Chapter 1: General Membership Meetings
Section 1: The purposes of general membership meetings are to provide an opportunity for members to get involved with Republican politics, unify, meet other members, officers, public officials, and speakers with similar interests, and entertain.
Section 2: General membership meetings shall be regularly scheduled for the last Wednesday of the Month.
Section 3: General membership meetings shall be run by the President or the Vice President in his absence.
Section 4: It shall be the responsibility of the President to determine the agenda for each general membership meetings.
Section 5: The President may cancel or change the dates, times, or locations of general membership meetings at his discretion but should provide three (3) days of reasonable notice to members.
Section 6: Club business shall only be conducted at a regularly scheduled general membership meeting and a quorum of six (6) active members shall be required.
Chapter 2: Board of Directors Meetings
Section 1: The purpose of Board meetings shall be to conduct club business, address the concerns of members, and develop short and long term plans for the betterment of the club and its members.
Section 2: The Board will set it operating rules.
Chapter 3: Special Procedures
Section 1: Inauguration
1.a: The inauguration of new officers shall take place at the next regularly scheduled general membership meeting following the elections.
1.b: The President-elect shall determine the agenda for the inauguration.
1.c: The oath of office shall be administered to the President by the outgoing President as chosen by the President-elect, if one is unavailable, the Elections Judge, a current TFYR officer, ranking member of the outgoing Board of Directors, or Republican elected official may be substituted. If none are available, the responsibility falls to the most senior active member present.
1.d: The oath of office for the President shall be recited as follows: “I, (insert name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I shall faithfully execute the office of the President of the Tarrant County Young Republicans, and shall to the best of my ability, uphold its Constitution and work for the betterment of its members and the Republican Party.”
1.e: The new President shall administer the oath of office for the remaining Officers simultaneously.
1.f: The oath of office for the remaining Officers shall be recited as follows: “I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I shall faithfully execute the office to which I have been elected in the Tarrant County Young Republicans, and shall to the best of my ability, uphold its Constitution and work for the betterment of its members and the Republican Party.”
1.g: In the event of a vacancy, the President or his designate should administer the oath of office upon the confirmation of the new officer.
1.h: In the event of the vacancy of the President, the oath of office shall be administered to the Executive Vice President at the earliest convenience by any other Officer or former President
1.i: In the event of a special election, the oath of office shall be administered immediately following the election by the Elections Judge.
Section 2: Reasonable Notification
2.a: Reasonable notification of an upcoming event shall be defined as contacting the general membership by e-mail and announcements at any interim general membership meetings.
2.b. Reasonable notification of a past event shall be defined as contacting the general membership by e-mail and an announcement at the next regularly scheduled general membership meetings.
2.c: Any changes to this Section of the By-Laws shall be subject to Reasonable Notification rules as they were before the change.
Section 3: Resolutions
2.a: The club may consider adopting any resolution written and submitted by an active member. Resolutions require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of present active members.
2.c: Resolutions should be made known and permanently noted in the club’s historical record.
Chapter 4: Appointed Officers
Section 1: Sergeant-at-Arms
1.a: The Sergeant-at-Arms shall assist the President during meetings to maintain order, and shall be responsible for studying Robert’s Rules of Order to provide a reference for following proper parliamentary procedure during all meetings.
1.b: The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be responsible for all tangible assets of the club.
Section 2: President Emeritus
2.a: The President Emeritus shall serve as an advisor to the Board of Directors and moreover the President personally. He should make recommendations for actions and events based on past experience and provide a historical perspective to leadership. He should also help the President and other members to build networks and connections in the community, TFYR, and other organizations closely associated with the club. Additionally, the President Emeritus may take on special projects as coordinated with the President.
2.b: The President Emeritus must be a former President of club and still involved to some extent in club affair.
2.c: The President reserves the right to appoint multiple President Emeriti.
2.d: The President Emeritus shall coordinate with and report to the Chair.
Section 3: Social Chair
3.a: The Social Chair shall be responsible for the successful implementation of social activities to increase involvement and club activism. Any activity outside of club meetings, and perhaps in conjunction with club meetings, shall be the Social Chair’s responsibility. The Social Chair must organize creative and noteworthy events to inspire leadership and participation in the club by members. Additionally, the Social Chair shall handle any other related duties as deemed appropriate by the President or Membership Director.
3.b: The President reserves the right to appoint multiple or deputy Social Chairs.
3.c: The Social Chair shall coordinate and with and report to the President or his Executive Director.
Section 4: Political Action Director
4.a: The Political Action Director shall be responsible for creating and facilitating debates, protests, rallies, creating legislative appointments, and any other political duties as deemed necessary by the President. The Political Action Director shall also serve as a liaison between the club and political campaigns, if deemed necessary by the President.
4.b: The Political Action Director shall coordinate and report to the President or his Executive Director.
Section 5: Program Director
5.a: The Program Director shall be responsible for securing the meeting place in a timely manner and for planning relevant and interesting programs for regular meetings.
5.b: The Program Director shall coordinate and report to the President or his Executive Director.
Section 6: Chancellor
The Chancellor shall report directly to the Board of Director and be responsible for making sure the club complies with all local, state, and federal laws. The Chancellor shall also make sure the Club adheres to the State and National Young Republican Rules.
Section 7: Precinct Captains
7.a: Each of the 8 County Precincts shall have a Precinct Captain appoint from it to help with recruitment in it and handle political liaisons on the local level.
7.b: The Precinct Captain for each precinct must reside it the precinct he over sees.
7.c: The Precinct Captain is embowered to host social functions under the supervision of the President for the purpose of recruitment of members with in the precinct and discussing issues pertaining to the precinct.
7.d: Precinct Captains shall report directly to the President or his designee on the Board of Directors.
Chapter 5: Organizational Goals
Section 1: Publicity
1.a: The club shall maintain a website, contact list, and presence on popular social networking sites. Additionally, the club shall stay invested in and on the lookout for new and innovative ways to use technology to spread the club’s message.
1.b: The club shall coordinate with other likeminded organizations to organize events and spread the club’s message.
1.c: The club shall continuously encourage its members to become more involved in club affairs.
Section 2: TFYR Participation
2.a: The club shall strive to maintain its status as an active Federated chapter in the TFYR.
2.b: The President shall be the club’s official representative to the TFYR and strive to attend or designate a representative at each state board meeting.
2.c: The club shall strive to earn a maximum number of delegates and send a full slate to the annual state convention.
2.d: The club shall continuously lobby for its members to have leadership positions within the TFYR.
2.e: The club shall strive to work with other Young Republican clubs to further the Republican cause.
Section 3: Republican Club Participation
3.a: The club shall maintain a good and working relationship with the TREC, and other local Republican organizations.
3.b: The club shall encourage its members to participate in events with the TREC and other local Republican organizations.
3.c: The club shall encourage its members to become involved in the party building process.
Section 4: Political Process
5.a: During general election periods, the club shall involve itself in the campaigns of Republican candidates at all levels and encourage members to phone bank, walk precincts, and find innovative ways to become involved with campaigns. It shall also strive to educate its members on current issues and referendums.
5.b: During primary election periods, the club shall encourage its members to become involved in the campaigns of candidates and provide information on how to become involved. It shall also strive to educate members on the candidates and issues in an unbiased manner.
5.c: The club shall from time to time bring in speakers and elected officials to help educate members on the political process, issues, Republican values and histories, and other topics pertinent to the membership.
5.d: The club shall continuously provide the membership with information on how they may become involved with public policy, the political process, and elections.
5.e: The club shall plan, organize, and facilitate for a group of members to attend the annual CPAC conference in Washington, DC.
5.f: The club shall, from time to time, participate in debates on issues and candidates with other organizations, and strive to encourage participation amongst its members and present the views of the Republican Party to the best of it abilities.
5.g: The club shall from time to time gather in either a formal or social setting to watch or participate in major events of a political nature.
Section 5: Philanthropy
The club shall from time to time participate in events that give back to the community in a manner that reflects club values.
Section 6: Social Events
The club shall from time to time gather in a social setting to watch or participate in major community events or holidays.
Chapter 6: Committees
The President shall appoint all committees unless other wise specified. The President with the approval of the board shall appoint the chair of the committee unless other wise specified.
Section 1: President’s Steering Committees
The President’s Steering Committee is composed of the Membership Director plus the 8 Precinct Captains. The Membership Director shall chair the committee. The committee shall serve to advise the President and the rest of the Board of Directors on recruitment of members and the direction of the club.
Section 2: Executive Committee
2.a: The Executive Committee is composed of all the Club’s officer except the Precinct Chairs.
2.b: It shall be chaired by the President and shall assist the Board of Directors with the governance of the club.
Section 4: Ad Hoc Committees
2.a: Ad Hoc committees may be created from time to time for a period of no longer the one-year.
2.b: Ad Hoc committees shall be created and their chairs selected by the President, if the Ad Hoc committee exist longer then 4 weeks it must be approved by the board.
Chapter 7: Budget and Finance
The club shall operate under a budget and it finances shall be regulated.
Section 1: General Finance Laws
1.a: The Clubs fiscal year shall run from August 1st to the following July 31th.
1.b: Receipts for all expense shall be kept and turned into the Treasurer for safe keeping. If no receipt is available the person who spent the money must draw up a detailed, itemized receipt to provide to the Treasurer.
1.c: Petty cash may be provided to any officer by the Treasurer at the direction of the President or Executive Director. Any officer who has a discretionary fund is also able receive petty cash at there own request. Petty cash shall never exceed $150 in one person’s possession, except for the Treasure if they have collected more than that amount.
1.d: The Treasurer shall furnish anyone paying money into the Treasury with a receipt.
1.e: The Treasurer shall maintain the Treasury at a local bank approved by the Board of Directors.
1.f: The signers on the account shall be the President, Executive Vice President, Membership Director, Treasurer, and Executive Director.
1.g: If the Treasury ever needs to be internally audited, it shall be done by the Executive Secretary, Sergeant-of-Arms, and a Active Member selected by the General Membership
1.g: The amount in the Treasury shall never be less the 20% of amount budget in the last fiscal year or $1000 dollars which ever is greater
1.h: Membership dues may only be used on Membership Expenses. Membership Expenses shall be defined as expense that spent directly on Member Events. Membership Dues should not be considered part of the Budget and can only be spent by approval of the Board.
1.i: Membership Dues are defined as the amount required for associate or active status.
Section 2: General Budget Laws
2.a: There shall be a budget committee composed of the Treasurer and three Active Members selected by the General Membership at June meeting each year. The committee shall be chaired by the President or his designee. The budget committee shall serve for 1 year.
2.b: There must be a budget in place by the beginning of the fiscal year. If no fiscal budget is in place on 12:01 AM of August 1st, the account shall be considered locked and no money is allowed to be spent.
2.c: The budget must be balanced unless 4/5 of the General Membership authorize it to not be.
2.d: If the amount to be budgeted is less then $3000 it should all be put into General allocation.
2.e: In the budget there shall be a Discretionary account for the President and his Executive Director to be no more then $500. The budget shall also have a discretionary account for the Membership director not to exceed $300.
2.e: Any amount but into general allocation shall be dispersed by President with the approval of the board. The total amount in general allocation shall not exceed 50% of the budgeted funds.
Section 3: Creating the Budget
3.a: The budget shall be created by the President and his appointed officers in consultation with the other Board Members by July 1st.
3.b: The budget drafted by the President shall be submitted to the Budget Committee by July 5th each year. The Budget committee must have at least one public meeting to allow the general membership to make comments on the budget. The Budget Committee must approve the budget by majority vote and submit it to the Board of Directors.
3.c: The budget shall the be approve by the Board of Directors by majority vote with the President in the majority. If the budget is amended by the Board it must go back to the Budget committee. It shall repeat these two steps until the same budget is approve by both committees.
3.d: If the Budget Committee and the Board of Director cannot agree on the budget by July 25th, the Board of Director can pass the budget on there own with a unanimous vote.
3.e: The General Membership can veto or amend the budget at General Membership meeting following it approval with a 2/3 vote of all eligible voting members.
Section 4: Amending the Budget
After the budget is passed it shall be amended in the following manner
3.a: Any amendment of less than or equal to $500 just need majority approval by the Board.
3.b: Any amendment to the budget shall be submitted to the budget committee for approval if it exceeds a change of $500 dollars. It then must be approved by the Board by a majority vote with the President in the majority. If the Board amends the budget approved by the Budget Committee by more the $100 it must be returned to Budget Committee for approval
