Chapter 2.120
VETERANS COMMITTEE
Sections:
2.120.030 Expansion of membership.
2.120.010 Establishment.
There is hereby created a veterans committee for the town of Whitestown, Indiana. [Ord. 2016-27 § 1]
2.120.020 Membership.
A. The veterans committee shall consist of seven voting members and two nonvoting members, to be appointed as follows:
1. Four voting members shall be appointed by the town council president with the approval of a majority of the Whitestown town council; provided, that:
a. A minimum of three such members shall either be current or honorably discharged members of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; and
b. At least one such member shall be an active member (or a member of the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion) of Whitestown’s American Legion Post 410;
2. Three voting members shall be appointed by the town council vice-president with the approval of a majority of the Whitestown town council; provided, that:
a. A minimum of two such members shall either be current or honorably discharged members of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; and
b. At least one such member shall be an active member (or member of the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion) of Whitestown’s American Legion Post 410;
3. One Whitestown employee, who must be either a current or honorably discharged member of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, shall be appointed as a nonvoting member by the town council president with the approval of a majority of the Whitestown town council; and
4. The Boone County veteran service officer shall be an ex-officio nonvoting member and serve in an advisory capacity to the veterans committee.
B. Though not required by this chapter, the appointing authorities are strongly encouraged to appoint the spouse of a current or honorably discharged member of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces as at least one of the two nonactive military/veteran members. Moreover, as Whitestown is an inclusive community that promotes diversity, equality, and tolerance among all of its citizens, the appointing authorities are also strongly encouraged to appoint members with varying and diverse backgrounds. [Ord. 2016-27 § 2]
2.120.030 Expansion of membership.
As set forth in WMC 2.120.040, members of any veterans’ service organization may be appointed to the veterans committee. Nevertheless, in the event that an Indiana nonprofit organization that is organized for veterans purpose and is exempt from taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code acquires property and actively operates a local branch, lodge, or chapter within Whitestown, such organization may petition the town council and the town council shall consider in its discretion amending this chapter to add an additional member to the veterans committee, appointed by the town council president, from such organization. [Ord. 2016-27 § 3]
2.120.040 Qualifications.
Applicants seeking membership to the veterans committee should demonstrate a desire to create additional ways to honor our veterans in the Whitestown community, and should have an interest in improving the everyday life of Whitestown’s military veterans. All voting members of the veterans committee shall be Whitestown residents. All members that are current or honorably discharged members of a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces shall also be active members of at least one organization listed in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ Directory of Veterans and Military Service Organizations. Discharge status should be evidenced by a long version DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other similar official certificate showing discharge status. Whitestown town council members shall not be members of the veterans committee. [Ord. 2016-27 § 4]
2.120.050 Terms.
The initial term for each member of the veterans committee shall expire on December 31, 2018. Subsequent terms shall be for two-year periods thereafter. Individuals may be appointed for additional terms. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the town council and may be removed from the committee with or without cause, by a majority vote of the town council. Residents seeking appointment to the veterans committee are encouraged to email a letter of interest directly to the town manager or assistant town manager. A. vacancy automatically occurs if a voting member: fails to attend three consecutive committee meetings; moves his/her residence outside of the Whitestown municipal boundaries; or files papers for candidacy to an elected office within Whitestown. Voting members shall not serve more than three consecutive terms. [Ord. 2016-27 § 5]
2.120.060 Meetings.
The veterans committee shall hold meetings at least six times each term, and may hold such additional meetings as the membership of the veterans committee determines to be appropriate. At its first meeting each term, the veterans committee shall select from its membership a president, vice-president, and secretary, and the veterans committee shall take and maintain minutes of all of its meetings. Minutes shall contain at a minimum the time and place of each meeting, the names of the members present, all official acts of the committee, the votes given by members, and a summary of all proceedings before the committee. A member of the town’s administrative staff will serve as a nonvoting liaison. A majority of the committee’s members shall constitute a quorum. All official meetings that include a majority of the committee shall be open to the public. [Ord. 2016-27 § 6]
2.120.070 Duties.
The veterans committee is charged with identifying additional ways that the town of Whitestown can honor its veterans throughout the year. The veterans committee is also charged with reviewing, considering, discussing, debating, and advocating on such issues and matters affecting local government and the Whitestown community that the members of the veterans committee and other veterans residing with Whitestown (or active members of Whitestown’s American Legion Post 410) determine to be important and appropriate, and which are for the betterment of Whitestown and its veterans. The veterans committee is encouraged to identify issues impacting Whitestown veterans that should be considered by local government, seek and develop realistic and efficient solutions, and make recommendations for consideration by the town council. The veterans committee shall report to the town council on its activities at least two times each term. [Ord. 2016-27 § 7]