BYLAWS OF THE
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF
UNIVERSITY WOMEN –
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BRANCH
ARTICLE I. NAME AND GOVERNANCE
Section 1. Name.
The name of this organization shall be the American Association of
University Women — San Fernando Valley Branch, hereinafter called the “Branch.”
Section 2. Affiliate. AAUW San Fernando Valley is an Affiliate of AAUW as defined in Article V.
Section 3. Legal Compliance. The Branch shall comply with the requirements of AAUW and federal, state,
and local law. The bylaws of the Branch shall in no way conflict with the AAUW
Bylaws and/or policies.
ARTICLE
II. PURPOSE
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of AAUW is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. The purpose of the Branch is to further AAUW purposes and policies.
Section 2. Policies and Programs. In keeping with this purpose, the Branch shall promote equity, education, and development of opportunities for women and girls that enable them to realize their full potential.
ARTICLE
III. USE OF NAME
Section 1. Policies and Programs.
The policies and programs of AAUW
shall be binding on all members engaged in AAUW activities, and no member shall
use the name of AAUW to oppose such policies or programs.
Section 2. Proper Use of Name and
Logo. The name and logo of
AAUW may be used only by members (as defined below at Article IV, Section 2)
and Affiliates (as defined below at Article V, Section 1) only according to
policies and procedures established by the AAUW Board of Directors; others may
do so only according to written licenses.
Section 3. Individual Freedom of Speech. These bylaws shall not abridge the freedom of speech of any AAUW member to speak an opinion in the member’s own name.
ARTICLE IV.
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section
1. Composition. The members of AAUW at present consist of
members (“Individual Members”) and college/university members
(“College/University Members”).
Section 2. Basis of Membership.
a. Individual Member.
(1) Eligibility. An individual holding an
associate’s (or equivalent, e.g., RN), bachelor’s, or higher degree from a
higher education institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency
recognized by the U.S Department of Education (an “Accredited Higher Education
Institution”) or other qualified educational institution located outside of the
United States, as determined by the AAUW Board of Directors, shall be eligible
to receive admission to AAUW membership; such membership shall be granted upon
payment of AAUW dues. The provisions set forth in this section are the sole
requirement for eligibility and admissibility to AAUW membership except that
the AAUW Board of Directors may establish a process to assess credentials that
are submitted based on degree equivalence.
(2) Appeals of Refusals of Admission to
Membership. Any potential Individual Member or College/University Member who
claims qualification for membership in AAUW and who has been refused admission
to membership may present credentials to the AAUW Board of Directors for
review. The decision of the AAUW Board of Directors shall be final.
(3) Saving Clause. No Individual Member shall
lose membership due to any change in the status of the higher education
institution upon which original qualification for membership was based.
(4) Life
Membership.
(a) Paid. An Individual Member may become a
life member (a “Life Member”) upon a one-time payment of twenty years’ annual
AAUW dues, based on the amount of annual AAUW dues the year the Member elects
to become a Life Member. Thereafter, the Life Member shall be exempt from the
payment of AAUW national dues.
(b) Fifty-Year Honorary. An Individual Member
who has paid AAUW dues for fifty years shall become a Life Member and shall
thereafter be exempt from the payment of AAUW national dues.
b. College/University Members. Any Accredited Higher Education Institution or other qualified higher education institution located outside the United States, as determined by the AAUW Board of Directors, that pays annual dues to AAUW shall be eligible to be a College/University Member. Each College/University Member shall appoint one or two representatives who are eligible to be Individual Members and who shall each have the membership benefits of an Individual Member and any other benefits that accrue to representatives of College/University Members, as determined by the AAUW Board of Directors.
Section 3. Student Associates. The AAUW Board of Directors may permit undergraduate students enrolled in Accredited Higher Education Institutions or in other qualified educational institutions located outside the United States, as determined by the AAUW Board of Directors, to associate with AAUW, with fees (if any) and benefits as determined by the AAUW Board of Directors.
Section 4. Dues.
a.
Amount. The annual dues and Member benefits for any category of
member shall be established by a two-thirds vote of the AAUW Board of
Directors. Members shall be notified of the intent to consider a change
in the dues, the proposed amount, and the rationale for the change at least 60
days prior to the vote.
b. Payment. Member dues shall be payable in accordance
with procedures established by the AAUW Board of Directors.
Section 5. Severance of Membership. Any Member may be suspended or removed from membership for any conduct that tends to injure AAUW or to adversely affect its reputation or that is contrary to or destructive of its mission according to these bylaws, with action taken following policies and procedures adopted by the AAUW Board of Directors. In addition, a College/University Member that is no longer eligible for membership shall be removed from membership as soon as practicable after it loses its eligibility.
Section
1.
AAUW
Affiliate Defined. An
AAUW Affiliate (“Affiliate”) is an organization affiliated with AAUW for the
purpose of supporting AAUW’s mission through Affiliate programs, fundraising,
networking, and/or other activities. Affiliates are typically nonprofit
membership organizations under state law and may also have been recognized as
tax-exempt 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations under
the Internal Revenue Code. An Affiliate may use AAUW’s name and/or logo only if
approved by the AAUW Board of Directors.
Section 2.
Organization.
a.
Purpose. Affiliates shall promote the purposes,
programs, and policies of AAUW.
b.
Bylaws. Affiliates shall develop bylaws as meet
their needs. However, any such bylaws shall not conflict with AAUW Bylaws or
with applicable law.
c.
Structure. Affiliates may create
such leadership structures as meet their needs. Each Affiliate shall provide
AAUW with designated contacts for administration and finance.
Section 3. Loss of Recognition of an Affiliate.
a.
The AAUW affiliation status of an
Affiliate may be revoked for cause through affiliation review procedures
specified by the AAUW Board of Directors.
b.
The Affiliate shall have the right to
appeal to the AAUW Board of Directors within a designated period.
Section 4.
Property and Assets.
The title to all property, funds, and assets of an Affiliate is vested in the
Affiliate. An Affiliate shall have complete control of its property and assets,
except that such property and assets shall not be used for any purpose contrary
to AAUW’s purposes. In the event of the dissolution of an Affiliate or the
termination of an Affiliate’s affiliation with AAUW, all assets of the
Affiliate shall be transferred and delivered to AAUW or to another Affiliate
designated by AAUW. AAUW may solicit and consider recommendations from local
leaders before making a designation.
ARTICLE VI. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in
the most current edition of Robert’s
Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Branch in all instances in
which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the AAUW
Bylaws or with the requirements of AAUW or applicable laws.
ARTICLE VII. AAUW-MANDATED AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
AAUW-mandated amendments shall
be implemented by the Branch’s board of directors without a vote of the
Branch’s membership and as prescribed by the AAUW Board of Directors.
b.
All Branch members are required
to be members of the American Association of University Women of the State of
California, Inc, hereinafter called AAUW CA, in order
for the Branch to be eligible for AAUW CA insurance and programs.
Section
2. Dues. (See also Article IV, Section 4.)
a.
Changes in Branch dues shall be
determined at the annual meeting by two-thirds vote of those present and
voting, provided notice has been given to the members 15 days prior to the
meeting.
b.
Branch dues for
college/university representatives shall be set by the board. AAUW CA dues are waived for
college/university representatives.
c.
AAUW paid life members, as defined
in Article IV, Section 2-a-(4)-(a), are not exempt from payment of AAUW CA and
Branch dues.
d.
Fifty-Year Honorary Members as
defined in Article IV, Section 2-a-(4)-(b) shall be exempt from the payment of
national AAUW, AAUW CA, and branch dues.
Section 1. Nominations.
a.
There shall be a nominating
committee of three
members, elected by March as follows: the board shall elect two members and one
alternate from the current board; the board member receiving the highest number
of votes shall serve as chair of the nominating committee; the general
membership shall elect one member
and two alternates.
b.
The names of the nominees for
elected office shall be published and sent to every member at least 15 days
prior to the annual Branch meeting.
c.
Nominations may be made from the
floor with the consent of the nominee.
a. Elections
shall be held at the annual Branch meeting.
b. Elections
shall be by ballot unless there is only one nominee for a given office, in
which case the election may be by a voice vote.
Election shall be by a majority vote of those voting. When there are two
or more candidates for any office and no candidate receives a majority, a
second vote shall be taken and the candidate receiving the highest number of
votes cast shall be elected.
ARTICLE X. OFFICERS
a.
The elected officers for the Branch shall be president (or
administrator), secretary, and finance officer.
No member shall be eligible to hold an elected office unless she/he has
been a member of the branch at least one full fiscal year.
b. The appointed officers shall be program chair,
membership chair, parliamentarian, public policy chair, communications chair, AAUW Funds/LAF
chair, corresponding secretary, and such other officers as shall be deemed
necessary to carry on the work of the branch.
They shall be appointed by the president/administrator with the consent
of the Board of Directors.
c. Officers
shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors have been elected or
appointed and assume office. Term of
office shall begin on July 1. The incoming president/administrator may call a
meeting of the incoming officers prior to July 1.
d. All
vacancies in office shall be filled for the unexpired term by the president/administrator
with the approval of the board. A vacancy in the office of president/administrator
shall be filled for the unexpired term by the board of directors.
e. Each
office may be filled by a single officer or co-officers.
Section 2. Duties.
a.
Officers shall perform the
duties prescribed by these bylaws, by the rules of policies and procedures
adopted by the board of directors, and by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.
b.
The president/administrator
shall be the official spokesperson and representative for the Branch and shall
be responsible for submitting such reports and forms as required by AAUW and the
state, shall be responsible for signing all contracts and other legal
documents, and shall be responsible for the branch enrolling in the state
insurance program.
d.
The finance officer shall be
responsible for collecting, distributing and accounting for the funds of the
Branch and for meeting all required governmental and AAUW filing deadlines.
e.
The secretary shall record and
keep minutes of all noticed board, membership, and special meetings, and shall
make the minutes available upon request.
f.
All officers and chairs shall
submit annual reports to the president/administrator.
ARTICLE
XI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Composition.
The board of directors shall include the elected officers, the appointed
officers, and such others as deemed necessary.
Section 2. Administrative
Responsibilities. The board
shall have the power to administer affairs of the Branch and to carry out its
programs and its policies, and shall accept responsibilities delegated by AAUW
and the state. It shall act for the
Branch between membership meetings. The board shall have fiscal responsibility
as outlined in Article XIV, Financial Administration, Section
2.
Section 3. Meetings. Meetings of the board shall be held at
least five times a year at a time and place agreed upon by the board.
Section 4. Special
Meetings. Special meetings
may be called by the president/administrator or shall be called upon written
request of three members of the board or six members of the branch.
Section 5. Quorum. The quorum for a meeting of the board
shall be a majority of the voting members.
ARTICLE
XIV. FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall correspond with
that of AAUW: July 1 through June 30.
Section 2. Financial
Policies. The board shall set and maintain policies and procedures
to control financial records consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles and federal, state, and local laws including an annual financial
review. No indebtedness in excess of
three hundred dollars ($300.00) over that provided for in the budget shall be
incurred by the branch except by a recommendation of the board of directors and
a majority vote at a general meeting of the branch.
Section 3. Budget.
The board shall adopt an annual budget for presentation to the Branch
membership no later than the September general meeting.
a. The Branch is
required to participate in the AAUW CA insurance programs in order to
participate in AAUW CA sponsored activities and projects. The Branch must
comply with all risk management requirements, AAUW CA program directives, and
all other requirements as outlined in AAUW CA policy and procedures.
b. The Branch must obtain separate
insurance coverage for activities and projects not covered under the AAUW CA
insurance coverage.
Section 1. Annual
Meeting. The Branch shall
hold an annual meeting to conduct the business of the Branch, including but not
limited to, electing officers, establishing dues, amending bylaws and receiving
reports. This meeting shall be held between March 1 and May 31. The exact date, time and
place to be determined by the boards.
Section 2. Membership
Meetings. The Branch shall
hold at least five meetings during the fiscal year. The Branch board shall determine the time and
place for these meetings.
Section 3. Special
Meetings. Special meetings
may be called by the president/administrator or shall be called by the
president/administrator at the written request of the board or ten members of
the Branch membership.
Section 4. Meetings
Notice. Notice of meetings
shall be sent to all members of the Branch at least 10 days prior to the
meetings.
Section 5. Voting. Voting members entitled to vote at any
meeting of members or by ballot shall be all those voting members in good
standing as of the date of the meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. The quorum shall be 10 percent of the
Branch membership.
ARTICLE
XVI. INDEMNIFICATION
Every board or committee member
may be indemnified by the Branch against all expenses and liabilities,
including counsel fees, reasonably incurred or imposed upon such board or committee
members in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit,
or proceeding to which the board or committee member may become involved by
reason of being or having been a member of the board or committee, or any
settlement thereof, unless adjudged therein to be liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of duties.
In the event of a settlement the indemnification herein shall apply only
when the Branch board approves such settlement and reimbursement as being in
the best interest of the Branch. The
foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to and not exclusive of
all other rights to which the board or committee member is entitled.
ARTICLE
XVII. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
Provisions of these bylaws not governed
by the AAUW (see Article VII) or AAUW CA bylaws may be amended at an Branch
meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting provided written
notice shall have been sent to the members at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
Date Last Amended
by Branch Vote: June 20, 2020
Mandatory
Amendments Made Since Oct. 2004:
October
11, 2004
November
5, 2005
October
31, 2009
June
16, 2012
February
15, 2014
January
16, 2016
June
1, 2017