MSP NOW BYLAWS
Revised March, 2020
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of the organization shall be the MSP Chapter of NOW.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
NOW’s purpose is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men. This purpose includes, but is not limited to, equal rights and responsibilities in all aspects of citizenship, public service, employment, education, and family life, and it includes freedom from discrimination because of race, ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, or parenthood.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Any person who subscribes to its purpose and who is a member of National NOW may, upon payment of dues, be a member of the MSP Chapter of NOW.
ARTICLE IV. POLICY
The Chapter shall be bound by the National NOW bylaws and policy. However, MSP NOW may pass policy governing our own chapter structures and activities. The MSP NOW Board will be responsible for keeping a file of chapter policies up to date.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
The Chapter shall hold at least eight (8) membership meetings each year. One of these meetings, designated the annual meeting, shall be the meeting at which election of officers shall take place. All members must receive at least 30 days notice of the annual meeting at which elections will be held. Additional rules regarding the number and types of meetings shall be contained in the operating rules of the Chapter.
ARTICLE VI. DUES
Section 1
Dues and specifics relating thereto shall be set forth in the operating rules of the Chapter.
Section 2
The fiscal year shall be January 1 to December 31.
Section 3
MSP NOW offers a sliding scale for membership dues, offered to any person for any reason.
ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS/BOARD
Section 1
The officers shall be a President (or Co-Presidents) and a Treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the operating rules. The composition and duties of the Board of Directors shall be specified in the operating rules of the Chapter.
Section 2
The officers and board shall be elected annually at the annual meeting. The time and date of the annual meeting shall be set forth in the operating rules of the Chapter.
ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS/BOARD
Section 1
The officers shall be a President (or Co-Presidents) and a Treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the operating rules. The composition and duties of the Board of Directors shall be specified in the operating rules of the Chapter.
Section 2
The officers and board shall be elected annually at the annual meeting. The time and date of the annual meeting shall be set forth in the operating rules of the Chapter.
ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES
Type of committees, their purpose, leadership, and membership shall be determined by the operating rules of the Chapter. Committee chairs are recommended by the president(s) of the chapter, voted on by membership at the annual meeting, and sit on the board of directors.
ARTICLE IX. NOMINATIONS
The nominating procedure shall be determined by the operating rules of the Chapter. A Nominating Committee Chair and at least one member will be appointed by the Chapter Board two months prior to the chapter’s annual meeting, and specific processes involving the committee’s work shall be determined in the operating rules of the chapter.
ARTICLE X. ELECTIONS
Officers and board members must be elected by a majority vote or a majority of preferences counted in the final tally, if preferential voting is used (preferential voting shall be used when more than two people are running for the same office or position). All members of the Chapter are eligible to vote and must be notified of the election at least 30 days in advance of the election by the procedure prescribed in the operating rules of the Chapter. Other specific provisions relative to elections are detailed in the operating rules of the Chapter.
ARTICLE XI. DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONFERENCES
Delegates and alternatives to the national conferences shall be elected in the number, manner, and timing determined by the national bylaws and National Credentials Committee. All Chapter members must be notified 30 days in advance of this election. Further procedures for the election of delegates and alternates shall be detailed in the operating rules of the Chapter.
ARTICLE XII. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
There must be a grievance procedure specified in the operating rules of the Chapter.
ARTICLE XIII. OPERATING RULES OF THE CHAPTER
There shall be a set of operating rules for the Chapter which must detail the items referred to in these bylaws and may contain any other operating rules the Chapter wishes. The operating rules must be accepted by a 3/5 vote of the Chapter members present and voting must provide a method for amending the rules to give the membership written notice of an intended change and require a 3/5 vote of the membership present and voting.
ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote at any meeting of the Chapter providing:
(a.) Proposed amendment has been submitted to the president 60 days in advance of the meeting.
(b.) The proposed amendment has been mailed to the members 30 days in advance of the meeting or published in an every member publication 30 days in advance of the meeting.
ARTICLE XV. DISSOLUTION
The Chapter may be dissolved upon a 2/3 vote of its members present and voting, after advance notice of no less than 30 days to every member that dissolution of the chapter will be considered at that meeting. Upon dissolution of the Chapter, the board and officers shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of the Chapter, remit all remaining assets to the state NOW organization, National NOW, or any local unit of NOW.