BY-LAWS 

Revised August 2004 

ARTICLE I 

NAME

The name of this organization shall be: PARKER COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN.

The address of Parker County Republican Women shall be that of the incumbent president. 

ARTICLE II 

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this organization shall be:

1.      To be an official auxiliary to the duly constituted Republican Organization in the State of Texas, and to support the objectives and policies of the Republican National, State, and County Executive Committees and to work for the election of the Republican Party’s Nominees. 

2.      To promote an informed public through political education and activity. 

3.      To increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active participation. 

4.      To foster and encourage loyalty to the Republican Party and its candidates and to promote its ideals. 

5.      To facilitate cooperation among Republican Women’s units. 

ARTICLE III 

POLICY

1.      This organization and its President and Campaign Activities Chairman shall not endorse any candidate for office in contested Primaries. 

2.      Individual members of this organization, with the exception of the President and Campaign Activities Chairman, can work for any candidate of their choice in contested Primaries but may not in the name of this organization. 

3.      This article pertains only to contests between Republican candidates for public office. Officers of this organization, who are candidates, or whose husbands, or a member of her family are candidates, shall be exempt from this rule. 

4.      This organization and its officers shall not issue statements or pass resolutions on issues in the name of the unit. 

5.      Lobbying:  There shall be no lobbying with Legislators, using the name of the Texas Federation of Republican Women by any federated local unit or any individual member without the express permission of the Board of Directors of the Texas Federation of Republican Women. 

ARTICLE IV 

MEMBERSHIP

1.      Eligibility: Any woman believing in the ideals of the Republican Party and in the objectives of this organization shall be eligible for membership. 

2.      Full membership and special categories:

(a)Active: any woman who believes in the philosophy of the Republican Party and the objectives of the unit and who pays the required annual dues is classified as an active member.  If she is a citizen of the United States, she shall be a registered voter.

(b)Inactive/Supporting: any woman who believes in the philosophy of the Republican Party and the objectives of the unit and who pays the required annual dues, but who is unable to participate fully as does an active member, is classified as an inactive/supporting member. She shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of an active member. 

3.      Associate Membership: A Republican Woman who is a regular member of a unit and who wishes to support another unit may be eligible for Associate membership upon payment of required dues to said unit. She may attend meetings but cannot make motions, have a voice vote, be on a committee, hold office, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to National or State Federation Meetings or Conventions.  As an associate member she does not become a member of the State or National Federation. 

4.      Republican Men may be eligible for Associated Membership in this unit upon payment of the required annual dues. Such members may attend meetings, but cannot make motions, have voice or vote, be on a committee, hold office or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to Regional, State, or National meetings or conventions. 

5.      Honorary Members: Honorary members shall be recommended by the Executive Board and elected by unit members, and shall have all privileges of membership except when an active member of another Republican Women’s Unit. In which case, she will be designated an Honorary Associate Member and have Associate Membership status. Honorary members shall pay no dues, and the organization shall pay their per capita dues to TFRW and NFRW except in the case of Honorary Associate Members. 

6.      This organization and its members shall be members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women and shall support their objectives and policies. This organization shall also pay the annual charges to Texas Federation of Republican Women and National Federation of Republican Women. 

7.      Causes for Removal:  No local unit shall publicly endorse or work for a known candidate of another party in a partisan or nonpartisan race where a Republican is in the race.  When more than one Republican is in a non-partisan or partisan race, no local unit, local unit President or Campaign Activities Chairman shall publicly endorse or work for any candidate in said race.  If a local unit violates this policy, it shall be the responsibility of the TFRW Executive Committee to remove the local unit from the Federation. 

ARTICLE V 

DUES

1.      Membership dues shall include State and National Federation Per Capita dues, plus monies for Parker County Republican Women operation as determined by the membership, payable on or before January 1, of each year. 

2.      Membership dues for associate members shall be equal to the portion retained by this organization from dues paid by a regular member. 

3.      Membership dues for associate members shall be the same as those for Full members (local dues only, excluding TFRW and NFRW dues). 

4.      The Fiscal year shall begin January 1, and run through December 31. 

ARTICLE VI 

OFFICERS

The officers of this organization shall be:

President, First Vice President, Programs; Second Vice President, Membership; Third Vice President, Public Relations and Campaign Activities; Fourth Vice President, Finance; Fifth Vice President, By-Laws and Legislation; Sixth Vice President, Hospitality; Recording Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected annually at the October meeting. 

1.      Qualifications:

(a)    Any officer or appointee to an office or committee assignment shall be a paid member in good standing.

(b)   No officer elected or appointed shall be retained in office who publicly advocates a split ticket or who has publicly supported an opposition candidate in the last General Election.

(c)    All officers or committee chairpersons shall be registered voters.

2.      Duties:

PRESIDENT:

(a)    Duties of the President shall be:

(1)   To preside at all meetings of the unit.

(2)   To appoint all committee chairmen, except the nominating committee and those standing committees of which the Vice Presidents are chairmen.

(3)   To be Ex-Officio member of all committees except nominating committee.

(4)   To prepare program of action after consultation which chairmen of Standing Committees.

(5)   To appoint parliamentarian.

(6)   To sign checks in emergency or by vote of Executive Board in the inability of the Treasurer to do so.

(7)   To represent the organization at all times. In the event she or the 1^st Vice President is unable to do so, the President shall appoint an appropriate representative.

(8)   A newly elected president shall appoint an audit committee consisting of no less than 3 (three) members to audit the records of the treasurer. 

(b)   The Vice Presidents in their order shall perform the duties of the President in her absence or inability to serve. 

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Programs 

(a)    Duties of the Vice President shall be:

(1)   Shall perform duties of President whenever the President is absent or otherwise unable to serve. In the event of permanent disability or resignation of the President, she shall succeed to that office for the unexpired portion of the term.

(2)   Shall serve as Program Chairman and perform such other duties as the president may designate. 

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT:  Membership

(a)    Duties of the Second Vice President shall be:

(1)  Shall serve as Membership Chairman and shall perform such other duties as the President may designate.

(2)  Shall maintain contact with members and keep accurate records of names, addresses, telephone numbers, interests and abilities of members. 

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT: Public Relations and Campaign Activities 

FOURTH VICE PRESIDENT: Finance; Co-ordinate Fund Raising Activities 

FIFTH VICE PRESIDENT: Revision of By-Laws and Legislation; Keep members informed of current or pending legislation 

SIXTH VICE PRESIDENT: Hospitality           

Recording Secretary:

(a)    Duties of the Secretary shall be:

(1)   Shall keep and read the minutes of all meetings

(2)   Shall be custodian of all records and papers. 

Treasurer:

(a) Duties of the Treasurer shall be:

(1)   Shall be custodian of all funds of the organization.

(2) Shall prepare annual budget to be presented to the Executive Board at its January meeting.

(3)   Shall disburse funds as budgeted or authorized by the President. 

(4)   The Treasurer shall serve as Chairman of the PAC and distribute funds to candidates for the General Election (see standing rules). 

(5)   Copies of all checks and vouchers/invoices supporting expenditures and income of PCRW shall be maintained by the treasurer and reports filed to the Texas Ethics Commission in accordance with the Texas Election Code and all deadlines.

(6)   An audit of the records shall be done with each change of President. 

3.      Term of Office: The term of office for officers and chairman shall be one year, beginning January 1, following election, and no officer or chairman except Treasurer may succeed herself more than once. 

4.      All officers and all committee chairmen and vice chairmen shall deliver all records, files, and properties of PCRW to her successor within one month after retiring from office unless otherwise directed by the President or the Executive Committee. 

ARTICLE VII 

EXECTIVE BOARD

1.      The executive board shall consist of, the elected officers of the unit, the chairman of standing committees and the immediate past president.

(a)    The executive board shall have authority to transact the business of this unit;

(b)   To fill vacancies that occur in elective offices between elections by 2/3 vote of members present;

(c)    To approve the program of action as presented by the President;

(d)   To select the time and place of the meetings;

(e)    To approve the annual budget and direct the disbursement of funds;

(f)     To approve the bank where funds are to be deposited.

(g)    Standing committees shall include, but not be limited to:

(1)   Telephone

(2)   Newsletter

(3)   Awards

(4)   Community Outreach and Education

(5)   PAC – The PCRW PAC Chairman shall serve as treasurer of the fund.  She shall work closely with the Treasurer to ensure adequate records are available as required by the Texas Ethics Commission and Texas Election laws, and shall file all reports required by same in a timely manner. 

2.      Special Committee Chairmen shall act in advisory capacity only.

3.      The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of 8 (eight) times a year at such time and place as shall be determined by the President.

4.      A quorum of the Executive Board shall be a majority of the voting members of the Executive Board. 

ARTICLE VIII 

NOMINATION AND ELECTIONS

1.      A nominating committee of not less than five members shall be elected by the membership at the September meeting. The nominating committee shall elect its chairman from one of its own members. This committee shall report one nominee for each office at the annual meeting in which they are to be elected. Prior consent of said nominee must be obtained.

2.      Nominees shall be members in good standing of this unit and shall be in accord with the objectives, by-laws and policies of this organization and those of the Texas Federation of Republican Women.

3.      Nominations for office may be made from the floor. Prior consent of said nominee must be obtained.

4.      Elections shall be by ballot when there is more than one nominee for an office. When there is only one nominee, election shall be by voice vote.

5.      Members of the nominating committee shall not succeed themselves.

6.      Officers shall be elected at the October meeting, installed at the November meeting and take office at the January meeting. 

ARTICLE IX 

MEETINGS

1.      The Parker County Republican Women must meet once each month for no less than 9 (nine) months on the second Thursday or as designated by the Executive Board or 2/3 majority vote of present members.

2.      A quorum for a meeting of this organization shall be 20 percent of the voting membership.

3.      Executive meetings shall be called by the President; or Vice President in order prior to the general meeting as needed to transact business. A quorum shall be a majority of the executive board. 

ARTICLE X 

DELEGATES

1.      This organization shall be eligible for representation at the Biennial State Convention of the Texas Federation of Republican Women in the fall of odd numbered years by one delegate and one alternate for each ten members of major fraction thereof. Delegates and alternates of the State Convention shall be elected at the nearest meeting of the organization, but not less than 30 days prior to the convention. Delegates and alternates of the State Convention must be members in good standing.

2.      This organization shall be eligible for representation at the Biennial National Convention by one delegate and one alternate. They shall be elected at the nearest meeting; but not less than 45 days prior to the convention of the organization. 

ARTICLE XI 

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this organization in all proceedings except where inconsistent with the provisions of the by-laws of this organization and those of the State and National Federation of Republican Women. 

ARTICLE XII 

AMENDMENTS

These by-laws may be amended by 2/3 vote of the active members present and voting at any regular or special meeting of this organization or adjourned session thereof, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all members at least 30 days prior to the meeting. 

STANDING RULES 

1.      Membership dues shall consist of the annual PCRW fee plus dues required by TFRW and NFRW annually. 

2.      The PCRW PAC Committee consists of the Treasurer, President, Third Vice President and 2 (two) members at large to be elected at the May meeting.  The PCRW PAC Committee recommends the following point system for disbursing funds to Republican Candidates, who are members in good standing with PCRW prior to the primary election and have voted in the past 2 (two) Republican primary elections. 

4 points - - - - County-wide election

2 points - - - - County Commissioners

2 points - - - - -Justice of the Peace

2 points - - - - -Constable

0 point - - - - - Unopposed Candidates

By-Laws revised July 2004 by incorporating language in Article IV, #2, Article V #3, Article VI, President, Treasurer, #3 and #4, Article VII, (e) and (g), Article IX, #1 and Standing Rules.  Revisions were made in accordance with the TFRW requirements.  Some housekeeping changes also made.