|
TEXAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the TEXAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S
CLUBS, a member of the GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS, hereinafter referred to in these Bylaws as TFWC.ARTICLE
II - OBJECT
The object shall be to unite women’s clubs throughout Texas for charitable purposes. The term "charitable
purposes" shall be limited to and shall include only religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes,
or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, within the meaning of those terms as used in #501 (c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954, but only such purposes as also constitute public charitable purposes under the law of trusts of the
State of Texas.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 Classification
Membership in TFWC shall consist of Women’s Clubs whose work and purpose are germane to the objects of TFWC. Membership
shall be classified as follows:
A. General Clubs: Those clubs whose members pay per capita dues to TFWC and GFWC.
B. Junior Clubs: Those clubs whose membership is composed of young women. Such clubs shall hold active membership and shall
participate in the Regular program of TFWC.
C. Department Clubs: Those clubs whose members pay per capita dues to TFWC and GFWC and whose members comprise special
interest groups (departments). A Department Club is a General Club.
D. Juniorette Clubs: An affiliate club whose membership is composed of girls in high school.
E. State At-large Clubs: Those persons interested in maintaining membership in TFWC and GFWC after their club has dissolved.
This will also include GFWC member moving into a town in Texas having no TFWC Club.
F. Federations: Those clubs comprising groups known as City, County or Regional Federations which pay a fixed amount of
dues without regard to individual membership.
G. Life Members: Any members of TFWC who have not served as State President may be elected to Life Membership on the Board
of Directors, subject to the following requirements:
1. Twenty-five years continuous membership in a per capita club.
2. Meritorious service on the TFWC Board of Directors through five or more administrations.
3. Nominated by her club.
4. Written and signed recommendations of seven members of the TFWC Board of Directors.
5. Endorsement by her District Board while in session.
6. A unanimous vote of approval by a committee of five members appointed by the President to the TFWC Board of Directors
to serve for one administration.
7. Five copies of the resume of each nominee for TFWC Life Membership shall be submitted to the TFWC Life Membership
Committee Chairman at least two weeks prior to the TFWC Fall Board Meeting or the TFWC Spring Convention.
8. Election shall be by ballot vote of the TFWC Board of Directors in the
fall of the year, or the TFWC Convention in the spring of the year. Candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of
votes shall be declared elected to Life Membership, provided each received two-thirds of the votes of the voting members present.
9. No District shall have more than two State Life Members.
10. No District shall present more candidates for Life Membership than
the number for which they are eligible.
11. A State Life Member may be declared a Life Member Emeritus when she
(a) moves from the state or district which nominated her, (b) becomes incapacitated, or ( c) whose club is no longer affiliated
with TFWC or GFWC. The vacancy is then filled by election of a new State Life Member from her district.
H. Honorary Membership: Individuals may be elected to
honorary membership on the Board of Directors on written recommendation of the Executive Committee, a unanimous vote of the
Board of Directors or a unanimous vote of the convention in assembly.
Section 2 Application
Application for membership must be made on forms obtained from District Second Vice-Presidents, or from TFWC Headquarters.
A. Clubs applying for membership shall be subject to the following requirements:
1. Application properly executed shall be sent to the District Second Vice-President accompanied by:
a. Copy of Applicant’s constitution and/or bylaws.
b. The GFWC and TFWC dues for the current fiscal year.
c. List of membership with mailing addresses.
d. Payment for one year’s subscription to THE TEXAS CLUBWOMAN for each member of the club except in the case
of Juniorette Clubs and Federations.
2. Application shall have been endorsed by two clubs in the same district as the applicant. Endorsing clubs shall
have been members of TFWC at least two years.
B. Eligibility of applicant having been established by the District Second Vice-President, and the TFWC Second
Vice-President, the application shall be presented for vote at the next meeting of the Executive Committee or taken by mail
under the direction of the Executive Secretary.
C. Approval of the application of a club by a majority vote of the Executive Committee shall admit the club to
membership in TFWC. Upon admission of the club to membership, the TFWC Second Vice-President shall issue a certificate of
membership to the club to be presented to the club by the District Second Vice-President.
SECTION 3 Termination of Membership (2007)
A. A club considering terminating membership in TFWC/GFWC shall notify all members of the club of action considered in
a mailing to each member one month prior to the date scheduled for the vote to be taken. The vote to terminate membership
shall be by written and signed ballot. If five members of the club vote to retain membership in the TFWC/GFWC club, the club
retains its TFWC/GFWC name, assets and status. Notification of such action shall be given to the TFWC Headquarters for approval
by the Executive Committee.
B. Requirements
1. No club may honorably withdraw from TFWC/GFWC until all dues have been paid. Upon payment of dues and notification of
valid withdrawal to TFWC Headquarters, termination of membership in TFWC/GFWC shall be granted.
2. The resignation of a club from TFWC/GFWC shall be mailed to the GFWC Headquarters in Washington D.C.
3. Upon notice of resignation all rights and privileges of membership shall cease, since the club gained its reputation
for volunteerism by being affiliated with TFWC/GFWC. All reference to Federation, including letterheads, publicity, etc. must
be eliminated.
4. Clubs withdrawing can no longer participate in Federation endorsed programs. All program material shall be returned
promptly to the TFWC office, 2312 San Gabriel, Austin, Texas 78705.
5. The tax exempt number that was obtained with the use of the Federation affiliation shall no longer be valid. Notification
will be sent by the TFWC Executive Committee to the IRS of the club’s withdrawal.
C. For other causes. Clubs or organizations whose activities and purposes have been
proved to be incompatible with those of the TFWC/GFWC shall be removed from membership by a two-thirds vote of the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 4 Renewal of Membership
A. Membership may be renewed within three years after termination with
payment of current dues and 100% subscription to THE TEXAS CLUBWOMAN.
B. Clubs desiring to renew membership after more than three years shall submit a new application.
SECTION 5 Change of Name
Any club changing name shall notify TFWC Headquarters of the new name. Seniority rights shall not be lost because of a
change of name.
SECTION 6 Annual Dues
A. General, Junior and Department clubs shall pay GFWC
dues; and TFWC dues as determined by the membership in convention. A subscription to THE TEXAS CLUBWOMAN will be sent to the
club president with the payment of dues.
B. City Federations shall pay the TFWC dues in the amount of $8.00 per club and $80.00 GFWC dues per Federation
founded prior to 1951. A list of member clubs and the club presidents’ names and addresses shall be sent with each dues
payment. (2008)
C. Juniorette Clubs, affiliate clubs of TFWC, shall pay TFWC dues of $1.00 per active member. Included in this
fee will be a subscription to THE TEXAS CLUBWOMAN in the name of the club president. A minimum of ten girls shall be required
to organize a club.
D. State At-Large Club shall pay TFWC dues per active member, plus the amount
of the GFWC dues, plus a subscription to THE GFWC CLUBWOMAN and THE TEXAS CLUBWOMAN. All dues are payable upon approval of
the application for membership and on July 1st thereafter. These members shall be per-capita members.
E. All dues shall be paid to TFWC by July 1st. Subsequent payment shall be paid to TFWC for all members
added to the roster.
F. The fiscal year shall be from July 1st through June 30th.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
SECTION 1 Elected Officers
Elected officers shall be: President, President-elect, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary.
The officers shall be elected in the even-numbered years.
SECTION 2 Eligibility
A. Membership in a per capita club.
B. Service as a District President or a State Director of Junior Clubs.
C. Endorsement by candidate’s club which shall be a per capita club in good standing.
D. Endorsement by candidate’s district in convention, this being the only candidate to be so endorsed for any
single election period.
E. An endorsement of candidate shall be sent to TFWC Nomination Committee prior to the Fall Board Meeting in odd-numbered
years.
SECTION 3 Term of Office
A. TFWC elected officers shall serve for a term of two years.
B. Officers shall serve from the time of GFWC installation in election years until the next GFWC installation.
C. No officer shall serve more than one successive term in the same office except a President and a President-elect
serving simultaneously to fill unexpired terms. In this case these officers may be elected for a two-year term.
D. No member shall hold more than one office at the same time.
E. Any officer serving the major portion of a term shall be considered to have served a term.
SECTION 4 Vacancies in Office
A. President. The President-elect shall become President and shall serve the remainder of the term. A President serving
less than one year shall be eligible to serve a full term. She shall declare her intention to the Elections Committee to serve
a full term within 30 days of assuming office.
B. President-elect. The Executive Committee shall appoint the First Vice-President to the office of President-elect.
If she declines the office, it shall then be filled by appointment by the Executive Committee, with approval of the Board
of Directors. She shall serve the remainder of the term.
C. The office of First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, or Recording Secretary,
shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the remainder of the term, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors
at the next meeting.
D. If the President is temporarily incapacitated or unable to perform her duties for a period of thirty consecutive
days, the President-elect shall perform the duties of the President until the President again assumes her duties or the office
is declared vacant.
E. If an officer is incapacitated or unable to perform her duties for a period of three months, the office is declared
vacant.
F. In the event of three or more vacancies at the same time, the highest ranking officer shall be empowered to convene
a special meeting of the Board of Directors for the purpose of holding a special election.
ARTICLE V – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1 Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall be composed of one member from each District who shall have been elected by the District
Executive Committee. This shall not be the current District President.
A. At the annual convention in odd-numbered years, the Nominating Committee members shall meet at the call of the
TFWC President.
B. The TFWC President shall preside until the chairman is elected.
C. The Committee Chairman shall receive endorsements for all candidates prior to the Fall Board meeting of odd-numbered
years. Candidates shall file for a specific office and their names shall be announced in the Call to Convention.
D. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be made at the first morning session of the election convention.
E. The report and the ballot shall include all names of candidates who meet the bylaw requirements for eligibility.
F. Nominations from the floor may be made only by a member of the convention from the district where the nominee
resides. A candidate nominated from the floor shall meet the requirements for office and shall have given her consent.
G. Each candidate shall be presented to the convention body prior to the opening of the polls.
SECTION 2 Election
A. TFWC officers shall be elected by ballot on the day preceding the final day of the annual convention in even-numbered
years at the time and place scheduled in the convention program. A plurality shall elect.
B. Results of the election shall be announced by the President upon receipt of the report from the election committee.
SECTION 3 GFWC Candidates
A prospective candidate for office in GFWC belonging to a TFWC per capita club must have the endorsement of a majority
vote of the TFWC Convention voting body in odd-numbered years or by vote of a majority of the clubs in the state, properly
documented.
ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1 President
The TFWC President shall:
A. Be official representative of TFWC and chief executive officer.
B. Be ex-officio member of all Committees and Departments of TFWC with the exception of the Nominating Committee.
C. Represent the TFWC at GFWC Board Meetings, GFWC Annual Conventions, and meetings of the South Central Region.
She shall be chairman of the Texas Delegation and shall report for the administration at the close of her term.
D. Preside at all meetings of TFWC and Executive Committee.
E. Appoint a Parliamentarian.
F. Appoint all state chairmen of Departments, Programs and Committees subject to approval of the Executive Committee, appoint
a liaison Trustee from Austin and make appointments when vacancies occur in these areas.
G. Supervise plans for extending, unifying, and rendering more efficient the work of TFWC.
H. Approve all programs of work.
I. Supervise the publication of the directory, the report of each annual convention and the official publication.
J. Issue with the Recording Secretary the Call to Convention and all regular meetings of the Board of Directors and
the Executive Committee.
K. Call special meeting of committees when necessary.
L. Take a vote of the Executive Committee by mail and/or conference call in emergencies. A report of any action taken
by mail and/or conference can be verified and made a part of the minutes of the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
M. Affix the Corporate seal to official documents or direct the Office Manager to do so.
N. Be dean of District Presidents.
O. Co-sign with the Financial Officer and/or President-elect all contracts extending beyond the duration of her term
of office
P. Co-sign with the Financial Officer and/or President-elect all TFWC checks issued..
Q. Deliver to her successor, within one month after her term of office expires, all TFWC property in her custody.
R. Provide a written history of her administration within one year of leaving office and place it at Headquarters
in a permanent file for future publication.
SECTION 2 President-elect
The TFWC President-elect shall:
A. Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
B. Be Dean of District Presidents-elect.
C. Promote the work of TFWC through workshops.
D. After the election in the even-numbered calendar years, be authorized to plan and prepare the program of work
for her administration as President, including the privilege of seeking the cooperation of other organizations.
E. Beginning in September, before assuming the office of President, appoint chairmen of Departments and Programs,
Chairmen and members of committees, and a Parliamentarian.
F. Be given the privilege of informing incoming District Presidents of her program.
G. Be an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee.
H. Co-sign with the President and/or Financial Officer all TFWC checks issued.
I. Deliver to her successor, within one month after her term expires, all TFWC property in her custody.
J. Serve as Chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee.
SECTION 3 First Vice-President
The TFWC First Vice-President shall:
A. Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and President- elect.
B. Be Dean of District First Vice-Presidents and Chairman of Departments and Programs.
C. Serve as Reports Chairman
D. Deliver to her successor, within one month after her term of office expires, all TFWC property in her custody.
E. Serve on Long-Range Planning Committee.
SECTION 4 Second Vice-President
The TFWC Second Vice-President shall:
A. Perform the duties of President in the absence of the President, President-elect and the First Vice-President.
B. Be Dean of District Second Vice-Presidents.
C. Serve as Chairman of Membership and Extension.
D. Deliver to her successor, within one month after her term of office expires, all TFWC property in her custody.
E. Serve on Long-Range Planning Committee.
SECTION 5 Recording Secretary
The TFWC Recording Secretary shall:
A. Keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of TFWC and the Executive Committee.
B. Furnish copies of the minutes of all TFWC meetings and all Executive Committee meetings to the Executive Committee
and the Executive Secretary within 30 days after said meetings.
C. Co-sign the Call to Conventions and Board Meetings with the President.
D. Deliver to her successor, within one month after her term of office expires, all TFWC property in her custody.
E. Serve on Long-Range Planning Committee.
SECTION 6 Financial Officer
The TFWC Financial Officer shall:
A. Be appointed at the beginning of each administration by the Executive Committee.
B. Not be limited to one administration in serving as this officer so that knowledgeable continuity of the financial
status of TFWC exists.
C. Not have to have been a District President, but must be knowledgeable in finance and financial affairs.
D. Place her signature on file on all applicable signature cards to facilitate proper expenditure and transfer of
funds.
E. Manage all the investments and finances of TFWC to the best interest of TFWC.
F. Work closely with the President and President-elect to give continuity to each administration.
G. Not be a member of the Executive Committee, but shall report all activities regularly to the Committee.
H. Be a member of the Finance Committee.
I. Be responsible for all receipts and disbursements and document same in appropriate fund accounts, such as, Scholarship,
Memorials, Dues, Conventions, Fall Board Meetings, Donations for Special Projects, etc.
J. See that the bank statements are reconciled monthly.
K. Help prepare the annual TFWC Budget.
L. See that the correct amount of accumulated interest in each Scholarship Fund is reported to the Scholarship Chairman
for distribution to the elected student recipient.
M. See that all Scholarships are promptly sent at the designated time to the correct college in the Scholarship recipient’s
name.
N. See that all TFWC bills are promptly paid.
O. Work closely with the TFWC, CPA, Bookkeeper and Investment Counselor.
P. Be bonded with TFWC paying the cost of the bond.
Q. Be able to spend time at TFWC Headquarters to see that TFWC finances and obligations are in order.
R. Be willing to work with a computer.
SECTION 7 Parliamentarian
The TFWC Parliamentarian shall:
A. Serve in an advisory capacity. The Parliamentarian shall sit beside the President during business sessions, and
by invitation attend committee meetings. (2007)
B. Prepare an article on parliamentary usage for THE TEXAS CLUBWOMAN, when requested.
ARTICLE VII – CONVENTIONS
SECTION 1 Meetings
A. The TFWC shall hold an annual convention, the place and date to be determined by the President with the approval
of the Executive Committee and host District. In even-numbered years, the convention shall be held in the district of the
incoming President. In odd-numbered years, the convention shall be hosted by districts in alphabetical order. The place may
or may not be within the boundaries of the district. No district shall host more than one convention in consecutive administrations.
B. The Call to the Convention shall be mailed thirty days before the Convention. Proposed resolutions and amendments to
Bylaws shall be included in the Call.
SECTION 2 Representation
A. The voting body shall consist of the accredited delegates or alternates elected from per capita club membership whose
names are on the roster of TFWC at least two months prior to the Convention on a basis of one delegate for each fifteen (15)
members or major portions thereof.
B. One accredited delegate or alternate from each ten (10) clubs, or major portion thereof in a Federation.
C. Members of the Board of Directors.
D. District elected officers.
E. One delegate from each accredited Juniorette Club.
SECTION 3 Voting members
Although entitled to vote in several capacities, a voting member shall have but one vote.
SECTION 4 Non-Voting Members
Members of all clubs and organizations belonging to TFWC may attend conventions and take part in the discussions, but shall
not present a motion.
SECTION 5 Registration
A. The registration fee for each member preregistering for a convention shall be $7.00. Visiting GFWC officers and
out-of-state visitors shall be exempt from a registration fee.
B. The registration fee for each member registering at the time of the convention shall be $10.00. Visiting GFWC and out-of-state
visitors shall be exempt from a registration fee.
SECTION 6 Convention Committees
TFWC Convention Committees shall be: Registration, Election, Program and such others as are deemed necessary.
SECTION 7 Quorum
Quorum for a convention shall be sixty-three (63) voting members representing more than half of the districts.
ARTICLE VIII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1 Membership
The Board of Directors shall be composed of:
A. Elected members:
1. TFWC officers (Article IV, Section 1).
2. District Officers (Article XI, Section 3).
3. Trustees (Article XII, Section 2).
4. TFWC Scholarship Representatives (Article XIII, Section 2).
5. TFWC Past Presidents
6. TFWC Life Members and Honorary members (Article III, Sections E, F).
B. Appointed members:
1. TFWC Chairmen of Department Programs/Special Projects (Article X, Section 1).
2. TFWC Chairmen of Department Programs/Special Projects (Article X, Section 1).
3. TFWC Standing Committees (Article X, Section 2).
a. Legislation.
b. Bylaws.
c. Resolutions.
d. TFWC Finance
4. Projects and Contests Committee chairmen.
5. Convention chairmen.
6. Life Membership Committee.
C. Only members of per capita clubs shall be elected
or appointed to serve on the Board. Vacancies shall be filled by the President.
SECTION 2 Duties
A. The Board of Directors shall
transact the business of TFWC between Conventions and may delegate to the Executive Committee such powers as it deems necessary.
B. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors
to divide the State of Texas into districts, fix their boundary lines, and name them. Changes in boundary lines must be approved
by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3 Meeting (2007)
There shall be one annual meeting of the Board of
Directors held in the fall of the year in Austin. This meeting shall be open to all TFWC members, however, only officially
appointed or elected Board members shall have voting privileges. The Board meeting shall be a no host meeting, with one function
held at the TFWC Headquarters building.
A. Each person pre-registering shall pay a fee
of $7.00 except GFWC officers and out- of-state visitors.
B. Each person registering at time of the meeting
shall pay a fee of $10.00 except GFWC officers and out-of-state visitors.
C. The Board of Directors may transact business
by mail when necessary.
D. Special meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held at the call of the President or upon written request of three members of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 4 Quorum
A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall
be thirty-five (35), including at least eighteen elected members representing more than half of the districts.
ARTICLE IX – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1 Membership
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the TFWC
officers, the Chairman of Trustees, the Chairman of the TFWC Scholarship Committee and the TFWC Director of Junior Clubs.
The Parliamentarian shall meet with the committee upon the request of the President.
SECTION 2 Duties
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
A. Support and implement the existing policies
of TFWC and GFWC.
B. Create or dissolve programs and special committees.
C. Appoint a Financial Officer at the beginning
of each administration. This officer is not limited to one administration. If all work is satisfactory and in approval of
the Executive Committee, she may serve additional administrations for continuity of good financial administration.
D. Regularly review performances of the Financial
Officer to see that all the accounts and finances of TFWC are maintained in good accurate order.
E. Approve all appointments made by the President.
F. Approve date and place of conventions and
board meetings.
G. Transact routine business between meetings of the
Board of Directors.
H. Act in emergencies when such action is in
accord with the policies and does not entail the expenditure of more than five hundred dollars from the funds allocated in
the budget during one administration.
I. Approve Scholarship Committee plans.
J. Approve plans of the Trustees involving major
changes.
K. Approve the budget recommended by the Finance
Committee and present such budget to the convention for final action.
L. Approve the investment of all securities,
including Endowment, trust and all accounts in custody.
M. Approve applications of clubs for membership.
N. Employ the necessary staff and/or services
to conduct the business of the organization.
O. Employ a certified accountant to conduct
an audit at the close of each administration. If advisable, a review audit may be made.
P. Retain legal counsel.
Q. Review proposed amendments to Bylaws.
R. Approve legislative programs present by the
Legislative Chairman.
S. Authorize the publication of a TFWC History
Book every twenty (20) years with the next publication released in 2008.
SECTION 3 Meetings
The executive Committee shall meet within thirty days
after the regular election of officers and preceding the Board of Directors meetings and the annual convention. Other meetings
may be held at the call of the President or upon the written request of any three members. (Emergency matters may be handled
by mail or by conference calls.)
SECTION 4 Reports
The Executive Committee shall report to the Board
of Directors at each meeting and Convention.
SECTION 5 Quorum
The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee
shall be a majority of its members.
ARTICLE X – DEPARTMENTS, PROGRAMS, AND
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 Departments and Programs
There shall be Departments and Programs to correspond
to those selected by GFWC at the beginning of each administration with the addition of the Texas Heritage Department.
SECTION 2 Committees
There shall be standing committees as may be required
for the operation of TFWC, including Legislation, Bylaws, TFWC Finance, Long-Range Planning, Resolutions and committees for
GFWC and TFWC projects.
SECTION 3 Duties of Committees
A. Legislation – The
legislative program for TFWC shall be prepared, directed and implemented by the Legislation Chairman, with approval of the
Executive Committee.
B. Bylaws
1. It shall be the duty of this committee to consider
and put in proper form amendments proposed by the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Districts.
2. Proposed amendments shall be in the hands of the
Committee Chairman by January 1st prior to the TFWC Convention.
3. Proposed amendments to be submitted for vote to
the convention shall be included in the Call to Convention.
4. A revision of the bylaws must be ordered by the Convention in assembly.
5. This committee shall be limited to five (5) members.
C. TFWC Finance
1. This committee shall be composed of the Financial Officer
and two appointed members who are not members of the Executive Committee. The Chairman of the committee is to be elected within
the committee. The President and the President-elect shall be ex-officio members. The remaining members of the executive Committee
may be invited to attend meetings without a vote. The Office Manager may serve as consultant to the committee.
2. It shall be the duty of this committee: (2008)
a. To prepare a budget and submit it with recommendations to
the Executive Committee for presentation at the Spring Convention.
b. The proposed TFWC budget shall be printed in the Texas
Clubwoman along with the Call to the annual TFWC Spring Convention in which the proposed budget would be adopted.
c. The proposed budget shall be signed by the members of the
Finance Committee.
d. To study dues annually and report to the Executive Committee
the findings regarding the necessity for a change.
D. Long-Range Planning Committee
1. Shall be composed of the TFWC President-elect, who shall serve
as Chairman of the committee, the TFWC First Vice President, the TFWC Second Vice-President, the TFWC Secretary and the President
and Secretary of the District Presidents.
2. Shall recommend goals of TFWC for the immediate future, the
next administration and five, ten, fifteen plus years ahead.
3. Shall make recommendations to the TFWC Executive Committee
for implementation into the work of the organization.
4. Shall meet in the spring and the fall prior to the TFWC meetings.
E. TFWC Resolutions
1. Shall be composed of the TFWC appointed Chairman and
the Resolution Chairman from each District.
2. Shall receive, consider and present to the Convention such resolutions as are pertinent to the
work and objectives of TFWC.
3. Proposed resolutions shall be included in the Call of Convention. All resolutions must be in
the hands of the Chairman by January 1st.
4. The Chairman of Legislation shall be an ex-officio member of this committee.
5. Five copies of resolutions shall be sent to the Chairman of the Resolutions Committee;
one copy shall be sent to the TFWC President and one copy to the Chairman of the Department, Program or Committee to which
the resolution relates.
6. Resolutions relating to a current situation requiring immediate action shall be presented
by the Resolutions Chairman to the Board of Directors for prompt action. The resolutions shall be ratified at the following
convention.
7. Emergency resolutions, not to exceed three, may be presented to the Convention through the Resolutions
Committee. Such emergency resolutions shall pertain to situations which have arisen since the preparation of the Call and
must have the endorsement of the Executive Committee.
8. The Resolutions Chairman shall be responsible for the action specified in the adopted
resolution.
9. The Chairman shall keep the Executive Committee informed when the purpose of a resolution has
been accomplished.
SECTION 4 Term
Chairmen shall be appointed in the even-numbered years to serve for two years, and
shall be ineligible to fill the same chairmanship for more than two consecutive terms.
SECTION 5 Vacancies
Vacancies occurring during the administration shall be
filled by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 6 Reports
Chairmen are required to report at the request of the President
and/or Convention.
ARTICLE XI – DISTRICTS
SECTION 1 Definition
The state shall be divided into the number of districts
approved and named by the Board of Directors. The boundary lines for each district shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2 Membership
All clubs and organizations which belong to TFWC and
are located within the district shall compose the membership of each district.
A. A committee composed of the Past Presidents of
TFWC for the previous ten year period shall review districting. He immediate Past President shall act as chairman of the committee.
B. A club wishing to change district affiliation shall
submit a written request to the chairman of the redistricting committee with a copy of the request to be sent to the District
Presidents involved.
C. The committee shall consider each request and recommend
any changes in boundary lines a soon as possible with the effective date to be determined by the committee.
D. The committee shall notify the Presidents of the
Districts involved and shall report to the TFWC Executive Committee its recommendations.
SECTION 3 Officers
Elected officers of the District shall be a President, President-elect,
First Vice-President, Second Vice-President. The President may appoint a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Parliamentarian.
A. Eligibility
1. In order to be an officer of the district,
a member must have maintained membership in a per capita club for at least four years.
2. A candidate must have served on a District
Board of Directors for a minimum of two administrations.
3. A candidate must have served as an elected
officer of a participating club in good standing.
4. A candidate must be endorsed by her club
no earlier than sixty (60) days prior to January 1st of election year. The endorsement shall not be announced earlier
than January 1.
5. No club shall endorse more than one candidate
for district office, but may endorse a full ticket of officers, provided no two candidates are members of the same club.
B. Election
Officers shall be elected at the District Conventions in even-numbered years. If there
is only one candidate for each office, election may be viva voce. Officers shall be installed and serve terms which parallel
those of the TFWC and GFWC officers. Terms of office to be two years.
C. Term of Office
No officer shall serve more than one successive term in the same office except a President and a President-elect
serving simultaneously to fill unexpired terms, except in an emergency when no other candidate is available. In this case,
these officers may be elected for a two-year term.
SECTION 4 Board of Directors
District Board of Directors shall be composed of the Executive Committee, Past District Presidents, Life Members,
Department and Program Chairmen, Standing Committees, Project and Contest Chairmen, and Club Presidents, all with voting privileges
at District Board Meetings and Conventions.
SECTION 5 Executive Committee
A. The District Executive Committee shall be composed of the Elected and Appointed
Officers, District Trustee, District Scholarship Representative, the District Director of Junior Clubs, if there are Junior
Clubs in the District, and the Parliamentarian as advisor.
B. The duties of the Executive Committee are:
1. Support and implement the existing policies of the District, TFWC and GFWC.
2. Approve all appointments made by the President.
3. Approve date and place of conventions and board meetings.
4. Elect in the odd-numbered years a District Representative to the TFWC Nominating Committee and report election
to the District Convention.
5. Nominate a TFWC Trustee, as defined in Article XII, Section 3, to be elected at the District Convention.
6. Nominate a TFWC Scholarship Representative, as defined in Article XIII, Section 3, to be elected at the District
Convention.
SECTION 6 Nominating Committee
A District nominating committee of not less than three nor more than five members shall be nominated by the
District Executive Committee, elected by the District Convention, in odd-numbered years.
A. The Nominating Committee shall meet not later than the Fall Board Meeting in odd- numbered years.
B. Nominations shall be in the possession of the Nominating Committee not later than January 1 of election year.
C. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be included in the Call to Convention.
SECTION 7 Meetings
A. There shall be one Board of Directors meeting in the fall of the year. Quorum
shall be fifteen voting members.
1. Each person reregistering for the Fall Board Meeting shall pay a registration fee of
not more than $5.00. TFWC officers and out-of-district visitors shall be exempt from the fee.
2. Each person registering at the time of the Fall Board Meeting shall pay a registration
fee of not more than $8.00. TFWC officers and out-of-district visitors shall be exempt from the fee.
B. District Conventions shall be held annually, the date and place to be set by the District President and approved
by the State President and the District Executive Committee.
1. Each person pre-registering for the convention shall pay a registration fee of not more than $7.00. TFWC
officers and out-of-district visitors shall be exempt from the fee.
2. Each person registering at the time of the convention shall pay a registration fee of not more than $10.00.
TFWC officers and out-of-district visitors shall be exempt from the fee.
3. Quorum for a convention shall be twenty voting members.
4. District meetings shall not exceed two days, including preliminary meetings.
5. District Board Meetings and conventions shall not conflict with TFWC Conventions or GFWC South Central
Region Conferences.
SECTION 8 District Life Members
A. Any member of TFWC who has not served as a District President may be elected to Life Membership on the District
level subject to the following requirements:
1. Fifteen (15) years of continuous membership in a per capita
club.
2. Meritorious service on the District Board of Directors through three (3) or more
administrations.
3. Nominated by her club.
4. Written and signed recommendation of five (5) members of the District Board of
Directors.
5. A unanimous vote of approval by a committee of three (3) members appointed by
the District President to the District Board of Directors to serve for one administration.
6. Election shall be by ballot vote at the Fall Board of Directors meeting or the
Spring Convention of the District. Candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected
to Life Membership, provided each received two-thirds (2/3) of the votes of the members present and entitled to vote.
7. No District shall have more Life Members than the number of districts in TFWC.
8. A District Life Member may be declared a Life Member Emeritus when (a) she moves
from the District, (b) becomes incapacitated, or (c) whose club is no longer affiliated with TFWC/GFWC. The vacancy
is then filled by the election of a new Life Member from the District. An Emeritus Life Member shall have all of the privileges
including the privilege to vote.
9. Three (3) copies of the resume of each nominee for District Life Membership shall be
submitted to the District Life Membership Committee Chairman prior to the District Fall Board Meeting or the District Spring
Convention.
B. Resume Requirements:
Nomination by her club. Nomination must include:
1. Statement of her 15 years of continuous membership in
a per capita club including the year the nominee joined.
2. Three or more positions held on the District Board; Name of the District President
under which she served and administration dates. List of meritorious service.
3. Include five or more letters of endorsement from District Board Members.
4. Send three (3) copies of resume and letters of endorsement to the District Life
Membership Committee Chairman two weeks prior to the Fall District Board Meeting or the District Spring Convention.
SECTION 9 Funds
A. All District funds, including State Allotments,
convention and Board meeting funds, shall be the responsibility of the District President. Each District President shall file
by June 1 of each year, at State Headquarters, an itemized financial statement of the District.
B. Each District President shall be given an annual allotment set by the
TFWC Executive Committee of each administration. The allotment shall be no less than one hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars
annually.
C. At the end of each administration the District Treasurer shall have the
account of the administration audited by a committee appointed by District President and financial statement printed in the
district newsletter.
SECTION 10 Policy
In all points not specifically covered by this article, the District shall parallel the procedure followed
by the State.
ARTICLE XII – TFWC HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
SECTION 1 Objective
The membership shall strive to stimulate the interest of THE TEXAS CLUBWOMAN in TFWC Headquarters; encourage
a more extended use of the building and its facilities; promote the financial interests of the TFWC Historical Foundation;
and be charged with the general supervision of the policies concerning the TFWC Headquarters.
SECTION 2 Membership
(Hereinafter referred to as Trustee) One trustee from the General membership of each District; one liaison
Trustee from Austin, appointed by the President in even-numbered years; and the TFWC President shall compose the membership
of the committee. The parliamentarian shall meet with the trustees upon request of the Chairman.
A, Term of office shall be two years and Trustee may be reelected for a second term.
B. Vacancies among trustees, occurring between elections shall be filed by the respective
District Executive Committee.
C. Absence of a Trustee from meetings of the Trustees for one year shall be equivalent
to a resignation. In absence of a Trustee, an alternate for the meeting may be appointed for the meeting by the District Executive
Committee, and name sent to Chairman of trustees before date of meeting. The elected Trustee shall supply the alternate with
pertinent information.
SECTION 3 ElectionThe committee of Trustees shall rotate with districts. Caprock, Key, Mesquite, South Texas, Top
of Texas, and Trinity Districts electing in odd-numbered years and Alamo, Capitol, Magnolia, Pioneer, San Jacinto and Western
Districts electing in even-numbered years.
A. The Trustees are to be nominated by the District Executive Committee and elected by the District Convention.
The Trustee becomes a member of the District Executive Committee.
B. The Trustees shall elect from their number a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary at each annual TFWC Convention.
(2008)
1. The term of service for these officers shall begin on July 1st of the
year elected and end on June 30th of the following year.
2, An officer may be re-elected, but shall not serve more than two successive years
in the same office.
3. A vacancy in the office of Chairman shall be filled by the Vice-Chairman.
4. No TFWC Past President serving as a Trustee shall be eligible to serve as Chairman
of the Trustees.
SECTION 4 DutiesThe duties of the trustees shall be as specified in the TFWC Historical Foundation Rules and regulations.SECTION
5 Meetings
Trustees shall meet prior to the meeting of the Board of Directors and the Conventions. Other meetings may be held
at the call of the Chairman, TFWC President, or upon written request of any five members. The Trustees may transact their
business by mail when necessary. Minutes of all such meetings shall be mailed to Trustees within thirty (30) days of such
meetings.SECTION 6 Quorum
The quorum for meetings of the trustees shall be more than one-half of the membership of the committee.ARTICLE
XIII – TFWC SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
SECTION 1 ObjectiveThe TFWC Scholarship Committee shall distribute the income of the TFWC Scholarship Fund to eligible
candidates subject to the ratification of the Executive Committee. Recipients shall include any deserving student in Texas, recommended by any member club of the Districts comprising TFWC, or outside the USA, if stipulated
by the terms of a scholarship.SECTION 2 Membership
The Committee shall be composed of one member from each district in TFWC and the TFWC President. The Parliamentarian
shall meet with the committee upon request of the Chairman.SECTION 3 Election
The Scholarship Committee shall rotate with Districts Alamo, Capitol, Magnolia, Pioneer, San Jacinto and Western
electing in even-numbered years; and Caprock, Key, Mesquite, South Texas, Top of Texas, and Trinity Districts electing in
odd-numbered years.
A. The Scholarship Representative is to be nominated by the District Executive Committee and elected by the District
Convention. The Scholarship Representative becomes a member of the District Executive Committee.
B. The Scholarship Committee shall elect from their number a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary at each annual
TFWC convention. (2008)
1. The term of service for these officers shall begin on July 1st of the year elected and end
on June 30th of the following year.
2. An officer may be re-elected, but shall not serve more than two successive years in the same office.
3. A vacancy in the office of Chairman shall be filled by the Vice-Chairman.
4. No TFWC Past President serving on the Scholarship Committee shall be eligible to serve as Chairman.
SECTION 4 Duties
The duties of the TFWC Scholarship Committee shall be as specified in the TFWC Scholarship Rules and Regulations.
SECTION 5 Vacancies
A vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by the District Executive Committee in which the vacancy occurs. Absence
of the Scholarship Representative from two (2) consecutive meetings of the Scholarship Committee shall be equivalent to a
resignation.
SECTION 6 Absenteeism
When a Scholarship Representative must be absent from a meeting of the Scholarship Committee, an alternate for
the meeting may be appointed by the District President and the name submitted to the TFWC Scholarship Chairman prior to the
next meeting. The elected Scholarship Representative shall supply the alternate with pertinent information. The alternate
shall have all privileges of elected Scholarship Representative.
SECTION 7 Term of ServiceMembers elected to the TFWC Scholarship Committee
shall serve two years and may be reelected for a second term. The member shall remain on the District Executive Committee
while on the Scholarship Committee.SECTION 8 Meetings
The Scholarship Committee shall meet prior to the meeting of the Board of Directors in the fall of the year and
the Spring Convention. Other meetings may be held at the call of the Chairman, TFWC President, or upon written request of
any five members. The Scholarship Committee may transact their business by mail or telephone when necessary. Minutes of all
such meetings shall be mailed to the Scholarship Committee within thirty (30) days of such meetings.SECTION 9 Quorum
The quorum of the committee shall be more than one-half of the committee.SECTION 10 Rules and Regulations
Operations of the TFWC Scholarship Committee shall be governed by the special Rules and Regulations adopted by
TFWC and approved by IRS, and by the policies established by the committee.SECTION 11 Funds
Scholarship monies shall not be listed for any purpose other than scholarships.ARTICLE XIV – JUNIOR CLUBS
SECTION 1A club/department whose membership is composed of young women may be classified as a junior club.SECTION
2
Junior clubs shall hold active membership in TFWC and shall participate in regular programs of TFWC and GFWC.ARTICLE
XV – STATE-AT-LARGE CLUB
SECTION 1 MembershipA State-at-Large Club shall be composed of women who have moved into a town in Texas with no
Federated club or of women whose clubs have disbanded and there is no federated club in their towns.
A. Applications may be obtained from TFWC Headquarters or from the TFWC Membership Chairman.
B. The TFWC Membership Chairman shall present the application to the Executive Committee from approval at the next
meeting.
C. There shall be no more than nine members at one time in the same town. When there are
more than nine members in one town, they shall form a federated club.
SECTION 2 District/TFWC Privileges
A. Each member of the State-at-Large Club shall be affiliated with the district
in which she resides and may attend all meetings of the district, as well as TFWC.
B. Members shall be eligible to serve on the District and TFWC Boards of Directors,
but shall not be eligible for an elective office of District or TFWC.
SECTION 3 Delegates
The State-at-Large Club shall be allotted one accredited delegate or alternate for each fifteen (15) members,
or major portion thereof, at TFWC Conventions. All other members may attend all meetings as non-voting members.
SECTION 4 Meetings
Regular business meetings of this club shall be held at the time and site of the TFWC Fall Board Meeting
and TFWC Convention. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Club President.
SECTION 5 Officers
Officers shall be elected at the regular meeting during the TFWC convention in even-numbered years.
ARTICLE XVI –JUNIORETTES
SECTION 1 Membership
A club whose membership is composed of high school girls shall be classified as a Juniorette Club. A minimum
of ten (10) girls shall be required to organize a club.
SECTION 2 Juniorette Co-ordinator
A Juniorette Co-ordinator shall be appointed by the State President. She shall keep the Juniorette Clubs
informed about their role in Federation. She shall judge all reports of the Juniorette Clubs and report to the Convention
each year.
SECTION 3 Dues
The annual per capita dues of Juniorette Clubs shall be $1.00.
ARTICLE XVII – POLICIES
Policies of TFWC are established by:
A. The Charter and Bylaws;
B. Action taken by the Corporate Body at the annual Convention;
C. Resolutions adopted by convention action;
D. Action of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee as authorized by the Bylaws.ARTICLE
XVIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this organization in all
cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIX – AMENDMENT
These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote at any convention, provided proposed amendments have been
included in the Call to Convention.
Amended April 2004-2005 and 2006
Amended April 2008
|
