BYLAWS OF THE REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF HENRY COUNTY Revised June 9, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS Article I Name 3 Article II Objectives..3 Article III Membership. 3 Section 1 Eligibility... 3 Section 2 Classification of Membership.3 Section 3 Resignation..4 Section 4 Removal....4 Article IV Officers...5 Section 1 Officers......5 Section 2 Term... 5 Section 3 Vacancies. 5 Article V Duties of Officers...5 Section 1 President...5 Section 2 1 st Vice-President....5 Section 3 2 nd Vice-President...6 Section 4 Recording Secretary...6 Section 5 Corresponding Secretary...6 Section 6 Treasurer.. 6 Section 7 Assistant Treasurer....6 Article VI Executive Committee.. 6 Section 1 Executive Committee Members....6 Section 2 Duties of Executive Committee.....7 Section 3 Meetings of Executive Committee....7 Section 4 Special Meetings of Executive Committee.....7 Article VII Membership Meetings... 7 Section 1 Meeting Time......7 Section 2 Special Meetings....7 Section 3 Annual Meeting..7 Article VIII Dues...8 Section 1 Membership Dues..8 Section 2 Membership Year...8 Article IX Nominations and Elections 8 Section 1 Elections......8 Section 2 Nominating Committee..8 Section 3 Election and Installation of Officers.8 Section 4 Elections Committee..8 Article X Committees... 9 Section 1 Committees.9 Section 2 Standing Committees 9 Article XI Quorum.9 Section 1 Executive Committee Quorum.9 Section 2 Membership Quorum.9 Article XII Parliamentary Authority.9 Article XIII Amendments to Bylaws 9 Article XIV Dissolution....10 Section 1 Distribution of Assets 10 Section 2 Club Name.....10 2
Article I - Name A. The name of this Club shall be the Republican Women of Henry County, hereafter referred to as RWHC. B. RWHC shall be a member of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women, hereafter referred to GFRW and NFRW respectively.. Article II - Objectives The objectives of RWHC shall be to: A. Promote an informed electorate through political education and activity. B. Increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active political participation. C. Support the principles and objectives of the Republican Party and Republican nominees by working for Republican candidates in all elections including nonpartisan. D. The RWHC, as a Club, will not endorse an individual candidate in a contested primary. RWHC members as individuals are encouraged to become involved in individual candidates' primary campaigns. Article III - Membership Section 1 - Eligibility A. Voting membership in this organization shall be extended to all female residents of Henry County, Georgia and surrounding counties who share the Republican philosophy and who are in agreement with the purpose of this organization. B. Each member must be a registered voter. C. An individual may be a voting member of only one organization. 1. When membership is held in more than one Federated Republican Women s Club, a member must declare in which club she wants to exercise her voting privilege. 2. If she chooses RWHC, then membership shall be reported by RWHC to the State and National Federation of Republican Women. Section 2 Classification of Membership A. There shall be four (4) classifications of membership: Voting, Associate, Student and Associate Student. B. Voting Membership 1. Dues must be current. 2. Voting Members shall have paid dues and be in good standing (30) days prior to election of officers to be eligible to vote in an election of officers. 3. Voting Members must have paid dues in RWHC sixty (60) days prior to becoming an elected officer. 4. When Voting Membership is held in a Federated Republican Women s Club other than RWHC, such member may belong to RWHC as an Associate Member and shall not have the right, to make motions, hold office or Committee Chairmanship; have a voice in a debate or vote within RWHC. 3
C. Associate Membership 1. Shall not be recorded with the State and National Federations of Republican Women. 2. Upon payment of required annual dues Associate Members may attend meetings, but shall not have the right to: a. make motions b. hold office c. serve as a Committee Chairman d. vote or be counted for the purpose of determining a quorum or the number of delegates/alternates to GFRW state conventions 3. Republican men may be eligible for Associate Membership only. D. Student Membership 1. Is to be granted to an undergraduate or post-graduate level female student and student membership shall have the same voting privileges upon payment of required dues as Voting Membership. 2. Annual proof of school enrollment is required before voting membership is granted (a copy of either current class schedule or student ID). E. Associate Student Membership 1. Shall not be recorded with, or be a member of the State and National Federations of Republican Women. 2. Associate Student Membership has no voting privileges. 3. Republican males or females may be eligible for Associate Student Membership only and upon payment of required annual dues. 4. Associate Student members may attend meetings but shall not have the right to: a. make motions b. hold office c. serve on committees d. vote or be counted for the purpose of determining a quorum or the number of delegates/alternates to GFRW state conventions. Section 3 Resignation Resignations of Voting members may be verbal or in writing and will be accepted immediately. Resignations will be recorded in the minutes of the next executive and/or membership meetings. Section 4 Removal A. In the event RWHC has to remove a member for cause, the removal shall be done by a two-third (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. B. A member may be removed from membership for the following causes: 1. Non-payment of dues. 2. Publicly supporting a candidate running on an opposition ticket. 3. Non-compliance of local RWHC, GFRW or NFRW Bylaws, in any instance. 4. Causing discord within RWHC. 4
Article IV Officers Section 1 Officers The officers of RWHC shall be President, 1 st Vice-President, 2 nd Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. Section 2 Term A. The term of office for officers shall be for two (2) years. B. Elected officers shall assume their duties at the close of the meeting in which they are installed. C. Resignation of an officer may be verbal or in writing and will be accepted immediately. Resignations will be recorded in the minutes of the next executive and/or membership meetings. D. Upon resignation, the outgoing officer must immediately turn over all Club records and property of RWHC to the executive committee. Section 3 Vacancies A. The Executive Committee shall fill any vacancy in an office that has six months or less remaining in an unexpired term. B. For an unexpired term of more than six (6) months, the Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy on an interim basis until the next regular membership meeting. At the next regular membership meeting, the vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the Voting members who are present. C. Only Voting members shall be eligible to be appointed or elected to fill vacancies. D. The 1 st Vice President shall assume the position of the President if the President resigns or is unable to perform her duties for an extended period of time; and the 1 st Vice President shall serve out the remaining Term of said Presidency if the remaining term is less than six (6) months. If the 1 st Vice President is unable to assume the position of the President, the 2 nd Vice President will assume the position of the President and shall serve out the remaining Term of said Presidency if the remaining term is less than six (6) months. Article V Duties of Officers Section 1 President A. Shall have general supervision of the work of the RWHC.. B. Shall appoint or replace all Chairmen of Standing Committees and special committees. C. Shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. D. Shall preside at all meetings of RWHC and the Executive Committee. E. Shall appoint a Parliamentarian, and may appoint a Chaplain and a Historian. F. Shall represent the organization at all times. G. Shall serve on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women. Section 2 1 st Vice President A. In the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President. B. Shall perform other such duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Committee. 5
Section 3 2 nd Vice President A. In the absence of the President and the 1 st Vice President, perform the duties of the President. B. Shall perform other such duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Committee. Section 4 Recording Secretary A. Shall maintain and make available minutes of all meetings of the Club and Executive Committee. B. Shall provide the President with copies of minutes of all meetings and make the minutes available to the Executive Committee and the membership. Section 5 Corresponding Secretary A. Shall be responsible for conducting correspondence specified by the President and/or the Executive Committee. B. Shall maintain a file of RWHC correspondence, making such information available to the President and Executive Committee upon notice. C. In the event the Recording Secretary must be absent, the Corresponding Secretary shall serve as the Recording Secretary. Section 6 Treasurer A. Shall maintain a written record of monies received and disbursed. B. Make a full accounting report at Executive Committee and regular membership meetings. C. Shall deposit all funds of RWHC in a bank approved by the Executive Committee D. Prepare checks for Executive Committee-approved expenses for signature by the President or the Treasurer. E. Shall maintain an up-to-date roster of RWHC membership. G. Shall serve as an Ex-officio member of any committee handling funds of RWHC. H. Shall submit all books and records for annual review at the end of the fiscal year. I. Shall submit all books/records and checkbook to Assistant Treasurer for monthly reconciliation of the books/records with the original Bank Statement. (This can be a joint reconciliation.) J. Develop with the Executive Committee the Annual Budget. Section 7 Assistant Treasurer A. Will assist the treasurer in her duties and reconcile the books each month. Article VI Executive Committee Section 1 Executive Committee Members A. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Elected Officers, the immediate Past President, and the Parliamentarian who is non-elected. B. Standing Committee Chairmen will participate as advisors. C. The President shall preside at Executive Committee meetings. D. In the absence of the President, the 1 st Vice-President shall preside. In the absence of the President and the 1 st Vice President the 2 nd Vice President shall preside. 6
Section 2 Duties of the Executive Committee A. The Executive Committee shall approve the bank or banks where funds are to be deposited B. The Executive Committee shall direct the disbursement of funds in accordance with the Annual adopted Budget. Any expenditure not in the budget must be brought before the general membership to vote.. C. Make recommendations to the President regarding pertinent RWHC business. D. Develop the annual budget. E. When time is of the essence the Executive Committee has the authority to expedite decisions for the RWHC including the allocation of funds for an event/project with an amount up to $200.00 Section 3 Meetings of the Executive Committee A. The Executive Committee shall meet on the call of the President or on written request of forty percent (40%) of the Executive Committee members. B. A quorum of forty percent (40%) of the Executive Committee members shall be required in order to transact RWHC business. C. A minimum of at least five Executive meetings shall be held each year. Section 4 Special Meetings of the Executive Committee A. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President or upon written request of forty percent (40%) of Executive Committee members. B. Written notice of Special Meetings of the membership shall be given to the members five (5) days prior to any Special Meeting. C. The purpose of a special meeting shall be stated in the notice sent to all members and no other business shall be transacted. Article VII Membership Meetings Section 1 Meeting Date and Time A. The Executive Committee shall determine the date and time of regular meetings of RWHC. Section 2 Special Meetings A. The President, upon written request of ten members, shall have the authority to call Special Meetings of RWHC. B. Written notice of Special Meetings of the membership shall be given to the members five (5) days prior to any Special Meeting. C. The purpose of a special meeting shall be stated in the notice sent to all members and no other business shall be transacted. Section 3 Annual Meeting The meeting in October shall be the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers (in odd years), and receiving reports of officers and committees, and approving the annual budget each year. 7
Article VIII - Dues Section 1 Membership Dues A. The Executive Committee shall set membership dues for the succeeding year no later than the Annual meeting in October. B. Dues shall be payable on or before January 1 st. Section 2 Membership Year A. The membership year shall be from January 1 through December 31. B. Dues will not be prorated nor refunded. Article IX- Nominations & Elections Section 1 Elections Elections shall be held in odd numbered years Section 2 Nominating Committee A. The Executive Committee, at an Executive Committee meeting prior to the September meeting (odd number years), shall nominate a Nominating Committee of five members. B. The membership shall vote on the nominating committee at the September meeting. C. The Nominating Committee shall obtain agreement to be nominated confirmations from each nominee they select for Office. D. One (1) nominee for each office shall be presented by the Nominating Committee at the Annual meeting in October. E. Nominations from the floor, with written consent of the nominee, or oral consent if the nominee is present may be made at the Annual meeting (odd number years). Section 3 Election and Installation of Officers A. The election of Officers shall be held at the Annual meeting in October (odd number years). B. Installation of Officers shall take place at the November meeting (odd number years). Section 4 Elections Committee A. An Elections Committee of not less than three members shall be appointed by the President at the meeting prior to the Annual meeting (odd number years). B. The Election Committee shall provide all election materials and shall act as tellers for the election, if necessary. 8
Article X - Committees Section 1 Committees A. The Executive Committee shall consist of elected Officers, Past President and Parliamentarian. B. The chairmen of Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee by January 10 th of each biennial year. C. Term of office for Standing Committee Chairmen shall be for two (2) years and terminate at the end of the second year s calendar year. Position will start on first membership meeting in January or thereafter as appointed. D. Standing Committee Chairman must be voting members of RWHC 30 days prior to appointment. Section 2 Standing Committees Standing Committees of RWHC shall be: A. Membership B. Bylaws/Rules C. Legislative/Campaign Activities D. Programs E. Fundraising. Article XI - Quorum Section 1 Executive Committee Quorum Forty percent (40%) of the Executive Committee members must be present at a regular or special called Executive Committee Meeting in order to have a quorum. Section 2 Membership Quorum A quorum for the transaction of business at general membership or special called membership meetings of RWHC shall be ten percent (10%). Article XII Parliamentary Authority Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, or the latest edition thereof, shall govern all proceedings of RWHC except where inconsistent with the provisions of the Bylaws of this Club or the Bylaws of GFRW or NFRW. The Bylaws of the RWHC shall take precedence. Article XIII Amendments to Bylaws A. Members shall be given thirty (30) days written notice of any proposed amendment to these Bylaws. The Bylaws may be amended at a regular meeting, or a special meeting called for that purpose. B. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and eligible to vote is required for changes to the Bylaws. 9
Article XIV - Dissolution Section 1 Distribution of Assets A. Upon dissolution of RWHC, the assets shall be distributed to the Georgia Federation of Republican Women. B. None of the assets shall be distributed to any member or officer of RWHC. C. If the membership votes to dissolve RWHC, all assets (after payment of liabilities) shall be distributed to GFRW within thirty (30) days of said membership vote, along with the most recent/current Club s Treasurer s Report and with the NFRW Club s Charter. Section 2 Club Name Upon dissolution of RWHC, the right to the Club's name shall revert to the Georgia Federation of Republican Women. 10