By-Laws

NHYR Organization By-Laws

CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE YOUNG REPUBLICAN FEDERATION

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the “New Hampshire Young Republican Federation,” hereinafter referred to as the Federation.

ARTICLE II

Purpose

The purpose of this Federation shall be to promote the Republican Party and its principles, as defined by the Republican National Committee, particularly among people between 18 and 40 years of age; to foster and provide guidance and assistance to Young Republican sub-chapters across New Hampshire; to encourage interest and participation in governmental affairs; and, to serve as a vehicle for political participation.

ARTICLE III

Membership

Section 1
Any citizen of the United States, residing and registered to vote in the State of New Hampshire and who has reached his eighteenth birthday but not his fortieth birthday, and who has a preference for the principles of the Republican Party and a desire to promote and work for the purposes of this Federation shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2
This Federation shall not charter more than one sub-chapter for any specific town or city. Any person, who resides in a town or city in which a chapter exists, but works full time in another town or city in which another chapter also exists, may choose to hold his or her membership in either chapter. Membership in more than one sub-chapter is prohibited.

Section 3
A sub-chapter must apply for charter membership to the State Executive Board of the Federation, in accordance with the bylaws of the Federation. The Federation may charter a sub-chapter when said sub-chapter has an at-large membership of six or more members in good standing. A sub-chapter applying for charter membership must provide with its application; a letter of intent; a complete membership roster with names, addresses, phone numbers, and electronic mail addresses of each member in good standing; and a roster of officers with names, addresses, phone numbers, electronic mail addresses and date of election. Upon admission by the State Executive Board, the Chairman of this Federation shall present each new sub-chapter a charter, which shall remain in effect as long as the sub-chapter is in good standing. Each sub-chapter may create an account to store funds at a financial institution of their choosing to be used in the manner that the sub-chapter sees fit, provided that they are in accordance with this constitution. No new sub-chapter shall be granted a charter thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. Sub-chapters are subject to the rules and policies of this constitution.

Section 4
Honorary life membership shall be granted to any individual who shall have rendered notable service to the NHYRF upon the recommendation of at least two members in good standing, and a two-thirds vote of a convention.

ARTICLE IV

Dues & Membership Fees

The annual dues of the membership shall be set by the State Executive Board at its bimonthlymeeting or no later than January 31, prior to the annual meeting. Payments for the calendar year shall be made to the Federation Treasurer not later than fourteen days before the Annual Meeting. The meeting of this criterion and those described in Article III, Section 1 will determine membership in good standing and voting eligibility at the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1
The officers of this Federation shall be: a Chairman; a Vice Chairman At-Large; a Vice Chairman – Northern region (consisting of the 4 northern counties); a Vice Chairman – Southern region (consisting of the 6 southern counties); a Secretary; a Treasurer; a National Committeeman; and a National Committeewoman, all of whom are elected at the Annual Meeting.

Section 2
The elected state officers of this Federation shall serve for a two-year term. Those officers shall be eligible to serve without restriction, with the exception of the Chairman, who is eligible for two terms, consecutive or not. Officers must have attained their eighteenth birthday, but not have reached their thirty-eighth birthday prior to the date they take office. The election of officers shall be by ballot at the Annual Meeting in the manner prescribed by this constitution.

Section 3
Elected state officers of this Federation may be removed from office at any special meeting of the Federation called for that purpose. A two-thirds majority of members in attendance at the special meeting of the Federation is required for any such removal.

Section 4
Appointed members of the State Executive Board who attain their position by nomination by the State Chairman and confirmation by the State Executive Board may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the State Executive Board at any meeting called for that purpose. Such removal by the State Executive Board must be based upon a specific incident or incidents of dereliction of duty, as prescribed by Article VI, Section 3 of this constitution. Written notice by registered mail must be forwarded to said member by the State Executive Board a minimum of ten days prior to such meeting, requesting his or her presence.

ARTICLE VI

State Executive Board

Section 1
The State Executive Board shall act as the governing body of the Federation when the Annual Meeting is in adjournment and shall be composed of:

1. The elected officers provided for in Article V, Section 1;
2. The duly elected chairman of each sub-chapter;
3. A Parliamentarian;
4. Any other appointed member that has been nominated by the Chairman and approved by a majority of the voting members of the State Executive Board; and,
5. Any voting YR National Executive Committee member who is also a member of the New Hampshire Young Republican Federation.

Section 2
The voting members of the State Executive Board shall be the elected officers provided for by Article V, Section 1 and the Sub-Chapter Chairs.

Section 3
One half of the voting members of the State Executive Board as defined in Article VI; Section 2 shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. Proxy voting is not permitted. The State Executive Board shall meet at least once bimonthly.

Section 4
If a State Executive Board member fails to attend consecutive meetings of the State Executive Board without a cause that is acceptable to the State Executive Board, such failure shall also constitute the resignation of said member and a vacancy shall then exist. The resignation of Sub-Chapter Chairs shall result in their vacancy being filled by their respective Sub-Chapter.

Section 5
Vacancies created by resignation or removal from office of the officers listed in Article V, Section 1, shall be filled in the following manner: within ten days of said vacancy, the ranking Federation officer must notify each State Executive Board member. A State Executive Board meeting must be called within thirty days of said notification to the State Executive Board for the purpose of filling the vacancy. Vacancies must be filled within ninety days of the notification of the meeting. In the case of the Chairman, please refer to Article VII, Section 2. Vacancies are to be filled by nomination of the Chairman with majority vote of the State Executive Board.

Section 6
The elected officers of the State Executive Board may, at the completion of their tenure, and with unanimous approval of the executive board, be granted their title “Emeritus” for all Young Republican purposes.

ARTICLE VII

Duties of Officers and State Executive Board Members

Section 1: Chairman
The Chairman shall be the chief executive officer of the Federation and shall preside at all meetings and perform such other duties assigned by a vote of the State Executive Board.

Section 2: Vice Chairman
The Vice Chairman At-Large shall act in the absence of the Chairman and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board. In the case of resignation or removal of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman At-Large will assume the role of Acting Chairman for the remainder of the term.

Section 3: Regional Vice Chairmen
The Vice Chairman – Northern Region and Vice Chairman – Southern Region shall work to direct activities and encourage membership in their respective regions, and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman of a vote of the State Executive Board. {These positions will be voted upon at the 2008 Annual Meeting for a one year term, followed by an election at the 2009 Annual Meeting for a full two year term. This statement will be deleted from the Constitution following the 2009 Annual Meeting.}

Section 4: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all Federation funds and shall publish at the Annual Meeting an account of all receipts and expenditures and pay only those bills approved by the State Executive Board. The Chairman may approve emergency expenses as outlined in Policy and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board.

Section 4: Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for maintenance of all recordings of meetings of this Federation, shall be responsible for maintaining a current state roster which will be made available by a two-thirds majority vote of the State Executive Board, and shall keep the State Executive Board members informed of Federation activities and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Committee.

Section 4: State Chairman & National Commiteemen
The State Chairman, National Committeeman and the National Committeewoman shall be the representatives to the Young Republican National Federation and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board.

Section 4: Parliamentarian
The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for advising the Federation or parliamentary procedure and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII

Election of Officers

Section 1
At least ninety days prior to the Annual Meeting, a Rules-Credentials Committee shall be formed, composed of the chapter chairman or an appointee from their chapter. The chairman of this committee shall be nominated by the State Chairman, be confirmed by a majority vote of the State Executive Board and may seek no state elective Federation office for the forthcoming year. A list of sub-chapters shall be furnished the Rules-Credentials Committee by the Federation Treasurer in compliance with Article IV, Section 1, of this constitution. The chairmen of each sub-chapter shall furnish a list of delegates to the Rules-Credentials Committee not later than thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Rules-Credentials Committee shall publish and make available to any YR member a list of certified delegates not less than twenty-five days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Rules-Credentials Committee shall notify at least sixty days prior to the Annual Meeting all chapters of the proposed rules for said Annual Meeting.

Section 2
A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to elect. When any ballot does not show a majority for any nominee, there shall be additional ballots with the nominees having the fewest votes being dropped from each succeeding ballot until there is a majority.

Section 3
Individuals seeking elective office must file notice of their candidacy with the Secretary thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall forward said notice to the Rules-Credentials Committee from inclusion on a pre-printed ballot. The ballot shall provide, in addition, a space under each office for write-in candidates. Only candidates listed on the pre-printed ballot shall be afforded an opportunity to speak and to have nominating and seconding speeches made on their behalf. Time limits for said speeches shall be determined by the Rules-Credentials Committee.

Section 4
The term of newly elected officers shall commence at the adjournment of the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE IX

Meetings

Section 1
There will be one annual meeting of the Federation to be held in the month of April each year for the purpose of receiving reports of officers and committees, and conducting any other business that may arise. At every other annual meeting beginning in April 2007, the meeting will also consist of electing officers and will be held in odd numbered years in succession.

Section 2
A special meeting of the Federation may be called by the Executive Board upon request of the Chairman, one-third of the voting members of the Executive Board, or twenty-five members in good standing. Such meeting shall be scheduled not less than sixty days or not more than ninety days after receipt, in writing, by the Chairman. Business to be conducted at a special meeting of the Federation shall be specified in the call.

Section 3
The State Executive Board members must be notified at least thirty days prior to the date of such meeting. The call shall specify the date, time and place the meeting is to be held and the proposed agenda, including copies of any proposed constitutional amendments.

Section 4
A special meeting of the State Executive Board may be called by the Chairman, or shall be called by the Chairman on request of one-third of the members of the State Executive Board, providing that each member shall be given ten-day notice.

Section 5
No alternates or proxies will be accepted at any Federation meeting.

ARTICLE X

Parliamentary Authority

Section 1
This Constitution shall take precedence over Policy.

Section 2
Robert’s Rules of Order, revised or the latest edition thereof, shall govern all proceedings except when inconsistent with this Constitution.

ARTICLE XI

Endorsement of Candidates

The State Executive Board of the NH Young Republican Federation shall endorse no candidate for elective office during any Republican Primary; this does not preclude the ability of individual board members to endorse candidates provided no board member uses their NHYRF title in said endorsement. The Chair of the Federation may not publicly endorse candidates in a primary, due to the nature of their position. No Federation monies, including those of sub-chapters, shall be spent on a candidate during a Republican Primary.

ARTICLE XII

Affiliations

Section 1
The NHYRF shall affiliate and be chartered with the Young Republican National Federation, and shall encourage NHYRF members to associate with the national organization.

Section 2
All designated state delegates to the Young Republican National Federation Convention shall be nominated by the Chairman and be decided by a majority vote of the State Executive Board. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall automatically be granted delegate slots, as will any elected officer of the YRNF that is also a member of the YRNF. The delegation may institute unit rule on itself by a simple majority vote.

ARTICLE XIII

Amendments

Section 1
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the accredited delegates at any annual or special meeting of the Federation, provided that the proposed amendments have been submitted to all chartered chapters in accordance with Article IX, Sections 2 and 3.

Section 2
Amendments may be initiated by the Chairman, or one-third of the voting members of the State Executive Board, or by twenty-five members in good standing in the Federation membership.

Section 3
Amendments to this Constitution shall become effective immediately upon passage.

Section 4
Any special meeting of the Federation called for with the principal purpose of amendments may be considered a constitutional convention. At a constitutional convention, amendments to the Constitution may be accepted from the floor, with a two-thirds vote being required, as long as the special meeting had at least ninety days notice. Changes or additions to Policy must be initiated in the same manner as constitutional amendments, but confirmed by a majority vote at a Federation meeting.

POLICY OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE YOUNG REPUBLICAN FEDERATION

PREAMBLE

The purpose of this statement is to consolidate matters of internal and external policy which will aid in the efficient operation of the New Hampshire Young Republican Federation, hereinafter referred to as the Federation.

POLICY I

The State Executive Board shall meet once bimonthly, on a date recommended by the Chairman and approved by the State Executive Board. At said meeting, the Federation chairman or presiding officer shall distribute a copy of the meeting’s agenda in writing.

POLICY II

The Treasurer shall be bonded at the expense of the Federation if the Treasury reaches the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars. He shall render a written report to the members of the State Executive Board at each meeting concerning income and expenses and the balance of cash.

POLICY III

In the case of an emergency, the Chairman may spend up to seventy-five dollars $75.00 on any item or expense. Otherwise, State Executive Board approval is required.

POLICY IV

Section 1
Each sub-chapter upon holding annual elections or installation of officers shall send, within ten days after an election, one copy of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of its newly elected officers to the Secretary of the Federation. Further, a chapter shall inform the Secretary of the Federation of all formal changes in constitution, policy, by-laws, officers and memberships within thirty days of said change. Remembering that the sub-chapters are extensions of the whole organization, they shall not carry out policies, programs or press matters without prior authorization from the State Executive Board.

Section 2
Each sub-chapter may, at any given time, petition the State Executive Board for funds for either emergency expenditures or important necessary expenditures. The sub-chapter applying for funds will fill out the necessary request paperwork that will be made available by the Treasurer, and must be returned to the Treasurer not later than forty-eight hours before the monthly State Executive Board at which the sub-chapter would like the request to be placed on the agenda. The sub-chapter must notify the Chairman not later than forty-eight hours before the meeting so the agenda can be added to. Pending a majority vote by the State Executive Board, the Treasurer will disperse funds to the sub-chapter.

POLICY V

Section 1
All reports, records, minutes of meetings and other matters pertaining to this organization shall remain the property of this Federation and be available at all times to its membership. The officers and chairmen of committees shall be custodians of such as pertain to their assigned areas and shall pass all such reports, records, minutes of meetings and matters of the Annual Meeting on to those who next succeed them, and such person shall be responsible for the receipt of all such materials. This transaction shall take place at the first State Executive Board meeting after such election or appointment.

Section 2
There shall be an external auditor who shall be nominated by the Federation Chairman and confirmed by a majority of the Executive Board, and who shall perform annual audits of the Federation accounts, audit all Federation activities including fundraising, and shall perform those additional duties as may be requested by the Federation Chairman or a majority of the voting members of the State Executive Board. Preference shall be given for the position to individuals with accounting or business backgrounds, so long as they are not a member of the State Executive Board. The Auditor’s report shall be published and made available at the Annual Meeting.

POLICY VI

Ad Hoc committees shall be authorized by a majority vote of the State Executive Board and the Federation Chairman shall appoint committee members. They shall expire at every convention unless continued by a vote of said convention.

POLICY VII

The following positions are exofficio members of the State Executive Board and as such are not voting members. These positions are all nominated by the Federation Chairman and approved by a majority vote of the State Executive Board. The Immediate Past Chairman shall be an ex-officio member of the State Executive Board and shall perform such duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board. The Finance Director shall be responsible for developing fundraising activities and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board. The Membership Director shall be responsible for developing membership programs and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board. The Public Relations Director shall be responsible for the advertisement and promotion of the Federation’s activities, and formulating and distributing the Federation newsletter and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board. The Webmaster shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the NHYR Website and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board. There shall also be liaisons for each of the Congressional Delegation’s offices, the Senate President’s office, the Speaker’s office and the Governor’s office, which report on the activities of said office and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board.