The Constitution

The club constitution that was hammered out in contentious meetings during the course of 1973 and 1974 was formally adopted at the club’s 67th meeting that occurred on July 13, 1974 at Neil Cowan’s house on Stanley Avenue in Hollywood. In addition to codifying the specifications for the club uniforms, it defined the club’s purpose; procedures for vetting and voting in new members; dues; requirements for attendance at meetings; classes of membership; the order of meetings; and the club’s elected officers, procedures for their election, their terms of office and their responsibilities. The constitution defines the club as “...a fraternal organization whose members share a mutual interest in uniforms.” It also specifies: “Membership shall be open to any adult male who is proposed by a member in good standing.” Under the constitution, all members of the club are “officers” and wear lieutenant’s bars on their uniforms. The elected officers (Chief, Deputy Chief, Communications Officer, and Financial Officer) do not receive a higher rank designation during their tenures. Four classes of membership are established: Active Officer, officers in good standing who maintain full participation in the Corps; Reserve Officer, officers who are unable to participate in all of the club’s activities but who want to continue their affiliation with the Corps; Honorary Officer, a class for Reserve Officer who are no longer able to maintain their reserve status or for non members who are recognized for their distinguished service to the Corps; and Emeritus Officer, for officers who have been members of the Corps for ten years or more, who have retired from participation in the Corps. The constitution has undergone a series of amendments over the years to respond to changing conditions. In 1999, the constitution was revised, to among other things, take into account the status of the San Francisco Division that was established in 1998. A number of the club’s long-term members attribute the club’s stability and continuation to the existence of the constitution, which establishes a clear framework for the club’s purpose and operation, avoiding much of the wrangling and divisiveness that can occur in organizations that are more loosely structured.