NOW-NJ Home About NOW-NJ Join NOW Chapters Local News FAQs (Q&A) Cal Links

 

NOW-NJ BYLAWS

As amended November 12, 2005

 

Article I

Name

 

The name of this organization shall be the National Organization for Women of (the State of) New Jersey to be written NOW-NJ.  It shall exist and operate as a unit of the National Organization for Women.

 

Article II

Purpose

 

The purpose of NOW-NJ is "to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men.  This purpose includes, but is not limited to, equal rights and responsibilities in all aspects of citizenship, public service, employment, education, and family life, and it includes freedom from discrimination because of race, ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, or parenthood."  NOW-NJ shall also have as its purpose to coordinate efforts on the state level, to provide communication among chapters and task forces, and to assist in the functioning of NOW in NJ.

 

Article III

Membership

 

Any person who is a member of NOW (National) and who is a member of a New Jersey NOW Chapter or is a member-at-large residing in New Jersey, and who has paid NOW-NJ dues up-to-date, shall be a member of NOW-NJ.  No person who subscribes to NOW's purposes shall be excluded from membership, segregated or otherwise discriminated against within the organization because of race, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, age, economic status, marital status, parenthood, political affiliation, sexual orientation or lifestyle.

 

Article IV

Meeting of Members

 

Section 1.  State Conference

 

The State Conference shall be the supreme governing body of NOW-NJ.  It shall meet annually with election of officers in alternate years and transact such other business as may come before the members.  The State Board shall approve the date, place, agenda, and accommodations for the conference and provide not less than thirty (30) days prior notice by mail to all members of the organization.

 

Section 2.  Voting Rights at the Conference

 

All NOW-NJ members present, who are in good standing and duly registered, shall be entitled to vote.

 

Section 3.  Conference Quorum

 

Thirty (30) members, including at least three (3) chapter presidents, shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of voting members present at a meeting at which a quorum exists shall be the act of the members.

 

Section 4.  Special Meetings

 

Special meetings of the members, where any action may be taken, may be called by the Board, or by not less that twenty-five (25) percent of the members, provided that twenty-five (25) percent of the member chapters are represented.  The members calling such a special meeting shall designate, and inform the State President at least forty-five (45) days in advance thereof, the date, time, purpose, and place within the State of such special meeting.  It shall be the responsibility of the State President to mail notice of such special meeting to each member thirty (30) days prior to the date set for the special meeting.

 

Article V

Structure

 

The structure of NOW-NJ shall be as follows:

 

  1. State Officers

  2. State Board of Trustees

  3. State Executive Committee

  4. Annual State Conference

  5. State Task Forces

  6. State Chapters

 

Article VI

Officers

 

Section 1.  Titles

 

The State Officers shall be:

 

  1. State President

  2. State Administrative Vice President

  3. State Action Vice President

  4. State Treasurer

  5. State Secretary

  6. State Leadership Vice President

  7. State Membership Vice President

  8. State Affirmative Action Vice President

  9. State Fundraising Vice President

 

Section 2.  Duties

 

A.  The State President shall:

 

  1. Preside over meetings of the State Board, the State Conference, and the State Executive Committee;

  2. Be the official voice of NOW-NJ;

  3. Maintain the records for chapters and task forces;

  4. Develop a business plan for the organization and report on its progress to the State Board of Trustees;

  5. Communicate with the National and Regional Offices of NOW and attend State President meetings called by these offices; and

  6. Promote and assist in the organization of NOW Chapters.

 

B.  The State Administrative Vice President shall:

 

  1. In the absence or inability of the State President, perform the duties of the State President;

  2. Assist the State President in any way possible;

  3. Be responsible for overseeing all State Board Committees;

  4. Be responsible for routine administration of the organization; and

  5. Set the calendar for NOW-NJ Board Meetings after consultation with the NOW-NJ PAC Chair, the NOW-NJ NewsBreaks Chair, and the NOW-NJ State Finance Vice President.

 

C.  The State Action Vice President shall:

 

  1. Act to develop new chapters;

  2. Act to revive inactive chapters; and

  3. Coordinate all major actions.

 

D.  The Treasurer shall:

 

  1. Receive all funds of NOW-NJ and shall deposit them in such bank(s) as may be designated by the Board;

  2. Disperse these funds by check in accordance with the approved budget;

  3. Make regular reports to the State Board and the membership; and

  4. Have accounts audited prior to each State Conference.

 

E.  The State Secretary shall:

 

  1. Keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings of the State Board, the State Conference, and the State Executive Committee, and present such minutes for approval at the next State Board Meeting;

  2. Keep records of the membership of the State Board;

  3. Keep an active dated copy of these Bylaws and provide National with the same;

  4. Conduct Board correspondence not specifically assigned to others;

  5. Send out notices of meetings of the State Board.

 

F.  The State Leadership Vice President shall:

 

  1. Be responsible for leadership development and training;

  2. Maintain an updated leadership list;

  3. Be responsible for the coordination of the activities of all task forces; and

  4. Act to develop new task forces.

 

G.  The State Membership Vice President shall:

 

  1. Be responsible for the maintenance of the NOW-NJ state membership lists, including new joins, actives, and expireds;

  2. Assist chapters with their list maintenance; and

  3. Develop a membership plan and report on its progress to the State Board of Trustees.

 

H.  The State Affirmative Action Vice President shall:

 

  1. Develop an affirmative action plan for NOW-NJ and report on its progress to the State Board of Trustees.

 

I.  The State Fundraising Vice President shall:

 

  1. Develop a fundraising plan for NOW-NJ and report on its progress to the State Board of Trustees.

 

J.  Wherever it is stated in the Bylaws that a plan is to be developed and reported upon, the plan must be accepted by the State Board of Trustees.

 

Section 3.  Eligibility and Nomination

 

Any member of NOW-NJ in good standing who resides in New Jersey shall be eligible to hold state office.  Nominations for officers shall be submitted to the Nominating Committee in writing at least ten (10) days before the Conference. 

 

The Nominating Committee shall not endorse individual candidates or a slate of candidates, but shall instead:

 

  1. Accept nominations from members, including self nominations;

  2. Determine if each nominee meets the qualifications as described in these Bylaws.

 

After the report of the Nominating Committee is given at the State Conference, nominations for additional candidates shall be taken from the floor.

 

Section 4.  Election of Officers

 

Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the members present and voting at the State Conference.  Voting shall be by ballot.  If there is but one candidate for an office, then, by Motion and majority vote from the assembly, the Secretary shall cast the elective ballot.

 

Section 5.  Term of Office

 

Officers shall serve a two (2) year term from forty-five (45) days after the State Conference at which they were elected until forty-five (45) days after the next annual State Conference at which their successors shall have been duly elected.

 

Section 6.  Vacancies

 

In the event of a vacancy in any of the State Offices, the State Board shall within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy elect from among the membership at large, an acting officer to serve until the next election State Conference.

 

Section 7.  Suspension or Removal of Officers

 

The State Board may, by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board members present at a regularly scheduled Board meeting at which a quorum exists, after not less than thirty (30) days of consideration of the question, suspend or remove from office any State Officer, if the Board determines after notice and opportunity for hearing that the actions of such Officer are contrary to the purposes of NOW-NJ and injurious to the organization, or that the Officer has abandoned her/his duties.

 

Article VII

State Board of Trustees

 

Section 1.  Members of the Board

 

The State Board shall consist of:

 

  1. The State Officers;

  2. The immediate past State President, ex officio;

  3. Two delegates from each Chapter;

  4. One delegate from each task force which is eligible under Article IX, Section 4 of these Bylaws;

  5. Any NOW-NJ members who are National Board Members;

 

Chapters and Task Forces may elect alternates.

 

Section 2.  General Powers

 

The State Board shall manage the affairs and control the funds and property of NOW-NJ, and set all salaries and be responsible for the administration of them, and adopt necessary rules and regulations, and take such other action; provided that none of the Board's actions shall conflict with or modify the actions or directives of the State and National Conferences, nor be inconsistent with the purposes of NOW.  All materials prepared in the name of NOW-NJ by the State Board, its committees or any part thereof must be approved by the State Board before distribution.  All paid staff of NOW-NJ are hired and terminated at the approval of the State Board.  All money raised by the State Board, its committees, task forces, or any part thereof in the name of NOW-NJ is the property of NOW-NJ.

 

Section 3.  Meetings of the Board

 

The State Board shall meet at least four (4) times each calendar year.  Additional meetings of the Board should be held upon the call of the State President or upon the request of three (3) Chapter Presidents.  Meetings of the State Board shall be open to all NOW members.  Notice of State Board Meetings shall be made by posting to the NOW-NJ web site and e-mailing the NOW-NJ Leadership List.

 

Section 4.  Quorum for Board Meetings

 

Voting representatives of not less than twenty-five (25) percent of the existing chapters, and not less than two (2) State Officers, shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 5.  Voting Rights

 

Each Board member present is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the Board.  No person may represent more than one voting position.  Alternates may not vote when their delegates are present.

 

Section 6.  Delegates

 

Chapter and Task Force delegates shall become voting members of the Board upon written notice to the State Secretary of delegate names and election dates from the coordinator, president, or chair of her/his unit.

 

Section 7.  Alternates

 

Each Chapter and Task Force may elect alternate delegates.  Alternates shall be entitled to vote in the absence of regular delegates, provided that the State Secretary has received written notice of the alternate's election from the coordinator, president, or chair of her/his unit.

 

Section 8.  Committees

 

A.  Formation and Purpose

 

Standing committees may be formed by majority vote of the State Conference or State Board for the purpose of planning and directing the work necessary to realize the goals of the organization in a specific area.  Any committee consisting of members who are not on the Board of Trustees can be advisory only and cannot bind the Board or corporation.  Committees may be dissolved by majority vote of the State Conference or State Board.

 

B.  Structure

 

The State Board shall elect committee chairs from among the membership of NOW-NJ at the first Board meeting following the State Conference.  The State Board may create ad-hoc committees at any time, to be convened by the State Administrative Vice President.

 

Section 9.  Suspensions and Removals

 

The State Board may, by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board members present at a regularly scheduled Board meeting, after not less than thirty (30) days of consideration of the question, suspend or remove from the Board any member, if the Board determines after notice and opportunity for hearing that the actions of such Board member are contrary to the purposes of NOW-NJ and injurious to the organization (for further action see National Bylaws Section 12).

 

Section 10.  Resignation

 

An Officer may resign by submitting her/his resignation in writing to the President of the Board of Trustees.

 

Article VIII

State Executive Committee

 

The State Officers, Immediate Past State President, and the Chapter Presidents shall constitute the Executive Committee.  Where action is necessary or desirable between Board meetings, the Executive Committee may act on behalf of NOW-NJ, provided that all members of the Committee have been given notice and that action is consistent with existing NOW and NOW-NJ policy.  In order for a decision of the Executive Committee to be valid, at least one-third (1/3) of the existing Chapter Presidents must cast a vote.

 

Article IX

State Task Forces

 

Section 1.   Convening Task Forces

 

State Task Forces shall be convened annually by the State Leadership Vice President upon majority vote of the State Board or the State Conference.  All proposals from NOW-NJ members to form a Task Force shall be placed upon the agenda for consideration.

 

Section 2.  Goals of Task Forces

 

Within sixty (60) days of convening a Task Force shall submit for the State Board approval a statement of purpose including long-term and short-term goals and objectives.  Each Task Force shall work toward its adopted goals and objectives as established by the Task Force members and approved by the State Board, and work within the purview of those goals and objectives.  At the time of its annual Task Force elections, each Task Force shall review its goal and objectives and update them if necessary.  All changes in Task Force goals and objectives shall be presented for State Board approval at the next State Board meeting.  The State Board shall have the authority to determine what is consistent with NOW-NJ policy and to supervise the activities of the Task Forces.

 

Section 3.  Task Force Membership

 

Any NOW-NJ member in good standing may serve and vote on any Task Force(s), except that no member may vote in the election of Task Force Chair for more than one Task Force.  Task Forces shall have no restrictions on minimum or maximum number of members.

 

 

Section 4.  Task Force Powers AND Responsibilities

 

NOW-NJ Task Forces may join or help establish coalitions with other organizations on cooperative goals consistent with NOW policy and all State and Federal laws and regulations after securing the approval of the Board, provided that the goals are consistent with the long-range and short term objectives of the Task Force as outlined under Section 2 of this Article.  Task Forces which have a minimum of five (5) members shall be entitled to a delegate and alternative to the State Board provided:

 

  1. A minimum of five (5) members voted in the Task Force elections;

  2. The names of those members voting are submitted to the Leadership Vice President;

  3. None of the voting members has voted in any other Task Force election between State Conferences

  4. The Task Force submits regular reports to the State Board at each State Board meeting.

 

Section 5.  Task Force Budgets

 

In order to receive NOW-NJ funds, a Task Force shall submit an annual budget consistent with its goals and objectives for approval of the State Board.  Task Forces may submit fund raising proposals for consideration by the State Board.

 

Section 6.  Task Force Elections

 

Task Force chairs shall be elected from among the membership at large of NOW-NJ by a majority of Task Force members present and voting, within sixty (60) days of convening.  Task Forces eligible for State Board delegates shall hold delegate/alternate elections for Task Force Chair and for delegate/alternate to the State Board, where applicable.  The Task Force Chair may be the Task Force delegate to the State Board.  All Task Force elections must be conducted according to NOW-NJ policy.  Task Forces shall provide written notice to the NOW-NJ Seretary of the date time, location, and directions in a timely manner so that the thirty (30) days prior notice of the election may be given to all members of the organization.  Notice of task force elections shall be made by posting to the NOW-NJ web site and e-mailing the NOW-NJ Leadership List.

 

Section 7.  Suspension and Dissolution of Task Forces

 

The State Board shall reserve the right to rescind delegate privileges of any Task Force which, at any time, fails to comply with the regulations set forth in these Bylaws.  The State Board shall reserve the right to dissolve any Task Force which has not met or submitted a report for a period of three (3) months.

 

Article X

Chapters

 

All Chapters in New Jersey formed according to National Bylaws Section 7-A and so recognized by the Regional Director, shall have voting privileges at meetings of the State Board and of the Executive Committee.  Chapter officer(s) shall take office in the month of January or February.

 

Article XI

Finance

 

Section 1.  NOW-NJ Dues

 

Under central dues collection, NOW-NJ dues collected at the National level or at the Chapter level shall be transmitted to the NOW-NJ Finance Vice President.  The State Board shall institute a dues system for the State organization.  The amount of NOW-NJ Dues shall be set by two thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members present at a regularly scheduled State Board meeting at which a quorum exists after thirty (30) days notice of consideration of the question.

 

Section 2.  Chapter Dues

 

Under centralized dues collection, the State Board shall set the percentage of dues to be returned to the Chapters by the following procedure:

  1. Thirty (30) days notice shall be sent to all Chapter members that a change in the Chapter's share of dues is under consideration

  2. Notice of the Board's decision shall be sent to all Chapter Presidents.

 

Section 3.  Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of NOW-NJ shall be January 1 - December 31.

 

Section 4.  Dissolution

 

Upon dissolution of any NOW-NJ Chapter, the officers and Board (if any) shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of the organization, remit all remaining assets to NOW-NJ.

 

Article XII

Grievances

 

Grievances arising within NOW-NJ or grievances that can not be resolved at the Chapter level shall be referred to the Grievance Committee and handled according to the Grievance Procedures adopted by NOW-NJ.

 

Article XIII

Amendments

 

These Bylaws may be amended or revised by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the State Conference, provided:

 

  1. That the amendment has been proposed by the State Board or by a NOW-NJ Chapter;

  2. That a written notice of the proposed amendment has been mailed to all members in good standing not less than thirty (30) days prior to the State Conference.

 

Article XIV

Parliamentary Authority

 

Except as herein provided, all proceedings of this organization shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

 

Article XV

Dissolution

 

The State organization of NOW-NJ may be dissolved only be approval by mail ballot of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the members voting and in good standing.  All ballots returned within sixty (60) days shall be used to determine the results.  Upon dissolution of NOW-NJ, the officers and Board shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all liabilities of the organization, remit all remaining assets to National NOW or other units of NOW exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.  All further matters shall be referred to the Regional Director or as advised by National NOW.

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2000 - 2008.  All rights reserved.

National Organization for Women of New Jersey (NOW-NJ)

110 West State Street

Trenton, NJ 08608

Tel:  609-393-0156             E-mail:  NOW-NJ@nownj.org

For web problems, click here to send e-mail to the Web Manager

 

 

Last modified:  10/26/2008