Junior Auxiliary of Corinth, Mississippi Chapter

JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER

CONSTITUTION

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INC.

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Incorporated in 1957

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Latest Revision: 2013

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS*

OF THE

JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF CORINTH, MS INCORPORATED

(As revised September 2013)

(As revised 05/04, 03/03, 11/01, 3/01, 9/98, 12/96, 9/96, 10/95, 05/05, 08/06, 04/08, 04/09,05/12,09/13)

ARTICLE I – NAME

THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI, INCORPORATED.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE TO ENCOURAGE ITS 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 CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI, INC. 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 CITY OF CORINTH, COUNTY OF ALCORN IN MISSISSIPPI, with emphasis placed on the underprivileged.

*Those portions of the Constitution and Bylaws printed in capital letters are minimum requirements of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

A WOMAN, WHO IS AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE and has been a resident of her community for at least six months, MAY BE CONSIDERED AS ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP.

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 SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SERVE A TERM OF SIX MONTHS AND TO COMPLETE A PROVISIONAL COURSE WITHIN THIS PERIOD. AN EXTENSION OF SIX MONTHS MAY BE GRANTED BY THE LOCAL BOARD IN THE CASE OF PROVISIONALS WHO, FOR UNAVOIDABLE REASONS, ARE 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 THE ASSOCIATION PROVISIONAL TRAININGMANUAL; 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.

1. 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 PRIVILEGES AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERSHIP, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO HOLD OFFICE AND TO VOTE, AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTER.

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. 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. Finance and administration hour requirements shall be at the discretion of the Chapter. ALL HOURS SHALL BE ACCRUED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AND IN A MANNER SATISFACTORY TO THE LOCAL BOARD.

1. PENALTIES: AN ACTIVE MEMBER FAILING TO FULFILL THE YEARLY REQUIREMENTS OF 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.

1. LEAVE OF ABSENCE: A member may request a six-month leave of absence no more than two times during her active membership. The Executive Board has authority to grant or deny the request.

1. 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 ASSOCIATION DUES. AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAPTER, AN ASSOCIATE MAY BE ACCORDED ASSOCIATEACTIVE STATUS.

1. 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.

1. 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. They are given two (2) complimentary admissions to Charity Ball.

1. 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 of residence AND TWELVE EDUCATION HOURS in the community of residence PER REMAINING YEAR TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS;

2)PAY NON-RESIDENT DUES TO CHAPTER OF RECORD;

3)REPORT HOURS OF SERVICE TO CHAPTER OF RECORD.

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-ONE YEARS OF AGE and who have been residents of the community for at least six months, and have been involved in the community, schools, church, and/or activities which demonstrate their ability and desire to help others, 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 or second more than three candidates a year. Membership forms are due to the Second Vice President by the August Chapter Meeting. A notebook containing all membership forms will be kept by the Second Vice President and will be available to active members upon request.

SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE

1. Candidates for membership shall be reviewed by a Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall be composed of the Second Vice President (Chairman), the First Vice President, and one member from each provisional class, excluding the incoming provisional class and the President. The Membership Committee shall hold a meeting during the month of September where active members will be allowed to submit concerns about proposed candidates, in writing or in person. Those candidates being approved by a majority vote of the Membership Committee shall be presented to the chapter for voting at the October meeting. If a candidate shall be voted ineligible by the Membership Committee, then the Second Vice-President will notify the active members who proposed the candidate before voting takes place.

1. The designated number of candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected to membership. To be elected a candidate must receive 2/3 of votes from the members present. Elected candidates shall begin a provisional term with the chapter immediately. Any candidate eliminated due to receiving the lesser number of votes may be proposed again at the next election.

SECTION 4. CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP

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

ANY MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WHO CHANGES RESIDENCE SHALL BE PERMITTED TO TRANSFER PRIVILEGES TO A CHAPTER IN THE NEW LOCALITY. THE RIGHT OF TRANSFER IN THIS SECTION DOES NOT EXTEND TO A PERSON WHO HAS DROPPED OR WHO HAS RESIGNED FROM 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.

Under special circumstances and at the discretion of the Executive Board, a member who resigns or is dropped from the chapter can be accepted back into membership.

ARTICLE V – DUES AND CHARGES

SECTION 1. DUES

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

ACTIVE MEMBERS (INCLUDING MEMBERS ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE) AND NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS SHALL PAY $55 ANNUAL DUES. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS SHALL PAY $35 ANNUAL DUES.

PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR CHAPTER DUES IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP. Provisional members shall pay $55 in dues. ACTIVE, ASSOCIATE, AND NON-RESIDENT DUES FOR THE COMING YEAR SHALL BE PAYABLE TO THE CHAPTER NO LATER THAN April1ST.

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.

SECTION 2. FINES

A fine shall be levied against a member in the following instances: (a.) Failure to perform a scheduled assignment or to secure a replacement who shall be responsible for completing that assignment; (b.) unexcused absence from a regularly scheduled or compulsory Chapter activity; (c.) failure to sign one’s name and indicate the project for which a purchase is made on charge account invoices; (d.) failure by a project chairman to submit an annual report and the updated project records to the Projects Chairman within one month of project completion; and (e.) failure to pay or reimburse chapter for any expenses or registration fees incurred on the member’s behalf.

Notification of a fine assessment shall be made to the member and to the Treasurer by the Recording Secretary and/or the chairman of the pertinent committee. Nonpayment of a fine within the fiscal year of assessment shall result in the loss of three months’ credit toward the member’s Associate membership eligibility.

The amount of the fines shall be the same for all cases, and shall be established annually by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VI – CHAPTER MEETINGS

SECTION 1. REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month August through April at 6:30 p.m. No regular meetings will be held in May, June or July. 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.

Special meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Executive Board or upon written request of 10 members of the Chapter. Notice of special meetings will be given within 5 days of meeting date.

Recognition of a member’s attendance at a meeting shall require presence during at least two-thirds of each meeting period.

SECTION 2. QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of fifty-one percent of the voting members.

SECTION 3. VOTING

ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND PROXY VOTING ARE PROHIBITED.

SECTION 4. ABSENCES

An unexcused absence from a regularly scheduled or compulsory meeting of the Chapter shall incur a fine against a member. Illness of oneself or one’s immediate family member (parent, spouse, child), or death in one’s family (parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandparent) shall be considered as excused absences. A member shall notify the president or 1st vice president if she is to have her absence classed as excused. In order to have any other type of absence excused the member must attend the next month’s executive board meeting to present her excuse to the board or she may email her excuse to the president before the next executive board meeting. At this point it will be the decision of the board to excuse the member. If no notification is made by the next month’s executive board meeting, then the absence will stand as unexcused. Excusing of absences shall not relieve a member of the predominant requirement that she attend at least two-thirds of all regularly scheduled meetings.

SECTION 5. ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

The Chapter’s official delegates to the Annual Meeting of the Association shall be Outgoing President, the Incoming President, and the newly elected First Vice-President; alternate delegates shall be appointed by the Incoming President. The voting delegates to the Annual Meetings shall be the President, the Treasurer, and the Second Vice-President. The President may appoint any substitutions as necessary. The chapter may pay for up to eight delegates to attend the Annual Meeting. These may include but are not limited to the Recording Secretary, the Parliamentarian, the Public Relations Chairman, the Education Chairman, or any substitutes as appointed by the President.

Registration, meals, lodging, and transportation expenses shall be paid by the Chapter for its voting delegates to Annual and Area Meetings. Hotel and Registration shall be paid by the Chapter for all attending delegates appointed by the President. The President may determine that other expenses may or may not be paid by the chapter.

Time served for Annual and Area Meeting shall be classified an Education hours. The official program or agenda shall be the guide for determining hours earned.

ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS

THE CHAPTER OFFICERS SHALL BE A PRESIDENT, First VICE PRESIDENT, RECORDING SECRETARY, corresponding secretary, TREASURER, Parliamentarian, Second Vice President, Life/Associate Liaison, and Chaplain.

SECTION 1. NOMINATION AND ELECTION

The Nominating Committee, composed of the outgoing provisional class and chaired by the First Vice President, shall submit, at the March meeting of the Executive Board, a slate of one candidate for each office. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted during the regular meeting.

Officers shall be elected by ballot no later than the March meeting of the Chapter. A two-thirds vote of the members present shall constitute an election. Terms are for one year or until their successors are elected, with the exception of Treasurer. Treasurer term shall be two years.

OFFICERS ASSUME DUTIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR, MAY 1. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the President, with the approval of the Executive Board, except in the event of a vacancy in the office of First Vice President. In that event, the Executive Board shall present a candidate to the membership; nominations from the floor shall also be accepted. The election shall be held at the same meeting.

SECTION 2. DUTIES

THE PRESIDENT IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CHAPTER, PRESIDES AT ALL CHAPTER AND EXECUTIVE BOARDMEETINGS AND IS EX-OFFICIO OF ALL COMMITTEES EXCEPT THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE. THE PRESIDENT APPOINTS ALL COMMITTEES INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN, UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED.; shall sign, with the Treasurer, all contracts approved by the Executive Board; and shall extend all invitations to new members. She shall notify the work group chairmen of all meetings, and shall obtain a minimum of 24 service hours. On completion of her term, the President shall automatically assume the office of Second Vice President.

THE first VICE PRESIDENT ASSUMES THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT, and shall serve as chairman of the Projects Committee. On completion of her term, the First Vice President shall automatically assume the office of President.

The Second Vice President shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President and First Vice President. She shall serve as Chairman of the Membership Committee, and shall conduct Provisional Training Courses.

THE RECORDING SECRETARY KEEPS 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 TRANSFERRED TO THE SUCCESSOR AT THE CLOSE OF THE TERM OF OFFICE. She shall notify the members and the Treasurer of absences and fines.The minutes should be typed and emailed for corrections within one week of the last meeting.

THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY SHALL ANSWER AND KEEP ON FILE ALL CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE CHAPTER.

THE TREASURER IS CUSTODIAN OF ALL CHAPTER FUNDS; COLLECT ALL DUES AND ASSESSMENTS AND RECEIVE MONIES; KEEP FULL AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTS AND PRESENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT THE REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CHAPTER AND THE BOARD; PRESENT AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BALANCE SHEET AT A CHAPTER MEETING AND TRANSFER TO SUCCESSORS ALL BOOKS AND FINANCIAL RECORDS. THE TREASURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING ONLINE THE STATEMENT OF CASH BALANCES TO NAJA HEADQUARTERS BY MAY15, 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 shall serve a two-year office term.

The parliamentarian shall inculcate use of parliamentary law at all Chapter Meetings and assist the President and Recording Secretary with adhering to the Constitution.

The Life/Associate Liaison shall assist the President with the newsletter and oversee responses and replies from Life/Associate Members, coordinate any activities of Life/Associate Members with the current projects, and may assist the Treasurer with obtaining Associate dues.