ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be Highland Lakes Republican Women. The address of this organization shall be that of the incumbent president.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this organization shall be:
- To work for the election of the Republican Party’s nominees.
- To promote an informed electorate through political education.
- To increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active political participation.
- To facilitate cooperation among Republican Women.
- To foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its ideals, principles and candidates in all elections including non-partisan elections.
ARTICLE III – POLICY
Section 1. Organization Membership: This organization and its members shall be members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women, shall support their objectives and policies, and shall pay per capita dues and the annual service charges to said organizations.
Section 2. Registered PAC: This organization shall be registered with the Texas Ethics Commission as a Political Action Committee.
Section 3. Candidate Endorsement: The Club as a whole and its President and Campaign Activities Chair shall not publicly endorse any candidate for public office in contested Republican primaries, runoff elections, and special elections, and/or non-partisan elections when more than one Republican is in the race. Individual members of this organization may work for the candidate of their choice in contested Republican primaries, but no in the name of the Club or Federation or by utilizing the logo or stationery of NFRW, TFRW or the local club.
This organization, its president, and its campaign activities chairman shall not publicly endorse any candidate for public office in contested Republican primaries, primary runoffs elections, special elections, and/or non-partisan elections when more than one Republican is in the race. If a club violates this policy, it shall be the responsibility of the TFRW Executive Committee to remove the club from the Federation. If the President or Campaign Activities Chairman violates this policy, it shall fall to the Local Club to remove her from office. Individual members of this organization, with the exception of the President and Campaign Activities Chairman, may work for any candidate of their choice in contested Republican primaries but not in the name of the organization. No candidate shall use the TFRW logo in any political advertising, and any political advertising shall contain the following disclaimer: “This endorsement is given by the individual(s) only, NOT the Texas Federation of Republican Women.”
Section 4. Candidate Endorsement Exemption: This article pertains only to contests between Republican candidates for public office. If the President or Campaign Activities Chairman of this organization who is a candidate, or whose husband, or another family member is a candidate she shall be exempt from this rule but may not endorse in the name of the organization.
Section 5. Controversial Issues: This organization and its officers shall not issue statements or pass resolutions on controversial issues in the name of the organization without first polling its members and obtaining a two-thirds (2/3) written vote of approval of the total membership.
Section 6. Delivery of Records: All officers and committee chairmen and vice chairmen shall deliver all records, files, passwords, social media administrative rights, and properties of the Club in their possession to their successor before December 31of the year in which she is retiring from office, or within 3 days of leaving the position if earlier than December 31, unless otherwise directed by the Club President or Executive Committee. Failure to meet the deadlines may result in the termination of her membership by the club.
Section 7. Lobbying: There shall be no lobbying with Legislators using the name of the Texas Federation of Republican Women by any federated local club or any individual member without the express permission of the Board of Directors of the Texas Federation of Republican Women.
Section 8. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of this club shall be from January 1 through December 31.
Section 9. Candidate Fairness: After the end of the candidate filing period for any office and ending the day after the final election for that office, it is the policy of TFRW that all Republican candidates for that office shall be treated fairly and equitably. When one Republican candidate for an office is invited to speak at a Federation or local club meeting, then all Republican candidates for that office shall be offered equal presentation time at the same meeting or another meeting before the election.
Section 10. Endorsement Policy: Members Cannot support Opposition Party Candidates.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility:
A. Membership in Highland Lakes Republican Women shall consist of ten or more members who pay the annual per capita dues and service charges to the Texas Federation of Republican Women and whose bylaws and objectives are not in conflict with the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women and who have filed as a Political Action Committee with the Texas Ethics Commission.
B. Any woman believing in the philosophy of the Republican Party and in the objectives of this organization shall be eligible for membership.
C. She shall be a registered voter.
D. A member in good standing shall be a member who has paid the required dues for the current calendar year. The dues amount for primary members will be stated in the Clubs standing rules and amended as required.
E. To be eligible to vote in club elections, a member must have paid her dues at least 30 days prior to the election and must have attended at least one meeting prior to the privilege of voting.
Section 2. Classification of Membership:
A. Primary – Any woman who believes in the philosophy of the Republican Party and the objectives of the local club and who pays the required annual dues is classified as a Primary member. A Primary member may be counted in only one local club for the purpose of delegate representation to the Federation State and National Conventions, and this will be the only local unit in which she may hold office. Her dues and name shall be submitted to the Texas Federation of Republican Women from her primary local unit only.
B. Associate – A Republican Woman who is a Primary member of another federated local club and wishes to support the HLRW may be eligible for Associate membership upon payment of required dues. She cannot hold office, vote, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to National or State Federation meetings or conventions.
C. Associate Men – A Republican man is eligible for Associate membership in HLRW upon payment of the required annual dues. He cannot hold office, have a voice or vote, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to national or state federation meetings or conventions. They do not become members of the State or the National Federation.
D. Submission of Officers: Local member clubs shall elect officers and send lists of their names, addresses, zip codes, telephone numbers and email addresses to the Texas Federation of Republican Women Headquarters by January 1 of each year, and to the District Director.
Article V – Dues
Section 1. The membership dues shall be at least $5.00 above the TFRW and NFRW dues each year.
Section 2. Membership expires each year on December 31. Renewing members remain in good standing through the last day of February the following year. NFRW must receive member dues by March 1 or member is dropped from membership and loses all member privileges. Dues shall be payable on December 31, which shall include HLRW dues, state dues, and national dues and shall be delinquent March 1.
Section 3. This organization shall pay the annual service charges required by the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women and submit names and addresses of club officers and members with payment.
Section 4. This organization shall pay the annual per capita dues for its Primary members and annual service charges to the TFRW and NFRW.
Article VI ‑ Officers and Their Duties
Section 1. Elected Officers: The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and PAC Treasurer. All officers must be registered voters.
Section 2. Duties of Officers:
A. The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the Executive Committee, shall appoint chairmen of all standing and special committees, except the Nominating Committee, and with the approval of the Executive Committee; shall appoint a parliamentarian; shall serve ex officio as a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; and shall have general supervision of the work of the organization.
B. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President whenever the President is absent or otherwise unable to serve. She shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee and is the chairman of the program committee. She shall perform such other duties as the President may designate.
C. The Secretary shall keep a factual and unbiased record of the proceedings of all meetings of the organization and the Executive Committee, she shall prepare the correspondence of the organization, shall have custody of all records pertinent thereto and shall perform such additional duties as may be required of the office.
D. The Treasurer/PAC Treasurer shall receive and be Custodian of all funds of the organization and shall pay all bills upon authorization by the President or the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all monies received and/or disbursed by her and shall give a report in full at each regular meeting of the organization to the membership. The PAC Treasurer shall be registered with the Texas Ethics Commission and shall submit all reports required by the TEC in a timely manner. All records must be submitted at the end of the year for review. for financial review upon leaving office.
Section 3. Term of Office: The term of office for officers and chairmen shall be for 1 year, or until their successor is elected, from January 1 through December 31 following their election or appointment, and no officer or chairman may serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms with the exception of the PAC Treasurer without approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 4. Succession:
A. In the event the President should be permanently disabled or resign, the Vice President shall succeed to that office for the unexpired portion of the term.
B. If the Vice President cannot serve, the Executive Committee shall elect by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, a president for the unexpired portion of the term from one of its own members.
Section 5. Removal from Office or Membership: Members of the Executive Committee or members of the club may be removed by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership for any of the following reasons after investigation by the Executive Committee:
A. Non-payment of dues.
B. Advocating for an opposition party candidate.
C. Supporting an opposition party ticket; or
D. Failure to uphold the policies and objectives of this club as stated in the bylaws.
Article VII – Executive Committee
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate Past President, who shall serve as advisor, the chairmen of the Standing Committees, and the Parliamentarian who shall serve ex officio without vote.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to transact any necessary business between meetings, to make recommendations as to the policies of the organization, to advise the President, and to fill vacancies that occur between elections by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee members present and voting with the exception of a vacancy in the presidency, in which case the Vice President shall assume the office of President and the Executive Committee shall elect a Vice President as stated herein.
Section 3. A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the Executive Committee.
Section 4. A vote may be conducted by mail, telephone, facsimile, or email between meetings of the Executive Committee. A decision can be rendered only after written documentation has been received from a majority of the Executive Committee.
Article VIII – Meetings
Annual Meetings: The Annual Meeting of the Organization shall be in November.
Section 1. Regular Meetings of Organization:
A. The regular meetings shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from January through May and September through December unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, provided that there shall be no less than five regular meetings per annum which shall give no less than seven (7) days’ notice of the change to the membership.
B. A minimum of five regular meetings per annum shall be held.
Section 2. Special Meetings of Organization:
A. Special meetings shall be held at the call of the President or upon the request of a majority of the membership.
B. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call and no other business shall be considered at the special meeting except that stated in the call of the meeting, with at least 3 days’ notice to the members.
Section 3. Regular Meetings of Executive Committee: Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held 2 weeks prior to the regular meeting of the membership and at such time and place as may be determined by the President.
Section 4. Special Meetings of Executive Committee: Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President or upon the request of a majority of the members of the Committee; the purpose of the meeting to be stated in the call and no other business shall be transacted, with at least 3 days’ notice to all committee members.
Section 5. Quorum for Regular Meeting: A quorum for a meeting of this organization shall be 30% of the members.
Section 6. Electronic Meetings: A vote of the club or executive committee may be conducted by electronic means between meetings, provided there is participation by majority of the members of the body. The vote shall be ratified and entered into the minutes at the bodies next regular meeting
Section 7. Meeting Minutes. The Secretary shall keep and circulate the minutes of all meetings of the club and the Executive Committee.
Article IX – Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees:
A. The standing committees of this club shall include:
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- Campaign Activities,
- Political Action
- Legislation
- Awards
- Public Relations/ Newsletter
- Hospitality/ Sunshine
- Membership
- Revisions & Bylaws
- Telephone
- Caring for America
B. Standing Committee Duties: Standing Committees shall be prescribed by the Executive Committee. The duties of standing committees shall be prescribed by the Executive Committee. The chairmen of the standing committees shall be appointed by the President unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws. The committees shall outline programs for action in their respective fields for consideration and adoptions by the Executive Committee, shall carry out such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee and/or President.
C. Political Action Committee (PAC): The Political Action Committee shall be chaired by the PAC Treasurer. She shall abide by Texas Election Laws and the opinions issued by the Texas Ethics Commission. All decisions relative to the distribution of funds shall be approved by the Executive Committee. The PAC treasurer shall work 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. She shall be registered with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Section 2. Special Committees:
A. Special committees shall include: Internal Review, Nominations, and Finance, whose chairmen shall be appointed by the President, except that of the Nominating Committee. Other special committees may be appointed by the President and/or Executive Committee as deemed advisable.
- Finance Committee: The members of this committee shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, PAC Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall create a budget for the fiscal year and submit it to the Executive Committee and membership for approval during or before the January meeting.
- Internal Review Committee: An Internal Review Committee shall be selected to conduct an internal review of the books by December 31 of the fiscal year and shall submit its report to the Executive Committee prior to the regular meeting in January. The Treasurer shall be present at the internal review of the books.
B. The special committees shall outline programs in their respective fields for consideration and adoption by the Executive Committee. These committees shall be formed only for the duration of their service. Their chairmen will not have a voice or voting rights on the Committee.
Section 3. All Committees shall report to the membership at the Executive Committee and the regular meeting or as ordered by the President.
Article X ‑ Nominations and Elections
Section 1. Nominating Committee:
A. A Nominating Committee of 3 of whom shall not be a member of the Executive Committee, and one alternate, shall be elected by the membership at the September meeting. The Nominating Committee shall elect its chairman from one of its own numbers. A plurality vote shall elect the members of the committee. The report of the nominating committee shall be made at the October meeting each year.
B. The Nominating Committee shall report one nominee for each office at the October meeting at least 30 days ahead of the election.
C. Members of The Nominating Committee cannot succeed themselves.
Section 2. Elections:
A. Elections shall be held at the November meeting after the Nominating Committee has reported its nominees.
B. Nominations from the floor shall be allowed, provided prior consent of each of the nominees shall be obtained.
C. Where there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by voice. Where there is more than one candidate for an office, election shall be by ballot. A plurality vote shall elect.
D. No absentee or proxy voting shall be allowed.
Section 3. Installation: Officers shall be installed at the December meeting.
Article XI ‑ Conventions
Section 1. Texas Federation of Republican Women Biennial Convention: This club may be represented at the Biennial State Convention by one delegate and one alternate for each ten (10) members and an additional delegate and alternate for a remainder of six to nine members. Delegates and alternates to the convention of the Texas Federation of Republican Women shall be elected at a regular meeting.
Section 2. National Federation of Republican Women Biennial Convention: This club may be represented at the NFRW Biennial National Convention by one delegate and one alternate. The delegate and alternate to the National Federation of Republican Women Convention shall be elected at a regular meeting.
Article XII – Parliamentary Authority
The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the Bylaws and any Special Rules of this organization and those of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and of the National Federation of Republican Women.
Article XIII – Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the club by a two-thirds vote provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to each member at least 15 days prior to the meeting or provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. Such amendment may not be inconsistent with the bylaws of the Texas Federation of Republican Women or the National Federation of Republican Women.
Article XIV – Dissolution
This club may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote at any meeting of the local club, provided that notice of the dissolution has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting and has been sent by mail to all members of the local club. In the event of dissolution, the club Executive Committee shall, after payment of all liabilities of the local club, distribute any remaining assets to the state federation, the Texas Federation of Republican Women. None of the assets shall be distributed to any member or officer of the organization. The right to use the name shall revert to the state federation, the Texas Federation of Republican Women.