MEMORANDUM

From: Navy Operational Support Center, Puerto Rico President First

Class Petty Officer Association
To:
Navy Operational Support Center, Puerto Rico First Class
Petty Officer Association Members
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES
1.

Purpose. The purpose of the by-laws and standing rules herein are set forth to:
a. Assist the First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) members in the
understanding of their duties, responsibilities, and functions within the FCPOA.
b. Forge the strongest link possible in the chain of command by provide a forum for
discussion of pertinent issues, thus increasing communication throughout the
command while promoting both technical and military education.
c. To maintain the highest possible morale by increasing the pride of a job well done
and the esprit de corps of all FCPOA members.

2.
Definition.
The following are phrases that are mentioned throughout these by-laws
and are defined as follows:
a. FCPOA:

All NOSC Puerto Rico First Class Petty Officer Association.

b. FCPOA Members: Those First Class Petty Officers playing yearly dues for
membership to the FCPOA, as per paragraph (6).
c. Board of Directors: Consists of FCPOA members elected as officers by a quorum of
FCPOA members.
d. Formal Quorum: A formal quorum consists of two members of the FCPOA Board of
Directors and five FCPOA members in good standing.
e. Good Standing: The acts of being current on membership dues and actively involved
with the FCPOA as stated in paragraph (1).
f. Delinquent Status: The act of being one month past due for FCPOA membership
dues. All privileges will be revoked
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES

Until the Board of Director review members status or member redeems his/her status.
g. Review for Termination: The review of a members delinquency status/active
involvement in the FCPOA by the Board of Directors.
h. FCPOA Property: Any property or equipment obtainer with FCPOA funds for the
operation and improvement of the FCPOA.
1. Board of directors. Governing body of the FCPOA consisting of the following elected
officials: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Master-at-Arms. If any
member the Board of Directors is not available, or unable to conduct the duties for which
they were elected, their responsibilities will be assumed by the next ranking officer until a
special election can be held IAW paragraph (5). Responsibilities for the Board of
Directors are as follows.
a. President:
(1) Point of contact for all issues to the command.
(2) Preside over all association and Board of Director meetings, ensuring
coordination of all organized activities of the association.
(3) Appoint all committees, except where a committee has been name by action
of members assembled r where the by-laws state otherwise.
(4) Call a meeting of the FCPOA monthly or when necessary to discuss vital
information or when a request is receive from three or more members.
(5) Cast a vote only when necessary to break tie.
(6) Is authorized to dispense FCPOA funds in the absence of the treasurer.
b. Vice President:
(1) Acts as an advisor to the President on matters pertaining to the association.
(2) Presides over the meeting at any time when the topic of discussion is the
conduct or performance of the association.
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES
(3) Assist association President/chair person during association elections or votes
ensuring only members in good standing cast a vote.

(4) Is authorized to dispense FCPOA funds in the absence of the President or

Treasure.
c. Treasure:
(1) Acts as an advisor to the President on monetary matters pertaining to the
association.
(2) Submits a monthly financial report at every FCPOA meeting or upon request
of the President.
(3) Submits a quarterly financial report to the FCPOA at prescribed meetings.
(4) Provides the command audit board necessary records and assistance when
required.
(5) Responsible for the collection and distribution of funds as required.
(6) Keep record of dues paid by each members and issues a receipt at the time
the dues are paid. See paragraph (6).
(7) Present at the request of co, xo, cmc and any Board of Directors all financial
records for review.
(8) Ensure all funds re deposited in a federally insured financial institution
(9) Ensure the distribution of funds is made by a properly drawn check and signed
by a minimum of one board member with exception of the secretary.
(10)

Keep accountability to merchandise for selling pose

d. Secretary:
(1) Acts as an advisor to the president on matters pertaining to the association.
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES
(2) Acts as official record at al meeting.
(3) Prepare all official correspondence for signature by the President and maintain
files of the same.

(4) Prepare de minutes of each meeting and distribute copies to each FCPOA
member and to the honorary members within five working days of every
meeting.
e. Master at arms:
(1) Ensure good order and harmony are maintained during all association
meetings and functions.
(2) Arranges all functions not held at NOSC PUERTO RICO
(3) Keep accountability f property own by the
4. Terms of officer: the Board of Directors will each serve a term of twelve months from 1
November to 31 October. They may serve two terms at any one elected position during one tour
of duty. Any member with less than six month left in the command shall not be eligible for any
elected position. Termination of office will occur when any of the following conditions exist:
a) If within 30 days from transfer from the command
b) At the request of the FCPOA for just cause followed by a majority vote
IAW paragraph (5).
c) Upon advancement t CPO.
Note: All terminations will be submitted via memorandum to the Board of
Directors.
5. Elections and Voting.
a. Elections for the Board of Directors shall be held under a formal quorum. Elections
will normally be held during the first regularly scheduled meeting of October, with
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES

the nominations submitted in writing to the President or Vice President no later than
September 30th of that year. Special elections shall be held within two weeks of an
unexpected vacancy or an office term exceeds a board members PRD or EAOS.
b. The Board of Directors shall review all issues being voted on, prior to submittal to
quorum. Voting for any issues will be anonymous unless specified otherwise by the

President. Voting shall only be held in a formal quorum, see paragraph 2 (d). All
FCPOA members and Board of Directors in good standing shall be allowed to vote on
all issues with the exception of the President. In the event of a tie, the President shall
cast the deciding vote.
c. Absentee voting on all issues is authorized, provided that the absentee submits their
vote prior to the formal quorum, or they assign in writing another member in good
standing to cast a vote in their place (proxy).
6. Dues and Membership Status.
a. Each FCPOA Member will contribute $50 a year or $5 a month.
b. All Board of Directors shall not be more than one month delinquent on dues or their
position on the board can be forfeited by a majority vote from the FCPOA members
in good standing. If their position is forfeited per paragraph 4 (b) the appropriate
actions will occur as per paragraph 6 (a).
c. Membership status is as follows: Time delinquent Member Status 0 2 months
Members in good standing.3 4 months Member is delinquent in status. 5 month or
more members are reviewed for termination. All members in a delinquent or
reviewed for termination status will be notified by the Treasure, via the Vice
President, by letter standing the members status. Members in a delinquent status
shall be allowed to redeem (pay back) their status no more than one time. The Board
of Directors shall review all members in a delinquent or reviewed for termination
status. They will be handled on a case by case basis and active involvement will
be give all due consideration. Members who are to be terminated shall be stricken
from the FCPOA roster. The President shall issue a letter to the member stating the
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES
reason for termination and forwarding the letter to the Commanding Officer via the
Executive Officer and Command Master Chief.
7. Privileges and Courtesies.
A
All FCPOA members in good standing shall receive the following privileges:
a. Use of FCPOA facilities. Stand By

b. All FCPOA properties.

c. Eligibility to vote on all matters and decisions directly affecting the FCPOA up to and
including the election of the Board of Directors. The selection and election of all Blue
Jacket of the Quarter (BJOQ), Junior Sailor of the Quarter (JSOQ), Blue Jacket of the
year (BJOY), and Junior Sailor of the Year (JSOY) nominees will remain open to all
NOSC, Puerto Rico First Class Petty Officers regardless of their current FCA
membership status.
d. All group outings / luncheons.
e. All command or community service participation, projects, or functions that directly
reflect upon the FCPOA.
f. The opportunity to voice and be heard about any changes, deviations or improvements to
FCPOA policy IAW paragraph (9).
g. A commemorative shadow box upon retirement or commemorative plaque upon transfer
IAW paragraph (8). All First Class Petty Officers that decline the opportunity to become
an FCPOA Member are recognized only by association. They shall be extended the
courtesy of attending all quorums, meetings, and other command related events for the
purpose of gaining career and command related information.
8. Expenditure of Funds
Membership dues and hosting fundraisers accumulate all funds. All FCPOA Members in good
standing shall vote and are not limited to the following:
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES
a. Donation towards members shadow box when retiring. Amount will be determined
by a FCPOA
b. Member plaque when transferring.
c. The donation of flowers and bouquets for all occasions,
d. Personnel / family emergency
e. All group outings
f. If requested during a formal quorum, retiring First Class Petty Officer who were not
members in good standing will receive donations the FCPOA after their formal
request is made and is vote on. This amount as determined from the following:
Members receive $150.00 (for Shadow box). To become current, a non-member
would need to pay year of dues, a total of $80.00, $150.00 - $80.00 = $70.00.

9. Boards. All NOSC Puerto Rico, First Class Petty Officers are eligible to present nominations
for BJOQ/JSOQ and BJOY/JSOY. All NOSC Puerto Rico, First Class Petty Officers are also
eligible to cast votes during the selection of BJOQ/JSOQ and BJOY/JSOY regardless of their
current FCPOA membership status. See paragraph (6).
a. All members must be present at the time the President or Vice President dictates the
start time of the boards and member that are more than 5 minutes late will not be able
to participate.
b. All packages for members that are nominated for a specific quarter or year will be
required to be put in the First Class Petty Officer designated folder no later than the
designated due date set by the President or Vice President otherwise the member will
not be able to participate.
c. All members that are nominated will be required to be in the dress uniform for that
season otherwise they will not be able to participate in the board.
d. If the member you are nominating for the quarter or year has extenuating
circumstances the FCPOA will vote on if the member can conduct their board a
different day.
10. Changes to policy. All members in good standing shall submit in writing any changes,
deviation or improvements to these by-laws to the Board of Directors for review. The Board of
Directors shall reply within ten working days of submission.
11. Honorary Members. Honorary Members shall receive all privileges as stated in these bylaws, IAW paragraph (7). Current Honorary Members are as following:
a. Commanding Officer
b. Executive Officer
c. Command Master Chief
Subj: NAVY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER, PUERTO RICO FIRST CLASS
ASSOCIATION (FCA) BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES

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President

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Date

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Vice President

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Treasurer

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Date

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Secretary

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Date

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Master-at-Arms

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Date

Charter of your organization is authorized on this ________ day of _______________, 2016

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Command Master Chief

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Commanding Officer