[Adopted 5-11-2000 by Ord. No. MC-3573 (Ch. 107A of the 1987 Code); amended in its entirety 12-13-2011 by Ord. No. MC-4646]
The heretofore known "Veterans Affairs Commission" is hereby renamed and reestablished as the "Veterans Advisory Commission," hereinafter referred to as the "Commission."
The functions and duties of the Veterans Advisory Commission are as follows:
A. 
To provide advice to the Mayor and City Council on matters directly related to Camden's veterans.
B. 
To serve as an information resource to the Mayor and City Council on matters relating to the City's policies regarding veterans' entitlement programs established by legislation from federal, state or county governmental entities.
C. 
To promote and assist the City on Veterans Day or Memorial Day observations and other City military recognition events.
D. 
To encourage and promote patriotism in the City including support as available through military services recruitment offices.
E. 
To provide a forum for discussion of issues relating to military veterans.
F. 
To coordinate the City veterans fraternal organizations regarding resources available for mobilization in case of a disaster or emergency.
G. 
To promote interest in flag etiquette and display and represent the City in providing notices of flag use violations.
H. 
To coordinate the City's individual recognition programs for active duty military and veteran residents of the City who have achieved significant merit.
I. 
To provide advice and assistance to City residents when requested regarding resources available to veterans' spouses and veterans' dependents.
J. 
To formulate and develop a recommended City position and endorsement regarding proposed legislation affecting veterans and military personnel.
K. 
Attend meetings of and report on actions affecting the City taken by the Camden County Veterans Advisory Council, or other related organizations.
L. 
Study future needs of veterans, including veterans' homes and veterans' halls.
M. 
To act as liaison between the City and veterans fraternal organizations regarding community programs and projects.
N. 
To provide various analyses and reports to the Mayor and City Council.
O. 
To provide advice regarding matters of protocol with which veterans are especially familiar, such as flag presentation; color guard procedures; and other military and paramilitary procedures.
The members of the Commission shall be comprised of seven voting members and two nonvoting ex-officio members.
[Amended 10-9-2012 by Ord. No. MC-4702]
A. 
Of the seven voting members, four shall be appointed by City Council and three shall be appointed by the Mayor.
B. 
The two ex-officio members are the Mayor, or her/his designated representative, and the President of City Council, or his/her designated representative, and shall have no vote. Neither designated representative is required to be a veteran or a resident of Camden.
C. 
Each voting member shall be at least 18 years of age; a resident of Camden or actively participate in the operations of a business or nonprofit entity located within the corporate limits of Camden; an honorably discharged veteran of any of the United States of America's armed forces, or to be a person of the first degree of consanguinity or affinity to a deceased veteran; and of good moral character and has demonstrated an interest in the general welfare of the City of Camden.
A. 
The terms of both voting and nonvoting Commission members shall be for three years.
B. 
The initial appointments of voting members of the Commission shall be staggered whereby: two Voting members shall serve one-year terms; two voting members shall serve two-year terms; and three voting members shall serve three-year terms, unless they shall otherwise sooner resign, die, become disqualified or incompetent to hold office. The terms of the initial appointments shall be designated by City Council.
C. 
There is no term limit for voting members. The terms of the ex-officio members shall be indefinite and coincide with the then-current term of the Mayor and President of City Council.
D. 
Voting members shall continue to serve until their respective reappointment and/or appointment of a qualified successor, but not for more than six months after the end of the term.
A. 
Notwithstanding the term of office to which a Commission member is appointed, said office shall be deemed vacant upon any of the following events:
(1) 
Death or disability of said member that renders said member incapable of performing the duties of her/his office.
(2) 
The member's conviction of a crime or of an offense involving moral turpitude.
(3) 
The member's absence from three regular, consecutive meetings of the Commission, unless excused by a majority vote of the Commission, as expressed in this official minutes.
(4) 
The member has submitted a resignation, which resignation has been accepted by the Mayor and City Council.
(5) 
The member has been terminated by five affirmative votes of City Council.
B. 
A person appointed to the Commission as a voting member to fill the unexpired term of an office of a voting member which has become vacant shall hold said office until the term of the vacant office is completed.
A. 
The Commission shall periodically meet and report in writing to the Mayor and City Council on its activities toward the fulfillment of its purpose.
B. 
The Commission shall annually hold an organizational meeting at which the Commission Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, who shall each serve for period of one year, shall be elected by a majority vote of the Commission members.
C. 
Pursuant to § 80-4 of the Camden Code, the Commission shall immediately establish and adopt rules and procedures as it deems appropriate for the conduct of their business and, in default thereof, shall operate pursuant to Robert's Rules of Order to the extent such Rules are not in conflict with any City ordinance or law.
Four voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Commission's membership shall constitute an official action of the Commission.
There is no provision herein made for the hiring or employment of officers and employees of the Commission. The Commission shall function solely in an advisory capacity in accordance with the purposes of the Commission. The Commission shall minimize the involvement of City staff, services, and resources for its administrative needs.