By-Laws
HAMPSTEAD-KINGSTON REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
A. COMPOSITION
The name of this organization shall be the Hampstead-Kingston Republican Committee. Its membership is open to all registered Republican voters who reside in Hampstead or Kingston
NH. It is affiliated with, and a part of, the New Hampshire State Republican Committee and the
Rockingham County Republican Committee. The Chair and the elected Republican State Representatives of the Towns of Hampstead and Kingston have voting privileges in both the State and County Republican organizations.
B. DUTIES
In cooperation with the State and County committees, the Hampstead-Kingston Republican Committee shall manage the affairs of the Republican Party in the Towns, direct the general policy and campaign activities of the towns’ organization, and perform all the duties required of it by custom and law.
C. MEETINGS
No fewer than four public meetings shall be held per calendar year. The Chair shall be responsible for setting the date for the meetings, and the Secretary shall be responsible for notifying the Officers and the general membership at least five (5) days in advance.
D. VOTING
Voting during meetings shall be performed by Members in good standing who are registered Republican voters and who are residents of Hampstead or Kingston. Good standing constitutes a member who has paid the yearly dues. The amount of the yearly dues is to be determined by the Officers. The Treasurer will be responsible for dues collection and maintain the Membership list.
ARTICLE II
A. OFFICERS
The Officers shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Communication Chair. Officers shall be elected for a two-year term at the first public meeting of the calendar year following the biennial election.
B. CHAIR
The Chairman shall be the Chief Executive. He/she shall call Executive Committee meetings no fewer than three times per year, at such times as deemed necessary.
C. VICE-CHAIR
The Vice Chair, under the direction of the Chair, shall assist the Chair in the performance of his/her duties with reference to matters involving the Town Committee. In the absence of the Chairman, he/she shall preside at all meetings.
D. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall receive all funds belonging to the Committee, shall keep books of account of all funds received. He/she shall render proper accounting to the Committee at each meeting thereof, and he or she shall be fully accountable to the Committee for his or her acts as Treasurer.
E. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all proceedings of the Committee and shall keep and be custodian of the permanent books and records of the Committee, except the financial records. The Secretary, under direction of the Chair, shall send out invitations to functions, acknowledge communications to the Committee and keep a record of all correspondence having to do with all Committee activities.
F. COMMUNICATION CHAIR
The Communication Chair shall manage and update whatever social media the HampsteadKingston Republican Town Committee chooses to utilize for their news items, events and local, state and national political information and/or announcements.
G. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the Chair and shall consist of the elected officers of the Committee and no more than four (4) as At-Large members of the Committee, who shall be appointed by the Chair. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act for the full membership of the Committee when necessary. The Executive committee shall establish such subcommittees as may become necessary to aid in the work of the organization. The Executive Committee shall maintain liaison with the State and County Republican organizations. The Executive Committee shall propose fund-raising programs for the Committee to earn funds for the support of its work, including the expenditure of the funds.
H. AD HOC COMMITTEES
The Chair has the right to name an Ad Hoc Committee during a public meeting for a specific purpose. The Ad Hoc Committee will consist of no more than five and no less than three members in good standing. Such committee will be temporary to accomplish one purpose, as sited by the Chair.
I. REMOVALS, VACANCIES AND RESIGNATIONS
a. VACANCIES IN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A vacancy in the Executive Committee shall occur if an officer changes his party registration to anything other than Republican, no longer lives within the county or city, dies, submits a written resignation to the Executive Committee, or is removed. A vacancy in the position of Chairman shall also occur if the Chairman declares his or her candidacy for public office, and the Vice Chair shall serve as the acting Chairman.
b. CAUSE AND PROCESS FOR REMOVAL
The Executive Committee, at a regularly scheduled meeting attended by a majority of its members, may remove an Executive Committee member, for sufficient cause, upon an affirmative vote of 75% of its members physically present.
Sufficient cause is defined as excessive absences from meetings, failure to perform the duties of office, any action or failure to act that is illegal, immoral, or negligent, or which has an adverse effect or casts a negative light on the Town Republican committee, or the Rockingham County Republican Committee or acts against the candidacy of any Republican candidate for office in a general election. Additional sufficient cause is defined as the harassment, bullying, victimization and other actions and behaviors which undermine the well-being of the Committee or any member of it.
Verbal accusation is not sufficient; only a signed, written complaint shall be presented which clearly details the reasons for recommending removal. Seven (7) calendar days advance notice of the removal shall be given to the officer and an appeal process shall be granted, as determined in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
Any At Large member may be removed from membership for the same reasons specified above, upon petition by at least six (6) Members. Petitions shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee, which shall review before motioning for a vote at its next regular meeting, with a quorum present and a “vote to dismiss” of 75% of the members present. After this action is taken, notification shall be sent to the Rockingham County Republican Committee informing their Executive Council of such action which was taken.
c. FILLING A VACANCY
If an Executive Committee member is removed from office per the procedure specified above, the Chair shall recommend a candidate to fill the position and the full Executive Committee shall vote to confirm that recommendation at their next regular meeting. Additional nominations may be taken from the At-Large members at that election.
If the office of Chair becomes vacant, it shall be filled on a temporary basis by a vote of the Executive Committee, and the person so selected shall serve until the next biennial election. All other vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Chair and shall serve until the next biennial election.
ARTICLE III
A. QUORUM – PUBLIC MEETINGS
Six (6) members in good standing shall be necessary to constitute a quorum at the public meetings. Each member shall have one vote. A majority of those present and voting shall decide any question, except that in a vote for more than two candidates for one office, a plurality of those preset and voting shall decide the vote.
B. QUORUM – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A quorum for the Executive committee and all Sub-committees shall be 50% of the membership of such committee.
ARTICLE IV
A. GENERAL:
The following provisions shall govern the conduct and operations of committees created by these bylaws:
a. Each member shall have one vote;
b. A majority of those present and voting shall decide any question.
B. PRIMARY:
The town committees shall not endorse any candidate during a primary election. Officers of the town committee however, may not be restricted from working on behalf of the candidate of their choice.
C. ELECTION:
No one can serve as an officer of the Town Committee who does support or has openly and publicly supported a candidate from another party over a Republican in an election.
ARTICLE V
A. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
These By-Laws may be amended at any public meeting of the Committee by a vote of a majority of the members present and voting, provided that written copies of the proposed change or changes shall have been given in the notice of the meeting.
APPROVED ON THIS DAY
Pam Brown
Acting Chair
July 1, 2022
Date