LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ST. TAMMANY BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1. Name.
The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of St. Tammany, hereinafter referred to in these Bylaws as LWVST. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of Louisiana hereinafter referred to as LWVLA and the League of Women Voters of the United States hereinafter referred to as LWVUS.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSES AND POLICY
Section 1. Purposes. The purposes of the LWVST are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues.
Section 2. Policies. The policies of the LWVST are
- Political Policy. The League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy. The League is fully committed to ensure compliance – in principle and in practice – with LWVUS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policy of the LWVST shall be eligible for
membership.
Section 2. Types of Membership.
A. Voting Members. Persons at least 16 years of age who join the League shall be voting members of LWVST, LWVLA and of the LWVUS; (1) those who live within an area of a local League may join that League or any other local League; (2) those who reside outside the area of any local League may join a local
League or shall be state members-at-large; (3) those who have been members of the League for 50 years or more shall be life members excused from the payment of dues; [4] Those who are students are defined as individuals enrolled either as full or part time with an accredited institution.
B. Associate Members. All others who join the League shall be associate members.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers.
a. The officers of the LWVST shall be elected from among the members in good standing of the LWVST. The officers shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and shall be elected for terms of two years by the general membership at the Annual Meeting and take office immediately. The President, and the Secretary shall be elected in odd-numbered years. The Vice President and the Treasurer shall be elected in even-numbered years.
b. The Nominating Committee shall also have these options: When the duties of the President are shared among no more than three individuals, they may be designated as Co-Presidents. When the duties of the President are shared among
four or more individuals they are designated as the Leadership Team and no officers are to be elected. - A minimum of four individuals may be nominated as a Leadership Team. The Leadership Team shall designate which team members shall perform such duties as
customarily pertain to the office of president and treasurer, including spokesperson and financial manager for the League, signing and endorsing checks and drafts, maintaining deposits in authorized financial institutions, and arranging for regular audits of the books. It is the responsibility of the Leadership Team to organize itself and assign and perform the duties required of the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team shall manage and supervise the operations of the LWVST. “Board” where stated in these bylaws and “Leadership Team” are therefore synonymous in authority and function for the LWVST, when a Leadership Team has been elected.
Section 2. Qualifications.
No person shall be elected or continue to serve as an Officer or elected Director of this organization unless such person is a voting member of the LWVST.
Section 3. The President.
The President shall have such powers of supervision and management as customarily pertain to the office; shall preside at all meetings of the organization, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee or shall designate another person to do so; shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; may sign or endorse checks, drafts and notes in the absence of the Treasurer; and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may direct. The President shall represent the organization in all matters of
public affairs and shall act as the spokesperson for the LWVST.
Section 4. The Vice President.
The Vice President shall perform such other duties as the President and Board may designate.
Section 5. The Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all actions taken at general membership meetings, the Annual Meeting, and all meetings of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team and the Executive Committee; shall give notice of all general membership meetings, the Annual Meeting, and the meetings of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team and the Executive Committee; shall notify all Officers and Directors /Leadership Team of their election; shall sign, with the President, all contracts and other instruments when so directed by the Board; and shall perform such other functions as may be incidental to the office.
Section 6. The Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies dues; shall be the custodian of the monies, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall present statements to the Board at their regular meetings and shall present the Annual Report at the Annual Meeting. The Board shall appoint two non-board members who shall review the books of the Treasurer after the year-end closing. In the event of the resignation of the Treasurer, for any reason, the books shall be reviewed prior to the new Treasurer’s taking office.
Section 7. Disqualification.
An Officer of the LWVST /Leadership Team may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team for actions, which are inconsistent with the Purposes and Policy of the LWVST.
ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number, Manner of Selection, and Term of Office.
a. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers of the LWVST, three (3) elected Directors, and not more than two (2) appointed Directors. Two Directors shall be elected by the general membership at each Annual Meeting and shall serve for a term of two years. All elected board members shall serve two years or until their successors have been elected and qualified. The elected members shall appoint such additional Directors, not exceeding two (2), as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the LWVST. The terms of office of the appointed Directors shall be one year and shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual Meeting.
b. Leadership Teams shall be elected annually. They may appoint two (3) additional Team members and may appoint committee chairs as needed.
Section 2. Vacancies.
Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors /Leadership Team member by reason of the resignation, death, or disqualification of an officer or elected member may be filled, until the next Annual Meeting, by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team except for the Office of the President. Three consecutive unexcused absences from a board meeting may be deemed a resignation.
Section 3. Powers and Duties.
The Board of Directors /Leadership Team shall have full charge of the property and business of the organization, with full power and authority to manage and conduct same, subject to the instruction of the general membership. It shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the Program as adopted by the National
Convention, the State Convention, and the Annual Meeting. It shall have the power to create and appoint such special committees as it deems necessary and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these Bylaws. In executing the duties of their office, board members are expected to carry out applicable laws and regulations as well as league bylaws, mission, policies, principles, positions, standards, and procedures. Board members who do not shall be counseled. If violations persist, they may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors.
Meetings.
a) Meetings of the Board of Directors/Leadership Team. There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team annually. The President /Convener may call special meetings of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team and shall call a special meeting of the Board of Directors
/Leadership Team upon the written request of five members of the Board. Said request shall state the purpose of the requested meeting.
b) Meetings of the Executive Committee. The President /Convener may call meetings of the Executive Committee and shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee upon the request of three members of the Committee. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team shall constitute a quorum.
Disqualification.
A member of the Board of Directors of the LWVST / Leadership Team may be removed from office by a majority vote of the members of the LWVST for actions which are inconsistent with the Purposes and Policy of the LWVST.
ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Executive Committee/Leadership Team.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the LWVST. In addition to the enumerated duties of the Officers, the Executive Committee shall perform such other duties as directed by the Board of Directors/Leadership Team. It shall report to the Board of Directors/Leadership Team on all actions taken. A majority of the members of the Executive committee shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII – FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Fiscal Year.
The Fiscal Year of the LWVST shall commence on the first day of May each year and end on the last day of April of the following year. The fiscal year of the LWVUS shall be from July 1 through June 30 of each year.
Section 2. Financial Support.
Annual dues shall be payable on the first day of October. Any member failing to pay dues within 60 days after they become payable shall be dropped from membership rolls. Annual dues will be determined at each Annual Meeting. LWVST member dues shall be a minimum of $10.00 more than the combined LWVUS and LWVLA per member payments.
A. LWVST shall make an annual per member payment to the LWVUS in an amount to be determined by a three-fifths vote of those present and voting at each convention.
B. LWVLA shall make a per member payment to the LWVUS for members-at-large.
C. When two or more members reside at the same address in a common household, the payment determined by the convention shall be made for the first member; a payment equal to one-half the per member payment shall be paid for each other member.
D. The per member payment for a member who is a student shall be equal to one-half the per member payment amount determined at convention. A student is defined as an individual enrolled either full or part-time in an accredited institution.
E. The LWVUS may authorize the payment of a designated part of each per member payment to the League of Women Voters Education Fund.
F. A state and local League shall be excused from making a per member payment for life members and students.
Section 3. Budget.
The Board of Directors /Leadership Team shall submit a balanced budget for the ensuing year at the Annual Meeting for adoption. The budget shall include support for the work of the LWVST as a whole.
Section 4. Budget Committee.
A Budget Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors/Leadership Team at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting to prepare a budget for the ensuing year. The proposed budget shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve as chairman of the Budget Committee.
Section 5. Distribution of Funds on Dissolution or Withdrawal of Recognition.
Upon withdrawal of recognition, LWVST shall follow local, state, and federal law to close out. Any remaining funds shall be distributed to the LWVLA, LWVUS or LWVEF as appropriate.
ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meetings.
An Annual Meeting shall be held during the second quarter of the calendar year, the exact date to be determined by the Board of Directors /Leadership Team. The Members at the Annual Meeting shall: Adopt a local Program for the ensuing year, Elect officers, directors and members of the Nominating Committee, Adopt an adequate and a balanced budget, and Transact such other business as may properly come before it.
Section 2. General Membership Meetings.
The President, following written notification of the members thirty (30) days prior to the meeting, may convene a meeting of the General Membership.
Section 3. Special General Membership Meetings.
Special meetings of the General Membership shall be called at the written request of one-half of the members
of the Board of Directors /Leadership Team. Such request shall be made to the Secretary and shall include the
reason for the meeting.
Meetings of the General Membership shall be called at the written request of twenty-five percent of the membership. Such request shall be made to the Secretary and shall include the reason for the meeting.
LWVST shall sponsor at least four General Membership activities each year.
Section 4. Quorum.
At any General Membership Meeting and at the Annual Meeting seven (7) voting members shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE IX – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members. The Chairman and two members, who shall not be members of the Board/Leadership Team shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. The two remaining members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors /Leadership Team and shall be members of the Board/Leadership Team. The Board of Directors/Leadership Team shall fill any vacancy on the Nominating Committee consistent with the provisions of Article 9. Section 1. Any voting member may send suggestions for nominations for Officers and Directors to this Committee.
Section 2. Report of Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor.
The report of the Nominating Committee of its nominations for the Board /Leadership Team and the members of the succeeding Nominating Committee, shall be sent to all members one month before the date of the Annual Meeting. The report of the nominating committee shall be presented to the Annual Meeting. Immediately following the presentation of this report, any voting member may make nominations from the floor, provided the consent of the nominee shall have been secured.
Section 3. Elections.
The election shall be by ballot, except that if there is but one nominee for each office, the Secretary may be
instructed to cast the ballot for every nominee. A majority vote of those qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE X – PROGRAM
Section 1. Authorization.
The governmental principles adopted by the National Convention and supported by the League as a whole, constitute the authorization for the adoption of Program.
Section 2. Program.
The Program of the LWVST shall consist of:
a. Action to implement the principles of the LWVUS and
b. Those local governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.
Section 3. Proposed Program and Study Submission.
The following procedures shall be observed:
a. The Board of Directors /Leadership Team will consider recommendations submitted to it
provided such recommendations are submitted at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting
and the Board /Leadership Team shall formulate a Proposed Program from those submissions.
b. The Proposed Program shall be distributed to all members one month prior to the Annual Meeting.
c. Recommendations for program consideration submitted two months prior to the Annual Meeting but not recommended by the Board of Directors /Leadership Team may be considered
at the Annual Meeting provided the consideration thereof shall be required by a majority vote.
d. Changes in the Proposed Program as submitted may be made if the proposed changes have been distributed at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.
Section 4. Proposed Program and Study Adoption.
a. A majority vote at the Annual Meeting shall be required for adoption of subjects in the Proposed Program, which has been recommended by the Board of Directors /Leadership Team.
b. A two-thirds vote shall be required for adoption of items that had not been recommended by the Board of Directors /Leadership Team.
Section 5. Emergency Program.
If an emergency arises which the Board /Leadership Team agrees calls for a consensus position by LWVST, the
Board /Leadership Team, by a two-thirds vote, shall appoint a committee to immediately study the item. Members should be given at least a two week notice that a consensus will be taken.
Section 6. Member Action.
Members may act in the name of the LWVST only when authorized to do so by the proper Board of Directors
/Leadership Team and then only in conformity with, and not contrary to, a position taken by the LWVUS, LWVLA, or LWVST.
ARTICLE XI – NATIONAL CONVENTION, STATE CONVENTION, AND STATE COUNCIL
Section 1. National Convention.
The Board of Directors /Leadership Team at a meeting before the date on which names of delegates must be sent to the national office shall select delegates to the Convention in the number allotted the LWVST under the provisions of the Bylaws of the LWVUS.
Section 2. State Convention and Special Meetings.
The Board of Directors at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the state office shall select delegates to that Convention in the number allotted the LWVST under the provisions of the Bylaws of the LWVLA.
ARTICLE XII – DEFINITIONS
Section 1. Voting Member.
Citizens at least 16 years of age who have paid in full the Annual Membership Dues. Voting Members are eligible to hold elected office in the LWVST, LWVLA, and LWVUS.
ARTICLE XIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1. Parliamentary Authority.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV – INDEMNIFICATION
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, LWVST shall indemnify any director or officer or any former director or officer against all reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of being a director or officer. However, there shall be no indemnification in relation to matters as to which he or she shall be adjudged to be guilty of a criminal offense or liable to LWVST for damages arising out of his or her own gross negligence in the performance of a duty to LWVST. Amounts paid in indemnification of expenses and liabilities may include, but shall not be limited to, counsel
fees and other fees; costs and disbursements; and judgments, fines, and penalties against, and amounts paid in settlement by, such director or officer. LWVST may advance expenses or, where appropriate, may itself undertake the defense of any director or officer. However, such director or officer shall repay such expenses if it should be ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Article.
The Board of Directors may authorize the purchase of nsurance on behalf of any director or officer or other agent against any liability incurred by him which arises out of such person’s status as a director, officer, or agent, whether or not LWVST would have the power to indemnify the person against that liability under law.
ARTICLE XV – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments.
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present and voting at the Annual
Meeting, provided that the proposed amendments have been submitted by the Secretary to the membership
in writing at least one month prior to the meeting.
Amended September 2020 to conform with national bylaws
NOTE: The original formatting of the above document has been modified during the import of the information! Attempts to reestablish the formatting have been unsuccessful.