ROYAL OAK REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB BY-LAWS
(FINAL APPROVED VERSION ADOPTED JANUARY 29, 2008)
The name of this organization shall be Royal Oak Republican Women’s Club.
ARTICLE II - OBJECT, POLICY and ETHICS
Section 1 – Object:
- To strengthen the interest and effectiveness of women in Republican politics and activities.
- To work for the election of the Republican Party’s nominees.
- To promote an informed electorate through political education.
- To educate the voters in the principles of, and to enlist them in the ranks of the Republican Party.
- To promote programs with other member clubs of the Council and national, state, city, township and county committees.
- To foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its ideals.
Section 2 - Policy:
- It shall be the policy of this club to accept the national, state, city or township, and county platforms and resolutions of the Republican Party.
- This club shall endeavor at all times, to the best of its ability to cooperate harmoniously and constructively with the Republican national, state, Oakland County Council of Republican Women’s Clubs, and the State and National Federations of Republican Women’s Clubs.
Section 3 – Ethics:
This organization shall be free at all times to discuss in open meetings, questions of local, state, national or international interest; but it shall not publicly go on record as opposing any issue included in the national, state, township and county platforms or resolutions, or endorse the nomination of any candidate for office before the primary election.
Return to the top of the pageSection 1 - Any woman believing in the principles of the Republican Party and intending generally to support its candidates is eligible for membership.
Section 2 - This organization is a member of the Oakland County Council of Republican Women’s Clubs and the State and National Federations of Republican Women’s Clubs.
Section 3 - The membership year shall be from January 1st through December 31st. Upon payment of dues, new members are entitled to all the privileges of membership, except the right to vote, for which they become eligible in 60 days.
Section 4 - Club membership shall consist of three classes:
- Regular membership;
- Associate Membership (members who belong to another club)
- Honorary membership, which shall be renewable each year at the discretion of
Section 1 - The five (5) officers of this club shall be a President, a First Vice President (of Programs), a Second Vice President (of Membership), a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Section 2 - The term of office for officers shall be for two years beginning on JANUARY 1 following their election. No officer may serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms.
Section 3 - Duties of the Officers:
- The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. The President shall have general supervision of the work of the organization, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. She shall be a delegate to the Oakland County Council of Republican Women’s Clubs and, with two delegates from this organization, shall represent this club in all matters of Council Business.
- The Vice-Presidents shall assume the duties assigned by the President. In the absence of the President or at the request of the President, shall preside, in order of rank, over any regularly scheduled meeting of the club, Board of Directors or Executive Committee. (See Article 9 Section 1A & B for duties.)
- The Recording Secretary shall record and keep a permanent record of the minutes and attendance of all meetings of the club, board of directors and Executive Committee; send minutes and notice of next Board meeting; maintain current by-laws on file; make records available for Inspection and/or copying by any member of the Board of Directors; and in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Recording Secretary.
- The Treasurer shall receive and is custodian of all funds of the club and shall pay all bills upon authorization of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all monies received and disbursed by her and shall report in full at the annual meeting, the board meetings, and regular club meetings, as required by the President. She shall keep an up-to-date roster of the membership of the club. She shall send a list of the new members and retiring members to any organization in which this club holds membership.
- The Council delegates, appointed by the President, shall attend all board meetings of the Oakland County Council of Republican Women’s Clubs and make a report to the board.
ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1 - The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers and shall include the immediate Past President.
Section 2 - The Executive Committee shall approve all (ad-hoc) committee appointments.
Section 3 - The Executive Committee shall have all the power of the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board, except that it is subordinate to the Board and cannot modify any action taken by the Board.
Section 4 - The Executive Committee shall have power to transact any urgent business which may arise during the time between meetings of the Board of Directors.
- All business transacted by the Executive Committee shall be ratified by the Board of Directors at their next meeting.
- The Executive Committee may make recommendations for the consideration of the Board of Directors.
- Four members shall constitute a quorum for all meetings of the Executive Committee.
- The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President.
ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 - The Board of Directors shall consist of all elected officers and standing committee chairmen.
Section 2 - The Board of Directors shall have the authority to transact any necessary business of the club, and shall serve as the policy-making body of the club. It shall authorize any expenditure not covered in the budget. It shall advise and consult with the delegates to Council and shall be responsible for implementing all county programs authorized by the Council. It shall fill vacancies in elective offices that may occur.
Section 3 - A Director’s term of office shall be two years beginning January 1. No member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms.
Return to the top of the pageARTICLE VII – NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS
Section 1 - A nominating committee consisting of a chair and two other members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors at least two months before the annual meeting. At least one member shall be selected from the membership at large.
Section 2 - The chairman of the nominating committee shall present a single slate of officers and directors at the October meeting and have it printed in the newsletter prior to the annual meeting in December. In case of a resignation from the slate in the interim, the vacancy shall be filled by the nominating committee. Nominations from the floor shall be allowed at the annual meeting, providing the nominee has agreed.
Section 3 - The election shall be held at the annual meeting. Voting may be accomplished by voice vote or by mail ballot to be opened at the Annual meeting. The Board of Directors shall decide which method to use. Where there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by voice. A plurality vote shall elect. When there is more than one candidate for a position, the election must be by secret ballot.
Return to the top of the pageSection 1 - The annual meeting of the club shall be held in December.
Section 2 - Monthly meetings of the club are advisable, but there shall be at least one meeting per quarter – the date, time, and place to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3 - Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the President or upon written request by at least three (3) members of the Board. The purpose of this meeting is to be stated in the request, and no other business shall be transacted.
Section 4 - Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least one week prior to the regular meetings, at such time and place as may be determined by the President.
Section 5 - Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or upon written request of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors. The purpose of the meeting is to be stated in the request, and no other business is to be transacted.
Return to the top of the pageSection 1 - The standing committees shall include:
- Program – The Chair shall be one of the Vice-Presidents. The chairman’s responsibility is to develop a program of political and governmental education, to educate club members in the philosophies of the Republican Party and the government.
- Membership – The chair shall be one of the Vice-Presidents. The Chairman’s responsibility is to direct a membership drive function within the first quarter of the fiscal year; to a have a continuing program to increase the membership; to cooperate with the treasurer in keeping an up-to-date roster of membership; and to send out dues notices at the beginning of each fiscal year.
- Finance and Budget Director – See Article X, Section 6
- Deleted (Budget combined with Finance)
- Newsletter – The chairman’s responsibility is to write and edit material for the quarterly newsletter.
- Deleted (Ways & Means)
- Bylaws Director – (New)
Section 2 - Special committees may be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors, as deemed advisable. For example: A. Campaign Activity; B. Publicity; C. Volunteer Activity; D. Hospitality; E. Correspondence.
Section 3 - Reports – All committees shall report to the Board at regular meetings and as requested by the President.
Return to the top of the pageARTICLE X – FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Section 1 - The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
Section 2 - Membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the club each year at the October Board Meeting. Dues shall be due January 1st.
Section 3 - The Treasurer shall send per capita dues for membership in the Oakland County Council of Republican Women’s Clubs, and the State and National dues to the Federation of Michigan.
Section 4 - A budget committee shall be appointed by the President, consisting of a chair (Finance & Budget Director), the treasurer and at least one other member.
- The budget committee shall prepare a budget to be submitted to the Board for adoption within the first quarter of the fiscal year.
- This budget shall cover the normal operating expenses of the club.
- The budget shall be presented to the membership during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Section 5 – Deleted
Section 6 - The Board of Directors shall arrange for an Annual Review by an experienced accountant who is not a member of the club.
Return to the top of the pageARTICLE XI – QUORUMS & PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1 - TWENTY FIVE percent (25%) of the dues paying members and THREE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business for this club.
Section 2 - A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be one third (1/3) of the Board members, including at least three (3) Elected Officers.
Section 3 - Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the provisions of the by-laws of this organization.
Return to the top of the pageUpon recommendation of the Board of Directors, these by-laws may be amended or replaced by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at any regular meeting, or at the Annual Meeting prior notice having been given, in writing, one month in advance.
Return to the top of the pageIn the event of the dissolution of this Club, all its assets remaining after payment of all costs and expenses shall be deposited to the State Federation of Republican Women’s Clubs of Michigan. None of the assets will be distributed to any officer or member of this Organization.
Return to the top of the page