OF VICKSBURG, Mississippi INCORPORATED in 1952

CHAPTER

CONSTITUTION

JUNIOR AUXILIARY

OF VICKSBURG, Mississippi INCORPORATED IN 1952

August 2017

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME

THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF Vicksburg, Mississippi INCORPORATED.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND POLICIES

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO RENDER CHARITABLE SERVICES WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON CHILDREN; TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PERFORMING SIMILAR SERVICES.

THIS ORGANIZATION IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, OR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501 (C) (3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

SECTION 2. POLICIES

THE POLICIES OF THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF Vicksburg, Mississippi INCORPORATED SHALL BE IN HARMONY WITH THE POLICIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INCORPORATED HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS NAJA.

ARTICLE III - FIELD OF SERVICE

THE FIELD OF SERVICE SHALL BE THE Vicksburg/Warren County area and its area school districts.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

A WOMAN WHO IS AT LEAST twenty-eight years of age by September 1 of the year being nominated and has been a resident of the community for one (1) year as of September 1 prior to proposal for membership MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP. If applicant has previously lived in Vicksburg and has recently moved back, there will be no waiting period. She must have resided in Vicksburg for a minimum of ten (10) years.

THE CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:

1. PROVISIONAL - PROVISIONAL MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP AND ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE OR HOLD OFFICE. PROVISIONAL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO SERVE A TERM OF SIX MONTHS AND TO COMPLETE A PROVISIONAL COURSE WITHIN THIS PERIOD. ONE EXTENSION OF SIX MONTHS MAY BE GRANTED BY THE LOCAL BOARD IN THE CASE OF A PROVISIONAL WHO, FOR UNAVOIDABLE REASONS, IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIME. PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE PROVISIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN A MANNER SATISFACTORY TO THE LOCAL BOARD AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSOCIATION PROVISIONAL TRAINING MANUAL; a provisional member is required to accrue a minimum of 36 hours of education and/or training or assignments, in a manner satisfactory to the local Executive Board; SHALL ATTEND AT LEAST 2/3 OF THE REGULAR MEETINGS HELD BY THE CHAPTER DURING THIS PERIOD AND SHALL PAY DUES TO THE CHAPTER. ALL HOURS ACCRUED BY A PROVISIONAL SHALL BE RECORDED AS PROVISIONAL HOURS UNDER EDUCATION. A CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP CARD SHALL BE SENT TO NAJA HEADQUARTERS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROVISIONAL MEMBER. Those members failing to meet the Provisional requirements will be dropped from membership by 2/3 vote of the local Executive Board.

B.ACTIVE - ACTIVE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE LOCAL BOARD.

THEY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALL THE PRIVILEGES AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERSHIP, INCLUDINGTHE RIGHT TO HOLD OFFICE AND TO VOTE AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTER. Active members serve five (5) active years.

1.REQUIREMENTS: TO MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP IN GOOD STANDING, A MEMBER SHALL PAY DUES TO THE ASSOCIATION ANNUALLY, AND SHALL OBTAIN A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FOUR SERVICE HOURS AND TWELVE EDUCATION HOURS PER YEAR. Active members must obtain a minimum requirement of 62 hours which should include 35+ service hours, 12 continuing education hours, 5 administration hours, and at least 10 finance hours from assigned finance project. Thirty of these service hours must come from each member’s assigned and required service project. If a member is not able to attain the required 30 hours from her assigned project, she must submit a written request to the Board for approval to accrue the remaining required hours on a different project(s). Hours must be accrued in accordance to each category specified above to meet yearly requirements. Members will also adhere to all requirements specified in the Chapter’s Set Policies to maintain membership in good standing and to avoid penalties. FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, CHAPTER MEETINGS SHALL COUNT ONE HOUR EACH. SIX CHAPTER MEETINGS MUST APPLY TOWARD THE ANNUAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. OTHER EDUCATION HOURS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ADDITIONAL CHAPTER MEETINGS, ANNUAL MEETING, AREA MEETINGS, AND CHAPTER/ COMMUNITY SEMINARS. ALL HOURS SHALL BE ACCRUED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AND IN A MANNER SATISFACTORY TO THE LOCAL BOARD.

2.PENALTIES: AN ACTIVE MEMBER FAILING TO FULFILL THE YEARLY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP FORFEITS THAT YEAR OF WORK ACCREDITED TOWARD ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY.

1. PRIVILEGES: a.) ANY MEMBER WHO, AFTER HAVING SERVED A MINIMUM OF FIVE ACTIVE YEARS AND HAVING PAID TO THE ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN ADDITIONAL YEARS OF CURRENT ASSOCIATE DUES, SHALL BE ABSOLVED FROM FURTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATION. b.) AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LOCAL BOARD, A MEMBER MAY BE TEMPORARILY EXCUSED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE. At the discretion of the local Executive Board, an Active Member in good standing for a minimum of 18 months (six months provisional training and 12 months Active service) may apply in writing for temporary leave. Temporary leave may be granted for a maximum of three (3) years. To renew temporary leave, the member must apply in writing annually to the local Executive Board by the March Board Meeting. The member will pay dues to the Chapter but will be relieved of all other obligations to the Chapter. The member will not have the right to vote, hold office, or propose new candidates for membership. No time will be accredited toward eligibility for Associate membership. During a fiscal year, temporary leave may be granted for a maximum of four (4) members. This number may be exceeded at the discretion of the local Executive Board.

C.ASSOCIATE - ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO, WHILE SERVING AS ACTIVE MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING OF A PROVISIONAL OR ACTIVE JUNIOR AUXILIARY CHAPTER, HAVE ACCUMULATED A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE AND WHO DESIRE TO CHANGE MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATION. THE MEMBER SHALL PAY ASSOCIATE DUES. AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAPTER, AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER MAY BE ACCORDED ASSOCIATE ACTIVE STATUS. (An Associate may also, with 24 hours service prior to election, co-sign for membership. In order to vote, the Associate Members are required to read membership applications one week prior to election.)

D.LIFE - LIFE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO, AFTER HAVING ACCUMULATED A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE, HAVE PAID TO THE ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN ADDITIONAL YEARS OF CURRENT ASSOCIATE DUES. AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAPTER, A LIFE MEMBER MAY BE ACCORDED LIFE ACTIVE STATUS.

E.SUSTAINING - SUSTAINING MEMBERS ARE THOSE PERSONS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP AND UPON WHOM THE CHAPTER DESIRES TO BESTOW AN HONORARY MEMBERSHIP DUE TO OUTSTANDING SERVICE OR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHAPTER.

F.NON-RESIDENT - ACTIVE MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING ARE ENTITLED TO NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIP, WHICH IS OPEN TO THOSE WHOSE RESIDENCE IS CHANGED TO THAT OF ANOTHER COMMUNITY.

IF A NON-RESIDENT MEMBER WISHES TO COMPLETE ACTIVE OBLIGATION AND ATTAIN ASSOCIATE STATUS THE MEMBER MUST:

1. COMPLETE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND TWELVE EDUCATION HOURS PER REMAINING YEAR TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS. All service hours will be accrued under the Community Outreach project or a similar project relevant to which the member is serving. Active members that have completed three (3) full years will be granted one (1) year of Non-Resident status and subject to Board approval for Associate/Life status.A monthly project reporting form will be completed and sent via mail or e-mail to the Projects Chairman, Second Vice-President, and President.

1. PAY NON-RESIDENT DUES TO CHAPTER OF RECORD.

1. REPORT SERVICE AND EDUCATION HOURS TO CHAPTER OF RECORD. Hours will be reported in accordance to Active member requirements at the designated times set forth in the Set Policies for Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg.

UPON ATTAINING ASSOCIATE STATUS, THE MEMBER PAYS TO THE ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN (10) YEARS OF ASSOCIATE DUES TO ATTAIN LIFE STATUS.

SECTION 2. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

A WOMAN WHO IS AT LEAST twenty-eight years of age by September 1 of the year being nominated and has been a resident of the community for one year as of September 1 or is a prior resident for a minimum of ten (10) years MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP. The candidate must be proposed in writing by one member and seconded by two others. Only Active members in good standing may propose candidates for membership. No member may propose more than one candidate and/or second more than two candidates a year.

SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE

Number of New Members to be Admitted:

The Executive Board will set the recommended number of new members. The policy pertaining to membership election is contained in Article E, Section 5 of the Set Policies.

SECTION 4. CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP

Application to change to another class of membership must be made in writing to the Recording Secretary. Changes to another class of membership shall become effective upon the approval of the local Executive Board, and members shall be notified in writing of the action of the local Executive Board.

ANY MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WHO CHANGES RESIDENCE SHALL BE PERMITTED TRANSFER PRIVILEGES TO A CHAPTER IN THE NEW LOCALITY. THE RIGHT OF TRANSFER GRANTED IN THIS SECTION DOES NOT EXTEND TO A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN DROPPED OR WHO HAS RESIGNED FROM AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP. PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE CHAPTER TO WHICH THEY TRANSFER. IF THERE ARE NO VACANCIES IN THE CHAPTER TO WHICH A MEMBER IS TRANSFERRING, THE NAME OF THE MEMBER SHALL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST AND SHALL BE ACCEPTED IN ORDER OF APPLICATION.

A member who resigns in bad standing or is dropped from a Chapter should not be accepted again as a member of that Chapter. Under special circumstances and at the discretion of the local Executive Board, a member who resigns in good standing from a Chapter can be accepted back into membership of that Chapter.

ARTICLE V - DUES AND CHARGES

ARTICLE V - DUES AND CHARGES

ALL CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PROVISIONAL AND LIFE MEMBERS SHALL PAY ANNUAL DUES TO THE ASSOCIATION.

ACTIVE MEMBERS (INCLUDING MEMBERS ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE) AND NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS SHALL PAY $65 ANNUAL DUES. Local Chapter dues are as follows: In October, Active and Non-Resident members pay $80 ($50 budgeted for Special Functions and $30 budgeted for Service Projects). In March, Active and Non-Resident members (including new Class 1) pay $80 ($65 allocated for NAJA dues, $10 budgeted for Service Projects, and $5 allocated for miscellaneous Chapter expenses); Class 5: Life ($350) or Associate ($40 annually for 10 years). A late fee of $10.00 will be assessed if dues are not received by the April and November Chapter Meetings. Provisional members are required to purchase three (3) cookbooks during their Provisional year. Each provisional member will also be responsible for obtaining a background check at their cost or presenting a copy of one completed in the previous six (6) months by December 1st. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS SHALL PAY $35 ANNUAL DUES, or a one-time fee of $350.00. A $5 administrative fee is charged to Associate members annually to cover mailing and billing expenses thus making up the $40 annual dues.

PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR CHAPTER DUES IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP in the amount of $80 no later than the November Chapter Meeting. ACTIVE, ASSOCIATE, AND NON-RESIDENT DUES FOR THE COMING YEAR SHALL BE PAYABLE TO THE CHAPTER NO LATER THAN APRIL 1. ALL DUES ARE PAYABLE TO THE ASSOCIATION UPON RECEIPT OF STATEMENT AND ARE DELINQUENT AFTER JULY 15. AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER MAY, AT ANY TIME, PAY THE EQUIVALENT OF TEN YEARS ASSOCIATE DUES TO ATTAIN THE STATUS OF LIFE MEMBER. THIS AMOUNT MUST BE FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY TO HEADQUARTERS IN ORDER FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP STATUS TO BE GRANTED.

REFUNDS OF DUES WILL NOT BE MADE TO MEMBERS RESIGNING DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

REFUNDS WILL NOT BE MADE TO PROVISIONAL MEMBERS FAILING TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS DROPPED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF DUES MAY BE REINSTATED UPON PAYMENT OF A MINIMUM OF CURRENT YEAR ASSOCIATE DUES.

ARTICLE VI - CHAPTER MEETINGS

SECTION 1. REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held the first Thursday of each month unless changed by vote of the local Executive Board. FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, CHAPTER MEETINGS SHALL COUNT ONE HOUR EACH. SIX CHAPTER MEETINGS MUST APPLY TOWARD THE ANNUAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. CHAPTER MEETINGS HELD IN AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT ARE PROHIBITED. Members must attend at least 2/3 (or 6) of the Chapter meetings each year. A member may attend a Board meeting in place of a Chapter meeting in order to make up an Education hour to adhere to requirements after submitting a written request to the Board for approval. If a member fails to do so, she forfeits that year of work according to NAJA minimum requirements.

Meeting times will be voted on each year in April by a ballot determined by the local Board.

Special meetings will be held if deemed necessary by the local Executive Board.

SECTION 2. QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members.

SECTION 3. VOTING

ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND PROXY VOTING ARE PROHIBITED. A member must be in good standing in order to vote. Members in good standing must have twenty (20) hours to vote by the October Chapter Meeting and forty-eight (48) hours to vote by the February Chapter Meeting. Members unable to meet the required number of hours must submit a written request to the local Executive Board for permission to vote by the Board Meeting prior to the respective Chapter Meeting. Voting should not be done electronically.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS

CHAPTER OFFICERS ARE THE PRESIDENT, First VICE-PRESIDENT, Second Vice President, RECORDING SECRETARY, Corresponding Secretary, TREASURER, Projects Chairman, Public Relations Chairman, Continuing Education Chairman, Publications Chairman, Fundraising Chairman, and Ex-Officio.

SECTION 1. NOMINATION AND ELECTION

The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of candidate(s).

Officers shall be elected by ballot no later than the March meeting of the Chapter for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. OFFICERS ASSUME DUTIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHAPTER FISCAL YEAR, MAY 1. Co-Officers and newly elected Officers must attend and observe the March and/or April Board meetings prior to assuming new officer position for the next fiscal year. Co-Officers are encouraged to attend and observe Board meetings throughout the current year.

SECTION 2. DUTIES AND TERM OF OFFICE

THE PRESIDENT IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CHAPTER, PRESIDES AT ALL CHAPTER AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS AND IS AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER TO ALL COMMITTEES EXCEPT THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE. THE PRESIDENT APPOINTS ALL COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN, UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED. ONE YEAR TERM OF OFFICE AFTER HAVING SERVED AS VICE-PRESIDENT.

THE First VICE-PRESIDENT ASSUMES THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT, serves as Provisional Trainer, and serves as the Constitution Committee Chairman. She is a member of all other committees. ELECTED FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR. AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES THE PRESIDENT THE NEXT YEAR; MOVES TO EX-OFFICIO THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

The Second Vice-Presidentis the hour book chairman and keeps a current and accurate record of schedules and assignments of the Chapter. She is responsible for compiling the annual report and year-end hour breakdown report and provides a copy to the President and Recording Secretary for individual permanent records of members.

THE RECORDING SECRETARYKEEPS THE MINUTES AND THE ROLL OF THE MEETINGS OF THE CHAPTER AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD; KEEPS A CORRECT, CLASSIFIED LIST OF THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ALL MEMBERS AND MAINTAINS A FILE OF ESSENTIAL RECORDS ON EACH MEMBER. THESE FILES ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE SUCCESSOR AT THE CLOSE OF THE TERM OF OFFICE. The Recording Secretary also serves as Parliamentarian for the Chapter. She will correspond with NAJA regarding name, address, and other changes pertaining to members. A Co-Recording Secretary, elected by the general membership, is not a local Board position. The Co-Recording Secretary assumes the duties of the Recording Secretary in the absence of the Recording Secretary. Half of the recommended hours for service projects will be required for the Recording Secretary. ELECTED FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR; MAY BE RE-ELECTED FOR ONE ADDITIONAL TERM.

The Corresponding Secretary answers and keeps on file all correspondence relating to the Chapter.She presents all correspondence received and sent by the Chapter to the membership. She will update and provide the Chapter with a current directory of Active and Provisional member names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.

THE TREASURER and the Co-treasurer IS (are) THE CUSTODIAN OF ALL CHAPTER FUNDS; COLLECTS ALL DUES AND ASSESSMENTS AND RECEIVES MONIES; KEEPS FULL AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTS AND PRESENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT THE REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CHAPTER AND THE BOARD; PRESENTS AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BALANCE SHEET AT A CHAPTER MEETING AND TRANSFERS TO SUCCESSORS ALL BOOKS AND FINANCIAL RECORDS. THE TREASURER and Co-treasurer IS (are) RESPONSIBLE FOR FILINGONLINE THE STATEMENT OF CASH BALANCES BY MAY 15, FOR PROMPT PAYMENT OF ALL DUES AND FEES TO NAJA HEADQUARTERS BY JULY 15, AND FOR SENDING A COPY OF FORM 990 OR 990-N FILED WITH INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE TO HEADQUARTERS BY OCTOBER 15 OF EACH YEAR. THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANTTREASURER ARE ELECTED FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR. THE ASSISTANT TREASURER SHOULD BECOME THE TREASURER THE FOLLOWING YEAR OR THE TREASURER MAY BE RE-ELECTED FOR ONE ADDITIONAL TERM. Co-Treasurer is not a Board position. Half of the recommended hours for service projects will be required for the Treasurer position. The Treasurer is responsible for enforcing the budget; making all payments in accordance with the budget that has been approved by membership, and keeping full and accurate accounts of all such disbursements. She is responsible for the collection of membership dues and assessments, and receiving all monies from Junior Auxiliary members and keeping accurate records of membership payments. She shall present financial statements at the regular Executive Board meetings. The Treasurer will be responsible for training the Co-Treasurer to become Treasurer the following year. The Co-Treasurer is to help the Treasurer whenever necessary. The Co-Treasurer is not an Executive Board position.