CHAPTER
CONSTITUTION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INC.
Junior Auxiliary of Camden Arkansas
November 3, 1954
Chapter incorporation date
Revised: May 2016
Junior Auxiliary of camden constitution & bylaws
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be The Junior Auxiliary of Camden, Arkansas, Incorporated.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
SECTION 1 – PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage members to render charitable services which are beneficial to the general public, with particular emphasis on children; to cooperate with other organizations performing similar services.
This organization is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501 (C) (3) of the internal revenue code.
SECTION 2 – POLICIES
The policies of the Junior Auxiliary of Camden, Arkansas shall be in harmony with the policies of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Incorporated (hereinafter referred to as naja).
ARTICLE III – FIELD OF SERVICE
The field of service shall be Ouachita County.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 – CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
A woman who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and either lives or works in Ouachita County may be considered eligible for membership.
The classes of membership shall be as follows:
A. PROVISIONAL – Provisional members are those who are engaged in complying with the requirements for admission to active membership and are not eligible to vote or hold office. Provisional members are required to serve a term of six (6) months and to complete a provisional course within this period. one extension of six (6) months may be granted by the local board in the case of a Provisional who, for unavoidable reasons, is unable to complete the course within the required time. Provisional members shall be required to complete provisional education and training in a manner satisfactory to the local board and in accordance with association provisional training manual; shall attend at least 2/3 of the regular meetings held by the Chapter during this period and shall pay dues to the Chapter. Those members failing to meet the Provisional requirements shall be dropped from membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the local board. All hours accrued by a Provisional shall be recorded as Provisional hours under education. A Chapter membership card shall be sent to NAJA Headquarters within thirty (30) days upon acceptance of the Provisional Member.
B. ACTIVE – Active members are those who have completed the requirements for provisional membership and have been admitted to active membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the local board.
They shall be entitled to all the privileges and rights of membership, including the right to hold office and to vote and are responsible for carrying out the activities of the Chapter.
1. Requirements: To maintain membership in good standing, A Member shall pay dues to the association annually, and shall obtain a minimum of twenty-four (24) service hours and twelve (12) education hours per year. A member must attend at least two-thirds (2/3) of the regular monthly meeting held by the Chapter annually. For Education purposes, Chapter meetings shall count one (1) hour each. Six (6) chapter meetings must apply toward the annual education requirement. Other education hours may be obtained from additional chapter meetings, annual meeting, area meetings and chapter/community seminars. All hours shall be accrued under the supervision of and in a manner satisfactory to the local board. Leave of absences shall be limited to six (6) months and the acceptable reasons of requesting a leave of absence shall be limited to pregnancy, a new baby, a major structure change, serious illness or death in the immediate family of that member or other reasons found to be acceptable by the local board; Should an active member find it necessary to request a leave of absence from her chapter, she will be relieved of all chapter obligations and privileges during her leave. All requests must be submitted in writing to the local board; once a leave is granted a letter will be sent to the member stating the start and end date of said leave. A duplicate of the letter will be kept on file. At the end of the year the member will receive credit toward her associate membership eligibility for only those months in which she was on full active service, provided she attends ½ meetings, gains 12 service hours, 6 education hours, and 6 finance hours. An active member on leave is required to pay the annual dues stated by the Chapter.
2. Penalties: An active member failing to fulfill the yearly requirements for membership forfeits that year of work accredited toward associate membership eligibility.
3. Privileges:
a. Any member who, after having served a minimum of five (5) active years and having paid to the association a total amount equal to ten (10) additional years of current associate dues, shall be absolved from further financial obligation
b. At the discretion of the local board, a member may be temporarily excused from active service.
C. ASSOCIATE – Associate members are those who, while serving as active members in good standing of a Provisional or Active Junior Auxiliary Chapter have accumulated a minimum of five (5) years of active service and who desire to change membership classification. The member shall pay associate dues. At the discretion of the Chapter, an Associate Member may be accorded Associate Active Status. Associate dues may be paid annually for ten (10) years, or a lump sum equal to ten (10) years of current association dues. Associates will be accepted for active membership if a vacancy exists and in the order that they apply. They must remain at least one (1) year, fulfilling all requirements of active membership. Associate members who wish to vote on provisional members must be an Active Associate meaning to have a minimum of twelve (12) hours of finance, education, service or a combination thereof.
D. LIFE – Life members are those who, after having accumulated a minimum of five (5) years of active service, have paid to the association a total amount equal to ten (10) additional years of current associate dues. At the discretion of the Chapter, a life member may be accorded Life Active Status.
E. SUSTAINING – Sustaining members are those persons in the community who are not eligible for active membership and upon whom the chapter desires to bestow an honorary membership due to outstanding service or financial contribution to the chapter.
F. NON-RESIDENT – Active members in good standing are entitled to non-resident membership, which is open to those whose residence is changed to that of another community.
If a non-resident member wishes to complete active obligation and attain associate status, the member must:
1. Complete twenty-four (24) hours of volunteer community service within
the community and twelve (12) education hours per remaining year to fulfill the requirements.
2. Pay Non-Resident dues to Chapter of record
3. Report service and education hours to Chapter of record.
upon attaining associate status, the member pays to the association a total amount equal to ten (10) years of associate dues to attain life status.
SECTION 2 – ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP
A woman who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and either lives or works in Ouachita County may be considered eligible for membership. The candidate must be proposed in writing by one (1) member and seconded by two (2) others. Only Active members in good standing may propose candidates for membership. No member may propose or second more than two (2) candidates a year.
SECTION 3 – MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE
A. Spring Provisional class candidates for membership must be proposed in February and voted on in March. Fall Provisional class candidates for membership must be proposed in August and voted on in September. All voting shall be by secret ballot. A quorum (2/3 of active membership) must be present. Those candidates receiving a two-thirds (2/3) yes vote by the present voting members shall be selected as provisional members, unless to exceed the membership quota. In the event that more provisional members are voted in than there are vacancies for, only the candidates with the highest number of votes may be taken. The Provisional Class shall begin their term with the Junior Auxiliary on May 1 or November 1.
B. A Tellers Committee chaired by the Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President and must review the typed or written ballot with the candidates listed alphabetically. The ballot is prepared by the First Vice-President/Provisional Trainer.
C. The Tellers Committee shall count the votes and submit the list of names in alphabetical order and not reveal the number of votes each candidate received.
D. The Sponsor of the nominated candidate shall personally call on her candidate within two (2) days and issue an invitation for provisional membership. The Sponsor must also insure that the candidate will attend and have transportation to the Provisional Tea/Coffee.
E. All active members, with the exception of the treasurer are required to fulfill the minimum of twenty-five (25) service hours, twelve (12) finance hours, and twelve (12) education hours may not exceed thirty-five (35). Each succeeding year as many members may be admitted to provisional and active membership as needed to meet quota. A minimum of fifteen (15) members are required to keep National Affiliation.
SECTION 4 – CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP
Application to change to another class of membership must be made in writing to the Recording Secretary. Changes to another class of membership shall become effective upon the approval of the Executive Board, and members shall be notified in writing of the action of the Board.
Any member in good standing who changes residence shall be permitted transfer privileges to a chapter in the new locality. The right of transfer granted in this section does not extend to a person who has been dropped or who has resigned from Auxiliary Membership. Provisional Members shall take any additional training required by the Chapter to which they transfer. If there are not vacancies in the Chapter to which a member is transferring, the name of the Member shall be place on the waiting list and shall be accepted in order of application. A member who resigns or is dropped from a chapter should not be accepted again as a member of the chapter.
ARTICLE V – DUES AND CHARGES
All classes of membership with the exception of provisional and Life Members shall pay annual dues to the Association.
Active Members (including members on leave of absence) and non-resident members shall pay $65 annual dues; Associate members shall pay $35 annual dues. Every active and non-resident member shall pay an additional $20 collected for the Sunshine Fund.
Provisional members shall be liable for dues immediately upon acceptance of the invitation to membership. The provisional dues are $40. ACTIVE, Associate, and Non-Resident dues for the coming year shall be payable to the Chapter no later than the First Day of the fiscal year, april 1. All dues are payable to the association upon receipt of statement and are delinquent after July 15th. AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER MAY, AT ANY TIME, PAY THE EQUIVALENT OF TEN (10) YEARS ASSOCIATE DUES TO ATTAIN THE STATUS OF LIFE MEMBER. THIS AMOUNT MUST BE FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY TO HEADQUARTERS IN ORDER FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP STATUS TO BE GRANTED.
Refunds of dues will NOT be made to members resigning during the fiscal year.
Refunds of dues will NOT be made to Provisional Members failing to meet the requirements.
ARTICLE VI – CHAPTER MEETINGS
SECTION 1 – REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
Regular meetings shall be held the first Monday of each month (unless notified by the chapter at a previous meeting). Executive board meets at 6:00 pm and regular chapter meeting at 6:30 pm at an agreed upon local location. For Education purposes, Chapter meetings shall count one (1) hour each. Six (6) Chapter meetings MUST apply toward the annual education requirement. chapter meetings held in electronic format are prohibited.
Special meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Executive Board or upon written request of two-thirds (2/3) of members of Chapter. Notice of special meetings will be given within five (5) days of meeting date.
SECTION 2 – QUORUM
A quorum shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the active membership. If a quorum is not present, no business shall be voted on unless a unanimous decision by full membership of the Executive Board grants otherwise.
SECTION 3 – voting
absentee ballots and proxy voting are prohibited.
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS
Chapter officers are the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Parliamentarian.
SECTION 1 – NOMINATION AND ELECTION
The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of candidate(s).
Officers shall be elected by ballot no later than the March meeting of the Chapter for a term of one year (except for Treasurer who serves a two year term) or until their successors are elected.
Officers assume duties at the beginning of the Chapter’s Fiscal Year, May 1. The Treasurer shall serve two (2) year terms unless certain circumstances: resignation, leave of absence, or other reasons found substantial by the local board, at which time a replacement or replacements shall be decided by the nominating committee and presented to the chapter for election.
SECTION 2 – DUTIES
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Chapter, presides at all chapter and executive board meetings and is an ex-officio member to all committees except the nominating committee. The President appoints all committees, including the chairman, unless otherwise provided.
The First Vice-President assumes the duties of the President in the absence of the President. She shall become President the year following her tenure of office as the First Vice-President. She shall be in charge of Provisional Training.
The Second Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and the 1st Vice-President. She shall be the projects chairperson.
The Recording Secretary keeps the minutes and the roll of the meetings of the Chapter and the Executive Board; Keeps a correct classified list of the names and addresses of all members and maintains a file of essential records on each member. These files are transferred to the successor at the close of the term of office.
The Corresponding Secretary answers and keeps on file all correspondence relating to the Chapter. She shall also serve as the Placement Chair during the term.