NATIONAL SOJOURNERS, INCORPORATED BY-LAWS ARTICLE 1 Name, Incorporation, Seal, Insignia and Colors 1.1 Name. The name of the organization is National Sojourners, Incorporated. 1.2 Incorporation. National Sojourners, Incorporated is incorporated as a nonprofit, domestic, fraternal order, operating in accordance with a Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. 1.3 Seal The Seal shall be as illustrated. 1.4 Insignia. The insignia, including the medal, the flag, letterheads, decals, etc., shall incorporate the Seal. When in color, the background shall be of gold with a field of white containing 13 blue stars, surrounded by a thin red line. 1.5 Official Colors. The official colors of National Sojourners, Incorporated, shall be blue and gold. 1.6 Chapters. The basic organization of National Sojourners, Incorporated shall be the Chapters. ARTICLE 2 Purposes 2.1 The Purposes of National Sojourners, Incorporated shall be to organize current and former members of the uniformed forces of the United States and Honorary Members, who are Master Masons, into Chapters, for the promotion of good fellowship among its members, for assisting such as may be overtaken by adversity or affliction, for cultivating Masonic ideals, for supporting all patriotic aims and activities in Masonry, for developing true patriotism and Americanism throughout the nation, for bringing together representatives of the uniformed forces of the United States (past and present) in a united effort to further the military needs of national defense, and for opposing any influence whatsoever calculated to weaken the national security.
ARTICLE 3 Membership 3.1 Membership in National Sojourners shall be open to citizens of the United States who are Master Masons in good standing in any duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons including those Master Masons whose Grand Lodge is recognized by and maintaining fraternal relations with the Grand Lodge member of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America and within whose jurisdiction the prospective member s chapter is located. Any question relating to eligibility for membership will be referred to the National Secretary by the most expeditious means for resolution. 3.1.1 Are serving or have served honorably as members of the uniformed services of the United States (past or present) or have served in time of war as a Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer or the equivalent in an armed service of a nation allied with the United States. 3.1.2 Are regularly elected to Honorary Membership. ARTICLE 4 Legislative and Executive Authority 4.1 The National Convention shall be the sole legislative body of National Sojourners, Incorporated. 4.2 The Executive Authority shall be exercised by the National President as the Chief Executive. 4.3 Administration of National Sojourners, Incorporated during a National Emergency will be as set forth in supporting directives. ARTICLE 5 National Directives System 5.1 The National Directives System shall consist of the following: National By-Laws National Circulars National Regulations Administrative Instructions 5.2 National By-Laws and National Regulations are permanent directives and may be established, cancelled or changed only at a National Convention in accordance with Article 20 of these By-Laws. 5.3 All directives issued under this Directive System shall be codified according to the Article
numbers contained in these By-Laws. 5.4 National Regulations support and amplify the National By-Laws, Manuals and handbooks covering specific areas of operations may be entered into the Permanent Directives System in accordance with Article 20 of these By-Laws. 5.5 National Circulars may be issued by the National President to provide information or guidance not contained in existing permanent directives. They will expire with the issuing President s term of office unless continued by the incoming National President or incorporated into the Permanent Directives System by action of the National Convention, in accordance with Article 20 of these By-Laws. 5.6 National Officers and National Committee Chairmen may issue Administrative Instructions and/or other guidance within their areas of responsibility. Such instructions must be in accordance with the National Directives System. 5.7 As an adjunct to, but separate from, the National Directives System, the National Secretary- Treasurer will publish annually a National Staff Directory. ARTICLE 6 National Officers 6.1 The National Officers of National Sojourners shall consist of the following: National President; President-Elect; First Vice President; Second Vice President; Third Vice President; Secretary-Treasurer; Chaplain; Judge Advocate; Surgeon; Historian; National Trustees; members of the Committee of 33; members of the Honor Awards Committee; Past National Presidents; Emeritus Members; and Past National Commanders. National Officers will be elected and serve in accordance with appropriate National Directives. 6.2 National Officers duties and responsibilities are prescribed in appropriate National Directives. ARTICLE 7 National Conventions and Mid-Winter Meetings 7.1 A National Convention shall be held annually for the conduct of business. 7.2 The voting delegates shall consist of: 7.2.1 National Officers 7.2.2 Chapter Presidents 7.2.3 Chapter Secretaries
7.2.4 Elected Chapter Delegates 7.3 All legislative power shall reside in the National Convention which shall also be the final appellate body for the determination of all matters in dispute. 7.4 A Mid-Winter Meeting of all National Officers and interested Sojourners shall be called by the National President annually for the purpose of providing a mid-year assessment of the organization, its programs and its accomplishments. 7.5 National Conventions and Mid-Winter Meetings are managed by the National Sojourners Convention Corporation. National Regulation 8.1.5 refers. ARTICLE 8 8.1 The Committees/Bodies shall be: 8.1.1 National Trustees 8.1.2 Committee of 33 8.1.3 Honor Awards Committee 8.1.4 Sojourner Ritual Committee National Committees/Bodies 8.1.5 National Sojourners Convention Corporation 8.2 The Standing Appointive Committees shall be: 8.2.1 Americanism 8.2.2 Bridge of Light 8.2.3 Education and Training 8.2.4 Fraternal Liaison 8.2.5 Gifts and Bequests 8.2.6 Incentives and Awards 8.2.7 Membership 8.2.8 Publications Review Board
8.2.9 Resolutions 8.2.10 Resale Activity Advisory Board (NRAB) 8.2.12 Chapter Chartering and Revitalization Committee (CCRC) 8.3 Special Committees/Bodies shall be: 8.3.1 Nominating Committee 8.3.2 As the National President may appoint. ARTICLE 9 Awards and Citations 9.1 The National Sojourners awards and citations, as listed in supporting directives, are presented: 9.1.1 At the National Convention. 9.1.2 On appropriate occasions by National Officers, Standing Committees, and Area/Regional Representatives. 9.1.3 By Chapters. 9.2. ROTC Awards shall be presented in accordance with National Regulation 9.2. ARTICLE 10 Areas, Regions and Representatives 10.1 The Continental United States and overseas locations shall be divided into Areas and subordinate Regions to insure optimum communications and assistance within the Order and provide mutual support between and among the several Chapters contained therein. 10.2 Area Representatives and assistants, where appropriate, are appointed by the incoming National President. 10.3 Regional Representatives, who shall function under the direct supervision of their Area Representatives, are appointed by the incoming National President. 10.4 Area and Regional Representatives are also normally the representatives of the National Commander for Heroes of `76 matters.
ARTICLE 11 National Programs 11.1 The National programs in support of our Purposes shall include: 11.1.1 Americanism - National Regulation 8.2.1 refers. 11.1.2 Bridge of Light - National Regulation 8.2.2 refers. 11.1.3 Education and Training - National Regulation 8.2.3 refers. 11.1.4 Membership - National Regulation 8.2.7 refers. 11.1.5 ROTC Award - National Regulation 9.2 refers. ARTICLE 12 Chapters 12.1 Chapters. The basic organization of National Sojourners shall be the Chapters. 12.2 National Headquarters Chapter. The National Headquarters Chapter (unnumbered) shall consist of members who are not otherwise affiliated. This Chapter shall be administered by the National President and National Secretary. 12.3 Each Chapter shall have and display at all meetings its official charter. 12.4 Each Chapter shall have a President, Secretary and such other officers as determined necessary, using the National Officer structure as a guide. 12.5 Each Chapter shall have By-Laws which conform to the provisions of these By-Laws and their supporting directives. A current copy thereof must be on file at National Headquarters, and shall have been approved by the National Secretary. Each Chapter shall have a NAME but no Chapter shall be named for a living individual. 12.6 Each Chapter shall have an Americanism Committee, a Bridge of Light Committee, a Membership Committee, an Education and Training Committee, and other committees as required to support the Purposes and Chapter operations. 12.7 Formation and dissolution of Chapters and Chapter mergers will be in National Regulation 12.7. 12.8 Formation of National Sojourners Clubs will be in accordance with National Regulation 12.8.
12.9 The published Schedule of National Fees, National Regulation 19.8, shall apply to all Chapters. Chapter dues and initiation fees shall be determined by the individual Chapter. Chapter financial operations, including audits, shall be similar to those of the National organization as outlined in Article 19 of these By-Laws. 12.10 In-Memoriam Chapters will be retained on the rolls of National Sojourners in accordance with National Regulation 12.7. ARTICLE 13 Official Publications 13.1 THE SOJOURNER shall be the official publication of National Sojourners, Incorporated. 13.2 The National Secretary shall be the Editor of THE SOJOURNER publication. 13.3 The National President shall appoint a Publications Review Board to review all separate publications and articles intended for distribution outside of National Sojourners. 13.4 Chapters shall issue Chapter Bulletins and are encouraged to submit Chapter and Camp news items for THE SOJOURNER in accordance with supporting directives. 13.5 No individual, group, Chapter or organization shall issue any publication, article or resolution intended for distribution outside of National Sojourners which bears the name "National Sojourners, Incorporated or its Seal, "Heroes of "76 or its Seal, or in any way implies that it is a National Sojourner or Heroes of `76 publication or has been approved by National Sojourners without the express approval of the National President upon the recommendation of the Publications Review Board. This provision does not apply to informative Chapter or Convention press releases of factual nature. National Regulation 8.2.8 refers. 13.6 Editorial policies for THE SOJOURNER prescribed in applicable National Directives shall apply to National Convention Program. ARTICLE 14 Reports 14.1 Each Chapter shall submit the following reports in accordance with appropriate National Sojourner directives: Annual Report - annually. Dues Registers - expeditiously; in no case more than 30 days after receipt of dues. Information Change Forms (Delete/New Record/Change) - concurrently with dues registers. 14.2 National Officer, Area and Regional Representatives, National Committees and additional Chapter reports will be submitted in accordance with appropriate National Sojourner directives.
ARTICLE 15 Heroes of `76 15.1 The Heroes of `76 is an affiliate, auxiliary organization of National Sojourners, Incorporated, consisting of the National Heroes Officers and the Heroes Camps located with, responsible to, and dependent upon one or more Sojourner Chapters. 15.2 Membership is composed of Sojourners who have, in recognition of exemplary service to National Sojourners, Incorporated, Freemasonry, or our National Government, received the Heroes of `76 degree. 15.3 The purpose of the Heroes of `76 shall be to exemplify its degree, which furnishes innocent pleasure and enjoyment to worthy Brother Sojourners thereby strengthening the Masonic/Patriotic principles which guide and support the parent Order. 15.4 A Camp of Heroes shall terminate when the Chapter(s) upon which it is dependent ceases to exist. 15.5 The OFFICIAL HEROES MANUAL provides specific direction and guidance for operation of the Order and submission of required reports. ARTICLE 16 Resale Activity 16.1 The National Secretary shall operate a cash resale activity for the benefit and convenience of the membership. 16.2 National publications, appropriate certificates, Chapter equipment, official badges/ribbons/ bars/jewelry and other specialized merchandise as may be appropriate to the Order will normally be available. Lists of current articles and order forms may be mailed periodically and are available on request from the National Secretary. 16.3 Profits and losses from the operation of the Resale Activity will be integrated into the National Sojourners general account. ARTICLE 17 Ceremonies 17.1 Ceremonies of National Sojourners will be conducted in accordance with "The Order of Ceremonies" as published. These include: 17.1.1 Opening and closing of Chapters.
17.1.2 Initiation Ceremony 17.1.3 Installation Ceremony 17.1.4 Burial Service. 17.1.5 Candlelight Memorial Service. 17.2 The Sojourner Ritual Committee shall be responsible for the Sojourner Rituals (ceremonies) in accordance with National Regulation 8.1.4. ARTICLE 18 Masonic Jurisdiction/Compliance/Discipline 18.1 Individual Sojourners, Chapters, Camps, National Conventions, Mid-Winter Meetings and any special Sojourner or Heroes of `76 activities shall conform to the rules and edicts of the Grand Lodge Jurisdictions in which activities are held, including any restrictions or prohibitions. 18.2 Violations of Grand Lodge rules or edicts will be reported immediately to the National President. 18.3 Corrective/disciplinary actions for errors and/or breaches of conduct occurring within National Sojourners will be taken by the National President or Sojourner Chapters in accordance with National Regulation 18.3. 18.4 The Fraternal Liaison Committee will be alert to assist the Order in accordance with National Regulation 8.2.4. ARTICLE 19 Finances, Budget, Investments, Audits, Gifts and Bequests and Dues 19.1 Financial operations as a nonprofit corporation will be conducted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Federal Internal Revenue Service, and applicable National Sojourners Directives. 19.2 The Annual Budget, as prepared by the National Secretary in conjunction with the President-Elect, reviewed by the National Trustees, and approved by the National Convention shall be the guide for expenditures for the applicable year. 19.3 The National Secretary-Treasurer is the principal Financial Officers of the Order. He will, under the supervision of the National Trustees and the National President, within the restrictions of the Annual Budget, administer the day to day expenditures of the Order. He will maintain complete financial records and be bonded. National Regulations 6.1 and 6.2 refer.
19.4 The National Trustees are charged with general supervision and control of National Sojourner Budget, Finances, Properties, Investments and Audits. They are responsible for the growth, safety and reasonable income of these monies in accordance with appropriate National Sojourners Directives. The National Trustees will include in their annual report to the National Convention a summary of the status of the investment funds. National Regulation 8.1.1 refers. 19.5 The Committee on Gifts and Bequests, in coordination with the National Trustees, shall stimulate and encourage gifts, bequests, grants, and other forms of contributions to be administered by the National Trustees in accordance with appropriate directives. National Regulation 8.2.5 refers. 19.6 The financial records of the Order will be audited annually in accordance with accepted auditing procedures by a Special Auditing Committee appointed by the National President, or by a professional auditor, and a report thereof made to the National Convention. 19.7 The financial records of the National Sojourners Convention Corporation will be audited in accordance with National Regulation 8.1.5 and a report thereof made to the National Convention. 19.8 The schedule of fees, including National Per Capita Tax, will be established by the National Convention and published as a National Regulation. 19.9 On dissolution or liquidation of National Sojourners, Inc., all assets will be transferred to the Collingwood Library and Museum IN TRUST. The income to be used by CLMA and if CLMA ceases to exist, the funds will transfer to the George Washington National Memorial Foundation. ARTICLE 20 Changes and Amendments 20.1 These By-Laws and their supporting National Regulations may be amended at any National Convention by an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the delegates of the National Convention present and voting. 20.2 The Chapters of National Sojourners must be given written notice of any proposed amendment not less than seventy-five days prior to the date of the aforesaid Convention, normally by publication in THE SOJOURNER publication. Sojourner Chapters, National Officers and National Committees may submit resolutions to change or amend these By-Laws or National Regulations to the National Secretary by November 1st for consideration at the following National Convention. National Officers and National Committees may submit urgent resolutions to the Resolutions
Committee not later than 0900 of the second meeting day of the Mid-Winter Meeting for action in accordance with National Regulation 8.2.9. Unless approved by a three-fourths majority of the voting delegates present and voting, any resolution proposing any change to the National By-Laws and Regulations that has been rejected by a vote of the National Convention, the subject matter of such proposal shall not again be considered for a period of three (3) years subsequent to the National Convention at which the proposal was considered.* AUTHENTICATION Adopted and ratified at the 62nd National Convention convened at South San Francisco, California THIS 24TH DAY OF JUNE IN THE YEAR 1982. Revised as a result of legislation voted by the membership on the 18 th of June 2016 at the 96 th Annual National Convention. ATTEST: WILLIAM R> SANNER National Secretary