Bluegrass National Organization for Women By-Laws (Proposed Revised)
Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be Bluegrass NOW.
Article II. Purpose and Policy
Section 1.
NOW's purpose is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men. This purpose includes, but is not limited to, equal rights and responsibilities in all aspects of citizenship, public service, employment, education, and family life, and it includes freedom from discrimination because of race, ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, or parenthood.
Section 2.
The chapter shall be bound by national by-laws and policy. In the absence of policy, chapter policy may be established on any subject directly related to the purpose of NOW.
Article III. Membership and Voting Rights
Section 1.
Any person who is a member of NOW and subscribes to the purpose of NOW may be a member of the chapter.
Section 2.
Any person who has been a member in good standing for 30 days prior to the date of any meeting of members shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.
Article IV. Meetings
Section 1.
The chapter shall hold at least quarterly meetings each year. The meeting immediately preceding the end of the fiscal year designated the annual meeting, shall be for the election of officers.
Section 2.
Unless indicated otherwise the chapter shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 3.
A quorum shall consist of the members, including 2 officers, present at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Article V. Fiscal Operations
Section 1.
The national office sets forth the rate of dues. Any person who has paid national dues shall be eligible to join the chapter. Dues may be paid anytime during the year. Special arrangements may be made for hardship cases and shall be determined by the executive committee.
Section 2.
The fiscal year shall be from July 1 to June 30.
Article VI. Officers and Board
Section 1.
The chapter’s elected officers may include:
- A. President: The President shall be the principal spokesperson and chief executive officer of the organization, shall call the meetings of the organization, the Executive Committee, and shall preside at these meetings.
- B. Vice President-Executive: The Vice President-Executive shall be the chief financial officer of the organization. The Vice President-Executive shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President and Board.
- C. Vice President-Action: The Vice President-Action shall coordinate the action programs, supervise the action-program staff, and perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President and Board.
- D. Vice President-Membership: The Vice President-Membership shall be responsible for the general correspondence of the corporation; shall be the custodian of the records; and shall maintain the membership records. The Vice President-Membership shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President and Board.
The Board shall consist of the Chair of each committee and the chapter officers, and shall be responsible for the coordinating chapter activities, and shall be the decision-making body between chapter meetings.
Section 3.
The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall serve for the following year.
Section 4.
A vacancy in office shall be filled by any chapter member who meets eligibility requirements. Committee vacancies shall be filled by the board and officer appointment.
Article VII. Committees
The type, purpose, duration and chair of each committee shall be determined on an as needed basis.
Article VIII. Nominations and Elections
Section 1.
A call for nominations must be made one meeting prior to the election. Nominees must be a NOW member in good standing at the time of election. Nominations should be given current president and will be announced through the newsletter.
Section 2.
A quorum is necessary to hold an election. A nominee will be voted into office by a simple majority of members.
Article IX. Delegagtes to National Conferences
Delegates and alternates to the national conference(s) shall be elected in the number, manner and timing determined by the national by-laws and National Credentials Committee. All chapter members must be notified 45 days in advance of the election
Article X. Grievance Procedure
Any chapter member may bring a grievance concerning procedure or irregularities within the chapter before a grievance committee to be made up of: 1) one officer serving on a rotating basis, 2) two members at-large selected by the aggrieved, 3) two members selected by the Board. A hearing by the committee must be held within 30 days of the receipt of a written, signed grievance. A decision concerning the grievance must be made within 30 days of the hearing. The committee’s decision may be appealed to the State Executive Council.
Article XI. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a simple majority of members at any chapter meeting providing: a) the proposed amendment has been submitted to the officers 45 days in advance of the meeting, b) the proposed amendment(s) has been proposed by a chapter member or a by-laws committee, c) the proposed amendment has been mailed to the members 15 days prior to the meeting.
Article XII. Dissolution
The chapter may be dissolved by a 2/3 vote of its members present and voting. Membership shall be notified 45 days prior to dissolution. Upon dissolution the Board and officers shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of the chapter, remit all remaining assets to the state NOW organization, National NOW, or any local unit of NOW.