Operating Rules

Washtenaw County Chapter

Amended By-laws, Adopted 1-11-18

Washtenaw County Chapter
National Organization for Women

Section 1 NAME: The name of the organization shall be the Washtenaw County Chapter of the National Organization for Women, commonly known as Washtenaw N.O.W.

Section 2 PURPOSE: The Chapter’s purpose will be to carry out the goals of National N.O.W.; promote gender equity, social justice and other issues deemed important to the membership; take action to bring women into full and equal participation in American society.

Section 3 POLICY: Washtenaw N.O.W. shall be guided by National N.O.W. by-laws

Section 4 MEMBERSHIP: Any person who subscribes to N.O.W. goals is eligible for membership in Washtenaw N.O.W. upon payment of dues.

Section 5 DUES: Dues are set by national and state N.O.W. A sliding scale for reductions and exemptions is available and will be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board on an individual basis. The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.

Section 6 MEETINGS: General membership program meetings shall be held at least eight times a year. Executive Board meetings shall be held quarterly and as needed. Meetings may be called or cancelled by the President upon a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 7 PROCEDURE: All procedures shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Section 8 STRUCTURE: The Executive Board shall consist of the elected and appointed officers. They shall meet at least quarterly to establish Chapter policy and priorities consistent with National N.O.W. policy and priorities. Fifty one percent of the elected officers shall constitute a quorum. Where emergency action is necessary or desirable between board meetings, the Executive Board may act on behalf of the chapter by discussing and voting electronically, provided that a quorum is available electronically. Measures are passed by a simple majority, except by-laws changes, which require a 2/3 majority .

Section 9 OFFICERS: The elected officers shall be: President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Recorder, Treasurer, Communications Coordinator and up to two At-Large members.

Section 10 TASK FORCES: The President shall be authorized to create or dissolve task forces .

Section 11 DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONFERENCES: The Chapter Delegates to national conferences shall be the President and as many other Executive Board members as Chapter membership warrants. If the Chapter is allowed more delegates than there are Executive Board members available to attend, then additional Delegates will be elected through the same process as Officers.

Section 12 DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS:

President: Presides at meetings of the general membership and the Executive Board. Acts as the official spokesperson for the Chapter in all dealings with the press or government bodies. Relays state and national communications to the membership. Appoints and serves as an ex-officio member on all task forces and committees except for the Nominating Committee. Serves as the first Delegate to national conferences.

Vice President: Presides at meetings and serves on task forces and committees in the absence of the President. Arranges for the programs at the general meetings in consultation with the Board and membership. Serves as the second Delegate to national conferences. Keeps a complete file and electronic record of all members, and arranges for any necessary orientation for new members. Notifies the Recorder and Communications Coordinator of upcoming programs so that the general membership may be informed. Succeeds the President the following year.

Immediate Past President : Remains on the Board in an advisory capacity for one year following the completion of the Presidency year. Assists in planning and executing Chapter actions and events.

Recorder: Takes minutes at all meetings, prepares them for the Board and general membership electronically and submits them to the Webmaster for publication in advance of the following meeting. Keeps a file of all minutes and the recorded Chapter history. Prepares and sends any official documents from the Chapter. Serves as the third Delegate to national conferences, and serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee. Notifies the Communications Coordinator of upcoming programs and actions for posting on the website.

Treasurer: Receives and deposits all funds, discharges all funds in accordance with the approved budget or at the direction of the Executive Board. Keeps careful records and bank accounts. Reminds members of dues status. Sends dues to the State and National offices. Issues all financial records to the Board for review on a quarterly basis, and to the membership annually in January. Serves on the Budget Committee.
Communications Coordinator: Maintains the Chapter website. Website content shall be determined by the Executive Board and the membership, but the Communications Coordinator shall have editorial discretion. Responsible for all newspaper, radio and TV coverage and electronic media for the Chapter. Prints and mails new web postings of official minutes and upcoming events to members who are not on line, at their request. May delegate duties to others.

At Large Member: Participates in Board meetings as a voting member. Assists with the planning and execution of events.

Section 13 Committees:

Budget Committee: The Treasurer and two Presidential appointees from the general membership will serve on this committee. The Committee will review the budget annually in December, prior to the Treasurer’s annual report in January .

Nominating Committee: The Recorder and two Presidential appointees from the general membership will serve on this committee. The Committee will convene annually in November to prepare a slate of candidates for Vice President, Recorder, Treasurer, Communications Coordinator and up to two At-Large Members. The Vice President will automatically be advanced on the slate to be the candidate for President. The slate will be presented to the Executive Board in December.

Section 14 ELECTION PROCEDURES: The President will appoint the Nominating Committee in November and this Committee shall submit nominations for elected officers to the Executive Committee In December. The general membership shall be notified of the nominations in writing in December. The election will be held at the January general meeting. Only members who are current with local, state and national dues, or have been exempt according to Section 5, may nominate, vote or run for office. Additional nominations may be made from the floor on the day of the election. No member shall hold more than one office at a time. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms.

Section 15 VACANCIES: Vacancies may be filled by recommendation of the President with approval of the Board, and appointees will serve until the next annual election.

Section 16 AMENDING BY-LAWS: By-laws may be amended by a two thirds vote of the general membership. By-laws amendments may be initiated by the Executive Board or by 20% of the general membership. Notification of the proposed amendment must be presented in writing to the President 60 days in advance of a vote, and in writing to the general membership 30 days in advance of a vote.

Section 17 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION CLAUSE: It shall be the policy of Washtenaw N.O.W. to never discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, age occupation, sex, sexual preference, physical or mental handicap, religion, personal beliefs or gender expression/identity. All Officers, Committee coordinators, or paid staff shall be evaluated solely on the basis of quality of work performance .

Section 18 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: The Chapter is committed to the inclusion of diverse voices and experiences, and to that end, confirms that it will affirmatively act to achieve a diverse membership and leadership.

Section 19 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES: Any member who feels that she/he has been treated unfairly by any Washtenaw N.O.W. policy or procedure has a right to complain to any member of the Washtenaw N.O.W. Executive Board. In the event that a grievance cannot be settled amicably by the Board, the grievance shall be submitted to the Board in writing and an Ad Hoc Grievance Committee shall be established consisting of the Chapter Vice President and two members elected at the next regular meeting who are not members of the Executive Board. If the grievance is against the Vice President, the Recorder shall replace the Vice President on this committee. The complainant is entitled to a complete investigation and hearing within 30 days of receipt of the complaint by the Grievance Committee. A written decision by a majority of the Grievance Committee shall be forwarded to the complainant and the Executive Board within 15 days of the decision. If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the Grievance Committee, further appeals may be made to the state N.O.W. Grievance Committee.

Section 20 DISSOLUTION: The Chapter may be dissolved upon a 2/3 vote of members present at a general membership meeting , after advance notice of no less than 30 days to every member that dissolution of the chapter will be considered at that meeting. Upon dissolution of the Chapter, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of the Chapter, remit all remaining assets to the National , State, or to any local Chapter of N.O.W.