LWV Greater Grand Forks
Bylaws
April 2025
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Policy
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of the League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks shall be to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government and to act on selected governmental issues.
Section 2. Policy. The League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks 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 candidate.
ARTICLE III.
Membership
Section 1. Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purpose and policies of the League shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2. Types of Membership. The membership of the League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks shall be composed of voting members, student members, and associate members.
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Voting members shall be those citizens at least sixteen years of age.
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Student members shall be those currently enrolled in post-secondary institutions.
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Household membership shall be two members residing at the same address in a common household. Each qualified member shall be allowed one vote.
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Life membership may be granted to any voting member of the League who has been a member of the LWVUS for 50 years. No further dues will be collected, and all privileges will be retained as a voting member.
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Associate members shall be all others who join the League.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
Section I. Number, Manner of Selection and Term of Office. The board of directors shall consist of the officers of the League, six elected directors and not more than six appointed directors. Three shall be elected by the general 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.
Section 2. Qualifications. All elected or appointed officers and directors must be voting members of the League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks.
Section 3. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors by reason of the resignation, death or disqualification of any 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.
Section 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 the 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.
Section 5. Meetings. There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the board of directors annually. The president may call special meetings upon the written request of five members of the board.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V
Officers
Section 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers. The officers of the League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks shall be a president, a vice-president, a 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.
Section 2. The President. The president shall preside at all general meetings of the board of directors. The president may, in the absence or disability of the treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts and notes. The president shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees except the nominating committee. The president shall have such 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.
Section 3. Vice-Presidents. The vice-president shall in the event of absence, disability 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 elect one of its members to fill the vacancy. The vice-presidents shall perform such other duties as the president and board may designate.
Section 4. Secretary. The secretary shall keep minutes of all general meetings of the League and of all meetings of the board of directors. The secretary shall notify all officers and directors of their election. The secretary 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 pertinent to the office.
Section 5. Treasurer. The treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due. The treasurer shall be the custodian of these monies, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the board of directors, and shall disburse the same only upon order of the board. The treasurer shall present statements to the board at their regular meetings and an annual report to the annual meeting.
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ARTICLE VI
Financial Administration
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks shall commence on the first day of April each year.
Section 2. Dues. Annual dues as set in the budget shall be payable by the annual meeting or as soon as viable to the member.
Section 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.
Section 4. Budget Committee. A budget committee shall be appointed by the board 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
Section 1. Membership Meetings. There shall be at least one general meeting of the membership each year. Time and place shall be determined by the board of directors.
Section 2. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting shall be held every spring, the exact date to be determined by the board of directors. The annual meeting shall:
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Adopt a local program for the ensuing year.
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Elect officers and directors, members of the nominating committee
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Adopt an adequate budget
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Transact such other business as may properly come before it.
Section 3. Quorum. Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum at all general and annual meetings of the League of Women Voters of Greater Grand Forks, five of whom shall be members of the board.
ARTICLE VIII
Nominations and Elections
Section 1. Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall consist of five members, two of whom shall be members of the board of directors. The chair and two members, none of whom shall be members of the board of directors at the time of their election, 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.
Section 2. Report of Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor. The report of the nominating committee of its nominations for officers, directors and the 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.
Section 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
Section 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 the program.
Section 2. Program. The program of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Grand Forks after member study and consensus shall consist of:
a.) Action to protect the right to vote of every citizen.
b.) Those governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.
Section 3. Action by the Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall act upon the program using the following procedures:
a) 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.
b) The proposed program shall be sent to all members one month prior to the annual
meeting.
c) 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.
d) Recommendations for program submitted by voting members two months prior to the
annual meeting but not recommended by the board of directors may be considered by the annual meeting provided that:
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The annual meeting shall order consideration by a majority vote, and
2. The annual meeting shall adopt the item by a two-thirds vote.
e) Changes in the program, in the case of altered conditions, may be made provided that:
1. Information concerning the proposed changes has been sent to all members at least
two weeks prior to a general membership meeting at which the change is to be
considered.
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Final action by the membership is taken at a succeeding meeting.
Section 4. Members Action. Members may act in the name of the League of Women Voters only when authorized to do so by the proper board of directors.