THE GREATER IRVING REPUBLICAN CLUB
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
CONSTITUTION
I. Name
The official name of this organization shall be “The Greater Irving Republican Club, hereinafter referred to as the “Club”.
II. Purpose
To support Republican candidates and the Republican Party, promote political awareness, encourage participation in political affairs, and work for responsible government.
III. Membership
a. Membership is open to Republican voters.
b. To be an active member, a person must be current on membership dues and fulfill such other requirements as may be provided by the Constitution and By-Laws.
c. Dues shall be as follows:
Individual: $15.00
Patron: $75.00
Family: $25.00
Student: $5.00
Sustaining: $35.00
d. Dues shall be payable on an annual basis.
IV. Officers
a. The officers of the organization shall be: President, Vice-President, Programs; Vice-President, Communications; Vice-President, Membership; Vice-President, Legislative Issues/Events; Secretary, and Treasurer.
b. The duties and powers of the officers shall be as prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws of this organization.
c. The term of the office for officers of this organization shall be one (1) year, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
d. Officers shall be elected at the annual general meeting, which will be held in November of each year. Officers will assume their duties after installation at the December meeting.
e. Active members shall be notified of each year’s November election at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting as implemented by the By-Laws.
f. Officers shall be elected in the manner prescribed for in the By-Laws of this organization.
g. The President may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
h. Qualifications to serve, an officer must:
1. Be an active member of the Club.
2. Be a resident and registered voter of the City of Irving.
3. Not be an officer of another Republican Club.
IV. Duties and Powers of Officers
a. President:
The President shall be the official spokesperson for this organization.
Shall supervise all activities and programs of the Club.
Shall preside over all Club meetings and Executive Committee meetings.
Shall appoint the Chairpersons of all standing committees with the approval of a majority of the officers.
May dismiss any Chairperson of a standing committee with the approval of a majority of the officers.
Shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
Shall not campaign for any candidate in a Primary or local election, including himself/herself or anyone else, either verbally or with documentation at Club meetings. The President may support a family member that is a candidate when he/she is not representing the Club.
b. The Vice-President, Programs:
The Vice-President, Programs shall in temporary absence of the President, assume the duties of the President.
Shall, upon resignation or removal of the President, succeed to the office of President.
Shall serve as Chairperson of the Programs Committee and responsible for securing speakers/programs for the Club.
Shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the President.
c. The Vice-President, Communications:
The Vice-President, Communications shall be responsible to notify members and potential members of each meeting by email and website.
Shall prepare all news releases to local media, ICTN, and to the Dallas County Republican Headquarters on meetings, and relevant Club business.
Shall coordinate with webmaster to prepare picture gallery, announce events and other Club activities.
d. The Vice-President, Membership:
The Vice-President, Membership shall work to increase Club membership by contacting visitors and potential members by email, mail, and/or in person.
Shall work to maintain current Club membership.
Shall keep official membership roster updated and SECURE.
e. The Vice-President, Legislative Issues/Events:
The Vice-President, Legislative Issues/Events shall keep members alerted to any County, State, and/or National legislation that is pending which may require members to contact elected officials to support, defeat, or amend.
Shall communicate to members by website, email or verbally, all pertinent issues/events.
f. The Secretary:
The Secretary shall record minutes of our general meetings and other meetings if needed.
Shall record attendance at each meeting of visitors, officials, and candidates.
Shall update and maintain custody of all records and documents, including the Club Constitution and By-Laws.
g. The Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall collect all Club dues and send notices of unpaid dues.
Shall maintain custody of funds and maintain the Club bank account.
Shall present an annual budget in January for approval by ExecutiveCommittee and membership providing written reports of finances monthly.
Shall make all Club expenditures, provided that a majority of the Executive Committee approves any expenditure equal to or less than $300.00 that is outside of the budget.
VI. Vacancies in Offices
a. A vacancy caused by resignation, death, incapacitation, or removal of an officer shall be filled by the elected officers and ratified by the membership,except that a vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice-President.
b. Elected officers may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present at a regular meeting. Any motion to remove an officer must first be delivered in writing to at least three (3) officers at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the motion is made. Any officer receiving such notice should notify other members of the ExecutiveCommittee as feasible. Notice shall be
given to the general meeting preceding the meeting at which the motion is made.
VI. Meetings
a. The Club shall have at least ten (10) general meetings each year. General meetings shall include all regular or called meetings to which all active members are invited to attend.
b. All members must be notified of a general meeting.
c. Votes at general meetings shall be determined by a majority of the active members present.
d. The President or a majority of the elected officers may call a meeting. Notice of a called meeting must be sent to all active members.
e. The membership shall receive at least one (1) week prior notification of each general meeting
VII. Parliamentary Rules
Meetings will be governed by the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised except where inconsistent with the Constitution and or By-Laws.
IX. Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present at any general meeting. A proposed amendment must be presented to the elected officers at least thirty (30) days prior to a general meeting, and after presentation to the Club members, will be voted on at the following general meeting. Notice shall be given to the membership as a whole between the two meetings by printed or electronic form. The elected officer will present the proposed amendment to the membership.
BY-LAWS
I. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officials, the immediate past President, and the appointed chairs of the standing committees. The appointed chairs and past President shall be advisory members, and after
2004, the past President shall be a non-voting member.
I. Standing Committees
The Standing Committees are:
a. Program: The Program Committee chaired by the VP, Programs shall plan and secure programs for the Club.
b. Membership: The Membership Committee shall work to increase and maintain Club membership and is chaired by the VP, Membership.
c. Public Relations: The Public Relations Committee shall prepare news releases to the media and is chaired by the VP, Communications.
d. Hospitality: The Hospitality Committee will greet visitors and members at general meetings. They will be responsible for social events and parties for the Club.
e. Federal and State Reporting and Compliance: The Federal and State Reporting and Compliance Committee shall determine, if needed, and file, if any, all State and Federal reporting requirements.
f. Finance: The Finance Committee shall work to raise, solicit, and obtain funds for the Club and its activities.
A Committee Chairman must be an active member and a registered voter. The President may designate additional committees as needed with the majority approval of the Executive Committee.
III. Meetings of Executive Committee
a. The Executive Committee shall meet monthly and at such other times as may be called by the President or four (4) members of the Executive Committee. In order to transact business, an Executive Committee meeting must be attended by at least four (4) of the elected officers. In case of a tie vote among the elected officers present, the vote dies.
IV. Elections
a. Election of officers will be at the Club’s general meeting in November of each year.
b. At the August general meeting prior to the November election, a five (5) member Nominating Committee will be appointed from active members of the club. The President will appoint one (1) member, the Executive Committee will appoint two (2) members, and the membership will select
two (2) members. All Appointees must be active members. The date, time, and place of the November election will be specified. The slate of officers presented by the Nominating Committee shall be available by September 30 either in print or electronic form.
c. In addition to the August meeting, one other form of notification of the date, time, and place of the November election shall be made to the members either in print or electronic form.
d. The Nominating Committee will meet and recommend officers for the upcoming year. The Nominating Committee shall make a written report.
e. After the Nominating Committee’s report has been presented at the October meeting, nominations may be made from the floor at that time. The report of the Nominating Committee shall constitute a nomination of the persons therein recommended. Nominations for the November election are closed when the October meeting is adjourned.
f. Election of officers shall be held by position. A majority of the active members voting at the meeting shall be sufficient for election to office.
g. The President or his designee will conduct the election in November.
V. Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present at any general meeting. A proposed By-Law amendment must be presented to the elected officers at least thirty (30) days prior to a general meeting, and after presentation to the Club members, will be voted on at the following general meeting. Notice shall be given to the membership as a whole between the two meetings by printed or electronic form. The elected officers will present the proposed By-Laws to the membership at the first meeting following the thirty (30) days notice.