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The name of the organization shall be named the Professional Loadmaster Association (PLA). By virtue of Articles of Incorporation approved by the State of Washington in March 1997 the State of Washington issued a Certificate of Incorporation declaring the Professional Loadmaster Association a non-profit organization. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has authorized the Professional Loadmaster Association and its Chapters tax-exempt status as of February 1999.

SECTION 2.

The registered office and principal place of business of the PLA may vary with the election of Executive Committee Members. It shall be within the discretion of the President to establish such registered or other offices as may be necessary for the proper transaction of association business.

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVE

SECTION 1.

The association is organized and operating as a non-profit tax exempt organization dedicated to extending the spirit and camaraderie among those persons who serve or have served as Aircraft Loadmasters on transport aircraft and/or helicopters to include rescue type aircraft and gunships. It will be at the discretion of the Executive Committee to decide if a person was or was not a Loadmaster. In addition to furthering the history and traditions of the men and women who serve or have served as Loadmasters, the association has undertaken the process for establishing a scholarship program and/or humanitarian grants to benefit Loadmasters and their families.

ARTICLE III

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND THEIR DUTIES

SECTION 1.

Members of the Executive Committee, which shall include a duly elected president, a maximum of three vice presidents (one for the East Coast of the United States, one for the Central Region and one for the West Coast), a secretary, a treasurer, a public relations director, and a newsletter editor shall conduct all official business of the association. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Executive Committee Members are indicated and incorporated by reference thereto in Specific Duties, Section 3, of these By-laws.

A. The term of office will normally be three (3) years for the Executive Committee members with the exception of President and Vice Presidents who will serve a four (4) year term. This four-year term coincides with the PLA reunion, and the installation of all officers will be announced during the General Membership Meeting.

B. Vacancies occurring between elections may be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining members of the Executive Committee

C. A majority vote of the Executive Committee will be required to remove any Executive Member from their elected or appointed position.

D. Any member of the Executive Committee may resign by submission of his or her resignation in writing.

E. The ballot system is designed for the benefit of all members of the PLA, which allows each member to have a voice and choice in the election of the President and Vice Presidents. Ballots will remain in the custody of the PLA Secretary for a period of four (4) years.

F. Non-members will not hold any elected or appointed position on the Executive Committee. This will include any member on the inactive list.

SECTION 2.

Elections.

A. The President will appoint a nominating committee chairperson. The appointed chairperson will form a committee of a least three (3) regular PLA members to obtain the nominations for President and Vice Presidents. The members of the committee should be selected from a least three (3) different PLA Chapters.

B. The nominating committee shall obtain a signed verification form from the nominees that he/she will run for the elective office, and if elected will accept the position of the elected office.

C. The committee will also be responsible for getting the ballots out to all the members, by sending them to the editor of the “Loader” to be published in the March newsletter of the election year.

D. Ballots must be returned to the committee chairperson, or by notifying him via E-mail of member’s choice on the ballot. All ballots must be signed and dated and returned no later than 30 days or the date indicated on the ballot. The deadline date will be further announced to the Chapter Presidents. The Chapter Presidents should disseminate the ballot submission date to all members of the respective chapter.

E. Ballots will be counted and verified by the chairperson and then sent on to the National PLA Secretary along with any E-mail votes that were received.

(1) The PLA member receiving the majority vote and subsequently elected will be announced at the General Membership Meeting. The outgoing President will preside over the opening of the General Membership Meeting, announce the election results for the offices of President and Vice Presidents and call for an affirming vote from the floor by those members in attendance. The President will declare official election results. The incoming President will then officially become President and will preside over the meeting.

(2) Nominations from the floor for these positions will only be accepted and allowed if the positions have not been filled by the time of the General Membership Meeting by utilizing the ballot method.

a. Member must accept the position in person or with a written letter stating they will accept the position, if elected.

b. Must be a member in good standing.

c. Must be voted in by a 2/3^rd vote of the attending membership.

SECTION 3.

Specific Duties.

A. The President shall: Uphold the by-laws of the Professional Loadmaster Association. Assure the overall enforcement of policies and the proper conduct and management of association business. Establish committees as needed to conduct the business of his office. Enthusiastically pursue the proliferation of the organization within the boundaries of allocated resources.

B. The Vice Presidents shall: Cover the activities on each of their respective areas and work in harmony with the PLA President in all matters concerning their respective region. The East Coast Vice President shall act in the absence of the President.

C. The Secretary shall: Be responsible for recording and maintaining minutes of association meetings and forwarding a copy to the President in a timely manner. Maintain appropriate records to identify members of the association and their status; Executive Committees members and their status; the association by-laws and established committees. Publish and distribute association notices to all members.

D. The Treasurer shall: Be responsible for the handling of all finances and association records to include receipts, deposits, and dispersal of funds. Maintain the PLA association’s financial records and manage all association accounts. Prepare and file with the IRS the annual Federal Income Tax Return and mail the IRS Form 990EZ to Chapter Presidents for signature and after signing immediately return the same to the Treasurer. All Chapter IRS forms will be submitted together to the IRS. Provide a financial report at each meeting. Assure that no funds are spent/committed without majority vote of the Executive Committee. EXCEPTION: Funds of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or less may be spent by concurrence of a least two (2) Executive Committee members. Records will be maintained reflecting the approving authorities. These expenditures are disbursed to support and maintain association activities.

E. The Public Relations Director shall: Be responsible to the President for keeping the association informed. Promote the merits of Loadmaster involvement in the aircraft manufacturing industry as it regards to cargo compartment development and concept of operations. The director shall also be responsible to assist the Executive Committee in the preparation, distribution, and mailing of newsletters, notices, and current roster of members if the director is collocated with the National Headquarters. May also assist with advertisement in “THE LOADER”, in accordance with postal rules.

F. The Editor of “THE LOADER" shall: Be responsible for the gathering and editing of information along with publication of the Professional Loadmaster Association's Newsletter "THE LOADER".

G. Board of Advisors: The President from time to time may call on the Board of Advisors, which consists of the Chapter Presidents or past Presidents/Vice Presidents for guidance and assistance.

H. President Emeritus: An Honorary position bestowed by popular vote of the members.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

SECTION 1.

The association shall be made up of three (3) types of memberships:

A. General

B. Associate

C. Life

SECTION 2.

General membership is open to all aircraft Loadmasters, civilian and military, who serve or have served as Aircraft Loadmasters on transport aircraft and/or helicopters to include rescue type aircraft and gunships. Members must have been a fully qualified Loadmaster. Membership will be voluntary and not restricted or influenced on the grounds of age, race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. A member must be able to provide proof of eligibility if so requested by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3.

Associate membership is limited to the spouse of a deceased member in good standing.

SECTION 4.

Life membership is granted to members upon receipt of the current published dues, payable to the PLA at the time of application and their paid dues can not be subsequently increased.

SECTION 5.

Membership dues will be $15.00 for one year, $35.00 for three years, and $150.00 for lifetime. Any increase in dues will be announced at least four (4) months in advance in “THE Loader” newsletter.

SECTION 6.

Changes in dues can only be approved by a majority vote of the membership at a general membership meeting provided the membership has been so notified in advance. Life members, with dues already paid, owe no further dues.

SECTION 7.

The member’s anniversary month will be the month in which dues were paid and the individual becomes a member of the PLA. Subsequent dues are payable in the member’s anniversary month.

SECTION 8.

Members who have not renewed dues by the end of their anniversary month will be given a sixty (60)-day grace period after which the member is placed on the in-active list and considered delinquent for non-paid dues. The in-active member will be barred from attending PLA functions, or the receipt of any PLA benefits, until dues have been paid and membership restored.

SECTION 9.

Members who have been placed on the in-active list will be reinstated upon renewal. The member will retain their original membership number but the anniversary date will be the month the member pays their dues.

ARTICLE V

CHAPTERS

SECTION 1.

Chapters may be established at locations where a minimum of twenty (20) members can be registered as affiliated with that chapter. An Executive Committee member shall issue a constitution and preliminary chapter by-laws to each Chapter President upon qualifying. The programs and activities of a Chapter shall not be in conflict with the National PLA Charter or By-Laws.

A. Chapters should establish regular meeting times and locations.

B. Chapters should hold regular election and set terms of office for the elected chapter officials.

C. Chapters may amend the preliminary by-laws to coincide with their chapter, but must not conflict with National PLA by-laws. These changes should be sent to National Headquarters to be filed in the chapter records.

D. Chapters should establish short and long term goals, maintain members motivation and have an active recruiting program to posture the PLA as a continuing and functioning organization.

E. Chapters can call upon the National Executive Committee for advice and training as required.

SECTION 2.

Chapter start up requirements.

A. Must have a minimum of 20 active members in the chapter.

B. Must hold at least 2 meetings to establish the criteria of chapter.

C. Chapters must have a minimum of four (4) elected officials consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. It is recommended that all branches of the Air Force be represented in the four (4) positions if at all possible; that is Active, Reserve, ANG, and Retired personnel. Civilian Loadmasters may also hold positions.

D. Members must decide on an appropriate name for their chapter which may consist of:

(1) Geographical location

(2) Deceased Loadmasters (Permission must be obtained from next of kin)

(3) Present Loadmaster

E. Once the criteria has been met in Section 2 above, (A-D) the chapter President or any Executive Committee member shall notify the National PLA of the name selected and forward a list of the Executive Committee members to the National office. This can be accomplished by FAX, E-mail or regular mail.

F. The National PLA will file for an IRS Form # SS4, which must be signed by a National Executive Committee member to obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN) for the Chapter so that each chapter may open a bank account, etc., and the chapter will be readily identified by the IRS.

G. After completing the requirements of Section 2, paragraphs A through F, the chapter shall establish a date for the National President and/ or Representative to officially present the Constitution and the preliminary by-laws to the Chapter.

H. The Constitution and preliminary Chapter By-laws, which are presented to the Chapters, shall be passed to each succeeding President of the Chapter along with the (1) IRS Group Ruling (2) EIN Number and (3) IRS Form # SS4. These documents are to remain in a permanent file by the chapter.

I. Each Chapter shall initially receive Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) from the National PLA at the time of induction, after receiving the Constitution and preliminary by-laws, for their respective use in start-up operations for supplies, postage and a Post Office box, if needed.

J. If any Chapter becomes dissolved, all records and assets of the Chapter must be forwarded to the National PLA. Article XIII of these by-laws will be the governing authority for other records and archives.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

SECTION 1.

General Membership, Business, and Special Meetings will be used to conduct all official business of the association.

A. General Membership: An open business meeting of the membership shall be conducted periodically or as part of reunion activities. Notice of such meetings shall be published in "The LOADER" newsletter a minimum of 45 days prior. All association members in good standing are eligible to vote on any motion and should attend in person. The presence of at least 20 members in good standing shall be required to vote on PLA matters.

B. Business: Meetings to conduct association business are called periodically. But because the association members and our Executive Committee are separated by considerable distance from each other, the President has authorized the use of video-and teleconferencing (if available) along with electronic mail (e-mail) to conduct such business. Notification of a routine meeting will be through electronic mail or by first class mail. At least 20 members in good standing shall be required to vote on PLA matters.

C. Special Meetings: Special meetings must be called by the President. Any Executive Council member may ask for a Special meeting, but the meeting must be called by the President. Notification of such a meeting will be through electronic (Email), teleconferencing, and /or video, first class mail or Fax. The Special Meeting, as called, will limit the business at hand to the specific reason for the meeting. Therefore, Special meetings should only be called when matters of utmost importance needs to be acted upon. Discretion is granted to the President to call special meetings in case of “emergencies” and special meetings should never be convened for trivial matters.

SECTION 2.

The President or any of the Vice President's shall conduct General Membership meetings in conjunction with the biennial reunion unless special meetings are in order. The chapter President/Vice President will preside over all meetings to be held by their respective chapters. The order of business of all meetings shall be as follows:

A. Sign-in

B. Call to Order

C. Pledge of Allegiance

D. Minutes of Last Meeting

E. Report of Executive Committee Members

F. Report of Committees

G. Unfinished Business

H. New Business

I. Good of the Order

J. Adjournment

SECTION 3.

Rules of order of these by-laws may be altered or amended, upon the proposition in writing, at any regular session of the membership, and by a majority vote of those present at that meeting. Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure shall be the authority in all matters not addressed within these by-laws.

SECTION 4.

All members in good standing have the right to speak, make motions, and vote at all meetings.

ARTICLE VII

BIENNIAL REUNION

SECTION 1.

The association shall conduct as a minimum one reunion biennially. The geographical location to be determined based on access for the most members and local accommodations. Specific reunion sites and committee members to plan, organize, and conduct the reunion shall be filled from the local host chapter and voted upon at each reunion. Ideally, the reunion location should be rotated between geographical areas serving the greater number of members.

SECTION 2.

Duration of the reunion will normally be three (3) days. One of the days will be allocated to programs that are being conducted within the local area. The remaining two days will be dedicated to group activities. A dinner/banquet will be conducted on either the second or third evening. The reunion committee will be responsible for all arrangements involving the guest (s) of honor and any equipment required of a guest speaker.

ARTICLE VIII

FUND-RAISING AND EXPENDITURES

SECTION 1.

The President of the Professional Loadmaster Association must approve all fund raising activities. Fund raising activities shall be scheduled and managed by the Executive Committee. The Professional Loadmaster Association shall also accept voluntary donations.

SECTION 2.

Expenditure of association funds will normally be limited to administration, publication, and distribution of newsletters, rosters, notices, meetings, bereavement, briefings, travel, and those other items that are a benefit to the maximum number of members. A reasonable percentage of funds may be used for initial expenses for reunions, special awards, chapter awards, or other worthwhile activities.

SECTION 3.

Once funds are considered surplus to required operating expenses they shall be dedicated for scholarship or humanitarian grants.

ARTICLE IX

SALARIES, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY

SECTION 1.

The Professional Loadmaster Association shall be managed and controlled exclusively by volunteers elected from within its ranks. No Executive Committee Member shall receive a salary or compensation for the conduct of his or her office.

SECTION 2.

The Professional Loadmaster Association shall not employ any person or persons in either a temporary or permanent position. Any expertise (i.e. auditor, legal counsel, tax consultant etc.) required to support the business of the PLA from outside the PLA shall be provided for through Pro Bono or contracted for through paid consultant(s).

SECTION 3.

Reimbursement for travel expenses expended by an individual in conjunction with the official conduct of PLA business shall be based on actual expenses incurred (receipts required).

ARTICLE X

PUBLICATIONS

SECTION 1.

A PLA newsletter shall be published and distributed in July, November, and March of each year.

SECTION 2.

A roster of association members, to include addresses and telephone numbers, shall be updated and distributed once each year.

ARTICLE XI

LOGO AND MOTTO

SECTION 1.

The membership logo/patch is depicted on the title page of these by-laws.

SECTION 2.

The membership logo will be a triangle in the center of a symbol representing aircrew members wings. The triangle which is familiar to aircraft Loadmasters representing the weight, arm, and moment (WAM) weight and balance formula is substituted by PLA. The P shall be blue on a red background. The L shall be red on a white background. The A shall be white on a blue background. The background colors of red, white, and blue are taken from the colors of the flag of the United States of America. The division lines and border shall be black to call our attention to the memory of our fellow Loadmasters that have gone before us.

SECTION 3.

The membership patch is our logo resting on top of the globe with planes circling represents our worldwide association and also as Loadmasters who have traveled around the world. The parachutes represent the airdrop of supplies, which is a part of the duties we perform.

SECTION 4.

The PLA shall have two Mottoes. They may be used separately or combined. They are: “Friendship Through Airlift” and “Yesterday—Today—Tomorrow”.

ARTICLE XII

LIABILITY

SECTION 1.

No individual shall obligate the Professional Loadmaster Association for any purpose deemed solely for the benefit of that individual. Should this occur, the individual shall be liable to the Association.

SECTION 2.

The Professional Loadmaster Association must follow all Federal, State and local laws governing its operating activities.

ARTICLE XIII

VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION

SECTION 1.

In the event of voluntary dissolution of the association (corporation), after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious and or scientific purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under section 501C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE XIV

RATIFICATION AND AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1.

The ratification of the Professional Loadmaster Association by-laws shall be by 2/3^rd vote of the responding membership.

SECTION 2.

Amendments to the Professional Loadmaster Association by-laws, which have been approved by the Executive Committee, may be made at any noticed General Membership meeting where 2/3^rd of the eligible voting members attending the noticed meeting vote in favor of the amendment.

J.P. Salisbury,		Walt Baade,
President		Secretary

THE END

Summary of Changes
June 2002

Article I, Section 1-

Add IRS abbreviation

Article II, Section 1-

Change “Executive Board” to “Executive Committee”– Add Loadmasters to scholarship program

Article III, Section 1-

Delete Business Affairs Director position

Define Vice Presidents area of responsibility

Clarify duties of Executive Committee

Section 2-

Add Executive Committee election information

Section 3-

Add Executive Committee specific duty information; delete Business Affairs Director position

Article IV, Section 1-

Add Life Membership

Section 2-

Clarify member requirements

Section 4-

Explain Life Membership

Sections 5 through 9-

Clarified dues for all members; clarify in-active status of non-payment of dues

Article V, Section 1 & 2-

Add detailed Chapter start-up/administrative requirements

Article VI, Section 1-

Amplify Special Meeting criteria

Article VII-

None

Article VIII-

None

Article IX-

None

Article X, Section 2-

Delete requirement to publish members name in newsletter

Article XI-

None

Article XII-

None

Article XIII-

None

Article XIV-

None

Several minor word clarifications and formatting changes throughout the By-Laws were also made in this revision.