Bylaws of the Naval Helicopter Association, Inc

Article XI

Regions

Section 1. Geographic Areas. For local administration, the Association shall be divided into Regions defined by major concentrations of rotary wind commands and personnel. These regions are: Region 1- San Diego, CA (including MCAS Mirmar and MCAF Camp Pendleton; Region 2 -Capitol (Washington D.C. and environs including Patuxent River, MD); Region 3-Jacksonville, FL; Region 4-Tidewater (Norfolk, VA New River, NC, and environs); Region 5-Gulf (Pensacola, FL and Corpus Christi, TX areas). Overseas commands such as Sigonella, Italy, come under Region 4 and Guam, Hawaii, and Japan come under Region 1. Members outside these regions will be considered in Region 6, although they may elect to be included in a Region of their choice. Regions may be dissolved, combined or added by amendment to these Bylaws

Section 2. Regional Officers. Each Region shall elect officers with titles, duties and terms of office corresponding to the National Officers as defined in these Bylaws. Additional officers may be elected and committees appointed at the discretion of the Regional President. The Regional President shall advise the National President of any such additional elections and appointments.

Section 3. Bylaws. Regions shall organize and conduct regional business and activities in accordance with these Bylaws.

Section 4. Regional Financial Accounting. Regions shall maintain their own financial accounts and funds subject to the provisions of this Article. Each Region shall provide a Regional Financial Report to the National Treasurer at the end of each fiscal year. Such reports will be in balance sheet format and include notes of projected income and disbursements for the next year. The National Treasurer shall provide an outline of financial accounting procedures to each region and chapter.

Section 5. Regional Funds. Funds generated or earned by the region shall be subject to the Region's control except as noted herein.

(A) Membership Dues. Only the National Office upon receipt of membership fees may issue membership cards. Membership dues received by the Region shall be forwarded to the National Treasurer as received.

(B) Symposium Funds. Accounting of Symposium expenditures and receipts is to be separate from membership funds.

(C) Fund Raising Activities. The President may disapprove any fund raising practices that are determined to adversely affect or cast discredit on the Associations objectives.

Section 6. Regional Awards. Each Region shall select Annual Achievement Award winners based on input received from Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard unit commands. Details for the recognized awards, the selection process and the timelines are delineated in the NHA Operations Manual.

Section 7. Chapters.

(A) A Chapter or chapters may be formed in a region when it is determined that a significant number of Association members and prospective members, due to distance/travel-mode/time, are unable to routinely attend regional professional and social events.

(B) These Chapters may be international and may be officially recognized as a region if growth warrants such recognition.

(C) Authorization for the Chapter shall be the responsibility of the Board.

(D) A Chapter, when formed, shall report to their Regional President with overall control residing with the Board. Exception: Authorized Chapters that do not fall within an existing region shall report to the National President in carrying out the provisions of the Bylaws.

(E) Chapters maybe financially subsidized as determined by the Region based on the actual/potential membership. If requested, the Board of Directors may reimburse the regional subsidy as available funds dictate. Chapters not sanctioned by a region and approved by the Board or otherwise approved by the National Officers will not receive any funds.

Section 8. Miscellaneous Provisions.

(A) The fiscal year of each Region shall conform to the fiscal year of the Association (i.e. I Jan - 31 Dec).

(B) The location of each Region's headquarters or office shall be determined by the Region.

(C) Requests to activate new Regions shall be directed to the National President for referral to the Board for approval. Prior to such referral, the president shall determine if the request is viable and whether the proposed new Region is capable of organizing in accordance with these Bylaws.