BENTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN BYLAWS
(Last revision date: 2005)
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Benton County Republican Women (BCRW).
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be:
To encourage Republican ideals.
To encourage and increase the effectiveness of women who participate in the electoral cause.
To inform and educate the electorate through political forums and community activities.
To work for and elect Republican candidates.
To facilitate cooperation within the Republican Party.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Sec. 1 Any registered Republican woman whose dues are current is eligible for membership.
Sec. 2 Associate membership is available to Republican men and women upon payment of dues which are $5.00 less than regular membership dues. Associates may attend meetings and serve on committees. They cannot vote, hold office or be counted in determining the number of delegates to the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW).
Sec.3 All Committees shall report to the Executive Committee and to the club at the next regular meeting as ordered by the President.
ARTICLE IV: DUES AD FEES
Sec. 1 Dues and fees shall be set forth in the Standing Rules and in agreement with state and national requirements, to be voted and approved by the general membership.
Sec. 2 Dues are payable in January and delinquent in March of any fiscal year.
Sec. 3 The fiscal year of the club will be January 1 to December 31.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
Sec. 1 The officers of this club shall be a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. Assistant officers may be elected as deemed advisable or necessary.
Sec. 2 Each officer of this club shall be a member in good standing.
Sec. 3 The officers of this club shall be elected biennially.
Sec. 4 In the event of a vacancy in an elective office said vacancy shall be filled by recommendation of the Executive Committee. Notice of such vacancy will be given to the general membership before the next meeting.
Sec. 5 Any office in this club shall be considered vacated if the officer is absent four consecutive executive meetings without an acceptable excuse.
Sec. 6 Term of office shall be two years. Maximum consecutive service in the same office is two terms.
ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
Sec. 1 The President shall preside over all meetings of the general membership and the Executive Committee.
Sec. 2 The President will appoint such standing or other committees as deemed necessary. By virtue of her office, she shall be a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Sec. 3 The President shall attend State and District meetings, with OFRW registration fees being paid by BCRW.
ARTICLE VII: DUTIES OF THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Sec. 1 The First Vice President will perform the duties of the President in her absence.
Sec. 2 The First Vice President will serve as Chairman of the Membership Committee and be responsible for a current directory of membership.
Sec. 3 The First Vice President will act as chairman of the Program Committee.
Sec. 4 The First Vice President will be responsible for current nametags.
ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Sec. 1 The Second Vice President will act as Chairman of the Newsletter Committee.
Sec. 2 The Second Vice President will act as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee.
ARTICLE IX: DUTIES OF THE SECRETARIES
Sec. 1 The Recording Secretary will be the historian of the club, taking and distributing the minutes of all the meetings.
Sec. 2 The Recording Secretary will send notice of executive meetings, including copies of the minutes from the previous executive meeting to Executive Committee members, ten days prior to the meeting date.
Sec. 3 The Recording Secretary will provide minutes of the general membership [meeting] to the Newsletter Chairman within ten days after each general meeting.
Sec. 4 The Corresponding Secretary will be responsible for all club-related correspondence and for mailing the newsletter.
ARTICLE X: DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
Sec. 1 The Treasurer will receive all funds, deposit sums in the clubs’ bank account and disburse the checks necessary to cover club activities.
Sec. 2 The Treasurer will keep a membership ledger in which payment of dues shall be recorded and inform the Second Vice President (Membership Chairman) of any new members.
ARTICLE XI: MEETINGS
Sec. 1 The general meetings shall be the fourth Monday of the month unless otherwise stated.
Sec. 2 The club shall meet at lease seven times a year.
Sec. 3 At a general meeting, a quorum shall be ten members in good standing.
ARTICLE XII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sec. 1 Members of the Executive Committee shall be the elected officers, the President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the immediate Past President. Officers and Assistant Officers will each have a vote on the Executive Committee.
Sec. 2 A Member-at-Large is to be elected by the general membership. The Member-at-Large will have a vote on the Executive Committee.
Sec. 3 The Executive Committee shall have the power to transact any necessary business between meetings, to make recommendations as to policies of the club and to advise the President.
Sec. 4 The Executive Committee shall recommend the annual Budget.
ARTICLE XIII: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Sec. 1 A Nominating Committee of now fewer than three members shall be elected by the Executive Committee no later than January of odd years. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee will be from one of its members.
Sec. 2 The proposed slate of offers shall be presented in October at the general meeting after nominations from the floor have been entertained.
Sec. 3 The final slate of officers will be presented in the newsletter two weeks prior to the November meeting.
Sec. 4 Election of officers will be in November.
Sec. 5 New offices will be installed in December and take office in January.
Sec. 6 Where there is only one candidate for an office, election may be taken by voice count.
ARTICLE XIV: ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES
No Republican candidate for public office (local, state or national) shall be endorsed or opposed by the President of the club or the Executive Board until after the primary election.
ARTICLE XV: STANDING COMMITTEES
Sec. 1 Such Standing Committee shall be created by the Executive Committee as deemed necessary to promote the objectives and to carry out the work of BCRW. They shall include the following:
a. By-laws
b. Campaign
c. Fund-raising
d. Legislation and Research
e. Membership
f. Newsletter
g. Program
h. Public Relations and Publicity
Sec. 2 The President shall appoint Chairmen of all Standing Committees, except for Membership, Newsletter, Program, and Public Relations and Publicity, and any special committee chairman. These appointments shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
Sec. 3 All Committees shall report to the Executive Committee and to the club at the next regular meeting as ordered by the President.
ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS
BCRW by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance at a regular meeting. Notice of the proposed amendment must be given to all members at least thirty days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE XVII: BY-LAWS
BCRW adopts the State and National Federation By-laws and Standing Rules, and in the event of conflict, the State and National By-laws and Standing Rules will supersede the club By-laws.
ARTICLE XVIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern all proceedings not covered by the by-laws of the organization.
ARTICLE XIX: DISSOLUTION
BCRW may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote at any meeting, provided that notice of the dissolution has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting and has been sent to all members. In the event of dissolution, the Executive Committee shall after payments of all liabilities, distribute any remaining assets to the State Federation. No funds shall inure to the benefit of any member.
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