ABOUT US

Before the Order was founded, the Men and Women of the 90^th MXG were supported by two organizations, the 90MXG Top III and the 90MXG Booster Club.

While the two organizations provided years of amazing support, they began to suffer from high turnover and a lack of engagement. As the two organizations looked for ways to rebuild, they realized that there was significant overlap and redundancy between them, as their missions were nearly identical.

So, in 2023, MSgt Schwendiman took it upon himself to work with the remaining leaders and members of the two organizations to combine into one new organization, The Order of Atlas. Consolidating management, members, and resources to bring about a significant re-alignment with our mission: supporting the members of the 90^th MXG.

After a year of dedicating substantial time and resources, MSgt Schwendiman founded The Order of Atlas on March 14, 2024. The Order was established as a Non-Profit Veterans Organization, taking over the responsibilities and mission of its predecessors.

Why are we called, The Order of Atlas? The name pays homage to the SM-65 Atlas, the first operational Intercontinental Ballistic Missile developed by the United States in 1946 and to the Greek Titan Atlas who held the sky on his shoulders, the same way world peace has been sustained on the shoulders of the Men and Women of our ICBM forces.

Our emblem is a MinuteMan III ICBM shadowed by a spartan helmet, symbolic of our warrior ethos and disclipline in operating and maintaining our weapon system. The lightning bolts pay respect to our Strategic Air Command heritage and the ability to strike anywhere with overwhelming force and speed. Surrounding it all is a ring of Greek design, paying respect to the origins of math and science, without which our modern weapon systems would not exist.

THE ORDER OF ATLAS
CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this organization shall be: The Order of Atlas.

ARTICLE II

Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to provide for the mutual benefit, health, and moral of its members who are exclusively past or present members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

ARTICLE III

Members

Section I. Classes of members.

There are two classes of members in this organization, voting members and non-voting members.

Section II. Eligibility for membership.

All members of the Order of Atlas must be past or present members of the Armed Forces of the United States and agree to support and abide by the Order of Atlas Constitution.

To be eligible to become a non-voting member one must be vouched for by a voting member, pay all applicable dues and fees, be approved by a two-thirds vote, and receive approval from the Executive.

To be eligible to become a voting member one must be a non-voting member for a minimum of three months, participate in all applicable meetings and events during that time, have no disciplinary actions on their record, be current on all applicable dues and fees, have a voting member vouch for them, be approved by a two-thirds vote, and receive approval from the Executive.

To apply for membership at any level, an individual will fill out an application for membership. The application will be provided by the Order of Atlas. It will include the applicant’s full name, contact information, mailing address, and evidence of the applicant meeting the eligibility requirements for the level of membership being applied for. The application will be brought, by the voting member who is vouching for the applicant, to the next monthly meeting of the Order of Atlas where business will be conducted. At that meeting the Board of Directors and the Executive will be provided with an opportunity to review the application and add it to the agenda for the next monthly meeting.

If the application is approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors and approved by the Executive, the applicant will be indoctrinated into the Order of Atlas and receive the level of membership applied for.

If the applicant is disapproved, they cannot apply again until three months have passed and the reason for disapproval has been resolved.

Section III. Dues and fees.

Dues and fees will be determined by the Board of Directors and approved by two-thirds of the voting members to be added to this constitution, if at all. If a member does not pay their dues by the last Friday of the month, they will be temporarily banned from voting until all dues are paid. If a member fails to pay their dues for two months or more, they will be subject to discipline and possible loss of membership dependent on the results of a disciplinary trial.

Section IIII. Membership requirements.

Members of the Order of Atlas, at all levels, are required to attend all regularly scheduled meetings and events to the greatest extent possible. For Officers of the Order of Atlas, all absences must be submitted to the Executive at least three days prior and approved by a simple majority of the Board of Directors at the next regular meeting. Unapproved or regular absences will lead to discipline and possible loss of voting membership dependent on the results of a disciplinary trial.

Section V. Disciplinary procedures.

The Order of Atlas will enforce its rules and expects ethical and honorable conduct from its members. Discipline will be handled according to the parliamentary authority.

Section VI. Resignation.

Any member who wishes to resign will present, to the Executive, a formal letter of resignation prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. At that next meeting, their resignation will be announced and recorded.

Following resignation, former members are allowed to apply for membership again, if they are not barred from membership due to the results of a disciplinary trial.

ARTICLE IIII

Officers

Section I. Officers.

The officers of this organization shall be an Executive and seven Directors who form the Board of Directors.

The position of the Executive is held by only one individual at a time and performs the duties of president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer as outlined in the parliamentary authority. This is done to streamline the administrative duties within the organization and place its focus on executing the organization’s purpose. The Executive’s role is to preserve the organization and guide the Directors and members in executing its purpose.

The seven Directors who make up the Board of Directors are tasked with presenting, voting on, and executing motions and activities that further the organization’s purpose. Additionally, they provide guidance and mentoring for the members of the organization.

Section II. Nominations and Elections.

Nominations for all Directors will be presented from the floor by voting members during the February meeting. An election of the nominees will be held by ballot at the March meeting by voting members.

Nomination for an Executive will only be made by the current Executive and the election by ballot will be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting by voting members. An Executive may not resign or leave their position until one of their nominees has been elected.

Section III. Eligibility.

Nominees for Directors and Executives must be a current or previous member of the military, be a voting member of the Order of Atlas, and be in good standing with the Order of Atlas.

Section IIII. Term of Office.

The position of Executive has no term or time limit to provide continuity for the organization. The Executive will remain until their successor is elected.

All Directors are elected for a term of one year or until their successors are elected, starting in April following the meeting where they are elected. There are no limits to the number of terms an individual may serve as a director.

Section V. Removal from office.

An Officer can be removed, for cause, following a trial. The trial shall be held in accordance with the parliamentary authority.

Section VI. Vacancies.

When a vacancy arises, nominations will be made at the next meeting, and an election will be held by ballot at the following meeting.

ARTICLE V

Meetings

Section I. Meeting days.

There will be regular meetings on the last Friday of every month, unless ordered by the Board of Directors. At the regular meeting, members meet to hear the reports of committees and Directors.

The annual meetings are held on the first Friday of February and March. At the first annual meeting nominations are heard for directors. At the second annual meeting, elections will be held for directors.

Members must be notified of meetings. The Executive will send out a call to the meeting ten days prior to the meeting.

Section II. Quorum.

A quorum is defined as a simple majority of all voting members.

Section III. Special meetings.

An Officer of the Order of Atlas can request the Executive call a special meeting. The Executive will send out a call for the special meeting at least three days prior. No business can be transacted except that for which the meeting was called.

Section IIII. Cancellation of a regularly scheduled meeting.

An Officer of the Order of Atlas can request the Executive cancel a regularly scheduled meeting only if absolutely necessary. Some common reasons may include dangerous weather conditions, emergencies, base exercises, etc. However, all effort should be made to ensure regularly scheduled meetings are held.

If the Executive does cancel a meeting, he will send out notification to ensure all members are made aware. Any business will be moved to the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Board of Directors

Section I. Board composition.

The board is composed of seven directors.

Section II. Meetings.

The board meets on the last Friday of every month, following the regular meeting, unless otherwise ordered by the Executive. The Executive will send out a call to the meeting ten days prior to the meeting. Board meetings are not open to the membership.

A quorum of the board is defined as five directors. The only exception is while vacancies exist on the Board of Directors which result in less than five directors, at that time the quorum is defined as the Executive and all remaining directors.

A special meeting of the board may be called by the Executive. The Executive will send out a call to the meeting and reach out in person or over the phone to each board member to receive verbal acknowledgement at least three days prior to the special meeting. No business can be transacted except that for which the meeting was called.

The Executive may cancel a board meeting only if absolutely necessary. Some common reasons may include dangerous weather conditions, emergencies, base exercises, etc. However, all effort should be made to ensure board meetings are held.

If the Executive does cancel a meeting, he will send out a notification to ensure all board members are made aware. Any business will be moved to the next board meeting.

Section III. Removal from office and vacancies.

If a board member is absent several meetings in a row, the board members can declare a vacancy by two thirds vote of the entire board.

When a vacancy is declared or if a board member resigns, the position will be filled in accordance with Article IIII, section VI.

Section IIII. Duties.

The executive board’s purpose is to conduct business and manage committees in accordance with the organization’s purpose. The board has the power to spend money, enter into or out of contracts, borrow money, purchase, and sell or lease property. The board can represent the membership in dealing with the public, government agencies, and related organizations. The board can hire and fire employees.

ARTICLE VII

Committees

Section I. Fundraising Committee.

The fundraising committee is responsible for raising the funds needed, as determined by the Board of Directors, for the organization to fulfill its purpose and operate day to day.

The committee is comprised of, as a minimum, one director. Committee members may not be part of any other committee in the organization at the same time. Members will be nominated and then elected by the Board of Directors at the first meeting following a vacancy.

A quorum is defined as two thirds of the committee members. To resign, a committee member must submit a written resignation to the Executive to be presented and approved at the next board meeting.

The committee can spend the funds budgeted and approved by the Board of Directors for accomplishing its purpose. Additionally, the committee will record all expenditures and activities, and provide a report to the Board of Directors and membership each month at the regularly scheduled meeting.

Section II. Facilities and Equipment Committee.

The Facilities and Equipment committee is responsible for maintaining and preparing the facilities and equipment utilized or owned by the organization.

The committee is comprised of, as a minimum, one director. Committee members may not be part of any other committee in the organization at the same time. Members will be nominated and then elected by the Board of Directors at the first meeting following a vacancy.

A quorum is defined as two thirds of the committee members. To resign, a committee member must submit a written resignation to the Executive to be presented and approved at the next board meeting.

The committee can spend the funds budgeted and approved by the Board of Directors for accomplishing its purpose. Additionally, the committee will record all expenditures and activities, and provide a report to the Board of Directors and membership each month at the regularly scheduled meeting.

Section III. Parties and Events Committee.

The Parties and Events Committee is responsible for organizing, planning, and executing parties and events that fulfill the organization’s purpose.

The committee is comprised of, as a minimum, one director. Committee members may not be part of any other committee in the organization at the same time. Members will be nominated and then elected by the Board of Directors at the first meeting following a vacancy.

A quorum is defined as two thirds of the committee members. To resign, a committee member must submit a written resignation to the Executive to be presented and approved at the next board meeting.

The committee can spend the funds budgeted and approved by the Board of Directors for accomplishing its purpose. Additionally, the committee will record all expenditures and activities, and provide a report to the Board of Directors and membership each month at the regularly scheduled meeting.

Section IIII. Welfare and Assistance Committee.

The Welfare and Assistance Committee is responsible for planning and carrying out programs that provide for those in need and fulfill the organization’s purpose.

The committee is comprised of, as a minimum, one director. Committee members may not be part of any other committee in the organization at the same time. Members will be nominated and then elected by the Board of Directors at the first meeting following a vacancy.

A quorum is defined as two thirds of the committee members. To resign, a committee member must submit a written resignation to the Executive to be presented and approved at the next board meeting.

The committee can spend the funds budgeted and approved by the Board of Directors for accomplishing its purpose. Additionally, the committee will record all expenditures and activities, and provide a report to the Board of Directors and membership each month at the regularly scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order: Simplified and Applied, Third Edition shall govern meetings and proceedings where they are not in conflict with the constitution, rules of order, or other rules of the organization.

ARTICLE VIIII

Dissolution

Previous notice, a two-thirds vote of the entire voting membership, and approval from the Executive can dissolve this organization. All outstanding bills and debts will be paid, and the remaining money and assets will be transferred to a non-profit decided upon by a majority vote.

ARTICLE X

Amending the Constitution

These by-laws can be amended at any regular or special meeting by a two-thirds vote providing that previous notice was given at the prior meeting in writing and then sent to all voting members of the organization by the Executive. Previous notice can be sent by mail or email.

ARTICLE XI

Affiliation

This is a private organization. It is not part of the department of defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.