Republican Party of Florida

Transcription

1 As you are aware, Rule #1 of the Rules of Procedure requires all organizations and other entities previously granted permission to use the name "Republican" to apply each odd-numbered year for renewal of that authority. On March 31, 2009, all charters for Republican Clubs will expire across the state. RPOF sent the renewal application and associated forms to the address of every club officer we have on file. We also enclosed a copy of the application with this letter for your records. Regional Field Coordinators will work to ensure that this chartering process is orderly and smooth. I have asked that they take an active part in facilitating the completion of applications where needed, and that they assist our club presidents and county leaders in this process as much as possible. Florida Republicans should be proud of the many productive clubs in our state that contribute to the cause of getting Republicans elected and are a benefit to the community of which they are a part. There are however some clubs that, during the course of the past two years, have acted in a manner that is contrary to the general well being of the Republican Party. I am asking our county leaders to make an "honest assessment" when deciding whether to recharter each club in your county. Clubs that have acted in a manner that is contrary to the mission of the Republican Party should bear more scrutiny during the re-chartering process. Thank you for your involvement and the leadership you provide the party. I look forward to pi working with you during the next two years. Regards, Jim Greer Chairman

2 TO: FROM: RE: DATE: All Currently-Chartered RPOF Clubs James A. Greer, Chairman Renewal of Club Charters February 1,2009 Rule #1 of the Republican Party Rules of Procedure require all organizations and other entities previously granted permission to use the name "Republican" to apply each odd-numbered year for renewal of that authority. FLA. STAT. ch ; Rule 1, RPOF Rules of Procedure. "During the first week of February in each odd-numbered year, the RPOF shall send charter renewal information, requirements and instructions to each existing club, group, association or organization chartered under this rule with a copy to the state committee members in that county, and include a deadline of March 31 (charter expiration date) for return of all completed requirements by the Club. Any club that does not meet this deadline will no longer be chartered, nor authorized to use the name Republican until such time as the requirements are met and approval has been granted by the RPOF." Rule 1, RPOF Rules of Procedure. Enclosed you will find an application form, officer information sheet and a copy of Rule #1 as well as a copy of our sample club constitution & bylaws. I am asking RPOF Field Coordinators to assist you in this process. Everything that you need to complete this application should be included. Thank you for your involvement and the leadership you provide the party. I look forward to working with you during the next two years. Brad Herold (850) bherold@rpof.org

3 Application for Sanction for use of the word "Republican" CHECKLIST OF NECESSARY DOCUMENTS - Please attach the following: 1. Club constitution and/or bylaws 2. Officer Information Sheet 3. Membership Roster (please include addresses, phone numbers and addresses for all)

4 APPROVED BY: County Chairman Date _ State Committeewoman Date _ State Committeeman Date _ (NOTE: This application must bear written approval of at least two of your three county officials, (County Chairman, State Committeeman, and State Committeewoman). A copy of your constitution and/or bylaws, officer information sheet, and a membership roster must be attached and complete prior to the issue of the club charter. Upon approval by the State Chairman, per Florida Statute , Use of Party Name and RPOF Rule #1, the charter will be issued.) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: We, the undersigned officers of the proposed club, organization, or publication, have read, fully understand, and agree to abide by Rule 1, Use of the Name Republican, of the RPOF Rules of Procedure. Secretary: Treasurer: _ PLEASE OR FAX THIS APPLICATION BACK: recreporting@rpof.org FAX: (850) YOU CAN ALSO MAIL THIS APPLICATION PACKAGE TO: Republican Party of Florida Attn: Brad Herold PO. Box 311 Tallahassee, FL 32302

5 CLUB OFFICER INFORMATION SHEET Name Physical Address (please no PO. Box) City State Zip _ Home Phone Home Fax _ Work Phone Work Fax _ Cell Phone Pager _ Home Work Name Physical Address (please no P.O. Box) City State Zip _ Home Phone Work Phone Home Fax Work Fax Cell Phone Pager _ Home Work

6 Name Physical Address (please no PO. Box) City State Zip _ Home Phone Home Fax Work Phone Work Fax _ Cell Phone Pager _ Home Work _ Name _ Physical Address (please no PO. Box) City State Zip _ Home Phone Home Fax _ Work Phone Work Fax _ Cell Phone Pager _ Home Work _

7 RPOF Rules of Procedure RULE 1 - Use of the Name Republican A. No person or group of persons shall use the name, abbreviation or symbol of the Republican Party in connection with any club, group, association or organization of any kind unless approval and permission have been given in writing by the chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee and at least two of the following officials of that county: State Committeeman, State Committeewoman and County Chairman. This rule shall not apply to county executive committees of the party and organizations which are chartered by the national executive committee of the party, or to organizations using the name of the party that have been in existence and organized on a statewide basis for a period of ten (10) years. B. A club or organization whose area of membership includes more than one county shall require, in addition to the above county signatures, the approval of the State Party Chairman and the 's Executive Board. However, clubs or organizations organized on a statewide basis need only the approval of the State Chairman and the 's Executive Board. Once approvals are granted, a charter shall be issued to the requesting club or organization by the Republican State Executive Committee. C. No chartered club or organization using the name Republican shall participate in intra-party differences, nor shall it, as an organization, seek to influence the nomination or election of any Republican over another Republican unless the County Executive Committee has endorsed one Republican over another. Then the Club may seek to influence the election of the candidate endorsed by the County Executive Committee. Chartered clubs shall not entertain motions to adopt platform positions on issues or endorse candidates except that they may entertain such motions to take the same position or endorse the same candidate as the County Executive Committee has taken. Under no circumstances shall a chartered club invite a non- Republican to be a guest speaker at a club meeting or function without prior approval of the County Republican Executive Committee Chairman. The Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida shall be the authority with respect to internal disputes referred by any Club or member of a Club chartered under this rule. D. Any club, group, association or organization seeking a new charter, may only apply for a conditional charter for a term of one year. Instructions for application for a conditional charter shall be prepared by the RPOF Office of Field Operations and may be obtained by written request of any applicant. A conditional charter may be revoked by the Chairman of the RPOF at any time, without cause and with prior notice. Any conditionally chartered organization

8 may apply for a general charter pursuant to the procedures set forth in subsection D(1) of this Rule. The chartering authorities, in their discretion, may approve or deny any organization's application for general charter or may renew any existing charter as a conditional charter for a period of one year. Any renewal of a conditional charter must be accompanied by a written statement by the chartering authority setting forth the basis for denial of the application for general charter. The conditional charter issued for any club, group, assoaation or organization under this rule shall expire on March 31 of the year following the issuance of the charter. A general charter issued for any club, group, association or organization under this rule shall have a term of two years and shall expire on March 31 of each odd-numbered year following the issuance of the charter. The expiration date shall be indicated on the charter certificate when issued. (1) Renewal of existing charters shall be done by the following process: During the first week of February in each odd-numbered year, the RPOF (RPOF) shall send charter renewal information, requirements and instructions to each existing club, group, association or organization chartered under this rule with a copy to the state committee members in that County, and include a deadline of March 31 (charter expiration date) for return of all completed requirements by the Club. Any club that does not meet this deadline will no longer be chartered, nor authorized to use the name Republican until such time as the requirements are met and approval has been granted by the RPOF. (2) Each club, group, association or organization seeking to be chartered under this rule shall have adopted a constitution and/or by-laws not in conflict with the Florida Statutes, the Constitution of the Republican Executive Committee of Florida, or the Rules of Procedure for the or the RPOF Model Constitution. E. A club or organization's general charter may be revoked for just cause by the same voting procedure of county officials and state chairman as outlined in paragraph 1 (A) of this rule. Failure to follow any of the guidelines set forth above in paragraph (C) relevant to chartered clubs charters constitutes just cause for a charter to be revoked. F. If any entity chartered under this rule becomes inactive, fails to renew its charter, or has its charter revoked; the assets of such inactive entity shall become the property of the. The last officers of such entity shall be responsible for the transfer of any assets to the, which transfer of assets shall be accomplished within four months from the time the entity becomes inactive or the time when its charter is no longer valid. Within 60 days of the transfer of assets to the RPOF, the Chairman of the RPOF shall distribute such assets in an equitable manner to the County Republican Executive Committee or Committees in the counties in which the formerly chartered organization was authorized to operate.

9 Club Constitution/Bylaws Republican Club of _ ARTICLE 1- NAME The name of the club shall be the Republican Club of.,hereinafter referred to as the Club. The object of the Club shall be: (a) To attract members into, and involve them in the Republican Party and subsequently provide them with a practical means of Republican Party participation, leadership training and political involvement, at all levels of government. (b) To support the principles, objectives, and platform of the Republican Party and to help secure the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates in the General Election and registered Republicans in non-partisan elections. Section 1, Membership. The Club shall recognize the following two classes of membership: (a) Active- Any registered Republican voter, who resides within the boundaries of _ (b) Associate- Any other registered Republican voter who does not qualify for Active status. Section 2, Dues. The annual dues shall be $ for Active and Associate members, payable to the Treasurer upon becoming a member, and then yearly on or before

10 ARTICLE IV- OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of the Club shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers must be members of Active membership classification, in good standing with the Club. Officers shall be elected annually at the regular meeting of the Club during the month of (a) (b) Elections shall be conducted by the President, who will take nominations from the floor. Elections will be for one office at a time. Voting in election shall be by secret ballot, unless a candidate is unopposed, whereas a voice vote may then be taken. (a) (b) (c) (d) The President shall preside over all meetings of the Club and its Executive Board and exercise general supervision over all activities of the Club. The President shall have the power to appoint all committee chairmen. The Vice President shall assist the President in supervising the activities of the Club, and preside at all meetings in the absence of the President. The Secretary shall be the recording officer of the Club, including meetings of the Club and Executive Board, and shall keep a record of the minutes of all such meetings, making those minutes available to the general membership. The Treasurer shall collect all funds paid to the Club or any of its committees, receipt therefore and deposit same in accounts designated by the Club. The Treasurer shall be responsible for making all expenditures authorized by the Club. The Treasurer shall give a report at each regular meeting of the Club regarding receipts, expenditures, and the financial status of the Club. Section 3. All vacancies of offices shall be filed by majority vote at the next regular meeting of the Club after vacancy becomes known. In the event the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall temporarily assume the office of President until a new President is elected at the next regular meeting.

11 ARTICLE V- MEETING Section 1. The regular meeting of the Club shall be held at the date, time, and location specified, as determined by a majority vote of the Club. The Club shall hold a minimum of six regular meeting each year. Section 2. The regular meeting held during the month of shall be known as the Annual Meeting of the Club, and shall be for, but not limited to, the election of officers. Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board, or by written request of ten members of the Club. At least ten days notice must be given and the purpose of the special meeting must be stated in the notice. Section 4. Only members of Active classification shall be allowed to vote in meetings of the Club. Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure, proxy voting shall not be allowed in any meeting of the Club. Section 5. Twenty percent of the Club's membership, classified as Active, shall constitute a quorum. ARTICLE VI- EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1. The officers of the Club and all committee chairmen shall constitute the Executive Board. Only the officers of the Club shall be voting members of the Board. Section 2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Club between regular meetings of the Club and fix the time and place for meetings of the Board. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Club, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the Club. Section 3. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or upon written request of three members of the Board. ARTICLE VII- COMMITTEES Section 1. A Finance Committee composed of the Treasurer and four other members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each annual meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to prepare a budget for the Club. Section 2. A Program and Projects Committee of members shall be appointed by the President promptly after the annual meeting, whose duty it shall be to plan the programs and any special projects of the Club. Section 3. An Auditing Committee of three members shall be appointed by the President at the annual meeting, whose duty it shall be audit the Treasurer's account at the

12 close of the fiscal year and to report at the next regular meeting following the annual meeting. Section 4. Such other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President as deemed necessary to carry on the work of the Club. The President shall be an exofficio member of all committees. ARTICLE VII 1-ENDORSEMENTS & INTRA-PARTY DIFFERENCES Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure, no chartered club or organization using the name Republican shall participate in intra-party differences, nor shall it, as an organization, seek to influence the nomination or election of any Republican over another Republican unless the County Executive Committee has endorsed one Republican over another. Then the Club may seek to influence the election of the candidate endorsed by the County Executive Committee. Chartered clubs shall not entertain motions to adopt platform positions on issues or endorse candidates except that they may entertain such motions to take the same position or endorse the same candidate as the County Executive Committee has taken. Under no circumstances shall a chartered club invite a non-republican to be a guest speaker at a club meeting or function without prior approval of the County Republican Executive Board. The Chairman of the shall be the authority with respect to internal disputes referred by any Club or member of a Club chartered under this rule. ARTICLE IX- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The rules contained in "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised" shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the Constitution, the Rule Procedure, and any special rules of order the Club may adopt. ARTICLE X- AMENDEMENTS TO BYLAWS These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Club by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.