ARTICLE I:   Name

Section 1.    The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana.  This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States and of the League of Women Voters of Indiana.

ARTICLE II:   Purpose and Policy

Section 1.    Purpose.  The purpose of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall be to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government and to act on selected governmental issues in conformity with the Principles of the League of Women Voters of the United States.

Section 2.    Policy.  The League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.  The League will study and may take a stand on public issues.

ARTICLE III:   Membership

Section l.     Eligibility.  Any person who subscribes to the purpose, policy, and principles of the League shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2.    Types of Membership.  The membership of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall be composed of voting members and associate members.        

                  
A. Citizens at least 18 years of age who join the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall be voting members of that League and of the LWVIN and LWVUS.  Any person who has been a member of the League for 50 years or more, or who has made a lump-sum life membership payment to the LWVUS shall be a life member and be excused from payment of dues.

B. Associate members shall be all other persons who join the League. They shall be non-voting members.

ARTICLE IV:   Board of Directors

                 
Section 1.    Numbers, Manner of Selection, and Term of Office.  The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers of the League, and the chairs of each standing committee.  The elected Officers shall take office after the adjournment of the outgoing Board during the June Board Meeting following the Annual Meeting. Prior to the Annual Meeting, the standing committees shall nominate their chairpersons.   Directors shall take office on July 1st and serve for one year.

Section 2.    Qualifications.  Only persons who are voting members of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana may be elected, appointed, or continue to serve as an officer or director of this organization.

Section 3.    Standing Committees may vary from one year to the next. 

Section 4.    Vacancies.  Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors by reason of the resignation, death, or disqualification of an officer or elected member may be filled, until the next Annual Meeting, by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors. Three consecutive absences of any member from a Board meeting without valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.

Section 5.    Powers and Duties.

A. The Board of Directors shall have full charge of the property and business of the organization, with full power and authority to manage and conduct the same, subject to the instructions of the general membership.

B. It shall plan and direct the work as necessary to carry out the program as adopted by the National Convention, the State Convention, and the Annual Meeting.

C. The Board shall annually review the Policies and Practices adopted by previous Boards and make such changes as may be appropriate.

D. The Board shall create and designate such special committees as it may deem  necessary.

Section 6.    Meetings.  There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually. The President may call special meetings of the Board of Directors and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of five members of the Board.

Section 7.    Quorum. 

A. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

B. Any one or more members of the Board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

C. Board members who are unable to attend a Board meeting may appoint an alternate, who will have full voting rights.

ARTICLE V:  Officers

Section 1.    Enumeration and Election of Officers. The Officers of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall be a President, a Vice- President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, who shall be elected by the general membership at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year, and shall serve until their successors have been elected and qualified. The officers shall take office after the adjournment of the outgoing Board during the June Board Meeting following the Annual meeting.

Section 2.    The President.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors. The President may, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts, and notes. The President shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of the President and perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board.

Section 3.    The Vice-President.  The Vice-President shall, in the event of absence, disability, or death of the President, possess all the powers and perform all the duties of that office. In the event that the Vice-President is not able to serve in this capacity, the Board of Directors shall elect a member to fill the vacancy. The Vice-President shall perform such duties as the President and the Board shall designate.

Section 4.    The Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the League and of all meetings of the Board of Directors. This person shall notify all Officers and Directors of their election. The Secretary shall sign, with the President, all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the Board, and shall perform such other functions as may be incident to the office.

Section 5.    The Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due. This person shall be the custodian of these moneys, shall deposit them in the financial institu-tion(s) designated by the Board of Directors, and shall discharge the same only upon order of the Board. The Treasurer shall present statements to the Board and the membership at their regular meetings and an annual report to the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE VI:  Financial Administration

Section 1.    Fiscal year.  The fiscal year of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall begin on the first day of July in each year.

Section 2.    Dues.  Annual dues are payable on the first day of the fiscal year (July 1). Any member who fails to pay dues within four months after they become payable shall be dropped from the membership rolls. The Board shall submit recommended changes in dues for individual and/or joint membership at the annual meeting for approval by a 3/5 affirmative vote of members present and voting. Dues of those joining after January 1 may be reduced, pro-rated, or credited to payment of dues for the ensuing year, according to the policy established by the Board.  Joint dues may be paid when two members reside at the same address in a common household and receive a single mailing of all newsletters and other material.  The Board has the authority to offer reduced dues rates to selected populations.

Section 3.    Audit.  The books of the Treasurer shall be reviewed annually.

Section 4.   Budget.  A budget for the ensuing fiscal year may be submitted by the Board of Directors to the Annual Meeting for adoption. A budget, if adopted, should include support for the work of the League as a whole.

Section 5.    Distribution of Funds and Property on Dissolution.  In event of a dissolution for any cause of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana, all moneys and securities which may at the time be owned by or under the absolute control of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall be paid to the League of Women Voters of Indiana.  All other property which may at the time be owned by or under the control of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall be disposed of by any officer of the organization having possession of the same to such person, organization, or corporation for such public charitable or educational uses and purposes as may be designated by the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana.

Section 7.   National and State Per Member Payment. The League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana shall make a national Per Member Payment (PMP) in the amount to be determined by the LWVUS and a Per Member Payment to the state League to be determined by the LWV of Indiana.

Section 1.   Membership Meetings.  There shall be at least two general meetings of the member ship each year, including the Annual Meeting. Time and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors.  The Board shall call a special membership meeting upon the written request of ten percent of the voting members. 

Section 2.   Annual Meeting.  An Annual Meeting shall be held during June, the exact date to be determined by the Board of Directors.  The Annual Meeting shall:

                   A.  Propose a local program for the ensuing year.

                   B.  Elect officers, and members of the Nominating Committee.

C.  Transact such other business as may properly come before it.

Section 3.  Quorum.  Ten percent of the voting members shall constitute a quorumat all general meetings of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana, provided written notice of the meeting is sent to the membership at least one week in advance.  The official number of voting members should be that

                   submitted to the LWVUS for per-member-payment purposes.

                   Section 4.  Units.  Small discussion groups shall meet according to a schedule

                  determined by the groups.

                  five members, two of whom shall be members of the Board of Directors. The term of office shall be one year. Three members, none of whom shall be members of the Board, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. Nominations for these offices shall be made by the current nominating committee. The other two members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible after the June Board Meeting. The organization of the nominating committee shall be determined by the committee itself.  Any vacancy on the Nominating Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Suggestions for nominations for Officers and Directors may be sent to this committee by any voting member. 

Section 2. Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor.  The report of the Nominating Committee of its nominations for Officers, Directors, and the members of the succeeding Nominating Committee shall be sent to all members of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana three weeks before the date of the Annual Meeting. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be presented to the Annual Meeting. Immediately following the presentation of this report, nomination may be made from the floor by any voting member, provided the consent of the nominee shall have been secured. In the ensuing year, when appointments are to be made by the President and/or the Board of Directors, the previous Nominating Committee shall be consulted.

                Section 3. Elections.  When there is only one nominee for an office, the election for that office shall be by voice vote. When there are two or more nominees for an office, the election for that office shall be by ballot. A majority vote of those qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.