Bylaws

BYLAWS OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE YOUNG REPUBLICAN FEDERATION

ARTICLE I Name

The name of this organization shall be the “New Hampshire Young Republican Federation,” hereinafter referred to as the Federation.  

ARTICLE II Purpose

The purpose of this Federation shall be to promote the Republican Party and its principles, as defined by the Republican National Committee, particularly among people between 18 and 40 years of age; to foster and provide guidance and assistance to Young Republican sub-chapters across New Hampshire; to encourage interest and participation in governmental affairs; to assist in the election of Young Republicans in the state of New Hampshire; and, to serve as a vehicle for political participation.  

ARTICLE III Membership

Section 1

Any citizen of the United States, residing and registered to vote in the State of New Hampshire and who has reached his eighteenth birthday but not his fortieth birthday, and who has a preference for the principles of the Republican Party and a desire to promote and work for the purposes of this Federation shall be eligible for membership.  

Section 2

This Federation shall not charter more than one sub-chapter for any specific town or city. Any person, who resides in a town or city in which a chapter exists, but works full time in another town or city in which another chapter also exists, may choose to hold his or her membership in either chapter. Membership in more than one sub-chapter is prohibited.  

Section 3

A sub-chapter must apply for charter membership to the State Executive Board of the Federation, in accordance with the bylaws of the Federation. The Federation may charter a sub-chapter when said sub-chapter has an at-large membership of six or more members in good standing. A sub-chapter applying for charter membership must provide with its application; a letter of intent; a complete membership roster with names, addresses, phone numbers, and electronic mail addresses of each member in good standing; and a roster of officers with names, addresses, phone numbers, electronic mail addresses and date of election. Upon admission by the State Executive Board, the Chairman of this Federation shall present each new sub-chapter a charter, which shall remain in effect as long as the sub-chapter is in good standing. Each sub-chapter may create an account to store funds at a financial institution of their choosing to be used in the manner that the sub-chapter sees fit, provided that they are in accordance with this constitution. No new sub-chapter shall be granted a charter thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. Sub-chapters are subject to the rules and policies of this constitution.

Section 4

Honorary life membership shall be granted to any individual who shall have rendered notable service to the Federation upon the recommendation of at least two members in good standing, and a two-thirds vote of a convention.  

ARTICLE IV Dues & Membership Fees

The annual dues of the membership shall be set by the State Executive Board at its bimonthly meeting or no later than January 31, prior to the annual meeting. Payments for the calendar year shall be made to the Federation Treasurer not later than fourteen days before the Annual Meeting. The meeting of this criterion and those described in Article III, Section 1 will determine membership in good standing and voting eligibility at the Annual Meeting.  

ARTICLE V Officers

Section 1

The officers of this Federation shall be: a Chairman; a Vice Chairman At-Large; a Vice Chairman – CD1; a Vice Chairman – CD2; a Secretary; a Treasurer; a National Committeeman; and a National Committeewoman, all of whom are elected at the Annual Meeting.  

Section 2

The elected state officers of this Federation shall serve for a two-year term. Those officers shall be eligible to serve without restriction. Officers must have attained their eighteenth birthday, but not have reached their thirty-eighth birthday prior to the date they take office. The election of officers shall be by ballot at the Annual Meeting in the manner prescribed by this constitution.  

Section 3

Elected state officers of this Federation may be removed from office at any special meeting of the Federation called for that purpose. A two-thirds majority of members in attendance at the special meeting of the Federation is required for any such removal.  

Section 4

Appointed members of the State Executive Board who attain their position by nomination by the State Chairman and confirmation by the State Executive Board may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the State Executive Board at any meeting called for that purpose. Such removal by the State Executive Board must be based upon a specific incident or incidents of dereliction of duty, as prescribed by Article VI, Section 3 of this constitution. Written notice by registered mail must be forwarded to said member by the State Executive Board a minimum of ten days prior to such meeting, requesting his or her presence.            

ARTICLE VI State Executive Board

Section 1

The State Executive Board shall act as the governing body of the Federation when the Annual Meeting is in adjournment and shall be composed of: 1. The elected officers provided for in Article V, Section 1; 2. The duly elected chairman of each sub-chapter; 3. A Parliamentarian; 4. Any other appointed member that has been nominated by the Chairman and approved by a majority of the voting members of the State Executive Board; and, 5. Any voting YR National Executive Committee member who is also a member of the New Hampshire Young Republican Federation.  

Section 2

The voting members of the State Executive Board shall be the elected officers provided for by Article V, Section 1 and the Sub-Chapter Chairs.  

Section 3

One half of the voting members of the State Executive Board as defined in Article VI; Section 2 shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. Proxy voting is not permitted. The State Executive Board shall meet at least once bimonthly.  

Section 4

If a State Executive Board member fails to attend consecutive meetings of the State Executive Board without a cause that is acceptable to the State Executive Board, such failure shall also constitute the resignation of said member and a vacancy shall then exist. The resignation of Sub-Chapter Chairs shall result in their vacancy being filled by their respective Sub-Chapter.  

Section 5

Vacancies created by resignation or removal from office of the officers listed in Article V, Section 1, shall be filled in the following manner: within ten days of said vacancy, the ranking Federation officer must notify each State Executive Board member. A State Executive Board meeting must be called within thirty days of said notification to the State Executive Board for the purpose of filling the vacancy. Vacancies must be filled within ninety days of the notification of the meeting. In the case of the Chairman, please refer to Article VII, Section 2. Vacancies are to be filled by nomination of the Chairman with majority vote of the State Executive Board.  

Section 6

The elected officers of the State Executive Board may, at the completion of their tenure, and with unanimous approval of the executive board, be granted their title “Emeritus” for all Young Republican purposes.                

ARTICLE VII

Duties of Officers and State Executive Board Members

Section 1: Chairman

The Chairman shall be the chief executive officer of the Federation and shall preside at all meetings and perform such other duties assigned by a vote of the State Executive Board.  

Section 2: Vice Chairman

The Vice Chairman At-Large shall act in the absence of the Chairman and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board. In the case of resignation or removal of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman At-Large will assume the role of Acting Chairman for the remainder of the term.  

Section 3: Regional Vice Chairmen

The Vice Chairman – CD1 and Vice Chairman – CD2 shall work to direct activities and encourage membership in their respective regions, and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman of a vote of the State Executive Board.  

Section 4: Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all Federation funds and shall publish at the Annual Meeting an account of all receipts and expenditures and pay only those bills approved by the State Executive Board. The Chairman may approve emergency expenses as outlined in Policy and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board.  

Section 5: Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for maintenance of all recordings of meetings of this Federation, shall be responsible for maintaining a current state roster which will be made available by a two-thirds majority vote of the State Executive Board, and shall keep the State Executive Board members informed of Federation activities and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Committee.  

Section 6: State Chairman & National Committeemen

The State Chairman, National Committeeman and the National Committeewoman shall be the representatives to the Young Republican National Federation and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board.  

Section 7: Parliamentarian

The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for advising the Federation or parliamentary procedure and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman or a vote of the State Executive Board.  

ARTICLE VIII

Election of Officers

Section 1

A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to elect. When any ballot does not show a majority for any nominee, there shall be additional ballots with the nominees having the fewest votes being dropped from each succeeding ballot until there is a majority.  

Section 2

Individuals seeking elective office must file notice of their candidacy with the Chair two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting for inclusion on a pre-printed ballot. The ballot shall provide, in addition, a space under each office for write-in candidates. Only candidates listed on the pre-printed ballot shall be afforded an opportunity to speak and to have nominating and seconding speeches made on their behalf. Time limits for said speeches shall be determined at the opening of the Annual Meeting.

Section 4

The term of newly elected officers shall commence at the adjournment of the Annual Meeting.  

ARTICLE IX

Meetings

Section 1

There will be one annual meeting of the Federation to be held in the month of April each year for the purpose of receiving reports of officers and committees, and conducting any other business that may arise. At every other annual meeting beginning in April 2007, the meeting will also consist of electing officers and will be held in odd numbered years in succession.

Section 2

A special meeting of the Federation may be called by the Executive Board upon request of the Chairman, one-third of the voting members of the Executive Board, or twenty-five members in good standing. Such meeting shall be scheduled not less than thirty days or not more than sixty days after receipt, in writing, by the Chairman. Business to be conducted at a special meeting of the Federation shall be specified in the call.  

Section 3

The State Executive Board members must be notified at least thirty days prior to the date of such meeting. The call shall specify the date, time and place the meeting is to be held and the proposed agenda, including copies of any proposed constitutional amendments.    

Section 4

A special meeting of the State Executive Board may be called by the Chairman, or shall be called by the Chairman on request of one-third of the members of the State Executive Board, providing that each member shall be given ten-day notice.

Section 5

No alternates or proxies will be accepted at any Federation meeting.  

ARTICLE X

Parliamentary Authority Robert’s Rules of Order, revised or the latest edition thereof, shall govern all proceedings except when inconsistent with this Constitution.  

ARTICLE XI Endorsement of Candidates

Section 1

The State Executive Board of the NH Young Republican Federation may endorse Young Republicans in contested primaries for the offices of State Representative and local municipal offices only. No other endorsement for any other office may be given. The process for endorsement must strictly follow the guidelines of ARTICLE XI Section 2. This does not preclude the ability of individual board members to endorse candidates provided no board member uses their Federation title in said endorsement unless otherwise endorsed by the board. The Chair of the Federation may not publicly endorse candidates in a primary, due to the nature of their position, unless the candidate is endorsed by the board. No Federation monies, including those of sub-chapters, shall be spent on a candidate during a Republican Primary, unless the candidate is endorsed by the board.


Section 2


The process for endorsements of Young Republicans in contested primaries for the offices of State Representative and local municipal office must be strictly followed.

Only the Executive Board may issue endorsements on behalf of the New Hampshire Young Republicans.

The Chairman shall notify the entire Executive Board via written electronic communication seven days before a board vote takes place and must explicitly state that there will be a vote for endorsement, the name of the candidate, the office and district the candidate is seeking, and that they are a qualified Young Republican.

All endorsements must be approved by a simple majority of Executive Board and members of the Board may cast their votes by electronic means to the Chairman and Secretary up until the vote takes place.

The Executive Board may never issue an endorsement of one Young Republican over another in a contested primary.

While expenditures on behalf of endorsed candidates in a contest primary may be authorized and occur, they may never be used to campaign in a negative fashion against another Republican.

ARTICLE XII Affiliations

Section 1

The Federation shall affiliate and be chartered with the Young Republican National Federation, and shall encourage Federation members to associate with the national organization.  

Section 2

All designated state delegates to the Young Republican National Federation Convention shall be nominated by the Chairman and be decided by a majority vote of the State Executive Board. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall automatically be granted delegate slots, as will any elected officer of the YRNF that is also a member of the Federation. The delegation may institute unit rule on itself by a simple majority vote.  

ARTICLE XIII Amendments

Section 1

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the accredited delegates at any annual or special meeting of the Federation, provided that the proposed amendments have been submitted to all chartered chapters in accordance with Article IX, Sections 2 and 3.    

Section 2

Amendments may be initiated by the Chairman, or one-third of the voting members of the State Executive Board, or by twenty-five members in good standing in the Federation membership.

Section 3

Amendments to this Constitution shall become effective immediately upon passage.

Section 4

Any special meeting of the Federation called for with the principal purpose of amendments may be considered a constitutional convention. At a constitutional convention, amendments to the Constitution may be accepted from the floor, with a two-thirds vote being required, as long as the special meeting had at least ninety days notice.