LWV of Wayland By-Laws

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WAYLAND

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Wayland. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE AND POLICY

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of the League of Women Voters of Wayland shall be to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government and to act on selected governmental issues.

Section 2. Policy

The League of Women Voters of Wayland may take action on local governmental measures and policies in the public interest in conformity with the Principles of the League of Women Voters of the United States. It shall not support nor oppose any political party or any candidate.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility

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

The membership of the League of Women Voters of Wayland shall be composed of voting members and associate members.

Voting members shall be those persons at least 16 years of age.
All others who enroll in the League shall be associate members.
Those who have been League members for 50 years or more shall be life member excused from the payment of dues.
Household members shall be two or more members living at the same address.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number, Manner of Selection, and Term of Office

The board of directors shall consist of the officers of the League, nine elected directors and not more than nine appointed directors. Five directors shall be elected by the general membership at annual meeting held in even‑numbered years. Four directors shall be elected by the general membership at each annual meeting held in odd‑numbered years. The elected directors shall serve for a term of two years, or until their successors have been elected and qualified. The elected members shall appoint such additional directors, not exceeding nine, as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the League. The terms of office of the appointed directors shall be one year and shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual meeting.

Section 2. Qualifications

No person shall be elected or appointed or shall serve as an Officer or director of this organization unless that person is a voting member of the League of Women Voters of Wayland.
No person shall be elected or appointed or shall serve as an officer or director of this organization unless that person shall agree to abide by the limitations on political activity defined each year by the board of directors.

Section 3. Vacancies

Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors by reason of 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. Three consecutive absences from a board meeting of any member without a valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.

Section 4. Powers and Duties

The board of directors shall have full charge of the property and business of the organization, with full power and authority to manage and conduct same, subject to instruction of the general membership. It shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the program as adopted by national convention, state convention, and annual meeting. The board shall create and designate such special committees as it may deem necessary.

Section 5. Meetings

There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the board of directors annually. The president or chairman of the executive committee shall call a special meeting upon the written request of five members of the board.

Section 6. Quorum

A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum.

Section 7. Executive Committee

When operating under the officer option, the board shall appoint from its own body four members who with the president shall constitute an executive committee to act in emergencies between meetings of the board. Any action of the executive committee shall be submitted to the board for approval at its next regular meeting.
When operating under the executive committee option, the board shall appoint from its own body two members who with the three executive committee members elected by the members at annual meeting shall Constitute an executive committee. Any action of the executive committee shall be submitted to the board for approval at its next regular meeting.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers

The officers of the League of Women Voters of Wayland shall be a president, a first vice president, a second vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer who shall be elected at an annual meeting and take office immediately. The president, the first vice president, and the secretary shall be elected in odd‑numbered years. The second vice president and the treasurer shall be elected in even‑numbered years.
If there is no candidate for president, or first vice president, or second vice president, the nominating committee, after consulting with the board of directors, shall nominate one additional director for each vacancy; one of whom shall be nominated for chairman of the executive committee and two others who shall constitute the three elected members of the executive committee. The terms of the three directors shall correspond to the terms of a president, a first vice president, a second vice president.

Section 2. The President or Chairman of the Executive Committee

The president or chairman of the executive committee shall preside at all general membership meetings of the organization and of the executive committee and the board of directors; may in the absence or disability of the treasurer sign or endorse checks, drafts, and notes; shall be, ex‑officio, a member of all committees except the nominating committee; shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of president and perform such other duties as may be designated by the board.

Section 3. The Vice Presidents

When operating under the officer option, the two Vice Presidents in order of their rank shall, in the event of the absence, disability or death of the president, possess all the powers and perform all the duties of that office, until such time as the board of directors shall elect one of its members to fill the vacancy. The vice presidents shall perform such other duties as the president and board may designate.
When operating under the executive committee option, the remaining members of the executive committee shall, in the event of the absence, disability, or death of the chairman of the executive committee, have all the powers and perform all the duties of that position until such time as the board of directors shall elect one of the elected members of the executive committee to fill the vacancy.

Section 4. The Secretary

The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the League and of the board of directors; shall notify all officers and directors of their election; shall sign, with the president or chairman of the executive committee all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the board and shall perform such other functions as may be incidental to that office.

Section S. The Treasurer

The treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due; shall be the custodian of these monies; shall deposit them in a bank designated by the board of directors; and shall disburse the same only upon order of the board; shall present statements to the board at regular meetings and an annual report to the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the League of Women Voters of Wayland shall commence on the first day of July each year.

Section 2. Dues

Annual dues shall be payable July 1. A new member may pay a prorated amount determined by the date the dues are paid, and the prorated amount shall be:

July – December 100%

January – March 60%

April – June 40%

The membership at annual meeting shall set the dues for the following fiscal year.

Section 3. Budget

A budget for the ensuing year shall be submitted by the board of directors to the annual meeting for adoption. The budget shall include support for the work of the League as a whole. A copy of the proposed budget shall be sent to all members at least two weeks before annual meeting.

Section 4. Budget Committee

A budget committee shall be appointed by the board of directors at least two months prior to annual meeting to prepare a budget for the ensuing year. The treasurer shall not be eligible to serve as chairman of the budget committee.

Section 5. Audit

The books of the treasurer shall be audited annually by a person designated by the board of directors. No member of the board shall act as auditor.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

Section 1. Membership Meetings

There shall be at least two general membership meetings each year.

Section 2. Annual Meeting

An annual meeting shall be hold between April 1 and May 31, the exact date to be determined by the board of directors. The annual meeting shall:

Adopt a local program for the ensuing year.
Elect officers or not more than three members of the executive committee.
Adopt an adequate budget.
Transact such other business as may properly come before it.

Section 3. Quorum

Ten percent of the membership as of January 1 of the same year shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the League of Women Voters of Wayland.

ARTICLE VIII

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. 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 annual meeting. Nominations for these offices shall be made by the current nominating committee. The other members shall be appointed by the board of directors immediately following annual meeting. Suggestions for nominations for officers or members of the executive committee and directors may be sent to this committee by any voting member. Any vacancy on the nominating committee shall be filled by the board of directors.

Section 2. Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor

The report of the nominating committee on its nominations for officers or members of the executive committee and directors, and members of the succeeding nominating committee shall be sent to all members two weeks before the date of the annual meeting. The report of the nominating committee shall be presented at the annual meeting. 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.

Section 3. Elections

The election shall be by ballot, provided that when 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 IX

PROGRAM

Section 1. Authorization

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

Section 2. Program

The program shall consist of such local governmental issues as the annual meeting shall select for study and action. These issues may include positions which the League has established after sustained attention and on which it may continue to act. Established positions may not be expanded without further study and consensus. The annual meeting shall indicate the issues to be emphasized.

ARTICLE X

NATIONAL CONVENTION, STATE CONVENTION, AND COUNCIL

Section 1. National Convention

The board of directors at the last regular meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the national office shall elect the delegates to that convention in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Wayland under the provisions of the bylaws of the League of Woman Voters of the United States.

Section 2. State Convention

The board of directors, at the last regular meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the state office shall elect the delegates to that convention, as allotted under the provisions of the state bylaws.

Section 3. State Council

The board of directors, at the last regular meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the state office shall elect delegates to the council under the provisions of the state bylaws.

ARTICLE XI

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a two‑thirds vote of the voting members present and voting at annual meeting, provided the amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.

Section 2.

Any member may propose a bylaw amendment by submitting the proposed amendment in writing to the board of directors at least two months prior to annual meeting. The proposed change, along with recommendations of the board of directors, shall be presented to the membership at least two weeks before annual meeting and shall be voted upon at annual meeting.

AMENDED: May 1964, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1974, 1979, 1982, 198 3, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2017