New Hanover County Republican Liberty Caucus Bylaws
Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the New Hanover County Republican Liberty Caucus, referred to hereafter as “New Hanover RLC.”
Article II. Purpose
The New Hanover RLC is a local affiliate of the Republican Liberty Caucus of North Carolina. Its purpose shall be to promote individual rights, limited government, and free enterprise within the Republican Party and within the community by:
1. Promoting these ideals among Party officials and its various organizations
2. Identifying, supporting, and electing candidates to public office who are sympathetic with these ideals.
3. Identifying, supporting, and electing candidates to positions and committees of power within the Republican Party.
4. Promoting Caucus membership among Republican Party registrants, officials, and officeholders, and to the community at-large.
5. Sponsoring, and collaboratively sponsoring, public events regarding solutions to local community issues that are consistent with these ideals.
Article III. Candidate Development & Endorsements
New Hanover RLC will constantly try to identify candidates that are sympathetic to our ideals. New Hanover RLC realizes that getting these potential candidates elected is a difficult task, and preparations must be made long before a candidate files for public office. Therefore, the New Hanover RLC will sponsor a Candidate Development Committee that will help potential candidates get organized and provide guidance to these potential candidates on how to obtain the resources necessary to win.
Official endorsements of candidates are a completely separate matter. New Hanover RLC shall defer ultimate responsibility for endorsement of candidates to public office to the national RLC and the North Carolina RLC.
1. New Hanover RLC shall not endorse any candidate for federal office who has not been vetted and approved by the national and state RLC organizations according to the procedure proscribed by the executive committees thereof. However, New Hanover RLC may vet, and recommend local federal candidates to the national and state RLC organizations for their consideration.
2. New Hanover RLC shall not endorse any candidate for state office who has not been vetted and approved by the state RLC organization according to the procedure described by the executive committee of the state organization. However, New Hanover RLC may vet, and recommend local state candidates to the state RLC organization for their consideration.
3. New Hanover RLC will have the primary responsibility for vetting and endorsing candidates for county and municipal offices. Our endorsement will be subject to the approval of the executive committee of the state RLC organization.
4. New Hanover RLC shall not associate the RLC name, reputation, or logos with any candidate for public office, nor with any other individual or organization that has not been so vetted and approved, as described in III.1-3 of these Bylaws.
5. Nothing in this article shall limit the ability of individual members to aid candidates for any public office who have not been officially endorsed by the New Hanover RLC, the North Carolina RLC, or the national RLC.
6. This article shall not be construed to prohibit officials, candidates, or representatives of organizations from presenting themselves at general New Hanover RLC meetings for the edification of and scrutiny by the New Hanover RLC membership.
Article IV. Party Leadership Development
New Hanover RLC will constantly try to identify candidates who are willing to serve in positions and committees of power within the Republican Party, and who share our ideals. New Hanover RLC believes that one of the best ways we can be “the conscience of the Republican Party” is to get RLC members into the leadership positions within the GOP that will enable them to steer the party back to its roots of individual rights, limited government, and free enterprise. Therefore, the New Hanover RLC will establish a Party Leadership Committee that will seek, vet, and help to get individuals who share our values into positions and committees of power within the Republican Party.
1. All decisions on potential local and county party leaders will be left to the sole discretion of Party Leadership Development Committee, subject only to the approval of the Executive Committee of the New Hanover RLC.
2. Decisions on NC Regional positions within the NC Republican Party will be conducted by the Committee, subject to the approval of the Executive Committees of the New Hanover RLC and the Executive Committee of the state RLC.
3. The Committee may vet and recommend individuals to serve on positions and committees at the state-level Republican Party. However, the state RLC will have the ultimate power to decide on who we will support.
4. The Committee may vet and recommend individuals to serve on positions and committees at the national Republican Party. However, the state and national RLC organizations will have the ultimate power to decide on who we will support.
Article V. Membership and Voting Eligibility
New Hanover RLC shall be open to all residents of New Hanover County and to residents of any North Carolina county that is closer to New Hanover County than it is to a county that has an active local North Carolina RLC chapter. All members must affirmatively indicate their support for the purposes of the New Hanover RLC. Registered Republican voters will automatically receive full membership and voting rights. Unaffiliated voters, or those registered with another political parties may receive full membership and voting rights by approval of the majority of the Executive Committee or by the approval of the majority of the Assembly. To be eligible to vote, members must be members of the North Carolina RLC, and their dues must be current.
Article VI. Structure
All legislative power of New Hanover RLC shall be vested in the Assembly. All executive power shall be vested in the Executive Committee.
Article VII. The Assembly
Section 1. Definitions
The Assembly shall be defined as RLC dues-paying members present at a general or special meeting of the New Hanover RLC.
Section 2. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
1. The Assembly shall have the power to call a meeting of New Hanover RLC with a majority vote of the Assembly given at least 30-days advance notice.
2. The Assembly shall approve the establishment and dissolution of committees recommended by the Chair by a majority vote of the Assembly.
3. The Assembly shall have the power to adopt any rules and regulations necessary for carrying its powers into implementation that are consistent with the Bylaws and Rules of the national RLC and NC RLC.
4. The Assembly shall have the power to confirm all appointments by the Chairman. Approval of appointments shall require a majority vote of the Assembly.
5. The Assembly shall have the power to issue statements on matters of local or county public import that are consistent with the Statement of Principles & Positions of the national RLC.
6. The Assembly shall have the power to issue statements of statewide import that are approved by a majority of the Executive Committee of the state RLC organization.
7. The Assembly shall have the power to issue statements of national import that are approved by the executive committees of the state and national RLC organizations.
8. The Assembly may hold its meetings either in person or virtually. Virtual meetings include but are not limited to teleconferences, Skype or other similar new media executed in real time. At the behest of the Chair, the Assembly may vote by email on limited and particular questions put before it. Such email ballots must be five (5) days in duration.
9. Individual members who can not be present for an in person or virtual meeting may appoint another member of the New Hanover RLC to vote in-proxy for them. A letter or email from the absent member authorizing the proxy vote should be sent to the Chair and the Secretary Treasurer within 24 hours of the scheduled meeting.
10. In any dispute between the Assembly of the New Hanover RLC and the Assembly of the Republican Liberty Caucus of North Carolina, the decision of the Assembly of the RLC-NC shall prevail.
11. The Assembly shall have the power to remove any person holding elected office with a two-thirds vote in the affirmative of the Assembly.
a. Any dues paying member of New Hanover RLC may move for removal of an officer with a second.
b. When a motion for officer removal is made and seconded, the Assembly may vote on removal no sooner than 30 days and no later than 90 days from date of the motion.
Article VIII. The Executive Committee
Section 1. Composition
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and from 1-5 At-Large members. All members of the Executive Committee shall be registered Republicans, as well as paid members of the New Hanover RLC and the parent RLC organization
Section 2. Membership
1. Chair
a. Qualifications
i. The Chair shall be elected by and from the Assembly.
ii. The Chair shall not be married to, be an immediate family member of, or carry on any romantic relationship with, the Treasurer..
b. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
i. The Chair shall act as the chief representative of the New Hanover RLC to the National and State chapters of the RLC.
ii. The Chair shall schedule meetings of the New Hanover RLC.
iii. The Chair shall lead the Executive Committee
iv. The Chair shall chair the Assembly.
v. The Chair is expected to attend all meetings of the New Hanover RLC to the extent practicable.
vi. The Chair shall have the power to appoint the Chair of the Candidate Development Committee, the Chair of the Party Leadership Development Committee, and any the Chair of any other committee authorized for approval by a majority of the Assembly. Chairs of committees may appoint or dismiss members of their committee, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee
vii. The Chair shall recommend the establishment and dissolution of committees for the approval of a majority of the Assembly. The Chairman shall outline the committees’ purpose, powers, and membership.
viii. The Chair shall have the power to remove appointed officers with the consent of the Assembly
ix. The Chair shall provide an agenda of each New Hanover RLC meeting at least one week before the corresponding meeting.
x. The Chair shall serve until resignation, removal from office, or election of the incoming Chair.
2. Vice Chair
a. Qualifications
i. The Vice Chair shall be elected by the Assembly.
b. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
i. The Vice Chair shall fulfill the duties of the Chair in his or her absence.
ii. The Vice Chair is expected to attend all meetings of the New Hanover RLC to the extent practicable.
iii. The Vice Chair shall perform other duties as assigned by the Chair.
iv. The Vice Chair shall serve until resignation, removal from office, or election of the incoming Vice Chair.
3. Treasurer
a. Qualifications
i. The Treasurer shall be elected by the Assembly
ii. The Treasurer shall not be married to, be an immediate family member of, or carry on any romantic relationship with, the Chair
b. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
i. The Treasurer shall fulfill the duties of the Vice Chair in his or her absence
ii. The Treasurer is expected to attend all meetings of the New Hanover RLC to the extent practicable
iii. The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting dues, keeping financial accounts in good order, filing proper reports with governmental agencies, and keeping the Assembly knowledgeable on the financial state of the chapter.
iv. The Treasurer shall serve until resignation, removal from office, or election of the incoming Treasurer
4. Secretary
a. Qualifications
i. The Secretary shall be elected by the Assembly.
b. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
i. The Secretary is expected to attend all meetings of New Hanover RLC to the extent practicable.
ii. The Secretary shall be responsible for taking and compiling minutes for each meeting of the Assembly and of the Executive Committee.
iii. The Secretary shall serve until resignation, removal from office, or election of the incoming Secretary.
5. At-Large Members
a. Number
i. The Assembly may elect any number of At-Large members to the Executive Committee, so long as the total number of members of the Executive Committee remains an odd number.
ii. The number of the total members of the Executive Committee shall not exceed nine.
b. Qualifications
i. At-Large members shall be elected by the Assembly
c. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
i. At-Large members are expected to attend all meetings of the New Hanover RLC to the extent practicable.
ii. At-Large members shall serve until resignation, removal from office, or the election of a replacement and incoming At-Large member.
Section 3. Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
1. When the Assembly is not in session, the Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the New Hanover RLC.
2. Any action taken by the Executive Committee on behalf of the New Hanover RLC shall be documented and reported at the next New Hanover RLC meeting.
3. In any dispute between the Executive Committee of the New Hanover RLC and the Executive Committee of the Republican Liberty Caucus of North Carolina, the decision of the Executive Committee of the RLC-NC shall prevail; subject to appeal to the Assembly of the RLC-NC.
Article IX. Line of Succession
Section 1. Chair
If the Chair is removed or resigns from office, the Vice Chair shall become the Chair. If the Vice Chair is unable to perform the duties of the Chair, the Treasurer shall become the Chair. If the Treasurer is unable to perform the duties of the Chair, the Secretary shall become the Chair. If the Secretary is unable to perform the duties of the Chair, the most senior At-Large member of the Executive Committee that is able to perform the duties of the Chair, shall serve as Chair until a special election can be held.
Section 2. Vice Chair
If the Vice Chair is removed or resigns from office, the Assembly shall elect a new Vice Chair.
Section 3. Treasurer
If the Treasurer is removed or resigns from office, the Assembly shall elect a new Treasurer.
Section 4. Secretary
If the Secretary is removed or resigns from office, the Assembly shall elect a new Secretary.
Section 5. At-Large Member
If an At-Large member is removed or resigns from office, the Chair shall select an otherwise eligible member of the New Hanover RLC to serve, until a special election can be held.
Section 6. Special Election
A special election shall be held within 30 days of a removal or resignation.
Article X. Elections
Section 1. Election Authority
The Executive Committee shall proscribe the date and manner of all New Hanover RLC elections consistent with the Bylaws and Rules of the Republican Liberty Caucus and the Republican Liberty Caucus of North Carolina.
Section 2. Time Frame
Elections shall take place at a regular meeting with at least 30 days advance notice. The regular term of office shall be 2 years.
Section 3. Results
Once qualified candidates are elected, they shall take office immediately. Election results shall be reported to the Chairman of the RLC-NC within 30 days.
Article XI. Amendments
Section 1. Proposal
Any dues paying member of the Assembly may propose amendments to these Bylaws. Amendments shall be in written form, either hard or soft copy, and distributed to the Assembly at least one month prior to their consideration on the floor.
Section 2. Adoption
An amendment shall become part of these Bylaws when approved by three-fourths of the Assembly. Quorum is satisfied when a majority of New Hanover RLC dues-paying members are present to vote.
Article XII. Ratification and Effective Date
Section 1. Ratification
These ByLaws shall be ratified once approved by the Assembly of the New Hanover RLC, and the Executive Committee of the RLC-NC.
Section 2. Records
A copy of these Bylaws shall be kept in the official record.