The name of this organization shall be the Douglas County Republican Women’s Club, hereinafter Club.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSES
The purposes of this organization shall be:To support the mission of the National Federation of Republican women. To promote an informed electorate through political education. To increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active political participation. To facilitate cooperation among Republican women’s clubs. To foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its philosophy. To work for the election of all Republican candidates, both those nominated by the party and those running in non-partisan elections.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Any woman who is a US citizen believing in the principles of the Republican Party and intending generally to support its candidates is eligible for membership.
Section 2. This organization shall be a member of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation Republican Women; thus Club members are also members of the National and Georgia Federation
Section 3. Republican women who have primary membership in another federated local unit are eligible for associate membership in this Club upon payment of the Club’s annual dues. Associate members of this club cannot hold office, have a voice or a vote, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to national or state federation meetings or conventions. Persons who do not have a voice may not make motions, second motions, or debate motions.
Section 4. Republican men are eligible for associate memberships upon payment of the Club’s annual dues. They cannot hold office, have a voice or a vote, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to national or state federation meeting or conventions. Persons who do not have a voice may not make motions, second motions, or debate motions.
Section 5. Resignation from the club. Members who decide to resign from the Club shall submit their resignations to the president, preferably in writing, after which the president shall read or announce the resignation and then hear a motion to accept it.
Section 6. There shall be no endorsement of candidates by a local club or GFRW during the primary between two or more Republicans until one is nominated by the Republican National Convention or by Republican Primary. In a non- partisan race, which could include one or more Republican candidates, there shall be no endorsement unless or until there is only one (1) Republican candidate in the race.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall consist of a President, 1st and 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. Regularly elected officers and appointed committee chairs shall hold their offices for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected. No officer or committee chair shall be eligible to serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.
Section 3. Duties of the officers shall be as follows:
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors. She shall have general supervision of the organization. She shall appoint committee chairmen, a parliamentarian, a chaplain, and other persons to perform duties as she deems necessary.
The 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, shall perform the duties of the President in her absence or if she is unable to do so. She shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to her by the President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President occurring before her term of office is finished, the Vice President shall assume the Presidency. In the event of an extended absence by the President, she shall assume the duties of the President until which time the Board of Directors can vote on a course of action.
Secretary shall record, keep and read minutes of all meetings of the club. She shall provide the President with a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting at least ten (10) days prior to the next meeting. She shall have custody of all records of the club except the financial records kept by the treasurer.
The Treasurer shall do the following: (1) at the end of the Club’s fiscal year, prepare the annual club budget in consultation with the Board of Directors and present it for approval by a majority vote of the club taken at the January meeting; (2) receive and have custody of all funds of the Club, and pay all bills with checks signed by her and the president; (3) keep an account of all monies received and disbursed by her and report in full at the annual meeting, at the regular meetings and at other times as required by the president; (4) submit the club’s books for audit by a qualified individual approved by the Executive Committee, to coincide with the close of her term of office.
Section 4. Resignation from office: If a member who has accepted an office or a committee assignment finds that she is unable to perform the duties of that office, she shall submit her resignation, in writing if possible, to the President. The President shall read or announce the resignation, and then hear a motion to accept it. If the resigning officer is the President the Vice President shall assume this duty.
Section 5. Extended Absence From Office: If any officer other than the President is unable to perform her duties for an extended period, normally more than one (1) month, she shall notify the President as soon as possible, and the President shall appoint another member, preferably a member of the Board of Directors, to act as her substitute and carry out her responsibilities until she is able to resume them. In order for the Club business to be carried on smoothly during her extended absence, the officer shall hand over all of her records and files to the President or to her substitute immediately after the substitute has been appointed. Extended absence of the President shall be handled as specified in Article IV Section 3, (Vice President).
Section 6. Failure to Attend Executive Meetings or Board of Directors Meetings or Monthly Club Meetings: If an Executive Committee Member fails to attend (3) three consecutive Executive Committee Meetings, BOD Meetings or Club Meetings, or a combination of the above meetings, that officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors. The Club shall be asked to choose a replacement at the next Club meeting. The same applies for all Committee Chair’s, the may be removed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or at the request of the President.
Section 7. The Executive Committee: shall consist of the President, 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary.
Section 8. Duties of the Executive Committee: (A) Maintain jurisdiction over membership application, removals and reinstatement of the membership. (B) Approves the President’s appointments of Chairman for Standing Committees. (C) Recommend the annual Budget to the Board of Directors. (D) Direct the disbursement of funds in accordance with the annual adopted budget. (E) Approves the bank or banks where funds are to be deposited. (F) Meets on the call of the President or on written request by three (3) members.
Section 9. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Committee, the Parliamentarian, the immediate past President, and all Standing Committee Chairman.
Section 10. Transfer of records: Within 30 days after the end of their term of office, all officers, committee chairmen, and other appointed officials of the Club shall deliver to their successors all Club records that have been in their custody.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Section 1. The annual meeting of this Club shall be held during November.
Section 2. The Club shall hold a minimum of ten (10) regular meetings each year.
Section 3. The regular meetings of the club shall be held on the fourth (4th) Thursday of each month unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Special meetings of the Club shall be held at the call of the President or upon the request of four (4) members. The call for a special meeting of the Club shall state its purpose, and no other business shall be transacted.
Section 5. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or upon the request of five (5) members. The purpose of the Board of Directors meeting shall be stated in the call, and no other business shall be transacted.
Section 6 GFRW Board Meetings will be attended by DCRWC President and the Club shall pay her registration fee. All other Board Members are responsible for their own registration fee.
ARTICLE VI – DUES
Section 1. The fiscal year of this Club shall be from January 1st to December 31st.
Section 2. By no later than January 31st of the current year, each member shall pay to the Club the annual membership dues assessed in keeping with the amounts required by the Georgia Federation of Republican Women/the National Federation of Republican Women and the Douglas County Republican Women Executive Board for the subsequent fiscal year.
ARTICLE VII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Elections shall be held in November of even calendar years at the annual meeting.
Section 2. The slate of the Nominating Committee shall be presented at the regular September meeting and sent to all members at least two weeks before the October meeting, during which nominations from the floor shall be allowed. Election of officers shall be held at the annual meeting in November.
Section 3. Anyone nominated for any office by the Nominating Committee, or from the floor, shall give that committee her written consent to have her name placed on the ballot and her agreement to perform all the duties of the office as set forth in these bylaws. Written consent to be placed on the ballot and to perform all duties of the office shall be given on a form to be provided by the Nominating Committee.
Section 4. An Elections Committee of not less than three members shall be appointed by the president at the meeting prior to the annual meeting. The Election committee shall provide all election materials and shall act as tellers for the election at the annual meeting.
Section 5. When there is only one candidate for an office, that candidate may be voted upon by a voice vote. If there are more than two candidates for an office, a plurality vote shall elect.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
Section 1. The standing committees shall be (a) Bylaws, (b) Campaign Activities, (c) Fund Raising, (d) Legislation, (e) Membership, (f) Public Relations, and (g) Publication
Section 2. The duties of the standing committees shall be (a) to prepare programs of action in their respective fields for consideration by the Board of Directors, (b) to carry out the approved programs, and (c) to perform other duties as assigned by the president.
Section 3. Special committees may be appointed by the president as she deems advisable.
Section 4. All committees shall report to the Club at regular meetings and at other times when directed by the President.
ARTICLE IX – QUORUM
Section 1. A quorum for a regular meeting of the Club shall be 1/3 of the members plus one half (1/2) of the officers.
Section 2. A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be one third (1/3) of the Board of Directors plus one half (1/2) of the officers.
Section 3. A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be ½ or (3) members.
ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any regular meeting of this club, adjourned session thereof, or a special meeting called for that purpose, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given in writing to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meetings.
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of this organization, all of its assets remaining after payment of all costs and expenses of such dissolution shall be distributed to the Georgia Federation of Republican Women. None of the assets will be distributed to any member or officer of this organization.
DCRWC Board of Directors