Bylaws of the New Kent County Republican Committee

Whereas the Republican Party of New Kent County is inclusive in that it welcomes all qualified voters residing in the County who embrace the principals of the Republican Creed and who may elect to serve on the County Committee and
Whereas, the New Kent County Republican Committee was formed to promote the election of Republican candidates and to promote the Republican philosophy, the following bylaws are written to further these causes.

Article I—Name

The name of this organization shall be “New Kent County Republican Committee,” hereinafter referred to as “NKCRC,” or “Unit.”

Section A: Mission

Article II—Organization

The NKCRC is comprised of county residents who share the conservative beliefs of fiscal responsibility, free enterprise, Constitutionally-limited government, and individual accountability. Our mission is to elect Republicans who subscribe to the conservative principles upon which our nation was founded. The NKCRC welcomes all registered voters who subscribe to the tenets of the Republican Party and agree to support Republican candidates.

Section B: Governing Authority

All powers and duties of the NKCRC are derived from the “Plan of Organization” (Party Plan (PP)) of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) which is incorporated herein.

The rules contained in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) shall govern the business of NKCRC in all cases to the extent they do not conflict with these Bylaws or the RPV PP or amendments thereto.

Section C: Duties and Powers

The NKCRC shall determine whether candidates for local, constitutional and Congressional District offices will be nominated by Mass Meeting, Party Canvass, Convention, or Primary.

The NKCRC shall hold Unit meetings no less than quarterly and Mass Meetings, Party Canvasses, Conventions, or Primaries as it deems necessary.

The NKCRC shall in good faith enforce all provisions of the RPV PP, these Bylaws, and the most recent amended edition of RONR.

The NKCRC shall cooperate with the RPV State Central Committee, its District Committee, and its Legislative District Committee in conducting all business, elections, and fundraising.

Article III—Objectives

• The purpose of the NKCRC is to:
• Promote the principles and Creed of the Republican Party.
• Seek out and work to elect qualified Republican candidates for public and party offices. Inform, advise, and assist elected Republican officials.
• Encourage all New Kent County citizens to exercise the right to vote. Influence voters to vote for Republican candidates.
• Increase NKCRC membership.

Article IV—Membership

Section A: Qualifications for Participation in Party Actions

All legal and qualified voters, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or sexual orientation, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, who are residents of New Kent County, have submitted a membership application, are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party, renounce any existing or past affiliation with any other political party, and, if requested, express in open meeting, either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its Republican nominees for public office in the ensuing election, shall be eligible for membership in the NKCRC.

Section B: Members

1. Types of Membership

There are two types of members: voting and nonvoting.

(a)   Voting members

• Unit Chairperson
  1. Shall be elected for a term of two (2) years by the delegates at the Biennial Convention or Mass Meeting called for that purpose.
  2. Shall have been certified as eligible for membership in the reconstituted NKCRC after the Biennial Convention or Mass Meeting in which he or she is standing for election as Chair.
• Precinct Captains
  1. Shall be appointed by the Unit Chairperson from among the members in good standing of the NKCRC for a term of two (2)
  2. Shall be responsible within the precinct for assisting the Executive Committee in organizing precinct activities.
• Other NKCRC Members

All other NKCRC members in good standing are voting members of the NKCRC, unless specifically designated a nonvoting member as described in (b) below, and are expected to assist in NKCRC projects.

(b) Nonvoting members

The NKCRC may create an unlimited number of nonvoting members, who are Associate members and qualify under Section A above. Associate members shall:

1. Be exempt from meeting attendance requirements but should agree to participate in NKCRC
2. Not be entitled to vote and will not be counted for establishing

• Be subject to the removal criteria stated in Section C

2. Dues and Fees

All NKCRC members shall pay an annual membership fee if established by and at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Section C: Removal and Loss of Membership

Removal and loss of membership is based on Article VII Section C of the RPV Plan. Any member of the NKCRC who, subsequent to making a statement that he or she is in accord with the principles of the Republican Party, renounces any existing or past affiliation with any other political party, and, if requested for any nominating event, expresses in open meeting, either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its Republican nominees for public office in the ensuing elections, takes one or more of the following actions, shall not qualify for participation in the NKCRC or RPV party actions:

Becomes a member or officer of any other political party.

Makes a contribution to or knowingly allows his or her name to be publicly used by a candidate in opposition to a Republican nominee.

Makes a written or other public statement supporting the election of a candidate in opposition to a Republican nominee.

A majority of the elected officers of the NKCRC are charged with recognizing when this provision is in effect. Such member may be reinstated by a majority vote of the other voting members of the NKCRC Committee.

The Unit Chairperson or any other member of the NKCRC may be removed from membership by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of Unit members, present and voting, at a duly convened meeting for that purpose. That member, after being furnished by the Corresponding Secretary with written notice with the charges, signed by not less than one-third (1/3) of the other voting members of the NKCRC, that such removal will be sought, then has thirty (30) days to appear and defend themselves.

Section D: Appeal

Any NKCRC member who loses his or her membership because of Section C above may have membership and voting privileges restored by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the other voting members of the Unit.

Section A: General

Article V—Executive Committee (Officers)

The officers of the NKCRC Committee shall be and comprise the Executive Committee:

1. Chairperson
2. 1^st Vice Chairperson (Fundraising)
3. 2^nd Vice Chairperson (Membership)
4. Recording Secretary
5. Corresponding Secretary
6. Treasurer

All Executive Committee members, except the Chairperson, shall be elected by the members in good standing of the NKCRC at the next NKCRC Meeting following the Biennial Convention or Mass Meeting.

Section B: Duties

1. Chairperson

Shall be responsible for the general execution and implementation of the programs and policies of the NKCRC commensurate with achieving the goals of the RPV in accordance with the State Party Plan. A detailed list of responsibilities and duties is provided in a position description maintained by the NKCRC Chairperson.

2. 1^st Vice Chairperson (Fundraising)

Shall be responsible for planning and executing fund raising activities as approved by the Executive Committee. A detailed list of responsibilities and duties is provided in a position description maintained by the NKCRC Chairperson.

3. 2^nd Vice Chairperson (Membership)

Shall be responsible for planning and executing membership activities as approved by the Executive Committee. A detailed list of responsibilities and duties is provided in a position description maintained by the NKCRC Chairperson.

4. Recording Secretary

Shall take minutes of all meetings of the NKCRC and Executive Committee and safe-keep them in hard and electronic format. A detailed list of responsibilities and duties is provided in a position description maintained by the NKCRC Chairperson.

5. Corresponding Secretary

Shall be responsible for such correspondence as directed by the NKCRC Chairperson and the Executive Committee and safe-keep all correspondence in hard and electronic format. A detailed list of responsibilities and duties is provided in a position description maintained by the NKCRC Chairperson.

If there is a resignation, death, removal, or an inability to act by the Chairperson, the Corresponding Secretary shall, at the direction of the majority of the Executive Committee, issue a Call to convene a special meeting within 20 days of such vacancy to set a date for a meeting of the NKCRC to be held within 15 days of the Call for the purpose of electing a new Chairperson to fill the unexpired term. In the case of a failed removal appeal, the Call shall be issued with 10 days of the appeal’s final decision.

6. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection, safe-keeping, and disbursement of all NKCRC funds. The Treasurer shall be authorized to distribute funds as authorized by the Executive Committee. A detailed list of responsibilities and duties is provided in a position description maintained by the NKCRC Chairperson.

The Executive Committee determines the policy and procedure for processing cash.

The Unit Chairperson shall appoint an annual Audit Committee consisting of not less than three

(3) NKCRC members in good standing to annually audit the Treasurer’s books. The audit shall be certified by the Audit Committee as to correctness to the NKCRC, with a copy to the Treasurer.

The Treasurer’s records shall be available for review at reasonable times and with a seven (7) day notice upon request by members of the NKCRC Executive Committee or by request by one- third (1/3) of NKCRC members in good standing.

Section C: Quorum and Voting

A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. Motions shall be decided by a majority of the voting members present. In case of a tie vote, the Chairperson or acting Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote.

Section A: General

Article VI—Meetings

The NKCRC shall meet at least once in each quarter of the year. Additional meetings as might be required shall be called by the Chairperson or upon petition in writing to the Corresponding Secretary of one-third (1/3) of the members in good standing of the NKCRC. The petition shall include the legible names and signatures of the petitioners. The petition shall also include the purpose of the meeting.

Attendance at each NKCRC meeting shall be taken and recorded.

Section B: Notice

Meetings of the NKCRC shall be held upon seven (7) days written notice, with agenda enclosed, either by USPS mail or electronic mail, to the membership as recorded on the official membership list prepared and maintained by the Corresponding Secretary.

Section C: Attendance Proxy

A member of the NKCRC may be represented at any NKCRC meeting by an attendance proxy, subject to the following conditions:

22. Attendance Only proxies must be carried by a voting member of the (See RPV Counsel Ruling 2019-01-22.) Such attendance proxies do not count toward a quorum.
23. An NKCRC member who gives an attendance proxy may withdraw it at any time prior to its

• All attendance proxies shall be in writing, signed by the maker, substantially in the form shown in Exhibit A.

Section D: Voting by Ballot

At any NKCRC election where there is more than one candidate for a NKCRC, public, or party office, the vote shall be taken by paper ballot accomplished by a roll call of the voting members in good standing of the NKCRC present with each member coming forward to cast the paper ballot when his or her name is called. No individual may cast more than one vote at any meeting which he or she attends. Elections shall be determined by a plurality of votes cast. If a tie occurs during any ballot vote, subsequent votes shall be taken until a plurality is reached.

Section E: Quorum

Twenty-five percent (25%) (one quarter) of the NKCRC voting members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article VII—Financial

The fiscal year of the NKCRC shall be June 1^st through May 31^st.

In April of each year, a Budget Committee of at least three NKCRC members in good standing shall be appointed by the Chairperson which shall present a proposed budget for the next fiscal year to the NKCRC members for approval prior to the start of the next fiscal year. The Treasurer and 1^st Vice Chairperson (Fundraising) shall be members of the Budget Committee.

In July of each year, an Audit Committee of at least three NKCRC members in good standing shall be appointed by the Unit Chairperson to review and audit the financial records of the NKCRC. The Audit Committee shall submit its report to the NKCRC Executive Committee within 45 days. The report shall be presented to the NKCRC members within 90 days.

Article VIII—Liability of Executive Committee

No Executive Committee member of the NKCRC shall be liable to the Unit, its members, or constituents for monetary damages for any act, error, or omission in the Officer’s or Executive Committee member’s capacity as an official of the NKCRC occurring from and after the adoption of these Bylaws, except in any of the following circumstances:

1. Breaches of the Executive Committee member’s duty of loyalty to the NKCRC, its members or
2. Acts, errors, or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of
3. Any transaction from which the Executive Committee member received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from action taken within the scope of the Officer’s or Executive Committee member’s office and duties.
4. Any act, error, or omission for which the liability of the Executive Committee member is expressly provided by

Article IX—Special Committees

Section A: General

Special committees as might be necessary may be established by the NKCRC Chairperson or any other two (2) members of the Executive Committee.

The NKCRC Chairperson shall appoint a Chairperson for any Special Committee. There may be such additional special or ad hoc committees as are deemed necessary by the Chairperson or a majority vote of the Executive Committee. The NKCRC Chairperson shall be an ex officio member of all special or ad hoc committees except the Nominations Committee. In the absence of the special or ad hoc committee Chairperson, the NKCRC Chairperson shall act as Chairperson.

Section B: Duties

At such time as any special committee is established, its duties and goals shall be prescribed by the NKCRC Chairperson or the Executive Committee.

Article X—Release of Delegate and Member Lists

Section A: Delegates and Alternates Lists

A list of delegates and alternates elected to represent the NKCRC at its Unit, 1^st Congressional District, or State Convention shall be provided, once available, by the Corresponding Secretary of the NKCRC to each duly filed candidate for public or party offices to be filled at the convention(s) upon request of the candidate or candidate’s designee. Lists of delegates shall be available within: a) 14 days of their election, if 250 or fewer delegates are elected; or b) within 21 days if more than 250 delegates have been elected. Lists shall be provided in an equitable manner to all requesting candidates, and shall include all contact information provided by the delegates at the time of prefiling or election.

Those lists and the information contained therein shall only be used for personal campaign purposes and shall not be used for any other purposes or shared with any other individuals or organizations. It is the responsibility of the Republican candidate to ensure that anyone with his or her campaign group who has access to the list also complies with these provisions. Any member of the NKCRC who is a Republican candidate for public or party office who violates these provisions shall be deemed to have resigned from the NKCRC.

Section B: NKCRC Member List

The list of NKCRC members is not to be released under any circumstances except to members of the Executive Committee for official use. Executive Committee members shall not release the list to others for any reason.

The list of NKCRC Precinct members may be released to Precinct Captains for the purpose of staffing precincts on election day. These lists shall be sorted by precinct and contain only names, email addresses, and phone numbers. The Vice Chair (Membership) shall administer this task.

Article XI—Parliamentary Authority

All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the latest edition of RONR and by any rules and procedures the NKCRC might from time to time adopt, except as they might be in conflict with these Bylaws or the RPV PP.

Article XII—Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the NKCRC members in good standing and voting in person.

The Executive Committee may propose an amendment by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting in person. Any NKCRC member may propose an amendment by submitting the proposed amendment in writing to the Unit Chairperson along with the signatures of at least ten percent (10%) of voting members in good standing.

Any properly proposed amendments, changes, or revisions to the Bylaws shall be sent via USPS or electronic mail to all NKCRC members along with the official notice or Call for the meeting during which a vote will be held on the amendment. The Call for meetings during which a properly proposed amendment will be voted on will be sent at least 28 days in advance of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting that will include a vote on an amendment shall include notice of any proposed amendments.

The process described above shall be followed for any amendment to the Bylaws other than grammatical changes. Grammatical errors in these Bylaws may be corrected by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Approved 10 June 2021