Bylaws

Starkville Chapter Bylaws
National Organization for Women

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Starkville Chapter of NOW.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

NOW’s purpose is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of

American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal

partnership with men. This purpose includes, but is not limited to, equal rights and

responsibilities in all aspects of citizenship, public service, employment, education, and

family life, and it includes freedom from discrimination because of race, ethnic origin, age,

marital status, sexual preference/orientation, or parenthood.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Any person who subscribes to its purpose and who is a member of National NOW may be a member

of the Starkville Chapter of NOW.

ARTICLE IV. POLICY

The Chapter shall be bound by the National NOW bylaws and policy.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

The Chapter shall hold at least eight (8) membership meetings each year. One of these

meetings, designated the annual meeting, shall be the meeting at which election of officers

shall take place.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

Section 1

The officers and their duties shall be:

1. The President, who shall be the principal spokesperson and administrator of the chapterand manage the day-to-day affairs of the chapter between board and chapter meetings. The

   President shall preside at all board and chapter meetings.

2. The Vice-President, who shall assist the President and chair meetings in the absence ofthe President.
3. The Secretary, who shall take and keep the minutes of both board and chapter meetings andattend to general chapter correspondence.
4. The Treasurer, who shall receive all funds of the chapter and shall deposit them in suchbank as may be designated by the board, and who shall disburse the funds by check in

   accordance with the budget or vote of the membership, and who shall make written reports to

   the board and membership.

Section 2

The officers shall be elected annually at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS

Officers and board members must be elected by a majority vote or a majority of preferences

counted in the final tally, if preferential voting is used. All members of the Chapter are

eligible to vote and must be notified of the election with seven (7) days notice.

ARTICLE VIII. DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONFERENCES

Delegates and alternatives to the national conferences shall be elected in the number, manner,

and timing determined by the national bylaws and National Credentials Committee. All Chapter

members must be notified 30 days in advance of this election.

ARTICLE IX. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

In the event of a grievance, each side to the controversy will designate one arbitrator and

these two arbitrators will select a third arbitrator. Any person who has a conflict of

interest may not serve as an arbitrator. The arbitrators will conduct a private hearing on the

matter at which both sides to the controversy may present their case. The arbitrators shall

endeavor to resolve disputes to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. Should they fail to

resolve the controversy, the matter may be referred to the state NOW.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote at any meeting of the Chapter providing:

1. Proposed amendment has been submitted to the president 10 days in advance of the meeting.
2. The proposed amendment has been published in an every member publication 7 days in advanceof the meeting.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION

The Chapter may be dissolved upon a 3/4 vote of its members. Upon dissolution of the Chapter,

the board and officers shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities

of the Chapter, remit all remaining assets to the state NOW organization, National NOW, or any

local unit of NOW.

ARTICLE XII. DIVERSITY

The Starkville Chapter of NOW is strongly committed to all forms of diversity and affirming

the voices of marginalized populations. Further, the chapter recognizes the value of diversity

not for statistical balance, but because the perspectives of all people are vital in order to

organize and work towards realizing NOW’s statement of purpose. To this end, the chapter will

conduct assessments of privilege with regards to every chapter action and will form

appropriate committees to address any and all suspected disparities in its outreach.