Revolution Is Brewing in the Rio Grande Valley!
"To provide a forum for like minded American Citizens, of all walks of life in our community, for the Discussion, Education and Promotion of the ideals of the American Republic as embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution"
MTP Association Bylaws (Approved 12-08-2009)
BYLAWS of the
ARTICLE I:
The name of this Association is McAllen Tea Party Association, hereinafter, referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
1. We are a non-partisan, pro-American group, working to preserve our
2. We believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility at all levels of government and free markets.
3. We share a common concern over excessive spending by an out-of-control federal government acting in violation of the constitution.
4. The Association is organized and operated as an unincorporated, nonprofit association within the meaning of the Texas Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act, BOC, Ann. 252.001, et seq.
ARTICLE III:
MEMBERS
1. ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT:
Membership is open to any person at least 18 years of age or any institution interested in the purposes of the Association upon payment of dues, as specified by these bylaws.
2. DUES:
Voting members agree to pay annual dues, according to the amount and schedule established by the Executive Committee. Dues are to be prorated on a quarterly basis for members joining during the year.
3. Voting Rights of members:
Each eligible member may cast one vote. Sign-in sheets may be used to determine the number of members present and qualified to vote at each activity, meeting or election.
4. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:
a. Regular meetings shall be held at least quarterly on the date, time, and place set either by the Executive Committee at the beginning of the fiscal year or by a majority vote of those members present and voting at a Regular or Special Meetings.
b. Special Meetings may be called at any time by a majority of the Executive Committee or upon written request of at least fifteen (15) members submitted to the Executive Committee. All registered members must be notified by email or by confirmed telephone conversation at least 7 days in advance of a special meeting. The notification must include an explanation of the reason for the meeting.
c. A quorum is determined by the number of eligible members present at a properly announced special meeting. The affirmative vote of the majority of the eligible members voting carries.
5. Verification of membership:
The Secretary may verify the membership status of members. The Secretary shall establish procedures for the collection and confidentiality of information during such verification.
6. Termination of membership:
Any member who was provided a written notice at least ten (10) days in advance shall have their membership terminated either Automatically in a case of ineligibility, non-payment of dues or by a majority vote of those members present and voting at the following Regular or Special Meeting called for that purpose.
7. Resignation of membership:
Any member may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Executive Committee. The member’s resignation shall take effect on the date the letter is received unless the letter states a later time that is acceptable to the Executive Committee. All dues will be forfeited.
ARTICLE IV:
OFFICERS
1. Roster of officers:
The Association shall have a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and may include one or more other offices and one or more assistants to offices, as the members may approve.
A Parliamentarian and a Sergeant-at-arms will also serve in their capacities at general meetings.
2. Election of officers:
All officers shall serve one (1)-year terms and until their successor is seated. No Officer may serve in the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms. At least one (1) year must have elapsed since the end of their most recent term. Any member may nominate any eligible individual to serve as an officer. Vetting of nominees will be the responsibility of the Membership Committee.
3. Resignation:
Any Officer may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Executive Committee. The Officer’s resignation shall take effect on the date the letter is received unless the letter states a later time that is acceptable to the Executive Committee and a majority of eligible members at a special meeting called for that purpose.
4. Removal:
Any Officer may be removed at any time by a majority of the members at a Special Meeting called for that purpose. The Officer must first be notified about the removal proceeding by written notice at least ten (10) days before the meeting at which the vote takes place.
5. Vacancies:
The new Officer filling a vacancy will assume his/her duties as soon as he/she is confirmed and will continue to serve in that capacity through the remainder of the original term. In the event there is less than 6 months left in the original term, he/she will be eligible to be elected for 2 more terms.
6. Compensation:
No member shall receive salary or other compensation for their service as such in the Association. Executive Committee members and their assigned agents may receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties for the Association.
7. President:
The President shall preside over all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. With the advice of the officers and members, and in accordance with these bylaws, oversee the affairs of the Association, set the agenda for each meeting of the members.
8. Vice President:
A Vice President shall act in place of the President in the event of the President’s absence, inability, or refusal to act and may perform any specified duties as set forth by the Executive Committee.
9. Secretary:
The Secretary shall be the custodian of all books and records of the Association, take or ensure that someone takes complete and correct records of account of all activities and of the proceedings of the membership, prepare and send out notices and communications, serve as a agent to receive service of process, and make its books and records available for inspection.
10. Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of all Association funds, oversee and supervise the fiscal affairs of the Association, and provide reports and accountings to the members at each Executive Committee meeting. A yearend financial report will be provided to the membership.
ARTICLE V:
Committees
1. Executive Committee:
All officers of the Association and the chairs of standing Committees shall make up the Executive Committee. Execute Committee shall meet at least one time per quarter.
2. Standing Committees:
a. MEMBERSHIP
b. FUND RAISING
c. MEDIA RELATIONS & PUBLICITY
d. EVENT ORGANIZING
e. POLITICAL AWARENESS
3. Additional Committees:
The members may, from time to time, agree on additional Committees by a majority vote at any membership meeting. The Committee members shall elect the chair of their Committee.
4. Removal of Committee members:
Any Committee member who misses more than three meetings without offering an acceptable reason to the head of his/her Committee may be removed from the Committee at the next Committee meeting.
ARTICLE VI:
Operations
1. Open Meetings:
All Regular or Special membership meetings shall be open to all members.
2. Proxy Voting Prohibited:
No proxy voting is permitted in any Association election.
3. Execution of Documents:
All legal written instruments shall be authorized by the Executive Committee, signed by the Secretary and executed by the President.
4. Annual Budget:
After the first year of operation, the Executive Committee shall present a budget to the members at the first meeting of the fiscal year. All funds disbursed by the Association shall be in accordance with the Association’s budget. All checks disbursing funds from any of the Association’s accounts shall require the signature of the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Secretary of the Association.
5. Records:
The Association shall keep correct and complete books and records of account, including of its attendance, membership, and proceedings, and shall keep minutes of the proceedings and records of votes of its membership.
6. Inspection of Books and Records:
All books and records of this Association may be inspected by any member, for any purpose, at any reasonable time on written demand. Any eligible member may inspect and/or request a copy of a all data at their own expense.
7. Loans Prohibited:
The Association shall make no loans to any of its members or officers.
8. Amendments:
Any amendment to these bylaws shall require a written notice of its proposed amendment submitted to the Executive Committee for inclusion in the next scheduled meeting, at least twenty-eight (28) days hence.
9. Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year for the Association shall be the calendar year.
10. Notices:
Notice may be provided by verbal, written, or electronic means, including, but not limited to, announcements, postal mail, facsimile, Internet web site, telephone, messaging services, electronic mail and bulletin boards
11. Dissolution:
The Association shall dissolve and dispose of any property by a vote of all eligible members and consistent with procedures adopted by the members, i.e., the Texas BOC 252.001.
ARTICLE VII
Conflict of Interest
No Officer or Committee member should accept any current or promise of future benefit from or should perform any services for personal gain for any person or business entity that might benefit or appear to benefit from the Officer or Committee member’s connection to the Association unless the facts are disclosed in good faith and authorized by the members. A benefit includes any gift, entertainment, service, loan, or promise of future benefits. A service includes working as an employee, consultant, or in any other capacity for compensation.
ARTICLE VIII
Rules of Order
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable.
ACCEPTANCE
Accepted by a vote of the eligible members present at the December 8, 2009 Regular Meeting.
Member vote tally: Approved: 57 Opposed: 0 Abstain: 0
Witnessed by: Sandy Propst
Secretary of the
