Second Amended and Restated
BYLAWS OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
OF THE FORT WAYNE AREA
Adopted as November 9, 2020
ARTICLE I Name
The name of this organization shall be League of Women Voters of the United States, hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWVUS.
The name of the local organization shall be League of Women Voters of the Fort Wayne Area, hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWVFW or as the League. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States, hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWVUS, and of the League of Women Voters of Indiana.
ARTICLE II Purposes and Policy
Sec. 1. Purposes. The purposes of the LWVUS are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues.
Sec. 2.Policies. The policies of the LWVUS 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
Sec. 1. Eligibility.
Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policy of the LWVUS shall be eligible for membership.
Sec. 2. Types of Membership.
A. Voting Members. Persons at least 16 years of age who join the League shall be voting members of local Leagues, state Leagues 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.
C. Friend of the League of Women Voters of Fort Wayne Area. Will be informed of local LWVFW activities but will not have voting rights. Friends of LWVFW require a minimum monetary donation per year.
ARTICLE IV Board of Directors
Sec. 1. Election, Qualifications and Term.
The Board of Directors of LWVFW shall consist of, at a minimum, the officers elected at the annual meeting who shall serve for two-year terms or until their successors have been elected or appointed and qualified. All directors shall be voting members of the League. Vacancies may be filled by vote of the remaining members of the board.
Sec. 2. Officers.
A. President. The president shall preside at all meetings or designate another officer to assume that role in the event they are unable to be at the meeting. The president, along with another officer authorized by the board, shall sign all contracts and other instruments binding to LWVFW and may, in the absence or disability of the treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts and notes. The president shall have the usual powers of the office including preparing an agenda for each meeting and shall perform such other duties as may be designated by the board. In the event of a vacancy in the presidency, the board shall fill the vacancy in the presidency from among the elected directors. Two persons may be elected as co-presidents by the membership to serve two-year terms together and the duties of the office of president shall be divided between them.
B. Vice President of Membership. The V.P. of Membership shall maintain an official membership list including each member’s anniversary date and submit such list to LWVUS. They shall ensure dues collection and renewal. They shall recruit new members and maintain contact with them and look for ways to build new member recruitment into all activities.
C. Vice President of Voter Service Activities. The V.P. of Voter Service Activities shall compile a 12-month calendar for voter service activities with voter registration dates, deadlines for any elections scheduled and other special events or holidays. They shall coordinate all voter service activities, stay alert to publicity possibilities, recruit activity volunteers and capitalize on the potential for high visibility of voting related activities.
D. Secretary. The secretary shall keep minutes of meetings of the board and membership. The secretary shall send all members the minutes and recruit members to serve on committees. The secretary will send all members and interested persons a monthly newsletter with input from other members.
E. Treasurer. The treasurer shall collect, receive and disburse monies; shall be custodian of these monies and shall deposit them in a bank or banks designated by the board and maintain all LWVFW financial records. The treasurer shall present periodic written financial statements to the board and membership, assist officers with financial information as needed and prepare tax form 990 every 2 years as required by the IRS.
Sec. 3. Powers.
The board shall manage and supervise the business, affairs and activities of the LWVFW, subject to the instructions of the annual meeting. It shall accept responsibility for such other matters as the national or state board may from time to time delegate to it. It shall have the power to create such special committees as it deems necessary and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws.
Sec. 4. Additional Duties.
The Board of LWVFW shall designate a board member or other voting member the responsibility for each of the following:
- Budget creation and updates.
- Fundraising.
- Website Creation and maintenance.
- Social Media.
- Community based programs.
- Sec. 5. Meetings.
At least 6 regular meetings of the Board shall be held annually. The presiding member may call special meetings and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of two other members of the board. Three consecutive absences from regular board meetings, without excuse, shall constitute a resignation.
Sec. 6. Quorum.
A majority of the members of the Board of the LWVFW shall constitute a quorum. Any one or more members of the board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
ARTICLE V Meetings
Sec. 1. Membership Meetings.
There shall be at least six (6) meetings of the membership each year. The time and place shall be determined by the
Board. These six (6) meetings shall include an annual business meeting at which a board is elected in alternating years and a budget and bylaws are approved; a member orientation meeting; and a community orientation meeting. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the Board or upon written request of 10 percent of the voting members.
Sec. 2. Quorum.
Ten percent of the voting members shall constitute a quorum at all business meetings of the LWVFW, provided that written notice of the meeting is sent to the membership at least one week in advance. Any one or more members may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or video equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
ARTICLE VI Nominations and Elections
Sec. 1. Nominating Committee.
The nominating committee shall consist of three members. The chair and one member, who shall not be members of the board, shall be elected by the Annual Meeting. Immediately following the annual meeting, the Board shall appoint one of its members to the committee. The term of office shall be for two years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Board.
Sec. 2. Report of the Nominating Committee.
The report of the nominating committee, containing its nominations for the board and the chair and one member of the next nominating committee shall be sent to the members one month before the annual meeting. The report of the nominating committee shall be presented to the annual meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor immediately thereafter, provided the consent of the nominee has been obtained.
Sec. 3. Elections.
Election shall be by ballot, except that if there is only one nominee for an office, it shall be by voice vote. A majority constitutes an election.
ARTICLE VII Principles and Program
Sec.1 Principles.
The Principles are concepts of government adopted by the national convention and supported by the League as a whole. They are the authorization for the adoption of national, state and local programs.
Sec. 2. Program.
The program of the LWVFW shall consist of action to implement the principles and those governmental issues chosen by the annual meeting for concerted study and action, provided that, as a condition of recognition by the state and national boards, the LWVFW shall act only on existing local positions or state or national positions. The Board shall recommend to the membership, at Annual Meeting, a program of work focused on the local community. Program of work, as used in these bylaws, may be in the form of observing government, advocating on a local issue or educating the membership and community on the structure and services of local government. The Annual meeting may adopt the Board recommended program or any similar program of work provided that any program of work adopted by the LWVFW shall focus on the local community.
Sec. 3. Program Action.
Members may act in the name of the LWVFW only when authorized to do so by the appropriate board. They act only in conformity with, and not contrary to, a position taken by the LWVFW, the LWV of Indiana and the LWVUS.
ARTICLE VIII Financial Administration
Sec. 1. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the LWVFW shall commence on the first of January of each year.
Sec. 2. Dues.
Annual dues shall be payable on the expiration date of prior year membership. Any member who fails to pay dues within three months after they become payable shall be dropped from the membership rolls.
Sec. 3. Budget.
An annual budget shall be prepared by the Board and shall be published to the membership no less than one month prior to the Annual Meeting. The budget, as presented, may be amended at the Annual Meeting and shall be adopted at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote.
Sec. 4. Distribution of Funds on Dissolution.
In the event of the merger or dissolution of this corporation for any reason, all money and securities or other property of whatsoever nature which at the time be owned or under the absolute control of the corporation/organization shall be distributed at the discretion of the board by following state and federal law to close out. Any remaining funds shall be distributed to LWVIN, LWVUS or LWVEF as appropriate.
ARTICLE IX Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE X Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members at any meeting, provided that the proposed amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least one month in advance of the meeting.
Adopted JUNE 8, 2010, Amended July 16, 2018, Amended November 9, 2020.