Lubbock Young Republicans, Bylaws
Mission Statement:
To develop principled young Republican leaders who will energetically support
Republican candidates and conservative principles, pursue leadership positions in
government and the community, and serve as a bridge between Texas Tech College
Republicans and the Lubbock County Republican Party through mentorship, civic
engagement, and professional development.
Article 1 – Name
The name of the organization shall be “The Lubbock Young Republicans”, hereinafter
referred to as “Lubbock Young Republicans”.
This organization aims to become the sole Young Republican chapter recognized by the
Texas Tech College Republicans (TCR), Lubbock County Republican Party (LCRP), and
the Texas Young Republican Federation (TYRF) in Lubbock County, Texas.
Article 2 – Purpose
The purpose of the Lubbock Young Republicans shall be to support the principles and
objectives of the Republican Party, to work for the election of all duly nominated
Republican candidates, and to promote, develop, and maintain a strong and vital Young
Republican organization in sample, including the following objectives:
a. Develop and prepare young Republicans for leadership roles, political, civic, and
professional, across Lubbock County.
b. Aims to serve as a coordinated link in the Leadership Pipeline between Tech
College Republicans (TCR), LCRP, and higher offices.
c. Provide professional development, mentorship, and opportunities for members.
d. Conduct community service projects reflecting conservative values when
applicable, to remain active instead of reactive politically and civically.
Article 3 – Federation
The Lubbock Young Republicans is and shall remain a member of the Texas Young
Republicans and shall be subject to the Constitution and By-Laws of said Federation.
Lubbock Young Republicans operates in partnership with the Lubbock County
Republican Party (LCRP) and Tech College Republicans (TCR). Lubbock Young
Republicans is recognized as the only authorized Young Republican organization within
Lubbock County, Texas.
Article 4 – Meetings
A. REGULAR MEETING. The Lubbock Young Republicans shall hold its regular
meetings quarterly (not socials), date and location to be determined by the Board of
Directors.
B. SPECIAL MEETING. Special meetings may be called at any time by the
President or a majority of the Board of Directors.
C. QUORUM. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the active membership of the Club
shall constitute a quorum.
D. ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER. If the President of the club chooses to conduct
the meeting, except where inconsistent with this Constitution, the rules of the newest
revised edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall apply.
Article 5 – Membership
A. ACTIVE MEMBERS. Any citizen of the United States whose primary residence
is in Sample area, who is a registered voter and is at least eighteen (18) but not more than
forty (40) years of age inclusive, is eligible for active membership in the Club. Annual
dues for active members shall be ten dollars ($10.00) for a single person, fifteen ($15.00)
for a married couple, and ten dollars ($10.00) for a student. Applicants for active
membership shall submit their dues along with their application, at which time they shall
become members of the Club; thereafter, dues are payable January 1 of each year, and
payment of dues shall constitute renewal of membership.
B. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Any person who does not qualify for active
membership is eligible for associate membership. Associate members shall have all the
rights and powers of active members except that they may not vote or hold office.
Annual dues for associate members shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00).
C. CONTRIBUTING AND HONORARY MEMBERS. There shall be three classes
of contributing membership based upon amount of contribution to the Club: supporting -
$100, sustaining - $250 and patron - $500. Honorary membership shall be bestowed
upon those persons chosen for this honor by an affirmative vote of at least seventy-five
percent (75%) of active members present and voting at any regular meeting of the Club.
Only those contributing and honorary members who are also active members may vote or
hold office in the Club.
D. SPONSORS & HONORARY MEMBERS
a. Classes and privileges defined in the Bylaws.
E. GOOD STANDING
a. Requires payment of dues, adherence to the Code of Conduct, and compliance
with this Constitution.
F. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
a. Any member serving in, or supporting, a rival or unauthorized “Lubbock
Young Republicans” organization forfeits membership and office eligibility.
b. Any persons or individuals associated or affiliated with an unrecognized
organization or rival of the Texas Tech College Republicans, Texas
Federation of College Republicans, Lubbock Young Republicans, Texas
Young Republicans, or Lubbock County Republican Party
G. EXPULSION. The membership may, by an affirmative vote of not less than
seventy-five percent (75%) of active members present and voting at any regular or
special meeting of the Club, expel from the Club any member for any act of conduct
deemed adverse and hostile to the best interests of the Club; provided, however, that
before any vote on the expulsion may be taken, the following specific steps must have
occurred:
- The specific charges against the member in question must be
presented to the Board of Directors; - The Board of Directors must notify the member of said charges and
must give the member a fair and reasonable opportunity to respond to
same; and - The Board of Directors must thereafter pass a resolution in favor of
expulsion.
Article 6 – Officers
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
-
All officers shall hold office from the January meeting until their duly elected
successors take office or until the office is declared forfeited, as set forth below. -
No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
-
Officers shall serve without compensation and must be Republicans and active
members of the Club. -
A vacancy in an office prior to the expiration of the term shall be filled by
appointment of the President. -
The President can appoint a member to fill an officer vacancy, with the approval
of the board. -
After an officer misses three regular meetings and/or three board meetings, it will
be the discretion of the President to declare their position vacant. The declaration of
vacancy shall be made at the discretion of the board.
B. TITLES AND DUTIES
- PRESIDENT – The President shall preside over all meetings of the Club and the
Board of Directors. The President shall have the power to appoint committees, modify
existing job descriptions, create or terminate new official positions, supervise activities of
the Club, set agenda for meetings, bestow honors and perform any and all other duties
inherent to said office. - VICE PRESIDENT – The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President,
perform the duties of the President. The Vice President shall serve as Membership
Director and as such shall be responsible for recruiting new members, retention and
renewal of memberships of current members and for maintaining up-to-date membership
records. - SECRETARY – The Secretary shall be responsible for taking appropriate minutes
of the Club and of the Board of Directors and shall assist the President and the Board of
Directors in coordinating Club activities. The Secretary shall be responsible for being a
liaison with the local county Republican Parties, as well as other community groups. The
Secretary will keep in contact with local newspapers to advertise events put on by the
Club. The Public Relations Officer will keep in close communication with the President
and to plan events for the Club. - TREASURER – The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting and distributing
Club funds pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall select
and maintain primary Club bank account, and shall at all time coordinate closely with the
President to ensure both efficiency and integrity with respect to the financial affairs of the
Club. The Treasurer shall also plan fundraising for the club.
Article 7 – Executive Board
The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the Club. The Board shall manage
the affairs of the Lubbock Young Republicans, subject to the approval of the
membership. The Board shall meet once a month outside of the regularly scheduled
meeting time of the Lubbock Young Republicans. A majority of the Board members
shall constitute a quorum for Executive Board Meetings.
A. Ineligibility Clause: Any person who has organized, assisted, or represented an
unauthorized “Lubbock Young Republicans, Texas Tech College Republicans, Lubbock
County Republican Party, Texas Federation of College Republicans, Texas Young
Republicans or competing Young Republican group is permanently barred from holding
any LYR office or position.
Article 8 – Elections
B. NOMINATIONS. At the regular meeting of the Lubbock Young Republicans in
January, election of officers shall take place. Nominations for each elected officer shall
be taken from the floor and a second shall be required. Thereafter, the Secretary shall
compile a list of all nominees and each office will be voted upon.
C. VOTING. Only those persons who were active members of the Club shall be
eligible to vote. Voting in all contested races shall be by secret ballot. If no candidate
obtains a majority on the first ballot, a run-off election will immediately be held between
the two receiving the most votes. In the event of a tie, a second vote will be taken
immediately; if the second vote fails to break the tie, the outgoing Board of Directors will
determine the winner.
Article 9 – Miscellaneous
A. STATE CONVENTION. A majority of the Board of Directors shall select the
delegates and alternates to represent the Club at the State Convention.
B. ENDORSEMENTS. The club shall have the ability to recommend for
endorsement in primaries so long as, a). There is no Democrat running in the general
election. Based on historic election results from the last five elections, the presidential
and midterm elections, the margin of victory between the Republican and Democratic
candidates exceeded 10%.
- The club has the ability to endorse any and all candidates for the
General Election.
C. ENDORSEMENT PROCESS GUIDELINES. Endorsement recommendations for the
races must be finalized two weeks before early voting. The club shall evaluate
candidates based on questionnaires. If there is a divide amongst the board, then the
club shall conduct candidate interviews.
- A recommendation shall be defined as a referral by the local chapter to
the State Young Republicans’ (Texas Young Republicans Federation).
Board for the consideration of an endorsement of a candidate or a slate
of candidates’ respective races.
D. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE. The Board of Directors shall have the
power to create a political action committee (PAC) for the purpose of soliciting and
disbursing funds to benefit Republican candidates in general elections.
E. NON-DISCRIMINATION. The Club opposes any type of discrimination based
on race, color, sex, national origin, and religious belief; the right of any person to join the
Club shall not be abridged on account of the same.
F. NON-PROFIT STATUS. The Club is a non-profit organization and wishes to be
recognized and treated as such for tax purposes. Should any provision contained in this
Constitution prevent the Club from obtaining or maintaining its non-profit tax-exempt
status, such offending provision is hereby declared void.
G. INTERPRETATION. Any dispute or question concerning the interpretation or
meaning of this Constitution shall be determined by a meeting of the Board of Directors.
Article 10 – Amendment
Any proposed amendment to this Constitution shall first be submitted in writing to the
Board of Directors. At the next regular meeting, the Secretary shall read the proposed
amendment aloud and the President shall advise the membership of the proposed
amendment’s ramifications on the Club Constitution. The meeting must have a quorum
of active members, and an affirmative majority vote must be passed in order for the
amendment to take effect.