Bylaws

Bylaws of the

Richmond Republican Town Committee

Richmond, Rhode Island

Adopted ________________________ Amended _______04/25/2024_______________

MISSION:

The Richmond Republican Town Committee is comprised of ordinary townspeople who have a high regard for individual freedom, prosperity and quality of life for all. We believe strongly that these values should flourish in our community.  

We work for: 

·        Lean, efficient government

·        Affordable taxes

·        High-performing schools based on traditional teaching methods with a fiscally responsible Chariho school budget

·        Public services that are kept to essential levels

·        Citizens who are free to keep more of what they earn

·        A vibrant business community

·        Deep respect for natural and agricultural assets

The people of Richmond are all stewards of a unique place, and that includes electing responsible leadership. Those we elect must work to promote and protect the wise foundational values that help make local communities great -- and that help make America great.

ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1.  Name

The name of the organization shall be the Richmond Republican Town Committee (RRTC), located in the town of Richmond, Washington County, state of Rhode Island.

Section 2.  Purpose.

A.      The purpose of the RRTC is to identify, vet, and support committed Republican leaders and candidates for local and state offices who pledge to uphold the stated common values of the RRTC who have signed a contract stating that they support our values. 

B.     In addition we elect committed Republicans to serve as Town Committee office-holders and members to pursue our goals.

C.     The RRTC has a right and responsibility to develop and hold positions on state and local issues.

D.     Pursuant to RIGL 17-12010, the RRTC is solely vested with the responsibility for the management of the affairs for the Republican Party in Richmond consistent with the rules of the Rhode Island Republican Party.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP – RRTC MEMBER

Section 1.  Number and Qualifications of Full and Associate Members

A.      The RRTC shall be composed of no more than 50 members.  New members will be voted in at any time during the year.

B.     Members must be registered Republicans voting in the town of Richmond.

C.     Any member of the Town Committee absent for three consecutive meetings without an acceptable reason will automatically cease to be a member of this Committee.

D.     An Associate Member is a registered Republican from the town of Richmond who has an interest in supporting the Republican Party but is unable to regularly attend Town Committee meetings.  An Associate Member may be removed from such status at any time by the Executive Committee or by a vote of a special RRTC meeting with at least 20% of members in attendance.  An Associate Member has no voting privilege

Section 2.  Member benefits -Full Active Members are eligible to:

A.      Attend all regular and special RRTC meetings allowing members to help shape policy and messaging at the local and state level

B.     Propose nominees and vote for RRTC elected officers

C.     Propose nominees and vote for endorsed candidates for elected office

D.     Be nominated for an endorsed Republican candidate position

E.     Vote for Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee (RIRSCC) delegates and alternate delegates

F.      Be nominated for a Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee (RISCC) delegate or alternate delegate position.

Section 3. Endorsement

A.  The RRTC members, biennially in even-numbered years, at the last regular meeting prior to the date when candidates are required to file with officials of the Town of Richmond for a primary or regular election, shall endorse eligible persons for election.  Nominees for endorsement shall be proposed by the RRTC.  Nominations shall be made not later than the next to last regular meeting prior to the date when candidates are required to file with officials of the Town of Richmond for election.

B.     Candidates for office shall be expected to make donations of money or In-Kind donations to RRTC up to 50% of the cost of their campaign that was paid by the RRTC, up to the annual limit that the Board of Elections sets. 

Section 4. Vacancies

A.      If a vacancy shall occur upon the death or resignation of an officer of the RRTC, that vacancy may be filled by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting.  Such vacancy shall be filled by a vote of the membership within forty-five (45) days after the occurrence thereof.

B.     If an elected official resigns from office either by written notice, email notice or verbal resignation at a Town Committee meeting, that resignation will be considered final.  Rescinding of a resignation will not be accepted by the RRTC membership.  

Section 5. Removal from office

A.       Any elected official may be removed from office:

1.       3 members may send a written request to the Secretary of RRTC, requesting  the topic “removal from office” of a particular official of RRTC be added to the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting. A vote will be taken at a regular meeting and will be considered passed if a quorum of membership (20%) is present and 51% of those present  approve the motion to remove an elected official from office. 

2.      The Chair or three members may call for a Special meeting, at which the agenda concerns the removal from office of one of the elected officials.  Please refer to Bylaws, Article III, Sections 3, 4,and 5 for procedures to follow.  In the case of a Special Meeting, 51% of the membership of RRTC must approve the motion for removal from office.

Article III.  Meetings

Section 1.  Regular Meetings

The RRTC shall meet monthly, unless determined otherwise by the RRTC members.  Such meetings of the RRTC shall be held on a date and at a time and place to be determined by the Chair.

Section 2.  Organizational Meeting

Pursuant to RIGL 17-12-9, members shall meet biennially in January in odd-numbered years to organize and elect officers to serve until the next organizational meeting.  The secretary shall transmit to the Rhode Island Secretary of State and the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Republican Party a list of the RRTC committee officers and members as required by law.

Section 3.  Special Meetings

A special meeting may be called by the Chair or by members filing with the Secretary a written petition signed by at least three (3) members of the RRTC.  Each special meeting shall be held on the date and at the time and place specified in the special meeting notice.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings

Notice of any regular or special meetings shall be given to all members and associate members of the RRTC not later than seven (7) days prior to the meeting date. Notice of meetings may be by electronic notice, mailed written notice or personal delivery of written notice. 

Section 5.  Quorum

Twenty percent (20%) of the RRTC membership shall constitute a quorum to conduct business but not to vote someone out of office.

Aritcle IV.  SUMMARY OF ELECTION CALENDARS FOR RRTC

Officer Election                                       Odd Years                January

State Delegates & Alternate Delegates      Odd Years                February

Member Election                                        Even Years               Primary Election

New Member Election                               Any Time                 RRTC meeting

Article V.  Officers

Section 1.  Elected Officers

The officers shall be elected by the membership at the biennial organizational meeting in January in odd-numbered years and shall serve until the next biennial election of officers or until their resignation, removal or death.  The elected officers of RRTC shall be:    

A.      Chair

B.     Vice Chair-Communication

C.     Vice Chair-Fundraising

D.     Vice Chair-Candidate Development

E.     Secretary

F.      Treasurer

Section 2.  Duties of Officers

A.      Chair shall preside at all meetings of the RRTC and perform all other duties incident to the office of Chair.  The Chair will write blurbs for social media and our web page which represents the positions of the RRTC on a variety of matters.  The Chair also seeks new members to join the RRTC.

B.     Vice Chair-Communications   shall be responsible for communicating with members, other Republicans and voters in general regarding the RRTC’s positions, including oversight of the RRTC website and social media initiatives.  The Vice Chair-Communications shall also oversee mass communications on  behalf of the RRTC by writing short blurbs.  In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair-Communications shall exercise all functions of the Chair.

C.     Vice Chair Fundraising shall be responsible for establishing RRTC’s fundraising goals with the RRTC as a whole and then driving fund-raising events conducted throughout his or her term.  The Vice Chair-Fundraising shall write blurbs or short paragraphs about the activities and/or positions the RRTC and candidates are taking.  The Vice Chair-Fundraising shall work closely with the Treasurer to mange an accounting of all funds received or expended.  The Vice Chair-Fundraising shall report on progress at each regular meeting of the RRTC. 

D.    Vice Chair-Candidate Development shall be responsible for developing candidates for all elected positions in the town of Richmond RI and coordinating all campaign activities during any election year.  The Vice Chair-CD shall identify and develop passionate and highly informed candidates.  In election years, the Vice Chair-CD organizes and coordinates all RRTC support provided to endorsed Republican candidates on the general election ballot, to include preparation of a detailed and coordinated campaign plan.  The Vice Chair-CD will work closely with the Vice Chair-Comms to ensure all communications about the RRTC position of issues and policies and candidates are aligned and highly leveraged.  The Vice Chair-CD shall report on progress at each regular meeting of the RRTC.

E.     Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of all meetings and attendance at  meetings, the maintenance of the roll of the elected and appointed RRTC membership, matters as directed by the Chair, the provision of notice of all meetings of the membership and performance of such other duties as the chair shall direct.  The secretary will book meeting locations, send condolence cards when appropriate, and distribute the minutes and agendas to members.

F.      Treasurer shall keep the financial books and records of the RRTC and be responsible for all receipts and expenditures of money, render periodic account at least quarterly to the membership, manage the required reporting under RIGL 17-25, the Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Reporting Act, and perform other duties incident to the role of Treasurer.

Article VI:  Committees

A.      Section 1.  Executive Committee.

1.      The executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the RRTC, elected Delegates and Alternate Delegates. Except as concerns rights and powers which are herein or by law reserved to the RRTC membership, the entire management and control of the business, property and affairs of the RRTC shall be vested in the Executive Committee.

2.     It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to set RRTC party policy and strategy subject to approval of the full RRTC.  The Executive Committee shall make a report of its business at each meeting of the RRTC.  It shall also assist the Chair in an advisory capacity on any matter that he/she may submit to the Executive Committee and shall carry out such other instructions and duties as the RRTC membership shall designate as appropriate.

3. Other Committees

Other committees, and a chair of each, may be appointed by the Chair orf the Executive Committee at their discretion with membership provided sufficient to achieve the task(s) desired. 

Article VII – RI Republican State Central Committee Delegates and Alternate Delegates

Delegates:  During the month of February in every odd-numbered year, the RRTC Chair shall nominate members to serve as delegates to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee (RIRSCC), the number of delegates is two (2) per the bylaws of the Rhode Island State Republican Party.   The names of the nominees shall be voted on by the RRTC during its regular February meeting in the particular odd-numbered year.  Delegates elected to the RIRSCC shall serve for a two-year term beginning on March 5 of the year in which they are elected, and thereafter until qualified successors are elected.

Alternate Delegates:  At the same February meeting, other members of the RRTC shall be nominated by the Chair to serve as alternate delegates to the RIRSCC and voted upon by the membership and elected in the same manner.  The number of alternate delegates is two (2) per the bylaws of the Rhode Island State Republican Party.  Alternate delegates are entitled to attend all meetings of the RIRSCC, and in the absence of one or another of the RRTC’ elected delegates, the alternate will serve as a delegate.

Article VIII – Execution of Instruments and Audit of Records 

Section 1.  Bank Accounts and Signing.

Bank accounts shall be maintained at a financial institution approved by the elected members of the RRTC with the signatures of the RRTC Chair and Treasurer as authorizing officials.  All financial transactions or instruments with a value of $500.00 or less shall be authorized by the Chair or Treasurer.  Financial transactions or instruments for more than $500.00 shall be authorized by both the Chair and Treasurer.  The RRTC membership shall be advised of financial instruments transacted in amounts of $500.00 or greater at its next scheduled meeting.

Section 2.  Review or Audit

The financial books and records shall be reviewed on a periodic basis by a qualified person named by the Chair and shall be audited at the direction of the elected officers if they decide that an audit is necessary.

Article IX – Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the RRTC shall be the calendar year.

Article X – Amendments

Section 1.  Proposal.

Any amendment of these Bylaws may be proposed by the RRTC Executive Committee or by 20% (20%) of the whole number of members.  Each proposed amendment shall be filed in writing with the RRTC Secretary by the proposal’s proponents.

Section 2.  Notice.

A copy of each proposed amendment of these Bylaws shall be furnished by the Secretary to each member, together with notice of the date, time and place at which such proposed amendment are to be considered within fifteen (15) days after filing thereof with the Secretary, and in no event less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting at which the proposed (s) will be considered.

Section 3. Adoption.

The Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the RRTC at which there is a simple majority of the members present and voting.

Article XI – Parliamentary Procedure – Roberts Rules of Order

Roberts Rules of Order (revised) shall be the procedural authority for conduct of all RRTC business meetings.

Proposed Amendments  discussed on 03/28/24 and voted to approve on 4/25/24