Franklin Township Republican Club
By-Laws
Last update: 11/1/2019
Article I: Name and Geographical Area
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Franklin Township Republican Club (FTRC)
Section 2. The geographical area of this Club shall be confined to Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ.
Article II: Purpose and Objectives
The purpose and objectives of this Club shall be:
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To unite the Republican electors of Franklin Township under able leadership to support the principles and objectives of Republicanism within the geographical area of the Club and also in the County, State, and Nation of which such area is a part.
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To assist in the promotion and development of the highest principles in government.
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To dedicate its members to work for the general good and improvement of the community within its geographical area.
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To provide through social means an enduring fellowship among Republicans dedicated to the principle of Republicanism and the development of a better community.
Article III: Membership
Section 1. There shall be 2 classes of membership, namely: Voting and Honorary.
Section 2. Voting members shall be due paying registered Republicans of the geographical area.
Section 3. Honorary members shall be distinguished persons, not otherwise qualified as a voting member as described above. The Somerset County GOP Chairperson shall be an honorary member.
Article IV: Meetings
Section 1. General membership meetings shall be held on the fourth Monday of every month at the hour and place designated by the Executive Committee.
Section 2. The nominating committee shall be made up of three members. They shall be appointed at the October meeting by the President and make their nominations at the December meeting.
Section 3. The annual meeting of the general membership and the election of officers shall be held during the month of January on the fourth Monday, with the newly elected officers and executive committee taking office immediately.
Section 4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times a year at the call of the President, or upon written request of fifty percent (50%) of the members of the Executive Committee.
Section 5. Each Club member and each Executive Committee member shall receive at least 5 days notice of all meetings to which he or she shall be entitled to attend.
Section 6. Two thirds (2/3) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum of the general membership.
Section 7. One half (1/2) of the total members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Committee.
Article V: Dues
Section 1. Each voting member shall pay dues of sixty dollars ($60.00) each year of membership for an individual or one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a family.
Section 2. Honorary members shall not be required to pay dues.
Section 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of the above sections of this Article, annual dues for any membership class shall be raised by a majority vote of the general membership attending regular or special meetings without the necessity of amending these Bylaws.
Section 4. Annual dues should be reviewed at least every two years.
Section 5. All dues shall be paid on or before the last day of February of each year. Members not joining in February will have their membership dues prorated for their first year.
Article VI: Officers & Executive Committee
Section 1. The officers of this Club shall be: President; Vice President; Secretary; and Treasurer.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of:
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The Current President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasure of the Club
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Three (3) At-Large Members of the Club.
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Article VII: Voting
The business of this Club shall be transacted by voice vote except for the election of Officers and Executive Committee members, which shall be by written ballot unless there is only one nominee for an office. Each voting member in good standing has one vote, which may be cast in person OR via an electronic service acquired by the Executive Committee, whichever the Committee deems suitable.
Article VIII: Election of Officers and Executive Committee
Section 1. Officers shall be elected at the January meeting. Officers shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee at the meeting preceding the Annual Meeting. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted.
Section 2.
a) The candidates for President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected to their respective offices for a term of one (1) year and shall hold office until their respective successors are duly elected.
b) Candidates for the Executive Committee, pursuant to Article VI, Section 2
c) Above shall be members of the Club in good standing and as such they shall be eligible to fill positions.
Article IX: Duties of Officers and Committees
Section 1. President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings of the Club appoint officers to fill vacancies subject to approval of the Executive Committee and to perform such duties as ordinarily pertain to this office.
Section 2. Vice President: It shall be the duty of the Vice President to preside over meetings of the Club in the absence of the President and to exercise control and supervision over all internal functions of the club.
Section 3. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep records of membership, record and preserve the minutes of business meetings of the Club, send out correspondences, and perform such other duties as usually pertain to this office.
Section 4. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to have custody of all Club funds, accounting for the same to the Club at its annual meeting and at any other time upon demand of the Executive Committee and to perform such other duties as usually pertain to this office including the paying of bills in accordance with Article X of these Bylaws.
Section 5. Nominating Committee: This Committee will be made up of three members in good standing. They shall be appointed at the October Meeting by the President and make their nominations at the December meeting. This Committee will actively identify potential candidates for all elected positions within the Club.
Section 6. Membership and Public Relations Committee: This Committee shall consist of at least 2 Voting members in good standing, as appointed by the President. The President of the Club will oversee this committee. This Committee shall actively promote membership in the Club, shall check qualifications for membership in accordance with Article III, and shall reject the request of each membership who does not qualify in accordance with Article III.
Article X: Finances
Section 1. The Treasure shall deposit all funds of the Club in a bank to be named by the Executive Committee.
Section 2. All disbursements shall be paid only by checks signed by the Treasurer or either the President or Vice President after bills have been approved or authorized by the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The fiscal year of the Club shall end December 31st of each year.
Article XI: Order of Business
The order of business at all General Membership meetings and Executive Committee meetings shall be as follows:
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Announcements
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Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
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Secretary Report New Members
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Report of Treasurer
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Chairman’s Report of Executive Committee Meetings
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Old Business
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New Business
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Election of Officers and Executive Committee, if Applicable
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Program
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Adjournment
Article XII: Public Affairs
The general welfare of the community is of concern to the members of this Club and the merits of any public question involving such welfare shall be fairly and intelligently studied and discussed, pro and con, before a general meeting for the enlightenment of the members in forming their individual opinions. This Club, any Officer or member of the Executive Committee of this club, or any other members of the Club, shall not, on behalf of the Club, express any opinion on any pending controversial public measure unless or until a majority of the Voting Members present at a regular meeting or special meeting approve and have agreed to the same opinion.
Article XIII: Amendments to Bylaws
These Bylaws shall be amended only at the Annual Meeting or at a Special Meeting of the general membership provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given, in electronic writing, with notification of the meeting at which it is to be acted upon. No amendments shall be adopted unless receiving the affirmative vote of two/thirds (2/3) majority of the voting Members who are present and in good standing at such meeting.
ARTICLE XIV: Expulsion
Section 1. Any member may be suspended or expelled for cause by a three-fourths majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee, and one month’s previous notice in writing having been given to the member with a copy of the charge(s) referred against him.
Section 2. Any Board member, officer, or other member of the Executive Committee may be removed from office for cause at any meeting of the Executive Committee, by a like vote, and upon like notice.