Bylaws

The League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area, New Jersey

Bylaws

(accepted by membership June 2023)

ARTICLE I 

Name 

Section 1 - Name. The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States and of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. 

ARTICLE II 

Purposes and Policy 

Section 1. Purposes. The purposes of the LWV of the Greater Princeton Area are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government, and to act on selected governmental issues in conformance with the principles of the national and the NJ League of women Voters.

Section 2. Policies. The policies of the LWV of the Greater Princeton Area are

1. Political policy. The League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate. (See Attachment A)

2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy. The League is fully committed to ensure compliance - in principle and in practice - with LWVUS's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. (See Attachment B)

ARTICLE III 

Membership 

Section 1: Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purpose and policy of the League shall be eligible for membership. 

Section 2: Types of Membership. The membership of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area shall be composed of voting members and associate members.

a. Voting members shall be those persons who are at least 16 years of age who join the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area and live in New Jersey. Life members are those residing in the Greater Princeton Area who have been members of the League of Women Voters of the United States for 50 years or more. Those who are students are defined as individuals who are enrolled either full or part-time with an accredited institution.

b. Associate members shall be all other members. 

ARTICLE IV 

Leadership Committee

Section 1: The League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area shall be governed by a Leadership Committee, each member of which is responsible for a specific role as well as for sharing or rotating administrative functions as needed to hold meetings and complete projects, or tasks that support the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and the League of Women Voters of New Jersey (LWVNJ).

Section 2: Number, Manner of Selections, and Term of Office. The Leadership Committee of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area shall consist of no fewer than 5 members and up to a maximum of 10 members. The members of the Leadership Committee shall be elected by the general membership at the Annual Meeting and shall serve a two-year term. Half of the Leadership Committee positions will be open for nomination each year. Terms begin July 1 and expire on June 30th. The Leadership Committee may appoint additional members to the Leadership Committee as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the League. The term of appointed Leadership Committee members shall expire on June 30th.

Section 3: Qualifications. No person shall be elected or appointed or shall continue to serve as a member of the Leadership Committee of this organization unless that person is a voting member. Leadership Committee Members under the age of 18 are non-voting members of the Leadership Committee to conform with state law. 

Section 4: Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Leadership Committee by reason of resignation, death or disqualification may be filled until June 30th of the present fiscal year by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Leadership Committee

Section 5: Powers and Duties. The Leadership Committee 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 suggestions 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. It shall accept responsibility delegated to it by the board of directors of the League of Women Voters of the United States.  The Leadership Committee shall create and designate such special committees, as it may deem necessary. 

Section 6: Meetings. There shall be at least four (4) regular meetings of the Leadership 

Committee annually. Any member of Leadership Committee can call a special meeting if three (3) members of the Leadership Committee agree in writing. 

Section 7 Quorum. A majority of the members of the Leadership Committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of the members in attendance at any leadership committee meeting shall, in the presence of a quorum, decide its action.

Section 8 – Electronic and Phone Meetings

Leadership committee members may participate in leadership meetings by conference call or any other electronic method of communication, provided all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear each other, or that the technology used for the electronic metings shall allow the members continuous full access to, and full participation in all meeting transactions throughout the specified time of the meeting. In addition, votes at online meetings may use online polling functions.

ARTICLE V

Leadership Committee Roles

Section 1: Enumeration and Election of Officers. The Leadership Committee of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area shall consist of a Convener/Spokesperson, Voter Service leader, Secretary, and Treasurer. At least one (1) and up to six (6) additional members of the Leadership Committee will assume responsibility for one or more of the following: 

• Events Team, Membership Team, Advocacy Team, Directory and Email List Team and Webmaster. All elected Leadership Committee members shall be elected by the general membership at the Annual Meeting for terms of two  (2) years, and take office July 1 (See Attachment A).

Section 2: The Convener/Spokesperson: The Convener/Spokesperson shall preside at all meetings of the organization. The Convener/Spokesperson may, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts and notes. 

Section 3: Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the League and of all meetings of the Leadership Committee. As such, The Secretary shall notify all members of The Leadership Committee of their election. Furthermore, The Secretary shall sign, with the Convener/Spokesman all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the Leadership Committee and shall perform such other functions as may be incident to the office of secretary. 

Section 4: The Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of these moneys, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the Leadership Committee and shall disburse the same only upon order of the Leadership Committee. The Treasurer shall present statements to the Leadership Committee at their regular meetings as well as an annual report to the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE VI 

Financial Administration 

Section 1: Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area shall commence on July 1 of the current fiscal year.

Section 2: Dues. Dues shall be payable on the first day of July each year. Any member who fails to pay the dues by December 31 of the current fiscal year shall be dropped from the membership rolls. A change in the amount of dues may be made by the membership at the Annual Meeting.

Section 3: Budget. A budget for the ensuing year shall be submitted to the Leadership Committee at least one (1) month prior to the Annual Meeting for approval. The proposed budget is prepared by two or more Voting members. The budget shall include support for the work of the League as a whole. The proposed budget shall be sent to all members one (1) week before the Annual Meeting. The proposed budget shall be voted on at the Annual Meeting.  

ARTICLE VII 

Meetings

Section 1: Membership Meetings. There shall be at least two meetings of the membership (Program Planning and Annual) each year. The Leadership Committee shall determine time and place. 

Section 2: Annual Membership Meeting. An Annual Membership Meeting shall be held in the spring, between April 1 and June 30, the exact date to be determined by the Leadership Committee. The Annual Meeting shall:

1. Adopt a local Program for the ensuing year,

2. Elect members of the Leadership Committee and members of the Nominating Committee,

3. Adopt an adequate budget, and

4. Transact such business as may properly come before it.

Section 3: Quorum. Ten percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area, except for adoption of Program items pertaining to a specific municipality; ten percent of the voting members of the municipality concerned shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4 – Electronic and Phone Membership Meetings

Membership meetings may be held by conference call or any other electronic method of communication, provided all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear each other, or that the technology used for the electronic meetings shall allow the members continuous full access to, and full participation in all meeting transactions throughout the specified time of the meeting. In addition, a) league votes on Bylaws, Budget and Leadership nominations must be voted on at the Annual Meeting, and b) Program and other votes at online meetings may use online polling functions.

ARTICLE VIII 

Nominations and Elections 

Section 1: Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members two (2) of whom shall be members of the Leadership Committee. The Nominating Committee shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. The current Nominating Committee shall make nominations for these offices. The Leadership Committee shall appoint the other member. The Leadership Committee may fill any vacancy occurring on the Nominating Committee. Any voting member may send suggestions for nominations for Leadership Committee to this Committee. The Nominating Committee shall function throughout the year, proposing nominations for vacancies, which may occur on the Leadership Committee.

Section 2: Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from Floor. The report of the Nominating Committee of the nominations for the Leadership Committee and the members of the succeeding Nominating Committee shall be sent to all members at least one (1) week before the date of the Annual Meeting. Immediately following the presentation of this report, any voting member may make nominations from the floor 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 or Convener/Spokesperson may be instructed to cast the ballot for every nominee. A majority of those qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election. Absentee 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 a program. 

Section 2: Program. The program of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area shall consist of (a) those local governmental issues chosen for study, action, and/or continuing attention, (b) action to implement our principles. The Program shall include local issues concerning government of a single municipality within the area or local issues common to two or more governments.

Section 3: Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall act upon the Program. The following procedures shall be used:

a) The Leadership Committee shall consider the items suggested by voting members resident in the municipality(s) concerned two months prior to the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a Proposed Program.

b) The Proposed Program, together with all items suggested, but not recommended, shall be sent to all members three weeks before the Annual Meeting.

c) A majority vote of the voting members resident in the municipality(s) concerned and present and voting at the Annual Meeting, followed by a majority vote of concurrence of voting members residing outside the municipality(s)concerned and present and voting, shall be required for adoption of subjects in the Proposed Program as presented to the Annual meeting by the Leadership Committee.

d) If suggestions for Program are submitted one (1) month prior to the Annual Meeting by voting members resident in the municipality(s) concerned, but are not recommended by the, Leadership Committee they may be considered by the Annual Meeting provided that:

1) The Annual Meeting shall order consideration by a majority vote of the voting members resident in the municipality(s) concerned, and

2) The Annual Meeting shall adopt the item by a two-thirds vote of the voting members resident in the municipality(s) concerned followed by a majority vote of concurrence of the voting members residing outside the municipality(s) concerned.

ARTICLE X

National Convention, State Convention, State Council, and Inter-League 

Organization Convention

Section 1: National Convention. The League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area, (at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the national office) shall select delegates to that Convention in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of the United States. 

Section 2: State Convention. The League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area (at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the state office) shall select delegates to that Convention in the number allotted to the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.

Section 3: State Council. The term “council” shall refer to a statewide meeting of the LWVNJ, with specified representation from local Leagues, Inter-League Organizations (ILOs), and the LWVNJ Board, that is called between conventions to transact business requiring member input. The League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton area (at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the state office) shall select delegates to the Council in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of the Greater Princeton Area under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. 

ARTICLE XI

Parliamentary Authority 

Section 1: Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws. 

ARTICLE XII

Amendments 

Section 1: Amendments. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present and voting at the Annual Meeting, provided that amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least one (1) week in advance of the meeting.