. If an objection is raised, any member may request a general membership meeting to vote on the change.

As approval authority for establishment of the HHC, the 469^th ABG/CC retains the right to initiate dissolution. Any member may request for a vote to dissolve the HHC; however, no more than one request will be honored in any 180-day period (measured from the date of the last vote). If a request is made, the Executive Committee will make arrangements for a general membership meeting to vote on the issue and ensure the vote is taken within 45 days of the initial request. All requests for a dissolution vote will be in writing, addressed to the president. Advance statements, both pro and con, may be prepared for review by the membership. No more than one-half hour will be allowed for discussion of the matter during the meeting called for the vote. A simple majority vote, as provided for in Article VI, will be required for passage of the dissolution. If the vote is dissolution, the Executive Committee will notify the 469^th ABG/CC and 469^th ABG/SV within two workdays after the vote of the intent to dissolve any request the 469^th ABG/CC’s concurrence.

In case dissolution of the organization, the Executive Committee will take action to have a final check of all accounts made by competent authority. Whatever funds are contained in the treasury at that time will be used to satisfy any outstanding debts, liabilities, or obligations. Outstanding liabilities will be settled within five workdays of the accounting, and bank accounts closed within a month of the vote to dissolve. The balance of the assets will be distributed to the central base fund of 469^th SVS, Rhein-Main AB.