Bylaws

 

Article I: Name & Jurisdiction

  1. The Georgia Log Cabin Republicans will function as the statewide chapter of the  Log Cabin Republicans ("Chapter").
  2. The Chapter, when reasonable, will make efforts to recruit, support, and conduct activities in all areas of the state to ensure maximum participation of all conservative gay and lesbian individuals and their allies throughout the state.
  3. In the event city-based chapters emerge in Georgia, the Chapter will support those organizations and coordinate efforts when reasonable.

 

Article II: Purpose & Values

  1. The Chapter will advocate for the rights and equal treatment of gays and lesbians.
  2. The Chapter will engage and mobilize gays and lesbians and their allies into Republican and center-right values and policies.
  3. The Chapter will support those values consistent with the center-right beliefs, including but not limited to maximizing freedoms, limiting government overreach, minimizing undue tax burdens, reducing federal spending, promoting American entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting a strong national defense, and having just but effective immigration policies.
  4. The Chapter will support candidates, lawmakers, policies, and laws consistent with our values.
  5. The Chapter will educate, promote, advocate for our values.
  6. The Chapter will foster community between members, officials, other organizations, and allies.

 

Article III: Board of Directors

  1. Members of the Chapter will elect a Board of Directors ("Board"), which will run operations, strategies, messaging, meetings, and other work needed to fulfill the purpose of the Chapter.
  2. Each board member will be elected from the paid membership and will maintain membership in good standing with the Chapter throughout his or her year term.
  3. The Board will maintain rules and procedures for communications, meetings, funds use, endorsements, and any other relevant work to supplement these bylaws.  
  4. The Board will consist of seven (7) elected seats each having specific titles and duties, which may overlap or move laterally as necessary for the continued functioning of the organization.
  5. The Board will have a permanent president, treasurer, and secretary to satisfy corporate filing purposes; these positions may carry other operational titles.  
  6. The additional four (4) seats and its duties may be altered by a simple majority vote of the Board to best suit the specific strategies of any given elected board during that elected year.
  7. Board seats will be: 
    1. The Executive Director (“ED”)
      1. The "President" for any filing purposes.
      2. Will function as the leader of the Chapter and Board, setting direction and expectations, and be the executive representative of the Chapter.
      3. Work with the Board to set strategy and goals for the year.
      4. Nominate a board member as Deputy Director ("DD")
      5. Nominate a paid member to fill any board vacancy.
      6. Initiate removal procedures of any board member.
      7. Initiate barring from membership or ejection of members.
      8. Maintain a regular schedule of board meetings.
      9. Call special board meetings as necessary to address any arising issue; notice will be given at least 24-hours in advance and meetings will be scheduled at a convenient time for most.
      10. As necessary, establish research, nomination, strategy, or other committees, which may include non-board members, but must be led by a member of the Board.
      11. As necessary, appoint non-voting advisors to the ED or Board.
    2. The Deputy Director
      1. The "Vice President" for any filing purposes.
      2. The DD is a non-voting position and an extra title carried by a sitting board member. 
      3. The DD will be nominated by the ED and require four (4) affirmative votes from the Board.
      4. Will serve until the end of the elected year in on the 31st of December, or is removed, resigned, or replaced.
      5. The DD will maintain the seat for which he or she was elected and fulfill those duties; no additional vote is conferred.
      6. The DD will assist the ED with operations when necessary and stand-in and represent the Chapter in the absence of the ED, but not assume full duties and powers of the DD. 
      7. The DD will relinquish his or her seat and assume the full duties and powers of the ED upon the removal, vacancy, or leave of absence of the ED; this reassignment will end at the end of the on-going term on the 31st of December. 
      8. The DD is empowered to initiate and conduct procedures for the removal of the ED from the Board.
    3. The Director of Finance (“DoF”)
      1. The “Treasurer” for any filing purposes. 
      2. Maintain and update the Chapter’s financial accounts on a monthly basis.
      3. Propose rules for spending, allocation, and other budgeting.
      4. Maintain financial documents, including checkbook, receipts, and other documents.
      5. Coordinate with other board members to increase funding through sponsorship, donations, or other streams of income.
      6. Ensure proper tax filings are completed as legally necessary.  
    4. The Director of Administration (“DoA”)
      1. The “Secretary” for any filing purposes.  
      2. Propose rules for conducting meetings.
      3. Support the proper conduct of meetings.
      4. Maintain records of meetings. 
      5. Maintain and execute necessary filings or other administrative work.
    5. The Director of Communications (“DoC”)
      1. Maintain websites and social media accounts. 
      2. Communicate pertinent chapter information to members and the public as necessary.
      3. Answer communications from members or the public.
      4. Disseminate media statements and talking points; coordinate with other board members as necessary. 
      5. Propose and maintain branding.
    6. The Director of Events (“DoE”)
      1. Lead the planning and execution of social, political, and other events to attract, maintain, and engage membership and allies.
      2. Coordinate with businesses, people, and organizations for successful events.
      3. Discover new events and venues with a focus on minimizing costs to the chapter. 
      4. Coordinate with other organizations when necessary. 
      5. Propose and invite speakers to events.
    7. The Director of Policy (“DoP”)
      1. Lead civic engagement.  
      2. Propose policies and legislation to support.
      3. Lead the crafting of policy statements and dissemination to officials.
      4. Create and maintain relationships with officials.
      5. Coordinate with DoE and other organizations to maximize civic engagement. 
    8. The Director of Membership (“DoM”)
      1. Maintain updated membership rolls and report on a monthly basis. 
      2. Engage with members for renewals and growth in membership.
      3. Coordinate efforts with DoF for donations and fundraising.
      4. Verify membership prior to elections or other votes.
      5. Propose and enact communications, reward, or other strategies for membership growth, including in difficult-to-obtain areas.  
  8. Board members are required to attend the scheduled board meetings if not waived by the ED; absences may be excused but excessive absences may be reason for removal.
  9. Board members are required to support and attend regular meetings and events at a reasonable rate; consistent absence or lack of support may be reason for removal. 
  10. The Board may establish, from paid members, official committees for endorsements or other business; procedures for the establishment and dissolution of these committees and their functions will be at the discretion of the board.  
  11. Board members are expected to be stewards and representatives of the organization.
  12. Board members are expected to support the organization’s values. 

 

Article IV: Board Member Vacancies & Removals

  1. The ED will notify the board member of the intention to remove him or her at the subsequent board meeting, which may be a special session called by the ED for such a purpose; notice will include the reason for initiating a vote for removal. 
  2. Reasons for board member removal may include: 
    1. Behaviors which clearly go against the Chapter’s values.
    2. Beliefs or statements abhorrent.
    3. Behavior which will distract or negatively impact the work of the Chapter.
    4. Illegal misconduct.
    5. Harassing or other abusive behavior. 
    6. Misuse of organizational funds, property, or other capital.
    7. Misuse or release of internal data, communications, or other private information.
    8. Subterfuge, sabotage, or similar behavior. 
  3. The DD will stand-in, schedule the meeting, and present the reason(s) for the vote of removal if the member to be considered is the ED.
  4. At the scheduled meeting, the reason for the vote for removal will be repeated and each present member will be allowed equal time to comment, unless he or she waives his or her time. 
  5. Immediately following the window for comments, a vote will be taken as to whether the offending member will be removed from the Board with or without the offending member present. 
  6. The Board may also vote as to whether the offending board member will be stripped of membership, banned from the organization if the offense is especially egregious, and/or officially reprimanded.
  7. Subsequent board votes may reinstate removed individuals through the same procedures as those for removal. 
  8. Each present member, including the offending member, may vote yes, no, or abstain for any of the proposed votes.
  9. At least four (4) yes votes will be required to approve any of the proposed votes; five (5) votes will be required to approve any of the proposed votes if the offending member is the ED.
  10. If a board member becomes unavailable for a prolonged period for any special circumstance, such as deployment, medical reasons, etc, the ED may propose a temporary removal and replacement by a paid member until the board member returns or the elected year ends on December 31st; a majority vote of a board quorum will temporarily remove the board member and the vacancy filled.
  11. If the ED becomes unavailable for a prolonged period for any special circumstance, such as deployment, medical reasons, etc, the DD initiates a vote to temporarily remove the ED until he or she returns or the elected year ends in December; the Deputy Director becomes acting Executive Director and his or her now vacant seat is temporarily filled through a majority vote of a board quorum by a paid member.
  12. Upon return of the board member from a prolonged absence during his or her elected year, individuals return to their original seats for the remainder of their term and temporary board member’s service is terminated.   
  13. If a seat becomes permanently vacant during the elected year, the ED will propose a paid member to fill the seat for the remainder of the current term; a majority vote of a board quorum is required for a successful appointment.
  14. If the ED seat becomes vacant during the elected year, the DD may:
    1. Assume the ED seat and follow procedures for filling his or her elected seat for the remainder of the elected year in December 31st; a subsequent vote will be needed to assign a new DD. 
    2. Propose a paid member to fill the seat; a majority vote of a board quorum is required for a successful appointment. 
  15. The Board may continue to function with open seats. 
  16. At no point will any elected board member have more than 1 (one) vote. 

 

Article V: Quorums

  1. A board, committee, or membership quorum must be established for official business and voting. 
  2. A board quorum is established when at least five (5) board members are present. 
  3. A committee quorum is established when half of the members are present and rounded up to the nearest whole number, unless otherwise specified by the Board upon the creation of the committee.  
  4. A membership quorum is established when at least ten (10) percent of paid membership on the day of the meeting is present and rounded up to the nearest whole number; if a board quorum exists at the meeting, a majority vote by the Board may override this rule and official business and voting begin. 
  5. The following conditions will constitute a successful vote from a quorum:
    1. When an odd number of members constituting the quorum is present, the successful threshold is met by dividing the total number of present members by two (2) and rounding it up to the nearest whole number. 
    2. When an even number of board members is present, the successful threshold is met by dividing the total number of present board members by two (2).
  6. When more complex voting arises, such as multiple candidates for a seat, the Board will establish procedures for the narrowing of the field through several votes until an appropriate threshold is met; these rules must be decided upon by the current board prior to any voting tallying. 
  7. The thresholds in this article hold unless other articles in these bylaws require specific votes.   



Article VI: Membership

  1. The Chapter will allow for anyone who maintains residence in Georgia and not having been barred from the organization to become a member of the Chapter regardless of sexual orientation.
  2. The Board may preempt or reject the inclusion in membership or association with the Chapter of entities or individuals known for extreme ideas and behaviors. 
  3. The Board will define costs and benefits of membership and adjust those as deemed necessary.
  4. Members who are current at the time of yearly elections will each be entitled to one (1) vote at elections per seat being voted for; the Board may set-up a cut-off window within a few days of election day to allow for processing and verification of dues.  
  5. For any of the seats progressing to a run-off vote, the paid member will have one (1) vote per stage of necessary voting to reduce the candidate field.  
  6. The Board will maintain updated membership rolls with verifiable names to maintain the integrity of elections.
  7. Membership dues are not refundable except in rejection of member or processing errors. 
  8. Members may be rejected or stripped of membership for any of the following:
  9. Behaviors which clearly go against the Chapter’s values.
  10. Beliefs or statements abhorrent.
  11. Behavior which will distract or negatively impact the work of the Chapter.
  12. Illegal misconduct.
  13. Harassing or other abusive behavior.
  14. Subterfuge, sabotage, or similar behavior.
  1. A majority vote of the Board is required to reject or strip a member of membership; a subsequent vote will be needed to allow the individual from seeking renewed membership. 
  2. Membership dues are contributions as per 501(C)4 tax codes.

 

Article VII: Elections

  1. The Board will hold board elections in November; the date may be moved to October or December for extraordinary circumstances. 
  2. Procedures for nominations and notice of the election date will be given to paid members via email at least three (3) weeks prior to the date by the Board. 
  3. Elections will be held at a reasonable location accessible to a majority of paid members. 
  4. Each paid member is entitled to one (1) vote for each seat. 
  5. The Board will set procedures for conducting that year’s elections including voting methods, absentee ballots, and other relevant voting procedures that will maintain the integrity of the elections.
  6. Elected board members will take their seats on the proceeding 1st day of January and ending on the culmination of 365 days (366 days in leap years) on the 31st day of December unless the board member has been removed earlier following procedures in these bylaws. 
  7. Each of the seven (7) seats comprising the Board will be voted for independently. 
  8. Each member may only run for and hold one seat.

  

Article VII: Endorsements

  1. The Chapter may make endorsements of state or local candidates, referenda, or other measures placed before the general voting public, or legislative measures proposed, introduced or pending in any local legislative body.
  2. In partisan elections, the Chapter may not endorse a non-Republican candidate; the Chapter may withhold an endorsement if the Republican candidate does not uphold the values of the Chapter.
  3. In non-partisan elections, the Chapter may endorse any candidate.
  4. The Chapter is not obligated to endorse any candidate, referenda, or policy. 
  5. The Chapter will make efforts to determine worthiness prior to endorsements. 
  6. Endorsements and political activity will be contained to Georgia (statewide, county, or local).
  7. In the event other Log Cabin Republicans chapters emerge in Georgia, the Chapter will make efforts to coordinate endorsements for statewide offices or policies. 
  8. The Chapter may support candidates or policies without official endorsements. 
  9. The Chapter will only endorse or support Republican candidates or policies that are consistent with our values.  
  10. The Board will set procedures for ascertaining worthiness and officially endorsing.
  11. The Board will include paid members in endorsement procedures, either through membership-wide meetings or committee formation that allows each member the initial opportunity to join; four (4) affirmative votes of a board quorum may override this requirement as necessary to expedite any immediate endorsement giving the Board sole discretion for the endorsement.    



Article VIII: Dissolution

  1. The duration of the Chapter shall be perpetual. However, the Chapter shall be dissolved upon the affirmative vote of 3/4 of the full Board, or if the Chapter fails to hold more than one monthly meeting, in addition to the election meeting, during the course of a full fiscal year.
  2. Upon dissolution of the Chapter, the officers shall transfer all money in any Chapter bank accounts, records, and other credentials (including but not limited to any online service credentials such as social media, blogs, or web sites) to the Log Cabin Republicans national office in Washington, D.C.

 

Article XIX: Amendments

  1. The Bylaws shall be amended by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the voting members of the Chapter present at a monthly meeting, only if proper and timely notice of such pending business has been made to the full voting membership at least 30 days in advance.