Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE ESSEX TROOP

AS AMENDED AND ADOPTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETINGS: 25 JAN 1950; 22 JAN 1968; 21 MAY 1968; 21 APR 1971; 26 JAN 1972; 28 JAN 1978; 30 SEP 1981; 26 OCT 1984; 28 FEB 1988; 31 JAN 1997

ARTICLE I

The name of the corporation will be The Essex Troop, Inc. a/k/a The Essex Troop.

ARTICLE II

The purposes of The Essex Troop is to preserve the history of the United States Cavalry and Armored Force, especially as pertains to the military units descended from the 1st Troop and the 102d Regiment, New Jersey National Guard. Also:

Provide programs to perpetuate the memory of The Essex Troop and the Armored Force.

Assist disabled and needy veterans, members of The Essex Troop and the Armored Forces.

Sponsor and participate in activities of a patriotic nature.

Provide social and recreational activities for members of The Essex Troop.

To provide educational scholarships for its members, their children, their grandchildren and to members of the armed forces and their dependents.

To acquire, hold, let, transfer, mortgage and convey properties both real and personal.

ARTICLE III

The corporation is located and its principal business is conducted in the City of West Orange, in the County of Essex, in the State of New Jersey. The location of its office shall be in the West Orange Armory, 1315 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, New Jersey 07052.

The Agent for services of process on said corporation is the person currently serving as the secretary of The Essex Troop, located at the West Orange Armory, 1315 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, New Jersey 07052

ARTICLE IV

The number of Trustees shall be nine (9), six (6) of whom shall be elected and shall be divided into three classes, to hold office for a period of three (3) years from the date of their election or until their successors shall be elected and qualify. The election of each class shall be staggered so that two (2) Trustees, comprising a class, shall be elected each year. The Immediate Past President, the President and the First Vice-President shall be Trustees ex officio. Three shall be insofar as may be practical, ineligible for active military service.

ARTICLE V

The present Trustees of The Essex Troop shall be the Trustees under this amended certificate of incorporation and shall hold office for the balance of their unexpired terms.

ARTICLE VI

The principle officers of the corporation shall be a President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant-At-Arms. The persons elected to the above offices are to serve a term of two (2) years.

ARTICLE VII

All members of the corporation shall be duly elected and continue as members as provided by the By-Laws, and shall be divided into three classifications as follows:

A. ACTIVE. An Active member shall be one who has been or is currently enlisted or commissioned in an organization or unit of the National Guard of the State of New Jersey; provided his or her service has been satisfactorily and faithfully performed and that his or her separation therefrom has been under favorable and honorable conditions; and further provided that he or she has been elected a Life Member or, if not a Life Member, has paid dues for the current year as prescribed in the Constitution. Any other person proposed for Active membership not meeting the qualifications contained in this paragraph must be voted on by a majority of those active members present at a general meeting of The Essex Troop, and, in order for the qualification to be submitted for such vote, he/she must have been approved for presentation to the general membership by a majority of the Trustees, including the President of The Essex Troop.

B. HONORARY. An Honorary member shall be one who may be elected to membership in The Essex Troop as a mark of esteem or for distinguished military or public service. Honorary members may not become life members, but may hold elective office with the exception of Trustee or President.

C. LIFE. A Life member shall be one who has been an Active Member dues paying member for a period of ten consecutive years and has displayed an eagerness to participate in Troop functions. His/her eligibility shall be confirmed by the Secretary and presented to the President. The President shall review each applicant and present his recommendation to the membership for approval.