Revised May, 2004
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I 末 NAME
Section One. The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States and of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.
Section One. PURPOSE: The purpose of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri shall be to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.
Section Two. POLICY: The League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri may take action on local, state, federal governmental measures and policies in the public interest in conformity with the principles of the League of Women Voters of the United States. It shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.
Section One. ELIGIBILITY: Any citizen who subscribes to the purpose and policy of the League of Women Voters shall be eligible for membership.
Section Two. Types of Membership: The membership of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri shall be composed of voting members, associate members and life members.
(a) Voting members shall be citizens at least 18 years of age.
(b) Associate members shall be all other nonvoting members.
(c) Life members are voting members who have been members 50 years
Section One. Number, manner of selection and term of office: The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri , six elected directors and not more than eight appointed directors. One half of the elected directors shall be elected by the general membership at each Annual Meeting. They shall serve for a term of two years, or until their successors have been elected or appointed by the Board of Directors and qualified. The elected directors shall appoint such additional directors, not exceeding eight, as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri. The terms of office of the appointed directors shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual Meeting.
Section Two. Qualifications: No persons shall be elected or appointed or shall continue to serve as an officer or director of this League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri unless they are voting members. No person shall serve as President without previously serving on the Board of Directors.
Section Three. Vacancies: Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors by reason of the resignation, death, or disqualification of any officer or elected member, may be filled until the next Annual Meeting by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors. Three consecutive absences from a board meeting by any member without a valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.
Section Four. Powers and Duties: The Board of Directors shall have full charge of the property and business of the organization, with full power and authority to manage and conduct same, subject to the instruction of the general membership. It shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the program as adopted by the National Convention, State Convention, and the Annual Meeting. The Board shall create and designate such special committees as it may deem necessary.
Section Five. Meetings: There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually. The President may call special meetings upon the written request of five members of the Board.
Section Six. Quorum: A majority of members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section One. Enumeration and Election of Officers: The officers of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall take office at the time of the Annual Meeting. The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for two years. The Secretary shall be elected in odd numbered years and the Treasurer in even numbered years. The President and Vice-President shall serve for one year.
Section Two. The President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors. The President may, in the absence of, or disability of the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts, and notes. The President shall be ex-officio, and a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of the President, and perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board.
Section Three. The Vice President: The Vice President shall, in the event of absence, disability or death of the president possess all the powers and perform all the duties of the office until such time as the Board of Directors shall elect one of its members to fill the vacancy. The Vice President shall perform other duties as the President and Board may designate.
Section Four. The Secretary: The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the League and of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall notify all officers and directors of the election. The Secretary shall sign, with the President, all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the Board and shall such other functions as may be incident to the office of Secretary.
Section Five. The Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of these monies, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the Board of Directors, and shall disburse the same only upon order of the Board. The Treasurer shall present statements to the Board at its regular meeting and an annual report to the Annual Meeting.
Section Six. Past President: The immediate past President shall serve on the Board of Directors.
Section Seven. League Administrator: The President may designate a League member to assist the President in the ongoing operation of the League.
Section One. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri shall coincide with the fiscal of the League of Women Voters of Missouri (July 1-June 30).
Section Two. Dues: Annual dues shall be payable in September and delinquent on January 1 of the following year. Delinquent members will be dropped from the membership roll. The Board of Directors may set dues of voting members, associate and life members, based on the State and National dues, which must be approved at the Annual Meeting by a majority of the membership present and voting.
Section Three. Budget: A budget for the ensuing year shall be submitted by the Board of Directors to the Annual Meeting for adoption. The budget shall include support for the work of the League as a whole. Any request for funds exceeding budgeted allotment must be presented to and approved by the presiding Board of Directors.
Section Four. Budget Committee: A Budget Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting to prepare a budget for the ensuing year. The proposed budget shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve as chairman of the Budget Committee.
Section One. Membership Meetings: There shall be at least three meetings of the membership each year. Time and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section Two. Annual Meeting: An Annual Meeting shall be held yearly with a date to be determined by the Board of Directors. There shall be no more than fourteen months between annual meetings. The Annual Meeting shall
(a) Adopt the local program for the ensuing year.
(b) Elect officers, directors, and members of the Nominating Committee.
(c) Adopt an adequate budget.
(d) Transact such other business as may properly come before it.
Section Three. Quorum: Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri.
Section One. Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee shall consist of four members, one of whom shall be a member of the Board of Directors. The Chair and two members, who shall not be members of the Board shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. Nominations for these officers shall be made by the current Nominating Committee. The other member shall be appointed by the Board of Directors immediately following the Annual Meeting. Any vacancy on the Nominating Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Suggestions for nominations for officers and directors may be sent to this committee by any voting member.
Section Two. Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor: The Nominating Committee report of nominations for officers, directors and the succeeding Nominating Committee members shall be sent to all members one month before the date of the Annual Meeting. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be presented to the Annual Meeting. Immediately following the presentation of this report, nominations may be made from the floor by any voting member, provided the consent of the nominee shall have been secured.
Section Three. Elections: The election shall be by ballot, provided that when there is but one nominee for each office, the Secretary may be instructed to cast the ballot for every nominee. A majority vote of those qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.
Section One. Authorization: The governmental principles adopted by the National Convention and supported by the League as a whole, constitute the authorization for the adoption of the Program.
Section Two. Program: The Program of the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri shall consist of
(a) Action to protect the right to vote of every citizen
(b) Those local governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.
Section Three. Action by the Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting shall act upon the Program using the following procedures
(a) The Board of Directors shall consider the recommendations sent in by the voting members six weeks prior to the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a proposed Program.
(b) The proposed Program, including recommended and non-recommended items shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting.
(c) A majority vote of voting members present and voting shall be required for adoptionof the proposed Program as presented to the Annual Meeting by the Board of Directors.
(d) Recommendations for the Program submitted by voting members six weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, but not recommended by the Board of Directors, may be considered by the Annual Meeting, provided that (1) the Annual Meeting shall order consideration by a majority vote, and (2) the Annual Meeting shall adopt the item by a two-thirds vote.
Section Four. Members may act in the name of the League of Women Voters only when authorized to do so by the proper Board of Directors.
Section One. National Convention: The Board of Directors, at a meeting one month before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the National office, shall select delegates to that Convention in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri under the provisions of the By Laws of the League of Women Voters of the United States.
Section Two. State Convention: The Board of Directors, at a meeting before the date on which names of delegates must be sent to the State office, shall select delegates to the Convention in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri under the provisions of the By Laws of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.
Section Three. State Council: The Board of Directors, at a meeting before the date on which names of delegates must be sent to the State office, shall select delegates to that Council in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri under the provisions of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.
Section One. Parliamentary Authority: The rules contained in Robert鋳s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By Laws.
Section One. Amendments: These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present and voting at the Annual Meeting provided that the amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least one month in advance of the meeting.