PREAMBLE

     The object and purpose of this organization is to exist and function as a social, civic, military and athletic organization.  In particular the object is to commemorate and maintain the history and tradition of the Gate City Guard of Atlanta formed in 1855.

ARTICLE I.  NAME

     The name of this organization shall be the Gate City Guard as designated by the State of Georgia in the charter of 1923.

ARTICLE II.  OBJECTIVES

     The object of the organization shall be as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution and in addition, to support and promote the cause for a strong civilian militia force and a strong and prepared armed force.  Further, the organization wishes to create and maintain an atmosphere of friendship and good fellowship within its own ranks.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

   SECTION I.  QUALIFICATION

     Membership in the Gate City Guard shall be limited to two classes:  Active and Honorary.

  a.  Active Membership shall be limited to federally recognized commissioned officers and warrant officers of the Georgia National Guard and former federally recognized commissioned officers and warrant officers of the Georgia National Guard who are members or former members of the units of the militia of Georgia located in the greater Atlanta area within Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and Douglas Counties, or who reside in such area.  No person shall be considered for election into membership who is not an active member of the Georgia National guard; provided, however, that a former member making reapplication need not be an active member of the Georgia National Guard.
  b.  Honorary membership is automatically extended, ex officio, to the Governor of Georgia, the Adjutant General for Georgia, the Assistant Adjutant General for the Air and Army.  Other persons who have contributed significantly, either to the City of Atlanta, The State of Georgia or the United States of America may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of membership in regular session.

  SECTION II.  ELECTION OF MEMBERS

  a.  Active members shall be nominated by an active member and elected in secret ballot by a three-forths majority of those present at the meeting.
  b.  Honorary members other than those qualified ex officio shall be elected in the same manner as active members.
  c.  The secret ballot may be waived by a unanimous vote of those members present.

ARTICLE IV.OFFICERS, THEIR ELECTION, POWERS & DUTIES

  SECTION I.

     The following officers shall be elected:  Commandant, Vice-Commandant, Adjutant and Members of the Board of Trustees.

  SECTION II.

     The following officers shall be appointed by the Commandant:  Sergeant at Arms and Chaplain.

  SECTION III.

     At the annual meeting (as defined in the bylaws) the organization shall individually elect from the active membership, the Commandant, the Vice-Commandant and the Adjutant for a period of one year.  Two members of the Board of Trustees shall be elected from the active members for a period of three years.  Officers will be elected by a majority of those present.  A secret ballot will be used unless waived by a unanimous vote of those members present.

  SECTION IV.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

  a. COMMANDANT
       Duties and Powers of the Commandant:  It shall be the duty of the Commandant to preside at all meetings of the organization; to appoint members of the standing committees; to create such other committees and appoint members thereof as he deems advisable; to perform such other duties as custom and parliamentary usage require; and to appoint all officers not otherwise provided.  He is chairman and a member of the Board of Trustees.
  b.  VICE-COMMANDANT
       Duties and Powers of the Vice-Commandant:  It shall be the duties of the Vice-Commandant to assist the Commandant and in his absence to perform his duties.  He is a member of the Board of Trustees.  In addition to his other duties, he shall be permanent chairman of the Program Committee.
  c.  ADJUTANT
       Duties and Powers of the Adjutant:  It shall be the duties of the Adjutant to act as Secretary and Treasurer; to record the proceedings and transactions of all meetings of the Board of Trustees and Organization; to act as custodian of all book, papers, and records; to keep and maintain a record of names and addresses of the members, showing source of their eligibility; to ascertain the validity of all applications for membership; to send out such notices as directed by the Commandant; to receive all moneys belonging to the organization and to account for same in the manner and format prescribed by the Board of Trustees; to pay all orders signed by the Commandant.  He will keep account of receipts and expenditures, make annual written report thereon.  His account shall be audited annually.  He shall pay over and deliver to his successor, all money, vouchers, books, and papers belonging to the organization.  He is a member of the Board of Trustee.
  d.  SERGEANT at ARMS and CHAPLAIN
       The Sergeant at Arms and Chaplain:  The duties of the Sergeant at Arms and Chaplain will be directed by the Commandant.

  SECTION V.

  a.  There shall be a Board of Trustees having nine members consisting of the Commandant, Vice-Commandant, the Adjutant and six members elected to staggered terms from the active membership.
  b.  The Board of Trustees shall have full charge of the financial management and control of the Gate City Guard.
  c.  The Board of Trustees shall establish their own by-laws for conducting business; however, a quorum of five members must be present and all actions must be by a majority vote of those present.

  SECTION VI.

  a.  Rank of elected and appointed officers shall be as follows:

  b.  Any member of this command shall be entitled to the rank of the highest office held or the rank that the member holds (held) in the military.

ARTICLE V.  SUCCESSION OF OFFICERS.

     If the office of Commandant should become vacant for any reason, the Vice-Commandant automatically becomes Commandant and the office of Vice-Commandant shall remain vacant until the next annual election.  If the office of both Commandant and Vice-Commandant should become vacant the Board of Trustees shall elect a Commandant from among their own membership to serve until the next annual election.  If the office of Adjutant becomes vacant or is terminated, the Board of Trustees shall appoint a successor to serve until the next annual election.

ARTICLE VI.UNIFORM OF THE GATE CITY GUARD

     (This article has not been written, but should include a description, insignia to be worn, emblems of rank and other details and considerations.)

ARTICLE VII.AMENDMENTS

  SECTION I.

  This constitution may be amended by a two thirds vote of those present at a regular meeting provided that proposed amendments shall have been read at the previous meeting and entered on the minutes.

  SECTION II.

  This constitution may be amended by a three quarters vote of those members present at the annual meeting where officers are elected without the amendments having been read at the previous meeting.

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                                                               11 October 1985
 
 

I certify that this is a true copy of the "CONSTITUTION" of the GATE CITY GUARD as amended and adopted at the annual meeting of the GATE CITY GUARD 2 October 1985
 
 
 

This Constitution may have been amended, changed, or rewritten since the 1985.  All entries are subject to change or withdrawal at the discretion of the Gate City Guard.
 
 
 
 
 

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