ARTICLE I — Name
Sec. 1. Name. The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Detroit, hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWV Detroit. LWV Detroit is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Michigan.
ARTICLE II — Purposes and Policies
Sec. 1. Purposes. The purposes of the League of Women Voters Detroit are
1. To promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government.
2. To act on selected governmental issues.
Sec. 2. Policies. The Policies of LWV Detroit are:
1. Political Policy. LWV Detroit shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.
2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy. LWV Detroit is fully committed to ensuring compliance – in principle and in practice – with LWVUS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policymakers in creating a more perfect democracy.
ARTICLE III — Membership
Sec. 1. Eligibility. Any person age 16 years or older who subscribes to the purposes and policy of LWV Detroit shall be eligible for membership.
Sec. 2. Types of Membership. LWV Detroit’s membership shall consist of voting members and associate members.
a. Voting Members. Persons at least 16 years of age who join the League shall be voting members of local Leagues, state Leagues, and of the LWVUS; (1) those who live within an area of a local League may join that League or any other local League; (2) those who reside outside the area of any local League may join a local League or shall be state members-at-large; (3) those who have been members of the League for 50 years or more shall be life members excused from the payment of dues; (4) those who are students are defined as individuals enrolled either as full or part-time with an accredited institution.
b. Associate Members. All others who join LWV Detroit shall be associate members.
ARTICLE IV — Board of Directors
Sec. 1. Number, Manner of Selection, and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the Board of Directors.
In lieu of a President, the duties of the President are divided as follows: convener/Co-Conveners or Parliamentarian/Co-Parliamentarians, Communications Coordinator, League Liaison, Secretary, Treasurer, Member Coordinator, Voter Services Coordinator, and Director/s at large.
The Board of Directors shall appoint such additional directors, not exceeding seven, as they deem necessary to carry on the work of LWV Detroit. After the inaugural term of the Board of Directors, future boards will be elected by the membership.
Sec. 2. Qualifications. No person shall be elected or appointed or continue to serve as an officer or director of this organization unless he or she is a voting member of the LWV Detroit.
Sec. 3. Vacancies. Any vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by resignation, death, or disqualification of an officer or elected member may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members. Three consecutive absences from a board meeting of any elected member without a valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.
Sec. 4. Powers and Duties. The Board of Directors 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 instructions 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 according to the LWVMI Guidelines. The Board shall create and designate such special committees as it may deem necessary.
Sec. 5. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall hold at least nine regular meetings annually unless there are extraordinary circumstances. The Convener or Parliamentarian may call special meetings and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of the members of the Board. All Board of Directors meetings shall be open to all members.
Sec. 6. Quorum. A majority of the members of the board of the LWV Detroit shall constitute a quorum. Any one(1) or more board members may participate in a meeting through conference telephone or similar communications equipment, allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other simultaneously. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
Sec. 7. Expedited Decisions. Remote communication, as described in Section 6, shall be an acceptable meeting alternative when timely decisions are required. Decisions shall be recorded in the minutes of the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Sec. 8. Executive Committee. The elected officers shall constitute the Executive Committee and may conduct emergency business meetings but shall report at the next board meeting.
ARTICLE V — Officers
Sec. 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers. The officers of LWV Detroit shall be President or Co-Presidents, Vice President Convener/Co-Conveners or Parliamentarian/Co-Parliamentarians, Communications Coordinator, League Liaison, Secretary, Treasurer, Member Coordinator, VoterServices Coordinator, and Director or Directors at Large, who shall be elected for terms of two years by the general membership at an Annual Meeting and shall take office immediately.
Sec. 2. President/Co-Presidents, Convener/Co-Conveners, or Parliamentarian/Co-Parliamentarians: These officers shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors. The individuals develop agendas and identify policy or governance issues for discussion, speak for LWV Detroit, orally and in writing, and represent LWV Detroit at state and national League meetings. A designated board member will be appointed in the absence of the President/Co-Presidents, Co-/ Convener, or Co-/Parliamentarian.
Sec. 3. Vice President: The vice president shall, in the event of the absence, disability, resignation, 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 appoint one of its members to fill the vacancy. The vice president may hold an administrative or program portfolio and shall perform other duties as the president and Board may designate.
Sec. 4. Communication Coordinator: Shall be the primary Spokesperson for LWV Detroit or assist the Board in selecting another Board member for the position; oversee the content and distribution of the messages and information shared with the public through the website, social media, newsletter, local press, and other communication outlets; and oversee the Communication Network Team.
Sec. 5. League Liaison: Shall be the bridge between LWV Detroit and the State and National Leagues, serving as the primary point of contact between LWV Detroit and the League of Women Voters of Michigan (LWVMI) and the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS); and serving as the Director through which other Directors or members of LWV Detroit interact with LWVMI or LWVUS.
Sec. 6. Treasurer: Develops budget, maintains LWV Detroit funds, oversees dues payment and renewals. The Treasurer will also disperse funds upon the order of the board.
Sec. .7. Secretary: Take minutes for all LWV Detroit board meetings and membership meetings. Distribute them as appropriate.
Sec. .8. Member Coordinator: Promoter of LWV Detroit ― encourages management team and members to build LWV Detroit by asking others to join. Develops methods to recruit, welcome and involve new members in discrete tasks. Makes membership recruitment a part of every event. Devises system for regular communications with members and prospects (telephone tree and/or an email list).
Sec. 9. Voter Services Coordinator: Develops a strategy for voter registration. Coordinates voter education events, including candidate forums, and distributes voter education materials, including electronically.
Sec. 10. Director/s at Large: Participate in the Board of Directors decision-making. Specific roles are to be determined by the Board.
ARTICLE VI — Financial Administration
Sec. 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of LWV Detroit shall be from July 1 to June 30 of each year. Dues are due no later than November 30 for the fiscal year of July 1 through June 30. Dues collected after November 30 may be applied to the rest of that fiscal year or to the following year as elected by the member. Non-paid members will be dropped from the membership lists. Non-members may attend membership meetings and participate in League activities. Nonmembers are encouraged and welcome to volunteer at all League events. Non-members, however, may not vote, attend board meetings, advocate, or represent the League at events or programs.
Sec. 2. Dues. Membership dues shall be payable no later than December 31 to LWV Detroit. Any member who fails to pay his or her dues within three months after they become payable may be dropped from the membership rolls. When two or more members reside in the same address in a common household, the first member shall pay full dues, and each additional member shall pay half the amount of the full dues.
Sec. 3. Budget. The Board of Directors shall submit a budget for the ensuing year to the Annual Meeting for adoption. The Budget shall include support for the League’s work as a whole.
Sec. 4. Budget Committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint a Budget Committee at least two months before the Annual Meeting to prepare a budget for the ensuing year. The proposed budget shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve as Chair of the Budget Committee.
Sec. 5. Distribution of Funds on Dissolution. In the event of dissolution for any cause of LWV Detroit, all money and securities which may at the time be owned by or under the control of LWV Detroit shall be paid to the League of Women Voters of Michigan after the Board of Directors has paid or made provision for payment of all the liabilities of LWV Detroit. All other property of whatsoever nature, whether real, personal, or mixed, which may at the time be owned or under the control of LWV Detroit, shall be disposed of by any officer or employee of the organization having possession of same to such person, organization, or corporation, for such public, charitable, or educational uses and purposes as may be designated by the then LWV Detroit Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII — Meetings
Sec. 1. Membership Meetings. Membership meetings are meetings of the general membership at which the program should include a brief business meeting, i.e., a call to order, minutes, a treasurer’s report, and adjournment.
a. There shall be at least three properly called and published membership meetings each year.
b. Time and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
c. A quorum shall consist of the members present.
Sec. 2. Annual Meeting. An Annual Meeting shall be held within three months of the end of the fiscal year. The Annual Meeting shall do the following:
a. Adopt a local program for the ensuing year.
b. Elect officers, directors, and members of the Nominating Committee.
c. Adopt an adequate budget.
d. Transact such other business as may properly come before it.
Quorum. One-fifth of the membership shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting of LWV Detroit.
ARTICLE VIII — Nominations and Elections
Sec. 1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members. The chair and one member, who shall not be members of the Board of Directors, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. At the first meeting following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to the Nominating Committee. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors.
Sec. 2. Suggestions for Nominations. Suggestions for nominations for officers and directors may be sent to the nominating committee by any voting member.
Sec. 3. Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor. The report of the Nominating Committee contains its nominations for officers, directors, and the chair. Two members of the next Nominating Committee shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be presented at the Annual Meeting, and nominations may be made from the floor immediately thereafter, provided the nominee’s consent has been obtained.
Sec. 4. Elections. The election shall be by ballot; however, when there is but one nominee for each office, the spokesperson/convener is empowered to take a voice vote. A majority of those qualified to vote, and voting shall constitute an election. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.
Sec. 5. Inaugural Election. The election protocol outlined above shall not apply to the inaugural election.
ARTICLE IX – LOCAL PROGRAM
Sec. 1. Authorization. The governing principles adopted by the LWVUS National Convention and supported by the League authorize the program’s adoption.
Sec. 2. Program. The program of the League of Women Voters of Detroit shall consist of the following:
1. Actions to complement the principles of LWVUS.
2. Those state and national government issues chosen for study and action by delegates to the regular State or National conventions or altered by State or National Councils.
3. Those state and national government issues chosen by the LWV Detroit Board of Directors for study and action.
Sec. 3. Program Selection. The Annual Meeting shall select local government issues using the following procedures:
1. The LWV Detroit Board of Directors shall consider program recommendations submitted by voting members two months before the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a proposed program.
2. The LWV Detroit Board of Directors shall send the proposed program to voting members one month before the Annual Meeting.
3. A majority vote of members at the Annual Meeting is required to adopt subjects in the proposed program as presented by the LWV Detroit Board of Directors.
4. Program recommendations submitted by voting members two months before the Annual Meeting but not included in the LWV Detroit Board’s proposed program may be adopted at the Annual Meeting provided that voting members do the following:
i. Order consideration of the issues by a majority vote.
ii. Adopt the issue by a majority vote.
5. Once the League has a position on an issue, LWV Detroit can take action (aka advocate).
Sec. 4. Program Review and Changes. The LWV Detroit Board League shall appoint a committee of not more than three to do an annual review of all local positions. In case of altered conditions, changes may be made provided that:
1. All members have been sent information regarding proposed changes at least two weeks before a general meeting at which the change is to be discussed.
2. A majority vote approves the change at the next general membership meeting.
Sec. 5. Member Action.
1. Members may act on state and national government issues in the name of LWVMI, LWVUS, or LWV Detroit only when authorized by the respective boards.
2. LWVMI and LWVUS encourage Detroit League members to take action (or advocate) as individuals in all League positions.
ARTICLE X —Conventions
Sec. 1. State Convention. The Board of Directors at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the state office, which shall elect delegates to that convention in the number allotted to the LWV Detroit under the bylaws of the League of Women Voters of Michigan.
Sec 2. National Convention: The Board of Directors, at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the LWVMI office, shall elect delegates to that convention in the number allotted to the LWV Detroit under the bylaws of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.
ARTICLE XI — Parliamentary Authority
Sec. 1. Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws. The board may dispense with Robert’s Rules of Order if no member opposes a motion to do so.
ARTICLE XII —Amendments
Sec. 1. Amendments. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present and voting at the Annual Meeting or any general meeting provided the amendments were submitted to the membership in writing at least one month before either meeting.