BYLAWS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Fallbrook, California Branch

BYLAWS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

Fallbrook, California Branch

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the American Association of University Women, Fallbrook, California Branch, hereinafter called the branch.

ARTICLE II

GOVERNMENT

The Charter and Bylaws of the American Association of University Women, hereinafter called the Association, shall govern this branch in all practices. The bylaws of this branch shall in no way conflict with the Charter and Bylaws of the Association. Every amendment to the bylaws of the Association shall become effective and binding on this branch.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purpose of this branch shall be to unite graduates of different educational institutions in order to promote equity, education, intellectual growth, individual worth, and development of opportunities for women and girls. The branch shall:

a. contribute to the growth and advancement of the Association and the AAUW Educational Foundation;

b. participate in development and promotion of AAUW policies and program through study, action, and public policy advocacy in areas related to its purpose, including community, cultural interests, education, and international relations;

c. support branch needs and promote positive societal change in the community;

d. cooperate in AAUW state and regional work;

e. as a member of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Interbranch Council, this branch may join with other council branches to speak with one voice on issues of this area in accordance with rules established for taking united action.

ARTICLE IV

USE OF NAME

Section 1. Policies and Program

The policies and program of the Association and the state shall be binding on all members and branches, and no member or branch shall use the name of the Association to oppose such policies or program. Established channels may be used to change a policy or program.

Section 2. Freedom of Speech

The freedom of speech of the individual member to speak a personal opinion in the member's own name is not abridged.

Section 3. Reference to Membership

Reference to membership in the Association by an individual shall be interpreted as use of name in application of Section 1.

Section 4. No National Policy

On any national matter on which the Association has no policy, the only action which may be taken by a member or branch in the name of the Association is to use the established channels to effect the formulation of a policy.

Section 5. Violation of Name

Violation of the use of the Association's name shall result in:

a. a member's suspension for one year or expulsion from membership; or

b. loss of recognition of a branch.

ARTICLE V

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility

Individuals eligible to be admitted to membership are those holding an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate or higher degree from a qualified educational institution, a degree from a foreign institution recognized by the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), or a foreign degree acceptable as a basis for admission by graduate schools at qualified universities of the U.S.A. and who have paid dues (Association + state + branch) on or before July 1 annually. The provisions set forth in this section are the sole requirements of eligibility and admissibility for membership. Refusal to admit an eligible graduate to branch membership shall result in loss of recognition of the branch. The branch member shall be entitled to vote, hold office, and participate in all branch activities and programs and receive the publications distributed to all members.

Section 2. Paid Life Members

Any individual member may become a life member of the Association upon a one-time payment of twenty (20) years' dues, based on the amount of Association dues the year that member elects to become a life member. Thereafter, the life member shall be exempt from payment of Association dues, but paid life members who are branch members continue to pay annual state and branch dues and charges.

Section 3. Fifty-Year Honor Life Members

Any branch member who has paid Association dues for fifty (50) years shall become a fifty-year honor life member and shall thereafter be exempt from payment of Association dues. Any branch member who has paid state and branch dues for fifty (50) years shall be exempt from payment of state and branch dues.

Section 4. Student Affiliates

An undergraduate student enrolled in a qualified educational institution shall be eligible for student affiliation with the branch upon payment of fees established by the Association, state, and branch boards of directors. Student affiliates may attend branch, state, and Association meetings and receive the publications distributed to all members. Affiliates may not vote nor hold office.

Section 5. Unpaid Dues

Any member whose dues remain unpaid after July 31 shall be dropped from membership.

ARTICLE VI

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall correspond with that of the Association and state and shall begin on July 1.

Section 2. Payment of Dues

a. Continuing Members: Dues of continuing members are payable to the branch membership treasurer on or before July 1. After notification of nonpayment, a member still in arrears after July 31 shall be dropped.

b. New Members: Dues of new members may be paid at any time. The Association and the branch portions of dues paid by new members between January 1 and March 15 shall be one half the annual dues. New members joining after January 1 shall pay full state dues.

c. Reciprocity: Payment of additional dues shall be waived for a transferring member whose current dues have been paid to another branch.

d. International Federation of University Women: A member of one of the national organizations or federations of IFUW, whose current dues have been paid and who is spending a period of a year or less in the U.S.A., may attend meetings and enjoy such privileges as may be afforded, without vote.

Section 3. Branch Dues

Each member shall pay branch dues established at the annual meeting by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting, provided written notice has been given to members thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Section 4. Dual Membership

Dues for dual members shall be Association and state dues paid through the primary branch, and branch dues paid at both the primary and the secondary membership branches.

Section 5. Budget

The branch annual budget shall be adopted by the board of directors and presented to the membership at the September meeting.

Section 6. Finances

The branch shall set and maintain policies and procedures to control financial records consistent with generally-accepted accounting principles and federal, state, and local laws.

Section 7. Insurance

a. The branch is required to participate in the state insurance programs to be in good standing with recognition and voting privileges at the state convention and to participate in state sponsored activities and projects. The branch must comply with all risk management requirements, state program directives and all other requirements as outlined in AAUW California policy and procedures.

b. The branch must obtain separate insurance coverage for activities and projects not covered under the state insurance coverage.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

Section 1. Required Officers

There shall be officers to fulfill the functions of administration, program, membership, public policy, finance, Educational Foundation, and communication. All elected and appointed offices may be held by two (2) members to share the position.

Section 2. Elected Officers

The elected officers of the branch shall be president, president-elect, program vice president, membership vice president, Educational Foundation vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, and treasurer.

Section 3. Appointed Officers

The appointed officers of this branch shall be historian, public policy chair, and parliamentarian and such other officers as shall be deemed necessary to carry on the work of the branch. These officers shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the executive committee.

Section 4. Term of Office

Officers shall serve for a term of one (1) year or until their successors have been elected or appointed and assume office. The term of each officer shall begin on July 1. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 5. Orientation Meeting

The incoming or continuing president may call a meeting prior to July 1 of the newly-elected and appointed officers for the purpose of approving appointments, orienting new officers, and making plans for the coming year.

Section 6. Vacancies

A vacancy in office, excluding the president or co-presidents, shall be filled for the unexpired term by the board of directors. A vacancy in the office of president or co-president shall be filled by the remaining co-president or in the absence of a co-president by vice presidents in the order listed.

ARTICLE VIII

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. General Duties

Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws, branch policies and procedures, and by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Section 2. President The president shall:

a. Be the official spokesperson and representative for the branch and shall be responsible for submitting such reports and forms as required by the Association and the state;

b. Be responsible for bringing the branch bylaws into conformity with the AAUW Charter and Bylaws after each Association convention and with the state bylaws after each state convention;

c. Be responsible for the branch enrolling in the state insurance programs so that the branch will be in good standing each year with recognition and voting privileges at the state convention.

Section 3. Vice Presidents

a. There shall be three vice presidents: program, membership, & Educational Foundation.

b. The vice presidents shall perform such duties as the president and board of directors shall direct.

Section 4. Recording Secretary

The recording secretary shall record and keep the minutes of all business meetings and perform such other duties as are requested by the president or the board of directors.

Section 5. Corresponding Secretary

The corresponding secretary shall have charge of such correspondence of the branch as is delegated by the president or the board of directors, and perform such other duties as are requested by the president or the board of directors.

Section 6. Treasurer

The treasurer shall be responsible for collecting, distributing, and accounting for the funds of the branch. The treasurer shall collect dues and properly remit them to the Association and the state by the specified deadlines. The treasurer shall send monies for the Educational Foundation by the specified deadlines and shall keep separate ledgers for each type of account.

ARTICLE IX

NOMINATIONS

A nominating committee of three members shall be elected by the board of directors at least two months prior to the annual meeting. The committee shall prepare a list of nominees to be presented to the members at least two week prior to the election. The nominating committee will consist of two (2) board members and one (1) general member.

ARTICLE X

ELECTIONS

Section 1. Election Date:

All elections shall be held at the annual meeting.

Section 2. Floor Nominations:

Nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee.

Section 3. Elections

Elections shall be by secret ballot unless there is only one nominee for a given office, when a voice vote may be taken. Election shall be by a majority vote of those present and voting.

ARTICLE XI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Membership

The board of directors shall include the elected and the following appointed officers of the branch: AVID mentor program, bulletin, bylaws, Child Development Center, educational equity, diversity, IFUW, historian, hostess coordinator, parliamentarian, public policy, public relations-Fallbrook, publicity, scholarships, telephone tree, and yearbook.

Section 2. Duties

The board shall have the general power to administer the affairs of the branch, including but not limited to establishing policies and procedures to control financial records. It shall accept responsibility delegated by the Association and state. It shall be subject to the orders of the branch, and none of its actions shall conflict with action taken by the branch. It shall report its action to the branch.

Section 3. Additional Committees

The board shall recommend to the branch establishment of additional standing committees, special committees, and Issue task forces.

Section 4. Meetings

a. Meetings of the board shall be held at least three (3) times a year.

b. Special meetings may be called at any time by the president or upon the written request of two members of the board or five members of the branch.

Section 5. Quorum A quorum of the board shall be a majority of its members.

ARTICLE XII

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Membership

The executive committee shall consist of the elected officers.

Section 2. Duties

The committee may act for the board between meetings of the board and shall have such power and duties as may be delegated to it by the board. The committee shall report to the board about its work and actions.

Section 3. Meetings

The committee shall meet at the call of the president or the members of the executive committee.

Section 4. Quorum

A quorum of the members of the executive committee shall be a majority of its members.

ARTICLE XIII

MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Meetings

There shall be at least seven general membership meetings each year.

Section 2. Annual Meetings

The exact date, time, and place of the annual meeting will be determined by the board of directors. The meeting shall be to conduct business including but not limited to electing officers; hearing reports of officers, committees, and task forces; establishing dues; and giving directions to the board.

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the president, by two members of the board, or by the written request of five members of the branch. Notice of the date, time, place, and the business to be brought before the meeting shall be sent by the corresponding secretary to the members in writing at least two days in advance. Only business for which notice has been given shall be transacted.

Section 4. Quorum The quorum shall be twenty-five (25) per cent of the branch members.

ARTICLE XIV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees

Branch standing committees shall be program, membership, public policy, finance, Educational Foundation, bylaws, communications, educational equity, Child Development Center, diversity, IFUW, historian, hostess coordination, parliamentarian, and public relations-Fallbrook.

Section 2. Chairs

The chairs of all standing committees, except the nominating committee and those provided for by election, shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the executive committee. Chairs shall select the members of their committees in consultation with the president. Chairs shall serve as channels of communication in their respective fields with the state and Association chairs and shall make such reports as the counterparts request.

Section 3.

Special Committees Special committees may be appointed by the president with the consent of the board.

ARTICLE XV

CONVENTIONS

Section 1. Delegates and Alternates

Delegates and alternates to the Association and state conventions, as described in Association and state bylaws, shall be elected by the branch and certified by the president.

Section 2. Substitutions

If the delegation is incomplete after the branch vote, prior to convention, the president shall have the right to complete the certification of convention delegates; at convention, the chair of the delegation shall have this right.

ARTICLE XVI

PROPERTY

Section 1. Title to Property

The title for all property, funds, and assets of the branch, whether incorporated or not, shall at all times be vested in the branch for the joint use of members, and no member or group of members shall have any severable right to all or any part of such property. The branch shall have complete control over the acquisition, administration, and disposition of its property without consent of the Association, except that such property shall not be used for any purposes contrary to those of the Association.

Section 2. Dissolution

In the event of the dissolution of the branch, assets of the branch shall be transferred and delivered to an AAUW entity.

ARTICLE XVII

FORFEITURE OF BRANCH STATUS

Article XIII of the Association's Charter and Bylaws contains the provisions and conditions under which a branch may be discontinued.

ARTICLE XVIII

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this branch in all instances in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or those of the state or Association.

ARTICLE XIX

INDEMNIFICATION

Every member of the board may be indemnified by the branch against all expenses and liabilities, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred or imposed upon such members of the board in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding to which the board member may become involved by reason of being or having been a member of the branch board, or any settlement thereof, unless adjudged therein to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of duties. In the event of a settlement the indemnification herein shall apply only when the branch board approves such settlement and reimbursement as being in the best interests of the branch. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to and not exclusive of all other rights to which the member of the board is entitled.

ARTICLE XX

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Section 1. Amendments

Provisions of these bylaws not governed by the Association Charter and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at a general membership meeting provided written notice shall have been given to members at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2. State Bylaws Chair

Prior to being voted on, proposed changes to the branch bylaws shall be sent to the state bylaws chair for approval.

Section 3. Incorporated Branch

Amendments required by the Association to bring branch bylaws into conformity shall not require a vote of the branch members, except that an incorporated branch shall take the necessary steps required by their articles of incorporation.

Adopted December 3, 2005 in Fallbrook, California by the Board of the Fallbrook Branch

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

FALLBROOK BRANCH

Policies and Procedures

Decisions affecting the operation of the board of directors and its work are called Policies and Procedures. They are adopted or changed by a vote of the board. A policy is an interpretation of decisions .made by the branch board over time. A procedure describes the steps that need to be taken to carry out the policy.

Fallbrook branch policies, procedures, and standing rules shall be reviewed every two years or as needed.

I. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A. The President shall:

1. Preside at all meetings of the branch, the board of directors, and the executive committee;

2. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees and task forces except the nominating committee;

3. Call special meetings of the board in accordance with provisions of the branch bylaws;

4. Appoint the chairs of all task forces and committees except the nominating committee and those provided for by election and any additional officers authorized by the branch bylaws;

5. Receive all written requests for dues assistance and together with the treasurer decide amounts of award.

B. The Program Vice President shall:

1. Serve as chair of the committee on program development;

2. Preside at meetings in the absence or inability of the president to serve.

C. The Membership Vice President shall:

1. Serve as chair of the committee on membership;

2. Preside at meetings in the absence of the president and first vice president.

D. The Educational Foundation Vice President shall:

1. Serve as chair of the Educational Foundation Committee.

E. The Recording Secretary shall:

1. Have available for reference at all meetings a copy of the branch bylaws and a list of its officers, task forces, committee chairs, and members.

2. Send notices, agendas, and minutes to board members regarding forthcoming board meetings.

F. The Corresponding Secretary shall:

1. Send welcoming letters and directories to new members; send thank-you letters as designated by the board and appropriate committee chairpersons; keep the board informed of members experiencing personal troubles, and send letters of care and concern to those members.

G. The Treasurer shall:

1. Receive all monies due the branch, state, and Association.

2. Pay all bills provided for in the budget or verified by the president.

3. Keep a proper set of books.

4. Render a financial report at the branch annual meeting and at other times as requested by the board.

II. STANDING COMMITTEES

A. The Educational Foundation Committee shall be responsible for implementing the Foundation programs on fellowship research and projects and such others as may be established by the Foundation and/or the Association.

B. The Public Policy Committee shall be responsible for the public policy program. The public policy chair may write letters on Fallbrook branch letterhead paper within the scope of the public policy program and clearly in accord with previous study and action of the Fallbrook branch. Such letters must be submitted to the president and task force chair in whose area the measure falls for review and approved before they are sent.

Action for the Public Policy Committee to consider through questionnaires to the membership: The public policy chair and committee can search out and recommend names of women qualified for public service. These names will be presented by the public policy chair to the general membership for discussion before any endorsement is made on behalf of the Fallbrook branch.

C. The Membership Committee chaired by the membership vice president shall be responsible for the branch membership recruitment and orientation to the purpose and program of the Association.

D. The Program Development Committee:

1. Chaired by the program vice president, may include such members as deemed necessary;

2. Shall consider the program issues of the Association and shall recommend to the branch the selection of Issues to be implemented. It shall provide policy guidance for the continuing program concerns of the branch and shall also consider future Association program Issues.

E. There shall be such additional standing committees as deemed necessary by the board of directors.

III. EDUCATIONAL EQUITY - DIVERSITY CHAIR

The Educational Equity - Diversity chair is responsible for implementing the issue of gender equity in education in the branch. Responsibilities include:

A. Communicating with branch members about the issue through newsletter articles, etc.;

B. Serving as a member of the branch Program Development Committee (PDC), and helping to organize a meeting on educational equity, if that is the decision of the PDC;

C. Networking with other groups interested in the issue, such as Girl Scouts; Girls, Inc.; PTA's; and following AAUW guidelines for working in coalitions and the Use of Name Policy;

D. Working with local school districts to ensure that teachers have adequate training in gender equity.

IV. ISSUES TASK FORCE

A. There shall be a task force on each of the current Association program issues to be implemented by the branch. The branch must implement at least one issue.

B. The chair of the Issues task forces shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the executive committee.

C. The branch may delegate the responsibility for implementing the Issues to the chair of the committee on program development.

V. FINANCES

A. Branch chairs will keep receipts and records incurred by their committees and will stay within the amounts budgeted by the board. Such receipts and records will be turned over to the treasurer in their entirety at the end of the branch fiscal year.

B. Reimbursements to branch chairs & their committee members during the fiscal year will be made upon the submission of a voucher to the branch treasurer within a month of the expenditure.

C. No expenses in excess of budgeted amounts will be honored unless pre-approved.

Adopted December 3, 2005 in Fallbrook, California by the Board of the Fallbrook Branch

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN