Alcona County Republicans

BYLAWS

ALCONA COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1 - NAME: This committee shall be known as the Alcona County Republican Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Executive Committee").

SECTION 2 - PURPOSE: The purpose and object of the Executive Committee shall be to perform all duties provided by law and such other duties not prohibited by law as will benefit the general welfare of the Republicans of Alcona County and to conduct the political affairs and business of the Alcona County Republican Party (hereinafter referred to as the “Alcona County Republicans” or ACR).

SECTION 3– NAME DEFINITION: Alcona County Republicans (ACR) refers to the residents of Alcona County, Michigan, that choose to be dues paying members who will have a vote on participatory events, and any other community members who wish to participate in the meetings and/or activities arranged by the Executive Committee. Non dues paying members will have no vote. The Executive Committee reserves the right to refuse or revoke membership should a member of the ACR violate ethical standards of the Republican Party.

ARTICLE II - THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 1 - ESTABLISHMENT: There shall be an Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Alcona County, Michigan, which shall be established as provided by law and the Bylaws of the Michigan Republican Party. The Executive Committee shall elect the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Executive Committee and any other Executive Committee member positions as should come up for election, as well as fill any vacancies occurring in these offices.

SECTION 2 - DUTIES: The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to establish general policy for and conduct the affairs of the Alcona County Republicans and to perform such additional duties as may be required by law.

In addition, the Executive Committee shall encourage, recognize, and aid in the establishment of those organizations within Alcona County that will enhance the activities of the Republican Party.

SECTION 3 - MEMBERSHIP: The membership of the Executive Committee shall consist of Precinct Delegate Elected Members, Nominee Elected Members, Ex-officio Members, and Appointed Precinct Delegate Members who choose to serve on the Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee are elected by the most recent duly elected precinct delegates, permanently appointed precinct delegates and paid members of the ACR.

(a) PRECINCT DELEGATE ELECTED MEMBERS. These members, having been elected by the citizens of Alcona County in the precinct in which they reside in the Primary Election of even numbered years, will have a vote regardless of paid membership status.

(b) NOMINEE ELECTED MEMBERS. The Nominee Members shall be those persons nominated by the Republican Party or elected for county offices and state legislative offices (whose districts are located in whole or in part in Alcona County) at the last preceding primary election. When a new nomination is made for such an office, the new member shall replace the former Nominee Member as a member of the Executive Committee. If a vacancy occurs in the position of a Nominee Member of the Executive Committee, for whatever reason, the vacancy may only be filled by the person who is the new nominee for the office in question. Nominee Members shall have a voice but not a vote, unless membership dues are paid.

(c) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS. The Ex-officio Members of the Executive Committee shall be persons who reside in Alcona County and who have held the following positions from the previous two year election cycle of the current Executive Committee: County Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and any other Executive Committee positions, as well as members of the Republican State Committee, State Party officers, Republican Congressmen, Congressional District Chairpersons, the chairperson of the various Alcona County Republican Organizations, and the chairperson of the various committees appointed by the County Chairperson. Ex-officio Members shall have a voice but not a vote, unless membership dues are paid.

(d) APPOINTED PRECINCT DELEGATE MEMBERS. Precinct Delegates may be appointed by a vote of 50% plus one majority of the Executive Committee present at a Monthly Meeting (as defined in Article IV). Appointed precinct delegates become permanent (for the remainder of the term) after their information is submitted to the Michigan Republican Party which can only be done at the Convention to Elect Executive Committee Officers and at County Conventions (as defined in Article III) only after the election of the Executive Committee Officers has concluded and/or should vacancies exist. Appointed Precinct Delegates and Permanently Appointed Precinct Delegates are one step under the Duly Elected Precinct Delegates in the Order of Preference for electing Voting Delegates and Alternates to Michigan Republican Party Conventions. Appointed Precinct Delegates have a vote starting the meeting following the meeting at which they were appointed.

(e) VACANCIES. A vacancy shall occur in the position of a Member of the Executive Committee upon the following events:

1. By resignation from the Executive Committee by the member.

2. By the death of the member.

3. By the removal of legal residence from Alcona County by the member.

4. By the Member’s recall from elective office.

Vacancies can be filled by a vote of 50% plus one majority of the Executive Committee present at a Monthly Meeting (as defined in Article IV).

(f) DUES. Any member of the Executive Committee who fails to pay his/her annual dues in a timely manner may be considered to have resigned from the Executive Committee, and his/her position on the Executive Committee shall be filled as provided in Article II, Section 3, part (e). All Executive Committee Members must pay dues in order to have a vote regardless of Precinct Delegate status.

Dues are $20 for an Adult, $35 for a Couple, and $10 for Students of non-voting age. These amounts and terminology may be changed upon approval of a 50% plus one majority of the Executive Committee.

(g) FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year for the Alcona County Republicans and Executive Committee shall be from the Fourth Monday in March to the Fourth Sunday of March each year.

1. Those that pay their dues late will not have a vote until their dues are paid. If an Executive Committee member does not pay their dues by the Fourth Monday in May, their position may be considered forfeit.

2. Dues for Alcona County Republicans may be paid at any time. Until dues are paid, members shall have no vote, unless directed by the Chairperson.

3. For those paying dues after the Fourth Monday in October, their membership expiration will be the start of the fiscal year of the second year after payment. This allows for two extra meetings at the end of the fiscal year, plus membership for the next fiscal year. Note the three-month hiatus defined in Article IV.

ARTICLE III – ELECTIONS AND VOTING

SECTION 1 – CONVENTION TO ELECT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

This is a Special Convention that must be held within thirty (30) days of the November General Election of even numbered years. Only the most recently Duly Elected Precinct Delegates, Permanently Appointed Precinct Delegates and paid ACR members may run for office and/or vote for the Executive Committee Officers. An Executive Committee Officer is elected when they have received a 50% plus one quorum of the voters present or by proxy.

It is recommended to select a number of persons equal to the number of county offices and state legislative offices for which candidates were nominated at the last two (2) preceding fall primary elections, who together with the persons most recently nominated by the Party for each of those offices, to constitute the Executive Committee.

The term of office for the Executive Committee shall immediately commence upon their election and qualification at the Special Convention and end when their successors are elected and qualified at the Special Convention held in the next even-numbered year.

SECTION 2 – COUNTY CONVENTIONS

County Conventions are called by the Executive Committee Chair at the behest of the Michigan Republican Party to elect Voting Delegates and Alternates to State Conventions and conduct other business as may come before the Executive Committee. Only the most recent Duly Elected Precinct Delegates, Permanently Appointed Precinct Delegates, and paid ACR members may run for Voting Delegate or Alternate. Appointed Precinct Delegates will be made Permanent by the submission of the appointee’s information to the Michigan Republican Party after business is conducted. Should vacancies exist, Precinct Delegates can be appointed only after Voting Delegates and Alternates have been elected. Proxy voting is prohibited.

ARTICLE IV – MONTHLY MEETINGS

Monthly meetings will be held on the Forth Monday of each month. These meetings are open to the public. Winter hiatus months are December, January and February. Meetings and conventions may be held during this time at the behest of the Chair, Executive Committee, or Michigan Republican Party. The times and days may be changed as necessary by a vote of a 50% plus one quorum of the Executive Committee in person, by phone, email or other means of communication.

ARTICLE V - COMMITTEE MEETINGS

SECTION 1 - REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Regular meetings of the Executive Committee (also known as Core Team Meetings) shall be held as frequently as necessary to carry out its duties, at times and places within Alcona County to be determined by the County Chairperson with input from the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet at least five times each calendar year. Permanently Appointed Precinct Delegates, Appointed Precinct Delegates and Dues Paying members can attend and vote on participatory events only.

SECTION 2 - QUORUM: A quorum may consist of 50% plus one majority, or a two-thirds majority depending on the importance of the subject in question. Votes may be cast in person, by phone, email or other means of communication. All of this is to be determined by the Chair with input from the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3 - PROXY: Any member of the Executive Committee may designate, in writing, a person to represent him/her at any meeting of the Executive Committee, except that no person shall hold more than one vote, nor shall any person hold a proxy unless that person is a registered voter of and resides in Alcona County.

SECTION 4 - SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the County Chairperson when he/she shall deem it advisable. A special meeting may also be called when requested, in writing, by a 50% plus one quorum of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 5 - NOTICE: An agenda and preliminary notice of the subject matter to be considered at meetings of the Executive Committee shall be forwarded by the Chairperson or Secretary to each member of the Executive Committee with notice of the time and place of the meeting not less than ten (10) days prior to each meeting. Five (5) days' notice shall be given of special meetings unless such notice is prevented by emergency.

SECTION 6 - ATTENDANCE: Any Executive Committee Officer who shall fail to be present, either in person or by proxy, at three (3) consecutive meetings of the Executive Committee may be considered to have resigned from the Executive Committee and his/her position on the Executive Committee shall be filled as provided in Article II, Section 3.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

SECTION 1 - DESIGNATION: The officers of the Executive Committee shall be a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and if possible, Trustees and other officers as may be elected or appointed by the Chairperson with the approval of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2 - ELECTION AND TERM: The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected by the Executive Committee within thirty (30) days following the general election on the first Tuesday of November held in even-numbered years. Their term in office shall be for two (2) years commencing January 1 of the odd-numbered years.

SECTION 3 - VACANCIES: If an officer shall resign or become ineligible to hold office, there shall be a vacancy in that office. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Chairperson, the powers and duties of the Chairperson shall be assumed immediately and automatically by the Vice Chairperson until a new Chairperson is elected. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Treasurer, the powers and duties of the Treasurer shall be assumed immediately and automatically by the Deputy Treasurer until a new Treasurer is elected. All vacancies in offices shall be filled by elections by the Executive Committee for the remainder of the term. Such elections shall be held not less than fifteen (15) nor more than forty-five (45) days after the vacancy occurs.

ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1 - COUNTY CHAIRPERSON: The duties of the Chairperson shall be those provided by law, and also such other duties not prohibited by law as may be required by action of the Executive Committee, including but not limited to the following:

The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and shall be an ex-officio member of all other committees. The Chairperson shall appoint the chairpersons and members of all committees and, with the exception of the Finance Committee, may remove them, all subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

The Chairperson shall be responsible for directing the administration of the headquarters and staff, if any; shall be responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the Committee; shall coordinate the activities of the Republican Party organizations within the county; shall be a member of the Finance Committee; shall submit a proposed annual budget for review and approval or modification by the Finance Committee by February 1 of each year; and may hire or fire full- or part-time personnel for positions approved by the Executive Committee.

The Chairperson shall submit reports to the Executive Committee as may be required by action of the Executive Committee; shall keep the Executive Committee informed of Republican Party programs and activities; and may assign to other officers and committees such duties as may be necessary.

SECTION 2 - VICE CHAIRPERSON: The Vice Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee in the absence of, or at the request of, the Chairperson and shall perform such other duties as directed by the Chairperson and/or the Executive Committee. In the event the Chairperson is unable to act, the powers and duties of the Chairperson shall be assumed by the Vice Chairperson until such inability is removed or until the Chairperson shall again take up the duties of the office.

SECTION 3 - SECRETARY: The Secretary shall perform all the duties normally incident to the office of Secretary, and in particular shall keep a permanent record of the minutes and attendance at all meetings of the Executive Committee; shall make these records available for inspection and copying by any member of the Executive Committee; shall furnish a copy of the minutes of the most recent meeting to any member of the Executive Committee who requests the same; and shall see that all notices are duly given as required by law and by these Bylaws.

Written minutes shall be submitted at least by email to the Executive Committee and distribution list within 2 weeks or until the next Committee Meeting, whichever comes first.

SECTION 4 - TREASURER: The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies paid to the Alcona County Republican Committee and shall deposit the same in the name of the Alcona County Republican Committee in a bank designated by the Executive Committee and shall pay all duly authorized bills. The Treasurer shall serve as Chairperson of the Finance Committee and shall be responsible for the proper and timely filing of all financial reports required by law. Bills may be authorized for payment by vote of the Executive Committee. All checks shall require one signature either from the Treasurer or Chairperson.

• The Corporate or Administrative Account is titled Alcona County Republicans (heretofore known as the “ACR Account”). The monies in this account have limited spending and are not required to be reported to the Michigan State Bureau of Elections. They cannot be used to influence elections.

• The Working or State Account is titled Alcona County Republican Committee (heretofore known as the “ACRC Account”). The monies in this account are to be used for anything designed to influence elections as well as any and all expenses.

• Bank Accounts with Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union
  1. The Chairperson and the Treasurer will both have access to the accounts, with the Chairperson being the primary on one, and the Treasurer being the primary on the other. Only one signature will be needed on any documents related to the accounts
  2. Starter funds to come from the State account
  3. Otherwise, no money is to be spent from this account unless approved by the committee (either verbally, electronically, written or an in-person vote)

• Debit Card (Currently attached to the ACRC Account)
  1. Have the Chair be the signer (if only one signer is allowed)
  2. Automatic renewals, such as for the website hosting and domain name should come from this card
  3. Otherwise, the card is not to be used unless approved by the committee (either verbally, electronically, written or in-person vote)
  4. $100 should be kept in the account for automatic renewal of the website and domain name
  5. This card is to be held and kept securely by the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, an accurate account, in permanent records, of all receipts and disbursements of funds of the Executive Committee using proper and orderly methods of keeping records; and said records, upon reasonable request, shall be open to inspection by any member of the Executive Committee and shall render statements of the revenues, expenditures, outstanding obligations, and cash balance of the Executive Committee to the Executive Committee at each regular meeting.

At the close of each calendar year, the Treasurer shall obtain from an auditor (the Treasurer may be that auditor) an annual statement and report as of December 31 of each year setting forth the financial condition of the Alcona County Republican Committee and summarizing its income and expenditures. The Treasurer shall forward the reports to the officers by the first day of March (or the first monthly meeting in March) of the year following.

The Treasurer shall furnish to his/her successor all funds, accounts, and other property pertaining to the affairs of the Treasurer upon leaving office.

SECTION 5 - DEPUTY TREASURER: The Deputy Treasurer shall assume the powers and duties of the Treasurer, as defined in Section 5 of this Article, during the absence or inability of the Treasurer.

SECTION 6 - RECORDS: All records and materials received or prepared by the officers or employees of the Executive Committee in discharge of their duties shall be the property of the Executive Committee and each such officer or employee at the conclusion of his or her term of service shall deliver all such records and materials to his or her successor or to the Chairperson, except as the Executive Committee may otherwise direct.

SECTION 7 – OTHER VICE CHAIRPERSON: Example: The Youth Vice Chairperson shall be responsible for organizing Teen Age Republican Club chapters and College Republican clubs and carrying out such other duties as shall be assigned by the Chairperson or the Executive Committee. Other such Vice Chairs as Coalitions, Outreach, Ethnic, etc. will have similar such responsibilities per their special title.

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES

Section 1 - Standing Committees: The following committees (if there are enough members to form a committee) shall be the standing committees of the Executive Committee:

(a) FINANCE COMMITTEE. There shall be a Finance Committee, which shall consist of the Treasurer, who shall serve as the chairperson, the Deputy Treasurer, the County Chairperson, and four (4) persons to be appointed by the County Chairperson with the approval of the Executive Committee. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for developing and implementing the fundraising plan of the Executive Committee.

The Finance Committee shall review the proposed annual budget which shall be submitted to it by the County Chairperson and may approve or modify the budget by majority vote. The Finance Committee shall submit the proposed budget as approved or modified by its action by February 15 of each year for review and approval or modification by the Executive Committee.

The Finance Committee shall meet at least quarterly and shall regularly report to the Executive Committee the current status of the financial policies and programs of the Executive Committee. The Finance Committee shall recommend such changes and alterations in the budget as are necessary when actual revenues and revised revenue projections are not adequate to support budgeted expenditures. Recommendations of the Finance Committee with reference to the budget shall be presented to the Executive Committee for acceptance or modification at the next Executive Committee meeting.

(b) MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE. The Membership Committee shall develop and implement a membership program to maintain and increase the number of dues paying members of the Alcona County Republicans. The membership and officers of the Membership Committee shall be determined by the Chairperson, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.

(c) COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE. The Communications Committee shall develop and implement a variety of action plans for the Alcona County Republicans, including but not limited to, letter to the editor programs, volunteer recruitment, political and issues forums, political interest mailings, and preparation of a newsletter. The membership and officers of the Communications Committee shall be determined by the Chairperson, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.

(d) EVENTS, HOSPITALITY, AND RECOGNITION COMMITTEE. The Events, Hospitality, and Recognition Committee shall develop and implement a variety of events and programs, including but not limited to, all non-fundraising events and county conventions, a visitor/guest welcoming program, volunteer programs, a recognition letter program, and an Alcona County Republican recognition program. The membership and officers of the Events, Hospitality, and Recognition Committee shall be determined by the Chairperson, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.

(e) CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE. The Campaign Committee shall develop and implement programs to recruit and train reliable party workers, precinct delegates, and qualified Republican candidates. The membership and officers of the Campaign Committee shall be determined by the Chairperson, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.

(f) SOCIAL MEDIA / INTERNET COMMITTEE. This Committee (even if it’s one person; the Chair or Secretary as example) shall be in charge of the website (www.ACRepublicans.com), alconacountyrepublicans@gmail.com, and any such communications from such online resources. This Committee shall also inform the Executive Committee of the due date of any bills in relation to any and all online, internet, website, domain name, social media, etc. accounts at least one month prior to the due date.

(g) REMOVAL FROM STANDING COMMITTEES. A member of a standing committee of the Executive Committee may be removed by the Chairperson.

SECTION 2 - OTHER COMMITTEES: The Chairperson may appoint such other committees as deemed necessary.

ARTICLE IX - RESOLUTIONS

SECTION 1 - NOTICE: All resolutions, with the exception of resolutions honoring an individual for special service to the Party or community, shall be submitted to the County Chairperson at least five (5) days prior to the mailing of notice of the meeting at which they are proposed to be introduced.

SECTION 2 - MAILING OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS: The Chairperson shall cause a copy of each proposed resolution to be mailed, physically or digitally, to each member of the Executive Committee with the notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3 - POLICY: It shall be the policy of the Executive Committee not to endorse or support individual candidates in contested Republican primary elections, except as provided in Section 4.

SECTION 4 - ENDORSEMENT IN CONTESTED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: In the exceptional circumstances where an endorsement will benefit the Republican Party in Alcona County, the Executive Committee may endorse, support, or disavow an individual candidate in a contested Republican primary election; provided that a resolution to endorse or disavow a particular candidate be adopted by two-thirds of the Executive Committee present and voting, and provided notice of the resolution is given as provided in this Article, with the consent of the candidate to be endorsed where an endorsement is proposed.

SECTION 5 - RESOURCES:

The resources of the Alcona County Republicans shall not be used to endorse or support individual candidates in contested elections unless the Executive Committee has endorsed the candidate as provided in Section 4; provided that Executive Committee resources may be made available on an equal access basis to all announced candidates in Republican primary elections where no candidate has been endorsed.

Out-of-pocket costs shall be reimbursed to the Executive Committee by candidates using Executive Committee resources, and the use of such resources shall not interfere with the operation of headquarters, if any, nor with the functioning of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 6 - CONDUCT OF OFFICERS: It is the policy of the Executive Committee that the officers of the Executive Committee in their official capacity shall not endorse partisan candidates in a contested primary election, except where the candidate has received Executive Committee endorsement.

SECTION 7 – CENSURE

Upon unanimous approval of the Executive Committee, an elected Republican official who has violated conduct, as that of the above section, may be presented with an official Letter of Censure from the Alcona County Republican Committee.

ARTICLE X- PROCEDURE

Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Executive Committee, its standing committees, meetings and in all cases where said rules are not in conflict with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (⅔) majority of the total membership of the Executive Committee; provided that notice of any proposed amendment shall have been furnished with the meeting notice to each member of the Executive Committee. These Bylaws should be reviewed and adopted bi-annually and may be amended as needed. Amendments do not take effect until officially adopted by the entire Executive Committee quorum. Votes can be conducted in person, by phone, email or other means of communication.

ARTICLE XII - ADOPTION

These Bylaws shall govern the conduct of the Executive Committee and its officers and other formed committees upon adoption by the Executive Committee. When adopted, these Bylaws shall remain in force and effect during the term of the Executive Committee, which shall have adopted them, and until the first meeting of the committee elected to replace it. The Chair or Secretary shall deliver to each member of the Executive Committee a copy of these Bylaws.