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BYLAWS

YAKIMA REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB

(Revisions Adopted 10/16/2025)

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ARTICLE I NAME

The name of this organization shall be YAKIMA REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB, hereinafter referred to as YRWC.  This Club is affiliated with the Washington Federation of Republican Women (WFRW) and with the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW).

ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this organization shall be:

  1. To promote an informed electorate through political participation, education and activities.
  2. To increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through active political participation.
  3. To recruit and promote qualified Republican women and men for all elective offices – local, state, national.
  4. To foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its principles and ideals.
  5. To work for the election of Republican Party candidates.

ARTICLE III POLICIES

Endorsement Policy:  The YRWC as a whole and its President and Executive Board shall not publicly endorse any candidate for public office in contested Republican primaries, general elections, runoff elections, and special elections, and/or nonpartisan elections when more than one Republican is in the race.  Individual members of this organization may work for the candidate of their choice in contested Republican primaries and general elections, but not in the name of the YRWC.

An officer of the organization who is a candidate or whose spouse or family member is a candidate shall be exempt from this policy.  However, she may not do so in the name of the organization or by utilizing the logo or stationery of the YRWC, the WFRW, or the NFRW.

ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Chartered Club Status

  1. The YRWC shall be a member in good standing of the Washington Federation of

Republican Women (WFRW) and of the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW).

  • The YRWC shall consist of ten or more Republican women who are primary members in the YRWC as defined in Section 2A, charge annual dues, and hold at least five meetings a year.

Section 2. Membership Classifications 

  1. Primary membership
    1. Primary membership shall be held by any Republican woman who believes in the philosophy of the Republican Party, supports the objectives and policies of this organization, and has paid the YRWC dues for the current calendar year.
    1. Primary members in the YRWC shall not be primary members in any other WFRW or NFRW chartered club.
    1. Primary members have all the privileges of membership, including but not limited to voting, making motions, and serving as officers. They are eligible to be delegates or alternates representing the YRWC at WFRW and NFRW conventions.
  2. Associate Membership
    1. Republican women who have primary membership in another federated club are eligible for associate membership in this club upon payment of the required annual dues. Associate members cannot hold office, vote, or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to NFRW or WFRW meetings or conventions.
    1. Republican men are eligible for associate membership upon payment of the required annual dues to the Club. They cannot hold office, have a voice or vote or be counted for the purpose of determining the number of primary members. Republican men who are associate members in the Club do not become members of WFRW or NFRW.
    1. Associate members’ dues remain with the club. Associate members are not reported to WFRW or NFRW.

Section 3.  Removal from Membership

  1. Members may be removed from membership for cause by a two-third vote of the Executive Board. Cause includes:
    1. nonpayment of dues
    1. the failure or refusal to support the policies and objectives of the YRWC as stated in the Bylaws.
    1. any act or omission intended to cause or have the effect of causing damage to the YRWC or its reputation or financial stability
    1. any litigation or adversarial proceeding against the YRWC shall constitute cause for removal, and the YRWC shall be entitled to recover from such member its attorney’s fees and other costs and expenses relating to such litigation if the YRWC shall prevail.
  2. WFRW shall be notified of their removal within one month of the aforementioned vote.

Section 4.  Membership Lists

YRWC membership lists shall be released only to NFRW, WFRW officers, and YRWC members for internal use and publication.  At no time shall the membership lists be released to any other organization or individual or used for commercial or campaign purposes.

ARTICLE V DUES

Section 1.  Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the YRWC shall be from January 1 through December 31.

Section 2.  Payment   

  1. Membership in the YRWC, the WFRW and the NFRW expires each year on December 31.  Renewal of membership must be received at NFRW headquarters by March 1 of the following year for the YRWC and its members to remain in good standing.
  2. Dues collected in the fourth quarter of the year may be applied to the following year’s membership.
  3. The names, addresses, zip codes, phone/fax numbers, and e-mail addresses, when available, of at least ten primary members (including all YFRW officers) shall be sent with the first dues payment and WFRW and NFRW annual service fees to the WFRW Treasurer by January 2 of each year.
  4. Dues for additional members shall be sent as soon as possible or on a monthly basis to the WFRW Treasurer.  New and returning members’ dues must be received by the WFRW Treasurer at least sixty days prior to the WFRW Biennial Convention and at least ninety days prior to the NFRW Biennial Convention in order to qualify for the convention delegate count.

Section 3.  Change of Dues

Annual dues shall be determined at any regular meeting by a two-third (2/3) vote of eligible members present and voting and shall include state and national dues.

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

  1. The elected officers of this organization shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  
  2. The officers shall be elected annually at the November meeting for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.  Their term shall begin January 1st following their election.  Any part of a term in excess of nine (9) months shall be considered a term.  The President shall not succeed herself more than once.
    1. Nominations may be made from the floor prior to the election.
    1. Election shall be by ballot and a plurality of votes cast shall constitute an election.  When there is only one candidate for office, election may be by voice vote.
    1. See Article VIII, Section 1, for information on the Nominating Committee duties.
  3. Vacancies.  A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the 1st Vice-President.  A vacancy in any elective office shall be filled by election at the next meeting of the Executive Board.  
  4. Officers must be paid members in good standing at the time of the election to be considered for an officer position and must maintain good standing during their term of office.

Section 2. Duties of Elected Officers The President shall:

  1. Preside at all meetings of the YRWC and the YRWC Executive Board.
  2. Have general supervision of the work of the YRWC.
  3. Appoint all committees and the committee chairs with the approval of the Executive Board, except the Nominating Committee.
  4. Be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee.
  5. Arrange an annual financial review of the club’s financial record and ensure a report of the financial review is presented to the Executive Board.
  6. Sign checks in case the Treasurer is unable to do so.
  7. Attend all WFRW biannual Board of Directors meetings or appoint a proxy who is a YRWC member in good standing.
  8. Attend the WFRW Biennial Convention occurring during her term.
  9. The President may appoint a Parliamentarian and/or a Corresponding Secretary.

The 1st Vice President and the 2nd Vice President shall:

         In their order, in her absence, perform the duties of the president and such other duties as may be assigned to them.  The President will assign one of the Vice-Presidents to be Membership Chair.  The Membership Chair will keep records of all current primary and associate membership applications and send notices of unpaid dues to members.

The Secretary shall:

  1. Record all minutes of YRWC regular meetings and Executive Board meetings.
  2. Prepare and email or mail a copy of the minutes to the President within twenty-one (21) days of the meetings.
  3. Be the custodian of all records of the club, except those of the Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall:

  1. Receive all YRWC funds, including all YRWC dues.
  2. Forward all WFRW and NFRW dues and service charges to WFRW as required.
  3. Be the custodian of all funds of the YWRC.
  4. Pay all bills after approval of the Executive Board or by members authorized to contract bills.
  5. Keep current a spreadsheet of the YRWC accounts payable/receivable and make available a full report at all YRWC meetings or as requested by the President.
  6. Assist the President with an annual financial review by making available the books and records for the financial review and assist but not participate in the annual financial review.
  7. Be a member of the Budget committee.

Officer’s Records:  All officers shall deliver all records, files, and properties of the YRWC to their successors within one month after retiring from office, unless otherwise directed by the President or Executive Board.

Section 3.  Duties of Appointed Officers

The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct, under the supervision of the President, the correspondence of the YRWC.

The Parliamentarian shall see that the business meetings of the YRWC are conducted in conformity with these bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised, current edition thereof. 

ARTICLE VII EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Executive Board

Shall consist of the elected and appointed officers, the committee chairmen of standing committees, and the immediate past president of the club.

Section 2.  Voting

Voting privileges are reserved solely to elected members of the Executive Board.  Each member has one vote and proxy voting is not allowed.  Voting using email or other approved electronic device is allowed, provided at least 7 days’ notice is given to all eligible to vote.

Section 2. Duties of the Executive Board shall be to:

  1. Be the governing body of the YRWC.
  2. Transact any necessary business between meetings.
  3. Make recommendations concerning the policies and actions of the YRWC. d. Advise the President.
  4. Fill vacancies among elected officers.
  5. Approve bills of the club. 

Section 3. Replacement

Any member of the Executive Board who is absent without excuse from three (3) consecutives meetings may be replaced.

Section 4. Meetings

  1. Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held previous to the regular meetings of the club at such time and place determined by the Executive Board.
  2. Special meetings shall be held at the call of the President or upon the request of three (3) members.  The purpose of the meetings will be stated in the call.  No other business shall be transacted at that meeting.  

Section 5. Quorum

A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of voting-eligible members present.

ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees

  1. Standing committees may include:
    1. Bylaws
    1. Budget
      1. A budget committee of three (3), one of which shall be the Treasurer, shall be appointed by the President.  This committee shall prepare and present to the membership meeting in March a budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
    1. Fundraising
    1. Membership.  See Article VI, Section 2, Duties of the Vice President, for Chair assignment and duties.
    1. Nominating
      1. A Nominating Committee of three (3) members shall be elected at the July meeting.  This committee shall serve a term of one year.  The committee shall elect its own chairman and shall report their progress for each office at the regular meeting in October.  The committee shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
      1. The Nominating Committee will present the proposed slate of officers for the following year at the November meeting.
  2. Standing committee chairs shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.
  3. Standing committee chairs shall be primary members.
  4. Standing committee chairs will be members of the Executive Board but will not have a vote on the board.
  5. Elected officers may be appointed to chair standing committees.
  6. Standing committee chairs shall serve a one-year term from January 1 through December 31.
  7. No standing committees shall be added without an amendment of these Bylaws.
  8. Standing committee chairs shall outline to the Executive Board programs for action in their respective fields.  They shall obtain Executive Board approval before implementing these programs or sending any materials to the YRWC membership.
  9. The chairs shall carry out such other duties as may be prescribed by the President and Executive Board.

Section 2. Special Committees

Special committees shall carry out necessary functions for the YRWC and are short-term in nature. 

Special committee chairs shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.  They do not have a vote on the Executive Board.

Section 3. Reports of Committee Chairmen

Committee chairmen shall report to the club at regular meetings as requested by the President and shall give an annual report at the annual meeting in November.

ARTICLE IX MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meetings

The annual meeting of this club shall be held during November.

Section 2. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of this club shall be held on the third Thursday of each month unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Board.

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special meetings shall be held at the call of the President or a majority of the Executive Board or upon request of 25% of the primary members.  The call must be sent in writing at least 7 days in advance, with the purpose of the meeting stated in the call, and no other business shall be transacted at that meeting.

Section 4.  Video and Phone Meetings

Meetings may be held using a video conference or conference call service (hereinafter referred to a CMeeting) provided that:

  1. All eligible voting members in good standing are notified in writing by physical or electronic mail of the time, date, participant information, and topic(s) for the C-Meeting.
  2. All C-Meetings must also meet the voting quorum requirements for regular meetings; and
  3. Minutes, including a roll call that lists attending members in good standing, shall be kept for all C-Meetings and approved at the next regular meeting.

Section 5.  Quorum

A quorum for a meeting shall be 25% of primary members.

ARTICLE X COMMUNICATIONS

The YRWC shall maintain a membership list that includes both physical mail and email addresses for current members.  Members who include their email address on the membership list are deemed to have authorized the use of email for written communication to them unless they notify the YRWC otherwise in writing.  A single communication may be sent to any physical mail or email address that is shared by multiple members.  Email communications are considered to be delivered “in writing” provided that physical mail copies are sent to:

  1. Any members not having an email address on the membership list, and
  2. Members whose email address is no longer valid as indicated by a standard bounce or by email return message.

ARTICLE XI DELEGATE AND ALTERNATES TO CONVENTIONS

Section 1. WFRW Biennial Conventions

The appropriate number of delegates and alternates to the WFRW Biennial Convention are to be elected at the regular September meeting of even numbered years as follows:

  1. Since the President is an automatic delegate, the President cannot be elected as a delegate or alternate.  No proxy is allowed to take her place.
  2. Delegates must be primary members of the YRWC in good standing for at least sixty days prior to the convention.
  3. Alternates must meet the same eligibility standards as delegates.
    1. The YRWC is entitled to an alternate for each delegate elected to represent the YRWC.  They shall be elected in priority order and promoted to delegate status (if needed) in the same order as elected.
    1. No alternate shall be elected or appointed for the President.
    1. Alternates shall vote only in the absence of delegates from the floor.
  4. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, may appoint substitutes for any delegates or alternates who are unable or unwilling to attend the convention, except that alternates shall be promoted to delegates (in priority order) before any other substitute is appointed.

Section 2. NFRW Biennial Conventions

  1. The YRWC shall have been in good standing for at least six months prior to the NFRW Convention to be eligible for representation.  The YRWC shall have paid the previous year’s dues and service charge and maintained its current dues and service charge to be in good standing and eligible for representation at the convention.
  2. The YRWC President is an automatic delegate.  If the President chooses not to attend as a delegate, the YRWC is entitled to elect one delegate and one alternate to the NFRW Biennial Convention from among the primary membership at a regular meeting in odd-numbered years prior to the established reporting deadline for delegates and alternates.  The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, may appoint a substitute for any delegate or alternate who is unable or unwilling to attend, except that the alternate shall be promoted to delegate before any other substitute is appointed.
  3. The YRWC President shall send the names, addresses, zip codes, phone/fax numbers, and email addresses of the delegate and alternate to the WFRW and NFRW Presidents on credential forms provided to the NFRW.  The credential forms must be postmarked to the WFRW and NFRW Presidents no later than thirty days prior to the convention.  Emergency changes must be forwarded in writing to the WFRW and NFRW Presidents for their approval and must be postmarked no later than ten days prior to the convention.

ARTICLE XII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, current edition thereof, shall govern this club in all matters or procedures not covered by these bylaws.

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of eligible members present and voting at any regular meeting of the club or at a special meeting called for that purpose, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given in writing to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XIV DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Notification in Writing.  The YRWC may be dissolved at any regular or special meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote provided that notice of the dissolution has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting or has been sent by either U.S. mail or email to all members of the YRWC.  Within 10 days of the passage of the motion to dissolve, the Secretary shall notify the appropriate WFRW Club advisor that the YRWC is dissolving.

SECTION 2.  Distribution of Assets

In the event of dissolution, the Executive Board shall, after payment of all liabilities of the YRWC, distribute any remaining assets to WFRW.  The Treasurer shall forward all assets of the YRWC to WFRW within ninety days of the date of dissolution.  None of the assets shall be distributed to any member or officer of the YRWC.

Section 3.  Right to Use of Name

The right to use the name “Yakima Republican Women’s Club” will revert to the WFRW.

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Revisions Adopted January, 1999

Committee: Frankie DeWitt, Chairman; Virginia Walker and Eloise Mellotte

Revisions Adopted September 18, 2003

Committee:  Thelma Cumby and Evelyn Kohler

Revisions Adopted 2009

Committee:  Edna Olson, Chairman; Sandra Scherr, Virginia Walker, and Fran Tierney

Revisions Adopted October 19, 2017

Committee:  Helen Hatzenbeler, Carlene Johnson, Doris Sonstelie, and Debra Manjarrez

Revisions Adopted May 20, 2021

Committee:  Ann Bowman, Peggy Allan, Anna Schroeder, Doris Sonstelie, and Julie Bos 

Revision Adopted July 20, 2023

Committee:  Susan Boisselle, Christine Jackson, Kellie Crabb, Lisa Herke and Julie Bos

Revision Adopted October 16, 2025

Committee: Ann Hays, Diane Gargus and Lisa Herke

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