LWVCC bylaws revised 2004

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF COCHISE COUNTY BY-LAWS

ADOPTED: April 20, 1998
REVISED: April 19, 1999
REVISED: April 12, 2003
REVISED: April 3, 2004 (Art. 6, sect. 2 a. -- dues payable)
REVISED: April 14, 2007 (Art. 6, sect. 2 a. -- dues payable)

ARTICLE I - NAME
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE OF POLICY
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
ARTICLE VI - FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
ARTICLE VIII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
ARTICLE IX - PROGRAM
ARTICLE X - NATIONAL CONVENTION, STATE CONVENTION AND COUNCIL
ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1. Name: The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Cochise County and hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWVCC, or, as the League. 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 Arizona.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE OF POLICY

Section I. Purpose: The purpose of the LWVCC shall be to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government and to study and to act on selected local, state and national governmental issues.

Section 2. Policy: The LWVCC may take action on local 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.

ARTICLE III-MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility: Any person who subscribes to the purpose and policy of the League shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2. Types of Membership: The membership of the LWVCC shall be composed of voting members and associate members.

a. Voting members shall be citizens of at least 18 years of age who are enrolled in the League at the local, state or national level.
1. Members who reside outside the area of any local League shall be members-at-large and shall pay annual dues to the state League;
2. Members who have been enrolled in the League for fifty years or more shall be life members and shall not be required to pay annual dues.

b. All others who enroll in the League shall be associate members. (Students may join as Student Associate members and shall pay reduced dues.) These dues shall be paid to the local League. Those who reside outside the U.S. may join the League at the national level and shall pay dues to the League of Women Voters of the United States.

ARTICLE IV- BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number, Manner of Selection and Term of Office: The Board of Directors shall consist of four (4) Officers and three (3) Directors of the League, which shall be elected by the general membership at the annual meeting. Each shall serve for a term of two years, or until their successors have been elected and qualified. The elected members shall appoint not more than four (4) additional directors, as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the League. The terms of office of the appointed directors shall be one year and shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual meeting.

Section 2. Qualifications: All elected or appointed officers and directors of this organization must be voting members of the League of Women Voters of Cochise County.

Section 3. Vacancies: Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors 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 of any member without a valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.

Section 4. 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 instructions of the general membership. It shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the program as adopted by the national convention, the state convention, and committees as it may deem necessary.

Section 5. Meetings: There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually. The President may call special meetings of the Board of Directors. In times of emergencies telephone polling is acceptable in lieu of a meeting.

Section 6. Quorum: A simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. At a board meeting, the majority of the quorum members present shall decide its action.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

Section 1 - Enumeration and Election of Officers: The officers of the League of Women Voters of Cochise County shall be a President, Vice President, and Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be elected for terms of two years by the general membership at an annual meeting and take office immediately, except for the treasurer who will take office July 1st.

Section 2 - The President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors unless the president designates another person to preside. The president may, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts and notes. The President shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the nominating committee, shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of president, and shall perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board.

Section 3 - 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 that office. In the event the Vice President is unable to serve in this capacity, the Board of Directors shall appoint a League member to fill the unexpired term. The Vice President shall perform such other duties as the President and Board may designate.

Section 4 - The Secretary: The Secretary shall keep minutes of the annual meeting, all meetings of the Board of Directors, and of extraordinary business meetings as directed by the Board. The Secretary shall notify all officers of their election, shall sign with the President all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the Board, and shall perform such other functions as may be incident to the Office of Secretary.

Section 5 - The Treasurer: The Treasurer or a duly appointed assistant shall collect and receive all monies due, shall be the custodian of these monies, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the Board of Directors and shall present statements to the Board at its regular meetings and an annual report to the Annual Meeting. The treasurer's books shall be audited or reviewed annually. The Treasurer shall perform other duties as the President and Board may designate.

Section 6 - The Directors:
a. One of the directors will serve in the capacity of parliamentarian and shall:
1. Advise the president of the proper parliamentary procedures.
2. ensure that the principles outlined in the league’s by-laws are followed.
3. Conduct the election at the annual meeting with the assistance of the election committee.

b. The other directors will serve in capacities best suited for conducting the business of the league.

ARTICLE VI - FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The Fiscal year of the LWVCC shall commence on the first day of July each year.

Section 2. Dues:
a. Annual dues are due December 1 of each year. Dues will be pro rated per quarter for those who join during the year. The quarters will be Dec - Feb, Mar- May, Jun- Aug and Sept - Nov.
b. Any change in dues will be recommended to the membership in the "Call" thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote will be required for ratification.

Section 3. 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.

Section 4. Audit or Review of Financial Records: The financial records of the League shall be reviewed by 2 non-members of the Board of Directors appointed by the Board at the end of each Fiscal year (June 30th) or whenever a new Treasurer is elected or appointed.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

Section 1. Membership Meetings: There shall be at least nine meetings of the membership each year, Time and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Annual Meetings: An annual meeting shall be held in the month of April at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors; The President shall send a "Call" no later than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. The annual meeting shall:
a. Adopt a local program for the ensuing year;
b. Elect officers, Directors and members of the Nominating Committee;
c. Adopt an adequate budget; and
d. Transact such other business as may properly come before it.

Section 3. Quorum. Ten percent (10%) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum at all business meetings of the League of Women Voters of Cochise County.

ARTICLE VIII- NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members, one of whom shall be a.member of the Board of Directors. The Chair and one member shall be elected at the annual meeting by the general membership. Any vacancy on the Nominating Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Suggestions for nominations for officers may be sent to this committee by any voting member.

Section 2. Report of Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor: The report of the Nominating Committee of its nominations for officers and members of the succeeding Nominating Committee 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 3. 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 4. Election Committee: The Election Committee, appointed by the president at the opening of the annual meeting, shall be in charge of an election, shall assist the parliamentarian in conducting the election.

ARTICLE IX - PROGRAM

Section 1. 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 2. Program: The program of the LWVCC shall consist of:
a. Action to protect every citizen’s right to vote, and
b. Those local governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.

Section 3. Program Selection: In selecting local governmental issues for concerted study and action, the annual meeting shall use the following procedures:
a. Members may make recommendations to the Board of Directors at least two months prior to the.annual meeting.
b. The Board of Directors shall consider the recommendations and formulate a proposed program which shall be sent to all members one month before the annual meeting.
c. Any recommendations for the program submitted to the Board at least two months prior to the annual meeting but not proposed by the Board may be adopted by the annual meeting provided that consideration is ordered by the majority vote, and the meeting adopts the item by a majority vote.
d. Changes in the program, in the case of altered conditions, may be made provided that
1. information concerning the proposed changes has been sent to all members at least two weeks prior to a general membership meeting at which the change is to be discussed, and
2. final action by the membership is taken at a succeeding meeting.

Section 4. Member Action: Members may act in the name of the League of Women Voters only after receiving proper authorization from the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X - NATIONAL CONVENTION, STATE CONVENTION AND COUNCIL

Section 1. National Convention: The Board of Directors shall select delegates to the national convention in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Cochise County under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of the United States.

Section 2. State Convention: The Board of Directors shall select delegates to the state convention in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Cochise County under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of Arizona.

Section 3. State Council: The Board of Directors shall select delegates to the state council in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Cochise County under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of Arizona.

ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. Parliamentary Authority: The rules contained in Robert'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 bylaws.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments: These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members present and voting at the annual meeting provided the amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least one month in advance of the meeting.

Section 2. Bylaws Committee: A Bylaws Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors at least two months prior to the annual meeting to review the Bylaws and recommend any amendments or other needed corrections. The proposed revisions shall be sent to all members at least one month before the annual meeting.