BYLAWS – BLOOMFIELD REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB 

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ARTICLE I – NAME 

 

The name of this organization shall be Bloomfield Republican Women’s Club. 

 

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES AND POLICY 

 

Section 1 – Objectives 

A. Strengthen the interest and effectiveness of Women in Republican politics and activities. 

B. Work for the election of the Republican Party’s nominees. 

C. Promote an informed electorate through political education. 

D. Educate women voters in the principles of the Republican Party and encourage active participation. 

E. Promote programs in cooperation with other members of the National Federation of Republican Women and with Republican National, State, County, City, and Township Committees. 

F. Foster loyalty to the Republican Party and promote its ideals. 

 

Section 2 – Policy 

A. Support the national, state, county, and city or township platforms, and resolutions of the Republican Party. 

B. Cooperate harmoniously and constructively with the Republican National, State, County, City, and Township Committees and the Michigan Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women. 

C. This organization shall be free at all times to discuss in open meeting questions of local, state, national, or international interest; but shall not go on record as opposing any issues included in the national, state, county, city, and township platforms or resolutions; or endorse the nomination of any candidate for office before the primary election. No monies shall inure to the benefit of any specific primary candidate or be used for primary campaign funds. 

D. While it is necessary that this organization maintain a neutral position regarding primary issues and candidates, nothing in these bylaws shall be interpreted as prohibiting individual rights or prerogative with the exception of the President. A President wishing to campaign for a primary candidate with opposition shall resign her office immediately. 

 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP 

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Section 1 – Qualifications 

A. Any person believing in the principles of the Republican Party and intending to support its candidates is eligible for membership. Men are considered associate members, have voice, but cannot make motions, vote, or hold office. 

B. In the event of membership in more than one Republican Women’s Club, provided the clubs are members of the Republican Women’s Federation of Michigan or the National Federation of Republican Women, an individual is allowed to vote and to hold office in no more than one club. The individual shall designate in which club she desires voting status. Her dues to the State and National Federation shall be paid only from that club. She shall be counted for purpose of delegate apportionment to State and National Federation conventions only from that club. If the individual does not designate the Bloomfield Republican Women’s Club as the voting club, the person shall be considered an affiliate member and be so designated with an asterisk on the membership roster. 

C. Prospective members must attend one meeting before being eligible to join. 

D. Benefits of membership include eligibility to have a voice, to vote, to hold office, and to receive notices of meetings, newsletters, and the membership directory. 

 

Section 2 – Dues 

A. Only current dues-paying members are eligible to vote and hold office. 

B. Membership dues for the following fiscal year shall be determined by the Board of Directors prior to the annual meeting in November. 

C. Dues are due at the annual meeting in November for the following fiscal year. Dues not received by February 1 shall be considered delinquent. Any one joining in September or October shall be considered to be paying their dues for the following fiscal year. 

D. Members shall be notified annually of per capita and total dues paid to the Republican Women’s Federation of Michigan and the National Federation of Republican Women. 

 

Section 3 - Fiscal Year 

A. The fiscal year of this club shall be January 1 through December 31 of the same year. 

 

Section 4 – Other Memberships 

A. This organization is a member of the Republican Women’s Federation of Michigan and the Nation Federation of Republican Women. 

 

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS 

 

Section 1 – Elected Officers 

A. The elected officers shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and two Delegates-at-Large. 

 

Section 2 – Duties 

A. The President shall: 

1. Preside at all meetings of the members, the Executive Committee, and Board of Directors.

2. Have general supervision of the work and programs of the organization.

3. Appoint and fill vacancies of all committees, their chairmen, and a parliamentarian, with the approval of the Executive Committee. 

4. Be an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the nominating committee. 

5. Arrange, with the approval of the Executive Committee, for an annual financial review of the Treasurer’s records as soon as possible after the end of the fiscal year, December 31. A report shall be presented forthwith to the Board of Directors and at a general membership meeting for adoption. 

6. Submit a written yearly report at the annual meeting.

7. Be the only person authorized to speak on behalf of the Club. 

 

B. The First Vice President shall: 

1. Assist the President in every way possible.

2. In the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President. 

3. Arrange for programs for the general meetings with the approval of the Board of Directors. May, at her discretion, appoint a committee and serve as its chairman.

4. Carry out other duties as may be assigned to her. 

 

C. The Second Vice President shall: 

1. Assist the President and First Vice President and in their absence, perform their duties.

2. Obtain places for meetings, select menus, take reservations, make name tags and keeps checks for the Treasurer

3. Responsible for welcoming members and guests

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D. The Recording Secretary shall: 

1. Record and maintain the original minutes of all meetings. 

2. Provide only copies, not the original, of minutes, if requested. 

3. Provide a copy of the minutes to the President and the Parliamentarian with fifteen (15) days after each meeting. 

 

E. The Corresponding Secretary shall: 

1. Coordinate with the Membership Chairman to maintain an up-to-date mailing roster. 

2. Be responsible for mailing announcements of board and general meetings. 

3. Mail the directory to those members who have not obtained one at a general meeting. 

4. Send thank you notes, get well cards, and any other correspondence. 

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F. The Treasurer shall: 

1. Keep a record and maintain a depository account of all monies received and disbursed by her at a financial institution approved by the board. 

2. Be the chairman of the finance committee to prepare a yearly budget to be approved by the Board of Directors and the General Membership. 

3. Pay by check all bills within budget guidelines. Any over-budget items shall be approved by the Board of Directors. 

4. Provide copies of the financial report for the Board of Directors at each meeting. 

5. Provide a preliminary financial report in duplicate at the Annual Meeting. Submit the treasurer’s books for an annual financial review to the person approved by the Executive Committee as soon as possible after the end of the fiscal year. 

6. Send per capita dues to the Republican Women’s Federation of Michigan and the National Federation of Republican Women by the date each is due. 

 

G. The Assistant Treasurer shall: 

1. Assist the Treasurer in every way possible. 

 

H. The Delegates-at-Large shall: 

1. Attend the meetings of other County and State Republican Clubs in order to exchange information, coordinate with them, and whenever necessary or desirable, collaborate in activities of mutual interest. 

2. Report to Board of Directors what was learned and accomplished. 

 

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

 

Section 1 – Duties 

A. The Executive Committee shall: 

1. Consist of the nine elected officers of the Club and the Parliamentarian. 

2. Be empowered by a majority vote of its members to request the immediate resignation of any of its members for non-performance of duties and to declare such office vacant by a majority vote of its members if such resignation is not forthcoming. 

3. Approve the selection of the financial reviewer. 

4. Approve the appointments of committee chairmen selected by the President. 

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ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 

Section 1 – Duties 

A. The Board of Directors shall: 

1. Consist of the elected officers, parliamentarian, standing committee chairmen, the immediate past President, and any BRWC member who serves on the RWFM Board of Directors. 

2. Transact any necessary business between general meetings. 

3. Serve as the steering committee. 

4. Advise and consult with the Delegates-at-Large. 

5. Approve the budget for presentation to the membership, all expenditures over budget, and the use of the financial institutions selected by the Treasurer. 

6. Fill vacancies to elective offices except that of the President. A vacancy in the office of President is filled by the First Vice President. 

7. Establish a discretionary fund not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for the purchase of miscellaneous items by the President. Additional costs shall be approved by the Board. 

8. Assure that all operating expenses, (telephone, postage, meeting costs) incurred by the Board of Directors shall be paid by the Club. 

9. Be expected to attend all Board and General Meetings. If a member misses four board meetings without cause, she may be asked to resign. 

10. Every member shall keep a notebook and all materials of her activities in chronological order to be given to her successor at the end of her term. 

 

ARTICLE VII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS 

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Section 1 – Term of Office 

A. Officers shall be elected for a two (2) year term beginning on January 1 and ending December 31 of the second year; and no officer may serve in the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms unless approved by the members. New officers shall be installed at the first general meeting of their terms. 

B. It is recommended that standing committee chairmen may serve for no more than two consecutive terms in any one position. 

C. The President, First Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, and one Delegate-at-Large shall be elected in the even years. 

D. The Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and one Delegate-at-Large shall be elected in the odd years. 

E. The out-going President shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and have the right to vote. 

 

Section 2 – Nominating Committee 

A. The President, with the approval of the elected officers, shall appoint a nominating committee of five (5) members, and such members announced at a General Meeting not less than two (2) months prior to the Annual Meeting. 

B. The chairman shall be elected by the appointed nominating committee members. 

C. The slate of the Nominating Committee, consisting of one nominee for each office, shall be sent to all members at least two (2) weeks before the Annual Meeting. 

D. Nominations from the floor shall be allowed at the Annual Meeting if the consent of the nominee has been obtained. 

 

Section 3 – Elections 

A. Elections shall be held at the Annual Meeting in November. When there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by voice. If there is a contest, the voting shall be by secret ballot, and a simple majority vote by members present who are entitled to vote (See Article III, Section 2A) shall elect. 

 

Section 4 – Elections Committee 

A. An elections committee of not less than three (3) shall be appointed by the President at least one month prior to the Annual Meeting. This committee shall provide all election materials and shall act as tellers for the election at the Annual Meeting. 

 

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

 

Section 1 – Annual Meeting 

A. The Annual Meeting shall be in November. 

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Section 2 – General Meetings 

A. There shall be a least five General Meetings held per calendar year; the date, time, and place to be determined by the Board of Directors. 

B. Special meetings of the general membership may be called at the discretion of the President or upon written request of one fifth (1/5) of the membership. The purpose of the meeting to be stated in the call, and no other business shall be transacted. 

 

Section 3 – Meetings of the Executive Committee 

A. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called at the discretion of the President or upon the written request of five Executive Committee members. 

 

Section 4 – Meetings of the Board of Directors 

A. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least one week prior to the General Meetings, at such time and place as may be determined by the President. 

B. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or upon written request of one-third (1/3) of the members of the Board of Directors. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call, and no other business shall be transacted. 

 

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

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Section 1 – Standing Committees 

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A. Standing Committee Chairmen and /or committees are appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee and shall consist of the following: 

1. Budget Committee 

a. Consists of Treasurer as Chairman, First Vice President, and Immediate Past President. 

b. Shall submit a proposed budget that has been approved by the Board of Directors at the first General Meeting of the fiscal year. 

2. Bylaws Committee 

a. Consists of three members (including the parliamentarian). 

b. Has the responsibility to propose amendments to the bylaws. 

3. Historian 

a. Prepares a current history of the club. 

b. Keeps all documents relating to activities, awards, and secretarial records. 

c. Protects these records and makes them available to members. 

d. Has charge of the club’s scrapbooks and the insertion of newspaper articles and programs. 

e. Is responsible to have pictures taken. 

4. Legislation 

a. Keeps informed about legislation at all levels of government. 

b. Reports at Board and General Meetings. 

c. Submits articles for each newsletter. 

5. Membership 

a. Is responsible for inviting, recruiting, and orienting new members. 

b. Collects all dues from members, gives each member a proper receipt and membership card. 

c. Keeps an up-to-date list of names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of members and informs Corresponding Secretary. 

6. Newsletter 

a. Is responsible for gathering and editing information, printing a newsletter four (4) times a year, and distributing the newsletter either in person or through the mail. 

7. Parliamentarian 

a. Advises the President and the Club on matters of parliamentary procedure and the bylaws. 

8. Publicity 

a. Prepares and submits publicity to the news media as called for by the Club subject to the approval of the President. 

9. Telephone 

a. Consists of five (5) or more members. 

b. Functions at the call of the President. 

10. Volunteers 

a. Recruits volunteers when needed. 

11. Ways and Means 

a. Plans and coordinates activities to raise funds for the Club. 

12. Americanism 

a. Promotes patriotism and love of America. 

b. Secures members for prayer and pledge of allegiance at meetings. 

 

Section 2 – Special Committees 

A. Special committees or committee chairmen may be appointed by the President as deemed advisable and approved by the Executive Committee. 

 

Section 3 – Reports 

A. All chairmen shall submit reports at Board of Directors meetings, as requested by the President, and shall keep a chronological notebook for their successors.

 

ARTICLE X – QUORUMS 

 

Section 1 – General Meetings 

A. A quorum for a regular or special meeting of the Club shall be ten percent (10%) of eligible voting members. 

 

Section 2 – Executive Committee Meetings 

A. A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be five (5) members. 

 

Section 3 – Board of Directors Meetings 

A. A quorum for a regular or special meeting shall be one-third (1/3) of its members. 

 

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS 

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Section 1 – Changes 

A. Bylaws may be revised or amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the eligible (See Article III, 2A) members present at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose. 

 

Section 2 – Notification 

A. To revise or amend bylaws, members shall be notified three weeks in advance of the meeting. Copies of the proposed changes shall be sent to each member. 

 

ARTICLE XIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY 

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A. The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the provisions of the bylaws of this Club. 

 

ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION 

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Section 1 – Disbursement 

A. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, all its assets remaining after payment of all costs and expenses shall be given to the Republican Women’s Federation of Michigan (RWFM). None of the assets shall be distributed to any members or Officers of this organization. 

 

Section 2 – Notification 

A. Thirty (30) days written notice prior to a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be sent to its members for action and a two-thirds (2/3) vote shall be necessary to effect dissolution of this Club. Thirty (30) days written notice prior to a general meeting is also required to be sent to the members and two-thirds (2/3) vote of eligible members (See Article III, Section 2A) present shall be necessary to effect dissolution of this Club. 

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