Return to CapitolHillKANE COUNTY YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUB CONSTITUTION
Preamble
In order to stimulate in young people an active involvement in governmental affairs, to foster and perpetuate the ideas and principles of the Republican Party, and to provide for our people through its efforts, the highest degree of justice and general welfare, we the Young Republicans of Kane County, do associate ourselves together and establish this Constitution of the Kane County Young Republican Club.
Article I - Name
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Kane County Young Republican Club, hereinafter referred to as the Club.
Section 2. The Club shall be affiliated with the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans and the Young Republican Federation.
Article II - Policy and Purpose
Section 1. To develop and maintain a county-wide Young Republican organization.
Section 2. To bring young people into the Republican Party, to provide an opportunity to them for political expression and recognition, to train them as political workers and candidates, and to provide a practical means by which they may contribute in the development and betterment of the Republican Party.
Section 3. To support the principles and objectives and platform of the Republican Party and to work for the election of duly-nominated Republican candidates.
Section 4. No endorsement of candidates shall be made by the Club in any primary election where there is more than one candidate for the same office. The name of the Club shall not be used by any member in supporting a contested candidate in a primary election.
Article III - Membership
Section 1. Any person between the ages of 18 and 40 years of age, inclusive, who is a registered voter is eligible for active membership upon payment of annual dues, if applicable.
Section 2. Any person not meeting active membership requirements may be eligible for associate membership. All associate members shall have all rights and privileges of active members except they may not hold office or have voting rights.
Section 3. Membership in the club shall not be denied any individual applicant by reason of race, creed, color, or sex. Article IV - Dues
Section 1. The amount of dues owed and time of payment shall be established by the Executive Board, or there shall be no dues.
Section 2. The fiscal year will be January 1 through December 31.
Section 3. The amount of dues shall be $10.00 a year per person or $15.00 a year per couple. Sustaining members dues shall be $25.00 a year.
Section 4. The required dues entitles a person to membership of the Kane County Young Republicans in provision with the constitution, a membership card and subscription to the newsletter Raising Kane. Sustaining members shall have their name recognized in the newsletter.
Article V - Meetings
Section 1. All regular meetings shall be held on the second Saturday of each month.
Section 2. The Executive Board has the right to meet amongst themselves at their discretion.
Section 3. All eligible members shall be given one vote at each meeting if present. There shall be no proxy voting.
Article VI - Voting
Section 1. Members are eligible to vote if they have attended two monthly meetings within the last twelve months.
Section 2. Voting members are required to be in good standing with the club, this includes, but is not limited to, having paid dues, if applicable.
Section 3. Before any vote is to take place, an officer shall read the list of members present at the meeting who are eligible to vote.
Section 4. All votes shall be decided by a majority vote unless otherwise stated. In the event that a majority vote does not apply, the lowest vote total will be dropped and a second succeeding ballot taken.
Section 5. It is each members responsibility to notify the acting secretary of their presence at meetings.
Section 6. All voting shall be decided upon by a voice vote, except for voting for officers which shall be done by secret ballot.
Section 7. A quorum, 1/3 of the eligible voting members of the club, must be present before a vote can take place. Article VII - Officers
Section 1. The officers of the club shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected during the January monthly meeting and shall be sworn into duty during the February meeting.
Section 3. Terms of offices shall be for 12 months from the date the officers were sworn in.
Section 4. During the election of officers, the chairman shall appoint at least two tellers who shall dispense, collect, and tabulate the vote. The tellers may not be candidates for any position.
Section 5. Every officer shall be a member in good standing with the Club.
Section 6. In case of a vacancy because of death, resignation, disqualification, or removal of any officer the Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Said vacancy shall be filled by the Executive Committee present at the election meeting.
Section 7. Any eligible member who wishes to run for a position as an officer must submit their name in writing to the current chairman no later than two months before the election is to be held. The Chairman shall read the list of candidates at the monthly meeting prior to the election meeting.
Section 8. Any officer may be removed from office for failure to perform their duties, persistent non-attendance at meetings or misrepresentation of the Club. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for determining the accuracy of charges raised against any officer herein directed and may vote to remove such officer by a 2/3 majority vote of the members present at the time such action takes place.
Section 9. All qualified candidates who seek an officer position shall have at least five minutes before the election to solicit support. The candidates speeches shall be determined by alphabetical order. Following all candidates’ presentations they shall leave the room for discussion among club members and shall return after the vote is tabulated.
Article VIII - Powers and Duties of the Officers
Section 1. The chairman shall preside at all meetings and shall be the chief executive of the Club. He or she shall have general supervision over the development of the Club’s entire program. He or she shall appoint committee chairmen and members, chairmen of standing committees, supervise the activities of the Club, and perform all duties incidental to the office.
Section 2. The vice-chairman shall preside over all dealings having to do with community affairs and public relations including, but not limited to, social activities, fundraising, media events, press releases, campaigns, and political coordinations. He or she shall perform the duties of chairman in his or her absence.
Section 3. The treasurer shall be responsible for all monetary transactions including, but not limited to: maintaining the checking account, filing appropriate forms, and reporting the financial status of the club in writing at Executive Board meetings.
Section 4. The secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes and attendance at each meeting.
Section 5. The Immediate Past Chairman will be responsible for special projects and advice. He or she will be permitted to hold another office within the Club, but will have only one vote in the Executive Committee.
Section 6. The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected and appointed officials, as well as the Immediate Past Chairman.
Article IX - Parliamentary Authority
Section 1. The rules contained in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall govern all proceedings of the club except when inconsistent with the constitution of this Club.
Section 2. This Club shall be a charter member of the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans and shall be subject to the constitution and by-laws of said organization.
Article X - Amendments
Section 1. A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee at any regular meeting, at which time it shall be read to the members.
Section 2. The call of the next regular meeting shall include a copy of the proposed amendment which shall be voted upon.
Section 3. This Constitution will be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members voting at any regular meeting providing that Sections 1 and 2 of this Article have been complied with.
Article XI - Ratification
Section 1. This constitution shall be ratified by a majority vote.
Section 2. This constitution shall supersede all other agreed upon rules and regulations. All current officers shall remain in office until February 1996.
As amended 11 October 1997 at Batavia, Illinois
As amended 10 January 1998 at Batavia, Illinois
