Bylaws

WICHITA COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN 2022

ARTICLE I – NAME AND ADDRESS

The name of the organization shall be Wichita County Republican Women, affiliated with the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women. The address of the organization is P.O. Box 2565, Wichita Falls, Texas 76307.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this organization shall be:

  • –  To foster loyalty to the Republican Party, and to promote its principles and candidates in all elections including non-partisan elections
  • –  To promote an informed Republican electorate
  • –  To assist the Republican Party in electing their candidates to office
  • –  To increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good partisan government
  • –  To facilitate cooperation among local Republican Women’s Clubs
  • –  To assist the Republican County Chair to assure ballot integrity by working as Republican election judges, clerks and poll watchers, and by participating in other Party auxiliary activities ARTICLE III – POLICY Section 1. Organization Membership This organization and its members shall be members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women, shall support their objectives and policies, and shall pay per capita dues and the annual service charges to said organizations. Section 2. Registered PAC This organization shall be registered with the Texas Ethics Commission as a Political Action Committee. Section 3. Candidate Endorsement Policy A. Thisorganizationasawhole,itsPresidentandCampaignActivitiesChairshall not publicly endorse any candidate for office in contested Republican Primaries, runoff elections, special elections, non-partisan elections when more than one Republican is in the race, or any candidate of an opposition party in any election. B. Individual members of this organization, with the exception of the President and Campaign Activities Chair, may volunteer and/or work for any candidate

-1- Approved 11/2/22

C.

Section 4.

of their choice in contested Republican Primaries, but may not in the name of the organization.
No candidate shall use the TFRW logo in any political advertising and any political advertising shall contain the following disclaimer: “This endorsement is given by the individual(s) only NOT the Texas Federation of Republican Women.”

Candidate Endorsement Exemption

This section pertains only to contests between Republican candidates for public office. Any officer of this organization who is a candidate or whose husband or family member is a candidate shall be exempt from the rules as stated in Article III. Section 3 but may not do so in the name of this club. Members with relatives who are opposition party candidates in any election shall not be granted this exemption.

Section 5. Controversial Issues

This organization and its officers shall not issue statements or pass resolutions on controversial issues in the name of the organization without first polling its members and obtaining a two-thirds (2/3) written vote of approval of the total membership.

Section 6. Delivery of Records

All officers, committee chairmen and vice chairmen shall deliver all records, files, passwords, social media administrative rights, and properties of the Club to their successors before December 31 of the year in which she is retiring from office, or within three days of leaving the position if earlier than December 31, unless otherwise directed by the Club President or Executive Committee. Failure to meet the deadlines may result in the termination of her membership by the club.

Section 7. Lobbying

There shall be no lobbying with Legislators using the name of the Texas Federation of Republican Women by the local club or any individual member without the express permission of the Board of Directors of the Texas Federation of Republican Women.

Section 8. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of this club shall be from January 1 through December 31.

Section 9. Candidate Fairness

After the end of the candidate filing period for any office and ending the day after the final election for that office, it is the policy of TFRW that all Republican candidates for that office shall be treated fairly and equitably. When one Republican candidate for an office is invited to speak at a Federation or local club meeting, then all Republican candidates for that office shall be offered equal presentation time at the same meeting or another meeting before the election.

Section 10. Split Ticket

Neither the Club nor an individual member shall advocate a split ticket, support an opposition party candidate, or act against the NFRW or State Federation policies and bylaws.

-2- Approved 11/2/22

Section 1. Eligibility

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

  1. Membership in Wichita County Republican Women shall consist of ten or more members who pay the annual per capita dues and service charges to the Texas Federation of Republican Women, whose bylaws and objectives are not in conflict with the Texas Federation of Republican Women or the National Federation of Republican Women, and who have filed as a Political Action Committee with the Texas Ethics Commission.
  2. Any woman believing in the philosophy of the Republican Party and in the objectives of this organization may be eligible for membership.
  3. Any citizen of the United States shall be a registered voter to be eligible for membership.
  4. A member in good standing shall be a member who has paid the required dues for the current calendar year. The dues amount for Primary members will be stated in the Club’s standing rules and amended as required.
  5. A new member is eligible to vote 30 days after payment of dues and attendance at a minimum of at least one meeting.

Section 2. Classification of Membership

  1. Primary Member
    1. A Primary Member is a woman who meets the eligibility requirements of this organization and pays the annual dues. She shall enjoy the full privileges of membership, including voting rights.
    2. A Primary Member may be counted in one club only for the purpose
      of delegate representation to Federation State and National Conventions and this will be the only club in which she may hold office. Her dues and name shall be submitted to the Texas Federation of Republican Women from this club only
  2. Associate Member
    1. Any woman who is a member of another federated local unit and who wishes to support this local unit may be eligible for Associate membership upon payment of the required dues.
    2. Any Republican man may be eligible for Associate membership upon payment of the required dues.
    3. Associate members cannot hold office, vote, have voice, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to National or State Federation meetings or conventions.

C. Young Affiliate

1. A Young Affiliate is any person age thirteen through seventeen who wishes to be affiliated with this local Republican unit by paying the required annual dues.

-3- Approved 11/2/22

2. A Young Affiliate cannot hold office or vote in this organization; may not be listed on the roster to TFRW; cannot be counted for purposes of determining the number of delegates to TFRW or NFRW conventions; and his/her name and dues will not be sent to TFRW.

D. Submission of Officers

The names, addresses, zip codes, telephone numbers and email addresses of officers for the new year shall be sent to the Texas Federation of Republican Women Headquarters and to the District Director by January 1 of each year.

ARTICLE V – DUES

Section 1. Annual Dues

Annual dues shall be set by the membership in the Standing Rules.

Section 2. Dues Payable

Dues are payable on December 31, which shall include Wichita County Republican Women dues, State dues, and National dues. Current members may renew for the following year beginning October 31st. Dues for new members joining the organization on or after October 31st will be applied to the following year.

Section 3. Submission of Members to NFRW

Membership expires each year on December 31. Renewing members remain in good standing through the last day of February of the following year. NFRW must receive member dues by March 1, or member is dropped from membership and loses all member privileges.

Section 4. Service Charges

This organization shall pay the annual service charges required by the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women and submit names and addresses of club officers and members with payment.

Section 5. Per Capita Dues to TFRW and NFRW

In addition to the annual service charge, this organization shall pay the annual per capita dues for its Primary members.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS & THEIR DUTIES

Section 1. Elected Officers

The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Eachoftheseofficerswillserveaone-yeartermandmayservetwoconsecutive terms. Any terms longer than two years will require a majority approval from the Executive Committee.

-4- Approved 11/2/22

Section 2. Duties of Officers

  1. President Shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the Executive Committee; shall appoint chairmen of all standing and special committees, except that of the Nominating Committee and any other chairmen designated in these bylaws, with approval of the Executive Committee; shall appoint a parliamentarian; shall serve ex-officio on all committees except the Nominating Committee and Finance Committee as stated in Article IX Section 4; and shall have general supervision of the work of the organization.
  2. VicePresident Shall perform the duties of the President whenever the President is absent or otherwise unable to serve; shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee as stated in Article IX Section 4; and shall perform such other duties as the President may designate.
  3. Secretary Shall keep a factual and unbiased record of the proceedings of all meetings of the organization and the Executive Committee; shall prepare the correspondence of the organization; shall have custody of all records thereto; shall serve on the Finance Committee; and shall perform such additional duties as may be required of the office.
  4. Treasurer Shall receive and be custodian of all funds of the organization; shall pay all bills upon authorization by the President; shall keep an account of all monies received and disbursed; shall give a report at each regular meeting of the organization to the membership; and shall serve as chairman of the Finance Committee. She shall submit her financial records to the Finance Committee for an end-of-year review no later than December 31. The Treasurer will also serve as the PAC Treasurer unless a separate PAC Treasurer is named.
  5. PacTreasurer Shall be registered with the Texas Ethics Commission and shall submit all reports required by the TEC in a timely manner. There is no term limit on the PAC Treasurer position, although she is elected at each election cycle.

Section 3. Term of Office

The term of office for officers and chairmen shall be for one year, or until their successor is elected, from January 1 through December 31 following their election or appointment. No officer or chairman may serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms, unless approved by a majority of the Executive Committee.

-5- Approved 11/2/22

Section 4. Succession

  1. In the event the President should be permanently disabled or resign, the Vice- President shall succeed to that office for the unexpired portion of the term.
  2. If the Vice-President cannot serve, the Executive Committee shall elect by a two- thirds (2/3) vote, a president for the unexpired portion of the term from one of its own members.

Section 5. Removal from Office or Membership

  1. Appointed members of the Executive Committee serve at the pleasure of the President and may be removed from their appointed positions at the discretion of the President.
  2. Elected members of the Executive Committee or members of the club may be removed by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership for any of the following reasons after investigation by the Executive Committee: a) Non-payment of dues
    b) Advocating for an opposition party candidate
    c) Supporting an opposition party ticket
    d) Failure to uphold the policies and objectives of this club as stated in the bylaws ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate Past- President who shall serve as advisor, the Chairmen of the Standing Committees appointed by the President, and the Parliamentarian. If not serving in another capacity as an Executive Committee member, the Republican County Chair or his/her designate, shall serve as an ex-officio member. All officers and committee chairmen shall have voted in the immediate past Republican primary.

Section 2. Duties of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall have the authority to transact any necessary business between meetings; to make recommendations as to policies of the organization; to advise the President; and to fill vacancies that occur between elections by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee Members present and voting with the exception of a vacancy in the Presidency, in which case the Vice-President shall assume the office of President and the Executive Committee shall elect a Vice-President as stated herein.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Meetings

  1. The regular meeting shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, which shall give no less than seven (7) days notice of the change to membership.
  2. A minimum of five (5) regular meetings per annum shall be held.

-6- Approved 11/2/22

Section 2. Special Meetings

  1. Special meetings shall be held at the call of the president or upon the request of 15% of the membership.
  2. Thepurposeofthemeetingshallbestatedinthecallandnootherbusinessshallbe considered at the special meeting except that stated in the call of the meeting. Notice of any such special meeting must be sent five (5) days prior to the meeting.

Section 3. Regular Meetings of the Executive Committee

Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be once a month with the specific date and place called at the discretion of the President.

Section 4. Special Meetings of the Executive Committee

  1. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President or upon the request of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee
  2. Thepurposeofthemeetingshallbestatedinthecallandnootherbusinessshallbe transacted. Notice of any special meeting of the Executive Committee must be sent five (5) days prior to the meeting.

Section 5. Quorum for Regular Meetings

A quorum for a meeting of this organization shall be ten percent (10%) of the members.

Section 6. Quorum for Executive Committee

A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the Executive Committee.

Section 7 Electronic Meetings

A vote of the club or Executive Committee may be conducted by electronic means between meetings, provided that there is participation by a majority of the members of the body. The vote shall be ratified and entered into the minutes at the bodies next regular meeting.

Section 8. Meeting Minutes

The Secretary shall keep and circulate the minutes of all meetings of the club and the Executive Committee to the respective bodies.

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees & Chairmen

The Standing Committees shall include: Campaign Activities, Program, Membership, Legislation, Public Relations, and PAC. Chairmen of these committees shall be appointed by the President, shall serve on the Executive Committee, and may serve in more than one capacity. The President shall add other standing committees if needed such as Special Events, Ways & Means, Newsletter, etc.

-7- Approved 11/2/22

Section 2. Duties of Standing Committees

Standing Committees shall outline programs for action in their respective fields for consideration and adoption by the Executive Committee; shall report to the club at the regular meeting or as ordered by the President and shall carry out such other duties as prescribed by the Executive Committee and/or President.

A. Campaign Activities

Shall organize all activities of this club which support the election of Republican candidates for any office when not opposed for that office by another Republican candidate. Shall report the cumulative volunteer hours of members to TFRW in the prescribed manner.

B. Legislative

Shall keep the membership informed of any State or Federal legislation on which individual members, or the club as a whole, may wish to take action.

C. Membership

Shall maintain a roster of current and prospective members and actively recruit new members.

D. Political Action

The Political Action Committee shall follow the PAC Standing Rules as adopted by the TFRW and will abide by the Texas Election Laws and the opinions issued by the Texas Ethics Commission. The Political Action Treasurer will be registered with the TEC and file all reports to them in a timely manner. Any and all distribution of PAC funds shall be approved by the Executive Committee. Every member of the Wichita County Republican Women’s organization is a member of this committee.

E. Program

Shall plan all programs for each general meeting of the membership.

G. Public Relations

Shall maintain club social media and website on behalf of the organization and notify the media about Regular meetings and special events.

Section 3. Special Committees and Chairmen

Special Committees shall include the Finance Review, Nominating and Finance. Other special committees may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Duties of Special Committees

Special Committees shall outline programs in their respective fields for consideration and adoption by the Executive Committee. These committees shall be formed only for the duration of their service and shall report to the club at the regular meeting or as ordered by the President.

-8- Approved 11/2/22

Section 1.

A.

B. C.

D. E.

Section 2.

  1. A Nominating Committee of five (5) and at least two (2) of whom shall not be a member of the Executive Committee, shall be elected by the membership no later than the September meeting. The President and Vice-President shall not serve on this committee. One Alternate shall also be elected to the committee. A plurality vote shall elect members of the committee. The Nominating Committee shall elect its Chairman from one of its own members.
  2. The Nominating Committee shall report one nominee, with prior consent, for each office at the October meeting, at least 30 days ahead of the election.
  3. The Nominating Committee cannot succeed itself. ARTICLE X – ELECTIONS

Elections

Elections shall be held at the November meeting, one month after the Nominating Committee has reported its nominees. Nominationsfromthefloorshallbeallowedwithpriorconsentofthenominee. Election may be by voice vote, where there is only one candidate for an office and by written ballot if more than one candidate. A plurality vote shall elect. There shall be no absentee or proxy voting.

To be eligible to vote, a member must have paid all dues and been a member for at least one month prior to the election.

Installation

A. Finance Review Committee

The Finance Review Committee shall review the books by December 31 of the fiscal year and shall submit its report to the new Executive Committee prior to the regular meeting in January. Both prior and new Treasurers shall be present at the financial review.

B. FinanceCommittee

The Treasurer shall serve as Chair of this Committee. The President, Vice- President, Secretary and PAC Chair shall also serve as voting members. The committee shall draw up a proposed budget for each fiscal year and submit it the membership for approval.

C. Nominating Committee

Officers shall be installed at the last meeting of each year.

ARTICLE XI – CONVENTIONS

Section 1. Texas Federation of Republican Women Biennial Convention

-9- Approved 11/2/22

The organization may be represented at the Biennial State Convention by one delegate and one alternate for each ten (10) members and an additional delegate and alternate for

a remainder of six to nine members. Delegates and alternates to the Convention of the Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW) shall be elected at a regular meeting, that meets published TFRW deadlines.

Section 2. National Federation of Republican Women Biennial National Convention

This organization may be represented at the Biennial National Convention by one delegate and one alternate. The delegate and alternate to the NFRW Convention shall be elected at a regular meeting, that meets published NFRW deadlines.

ARTICLE XII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, or the latest edition thereof, shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the Bylaws and any Special Rules of this organization and those of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and of the National Federation of Republican Women.

ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Primary members present and voting at any regular meeting of this organization provided notice of the proposed amendment(s) has been given in writing to all members at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XIV – DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Requirements for Dissolution

This club may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote at any meeting of the club, provided that notice of the dissolution has been submitted in writing at least 30 days in advance and has been sent by mail to all members of the club.

Section 2. Assets Upon Dissolution

Following payment of all liabilities of the local organization, the assets upon dissolution of a state or local club shall be distributed to its superior body, the Texas Federation of Republican Women. None of the assets shall be distributed to any member or officer of this organization. The right to use the name of a dissolved club shall revert to its superior body, the Texas Federation of Republican Women.

-10-

Approved

11/2/22