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Constitution and Bylaws

constitution and bylaws

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE KANSAS FEDERATION OF YOUNG REPUBLICANS

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE. There is hereby established the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans, in order to promote and encourage support for and participation in the Republican Party, to disseminate information about the Republican Party, and to foster active participation in the political process.

ARTICLE II

POWERS. The Kansas Federation of Young Republicans shall have the power and authority to perform any and all lawful acts in furtherance of the organization’s stated purposes and further shall have the power to raise and expend funds and adopt Bylaws.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP. All persons ages 18 to 40 years old, and are registered as a Republican, are eligible for membership in the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans, and shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of membership in this organization upon meeting all requirements established in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE IV

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. There shall be an Executive Committee comprised of the following voting members: Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, National Committeeman, National Committeewomen, and one District Representative of each Congressional Districts of the state, who shall be elected at the district caucus to be held at the State Convention and National Elected Board Members. Nationally Appointed Committee Members, Executive Director, Legal Counsel, Chair Emeritus shall be non-voting members. 

ARTICLE V

COUNTY CLUBS. Any group of five or more Republicans, ages 18 to 40, who are individually members in good standing of the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans may establish a County Club on a city, county, multi-county, or congressional district basis, and shall be recognized as such upon compliance with any and all related Bylaws and approval from the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS . During the first three months of odd numbered years, the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans shall hold a State Convention, at which time an election of officers of the organization shall be held, and at which time any and all other business shall be conducted. In addition to the State Convention, special meetings of the organization may be held upon call of the Chair, provided written notice is given to the Executive Committee and other members in the state in accordance with rules set forth in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII

VOTING. Voting at the State Convention or any special meeting shall be governed by the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII

BYLAWS.   The Executive Committee shall have the power to make, alter, or
repeal the bylaws by a two-thirds vote.  Any change approved by the
Executive Committee shall automatically trigger a call to meeting of
the State Committee within 60 days.  In order to implement these changes,
the State Committee must ratify the changes approved by the executive
committee by a two-thirds vote.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments.  This constitution shall be amended by a 2/3 majority votes cast by the state convention.



BYLAWS OF THE KANSAS FEDERATION OF YOUNG REPUBLICANS


ARTICLE I

NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans.

ARTICLE II

POWERS
The powers of the organization shall be:
A.    To direct, manage, supervise and control its business, property, and funds, and to do all other things necessary in order to carry out the purpose and objectives of the organization;
B.     To create and assist County Clubs throughout the state of Kansas.

ARTICLE III

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the organization shall be:
A.    To develop a statewide organization of young Republicans;
B.     To provide a practical means by which young Republicans throughout Kansas may effectively contribute to the betterment of the Republican Party, the nation, and local communities.
C.     To support the principles, objectives, and platform of the Republican Party, and to secure the election of duly nominated Republicans candidates.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP
A.     County Clubs

  1. Application for membership shall be in the form required by the Executive Committee and shall be submitted to the Chair along with an application fee as set by the Executive Committee.
  2. Dues, as provided in Article V, and a proposed Constitution and Bylaws shall accompany the application; no application shall be acted upon by the Executive Committee until the same are submitted.
  3. Upon approval of said application by the Executive Committee, the Chair shall sign the charter of affiliation and shall notify the applicant of such acceptance.
  4. Membership of a County Club shall not be terminated unless:
    a. The Executive Committee, by majority vote, concludes that continued affiliation is prejudicial to the best interest of the organization.
    b. Membership in a County Club falls below the minimum of five individuals in good standing with the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans.
    c. The County Club fails to submit an official roster to the Chair of the organization as provided in Article V.

B.    At Large Members.

  1. Individuals who reside in localities which either do not have a County Club, or are of insufficient size to sustain a County Club, shall annually make application for At Large Member status through the Executive Committee and be may accepted as such upon approval by a majority of the Executive Committee. A person seeking At Large Member status must be a resident of the state of Kansas, at least 18 years of age, but under the age of 40, and a registered member of the Republican Party on the date membership is sought. If the individual shall arrive at the age of 40 in any calendar year membership is effective, such membership shall continue until the end of the calendar year, terminating thereafter. An initial application for At Large Member status may be submitted at any time during the calendar year. Once At Large Member status has been approved, subsequent applications for At Large Member status for such individual shall be made by January 1 in years thereafter. Dues as provided in Article V shall be remitted directly to the Chair at the time an application for At Large Member status is made.

C.     Individual Members.

  1. Individual membership in the organization shall consist of individuals listed on their County Club’s Official Roster as provided in Article V or who have attained At Large Member status. Each individual must be at least 18 years of age and have not attained the age of 40; he or she must also be a resident of the state of Kansas and a registered member of the Republican Party. These conditions must be fulfilled and attained as of January 1 in the calendar year membership is to be effective; if any individual member shall arrive at the age of 40 after January 1 in the calendar year membership is effective, such membership shall continue until the end of the calendar year, terminating thereafter. Individual members shall pay dues as provided in Article V.

D.     Honorary Members

  1. Honorary membership in the organization may be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Honorary Members may not hold office in the organization, nor vote on organization matters. An Honorary Member shall not be required to fulfill the age requirements of Individual Members, but must be registered as a member of the Republican Party. The Executive Committee may establish a membership fee for Honorary Members.

ARTICLE V

FINANCE & DUES
A.      Generally   

  1. Dues shall be collected from each County Club and At Large Member as set forth below.  Dues shall not be collected from Honorary Members.
  2. The Chair may appoint an ad hoc committee to make recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding an increase in dues for the following calendar year. Dues may only be increased in increments of $5. An increase in dues must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and shall be effective for the next calendar year of membership.
  3. Any County Club or At Large Member whose dues are unpaid thirty days following the due date shall be deemed delinquent and not in good standing. A delinquent unit shall be suspended from all services of the organization and shall forfeit the right to vote upon any matters affecting the organization.
  4. Any County Club or At Large Member remaining delinquent as defined above for a period of one year shall forfeit its charter and membership in the organization. Reinstatement shall be obtained by filing a new application for membership, subject to all conditions and requirements imposed upon a new unit.

B.     County Clubs.

  1. Each County Club shall pay annual dues to the organization in the amount of $25. Along with the annual dues each County Club must submit their official roster, which shall be in the format established by the Executive Committee, by January 1st each year.
  2. New County Clubs applying for membership shall tender one year of dues at the time of application.  

C.     At Large Members   

  1. Each At Large Member shall pay annual dues to the organization in the amount of $20, due January 1st of each year.
  2. New At Large Members applying for membership shall tender on year of dues at the time of application.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS
A.     The officers of the organization shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, Vice Chair at Large, Treasurer, Secretary, one District Representatives for each Congressional District, a National Committeeman, and a National Committeewoman, Nationally Elected Board Members. In addition there shall be Nationally Appointed Committee Members, Chair Emeritus, Legal Counsel and an Executive Director. Legal Counsel and the Executive Director shall be appointed by the Chair, subject to the majority approval of the Executive Committee. The Executive Director, Nationally Appointed Committee Members, Chair Emeritus and Legal Counsel will be non-voting members on the Executive Committee. The Executive Director may be either a salaried or non-salaried position at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
B.    The officers mentioned above, except for the appointed officers, shall be elected at the State Convention of the organization in accordance with the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans’s Constitution. No person shall hold the same elected office for more than two (2) consecutive terms, unless he or she shall have been appointed or elected to fill a vacancy within one (1) year preceding the State Convention.
C.    The powers and duties of the officers shall be as follows:

  1. Chair. The duties and powers of the Chair shall be those as are by general usage indicated by the title of office, and shall include but not limited to the following:  
    a. The Chair shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the organization and shall supervise the affairs and activities of the organization and shall make an annual report to the Executive Committee.           
    b. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the organization and Executive Committee.
    c. The Chair shall be an Ex Officio Member of all County Clubs.
    d. The Chair shall assign the duties of the Vice-Chairman and require such reports as he/she may deem fit.
    e. The Chair shall appoint all delegates and alternates to represent the organization at all functions not provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws.
    f. The Chair shall have the power to establish committees.
  2. Vice-Chair. The Vice Chair shall act as assistant to the Chair and shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the Chair. In addition, the Vice-Chair shall perform such specific duties as may be assigned by the Chair.
  3. Vice Chair at Large. The Vice Chair at Large shall perform such specific duties as may be assigned by the Chair
  4. Treasurer. The Treasurer’s duties and powers shall include those as are by general usage indicated by the title of office and shall include but not be limited to the following:
    a. He/she shall be the custodian of all the funds of the organization.
    b.) He/she shall keep books or records showing all itemized receipts and expenditures.
  5. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep and maintain a record of all the meetings of the Organization and Executive Committee. He or she shall also maintain the official membership roster and be responsible for accrediting and registering delegates at the State Convention and any special meetings. He or she shall have such additional duties as the Chairman shall direct.
  6. National Committeeman and Committeewoman. The National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall represent the organization at the regional and national level and shall serve as a member of the Young Republican National Committee as provided by the Constitution and Bylaws.
  7. District Representatives. Each District Representative shall be the District Chair and shall be responsible for the overall administration of their assigned districts as provided in Article VIII hereof, and shall have such additional duties as the Chair shall direct.
  8. Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be the administrator for the organization. In addition to the duties indicated by the title, the Executive Director shall perform such specific duties as may be assigned by the Chair or the Executive Committee.
  9. Legal Counsel. The Legal Counsel shall be appointed by the Chair with the majority approval of the Executive Committee and shall in addition to the duties indicated by his/her title serve as Parliamentarian and as an Ex-Officio Member of the committees on Rules, Credentials and Constitution and Bylaws.

D.     Eligibility for Office

  1. Any Individual Member or At Large Member of this organization in good standing shall be eligible for nomination as an officer;  however to be eligible for nomination as Chair, such individual must also have served or currently be serving as a member of the Executive Committee.
  2. No Individual Member or At Large Member who is 40 years of age at the time of the State Convention, or who will attain the age of 40 during a term of office, shall be eligible for election.

E.     Nomination.

  1. Nomination and Election Committee. At least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the State Convention, the Chair shall appoint the Nominations and Elections Committee which shall have general supervision of and responsibility for the conduct of nominations, campaigns, and election. The Committee shall consist of the Chair, Legal Counsel, the Executive Director, and two other individuals, who are in good standing.
  2. At least forty-five (45) days before the State Convention, the Nominations and Elections Committee shall give written notice to all County Clubs and At Large Members that it will accept nominations and/or declarations of candidacy for the elective offices.
  3. County Clubs and At Large Members shall submit nominations and declarations of candidacy for elective office to the Nominations and Elections Committee on the form prescribed by the Executive Committee at least twenty (20) days prior to the State Convention.
  4. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall consider all names proposed for office and shall certify as nominees all names submitted that meet the qualifications outlined in Article VII(A) hereof. All County Clubs and At Large Members shall be notified of the certified nominations not less than ten (10) days prior to the State Convention. The Committee shall immediately forward each certified candidate a copy of the organization’s Constitution and Bylaws.
  5. Nominations for office made less than twenty (20) days prior to the State Convention shall be accepted upon nomination and second from the floor of the State Convention, with the exception of the District Representative offices. The Nomination and Elections Committee shall determine if the nominee(s) meets the qualifications outlined in Article VII(A) before the nominee is considered certified.

F. Elections

  1. Officers shall be elected in the following order: Chair, Vice-Chair, Vice Chair at Large, Treasurer, Secretary, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman.
  2. Each District Representative shall be elected at a district caucus held at the State Convention. Every Individual Member and every At Large Member in good standing with the organization present from that district shall be allowed one (1) vote.
    a. Should there be no members present from the district and no district caucus held, it shall be at the discretion of the presiding Chair to appoint a District Representative at the State Convention from the official roster of the district’s Individual Members or At Large Members.
  3. All officers shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast, except as provided in Article VII(C)(2)(a).

a. Votes may be cast only by accredited, registered delegates on the voting floor of the State Convention at the time of voting.

1. Registration and accreditation will be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article XI herein.

G.     Vacancies

  1. If any elected office shall become vacant by reason of resignation, removal, death, or otherwise, the Executive Committee shall nominate a successor who meets the qualifications outlined in Section A herein. The name of the nominee selected shall be submitted for approval by mail or email ballots to the County Clubs and At Large Members with instructions to vote and return the ballot within fifteen (15) days. In case of district offices, the name of the nominee shall be submitted only to the County Clubs and At Large Members within the appropriate district. Fifteen (15) days after the ballots are submitted, the return ballots shall be counted by the Executive Committee. In the event the nominee is rejected, the Executive Committee shall forthwith submit a second name for consideration in the manner previously set forth. If the vacancy shall occur within 60 days prior to the date of the State Convention, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to appoint a qualified individual to serve the remainder of the term.
  2. Vacancies in appointed offices shall be filled by appointment by the Chair with the majority approval of the Executive Committee.

H.       Removal

  1. If at anytime the participation, conduct, or performance of any member of the Executive Committee appears to be detrimental or improper to the best interest of the organization, any member of the Executive Committee, may move for the removal of the offending member by filing a complaint in writing with the Executive Committee stating the grounds for the improper conduct. Within 15 days a hearing shall be held with the accused member and the Executive Committee. The entire Executive Committee, both voting and non-voting members, shall remove the member by a 2/3 vote and the office shall be declared vacant and shall thereafter be filled in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article VII (D) herein.
  2. In the event that any member of the Executive Committee shall have two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from a duly called meeting of the Executive Committee, said individual may be subject to removal.

ARTICLE VII

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A.     There shall be an Executive Committee, which shall consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Vice Chair at Large, Treasurer, Secretary, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, District Representatives and Nationally Elected Board Members. The Nationally Appointed Committee Members, Chair Emeritus, Legal Counsel and Executive Director shall sit without vote.
B.     Except when the State Convention is in session, the Executive Committee shall have the control and management of all affairs, properties and funds of the organization.     
C.     There shall be at least five (5) regular meetings of the Executive Committee during each calendar year, to be called at a time and place designated by the Chair upon ten (10) days written notice to the members of the Executive Committee.
D.     Special meetings may be called by the Chair upon ten (10) days written notice to the Executive Committee or by the Executive Director upon written request of a majority of the Executive Committee and upon ten (10) days written notice to the members of the Committee.
E.     The Executive Committee may, without meeting together, transact business by mail or email, by voting on questions submitted to them by or with the approval of the Chair. The issue to be voted upon shall be submitted 15 days prior to the vote. The voting shall be considered closed at the end of fifteen (15) days. If, at the expiration of the fifteen (15) days, the majority of the Executive Committee have not returned their votes, the question being voted upon shall be deemed to have failed. The Executive Director must preserve all such votes until the next meeting of the Executive Committee at which meeting the Executive Committee shall order the disposition of such votes. In cases where a hearing is required by the Constitution and Bylaws, voting by mail or email shall not be permitted.
F.     At all meetings of the Executive Committee a majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote on any issue before the Committee shall be the decision of the entire Committee and shall be binding as such.

ARTICLE VIII

STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
A.     There shall be a body known as the State Central Committee which shall be composed of the Executive Committee, the Chair of each County Club, Vice-Chair of each County Club, and each At Large Member.
B.     The State Central Committee shall meet at the call of the Executive Committee to transact such business as may come before it, to become informed in current policy and issues of interest to the organization, and to participate in forums and training seminars.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRICTS
A.     The organization shall establish districts within the state, said districts to have the same designation and to consist of the same geographical area as the Congressional Districts.
B.     Each District Representative, duly elected pursuant to Article VII, shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the district in which elected and maintain responsibility for overall Young Republican development and activity within said district.
C.     Except as otherwise provided herein, each district is authorized to adopt its own Constitution and Bylaws and to provide therein for such additional officers, procedures, committees, and other matters as it deems fit; provided, however, that such district Constitution and Bylaws may not be inconsistent or in conflict with the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans’s Constitution and By-laws. In the event of such inconsistency, the Kansas Federation of Young Republicans’s Constitution and By-laws shall be control.

ARTICLE X

STATE MEETINGS AND CONVENTION
A.     Time

  1. The State Convention shall be held in the first four months odd numbered years, as determined by the Executive Committee.

B.    Decorum

  1. All meetings and activities of the organization shall be in good order. This limitation shall not be construed to confine or prohibit the reasonable use of signs and posters for advertising of candidates or the promotion of host cities, or any reasonable demonstration. Appropriate actions, including the suspension of voting privileges, may be impressed by the Executive Committee upon any County Club, At Large Member, or Individual Member violating the spirit and intent of this action.

C.    Rules and Procedures

  1. The agenda for the State Convention shall be drawn by the Chairman with the approval of the Executive Committee, and upon approval by a majority vote the delegates at the opening session. The agenda shall be binding on the convention meetings unless changed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of accredited delegates on the voting floor at the State Convention.
  2. Any Individual Member and At Large Members shall have the privilege of debate on the floor, but only accredited delegates on the voting floor will be permitted to vote.
  3. Any roll call vote, with the exception of elections, shall be alphabetical by accredited delegate.
  4. A roll call vote on any question shall be taken upon the request of a majority of accredited delegates on the voting floor of the State Convention.


D.     Quorum

  1. Quorum for a State Committee meeting shall consist of the Executive Committee, any At Large Members, and at least two paid members from each charted county group. The County Chair has the responsibility to appoint their delegates or proxy’s to the State Committee.

E.    Representation

  1. County Clubs in good standing shall be entitled to the number of representatives and votes at the State Convention concerning all matters as follows. Each County Club shall have five (5) delegate votes for the first five (5) members and one (1) additional delegate vote for each additional increment of five (5) members.
  2. At Large Members in good standing shall each have one vote. No more than four (4) At Large Members from any single county shall be permitted. If there should be more than four (4) members form any single county claiming delegates votes, they must vote as a County Club even though they are not officially organized as such.
  3. In order to qualify for the maximum votes allowed, the County Club must have, registered, accredited, and be present on the floor at the time of voting. In the event that a County Club does not have full delegate strength registered, accredited, and present, it shall have one vote for each delegate who is registered, accredited and present. Voting strength shall be computed according to the official roster filed by the County Club in accordance with Article V herein 30 days prior to the State Convention.
  4. Votes may be cast only by accredited, registered delegates on the voting floor of the State Convention at the time of the vote. No delegate shall cast more than one (1) vote on a questions submitted. No proxies shall be recognized or used.
  5. Delegates shall be selected in such manner as may be determined by the County Club they represent. Alternate delegates may be seated upon presentation of proper credentials. There may only be one alternate delegate for each voting delegate. Credentials shall be presented in such form and at such time as the Executive Committee shall establish.
  6. No delegate or alternate delegate from any County Club which is not in good standing with the organization shall be seated.

F.       Accreditation

  1. The Executive Committee will establish rules and procedures for accreditation and give notice of the same to the County Clubs and At Large Members at least 45 days prior to the State Convention.
  2. It shall be the duty of the Secretary at the State Convention to accredit and register delegates prior to the time the Chairman calls the business meeting to order. The Secretary may be assisted by any other members of the Executive Committee, as necessary to expedite this process.  In the Secretary’s absence at the State Meeting, the Chairman shall appoint one or more members of the Executive Committee to serve in this capacity.
  3. Registered and accredited delegates or alternates must display their credentials on their person at all times when on the voting floor of the State Convention.

ARTICLE X I

INDEMNIFICATION
A.     To the maximum extent that the laws of the State of Kansas allow, the organization shall indemnify the officer, of any liability, expense, cost, judgment, penalty, or fine imposed solely by reason of the fact that such person is or was an Officer of the Organization.

ARTICLE XII

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
A.              Roberts Rules of order shall be the Parliamentary authority for all
matters of procedure not specifically covered by the Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS
A.    Loans

  1. No loan shall be made by the organization to any of its Officers, County Clubs or At Large Members.     

B. Waiver of Notice   

  1. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the laws of the State of Kansas or under the provisions of these Bylaws, a waiver of such notice in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated in such waiver, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

C. Prohibited Endorsements

  1. Neither the Federation, any Federated Club, nor any Officer of a          Federated Club or of the Federation in his or her official capacity, shall endorse a candidate in any partisan race in which more than one Republican runs, except for those races for which an official Republican nominee has been selected by the Republican Party either through a primary or other mechanism. Nothing in this Constitution shall prevent any Officer of a Club or of the Federation, or any Member, from endorsing a candidate in his or her individual capacity.

The Kansas Young Republicans approved the foregoing Constitution and Bylaws on the 28th day of January, 2006.


_________________________________
Name:  Justin Pike
Title:  Secretary