📜 BY-LAWS & GOVERNANCE
O.N.E. (Ocean of Naval Elites) 1996
Rules, Regulations & By-Laws
“One Batch. One Brotherhood. One National Association.”
The By-Laws of O.N.E. (Ocean of Naval Elites) 1996 provide the framework for the governance, administration, membership, welfare activities, financial management and organizational functioning of the Association.
As a Central/National-level welfare and social association, O.N.E. 1996 operates throughout India with the objective of promoting unity, fraternity, camaraderie, mutual support and welfare among eligible members of the 01/96 Batch of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard and their eligible family members.
⚓ Our Governance Framework
The Association functions through a structured governance system designed to ensure transparency, accountability, participation and effective welfare administration.
01 — General Body
The General Body is the principal deliberative and policy-making body of the Association. It considers major policies, amendments to the By-Laws, audited accounts, annual reports, major financial and administrative matters, elections and other matters placed before it under the Rules.
02 — Central Executive Committee
The Central Executive Committee is responsible for the principal executive and administrative functions and the day-to-day management of the Association. It functions under the overall authority of the General Body.
03 — Office Bearers
The Central Executive Committee comprises 11 elected members:
- President – 1
- General Secretary – 1
- Treasurer – 1
- Vice Presidents – 4, one from each Zone
- Joint Secretaries – 4, one from each Zone
04 — Zones & State/Unit Structure
For administrative convenience, coordination and welfare activities, the Association operates through four geographical Zones and corresponding State/Unit structures. These structures remain under the supervision and control of the Central Executive Committee and do not constitute separate legal entities.
🤝 Membership
Membership is primarily open to retired sailors belonging to the 01/96 Batch of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, irrespective of trade, branch, cadre or specialization, subject to the By-Laws.
The approved categories also include:
Spouses
Spouses of eligible 01/96 Batch sailors.
Widows
Widows of eligible 01/96 Batch sailors.
Eligible Batch Members Promoted/Commissioned
Eligible 01/96 Batch sailors who subsequently attained officer rank after retirement, subject to the applicable approval process.
❤️ Welfare & Social Commitment
The Association’s By-Laws provide a framework for welfare assistance in cases of genuine need.
Welfare assistance may be considered for:
- 🏥 Critical or life-threatening illness
- 🕊️ Demise of a batch mate
- 🎓 Higher education of eligible wards in India
- 💍 Marriage assistance for one eligible son or daughter
- 🚨 Genuine hardship and emergencies
- 🌊 Natural calamities and disasters
- 🩸 Blood donation and social welfare activities
- 🤝 Humanitarian and charitable activities
All welfare assistance remains subject to verification, availability of funds, prescribed limits and approval of the competent authority. It is not an automatic or vested right merely because a member falls within an eligible category.
💰 Financial Governance
O.N.E. 1996 operates as a non-profit welfare, social and charitable association and is not established for distributing profits among members.
The Welfare Fund may be generated through:
- Voluntary member contributions
- Voluntary donations
- Approved crowdfunding
- Reunions and events
- Lawful fundraising activities
- Grants or assistance from lawful sources
- Other lawful sources approved by the Association
Proper books of accounts are to be maintained, receipts and payments recorded, welfare disbursements documented and accounts audited annually as required by applicable law.
🗳️ Meetings, Voting & Elections
The By-Laws provide for both physical and authenticated online/virtual meetings, subject to applicable law and technical feasibility. General Body meeting notices are ordinarily provided with at least 14 clear days’ notice.
Each eligible voting member has one vote. Voting may take place by:
- Show of hands
- Ballot
- Authenticated electronic voting
For contested elections, secret ballot or authenticated electronic voting may be adopted.
The Executive Committee is elected by the General Body for a two-year term, with existing members eligible for re-election.
🛡️ Transparency & Accountability
O.N.E. 1996 is guided by the principles of:
Transparency • Accountability • Mutual Respect • Collective Decision-Making • Financial Discipline • Proper Documentation
The Association maintains appropriate records relating to membership, meetings, resolutions, accounts, welfare applications and disbursements, donations, contributions and Association property.
⚖️ Discipline & Conflict of Interest
Members are expected to uphold the dignity and reputation of the Association.
The By-Laws prohibit misuse of the Association’s name or emblem, misuse or misappropriation of funds, unauthorized representation, personal use of Association resources and conduct seriously prejudicial to the interests of the Association.
Members involved in a direct or indirect personal interest in a matter under consideration are required to disclose the conflict and abstain from participating in the related decision.
🏛️ Founding Members
The By-Laws recognize twelve Founding Members who contributed to the conceptualization, formation, development and establishment of O.N.E. 1996.
Their special role is primarily advisory and institutional, supporting the preservation of the Association’s unity, vision, traditional values, camaraderie and long-term institutional continuity. No individual Founding Member has unilateral authority over the Association, its funds, property or affairs.
🔄 Amendment of By-Laws
The By-Laws may be amended by resolution of the General Body in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001.
Where an amendment requires registration or filing before the Registrar, the necessary statutory procedures are to be followed before the amendment takes effect.
🕊️ Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, the Association’s liabilities are to be discharged first. Remaining assets and funds are not to be distributed among members, Founding Members, office bearers or individuals.
The remaining assets are to be transferred, in accordance with applicable law, to a charitable, welfare or similar institution having substantially similar objectives.
📍 Registered Office
O.N.E. (Ocean of Naval Elites) 1996
1st Floor, D. No. 50-54-1,
TPT Colony, Seethammadhara,
Visakhapatnam – 530013,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
📄 Download / View Complete By-Laws
Official Rules, Regulations & By-Laws
For complete legal and administrative reference, members and visitors are encouraged to refer to the full Rules & Regulations / By-Laws of O.N.E. (Ocean of Naval Elites) 1996, comprising 47 principal sections covering the Association’s name, objectives, membership, governance, welfare, finance, elections, conduct, transparency, amendments, dissolution and legal representation.
⚓ O.N.E. 1996 — One Association. One Brotherhood. One Legacy.
The By-Laws serve as the governing framework for the proper administration and functioning of the Association.