Constitution of the Peoria Area Young Republicans
PREAMBLE
In order to raise awareness about the constitutional operation of local, state and national governments; to facilitate discussion about the ideals and principles of the Republican Party; and to engage in young people in governmental affairs, we, The Heart of Illinois Young Republicans, associate ourselves together and establish this Constitution of the Peoria Area Young Republicans.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the “PEORIA AREA YOUNG REPUBLICANS” (“the Organization”).
ARTICLE II – AFFILIATION
The Organization shall be affiliated with the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans.
ARTICLE III – POLICY AND PURPOSE
Section 1
General Purpose. The general purpose of the Organization shall be to support with loyal patriotism the maintenance of constitutional local, state, and federal government; to aid in the organizing and conducting of general elections; to promote conservative government through education and community outreach; and to develop young people as political leaders.
Section 2
General Policy. It shall be the policy of this Organization in all its endeavors to contribute to the growth and influence of the Republican Party; to aid and cooperate with the regularly established precinct, township, county, state and national organizations of the Republican Party; and to assist in the election of all regularly nominated Republican candidates.
Section 3
Election Policy. In order to encourage in its members a feeling of active participation in the pursuit of conservative government and qualified candidates, it shall be the policy of this Organization to actively support Republican candidates for federal, state, county, or township office at any general or special elections.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
Members. Members of this Organization shall be those residing in Peoria County, Illinois, and its surrounding counties, whose age shall not be less than 15 years nor more than 40 years and who are affiliated with the Republican Party or intend to affiliate therewith, who are accepted into the membership by this Organization and who shall adhere to the objectives as expressed.
Section 2
Anti-Discrimination Policy. Membership shall not be denied to any interested individual by reason of his/her race, creed, color, religion, or gender.
Section 3
Sustaining Members. Persons who are more than 40 years of age otherwise complying with Section 1 of this article may become Sustaining Members of this Organization upon the payment of membership dues as provided in the By-laws. Such members shall not be Officers or Board Members of this Organization.
Section 4
Junior Members. Persons who are less than 15 years of age but who otherwise comply with Section 1 of this article may become Junior Members of this Organization upon the payment of membership dues as provided in the By-laws. Such members shall not be Officers or Board Members of this Organization.
Section 5
Removal of Member for Cause. Any Member or Officer may be removed for cause under the following conditions: that at any meeting of the Board of Directors, called according to the provisions of the Constitution, three-fourths of the members of the Board of Directors being present, and two-thirds of those present voting for the removal, such officer or officers shall thereby be removed, and the term of office cease, provided, however, that any member whose removal is sought shall be disqualified to vote for or against said removal. Any person whose removal is sought as set out above shall be notified in writing of said intent by the President five days prior to the meeting at which said removal shall be decided upon. If the President is being removed, the above notice shall be given by the Vice- President.
Section 6
Abandonment. Any Officer or Board Member shall be removed from his or her position as an Officer or Board Member of this Organization if he or she abandons his or her position as an Officer or Board Member of this Organization by failing to attend three consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors of the Organizations, unless such absences are approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V – VOTING
Section 1
Voting Qualification. In order to cast a vote on any issue presented to the members of the Organization, the member must have:
1) An active and paid membership; and
2) Attended at least two meetings of the Organization within the last year.
Section 2
Roll Call. The roll of eligible voters shall be kept by the Secretary of the Organization and made available to all members of the Organization. It is the responsibility of a member to notify the Secretary of his/her presence at a meeting. If requested, the Secretary shall read the list of eligible voters at the meeting.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section 1
Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Organization shall be held on a monthly basis.
Section 2
Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Organization may be called at any time by the President, Board of Directors, or by petition of a majority of the members. The meeting must be called within two weeks after the petition is received by the President.
Section 3
Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the Organization shall be held each year for the election of officers. The exact date of the meeting is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 4
Quorum. At any regular meeting of the Organization, and special meetings as called above, at least half of the members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5
Reasonable Notice. No meeting of the Organization shall be valid unless each member is notified or an attempt to notify each member, of such meeting, has been made.
Section 6
Parliamentary Procedure. All meetings of this Organization shall be governed, when not otherwise provided for in this Constitution or By-laws, in accordance with Robert’s “Rules of Order,” latest available edition.
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS
Section 1
Officers. The Officers of this Organization consist of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2
Election and Term. The Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Organization in even years and shall hold office for a term of two years until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The results thereof reported to the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans.
Section 3
Qualification. Every Officer must be a member of the Organization in good standing.
Section 4
Term Limit. No person shall be elected to the same position as an Officer for consecutive terms.
Section 5
Vacancy. In case of a vacancy because of death, resignation, disqualification, removal, or abandonment of any Officer, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired term.
Section 6
Transfer of Records. It shall be the duty of all Officers to transfer to their successor any and all records of the Organization within 10 days following the end of their term. All records kept by Officers of the Organization are property of the Organization.
ARTICLE VIII – DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1
President. The President shall preside at all meetings and shall be the chief executive of the Organization. He/she shall have general supervision over the development of its entire program. He/she shall appoint all Committee Chairs and members. He/she shall be a voting member of any and all standing committees and shall establish such temporary or special committees, from time to time, as he/she deems fit.
Section 2
Vice-President. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, serve as the Organization’s membership coordinator, and any other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Section 3
Secretary. The Secretary shall keep an up-to-date record of Organization business, shall maintain the Constitution and membership records, distribute information to the membership, and handle all other related functions.
Section 4
Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all Organization funds and shall keep a record of all receipts and expenditures of the Organization. The responsibility of filing all required financial reports also lies with the Treasurer. No expenditures may be made without the approval of the both the President and Treasurer.
ARTICLE IX – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of the four Executive Officers and six at-large Board Members. Said Board members will be designated standing or special Committee Chairs, appointed by the President.
Section 2
Election and Term. The Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Organization and shall hold office for a term of one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The results thereof shall be reported to the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans.
Section 3
Qualification. Every Board Member shall be a member of the Organization in good standing.
Section 4
Vacancy. In case of a vacancy because of death, resignation, disqualification, removal, or abandonment of any Board Member, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired term.
Section 5
Transfer of Records. It shall be the duty of all Board Members to transfer to their successor any and all records of the Organization within 10 days following the end of their term. All records kept by Board Members of the Organization are property of the Organization.
Section 6
Duties. The Board of Directors shall: (1) be responsible for the transaction of any business of the Organization between regular meetings; (2) be in charge of setting the agenda and direction of the Organization; (3) set the yearly due amount; (4) serve as the policy-making body of the Organization; and (5) establish the various standing committees as they are deemed necessary. Also, it shall audit the Treasurer’s books in January of their elective year.
Section 7
Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the monthly general meeting. Additional meetings may be called by the President or by the specific request of half of the Board members. All members of the Board of Directors must be properly notified at least one week in advance of such additional meetings. The Board of Directors shall vote on the direction of the Organization. The President shall only vote to break a tie.
ARTICLE X – ELECTIONS
Section 1
Elections. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary for election. In the event that any ballot cast does not show a majority for any nominee for any office, there shall be further ballots with the nominee having the lowest vote being dropped for the second and succeeding ballots until a nominee shall have received a majority of all the votes cast.
Section 2
Contesting an Election. If the results of an election are in question, the election may be contested by any member in good standing. A contesting declaration must be submitted to the out-going Board of Directors no more than 48 hours after the balloting process. The Board of Directors will have the final say as to whether an election will stand or whether a new election will be called. It is the responsibility of the individual contesting to prove misconduct or illegalities have taken place.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the Organization. All proposed amendments must first be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XII – BY-LAWS
The Organization may adopt and pass such by-laws as may be determined by a majority of the members present at any regular meetings; provided, however, that no by-laws shall be passed that are in conflict with the Constitution.
ARTICLE XIII - EFFECTIVE DATE
The Constitution shall take effect on January 1, 2011, and shall serve as a revocation of all prior and/or undated Constitutions.
ARTICLE XIV – SEVERABILITY
This Constitution shall be deemed severable and separately enforceable and should any provision be invalidated or declared void of all of the provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.