League Bylaws
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF GLENVIEW-GLENCOE BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Glenview-Glencoe, hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as “the League.” This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWVUS, and the League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) and the League of Women Voters of Cook County (LWVCC).
ARTICLE II - Purpose and Policy
Sec. 1. Purpose. The purposes of the League are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues.
Sec. 2. Political Policy. The League 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.
Sec.3. Tax Exempt Status. The League is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, the League shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation or association exempt from Federal Income Tax under such provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. No substantial part of the activities of the League shall be attempting to influence legislation.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Membership is open to persons at least 16 years of age who subscribe to the purpose and policy of the League. Dues include membership in national and state Leagues, Cook County League, and the League of Women Voters of Glenview-Glencoe. Those who have been members of the League for 50 years or more shall be life members, excused from payment of dues.
ARTICLE IV - Officers
Sec. 1. Election and Terms. The officers of the League shall be a president, or co-presidents, vice president(s) as needed, a secretary, and a treasurer. They shall be voting members of the League and shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors have been elected or appointed and qualified. The president, or co-presidents, and the secretary shall be elected in the even-numbered years. The vice presidents and the treasurer shall be elected in the odd-numbered years. The election of officers will take place at the annual meeting and the terms will begin immediately.
Sec. 2. The President or Co-presidents. The president or co-presidents shall have such powers of supervision and management as customarily pertain to the office; shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the board or designate another person to do so; shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees except the nominating committee; may appoint additional directors or directors to fill vacancies or both; may sign or endorse checks, drafts and notes in the absence of the treasurer; may sign all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the board; and shall perform such other duties as the board may direct. In the event of the absence, disability, resignation, or death of the president, one or more of the vice presidents shall assume the office. If no vice president is able to serve as president, the board shall fill the vacancy from among the elected directors.
Sec. 3. The Vice President(s). The vice president(s) 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 select one of its members to fill the vacancy. The vice president(s) shall perform such other duties as the president and board may designate.
Sec. 4. The Secretary. The secretary shall keep minutes of the meetings of the membership and of the board. The secretary shall notify all officers and directors of their election and shall sign with the president all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the board and shall perform such other duties as the president and board shall direct.
Sec. 5. The Treasurer. The treasurer shall perform such duties as customarily pertain to the office; may sign all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the board; may sign and or endorse checks, drafts and notes; shall arrange for an annual review of the books; shall at the direction of the board maintain deposits in authorized financial institutions; and shall perform other such duties as the president and/or board shall direct.
ARTICLE V - Board of Directors
Sec. 1. Selection, Qualifications and Term. The board of directors shall consist of the officers of the League, and no less than four and no more than ten directors. The number of appointed directors shall not exceed the number of elected directors. One half of the elected directors shall be elected in the even-numbered years and one half in the odd-numbered years. All directors shall be voting members of the League. Elected directors shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors have been elected or appointed and qualified. The appointed directors shall be appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the board and will serve until the next annual meeting. To the extent feasible, the board shall have appropriate representation of the communities reflected in the League. With a two-thirds vote of the board members the board can remove any board member whose activities jeopardize the nonpartisan political status or principles of the League or any member who has been absent from three consecutive meetings.
Sec. 2. Powers. The board shall manage and supervise the business, affairs, and activities of the League, subject to the instructions of the membership. It shall select delegates to state and national conventions and Inter-League Organization (ILO) meetings. It shall accept responsibility for such other matters as the national or state board may from time to time delegate to it. It shall have the power to create such special committees as it deems necessary and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws.
Sec. 3. Executive Committee. The board may appoint an executive committee consisting of no fewer than five members of the board. The executive committee shall exercise such power and authority as may be delegated to it by the board and shall report to the board on all actions taken by it between regular meetings of the board.
Sec. 4. Board Meetings. At least nine regular meetings of the board shall be held annually. The president may call special meetings and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of at least four members of the board.
Sec. 5. Quorum. A majority of the members of the board of the League shall constitute a quorum and is required for board action. Any one or more members of the board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other similar equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
ARTICLE VI - Meetings
Sec. 1. Membership Meetings. There shall be at least two meetings of the membership each year, including an annual meeting and program planning. The time and place of meetings shall be determined by the board. Special meetings of the members may be called by the president, the board of directors or upon written request of ten percent of the voting members.
Sec. 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held between March and June, the exact date to be determined by the board. The annual meeting shall adopt a local program for the ensuing year; elect officers and directors, the chair and two members of the nominating committee; adopt a budget; and transact such other business as may properly come before it.
Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.
Sec. 3. Quorum. Twenty percent of the voting members shall constitute a quorum at all business meetings of the League.
Sec. 4. Notice of meetings. Notice of all meetings shall be sent to the membership at least one week in advance.
ARTICLE VII - Nominations and Elections
Sec. 1. Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall consist of five members. The chair and two members, who shall not be members of the board, shall be elected by the annual meeting. Immediately following the annual meeting, the president, with the advice and consent of the board, shall appoint two of its members to the committee. The term of office for the chair and members of the nominating committee shall be one year. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the president and/or board. To the extent feasible, the nominating committee shall have appropriate representation of the communities reflected in the League.
Sec. 2. Report of the Nominating Committee. The report of the nominating committee, containing its nominations for officers and directors and the chair and two members of the next nominating committee shall be sent to the members one month before the annual meeting. The report of the nominating committee shall be presented at the annual meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor immediately thereafter, provided the consent of the nominee has been obtained.
Sec. 3. Election. Election shall be by ballot, except that if there is only one nominee for an office, it shall be by voice vote. A majority vote shall constitute an election.
ARTICLE VIII - Principles and Program
Sec. 1. Principles. The Principles are concepts of government adopted by the national convention and supported by the League as a whole. They are the authorization for the adoption of national, state, and local program.
Sec. 2. Program. The program of the League shall consist of action to implement the
Principles and those governmental issues chosen at the annual meeting for concerted study and action as follows:
a. Voting members may make recommendations to the board at least six weeks before the annual meeting.
b. The board shall consider these recommendations and formulate a proposed program, which shall be sent to the members at least one month before the annual meeting.
c. Recommendations for program submitted by members but not included in the program recommended by the board may be considered by the annual meeting, provided that they were submitted six weeks before the annual meeting and the annual meeting shall order consideration by a majority vote.
d. All recommendations for program considered at the annual meeting require a majority vote of members present for adoption.
e. Recommendations for program that relate to specific jurisdiction(s) shall require for adoption a majority vote of members present who reside within the jurisdiction(s) of the local government(s) concerned, and followed by a majority vote of concurrence of the members present who reside outside the jurisdiction(s) of the local government(s) concerned.
Sec. 3. Changes in Program. Changes in 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 changes are discussed, (2) final action by the membership resident within the jurisdiction(s) of the local government(s) concerned is taken at a succeeding meeting, with concurrence by the membership residing outside the jurisdiction(s) of the local government(s).
Sec. 4. Program Action. Members may act in the name of the League only when authorized to do so by the appropriate board. They may act only in conformity with, and not contrary to, a position taken by the League, the LWVIL and the LWVUS.
ARTICLE IX - Financial Administration
Sec. 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the League shall commence on the first of July each year.
Sec. 2. Dues. Annual dues shall be payable on the first day of July.
Sec. 3. Budget Committee. A budget shall be prepared by a committee that shall be appointed for that purpose. The treasurer shall be, ex officio, a member of the budget committee but shall not be eligible to serve as chair. The board shall approve the proposed budget, which shall be sent to the members at least one month before the annual meeting.
Sec. 4. Distribution of Funds on Dissolution. In the event of the merger or dissolution of the League for any reason, all money and securities or other property of whatsoever nature which at the time be owned or under the absolute control of the League shall be distributed at the discretion of the board, or such other persons as shall be charged by law with the liquidation or winding up of the League and its affairs, to any member organization of the League of Women Voters national organization which is exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code; or if none of these organizations are then in existence or exempt under those tax provisions, then, at the discretion of the board, to another organization which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under such designated tax provisions.
ARTICLE X - Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE XI – Amendments to the Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at the annual meeting, provided that the proposed amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least one month in advance of the meeting. Bylaws shall be subject to review in even-numbered years by a committee established for this purpose and appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the board in adequate time for presentation to the general membership at least one month prior to the annual meeting. Any member who wishes to propose an amendment to the bylaws shall send it to the president six weeks before the annual meeting so that it may be circulated to the general membership.
Adopted May 2018
Reviewed 2020