Greater Atlanta Area Chapter 
Buffalo Soldiers​
 

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GREATER ATLANTA CHAPTER

9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc.

(A Domestic Non-Profit)

 

Articles of Incorporation

Amended July 1, 2002

 

 

Article I – NAME

 

 

This group chartered through the State of Georgia shall be known as The Greater Atlanta Area Chapter, 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc.

 

ARTICLE II  - PURPOSE

 

The Greater Atlanta Area Chapter 9th  & 10th  (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc. is a group founded to promulgate the history of the United States’ 10th Cavalry – Buffalo Soldiers, a group of African American soldiers responsible for the settling of the U.S. West by providing military support during the Indian Wars.  Through lectures, demonstrations and riding exhibitions The Greater Atlanta Area Chapter 9th  & 10th  (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc. will provide a living history of this fierce fighting group.  The members are charged with the responsibility of researching and authentically portraying the circa 1866-1896 Troop.  The group also provides scholarships for qualified students.  Further, this association is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

 

ARTICLE III– MEMBERS

 

The Greater Atlanta Area Chapter 9th  & 10th  (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc. will be comprised of Active Riding Members - those members who will participate in Troop activities to include riding exhibitions, oral presentations, and all other functions. Active Riding Members have the privilege to vote on all issues.  Active Non-Riding Members – have the privilege to vote on all issues with the exception of those that pertain to riding events.  Associate Members will not have any voting privileges.  They will not be required to ride but will perform in the capacity of administrative staff with no voting privileges.  Honorary Members – those members who will be appointed at the discretion of the Membership Committee with full approval of the membership.  These members may be allowed to ride or participate in functions; no voting privileges will be granted.  Further, this association is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

 

 

 ARTICLE IV – DUES, MEMBERSHIP, ATTENDANCE AND EVENTS

 

1. Dues

All members, with the exception of Honorary Members shall be subject to paying dues in the amount of sixty dollars ($60) per year.  Dues are required to be paid in full by the March meeting of each year.  Dues in arrears of one month will result in member being counseled, in writing, and subsequently removed from the active roster for non-payment of dues.  Notification of rearrange will be given and member has thirty (30) days from date of notification of inactive status to become reinstated to active status by paying dues in the full amount.  Failure to bring dues to current status will result in member being dropped from the group for non-payment of dues.

 

1. Initiation Fee will be required in the amount eight-five ($110.00).  Breakdown is as follows:  National - $50 and Local $60.

 

2. No part of the net earnings of the association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.  No substantial part of the activities of the association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

 

 

1. Qualification for Membership –

Active Riding Members:  (1) Members must own a horse or secure a horse within two (2) months of acceptance.  If a horse is not secured within a two-month period, the membership will vote to move applicant to Active Non-Riding Member status.  (2) Members must prove ownership of horse through ownership papers and Coggins, or bill of sale. (3) All Active Members and prospective members of The Greater Atlanta Area Chapter 9th  & 10th  (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc. are required to have a current Negative Coggins for their horse(s).   (4) Any member of this organization, their horse, or equipment is subject to inspection by the President or his appointee.  The President or his appointee will make recommendations to the member in question and/or Troop.

 

Active Non-Riding Members:  Members that do not own or ride a horse but are active participants in Troop activities.

 

Associate Members:  Members who are in good financial standing with the organization and are not required but can participate in Troop activities.

 

Honorary Members:  Members who will be appointed at the discretion of the Membership Committee with full approval of the membership.  These members may be allowed to ride or participate in functions; no voting privileges will be granted.

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1. Meeting Attendance and Events

   1. Meeting attendance is mandatory.   Meetings will be arranged to accommodate schedules; however, illness or job-related conflict will be the only justifiable reasons accepted for non-attendance.  All excuses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Members will be allowed to be absent from no more than four (4) meetings each year.  This includes excused absences.  Following the fourth absence, the member will be allowed to address the membership and give reason why membership should be continued.  Membership will vote to allow member to remain or terminate membership.  Exceptions will be made to members residing 100 miles or more outside the Atlanta Metropolitan area.

 

2.Attendance and participation at all group functions are mandatory.  (a) Events scheduled with a designated number of participants are excluded from this guideline (.e. lecture at a school or church, etc.) where a specific number of participants has been scheduled to attend. (b) Fund raiser.  Participation by all the membership is required.  Illness or job related conflict would be the only justifiable reasons for non-participation.

 

 

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

 

Terms of office shall be two (2) years.  Elections shall be held in October of each election year.  Expiration of terms shall be staggered.  Nominees for each office should be presented to the Membership no later than the September meeting of the election year.  (1) The Election Committee will be formed in July of the election year.  (2) Nominees will be sent to the Election Committee in August.  (3) The Election Committee will present the roster of candidates for each office to the Membership in September.  (4) The election will be held in October.  The roster of candidates for offices is to be presented to the Membership at the first meeting in October.  Voting will be by secret ballot members who are financially in good standing.  The candidate receiving the most votes for the position will become the officer-elect.  It is incumbent upon the officer-elect to work with the outgoing officeholder during the remainder of the year to ensure that full orientation has been achieved so that a smooth transition can occur in January.  A change of command with guidon will occur between the outgoing President and the incoming President in January.  Newly elected officers will preside at the first meeting in January following the election.

 

ARTICLE VI – STANDING COMMITTEES

 

The Greater Atlanta Area Chapter 9th  & 10th  (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc. shall have the following standing committees:  Events/Transportation, Fund Raising (Ways & Means), Scholarship, Training and Quartermaster.

 

Events/Transportation Committee

All events are to be handled through this committee.  Any member may solicit engagements for the group; however, prior to accepting any engagement, the event must be presented to the Events Committee Chairperson who will then present it to the body for acceptance.  Upon approval from the body, the event will be entered on the group’s calendar and the necessary personnel will be scheduled to participate.  No member, individually, may accept an engagement without approval of the group.  The group must receive notice of events in writing prior to the performance.  Consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis for short notice events.  (Short notice events being schools, etc., where full participation of the group is not required).  A confirmation/contact will be returned to the requesting party.  All fees collected from these events will be turned over to the Secretary along with an accounting of any expenses incurred by the member(s) and passed on to the Treasurer for proper recording and deposit into accounts.  Some proceeds from events will be placed in the Scholarship Fund.  

 

ARTICLE VII – UNIFORM

 

 

All members are required to purchase uniforms that were worn by the 10th Cavalry, Buffalo Soldiers (Replicas).  The primary attire will be of that worn during the Indian War Period of 1866-1857.  In order to educate the public on the complete legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, members may be allowed to purchase and wear attire from other years of the Indian War period that depict actual persons and units.  Members will be given six  (6) months to obtain the basic uniform (sack coat, trousers, hat, pistol, belt, and boots).

 

For Riding Members:  Horses – All members who own horses and will ride his/her horse during official The Greater Atlanta Area Chapter, 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association, Inc. events are required to maintain a valid Coggins and have this document on hand at all times.  This is mandatory.

 

Equipment – All riding members participating in an official event are required to have a McClellan saddle, a heart-shaped breastplate and other riding equipment that was used by the 10th Cavalry during the time period specified.

 

ARTICLE VIII – DISSOLUTION

 

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, the State of Georgia or DeKalb County, Georgia for a public purpose. 

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