BY-LAWS THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MOORE COUNTY

Article 1: Name

The name of this organization shall be The League of Women Voters of Moore County, hereinafter referred to as LWVMC. This local league is a constituent part of the League of Women Voters of the United States [LWVUS] and the League of Women Voters of North Carolina [LWVNC].

Article 2: Purpose and Policy

Purpose: The purpose of the League of Women Voters of Moore County is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation  in government and to act on selected governmental issues.

Political Policy: In accordance with LWVMC’s non-partisan policy, the League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.

Article 3: Membership

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

Types of Membership: The membership of the League shall be composed of Voting Members, Life Members, Members-at-Large [MAL], and Associate Members.

(a) Voting Members:

(1) Citizens at least 18 years of age residing or working in Moore County may be voting members of the League of Women Voters of Moore County, North Carolina, and the United States.

(2) Life Membership may be granted to any Voting Member of LWVMC who attains 50 years as a member of the LWV. No further dues will be collected.

(3) LWVUS Members-at-Large who reside in Moore County are automatically members of LWVMC and entitled to all voting membership privileges.

(b) Non-Voting Members:

All others, such as students under 18 years of age or non-citizens, who join LWVMC shall be Associate Members, without voting privileges.

Membership Diversity: We affirm our belief and commitment to diversity and pluralism. There shall be no barriers to participation in LWVMC activities on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or economic status. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in responsible and representative decision making.

Article 4: Officers / Duties

Enumeration and Election of Officers: The officers of the LWVMC shall be composed of: President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. If necessary, the Presidency may consist of Co-presidents (2 League Members) or a Management Team (3 League Members).

Officers shall be elected for terms of two years [or one year if necessary] by the general membership at the Annual Meeting, and shall take office on July 1st.

In the event of a vacancy, the President shall appoint, with the approval of the Board of Directors, an individual to fill the unexpired term.

(1) President:

The President shall preside at all general meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors. The President shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the Office; shall perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board; shall be an ex officio member of all committees [except the Nominating Committee]; and may, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts, or notes.

(2) Vice Presidents:

The two Vice Presidents, in order of their rank, shall perform such duties as the President and the Board may designate; and shall, in the event of incapacity of the President, possess all the powers and perform all the duties of that office.

(3) Secretary:

The Secretary shall keep all the minutes of the general membership meetings and the Board of Directors meetings. The Secretary shall sign, with the President, all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be incident to the office. An assistant Secretary may be appointed by the President, with approval of the Board, but such assistant will not be a member of the Board.

(4) Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due to the LWVMC, be the custodian of those monies, deposit those monies into a bank designated by the Board, and shall disburse those monies as authorized by the Board. In addition, the Treasurer shall present financial statement to the Board at regular meetings, and present an annual financial report to the membership at the Annual Meeting.

Article 5: Board of Directors

Number, Manner of Selection, and Terms of Office:

The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers of the VWVMC, six elected Directors, and not more than six appointed Directors.

Three Directors shall be elected by the general membership at each Annual Meeting and shall serve for a term of two years.

The elected Directors shall appoint up to six additional directors as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the League. The appointed directors shall serve only for the fiscal year during which they were appointed.

Qualifications:

No person shall be elected or appointed or shall continue to serve as an officer or director of the LWVMC unless this person is a voting member of the LWVMC. Three consecutive absences from a Board meeting without a valid reason shall be deemed as a resignation from the Board. Vacancies may be filled until the end of that fiscal year by majority vote of the remaining Board members.

Powers and Duties:

The Board of Directors shall have full charge of the property and business of the LWVMC, with full power and authority to manage and conduct the same subject to the instructions of the general membership. The Board shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the program as adopted by the LWVUS Convention, the LWVNC Convention, and the Annual Meeting of the LWVMC. The Board shall create and designate such special committees as it deems necessary.

Meetings:

There shall be at least six regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually. The President may call special meetings of the Board as necessary, and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of three members of the Board of Directors.

Quorum:

A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

Executive Committee:

At the discretion of the President, an Executive Committee consisting of at least five Directors shall be empowered to act when an issue arises requiring immediate action, and there is insufficient time to convene the whole Board for discussion. The Executive Committee and any other Board member present shall be entitled to vote.

Article 6: Financial Administration

Fiscal Year:

The fiscal year of the LWVMC shall commence on the first day of July of each year.

Dues:

Annual dues shall be payable on the first day of July each year. Any member who fails to pay dues two weeks before the annual membership report is required by be sent to the LWVUS shall be dropped from the membership rolls.

Budget Committee:

A Budget Chair and/or Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a term of one year. The Chair/Committee shall review the budget every six months and present a report to the Board. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve as the Chair of the Budget Committee, but shall be a member of the Committee.

Budget:

The annual budget shall provide support for the work of the League. The Board of Directors shall approve the proposed budget, whereupon it will be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting. The budget for the ensuing year will then be submitted to the membership for adoption at the Annual Meeting.

Audit:

The financial records of the LWVMC shall be audited at the end of each fiscal year by a certified auditor chosen by the Board of Directors.

Distribution of Funds on Dissolution:

In the event of dissolution of the LWVMC for any cause, all monies and securities owned by or under the control of the LWVMC shall be paid to the LWVNC after the Board of Directors has paid or made provision for payment of all liabilities of the LWVMC. Other LWVMC property of whatever nature shall be disposed of by an officer or agent of the LWVMC having possession of same, to an organization designated by the LWVMC Board of Directors for public charitable or educational use.

Article 7: Nominations and Elections

Nominating Committee:

The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members, two of whom shall be members of the Board of Directors. The Chairman and two members, who shall not be members of the Board, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of two years, or one year if necessary. Nominations for these offices shall be made by the current Nominating Committee with the consent of the nominees. The two members from the Board shall be appointed by the Board at the first meeting of the fiscal year. Suggestions for nominations for Officers and Directors may be sent to this Committee by any voting member. Vacancies will be filled by the President.

Report of Nominating Committee:

The Report of the Nominating Committee shall consist of: nominations for officers, directors, and the succeeding Nominating Committee. It shall be sent to all members at least one month before the date of the Annual Meeting.

Nominations from the Floor:

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.

Election:

The election shall be by secret ballot, but if there is only one nominee for each office, the election may be by voice vote. With a quorum present, a majority vote of those qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.

Article 9: Program

Authorization:

The governing principles adopted by the National convention and supported by the League as a whole constitute authorization for the adoption of the program.

Program:

The program of the LWVMC shall consist of:

(a) Action to implement the Principles of LWVUS and LWVNC
(b) Those local governmental issues chosen for study and action by the LWVMC.

Action at the Annual Meeting:

The general membership at the Annual Meeting shall act upon the program using the following procedures:

(a) The Board of Directors shall consider the recommendations sent in by the voting members two months prior to the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a proposed program.
(b) The proposed program shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting.
(c) A majority of voting members present and voting at the Annual Meeting shall be required for the adoption of issues in the proposed program as presented by the Board of Directors.

Changes in the Program:

Program changes may be made provided that information concerning the proposed change had been sent to all members at least two weeks prior to a general membership meeting at which the change is to be considered. Final action will be taken by the membership at a succeeding meeting.

Member Action:

Members may act in the name of the League of Women Voters only when authorized to do so by the Board of Directors. They may act only in conformity with this League’s policy of nonpartisanship and a position taken by the LWVUS, the LWVNC, or the LWVMC.

Article 10: National and State Conventions, and State Council

The members at a general membership meeting shall select delegates to the National and State Conventions in the number allotted to the LWVMC by the By-Laws of the LWVUS, and to the State Council (LWVNC) in the number allotted by the By-Laws of the LWVNC.

Article 11: Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the LWVMC in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with the by-laws.

Article 12: Amendments to By-Laws

These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members present at the Annual Meeting. Suggested amendments shall be submitted to the membership in writing at least one month before the Annual Meeting. The by-laws shall be reviewed at least every two years.

Notes:
Article 3, Membership Diversity, was adopted October 19, 1999
Articles 4 and 5 incorporate amendments passed June 27, 2000

Latest revisions Adopted June, 2006 and June, 2009