Bylaws
Please find updated bylaws 11_16_2021
BYLAWS
Of the
Massachusetts Retirees United
MRU
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the organization is Massachusetts Retirees United (MRU), AFT-Massachusetts, AFT, AFL-CIO
ARTICLE II
AFFILIATION
The MRU shall serve as a chapter of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts (Formally Massachusetts Federation of Teachers).
The MRU shall take no action that is in conflict with policies and decisions of the membership or the executive board of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. No provisions of, or proposed amendments to, these bylaws shall be in conflict with the constitution and/or bylaws of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts or the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The Massachusetts Retirees United is organized for the purpose of:
· Uniting active employees and retirees so they can better protect their rights.
· Helping seniors recognize the power that is theirs as a collective group.
· Educating present and future retirees on issues pertinent to their retirement.
· Promoting the aims and objectives of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts and its national affiliates in matters that pertain to both working members and retirees.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERS
Section 4.01. Qualifications
Membership in the Massachusetts Retirees United shall be open to all retirees and those preparing for retirement.
Approval of an application for membership to join the Massachusetts Retirees United shall be determined by the Membership Committee.
Section 4.02. Membership eligibility in the MRU shall be determined without regard to sex, race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, or political affiliations.
Section 4.03. Termination of Membership. Any member who shall be in default in the payment of his/her dues will have his/her membership terminated. Yearly dues must be paid by July 1.
Section 4.04. Dues. Dues for members shall be established by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.05. Meetings.
A. The membership meeting will be held annually. A quorum for transaction of business shall consist of 50 members present and registered or 5% of the total membership, whichever is smaller.
B. Meetings may be called by the President or at the request of at least 50% of the Board of Directors. Notification will be given by mail, email, or telephone to each member not less that ten (10) days before such meetings.
ARTICLE V
AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.01. Authority of Directors. The Board of Directors is the policy making body and may exercise all the powers and authority granted by law to the Massachusetts Retirees United.
Section 5.02. Number, Selection, and Tenure. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less that five (5) directors, all elected officers, and chairpersons of the Standing Committees. Each director shall hold office for a term of three (3) years. The President will be Chair of the Board of Directors. Vacancies, other than in the office of President (see Article VI, section 6.08) existing by reason of resignation, death, incapacity, or removal before the expiration of his/her term shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors. A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of that Director’s predecessor in office.
Section 5.03. Resignation. Resignations are effective upon receipt of written notification by the Secretary of the Massachusetts Retirees United.
Section 5.04. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors shall hold at least four (4) regular meetings of the Board of Directors per calendar year. Meetings shall be at such dates, time, and places, as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 5.05. Special Meetings of the Board of Directors. Meetings shall be at such dates, times, and places as the Board shall determine.
Section 5.06. Notice. Meetings may be called by the Chair or at the request of any two (2) directors by notice emailed or telephoned to each member of the Board not less than forty-eight (48) hours before such meeting.
Section 5.07. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Board of Directors and the President or his/her designee. All decisions will be by majority vote of those present at a meeting at which there is a quorum. If less than a majority is present at said meeting, a majority of those present may establish the next meeting date and adjourn. Notification of the next established meeting must be mailed, emailed, or telephoned to each member of the Board of Directors no later than one week before the next established meeting.
Section 5.08. Action without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee may be taken without a meeting if all the members of the Board of Directors or committee consent to taking action. All votes of consent will be by writing or email. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors or of the committee as the case may be.
Section 5.09. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors members present, establish committees of the Board of Directors composed of a least two (2) persons who may include non-Board of Directors members. The Board may take such provisions for appointment of the chair of such committees, establish such procedures to govern their activities, and delegate thereto such authority as may be necessary or desirable for the efficient management of the property, affairs, business, and activities of the Massachusetts Retirees United.
Section 5.10. Reimbursements. Directors shall serve without compensation but approved expenses will be reimbursed.
SECTION VI
AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 6.01. Officers. The officers of the Massachusetts Retirees United shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Section 6.02. Election of Officers; Terms of Office. The officers of the Massachusetts Retirees United will be elected by the members. Officers shall be eligible for reelection.
Section 6.03. Resignation. Resignations are effective upon receipt of written notification by the Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Section 6.04. President.
The President will:
A. Administer the affairs and execute the policies of the MRU.
B. Preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and general membership.
C. With the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint members to all committees, serve as an ex officio member of all committees and establish new committees as necessary with the approval of the Board of Directors or the membership.
D. Co-sign checks for the MRU.
E. Be the MRU delegate to the AFT Convention.
F. Fulfill other duties, as the office requires, which are consistent with the bylaws of the MRU.
Section 6.05. Vice-President.
The Vice-President will:
A. Attend meetings of the Board of Directors
B. Assist the president with his/her duties.
C. Assume the duties of the president in case of his/her absence, disability, or upon the president’s request.
D. Perform other duties as requested and assigned by the President, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.
Section 6.06. Secretary.
The Secretary will:
A. Keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and general membership meetings.
B. Be responsible for correspondence.
Section 6.07. Treasurer.
The treasurer will:
A. Report to the Board of Directors at each regular meeting on the finances of the Massachusetts Retirees United.
B. Work closely with any paid executive staff of the Massachusetts Retirees United to ascertain that appropriate procedures are being followed in the financial affairs of the Massachusetts Retirees United.
C. Mail dues notices and collect dues.
D. Keep an accurate record of all revenues and expenditures.
E. Report the MRU’s financial status to the membership, including a report of finances at the annual September/October meeting.
F. Write and co-sign checks.
G. Perform such duties as occasionally may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.08. Vacancies. A vacancy of the presidency due to resignation, death, incapacity or removal before the expiration of his/her term shall be filled by the Vice-President. All other vacancies will be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. In the event of a tie vote the Chair of the Board of Directors shall cast the deciding vote. An Officer selected to fill a vacancy shall be selected for the unexpired term of the Officer’s predecessor.
Section 6.09. Paid Staff. The Board of Directors may hire paid staff as they deem proper and necessary for the operation of the Massachusetts Retirees United. The powers and duties of the paid staff shall be assigned or as delegated to be assigned by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
Authority and Duties of Committees
Section 7.01. Standing Committees. The Standing Committees of the MRU shall be Membership, Legislative Action, and Publicity, Scholarship, nominating committee, Information and Technology.
Section 7.02. Appointment of Standing Committees. The MRU President with Board of Directors approval will appoint all committee chairs. The committee chair will select members to serve on that committee.
Section 7.03. Membership Committee.
The Membership Committee will:
A. Be responsible for recruiting and retaining members.
B. Work to create programs that will enhance the growth of Chapter membership within the approved budget.
C. Maintain the membership database.
Section 7.04. Legislative Action Committee.
The Legislative Action Committee will:
A. Be responsible for developing legislative goals that must be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.
B. Work to have bills filed that will meet these goals.
C. Be responsible for keeping members updated on the progress of the bills, and mobilizing membership to aid passage of the organization-backed bills.
D. Serve as liaison to the Field Representative for Legislative Issues of AFT Massachusetts.
Section 7.05. Publicity Committee.
The Publicity Committee will:
A. Elicit articles of interest for quarterly newsletter.
B. Be responsible for the set, editing and distribution of the quarterly newsletter within the approved budget.
C. Submit the quarterly newsletter to the President to verify that the contents of the newsletter are in keeping with the purposes of the organization.
D. Perform such duties as occasionally may be assigned by the Board of DIrectors.
Section 7.06. The Information Committee.
The Information Committee will:
A. Be responsible for providing seminars on topics that inform present or future membership of the organization on issues pertinent to their retirement.
B. Write articles for the newsletter on topics that will inform members on important or pertinent topics, or topics that will benefit their retirement.
C. Assist the Legislative Chairperson in the area of member information on state and federal issues.
D. Assist the Membership Chairperson with membership drives that pertain in informing future members on important issues.
E. Assist the Massachusetts Retirees United leadership in any way in order to further the aim of the organization to have retirees with an informed voice.
Section 7.07. The Technology Committee.
The Technology Committee will:
A. Direct the development, implementation and administration of the MRU website.
· Day to day administration of website.
· Install, configure and maintain network services.
· Explore and upgrade new software.
· Support administration of servers
B. Design and implement electronic systems for delivering information to MRU members.
C. Manage MRU email accounts.
D. Update and maintain MRU membership with our state and national affiliates.
Section 7.08. The Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee will:
A. Be responsible for selecting nominees for each office, Directors, and for presenting their names to the MRU membership at the annual meeting.
B. Be responsible for conducting MRU elections in accordance with the Landrum-Griffin Act. No candidate for election shall be a member of the Committee.
Section 7.09 Scholarship Committee
The Scholarship Committee will:
C. Be responsible for the development of the Scholarship Application.
D. Be responsible for ensuring that an updated Scholarship Application is available to all members by January 1st on the MRU website or as a hard copy.
E. Be responsible for publicizing the Scholarship Program to all members via the newsletter and the MRU website.
F. Be responsible for notifying each recipient and non-recipient of the status of his/her application.
G. Present to the Board of Directors a written report of the Scholarship Committee meeting/s.
H. Maintain minutes of all scheduled Scholarship Meetings.
I. Publicize via the newsletter the Scholarship recipients.
Section 7.09. Special Committees. The Board of Directors or the membership may authorize special ad hoc committees when deemed necessary to carry out the work of the MRU. The president may initiate the formation of special committees with the approval of the Board of Directors or the membership. Chairs of these committees will not be members of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Section 8.01. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Massachusetts Retirees United shall be January 1- December 31 but may be changed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 8.02. Checks, Drafts, ETC. All checks, orders for the payment of money, bills of lading, warehouse receipts, obligations, bills of exchange, and insurance certificates shall be signed or endorsed by a least two officers or agents of the Massachusetts Retirees United, and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors or of any committee to which such authority has been delegated by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.03. Deposits and Accounts. All funds of the Massachusetts Retirees United, not otherwise employed, shall be in general or special accounts in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as selected by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX
BOOKS AND RECORDS
Correct books of accounts of the activities and transactions of the Massachusetts Retirees United shall be kept at the office of the Massachusetts Retirees United. These shall include a minute book, a copy of these Bylaws, and all minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3s vote of the membership present and registered at the Annual Membership Meeting, provided prior notice is given of the proposed amendment at least thirty (30) days before the meeting at which such action is taken, by mail, email or telephone.
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