By Laws

FLORIDA FEDERATION OF NARFE CHAPTERS

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Article 1. CHAPTER MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of chapter number 0717 National Association of Retired Federal Employees be held each month, at the time and place designated by the Executive Committee, unless a meeting is omitted by previous chapter vote or by action of the chapter executive committee, with due and reasonable notice to members. No regular meetings shall be held during the months of July and August. The regular meeting in December shall be the annual meeting.

Section 2. Special Chapter or Executive Committee meetings shall be called by the chapter president when necessary, or upon written request of ten percent of the chapter's voting members. Written notice of all special Chapter meetings shall be given to each chapter member at least seven days before such meeting.

Section 3. A quorum for conducting chapter business shall consist of five percent of the chapter's voting members, but less than a quorum may adjourn to meet on a future date, of which due notice shall be given to each voting member.

Section 4. All meetings of the chapter, including those of the executive committee, shall be open to the membership.

Article II. ORDER OF BUSINESS,

Generally, the following order of business shall be observed, but this order may be deviated from as dictated by expediency in conducting the business session:

l. Call to order.

2. Invocation.

3. Pledge of allegiance

4. Announcements

5. Introduction of new members and visitors

6. Programs

7. Reading of the minutes

8. Officers reports

9. Committee reports

10. Unfinished business

11. New business

12. Adjournment.

Article III. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

Section 1. The elected Chapter officers shall be a president, a first vice president, a second vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. The first vice president shall have oversight responsibilities for membership and service: The second vice president shall have oversight responsibilities for legislation and programs.

Section 2. There shall be an executive committee of which the elected chapter officers referenced in Section 1 above, the immediate Past President of the chapter for the first year following his/her term of office, and the appointed Membership, Legislative and Service Chairs shall be voting members. The chapter president, with approval of the executive committee, shall appoint such other chapter members as deemed appropriate to offices referenced in Sections 2 and 6.

Section 3. There shall be a membership committee responsible for the recruitment of new members and the retention of present members. As a minimum, it shall be the duty of the members of this committee to urge everyone in the area eligible for membership, as set forth in the national bylaws, to join the Association and the chapter, contact members concerning membership retention, maintain the membership records and prepare reports, lists and mailing labels. All members are, by virtue of chapter membership, members of this committee.

Section 4, There shall be a legislative committee to: a) keep abreast of all state and national legislative matters concerning federal civil annuitants; and, b) to inform and make recommendations for action to the Chapter, the Federation and the Association.

Section 5 There shall be a service committee to assist members with survivor benefits, insurance information and claims, and annuity problems and difficulties.

Section 6. The president shall appoint the following committees and officers: Alzheimer, Chaplain, NARFE-Net Coordinator, Historian, Newsletter Editor, Public Relations, Sunshine, Telephone, and Ways and Means. The president shall also appoint an Audit Committee to audit the books and records of the Treasurer at the close of each year and a Nominating Committee. The President shall be ex officio member of all committees except the Audit and Nominating Committees. The President may establish such other committees as may be needed with the concurrence of the executive committee.

Section 7. The chapter may by resolution require the treasurer to give bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties. The expense of obtaining a bond shall be paid from chapter funds.

Article IV. MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER DUES

Section 1. Chapter Voting Member: Any one who qualifies for membership under the provisions of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Bylaws and who has paid all required dues to Chapter and National is eligible to be a Chapter voting member and to hold office, including Honorary Members, except as provided in Section 3 following.

Section 2. Honorary Members: Members who have been granted the right to a National membership without further payment of National or Chapter dues.

Section 3. Associate Members: NARFE members who affiliate with any Chapter other than their "Home Chapter" shall be designated as "Associate Members." Associate Members shall pay Chapter dues but cannot hold office or be included in the total Chapter membership count for determining representation at Federation and National Conventions.

Section 4. Social Members: Interested persons, other than spouses, not receiving annuities from civil service, who belong to the immediate household of a Chapter member, may be enrolled as Social Members of the Chapter upon payment of Chapter dues but without payment of National dues. A Social Member may not bold office nor have a vote except as to social events of purely local concern.

Section 5. Chapter dues shall be enacted or changed by the Executive Committee with the concurrence of a majority of the voting members present and voting at any Chapter business meeting, provided written notice of the proposed dues was sent to all chapter voting members not less than 15 days before the meeting at which the vote is to be taken. Any chapter document relating to dues or contributions must contain this statement: "Dues payments and gifts or contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes."

Article V. AFFILIATION WITH STATE FEDERATION: This chapter shall be affiliated with the Florida State Federation of NARFE Chapters, subject to its constitution and bylaws.

Article VI. DELEGATES TO FEDERATION AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS: Delegate expenses may be underwritten by the Chapter as determined by the executive committee, in accordance with the Chapter Fiscal Policy.

Article VII. The Executive Committee shall establish and maintain a Chapter Fiscal Policy as a guideline upon which financial decisions are based. The executive committee will approve expenditures and/or establish budgets upon which expenditures can be made. In establishing this Chapter Fiscal Policy, allowance shall be made for the needs of NARFE as a whole, such as ensuring that the Chapter contributes its support to NARFE by attendance at Federation and National Conventions by providing such financial support to those representing the Chapter as may be practicable. The President is authorized to approve routine recurring payments such as newsletter expenses, office supplies, post office box renewals, etc..

Article VII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY: The provisions of the current edition Robert's Rules of Orders Newly Revised, shall govern chapter business in all matters not in conflict with the chapter's constitution and bylaws or the Association's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

Article IX AMENDMENTS. An amendment to these Bylaws may be enacted by concurrence of a majority of the voting members present and voting at any Chapter business meeting, provided written notice of the proposed amendment was sent to all chapter voting members not less than 15 days before the meeting at which the vote is to be taken. Amendments may be proposed in writing by the Executive Committee or by a petition of fifteen (15) percent of the Chapter’s voting membership.

Adopted at the June 19, 2003 Chapter meeting by a unanimous vote.

__________________________________ Date:_____________

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