JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, INC.
CHAPTER CONSTITUTION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INC.
May 29, 1953
Chapter Incorporation Date
2017 Working Constitution
Revised April 2017
CONSTITUTION/BLYLAWS
ARTICLE I - NAME
THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS INC.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND POLICIES
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 JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, INC. SHALL BE IN HARMONY WITH THE POLICIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INC. (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS NAJA.)
ARTICLE III - FIELD OF SERVICE
THE FIELD OF SERVICE SHALL BECraigheadCounty. (Revised 8/97)
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
A WOMAN WHO IS AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE, and who has been a resident ofCraigheadCountyfor one year MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP.Any proposed member who has an outstanding balance owed to the chapter will not be considered for membership.(Adopted09/06)
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 MONTHS AND TO COMPLETE A PROVISIONAL COURSE WITHIN THIS PERIOD. ONE EXTENSION OF SIX 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. 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. (Revised 4/10) Any member failing to meet the Provisional requirements shall be dropped from membership by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.(Revised 5/13)
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 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.(Revised09/06)
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 SERVICE HOURS, in addition to the service hours required by the local chapter (which the executive board will set the number during the May board meeting), AND TWELVE EDUCATION HOURS PER YEAR. FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, CHAPTER MEETINGS SHALL COUNT ONE HOUR EACH. SIX 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. Finance and administrative hour requirements shall be at the discretion of the Chapter. ALL HOURS SHALL BE ACCRUED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AND IN A MANNER SATISFACTORY TO THE LOCAL BOARD.(Revised9/06)
2. PENALTIES:AN ACTIVE MEMBER FAILING TO FULFILL THE YEARLY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP FORFEITS THAT YEAR OF WORK ACCREDITED TOWARD ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY. If an Active member fails to fulfill the yearly requirements of membership a second time, the member shall forfeit membership in the Chapter. An Active member, facing termination of membership, may request a review by the Board before the final notification. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Board in case of unusual personal circumstances.(Revised9/06)
3.PRIVILEGES:a)ANY MEMBER WHO, AFTER HAVING SERVED A MINIMUM OF FIVE ACTIVE YEARS AND HAVING PAID TO THE ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN 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. In order to be excused from service, a member must submit a written request to the local Board for consideration; shall pay dues; and shall be released of all other obligations to the Chapter. The member shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or propose new candidates for membership. Leaves shall be granted for a maximum of six (6) months and may be reconsidered at the discretion of the local Board. Any member having difficulty meeting welfare hour requirements may appeal to the Board for special consideration. This status must be considered annually by the Executive Board.
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 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/Active members shall have the same chapter meeting requirements as active members, shall accrue twenty-four welfare hours per year on chapter welfare projects, shall pay dues at the associate level and any social dues assessed by the chapter. If a member in good standing, Associate/Active members will be allowed to vote on all matters and propose new members. Associate/Active members may work the chapter's finance project, 100% participation projects, and to earn continuing education hours. Associate/Active members are not counted as part of the chapter's membership quota. Associate/Active members may serve as a member of the nominating committee, the associate election committee, a committee chairman, or elected officer, if the member is fulfilling a second or third year of a three (3) year officer commitment. An Active/Associate may fill a committee chair vacancy if appointed by the President. Associate/Active status can be awarded to a member fulfilling the second or third year of a three-year officer commitment, if five years of active service have been completed. Written request to change membership classification must be submitted to the Chapter President by April 1. Any Associate member serving in a National or Regional capacity is exempt from the welfare service hour requirement. Associate members desiring to again become full Active members may do so providing the membership quota will allow it. If the quota is filled at that time, the Associate member may remain on a waiting list until vacancies occur. The list will be kept by the President.(Revised9/06)
D. LIFE-LIFE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO, AFTER HAVING ACCUMULATED A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE, HAVE PAID TO THE ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN ADDITIONAL YEARS OF CURRENT ASSOCIATE DUES. AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAPTER, A LIFE MEMBER MAY BE ACCORDED LIFE ACTIVE STATUS. Life Active members shall have the same rights and responsibilities of Associate Active members. Life Active members are not required to pay Association dues, but must pay any social dues assessed by the chapter. Any Life member serving in a National or Regional capacity is exempt from the welfare hour requirement.(Revised9/06)
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 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.(Revised 9/06)
SECTION 2. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP
A. A WOMAN WHO IS AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE and has resided in the county as of May l, one year prior to proposal, MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP.Each provisional candidate shall be required to have three (3) to five (5) signatures by a current member in good standing. Each member in good standing will be permitted one (1) signature, which will also be deemed a vote. A member may abstain from the voting process if she so chooses. The number of signatures required will be determined by the Membership Committee using the criteria from the Membership Formula. (Revised 12/12)
SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE
A. Admission Forms. Names of candidates for membership shall be submitted on admission forms to the Membership Chairman, who submits the names to the Membership Committee. Candidates for membership shall be approved by the Membership Committee and the names being passed by the committee shall be presented to the Chapter in the April meeting for vote. (Revised 4/2015)
B. Concerns with Proposed Candidate. If an active member of the chapter has concerns about a proposed candidate for Provisional Membership, it must be submitted IN WRITING to the Membership Chairman or a member of the Executive Board. Any submitted concern must be a valid, factual, specific concern - it cannot be based on hearsay or opinion. The Membership Committee will review the submitted concern and discuss it with the members who signed for the proposed Provisional member. The signing members may choose to withdraw their signatures or keep them in place. If they do not wish to withdraw their signatures from the proposed candidate’s nomination, the Membership Committee will discuss and determine if the concern is valid enough to warrant removing the proposed candidate from the proposed Provisional Member list.
C. Membership Quota. The Membership Committee shall have the authority to regulate the number elected to membership yearly. The Membership Committee shall also determine the number of alternates. Total Active membership may not exceed one hundred. If a quorum of the Active Membership deems it advisable to increase the membership, a special election for new members will be held, following the regular procedure.(Revised 11/12)
SECTION 4. CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP
Application to change to another class of membership must be made in writing to the President. Notice of the desire to change from Active to Associate status must be made in writing to the President before April l during member's final year. Change to another class of membership shall become effective upon the approval of the Executive Board.(Revised8/97)
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 MEMBERSHIP. PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE CHAPTER TO WHICH THEY TRANSFER. IF THERE ARE NO VACANCIES IN THE CHAPTER TO WHICH A MEMBER IS TRANSFERRING, THE NAME OF THE MEMBER SHALL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST AND SHALL BE ACCEPTED IN ORDER OF APPLICATION. A member who resigns or is dropped from the Chapter shall not be accepted again as a member of the Chapter.(Revised9/06)
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 $40 ANNUAL DUES, WITH $35 TO BE APPROPRIATED TO NAJA and $5 to be appropriated locally.
PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR CHAPTER DUES IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP. 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, MAY 1.Payment of dues to the Chapter shall be due by April 15. Failure to pay dues by April 30 shall constitute a resignation.ALL DUES ARE PAYABLE TO THE ASSOCIATION UPON RECEIPT OF STATEMENT AND ARE DELINQUENT AFTER JULY 15. AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER MAY, AT ANY TIME, PAY THE EQUIVALENT OF TEN 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.(Revised 4/10)
REFUNDS WILL NOT BE MADE TO PROVISIONAL MEMBERS FAILING TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS DROPPED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF DUES MAY BE REINSTATES UPON A PAYMEBT OF A MINIMUM OF CURRENT YEAR ASSOCIATE DUES.
ARTICLE VI – CHAPTER MEETINGS
SECTION 1. REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
The meeting time shall be set annually by the executive board.At the discretion of the chapter president, the meeting time may be altered by notifying the website committee or announcing the time change during the previous chapter meeting.FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, CHAPTER MEETINGS SHALL COUNT ONE HOUR EACH. SIX CHAPTER MEETINGS MUST APPLY TOWARD THE ANNUAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. CHAPTER MEETINGS HELD IN AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT ARE PROHIBITED.(Revised 04/10)
Members unable to attend the regularly scheduled meeting may make up the meeting by attending a makeup session held the Thursday night following the chapter meeting. The time and location will be announced by the First Vice-President. Members shall receive credit for one chapter meeting per month, and the missed meeting can be made up only in the month the absence occurred.(Revised02/08)
Special meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Executive Board or upon written request of three members of the Chapter, with a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours notice provided via e-mail to all Chapter members. Hourly credit shall be given for special meetings. (Revised 10/13)
SECTION 2. QUORUM
A quorum of the Chapter shall consist of one-half of the voting members.(Revised9/97)
SECTION 3. VOTING
ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND PROXY VOTING ARE PROHIBITED. For example voting on new members and election of officers should not be done electronically.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS
CHAPTER OFFICERS ARE THE PRESIDENT, First VICE-PRESIDENT, Second Vice-President, RECORDING SECRETARY, Membership Chairman, and TREASURER.(Revised 11/11)
SECTION 1. NOMINATION AND ELECTION
The Nominating Committee shall present a slate or slates of candidates. Nominations may also be made from the floor. Only Active members in good standing are eligible to hold office.
Officers shall be elected by ballot no later than the March meeting of the Chapter for a term of one year, Treasurer, who will serve for two years. The Treasurer will serve as Assistant Treasurer the first year and as Treasurer the second year. The 2nd Vice President will serve as Assistant Provisional Trainer the first year and as 2nd Vice President the second year.(Revised 11/11) (Revised 2/17)
OFFICERS ASSUME DUTIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHAPTER FISCAL YEAR, MAY 1.(Revised 8/14)
SECTION 2. DUTIES AND TERM OF OFFICE
President. 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. ONE YEAR TERM OF OFFICE AFTER HAVING SERVED AS VIVE-PRESIDENT. The President shall prepare the Annual Standards Review.(Revised 9/06)
First VICE PRESIDENT.THE FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT ASSUMES THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT. The First Vice-President shall be the President-elect and shall serve as the Chairman of the Projects Committee; shall keep records and reports from all chairmen of welfare projects and chairmen of all other service projects undertaken by the Chapter, turning the files over to the successor; shall inform all committee chairmen of necessary work to be done; shall keep an accurate record of all schedules missed by members during the fiscal year as reported by the chairman of each project; shall notify a member in writing should that member lose one year of credit because of failure to provide a substitute for three missed schedules. The First Vice-President shall be a member of the Finance Committee, the Evaluations Committee, the Projects Committee, and the Membership Committee. All Welfare Committee Chairmen and committees shall be accountable to the First Vice-President. This is a three year commitment. ELECTED FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR. AUTOMCALLY BECOMES THE PRESIDENT THE NEXT YEAR; MOVES TO EX-OFFICIO THE FOLLOWING YEAR..(Revised9/06)