THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF STARKVILLE, MS, INC.
CONSTITUTION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INC.
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[Incorporated on December 1, 1961.]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONSTITUTION 4
Article I – Name 4
Article II – Purpose and policies 4
Section 1. Purpose 4
Section 2. Policies 4
Article III – Field of Service 5
Article IV – Membership 5
Section 1. Classes of Membership 5
A.Provisional 5
B.Active 6
1. Requirements 6
2. Penalties 7
3. Privileges 7
C.Associate 7
D.Life 8
E.Sustaining 8
F.Non-Resident 8
G.Leave 9
H.Maternity Leave 9
Section 2. Admission to Membership 9
Section 3. Membership Procedure10
Section 4. Changes in Membership 10
Article V – Dues and Charges 11
Article VI – Meetings 11
Section 1. Regular and Special Meetings 11
Section 2. Quorum 12
Article VII – Officers 12
Section 1.Nomination and Election 12
Section 2.Duties 13
A.President 13
B.First Vice President 13
C.Second Vice President 13
D.Recording Secretary 13
E.Corresponding Secretary 13
F.Treasurer 13
G.Parliamentarian 14
Article VIII – Executive Board14
Section 1. Composition and Duties14
Section 2. Meetings15
Article IX – Committees15
Section 1. Standing Committees15
A.Finance Committee15
B.Finance Projects Chairman15
C.Public Relations Committee15
D.Projects Committee16
E.Nominating Committee16
F.Education Committee17
G. Scholarship Committee17
H.Admissions Committee17
Section 2. Special Committees17
Article X – Program17
Section 1. Eligibility17
Section 2. Requirements18
Article XI – Policies18
Section 1. Fiscal Year18
Section 2. Inurement of Income 19
Section 3. Conflict of Interest19
Section 4. Legislative or Political Activities19
Section 5. Operational Limitations19
Section 6. Financial Records20
Section 7. Contributions20
Section 8. Self-Evaluation Committee 20
Section 9. Solicitation Coordination20
Article XII – Amendments and Parliamentary Authority20
Article XIII – Dissolution21
STANDING RULES22
THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF STARKVILLE, MS, INCORPORATED
CONSTITUTION
REVISED June 1, 2014
ARTICLE I – NAME
THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF STARKVILLE, MS, INCORPORATED.
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; AND 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 STARKVILLE, MS, INC. 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 THE County of Oktibbeha.
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 of the community for at least one year prior to elections, MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP.
THE CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:
- 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 DAYS UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROVISIONAL MEMBER. In Addition, A Provisional Member shall:
- earn 36 hours
- attend ALL CHAPTER projects
- fulfill finance obligations as defined by the Finance Committee
- complete and participate in Provisional Project, to be determined each year by individual Provisional Class.
- attend one (1) Executive Board Meeting during their provisional year.
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.
1.REQUIREMENTS – TO MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP IN GOOD STANDING,
AN ACTIVE MEMBER:
- SHALL PAY DUES TO THE ASSOCIATION ANNUALLY,
- SHALL OBTAIN A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FOUR (24) SERVICE HOURS AND TWELVE (12) EDUCATION HOURS PER YEAR. 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 THE ANNUAL MEETING, AREA MEETINGS, AND
CHAPTER/COMMUNITY SEMINARS. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION HOURS 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.
c.shall complete all service project obligations;
d.shall complete all chapter committee obligations;
e.shall attend planning day in the spring to discuss and vote on projects for upcoming year. At this time individual members may request projects and committees on which they wish to serve.
f.shall attend at least one (1) of the two (2) required Area meetings or one (1) Annual National Association meeting during her first three (3) years of active membership. For continuing education purposes, Chapter meetings shall count one (1) hour each. In order to receive credit for attending a meeting, a member must be present at least ¾ hour (45 minutes) or until adjournment.
2.PENALTIES – AN ACTIVE MEMBER FAILING TO FULFILL THE YEARLY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP FORFEITS THAT YEAR OF WORK ACCREDITED TOWARD ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY. If a member gives a written excuse 1 month prior to the all chapter project and misses the all-chapter project or fails to carry out an assigned duty, the member will be required to earn double the hours for the event. A member’s absence may be excused due to a serious illness of one’s self or family or death in one’s family. For example, if two (2) hours are required for the All-Chapter project Safety Town and a member misses the event, the member will still need to earn the required two (2) hours, plus an additional two (2) hours before the all chapter project takes place. This will bring the member’s yearly total hours to 52 accumulated hours, rather than 50. If a member does not give a valid written excuse 1 month before the all chapter project commences, the member must make up the required hours discussed above at the next all chapter project in addition to the regular required hours for that current project. For example, if two (2) hours are required for the current all chapter project (CDAF), the member must work the two (2) required hours for CDAF plus the four (4) hours she missed at the previous all chapter project (Safety Town).
Planning Day is a required activity. If a member fails to attend this meeting, she will have one (1) hour for that meeting deducted from her accumulated hours.
3.PRIVILEGES: a. ANY MEMBER WHO, AFTER HAVING SERVED A MIMIMUM 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. Members having this status shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to vote (except in the case of voting for new members) or hold office. Work completed in the current fiscal year qualifies this member to vote in May. Associate/Active members shall give a written account of their hours to the Second Vice President.
Associate/Active members shall pay only those dues of Associate status. Associate/Active members will be informed periodically of chapter events and happenings by the Corresponding Secretary. The parliamentarian, being a member who has served the required number of Active years, may choose to either remain an Active member or become an Associate/Active member.
Associate membership may be granted by the local board. Letters requesting Associate membership must be in by the April Executive Board meeting. Associate or Associate/Active members shall pay dues by April 15 or will be dropped from the rolls. An Associate or Associate/Active member may be reinstated provided the member pays all chapter dues which are in arrears.
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.
Life/Active members shall work a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours to retain the right to vote on new members. Life/Active members shall be encouraged, but not required, to attend chapter meetings. Life/Active members will be informed periodically of chapter events and happenings by the Corresponding Secretary. Life/Active members wishing to retain the right to vote on new members should give a written account of their hours to the Second Vice-President.
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 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHAPTER.
Sustaining members are on the local roll, but are not recorded on the national roll. Sustaining members are not required to pay dues on the local level because they are not listed on the national roll. If a Sustaining member does wish to be listed on the national roll, she will be required to pay the current Active member dues.
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:
- COMPLETE 24 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND ACCRUE TWELVE (12) CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS PER REMAINING YEAR TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS;
- PAY NON-RESIDENT DUES TO THE CHAPTER OF RECORD;
- REPORT SERVICE AND EDUCATION HOURS TO THE 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.
G.Leave – Active members in good standing are entitled to apply to the Executive Board for a one (1) year leave of absence. A member should submit this request in writing to the corresponding secretary by April 15. A member taking a leave of absence is still responsible for paying yearly dues. The member shall notify the Executive Board in writing by April 15 of the following year of her intention to return to Active status. Failure to notify the Board or pay dues will be considered a resignation by this member.
H.Maternity Leave – An active member in good standing is entitled to apply to the Executive Board for a two (2) month maternity leave of absence beginning at the member’s discretion. The request must be submitted in writing to the Corresponding Secretary. While on maternity leave, a member shall be excused from regularly scheduled projects. This member shall still be responsible for all Active membership requirements as outlined in Article I Section 1B.
SECTION 2. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP
A WOMAN WHO IS AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE, and who has been a resident of the community or county for at least one year prior to elections, MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP. The candidate must be proposed in writing by one (1) member in good standing and seconded by two (2) others. The application should be submitted to the Chairman of the Admissions Committee (President) by such date as determined by the Executive Board. Names of candidates for membership approved by the Admissions Committee shall be presented to the Chapter by the April meeting for a membership vote at the May meeting.
The Executive Board shall determine the number of Provisional members eligible to be taken in annually, with a minimum number of 10 taken in, if possible.
SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE
The election of members shall be done by secret ballot. In special cases, an absentee ballot may be voted by prior arrangement with the Executive Board. The ballot will include the names of all candidates approved by the Admissions Committee.
Each voting member may vote by marking the names of candidates who are her choices for Provisionals, selecting up to, but no more than, the number designated by the Executive Board. In this manner, the Admissions Committee can compile the list of candidates according to number of votes received. To be elected to membership, a candidate should receive a vote of 50% of those present and voting. A voting member is not required to vote for the full number designated for membership.
A second election may be held at the discretion of the Executive Board.
The number designated by the Executive Board receiving the required vote will be elected to membership to begin their official Provisional term with the Chapter in August.
The invitation to membership in the Junior Auxiliary of Starkville, MS, Inc. may be extended to an individual two (2) times. Due process of election shall occur at both times.
Total Active membership must be at least twenty (20).
SECTION 4. CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP
Application to change to another class of membership may be made in writing to the 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 TO 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 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. Under special circumstances and at the discretion of the executive board, a member who resigns or is dropped from the Chapter should not be accepted again as a member of the Chapter.
A member who resigns or is dropped from the 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 LIFE MEMBERS SHALL PAY ANNUAL DUES TO THE ASSOCIATION.
ACTIVE MEMBERS (INCLUDING MEMBERS ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE), AND NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS SHALL PAY $65.00 ANNUAL DUES. In addition, Active and Non-Resident members shall purchase a ticket to the Social and shall satisfy Chapter requirements for finance fundraising projects.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS SHALL PAY $35.00 ANNUAL DUES.
PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR DUES IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP. Provisional Members shall pay $55.00 in annual dues. ACTIVE, ASSOCIATE, AND NON-RESIDENT DUES FOR THE COMING YEAR SHALL BE PAYABLE TO THE CHAPTER NO LATER THAN, APRIL 1. 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 THE HEADQUARTERS IN ORDER FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP STATUS TO BE GRANTED.
REFUNDS WILL NOT BE MADE TO PROVISIONAL MEMBERS FAILING TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
Deadlines for purchasing the required Social ticket and any financial fundraising requirements shall be set by the Chapter as required. Members should adhere to these deadlines.
ARTICLE VI – CHAPTER MEETINGS
SECTION 1. REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
Regular meetings shall be held at 7:00 p.m. on the first Monday of every month except July. No meetings are held in July. If a regularly scheduled Chapter Meeting falls on a holiday or conflicts with community activities, the meeting shall be rescheduled with proper notification. FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, CHAPTER MEETINGS SHALL COUNT ONE (1) HOUR EACH. SIX CHAPTER MEETINGS MUST APPLY TOWARD THE ANNUAL EDUCATION REQUIRMENT. CHAPTER MEETINGS HELD IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT ARE PROHIBITED. Additionally, each member shall be required to attend Planning Day.
Special meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Executive Board or upon written request of five (5) members of the Chapter and with proper notification. Notice of special meetings will be given within 5 days of meeting date.
SECTION 2. QUORUM
A quorum shall consist of one-half (1/2) plus one of the voting members.
SECTION 3. VOTING
ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND PROXY VOTING ARE PROHIBTED.
ARTICLE V11 – OFFICERS
CHAPTER OFFICERS ARE THE PRESIDENT, First VICE-PRESIDENT, Second VICE PRESIDENT, RECORDING SECRETARY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, TREASURER, and Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 1. NOMINATION AND ELECTION
The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of candidates.
Officers shall be elected no later than the March meeting of the Chapter for a term of one (1) year or until their successors are elected.
OFFICERS ASSUME DUTIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHAPTER FISCAL YEAR, MAY 1.
When an officer is unable to fulfill a term of office, the Nominating Committee, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall select someone to assume the duties of the office for the remainder of the year.
SECTION 2. DUTIES