1. Locating former shipmates and urging their active participation in the Association.
2. Planning and arranging Reunions at such other times as voted on by a majority of the members.
3. Providing active support to the Navy's Recruiting Program through personal contact with highly qualified candidates for Navy enlisted and officer programs.
4. Establishing a competitive scholarship program for sons and daughters of current crewmembers serving in USS NIMITZ (CVN-68), and embarked Staffs. Squadrons and Detachments; and sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of Association Members "in good standing".
5. Collecting mementos, pictures, plaques, artifacts, insignia, cruise books, papers, letters and other memorabilia relating in any way to pre-commissioning, commissioning and service in USS NIMITZ. Such items may be maintained by individual contributing members and shared at Association gatherings or donated to the Association for historical preservation. "The Memorabilia Storekeeper will hold such "donated" items in custody."

1. Charter Members - Those who joined on or before 30 June 1998 are enrolled as "Charter Members".
2. Members - Those joining on or after 1 July 1998 will be enrolled as "Members".
3. Life Members - Charter Members and Members may become "Life Members" by paying a one-time fee in an amount as established by a majority of voting members during a reunion.
4. Honorary Members - Widows; and parents, sons and daughters (under certain conditions), of deceased Association Members, NIMITZ Crew Members and Embarked Units Personnel, who were Members in good standing at the time of their death, may become "Honorary Members," and no dues will be accessed during their lifetime. Widows; and parents, sons and daughters (under certain conditions), of deceased eligible personnel who were not members in good standing at the time of their death, may join on their own initiative by paying a "one-time" $30.00 initiation fee. No further dues or fees shall be accessed during his or her lifetime. Parents' eligibility: The deceased NIMITZ Crew Member or Embarked Units Personnel must have been not married at the time of their death to establish parents' eligibility. Sons and daughters of deceased Members are eligible for membership.
5. Special Honorary Members. Direct descendants of Fleet Admiral and Mrs. Chester W. Nimitz, e.g., children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., brothers and sisters and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, etc., may join on their own initiative as "Special Honorary Members" by paying a "one-time" $30.00 initiation fee. No further dues or fees shall be accessed during his or her lifetime.
6. Associate Members. Interested personal may join the Association as Associate Members under such criteria as may be adopted by the Association, e.g.. Navy League Members, former POWs. special friends of Naval Aviation, etc. Associate Members may attend annual Reunions, assist in locating former shipmates or other persons interested in Associate Membership. Associate Members are ineligible to vote, or hold elected office. Parents of deceased NIMITZ Crew Members or Embarked Units Personnel who do not qualify as Honorary Members may join as Associate Members. Associate Members are dues paying members. The Association President is authorized to rule on Associate Membership Applications as to whether or not membership will be granted.

• President - Shall serve a two-year term, but not more than two terms.
• Vice President/Public Affairs Officer - Shall serve a one-year term, but not more than three consecutive terms. In the event the elected President becomes unable to perform duties as President, the Vice President shall automatically become President and serve until the next Reunion when a new President shall be duly elected by the Membership.
• Secretary/Treasurer - Shall serve a two-year term, but not more than three consecutive terms. Shall be elected in alternate years to the President.
• Spouses Advocate - Shall serve a two-year term, but not more than two terms.

1. Oversees the activities of the Association.
2. Presides at all Association and Board of Directors meetings.
3. Appoint such Committee Chairpersons, Special Assistants and Reunion Coordinators as may be required for good order and management of the Association.
4. Direct the activities of the Vice President/Public Affairs Officer, Secretary/Treasurer, Spouses Advocate, Special Assistants, and Reunion Coordinators.
5. Provide guidance and assistance to the various Committee Chairpersons as may be required (Nominating Committee excepted) for effective management of the Association.

1. Act as President in the absence of the President and preside over General and Board of Directors Meetings at all Association Reunions or gatherings.
2. Assume duties of the President, in the event the elected President becomes incapacitated, until the next Reunion and a new President is duly elected.
3. Assist the President in the performance of his or her duties and be prepared to assume the responsibilities of the President in his or her absence.
4. Direct the efforts of the Nominating Committee Chairperson and Committee Members.
5. In concert with the Association Chaplain, extend an expression of sympathy to the family of deceased, critically ill and seriously injured members of the Association. The Chaplain is responsible for sending flowers where appropriate.
6. Establish and coordinate a Public Relations Program for of the Association.

1. Record and maintain minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and General Membership Meetings held at each Reunion, or at such other times as may be directed by the Association President.
2. Maintain current and prior approved copies of the Constitution and By-Laws.
3. Provide printed copies of minutes of the previous Association General Meetings, at subsequent General Meetings of the Association.
4. Maintain the official correspondence file of the Association.
5. Maintain Association funds in an officially established USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) ASSOCIATION bank account with the Naval Federal Credit Union (NFCU); maintain financial accounts, and record and maintain detailed accounting records of such accounts.
6. Collect Association Initiation Fees and Dues, and all other Association Income (except Scholarship and Ship's Store Funds), and deposit in the Association Bank Account.
7. Reimburse members of the Association for all legitimate expenditures on behalf of the Association, and maintain receipts (invoices) for audit by the Auditing Committee.
8. Not later than 1 October of each year, provide the Data Base Administrator with a listing of all Association Members whose dues are in arrears, and the total amount due at invoicing.
9. Maintain accurate records of all banking transactions, present to the Audit Committee at the each Reunion, or such other times as may be directed by the Association President; and report on the status of Association funds at all Reunions.
10. Provide the Newsletter Editor with a financial statement (report) by 5 January each year for the preceding calendar year for publication to the Membership in the January Newsletter.
11. Set up and maintain USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) ASSOCIATION as a tax exempt, non-profit association with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
12. Prepare and submit any required tax reports to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

1. Shall be elected by majority vote of spouses attending a reunion when an official election is held after an expiring term of office.
2. Serves as a voting member of the Board of Directors.
3. Shall attend all General Meetings attended by dues paying members.
4. Acts as the primary advisor to the to the President in matters of interest to Association Spouses.
5. Shall form an Advisory Committee of Association Spouses, as desired, to formulate recommendations to improve Association policy and procedures.
6. Assign one Spouse Advisory Committee Member to each of the following committees: Reunion, Membership, Nominating, and Scholarship.
7. Assign one Advisor to assist each Reunion Coordinator to ensure spouses' desires at each reunion are considered, e.g.; tours, banquet, entertainment, etc.

1. In the event that any officer resigns or is in any way unable to perform the duties of his or her office, the President shall appoint a member in good standing to carry out the duties of the open office until the next reunion.
2. The appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
3. At the next scheduled Reunion, the Membership shall nominate and elect an officer to complete the un-expired term.

1. Vice President/Public Affairs Officer
2. First Immediate Past President (Secretary/Treasurer until such time as there is a First Immediate Past President)
3. Second Immediate Past President (Secretary/Treasurer until such time as there is a First Immediate Past President)
4. Third Immediate Past President (Secretary/Treasurer until such time as there is a First Immediate Past President)

1. The present, and all past Commanding Officers, USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) shall serve as Honorary Members of the Board of Directors. Honorary Members of the Board serve as non-voting members.
2. Those present at annual Reunions shall be invited to attend all Board of Directors Meetings where their advice, counsel and suggestions shall be sought on ways to enhance the Association.

1. Profiteering by any Association Member for any reason is prohibited. Any and all profits from sales from the Ship's Store, e.g., ball caps, jackets, jewelry, ashtrays, photographs, scarves, other memorabilia, etc. Association sanctioned raffles, auctions or any other profit making undertakings during annual Reunions or at any other time by any member, shall only be by official authorization of the Board of Directors. All profits from such undertakings shall accrue to the ASSOCIATION.
2. Sales of Association memorabilia through any source other than the Association Ship's Store, or by mail order from other than the appointed Association Storekeeper, is prohibited.

1. Audit Committee Shall:
   1. Audit the fiscal records of the Treasurer and Storekeeper on the first day of each reunion and report the results to the President on completion of the audit. The President will report findings to the membership at the second general meeting for approval by majority vote.
      
2. Constitution and By-Laws Committee Shall:
   1. Develop proposed Amendments and Changes to the existing Constitution and By-Laws and submit proposed changes, in written form, to the Board of Directors on the first day of the each Reunion for evaluation and approval.
   2. The President will submit proposed Amendments and Changes to the Membership for approval by majority vote at the General Meeting. Suggestions and recommendations shall be taken from the floor and voted on. A two-thirds (2/3) majority is required for passage. (See Article VIII, Section 3).
      
3. Reunion Committee Shall:
   1. Evaluate potential sites (cities) for Reunions.
   2. Submit an evaluation report on at least six (6) sites for each Reunion, three (3) years out to the Board of Directors on the first day of the each Reunion.
   3. The Board of Directors will evaluate the listing and approve three (3) for submission to the membership at the General Meeting for voting.
   4. No Reunion city will be visited more than once every ten (10) years.

      EXCEPTION: The ten (10) year prohibition does not apply to that city that serves as the homeport of the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) or any Texas city selected by the membership suitable for visiting the Admiral Nimitz Museum and Historical Center during a Reunion. The NIMITZ homeport city may be recommended by the Reunion Committee in any year, by the Board of Directors, or any member from the floor during the General Meeting when voting takes place.

      After a Reunion site has been approved by the Membership, select a Reunion Coordinator for that Reunion prior to adjournment of the Reunion in progress.

1. Membership Committee Shall:
   1. Carry out a nation-wide campaign to recruit eligible personnel for the Association.
   2. The Chairperson shall endeavor to appoint a Committee Member for each state/area of the country (as members are available).
   3. Committee Members are urged to publicize the existence of the Association and make the maximum effort to solicit new Members from their state/section of the country.
   4. All "Members in Good Standing" are considered to be Members of the Membership Committee, and are encouraged to be active in the recruiting process.
      
2. Nominating Committee Shall:
   1. The Committee Chairperson shall preside at all Committee Meetings.
   2. Under the guidance of the Vice President/Public Affairs Officer, develop a slate of "nominees" to be voted on at the Reunion. The Vice President/Public Affairs Officer serves only in an advisory capacity, has no vote in Committee Meetings, and shall ensure that the committee consists of at least four (4) members, one of which shall be a Member of the Board of Directors (other than the Vice President/Public Affairs Officer), plus the Committee Chairperson.
   3. The Committee shall obtain a commitment of any nominee that he or she will serve if elected.
   4. The Committee Chairperson shall obtain background information on each nominee (to include his or her Navy career and any civilian career after the Navy), prior to submission of the list of nominees to the Association President.
   5. The Committee Chairperson shall forward the list of nominees, with biography, to the Association President not later than 1 March of each year, who shall ensure that the slate of nominees are published in the April edition of the Association Newsletter to assist Members in their decision making prior to the Reunion.
      
3. Scholarship Committee Shall:
   
   1. Administer the granting of one $2000.00 (Two Thousand Dollar) Scholarship each year as defined by the criteria outlined in this Article.
   2. Eligibility. Applicant must be a dependent child of a current USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) crewmember or Embarked Units Personnel, or a dependent child or grandchild of an Association Member in good standing. In "good standing" infers "dues paying members."
   3. Qualifications. Must have been accepted as a full-time student in the upcoming fall semester at an accredited college or university. Scholarship must be used for undergraduate studies only, leading to a Bachelor's Degree.
   4. Submission. An Application Form will be provided by the Scholarship Chairperson, Newsletter Editor or the NIMITZ Public Affairs Office on request. In addition to submission of a completed Application Form and all that it requires, the applicant shall:
      
      
      1. Provide a transcript of school grades to the Scholarship Committee Chairperson. Verification of SAT and/or ACT (for high school students) or GPA (for college students) is required for first year applicants.
      2. Provide three (3) personal references with application.
      3. Provide documentation verifying the selected school is an accredited college.
         
         1. Selection Criteria, Process and Judging Guidelines. The Scholarship Committee Chairperson shall present to the Board of Directors all applications from all eligible candidates on the first day of each reunion. The Board of Directors shall meet in closed session and score each eligible candidate utilizing the following point scoring system:
            1. Grade point (cumulative) X 10 for a high school senior or grade point X5 (cumulative) for a college Freshman, Sophomore or Junior).
            2. Number of total hours of volunteer work X 1 point, maximum of 15 (requires verification), e.g., Boy/Girl Scout Leader, Little League coach, Sunday School teacher, Boys/Girls Club, Remedial Training to students, etc.
            3. Applicant and/or sponsor involvement in USS NIMITZ ASSOCIATION is worth 1 to 10 points at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
            4. Working while a full-time student is worth 1 point per hour per week with a maximum allowable 15 points (with verification). Volunteer work may be substituted for employed work at the same one point per hour, and the two may be combined for cumulative points.
            5. Each prestigious Honor Award is worth a maximum of 10 points (with verification), e.g., National Honor Society. Eagle Scout Award (Order of the Arrow), etc., overall maximum of 20 points
            6. A scholarship essay, as a demonstration of skills and documentation, is worth a maximum of 20 points: a maximum of 10 points for quality of message and a maximum of 10 points for grammar. spelling, and punctuation. The essay MUST have a patriotic theme.
            7. The Board of Directors may, at their discretion, set up additional criteria at each official meeting to select the winner of the scholarship: and award a maximum of 20 points for such criteria.
         2. Additional Requirements. Applicant MUST maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) to receive the monetary award. This must be verified in writing to the Scholarship Chairperson at the end of the first semester and at the end of the school term..
         3. Full Time Student. To be classified as a full time student, the winning applicant must complete 12 creditable semester hours of study. per semester, to be eligible to receive the Scholarship Award.

NOTE: Quarter Hours cannot be substituted for semester hours.

1. Monetary Award. Fifty percent (50%) of the Scholarship ($1000.00) shall be awarded at the end of the first grading period (mid-term), and the balance upon completion of the academic year.

1. Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator Shall:
   1. Serve as the religious leader of the Association.
   2. As Bereavement Coordinator, represent the Association in times of distress of an Association Member or loved one as deemed desirable.
   3. Coordinate with the Vice President/Public Affairs Officer the sending of flowers in the case of death or lengthy hospitalization, and funeral attendance by an Association Member where possible.
      
2. Associate Chaplain Shall:
   1. Serve as principal assistant to the Association Chaplain and fill in for the Chaplain when he or she is unavailable.
      
3. Newsletter Editor Shall:
   1. Receive input from the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Public Affairs Officer. Association Officers, Members, historical sources and other viable entities to ensure an informative Newsletter.
   2. Prepare a quarterly Newsletter (Jan-Apr-Jul-Oct) for distribution to Association Members, with copies to the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Public Affairs Office for distribution to the crew.
   3. Set up a viable "non-profit", bulk-mail postage stamp system with the local post office for economical Newsletter mailing.
   4. Arrange for printing, and mailing of the Newsletter in liaison with the Database Administrator for mailing labels, membership rosters, etc., and the Secretary/Treasurer for postage and printing funding.
      
4. Associate Newsletter Editors Shall:
   1. Assist the Newsletter Editor in the preparation of an informative newsletter by providing timely input.
      
5. Database Administrator Shall:
   1. Maintain the Membership database.
   2. Under the direction of the Treasurer, print and mail, on or about 1 October of each year, an annual invoice to each member for annual dues payment. In the interest of economy, annual dues invoices should be included in the October Newsletter mailing envelope.
   3. Provide, as may be required; mailing labels, membership rosters, telephone directories, etc. and any other data as may be required by the President. Vice President/Public Affairs Officer. Secretary/Treasurer, or Spouses Advocate in the performance of their responsibilities to the Association.
      
6. Memorabilia Storkeeper Shall:
   1. Take custody of all memorabilia. E.g., mementos, pictures. Plaques, artifacts, insignia, papers, letters, cruise books, etc.: collected for safekeeping.
   2. Ship all memorabilia to each Reunion site in time to arrive prior to commencement of the Reunion.
   3. Provide an annual inventory to the Board of Directors at the beginning of each Reunion for review and retention by the Secretary/Treasurer.
   4. Working with the NIMITZ Reunion Coordinator and hotel management, arrange for display and safekeeping of all memorabilia in a separate room adjacent to the meeting/hospitality room that can be secured during the period of the Reunion
      
7. Reunion Coordinators Shall:
   1. Once a Reunion site and dates have been approved by the Membership (three years in advance), make contact with as many reputable hotels as soon as possible in the selected city as feasible.
      
   2. Select the hotel that best meets the needs of the Reunion, and negotiate the best deal possible. Include such items as:
      • Lowest possible group rate and discounts
      • Suitable meeting/hospitality room to accommodate anticipated number of attendees
      • Suitable room for memorabilia display (must be a locked room), and prferably adjacent to the meeting/hospitality room
      • As many comp rooms as Hotel Management will provide. (See note below).
      • Priority assignment of comp room(s) provided by the hotel shall be as follows:
        • Reunion Coordinator
        • President
        • Secretary/Treasurer
        • Newsletter Editor
        • Database Administrator
        • Vice President/Public Affairs Officer
        • Storekeeper
          
   3. Contact all major airlines serving the Reunion city, and negotiate a special "Reunion Rate"
      .
8. Storekeeper Shall:
   1. Be the only source for Association Merchandise obtained for sale to the Membership, or non-members who have a desire to purchase such merchandise.
   2. Maintain an inventory of merchandise for sale, e.g., baseball caps, tee-shirts, golf shirts, jackets, coffee cups, beer tankards, ash trays, etc.
   3. Maintain Ship's Store funds in an officially established USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) ASSOCIATION Scholarship Fund bank account in the Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU); maintain financial accounts: and record and maintain detailed records of such accounts.
   4. Maintain a viable stocking system. which shall be presented to the Audit Committee on the first day of each annual reunion for audit.
   5. Set up and maintain a Ship's Store at each reunion for the sale of Association merchandise.
   6. Set up and maintain a mail order system to provide Association Merchandise ordered via U.S. Mail, Tips. etc. (NOTE: Ship's Store order forms shall periodically be included in Newsletters).
   7. Ensure that profits that accrue from the sale of Association Merchandise is deposited in the Association Scholarship Fund Bank Account with the NFCU.
   8. Maintain liaison with the Spouses Advocate to select and stock items of interest to female Members and their Spouses.
   9. Pay all vendor invoices from the Scholarship Fund Bank Account.
   10. Prepare and pay the semi-annual award to the winner of the Association Scholarship annual competition upon verification of eligibility by the Chairman, Scholarship Committee.
   11. Provide the Newsletter Editor with a financial statement each year by 5 January for the preceding year for publication to the Membership in the January Newsletter.
       
9. Webmaster Shall Maintain the official USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association Web Site on the Internet, to include items of interest to members and potential members as may be appropriate, and to include as a minimum:
   1. Association Constitution and By-Laws.
   2. Names and e-mail address of the Board of Directors.
   3. Names of Honorary Board of Directors, with dates of command of USS NIMITZ (CVN 68).
   4. Association Membership Roster - no U.S. Mail or E-mail addresses, or telephone numbers to be posted in violation of the Federal Privacy Act.
   5. Membership Application Form.
   6. Chaplain's Corner for such information as the Association Chaplain may deem appropriate for posting.
   7. Association Ship's Store Order Form, with product information and pricing.
   8. Reunion Information.
   9. Association History.
   10. Photos depicting USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), embarked aircraft, candid pictures of the crew and events, etc.
   11. Links to important Navy and Military Internet sites.
   12. Poster Board and Classifieds.
   13. Special Announcements Board.
       
10. Historian Shall: (This position shall be filled by the Chairman, Constitution and By-Laws Committee)
    1. Maintain the Association History, with special emphasis on Members, their families, interface with USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) for items of historical importance, Membership, Scholarship Awards, Reunions, etc.
       
    2. Liaison with the Webmaster for updating Association History annually by 31 December for posting on the Association Web Site.
       
    3. Maintain a written history in this booklet publishing the Constitution and By-Laws. Distribute the booklet containing the Constitution and By-Laws and Association History ONLY where there are significant changes to the Constitution and By-Laws, but in any event bi-annually with the April Newsletter.
       
11. Veteran’s Service Officer. Serve as the Association’s advisor in Veterans benefits in the time of need, to include the following:
    1. Advise and assist veterans and surviving spouses in presenting claims for benefits under Federal, State and/or local laws.
       
    2. Works in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, other governmental agencies such as the National Headquarters and Department Service Officers.
       
    3. Assist Association veterans and/or surviving spouses through the conduct of telephonic communications and/or written correspondence with various Federal, State, County and City Governmental agencies concerning problems.
       
    4. Assist in the submission of DVA claims to the appropriate DVA Regional Office and other claims submitted to the government agencies involved in the particular veteran or spouses situation.
       
    5. Has a complete working knowledge of DVA requirements concerning the processing Has a complete working knowledge of DVA requirements concerning the processing of claims for all types of veterans benefits. Must be able to develop a knowledge, where required, to process claims for other governmental benefits.
       1. Compensation (claims, aggravation, presumptive service connected, rates, etc.)
       2. Pension (applications, aid and attendance, income restrictions, etc.)
       3. Special Service-Connected Benefits (automotive, housing, prosthetics, etc.)
       4. Medical (hospital eligibility categories, nursing home, domiciliary, outpatient, etc.)
       5. Education (vocational rehabilitation, war orphans, dependents, etc.)
       6. Life Insurance (NSLI, government, conversions, loans, death applications, etc.)
       7. Death Benefits (widows pensions, DIC, burial, grave marker, National Cemetery, Insurance, burial squad, etc.)
       8. GI Loans (eligibility, financing, business, etc.)
       9. Records (Personnel Records Center, St. Louis; Hospital; Regional Office and offices)
          
    6. Has a complete working knowledge of other agencies Veterans benefits. The Veterans Service Officer will provide assistance in the development and processing of claims within the following areas:
       1. Social Security (SSI).
       2. Veterans State Loans.
       3. County Assessor (tax exemptions).
       4. SDI (Job Disability)
       5. Employment Development Department Jobs for Veterans
       6. Small Business Administration loans
          
    7. Is familiar with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, and DVA Regulations concerning the release of claims information.
       
    8. Claims processing. The Veterans Service Officer can provide assistance in claims processing as follows:
       1. Quality (claims shall be processed in accordance with current directives)
       2. Timeliness (claims and all supporting documents shall be prepared and submitted to the appropriate office within ten (10) working days of receipt of claim - this is the case unless two days prior to the end of the month, then the claim shall be processed and date stamped by the DAV.
       3. Confidentiality (will be aware of confidentially requirements of the Veterans Service Officer. Information assistance shall be appropriate to the needs of the veteran or spouse as well as within the interests of the claimant while maintaining the claimant’s privacy.
          
    9. Public contact (contact with the public, other organizations and officials at various levels of management) must reflect communications skills, tact and patience.