Young Republican-Alsaka
Bylaws and Policies

Amended:November 2003


Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be “Young Republicans-Alaska”, hereinafter referred to as “YR-A.”

Article II: Powers
The powers of YR-A shall be:
A. To direct and supervise its business, property and funds in the development and advancement of its purpose and objectives.
B. To charter, coordinate and oversee groups of Young Republican organizations throughout the state of Alaska.

Article III: Mission Statement
YR-A develops leadership among its members, promotes the election of Republican candidates, encourages young adults to support the Republican Party of Alaska, and works toward the betterment of Alaska’s communities.

Article IV: Organization and Membership
Section 1: General Membership. The membership of YR-A shall include all persons, aged 18-40 years, who espouse the views of the Republican Party. Membership consists of all members of YR-A, members of all charter clubs in good standing, and associate members.
A. Associate members include members who are 17 years of age or younger and 41 years of age or older.
B. All members must be in good standing, which includes current in fees and responsibilities.

Section 2: General Membership Meetings. General membership meetings shall be held four times a year. The YR-A Convention may count as one of four meetings in an odd numbered year. Thirty days notice must be given to the general membership of an upcoming membership meeting.

Section 3: Executive Committee. YR-A shall have an Executive Committee, whose duties shall be prescribed elsewhere in these by-laws. The members of the Executive Committee shall be:
A. Chair
B. Vice-Chair
C. National Committeeman
D. National Committeewoman
E. Secretary
F. Treasurer
G. Immediate Past YR-A Chair

Section 4: Central Committee YR-A shall have a Central Committee, whose duties shall be prescribed elsewhere in these by-laws. The Central Committee shall consist of the members of the Executive Committee and the Chair of each duly chartered local organization, or their duly appointed designee.

Article V: Executive Committee
Section 1:General Duties. The Executive Committee shall exercise general control and supervision over all officers, committees, and charters of YR-A.

Section 2: Meetings. In addition to the general membership meetings, the Executive Committee shall meet at least four times a year [and] at such time and place as determined by action of the Executive Committee, the YR-A Chair, or written request of two-thirds of the members of the Executive Committee. Executive committee meeting notices shall be provided no less then seven days prior to the meeting. The notice requirement can be waived upon unanimous written approval of the committee.

Section 3: Quorum. At all meetings of the Executive Committee, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the committee members.

Section 4: Removal of a Committee Member. The Executive Committee may remove any member of the committee for good cause after a hearing. Removal requires a two-third vote of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall provide at least thirty days notice to the committee member for which a complaint has been made. The notice shall be sent by registered mail and contain a copy of the charges against the member and the specific time and place of the hearing. Any committee member removed by order of the Executive Committee may appeal such removal at the convention.

Section 5: Management of Affairs. Discussion and management of the affairs of YR-A may be done by other means deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.

Section 6: Vacancies. A vacancy of an Executive Committee position shall be filled by the YR-A member receiving a majority of votes cast by the remainder of Executive Committee members.

Article VI: Primary Officers & Duties of Executive Committee
Section 1: Officer Qualification. Every elected officer of the Executive Committee shall be a registered Republican, a member in good standing of YR-A, and between the ages of 18-40.

Section 2: Duties of the Chair. The duties of the Chair shall be as follows:
A. The Chair shall be the Chief Executive Officer of YR-A and shall exercise general supervision over all work and activities of YR-A.
B. The Chair shall be the Chair of the Executive Committee and the Central Committee as defined in Article VII.
C. The Chair shall preside at all YR-A conventions, meetings, and events, unless the Executive Committee by a two-thirds vote designates another executive officer to preside.
D. The Chair may take action in the absence of the Executive Committee, in order to promote the objectives of YR-A. All such actions are open for review and reversal by the Executive Committee. Such actions require the concurrence of one Executive Committee member.
E. The Chair may appoint members to committees and other positions not otherwise provided for under these by-laws or under committee duties.

Section 3: Duties of the Vice-Chair. The duties of the Vice-Chair shall be as follows:
A. The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair in such duties as the Chair may designate.
B. The Vice-Chair shall succeed to the office of Chair in the event of vacancy. The Vice-Chair shall serve as the Chair until the next convention.

Section 4; Duties of the National Committeeman and National Committeewoman. The duties of the National Committeeman and the National Committeewoman shall be as follows:
A. They shall represent YR-A on the Young Republican National Committee
B. They shall represent the YR-A at the Young Republicans National Federation Convention.
C. They shall assist the Chair in promoting the mission of YR-A.

Section 5: Duties of the Secretary. The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:
A. To record the minutes of all YR-A Conventions, Executive Committee, and Central Committee meetings.
B. To send correspondence at the Chair’s request.
C. To be the Media Relations Officer for YR-A, including the production of press releases as the Chair directs.

Section 6: Duties of the Treasurer. The duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:
A. To maintain an efficient system of accounts.
B. To receive, expend, and account for all funds of YR-A under the supervision and discretion of the Executive Committee.
C. To make all necessary financial reports as required by law.
D. To be bonded in such manner as the Executive Committee directs.
E. To make an annual financial report to the Executive Committee.
F. To make as summary financial report at all meetings of the Executive Committee.
G. To make a complete and thorough financial report at all the conventions.
H. To be a member of the Finance Committee.

Article VII: Central Committee
Section 1: General Duties. The Central Committee shall exercise general control over all duly chartered local organizations and shall approve, disapprove, and/or revoke charters consistent with other provisions of these by-laws.

Section 2: Meetings. The Central Committee shall meet at least four times a year at such time and place as determined by action of the Central Committee, by the YR-A Chair, or by written request of two-thirds of the members of the Central Committee. Meeting notices shall be provided no less than thirty days prior to the meeting. The notice requirement can be waived upon unanimous written approval of the committee.

Section 3: Quorum. At all meetings of the Central Committee, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the committee members.

Section 4: Removal of a Committee Member. The Central Committee may remove any member of the committee for good cause after a hearing. Removal of a committee member requires a two-third vote of the Central Committee. The Secretary shall provide at least thirty days notice to the committee member for which a complaint has been made. The notice shall be sent by registered mail and contain a copy of the charges against the member and the specific time and place of the hearing. Any committee member removed by order of the Central Committee may appeal such removal at the convention. A committee member may be reinstated by a majority vote of the general membership at a convention.

Section 5: Management of Affairs. Discussion and management of the affairs of the Central Committee may be done by other means deemed appropriate by the Central Committee.

Article VIII: Chartering Local Young Republican Organizations
Section 1: Location of Organization. A local Young Republican organization may be chartered within the State of Alaska as approved by the Central Committee.

Section 2: Application. Application for charter shall be made on a petition form entitled “Petition to Charter Young Republican Local Organization.” The petition shall be duly signed by at least five young Republicans residing within the areas for which the charter is to be organized.

Section 3: Process of Application. Upon receipt of the petition, the YR-A Chair shall designate a member of the Central Committee to verify the completion of the requirements set forth in Section 5 of this Article.

Section 4: By-laws of Charter. The petitioning local Young Republican organization shall provide by-laws along with their petition. The by-laws must include provisions establishing elected officers. The officers must include, but are not limited to: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition, the proposed by-laws must include provisions for the election of officers and regular meetings. The petitioning chapter may use the YR-A by-laws or sample by-laws from the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF) as a model for their proposed by-laws.

Section 5: Requirements for Establishment of Charter. The petitioning local Young Republican organization representative shall certify to YR-A Central Committee the following:
A. The organization or its officers have adopted a constitution and/or by-laws, and have provided copies of each to YR-A Central Committee.
B. The organization will comply with the by-laws of YR-A.
C. The organization has elected its officers, appointed its committees, and fulfilled organizational requirements as provided for in its constitution and/or by-laws.
D. The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and birth dates of all chapter officers and members shall be submitted to YR-A Central Committee. This information shall be updated every year by February 1.
E. The organization has held at least one meeting as an organized body.

Upon completion of these requirements, the YR-A Central Committee member in charge of the application shall forward the application to the YR-A Central Committee. The YR-A Central Committee shall then vote at its next meeting on whether to grant a charter to the petitioning local Young Republican organization.

Section 6: Charter Designation. A duly chartered local Young Republican organization shall wherever practical, use the words that it is a group chartered by the YR-A Central Committee.

Section 7: Fees of Charter Organizations. Each local Young Republican organization shall submit to the YR-A a total of $5.00 per charter member in good standing annually. When a charter has been designated as a local Young Republican charter, the annual fee is due. Otherwise, annual fees are due on February 1 of each year.

Article IX: Cancellation of Charters
Section 1: Notice of Revocation or Discipline. If the YR-A Central Committee revokes the charter of, or otherwise disciplines any local Young Republican organization, the Secretary of the YR-A Central Committee shall immediately send a notice of such action by registered mail to the last reported Chair and Secretary of said local Young Republican organization.

Section 2: Resignation of Charter. Any chartered local Young Republican organization may resign from the YR-A Central Committee, provided that a resolution of resignation has been adopted and approved by three-fourths of the members and the Chair and Secretary of said local Young Republican organization. Such resignation shall become effective when accepted by the YR-A Central Committee.

Section 3: Prohibited Action After Cessation of Charter. Any state Young Republican organization, which shall for any reason cease to be a chartered group of YR-A, shall surrender its charter and shall not thereinafter use the name, emblem, or insignia of YR-A in any manner whatsoever.

Article X: Conventions
Section 1: Convention Date. The convention shall be held every two years in odd numbered years.

Section 2: Purpose of Convention. The purpose of the convention shall be to hold elections for all executive committee members, hear reports on YR-A business, and to address appeals or unfinished business as needed.

Section 3: Election of Officers. In order to be elected, a candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast for an office. In the event that a ballot cast does not show a majority for a nominee there shall be a run-off election between the two candidates receiving the most votes. After two run-offs, then the presiding officer of the convention shall make the decision on the appointment of the officer. Newly elected officers shall assume their duties at the close of the convention.

Section 4: Notice of Convention. Notice of the time and place of the convention shall be sent to the general membership of the YR-A no less than thirty days prior to the date of the convention.

Section 5: Members Attendance. Conventions shall be open to all members and associate members of YR-A; however the privilege of making motions and participating in voting shall be limited to members of YR-A. Discussion and participation in all other aspects is open to all attendants.

Section 6: Proxy. A proxy shall be recognized, if the exact person(s) or motion(s) being voted on is specified on a written document and signed by the person eligible to vote at the convention. Only one proxy is allowed per member.

Article XI: Standing Committees
Section 1: Standing Committees. YR-A has the following standing committees:
A. Community Relations
B. By-laws
C. Finance
D. Political Action
E. Any ad-hoc committee the Chair determines necessary

Section 2: Appointment of Chair to Committees. The YR-A Chair shall appoint the Chair of each standing committee and they shall perform such duties as may be defined by the YR-A Chair, Executive Committee, or by authority of the general membership of the convention. The Chair of the committee shall determine the number of members on a committee.

Article XII: Revenues, Financing, and Accounting
Section 1: Fees. Fees shall be prescribed as follows:
A. Each member shall pay an annual fee to be due on the 1st of February. The fee amount shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
B. Each “associate member” shall pay an annual fee to be due on the 1st of February. The fee amount shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 2: Financing and Accounting. The Executive Committee shall:
A. Specify a depository.
B. Approve or deny reimbursements out of YR-A funds
C. Designate the Treasurer and other appropriate officers to write checks, and conduct banking transactions on behalf of YR-A.

Article XIII: Endorsements
Section 1: Primary Elections. No primary endorsement of candidates shall be made by YR-A, unless the candidate is running unopposed, after the filing deadline.

Section 2: Endorsement Qualifications. We will endorse candidates in general elections that are in-line with the YR-A mission statement.

Article XIV: Rules of Order
Section 1: Parliamentary Authority. The most current version of Roberts Rules of Orders shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered in these by-laws.

Section 2: Amendment of By-laws. These by-laws or any provision thereof may be amended by a majority vote of the general membership present at the YR-A convention, or a two-thirds vote of the YR-A Executive Committee. Amendments made to the by-laws shall take effect immediately upon passage.

Section 3: Technology. YR-A business may be conducted via email, fax, phone, and the mail system.