BYLAWS
OF INDIVISIBLE LINCOLN SQUARE
(approved May 4, 2022)
Article
I: NAME
The name of the group is Indivisible
Lincoln Square (“ILS”).
Article
II: PURPOSE
The purpose of ILS is embodied in
its Mission Statement (https://www.indivisiblelincolnsquare.com/who-we-are-1),
which can be summarized as “Creating a just society through progressive values
and grassroots engagement.”
Article
III: MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership Levels:
There are three membership levels: General Membership, Voting
Membership, and Leadership. These are described on ILS website at https://www.indivisiblelincolnsquare.com/who-we-are-1#membership_levels.
B. Responsibilities: Voting members
present at meetings are responsible for approving policies and guidelines for
the operation of ILS.
C. Loss of Voting Privileges: A
member may lose voting privileges by a vote of two-thirds of the voting members
in attendance at a Steering Committee meeting if that member is found by those voting
members to have violated ILS’s mission.
Article
IV: STEERING COMMITTEE
The Steering Committee shall
collectively exercise the leadership role for ILS, including but not limited
to: assigning or reassigning who will be responsible for setting agendas of
general meetings, developing forum topics, managing social media for ILS. Specific
functions of the Steering Committee are described on the ILS website at https://www.indivisiblelincolnsquare.com/committees-1.
Article V: STEERING COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ROLES
A.
General:
The Steering Committee shall annually elect the Steering Committee Convener,
Secretary, and Treasurer. The Steering Committee leaders carrying out these
roles must be voting members and will serve for a term of one year. There is no
limit to the number of terms leaders may serve in these roles; however, the
leaders may not serve in the same role for more than two consecutive years.
Spokespersons for ILS on specific issues or organizational matters are selected
by the Steering Committee as the need arises.
B.
Steering Committee Convener:
The Steering Committee Convener sets the dates and agendas for the Steering
Committee meetings with the input of the Steering Committee members, and leads
the meetings. The Convener must have a willingness to train others to carry out
the functions of this position.
C.
Steering Committee Secretary:
The Steering Committee Secretary shall be responsible for recording all votes
and minutes of all proceedings of the Steering Committee, giving notice of all
meetings, maintaining the membership list, and administering elections. The
secretary is encouraged to delegate these tasks to other ILS members. The
secretary shall also perform such other duties as the Steering Committee may
prescribe. The Secretary must have a willingness to train others to carry out
the functions of this position.
D.
Steering Committee Treasurer:
The Steering Committee Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping full and
accurate account of ILS’s receipts and disbursements. If the Steering Committee
so chooses, the treasurer shall deposit or cause to be deposited all moneys and
other assets in the name and to the credit of ILS in such depositories as may
be designated by the Steering Committee. The treasurer shall disburse or cause
to be disbursed ILS funds, making proper vouchers for such disbursements, and
shall render to the Steering Committee, and general membership upon request, an
accounting of all transactions and of the financial condition of ILS. The
treasurer will make regular reports about income, expenses, and balance. The
treasurer will be responsible for any required tax filings. The treasurer shall
also perform such other duties as the Steering Committee may prescribe. The
Treasurer must have a willingness to train others to carry out the functions of
this position.
Article
VI: COMMITTEES
In addition to the Steering
Committee (see Article IV), ILS shall have committees as described on the ILS
website at https://www.indivisiblelincolnsquare.com/committees-1.
Working groups on issues may be established as needed, as described on the ILS
website at https://www.indivisiblelincolnsquare.com/who-we-are-1#operating_model.
The Steering Committee can create committees in consultation with the
membership, or members can start committees on their own initiative. Each
committee will elect a chair from its own members, either by majority vote of
voting members or by acclamation, who is responsible for communication to the
Steering Committee and reporting to general meetings.
Article
VII: MEETINGS
A. Frequency: A general membership meeting
will be arranged by the Steering Committee at least four times per year
(sometimes before forums or issue-oriented meetings).
B. Quorum: The
quorum for a general meeting at which any vote is taken is five (5) voting
members.
C. Notice: At least fourteen days of
notice must be given to the membership before meetings at which a vote will be
taken. Notice will be provided via e-mail for Steering Committee meetings and
via both e-mail and a Facebook post for general meetings. Notice of a meeting
of the Steering Committee shall specify the date, time, and place. The chair of
the Steering Committee or any two Steering Committee members acting together
may call Steering Committee meetings.
D.
Venue: At the discretion of the Steering Committee, meetings may
be held either in person or electronically.
Electronic meetings may use any medium so long as all of the individuals
participating may hear each other and participate in all matters before the meeting
attendees.
Article
VIII: VOTING
A. Elections: Delegates
to other bodies of Indivisible, such as city, state, regional or national,
shall be elected as needed by the Steering Committee. At least a month prior to
election, a nominating committee appointed by the Steering Committee shall seek
nominations from members. Members may nominate themselves.
B. Voting on ILS Actions (bylaws,
policies, endorsements, and other initiatives brought forward by the Steering
Committee): Each voting member shall have one vote. Proxies are not allowed.
A ballot shall set forth each proposed action with the opportunity to vote for
or against that proposed action.
C. Voting Rule: A plurality of the votes
cast at a general meeting by the members entitled to vote shall be an authorizing
vote or election.
Article
IX. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- Amendments to Bylaws. The
Bylaws may be altered or amended, or new Bylaws adopted, by a vote of
two-thirds of the voting members at a general meeting.
- Contracts: All
contracts, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, and leases of space
for ILS shall be signed by such person or persons as the Steering
Committee may designate.
- Action Out of Order. Any
action taken by a member in contravention of these Bylaws is null and
void.