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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Upcoming Events

Jun 18, 2013 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dave Crystal for Miami Beach Commissioner


BBYR Charter

Biscayne Bay Young Republicans Charter
As Adopted, Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be “Biscayne Bay Young Republicans, Inc.,” hereinafter referred to as “BBYR” or as “CLUB” interchangeable through this document. The CLUB shall be organized upon a non-stock basis pursuant to FL. St. Ann. Section 617.011. The BBYR may officially be referred to as the name of the CLUB internet domain name or with another name adopted by the CLUB per bylaws.

Article II – Powers

The BBYR is hereby vested with all powers vested pursuant to FL St. Ann. Section 617.021, its affairs shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of at least three members, pursuant to FL St. Ann. Section 617.026 as more fully set our in Article III, infra, and the BBYR hereby delegates full power to act for the BBYR between general membership meetings to the Board of Directors.

Article III – Board of Directors (BOD)

  1. Responsibility for the property, business, affairs, & activities of the BBYR is hereby vested in a Board of Director consisting of thirteen (13) members.
    The Members shall consist of the following:
    1. President
    2. Vice President
    3. Treasurer
    4. Secretary
    5. Director of Club Development
    6. Director of Communications
    7. Director of Fundraising Activities
    8. Director of Social Activities
    9. Director of Political Action
    10. Director of Special Projects & Outreach
    11. At Large Directors (2)
    12. Honorary Chair
  1. The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the CLUB and shall devise such measures as it deems proper & expedient to promote the purposes of the CLUB, to achieve the objectives set out in Article IV, infra, and to serve the interests and welfare of its active membership. The Board of Directors shall also be tasked with leading the Club in such a way as to accomplish the enumerated and implicit goals of the Club. As per Article IV, these include but are not limited to the best interests of the Party, the advancing of traditionally Republican ideals, and the health and maintenance of the Club.
  2. The Board has full power to act for the CLUB between general membership meetings. All powers which may vest in a corporation not for profit pursuant to FL. St. Ann. Sections 617.021, 617.026, & 617.10 are hereby delegated to the Board, subject only to the provisions of the bylaws, our constitution, and the parliamentary authority governing the CLUB.
  3. The President may call a meeting of the BOD at any time as long as 3 business days notice is given, but shall call such a meeting at least once prior to each regularly scheduled general membership meeting.
    The President, or a 2/3 majority of the voting members of the BOD, may cancel a Board Meeting as long as 24 hours notice is given, in the event or aftermath of a Hurricane, Tropical Storm, or other disaster in the Greater Miami Community.
  4. Notice of a board meeting shall be defined as written, e-mailed, Internet published, or other current mode of tangible, provable notification to all Board Members advising of the following:
    1. Date
    2. Time
    3. Location
    4. Business to be transacted
  5. If a Board meeting has not been held with 45 days, any two (2) Board members may call a Board meeting upon seven (7) days notice pursuant to Article III-4.
  6. Board members may attend meetings via electronic communication, but voting shall be limited to those in physical attendance unless the bylaws direct a means to accept an alternative attendance status.
  7. Quorum shall consist of a simple majority of voting members of the BOD.
  8. The Secretary shall prepare a written report summarizing all significant actions taken by the Board.
  9. Meeting shall generally be open to the membership but closed to the public at large.
    1. The BOD may motion to open the meeting to the general public by a simple majority. If opened, it may close by a simple majority.
    2. The BOD may motion for executive session upon the vote of 2/3 of the BOD present. Once in Executive Session, no member may reenter without 2/3 vote of the BOD. Executive Sessions may end with a simple majority after 30 minutes or 2/3 prior.
    3. Any Club member or member of the general public wishing to bring business to the board during an executive board meeting must submit a request in writing to the Club president sufficiently in advance of the meeting so as to have the point disseminated in writing to all board members.

Article IV- Objectives

  1. Develop a county-wide, intelligent, aggressive & serviceable Young Republicans organization.
  2. Solicit members who believe in and are willing to develop, nurture, and express the beliefs of the Republican Party.
  3. Solicit members who are willing to uphold the principles of the Young Republican National Federation, the Florida Federation of Young Republicans, and the Biscayne Bay Young Republicans.
  4. To provide an outlet for political expression, action, and development for younger people in the Republican Party.
  5. To secure the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates.
  6. To develop a significant political organization in politics and government within Miami-Dade County, its cities, towns, and communities, and the State of Florida.
  7. To collect, analyze, discuss, and disseminate information concerning pertinent political affairs.

Article V – Year

  1. The BBYR shall operate on a Fiscal Calendar Year starting on April 1st and ending on March 31st.
  2. The Year shall be broken into the following quarters.
    1. First Quarter: April 1 – June 30
    2. Second Quarter: July 1 – September 30
    3. Third Quarter: October 1 – December 31
    4. Fourth Quarter: January 1 – March 31

Article VI – Membership

  1. The CLUB shall consist of the following membership Class:
    1. Active Members
      1. must meet all qualifications listed below:
        1. Is a Florida Resident.
        2. Is a U.S. Citizen, or a Legal Resident who has applied for U.S. Citizenship.
        3. Is at least eighteen (18) year old who has not reached his/her forty-first (41st) birthday.
        4. Has current dues paid, or has been given an exception under the bylaws of the BBYR or its charter.
        5. Is not an active member of any other recognized Young Republicans Club.
      2. Active Members shall have all rights and privileges, including, but not limited to, the following:
        1. The right to attend all Board and General Meetings.
        2. Opportunity to attend special events, as long as the qualifications for that event are met, hosted by the BBYR at the Same price as all other members.
        3. Receive information to upcoming BBYR events.
        4. Vote at General Meetings.
        5. Opportunity to hold a BOD position.
        6. Opportunity to be a delegate at the FFYR State Convention.
        7. Opportunity to participate at Regional, State, & National Young Republican events.
    2. Associate Member
      1. A member who does not meet all qualifications of an active member, but meets the qualification set down under Article IV-1.a.i.4
      2. Has all rights and privileges of active membership except for Article VI-1.a.ii.4-6.
    3. Honorary Member
      1. The club may grant up to two (2) honorary memberships per fiscal calendar year.
      2. An honorary member shall have all rights and privileges equal to Article VI-1.b.ii.
      3. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay annual dues.
      4. The BOD may renew any outstanding honorary membership without that membership counting against the limit set in Article VI-1.c.ii.
    4. Life-Time Membership
      1. The Bylaws may address a membership term to be set for the life of the member.
      2. The bylaws may address exclusion of this designation, as long as this exclusion is not based on the race, ethnicity, gender, or religion of the individual.
      3. All those granted Life-Time Memberships prior to the adoption of this constitution shall continue to hold this distinction pursuant to Article VI-1.d.iii
      4. Life-Time Membership Rights
        1. As long as all qualifications under Article VI-1.a.i, a Life-Time member shall be treated like an Active Member
        2. If all qualifications are not meet under Article VI-1.a.i, a Life-Time member shall be treated with the Same rights as Article VI-1.b.ii.
  2. Unless otherwise listed in the charter or expanded in the bylaws; membership dues shall cover a period from the date the payment is received until 365 calendar days have elapsed.
  3. Membership can be revoked upon a Revocation Vote described the procedure described under Article VII-3.

Article VII – Membership Meetings

  1. General Meetings
    1. A general meeting shall normally be held each calendar month.
    2. All general meetings shall be called by the President with written notice to all members.
    3. Notice of a general meeting shall be defined as written, e-mailed, verbal, Internet published, or other current mode of tangible notification to all Board Members advising of the following:
      1. Date
      2. Time
      3. Location
      4. Business to be transacted
    4. If a Board meeting has not been held with 60 days, any two (2) Board members may call a Board meeting upon ten (10) days notice pursuant to Article VII-1.c.
    5. The Secretary shall prepare a written report summarizing all significant actions taken at the meeting.
    6. Quorum shall consist of either a minimum of ten (10) active members, fifteen (15) total members, or a simple majority of the active membership.
  2. Special Meetings
    1. Special meetings may be called.
    2. The President, or any two (2) BOD members, may call a special meeting as long as the membership is given five (5) business days notice.
    3. All special meetings are open to all members
    4. Special meetings may close upon the vote of a majority of active members and be reopened upon a majority vote of active members
    5. A special meeting shall address a particular topic
    6. Notice of a general meeting shall be defined as written, e-mailed, internet published, or via verbal notification to all Board Members advising of the following:
      1. Date
      2. Time
      3. Location
      4. Business to be transacted
    7. The Secretary shall prepare a written report summarizing all significant actions taken at the meeting.
    8. The bylaws shall address quorum for any special meeting not dealing with the impeachment or membership revocation.
  3. Revocation & Impeachment Meetings
    1. If, at a special meeting, a majority has called for a revocation vote on a particular member or to impeach a board member, a hearing may be once that member is given fourteen (14) business days notice and the membership is given ten (10) regular days notice.
    2. This meeting may be held at a General Meeting or during another Special Meeting.
    3. Quorum shall consist of either the greater of 10 active members or 2/3 majority of the active membership.
    4. Members who actively hid a previous felony conviction, indicted or convicted of a felony after joining the BBYR, found to actively support the opponent of a Republican Nominee for Public Office, or who has violated acts of this charter; may be removed upon the vote of 2/3 of the active members present.
    5. If membership is revoked, the member may not rejoin for at least one year upon the majority vote of both the BOD & the general membership.
    6. If a BOD member is impeached, his membership will also be subject to a revocation hearing at the Same time.
    7. Any member of the BOD shall be eligible to advance any other board member as a candidate for impeachment. Motions for impeachment supercede all other motions, and are only to be introduced at executive board meetings. Reasons for impeachment of board members shall include but not be limited to:
      1. Felony conviction or indictment
      2. Dereliction of duty
      3. Actions deemed contrary to the enumerated goals of the Club.
    8. A BOD member wishing to move for impeachment must formally alert either the President or Vice President at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. The President or Vice President is then required to make a good faith effort to contact the director in question in writing, so as to offer him or her the opportunity to stand in his or her own defense.
    9. Motion to impeach a duly elected director are subject to approval of 2/3 of the BOD members present at a meeting containing quorum. If passed, at the subsequent meeting of the general membership, a public announcement of the change must be made.

Article VIII- Voting

  1. To be eligible to vote on CLUB matters, an active member must be current at the time of the vote, must attend the meeting, and the meeting has quorum.
  2. Voting for elections shall be held by secret ballot unless the position is not contested. To be eligible to vote in club elections, a member must have attended at least one meeting prior to the election in that fiscal year. A member must also have paid dues for the current year to be eligible to vote in elections.
  3. Voting for all other matters shall be voice vote, unless two (2) members call for a secret ballot or a simply majority calls for a roll call vote.

Article IX – Executive Committee

  1. The Executive Committee shall be made of the following:
    1. President
    2. Vice President
    3. Treasurer
    4. Secretary
    5. Chair (Votes only to break ties)
  2. In the event the President is unable to chair a meeting, the order of succession to chair a meeting shall be the following:
    1. Vice President
    2. Treasurer
    3. Chair
    4. Others as prescribed by the bylaws.
  3. In the event the office of President is vacant the Vice President shall immediately be installed as President.
  4. In the event the office of Vice President is vacant
    1. The President may appoint, with majority consent of the BOD, a Vice President to fill out the remainder of the term if elections for the office are to be held within 7 months of the time the vacancy was created.
    2. Any other time, the President shall call an election, to be held no sooner then thirty (30) and no later then seventy-five (75) days after notification the position is vacant, to elect a new Vice President. This election may take place at a special meeting or a general meeting.
  5. In the event the offices of President and Vice President are Vacant
    1. The Chair shall immediately serve as Acting-President.
    2. The Acting-President shall call for elections for President and Vice President to be held no sooner then twenty (20) and no later then sixty (60) days after the temporary installation is created. This election may take place at a special meeting or a general meeting.
    3. In the event the Chair may not act as President, the Bylaws shall address the appointment of an Acting-President.
    4. The Chair shall retain the position after successfully completing a term as Acting-President.
  6. In the event the office of Chair is vacant, the position shall remain so until the election of a new President.
  7. In the event the office of Treasurer of the Office of Secretary is vacant, the President may appoint a successor, with majority consent of the BOD.

Article X – Duties of the Executive Committee

  1. The President Shall:
    1. Serve as the official representative of the CLUB.
    2. Serve, or designate a proxy, on the FFYR Executive Committee.
    3. Serve on the FFYR Council of Presidents.
    4. Call and Chair all General, Board, and Special Meetings of the BBYR.
    5. Supervise all Members of the BOD.
    6. Fundraise.
    7. Call elections.
    8. Create & Terminate any standing club committee, per the bylaws.
    9. Appoint a Parliamentarian.
    10. Fill Vacancies (with board approval) and appoint non-board members as per bylaws.
    11. Create special boards to handle various topics.
    12. Co-Sign CLUB Checks.
    13. Propose such actions to the BOD to achieve the objectives of the club.
    14. Serve with the Executive Committee to choose Delegates and Alternates to the FFYR Convention..
    15. Actively work to recruit new members.
    16. Prepare and annual budget, with the help of the Treasurer and other members of the Board.
    17. Participate in Board Meetings.
    18. Vote and Participate at BOD, General, and Special Meetings.
    19. Retain final approval of all published Club materials and responsibility for their content.
    20. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  2. The Vice President Shall:
    1. Serve as an alternate at FFYR Council of Presidents meetings.
    2. Serve with the Executive Committee to choose Delegates and Alternates to the FFYR Convention.
    3. Chair meetings in the absence of the President.
    4. Actively promote the organization.
    5. Work on projects given to him/her by the BOD or the President.
    6. Present reports to the President and the BOD.
    7. Co-Sign Club Checks.
    8. Serve as a liaison to Republican Clubs.
    9. Participate in Board Meetings.
    10. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  3. Treasurer
    1. Shall have the following duties:
      1. Co-sign Club Checks.
      2. Help prepare an annual budget.
      3. Coordinate with the Social & Membership Director on membership renewals.
      4. Collect dues.
      5. Fundraise.
      6. Promote the CLUB.
      7. Custodian of all financial records.
      8. Chair meeting in the absence of the President & Vice President.
      9. Prepare all financial documents.
      10. Participate in Board Meetings.
      11. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
    2. Shall Not have the following:
      1. Borrow money.
      2. Pay out funds, without consent of the BOD.
      3. Issue checks, without consent of the BOD.
  4. The Secretary Shall:
    1. Take notes at all meetings.
    2. Create and send, or appoint some to thereof, all correspondence of the BBYR.
    3. Prepare and disseminate minutes.
    4. Update the FFYR secretary of any BOD changes or elections thereof.
    5. Prepare all non-financial documents.
    6. Work with the Director of Communications on all Press Releases, Internet issues, and event record.
    7. Responsible for all non-financial, non-marketing, written communications.
    8. Record all votes, all procedures, and all major actions of debate at meetings.
    9. Participate in Board Meetings.
    10. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  5. The Honorary Chair shall have the following responsibilities
    1. Serve as the honorary head of the delegation at FFYR and National Events.
    2. Serve with the Executive Committee to choose Delegates and Alternates to the FFYR Convention.
    3. Officially act as the head of the organization on issues of impeachment or membership revocation hearings (unless the subject of said action, who shall be officiated by the FFYR Regional Chair or Vice-Chair).
    4. Help Recruitment & Maintain former members.
    5. Vote to end ties on majority vote matters with full board voting rights on all other pending business.
    6. Fundraise.
    7. Other honorary duties granted by the President.
    8. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.

Article XI – Election and Requirements of Executive Officers

  1. In July of odd numbered years shall host the election of Executive Officers
    1. Per club bylaws or traditions, a President shall be nominated and elected first. If the Current President is not reelected, the new Honorary Chair shall be the Current President. If the President is reelected, the position of Chair shall be vacated.
    2. The order of all other executive officers shall be as follows:
      1. Vice President
      2. Treasurer
      3. Secretary.
    3. The installation of officers shall take place no later then September 1st of that Same year by direction of the bylaws. In the event no installation meeting is held, the Executive Board shall automatically serve at Midnight on September 2nd of that Same year.
    4. For the Office of President, a member must be current at the time of installation, remain current throughout his/her term, and be a member at least nine (9) months at the time of election.
    5. For all other Executive Offices, a member must be current at the time of their installation, remain current throughout his/her term, and be a member at least five (5) months at the time of election. If an officer is appointed, the officer must either be a current BOD member or be a member of the CLUB for at least five (5) months prior to installation.
    6. Other then Chair, no member may run for an executive position if they are to turn the age of 41 by the time of the next general election for that office. In the event the Chair will have turned 41, the Chair shall maintain tiebreaking voting rights at board meetings.
    7. Other then the Chair, any officer who misses three (3) consecutive regular board meetings without a board approved absence will have resigned his/her position effective at the close of business of that meeting.
    8. If the Chair is elected as a Director, the Chair shall retain the rights of Chair but must meet the responsibilities of the office elected.

Article XII- Committee of Directors

  1. The Committee of Directors shall consist of the following:
    1. Director of Club Development
    2. Director of Communications
    3. Director of Social Activities (DSA)
    4. Director of Political Action (PAD)
    5. Director of Fundraising Activites (FAD)
    6. Director of Special Projects & Outreach (SPOuD)
    7. At-Large Directors (2)
  2. Vacancies shall be filled by an appointment of the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors. Members shall be given at least 15 regular days notice before a board meeting to apply for a vacancy. At-Large positions may remain vacant.
  3. Directors shall have been members of the organization at least one (1) month prior to installation.
  4. Members shall be elected every year in July. Installation of Officers shall be per the CLUB bylaws or traditions, but shall be installed no later then September 1st of the Same year as elected.
  5. Order of election shall be held via BBYR bylaws or traditions.
  6. No member may run for a position if they are to turn the age of 41 by the time of the next general election for that office.
  7. Any Director who misses three (3) consecutive regular board meetings without a board approved absence will have resigned his/her position effective at the close of business of that meeting.
  8. All BOD members shall make a good faith effort to remain current with dues requirements.

Article XIII – Duties of Directors

  1. The Director of Club Development Shall:
    1. Recruit new members into the BBYR.
    2. Encourage guests to join the BBYR.
    3. Help Coordinate marketing of the BBYR and the website of the BBYR.
    4. Work with the Director of Communications to market the club.
    5. Find regional opportunities to expand the club.
    6. Work with DSA on special events and member retention.
    7. Promote the CLUB, candidates, & Republican causes.
    8. Work with others around the state related to this field.
    9. Work with the FAD to promote the finances of the organization.
    10. Participate at BOD meetings.
    11. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  2. Director of Communications Shall:
    1. Work with the BBYR Secretary and the Director of Club Development with Press Releases.
    2. Monitor the website, email, and general events of the organization.
    3. Work with DSA and PAD to promote various events.
    4. Create Press Release, maintain media contacts, and communicate to the public.
    5. Assist other directors with any communications needs related to the successful implementation of their tasks.
    6. Promote the CLUB.
    7. Work with others around the state related to this field.
    8. Participate at BOD meetings.
    9. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  3. The Director of Social Activities (SAD) shall:
    1. Coordinate Social events for the BBYR.
    2. Work with the board and the members to enhance the experience of the group for all.
    3. Coordinate activities to detail interest in various events and procedures in the BBYR.
    4. Remind the Director of Communications and the BOD to promote social events.
    5. Work with the Director of Fundraising Activities with social events for a charitable cause.
    6. Work with others around the state related to these fields.
    7. Participate at events and meetings.
    8. Work with Republican and Social Causes Organizations to promote BBYR events.
    9. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  4. The Director of Political Action (PAD) shall:
    1. Work with Republican, Libertarian, Conservative, and non-partisan political groups to join the BBYR.
    2. Coordinate activities involving Political Figures.
    3. Keep the BOD and the membership informed on political events in Greater Miami, in Florida, and in the US that may affect the membership.
    4. Coordinate Political Events, including debates, straw votes, endorsement events, and state events.
    5. Participate at events and meetings.
    6. Work with others around the state related to this field.
    7. Work with the BOD, especially the Director of Communications and the President on Political Events.
    8. Work with SPOuD to promote events addressing topics relating to various communities.
    9. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  5. The Director of Special Projects & Outreach (SPOuD) shall:
    1. Work with the board to identify segments for specific membership outreach efforts and lead the coordination and execution of those efforts.
    2. Serve as ombudsman before the board for groups believed by the Director to be disaffected or underrepresented in Club membership.
    3. Participate in board meetings.
    4. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  6. The Director of Fundraising Activities (FAD) shall:
    1. Work with the President, Treasurer, and board to advance the clubs finances through special events, advertising, and donations from PACs, Candidates, and individuals.
    2. When a candidate is endorsed by the membership; to help that candidate fundraise for their campaign with an event hosted by the CLUB or in conjunction with other organizations and our membership.
    3. Work with the DSA and the board for various social events with a charitable component.
    4. Participate in events & meetings.
    5. Work with the Director of Club Development in finding ways to promote the CLUB and our causes.
    6. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.
  7. At-Large Director Shall:
    1. Work under various directors to help the CLUB.
    2. Specific assignments given by the President or the BOD.
    3. Participate in meetings & meetings.
    4. Other responsibilities as directed by the bylaws.

Article XIV – Florida Federation of Young Republicans (FFYR)

BBYR shall be a member of the FFYR & the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF). Either Constitution shall supercede any provision in this charter and our bylaws if in conflict.

Article XV – Endorsements

  1. CLUB may endorse per bylaws.
  2. CLUB cannot endorse a non-Republican in a partisan election.
  3. Endorsements must be approved by at least a simple majority of the general membership, but the bylaws may make endorsements more difficult.
  4. No member shall represent his or her personal views regarding a candidate as an endorsement by the BBYR.
  5. CLUB may endorse or oppose initiatives and may choose not to accept any endorsement by the FFYR or YRNF.
  6. Republican candidates in partisan races and registered Republican candidates in non-partisan races are welcome to solicit campaign volunteers or staff from among BBYR members. Involvement by individual Club members will not constitute or be construed by candidate or Club as endorsement.

Article XVI – Amendments

Individual amendments may be adopted at a general membership meeting be a 3/5 majority, as long as the amendment received a majority of the vote at an advertised special meeting, and 10 members attend such a meeting. A new charter may be adopted by a 2/3 majority at a general membership meeting, as long as the charter receives a majority vote at an advertised special meeting, and at least 10 members vote for the charter.
 

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