Republican Women of Anderson County 2008 Bylaws
ARTICLE I- NAME
The name of this organization shall be, Republican Women of Anderson County. This name is in compliance with the bylaws of the TFRW and NFRW and shall not be changed. The address of this organization shall be P.O. Box 764, Palestine, TX 75802.
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this organization shall be: To promote an informed electorate through political education; To increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active political participation; To facilitate cooperation among Republican Women's clubs; To foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its ideals, principles and candidates in all elections including non-partisan elections; To work for the election of the Republican Party's nominees.
ARTICLE III- POLICY
Section 1. Candidate Endorsement:
This organization, its President and Campaign Activities Chairman, shall not publically endorse any candidate for public office in contested Republican primaries, runoff elections, and special elections.
Section 2. Working for a Candidate:
Individual members of this organization, with the exception of the President and the Campaign Activities Chairman, may work for any candidate of their choice in contested primaries, but may not in the name of the organization.
Section 3. Endorsement Exemption:
This article pertains only to contests between Republican candidates for public office. Officers of this organization who are candidates, or whose husband, or a member of her family, are candidates shall be exempt from this rule.
Section 4. Lobbying
There shall be no lobbying with Legislators using the name of the Texas Federation of Republican Women by any federated club or any individual member without the express permission of the Board of Directors of the Texas Federation of Republican Women.
Section 5. Controversial Issues:
This organization and its officers shall not issue statements, pass resolutions, or distribute literature on controversial issues in the name of the club without first polling its members and obtaining a two-thirds written vote of approval of the total membership.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility:
Any woman believing in the philosophy of the Republican Party and in the objectives of this organization shall be eligible for membership and shall not require that eligibility be based on sponsorship or election. If a member is a United States citizen, she shall be a registered voter.
Section 2. Active Member:
An active member is a woman who meets the eligibility requirements of this organization and pays the annual dues.
She shall enjoy the full privileges of membership.
Section 3. Associate Member:
Associate member shall be a Republican man who pays the required annual dues. Such members may attend meetings, but cannot propose motions, have voice or vote, be on a committee, hold office, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to the state convention. His name and dues will not be sent to the Texas Federation of Republican Women headquarters. A Republican woman who is a regular member of another federated local unit and who wishes to support Republican Women of Anderson County may be eligible for Associate membership upon payment of required dues. She cannot hold office, vote or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to National or State Federation meetings or conventions. Her name and dues will not be sent to the Texas Federation of Republican Women headquarters.
Section 4. Delegate Representation:
An active member may be counted in only one club for the purpose of delegate representation to Federation State and National Conventions, and this will be the only club in which she may hold office. Her dues and name shall be submitted to the Texas Federation of Republican Women from this club only.
ARTICLE V - DUES
Section 1. Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year of this organization shall be from January 1 through December 31.
Section 2. Membership Dues:
Annual membership dues shall be payable in December. After August 1, dues shall be reduced according to Executive Board current policy. Dues for associate members shall be determined by the Board.
Section 3. Per Capita Dues:
This organization shall pay per capita dues and annual service charges required by the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers:
The officers of this club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Parliamentarian. Any officer or appointee to an office or committee assignment shall be a member in good standing, and her dues shall have been paid, and she shall also be a registered voter.
Section 2. Duties of Officers:
A) President
1. To preside at all meetings of the club and Executive Board.
2. To represent the club at all times or to designate a representative in her absence.
3. To appoint a Chairman of Standing and Special Committees.
4. To appoint one member to serve on the Nominating Committee.
5. To prepare a program of action with the Executive Board and Special Committee Chairmen.
6. To sign checks, in emergency, and in the inability of the Treasurer to do so.
7. To be an ex officio member, without vote, of all committees, except the nominating committee.
B) Vice President
1. To serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the President.
2. To work with the President to plan appropriate programs.
3. To perform such duties as the President may designate.
C) Secretary
1.To record attendance and determine a quorum is present at meetings.
2. To keep factual and unbiased minutes of all meetings.
3. To assist the President in preparing the agenda for meetings.
4. To be custodian of all records and papers of the club.
5. To construct all necessary correspondence for the club.
6. To perform such duties as the President may designate.
D) Treasurer
1. To receive and keep records of all monies accrued by the club.
2. To deposit funds in the Republican Women of Anderson County bank account.
3. To disburse funds as budgeted or as directed by the President or the Executive Board.
4. To give a current financial report at each meeting.
5. To disburse required per capita dues and annual service charges to the state and national federations.
6. To Serve as Chairman of the Political Action Committee.
E) Parliamentarian
1. To serve as advisor and, upon request, give opinions of parliamentary procedure and interpretation of the bylaws of this organization.
ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers. Chairmen of Standing or Special Committees may be included as deemed necessary by the President.
Section 2. Duties of the Executive Board
1. To make recommendations and advise the President as to the policies of the club.
2. To transact any necessary business between meetings.
3. To elect one member to serve as Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
4. To fill vacancies that occur between elections by a two thirds vote of the Board members present and voting with the exception of a vacancy in the presidency, in which case the Vice President shall assume the office of President and the Executive Board shall elect a Vice President as stated herein.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees:
The standing Committees of this club shall be: Membership, Campaign Activities, Legislation, Ways and Means, Program, Awards and Political Action Committee.
Section 2. Special Committees:
Special Committees shall include: Community Relations, AmericadHeritage, Social, Minority Outreach, Public Relations, Telephone, Audit, and Finance. Additional Special Committees shall be appointed by the President when deemed advisable.
Section 3. Standing and Special Committee Duties:
Standing and Special Committees shall be responsible for programs of action in their respective fields subject to the Executive Board's approval. These committees shall be formed only for the duration of their service. The Treasurer shall serve as Chairman of the Political Action Committee and will keep adequate records as required by the Texas Ethics Commission and Texas Election laws, and shall file all reports required by same in a timely manner.
Section 4. Audit Committee:
The Audit Committee shall audit the books as of December 31, annually, and submit a report at the first regular meeting of the calendar year.
ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS AND QUORUM
Section 1. Election of Officers:
The election of officers of the organization shall be held at the last Regular Meeting of the calendar year at such time and place as may be determined by the Executive Board.
Section 2. Regular Meetings:
The Regular Meetings shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Executive Board, provided that there be no less than five Regular Meetings per annum.
Section 3. Special Meetings:
Special Meetings shall be held at the call of the President, or upon request of a percentage no larger than the designated club quorum.
Section 4. Quorum.
A quorum for a meeting of this organization shall be 25% of the membership.
Section 5. Executive Board:
The Executive Board shall meet as deemed necessary by the President. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE X - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominating Committee:
The Nominating Committee shall consist of one member elected by the Executive Board, who will serve as Chairman, one member appointed by the President, and one member elected by the members present at the Regular Meeting. This committee should be appointed thirty (30) days prior to the date of their report.
Section 2. Nominees:
The Nominating Committee shall submit one nominee for each office, with proper consent of the nominee, at the last Regular Meeting of the year.
Nominations may be made from the floor following the report of the Nominating Committee, provided prior consent has been given by such nominee.
Section 3. Vacancies:
Vacancies in elective offices shall be handled as follows: In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of President for the unexpired portion of the term. In the event a vacancy occurs in an office other than President, the Executive Board shall have the option of leaving the office vacant or calling a special election at the next regular meeting. If a special election is called, the Board shall recommend a candidate for the office. Nominations may be made from the floor with prior consent of the nominee.
Section 4. Elections
Election for contested officers shall be by closed ballot and a majority of all votes cast shall constitute election. Where there is only one candidate for an office, elections may be held by voice vote. There shall be no proxy voting.
Section 5. Installation:
The officers shall be elected at the last Regular Meeting of the year and may be installed at this meeting or at the club social in December for a term of one year, and shall assume their duties on January 1.
ARTICLE XI - REPRESENTATION
Section 1. Biennial State Convention Representation:
This organization shall be represented at the Biennial Convention of the Texas Federation of Republican Women by one delegate and one alternate for each ten members and an additional delegate and alternate for a remainder of six to nine members. Delegates and alternates to the convention of the Texas Federation of Republican Women shall be elected in a timely manner at a Regular Meeting prior to the Biennial State Convention as determined by the Executive Board.
Section 2. Biennial National Convention Representation:
ARTICLE XII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, or the latest edition thereof, shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the bylaws of this organization and those of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and of the National Federation of Republican Women.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amended:
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the club, provided notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given in writing to all members at least ten days prior to the meeting. These Bylaws shall be reviewed once every two years promptly after the state convention and submitted to the Vice-president Bylaws of the Texas Federation. Amendments will become effective upon receipt of approval.
Amended: May 2006