LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HAWAII COUNTY
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
Sec. 1. Name. the name of this organization shall be the League of Women voters of Hawaii County. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Hawaii.
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Policy
Sec. 1. Purpose. The purpose of the League of women Voters of Hawaii County shall be to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.
Sec. 2. Policy. The League of Women Voters of Hawaii County 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 or oppose any political party or any candidates.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Sec. 1. Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purpose and policy of the League shall be eligible for membership.
Sec. 2. Types of Membership. The membership of the League of Women. Voters of Hawaii County shall be composed of voting members and associate members.
- Voting members shall be those citizens at least 18 years of age.
- Associate members shall be all other members.,
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
Sec. 1. Number. Manner of Selection and Term of Office, The Beard of Directors shall consist of the officers of the League, six elected Directors and not more than six appointed Directors. Half of the elected Directors shall be elected by the genera! membership at each annual meeting and 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 six, 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.
Sec. 2. Qualifications. No person shall be elected or appointed or shall continue to serve as an officer or director of this organization unless he or she is a voting members of the League of women Voters of Hawaii County.
Sec. 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 valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.
Sec. 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 the instructions of the general membership. It shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the Program as adopted by the National Convention, the State Convention, and the Annual Meeting. The Board shall create and designate such special committees as it may deem necessary.
Sec. 5. Regular Meetings There shall be at least four regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually.
Sec. 6. Special Meetings. The president may call special meetings of the Board of Directors and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of five members of the Board.
Sec. 7. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V
Officers
Sec. 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers. The officers of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii County shall be a President, or Co-Presidents, a first Vice President, a second Vice President, a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary, and a Treasurer, who shall be elected for terms of two years by the general membership at an Annual Meeting and take office immediately. The Presidents, the first Vice President and Secretaries shall be elected in odd-numbered years. The second Vice President and Treasurer shall be elected in even numbered years.
Sec. 2. The President. The President ( or Co-Presidents) shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors. S(he) may, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks. S(he) shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. S(he) shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of the President and perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board.
Sec. 3. The Vice-Presidents. The two vice presidents, in the order of their rank, shall, in the event of absence, disability, resignation, 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 select one of its members to fill the vacancy. The vice-President shall perform such other duties as the President and Board may designate.
Sec. 4. The Secretaries.. The Secretaries shall keep minutes of all meetings of the League and of all meetings of the Board of Directors. S(he) shall notify all Officers and Directors of their election. S(he) shall sign, with the President, all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the Board and shall perform such other functions as may be incident to the office. The Secretaries shall provide new members with a membership roster and the By-laws.
Sec. 5. The Treasurer. The treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due. S(he) shall be the custodian of these moneys, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the Board of Directors, and shall disburse the same only upon order of the Board or in conformity with the Annual Budget. S(he) shall present statements to the Board at their regular meetings and an annual report to the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VI
Financial Administration
Sec. 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the League of Women voters of Hawaii County shall commence on the first day of May each year.
Sec. 2. Dues. Annual dues shall be determined at Annual Meeting, and shall be payable each year on May 1. New members may join for half the full annual dues after January 1.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 4. Budget Committee. A Budget Committee shall be appointed by the Bd. of Directors at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting to prepare a budget for the ensuing year. The proposed budget shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve as chair of the Budget Committee.
ARTICLE VII
Meetings
Sec. 1. Membership Meetings. There shall be at least four meetings of the membership each year. Time and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 2. Annual Meeting An Annual Meeting shall be held between March 1 and April 30, 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 and Directors, members of the Nominating Committee;
- adopt an adequate budget; and
- transact such other business as may properly come before it.
Sec. 3. Quorum. Ten members shall constitute a quorum at all business meetings of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii County.
ARTICLE VIII
Nominations and Elections
Sec. 1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members. The chairperson and one member, who shall not be members of the Board, shall be elected at the 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 the Annual Meeting. Any vacancy on the nominating committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Suggestions for nominations for officers and directors may be sent to this committee by any voting member.
Sec. 2. Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from the floor. The report of the Nominating Committee of its nominations for Officers, Directors, and members of the succeeding Nominating committee shall be sent to all members one month before the date of the Annual Meeting. The report of the Nominating committee shall be presented to 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.
Sec. 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
Sec. 1. Authorization. The governmental principles adopted by the National Convention, and supported by the League as a whole constitute the authorization for the adoption of Program.
Sec. 2. Program. The Program of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii County shall consist of: a) action to protect the right to vote of every citizen, and b) those local governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.
Sec. 3. Action by the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall act upon the Program using the following procedures:
- The Board of Directors shall consider the recommendations sent in by the voting members two months prior to the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a Proposed Program.
- The Proposed Program shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting.
- A majority vote of voting members present and voting at the Annual Meeting shall be required for adoption of subjects in the Proposed Program as presented to the Annual Meeting by the Board of Directors.
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