UNITED STATES OLYMPIANS
CONSTITUTION
adopted Nov. 1991/revised Nov. 2000
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1. This Organization shall be national in scope, with constituent chapters now existing or to be organized, and shall be known as the United States Olympians (USO).
ARTICLE II
Mission Statement
Section 1. The U.S. Olympians will foster the Olympic Spirit in each community, motivate and encourage youth, develop camaraderie and honor all those who have shared the unique experience of representing their nation at the Olympic Games.
ARTICLE III
Objects
Section 1. The objects of the USO shall be:
A. To support the world movement to achieve and maintain international understanding, peace and goodwill through sports competitions among nations, based on the principles of ancient Greek Olympic ideals of sportsmanship;
B. To stimulate national interest in the Olympic Games;
C. To cooperate with the United States Olympic Committee in advancing the United States Olympic ideals and competition, to include securing financial aid therefor;
D. To assist United States' athletes of promise in their development, training, and competition in sports embraced in the Olympic program; and
E. To maintain fellowship among Olympic competitors and members of official delegations of United States Olympic Teams through association at stated meetings, and, in furtherance thereof, to stimulate and sponsor the formation of chapters of such Olympic competitors and associates throughout the United States, and to exercise supervision and control over the policies of such constituent chapters.
ARTICLE IV
Limitations
Section 1. The USO, its Officers, Directors, and constituent chapters shall cooperate with the United States Olympic Committee in pursuit of its goals and objectives.
ARTICLE V
Membership
Section 1. The membership of the USO shall be comprised of the category Regular.
Section 2. Membership shall be limited to individuals as hereinafter designated:
A. Regular: Everyone who has been a member of the official U.S. delegation at any Olympic Games.
Section 3. Members shall have the privilege of voting and shall be eligible to be Directors of the USO. Only members who were Olympic competitors representing the United States shall be Officers of the USO. Members of all categories shall be eligible to participate fully on duly designated committees and task groups of the USO, including the holding of committee office.
Section 4. The provisions of that chapter govern membership of an individual in a constituent chapter.
ARTICLE VI
Government
Section 1. Management of the USO shall be vested in a Board of Directors. Such Board shall be composed of all living former Presidents as permanent members, current officers, and Directors who shall serve for a term of four years. All members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination as a Director. A qualifications committee comprised of the President, Executive Director, and one additional member appointed by the board of directors will present the candidates to the membership. Each member of the board of directors shall have a vote.
The election of the officers, of the USO, shall be conducted on a semi-quadrennial basis. The election of the President and three Vice Presidents will be conducted in sufficient time to allow installation at the annual meeting of the USO following the summer Olympic Games. The remaining three Vice Presidents will be elected and installed at the annual meeting following the Olympic Winter Games.
Section 2. Constituent chapters may organize and administer their affairs according to self-determined Articles of Association that are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Organization as determined by the National Board of Directors. Each constituent chapter shall be entitled to designate one Regular or Associate member to serve on the National Board of Directors for a four-year term. Such designation may be effected through election or appointment, as the membership of the respective chapters may decide. Notice of chapter designation of a National Board Member shall be received from the chapter in writing, by the Vice President designated as Secretary of the Board, at least thirty days before the annual Board meeting.
Section 3. The Officers of the Organization shall consist of a President, six Vice Presidents, of whom one will be elected the duties of Secretary, and one will be elected the duties of Treasurer, and an elected Historian, each to be elected from the Board membership by majority vote at an appropriate annual meeting. Officers' terms of service, and thus their Board memberships shall continue for four years after their election irrespective of the time previously served as Board members. There shall be no limit on the number of terms that an officer may serve with the exception that the President may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.
Section 4. Officers of the Organization shall serve in the same respective Office and capacity on the Board of Directors, and shall have the right to vote on all matters properly before the Board, including all business upon which the Board is required to act; and shall further have the right to vote with respect to any amendments to the Constitution.
Section 5. All members will be eligible to cast their vote for the officers at the annual meeting via absentee ballot. All members present at the annual meeting may also vote on any business properly presented to the membership.
Section 6. Any vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors shall be filled by a vote of the Board.
ARTICLE VII
Amendments
Section 1. The Constitution may be amended only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors and members who vote at the annual meeting.
Section 2. No proposition to amend the Constitution shall be acted upon at any meeting of the Board unless it shall have been presented in writing to the Secretary at least forty-five days prior to the date of the meeting. It shall set out clearly the purpose of the proposed amendment. Upon receipt thereof, the Secretary shall mail a copy of the proposed amendment, and notice of the time and place of the meeting at which the amendment is to be treated, to every chapter and Director at least twenty days prior to the date of the meeting.
