BYLAWS

OF THE
 UTAH YOUNG REPUBLICANS

As Amended and Adopted at the Board Meeting held April 15, 2010
 As Amended and Adopted at the Board Meeting held March 29, 2011
 As Amended and Adopted at the Board Meeting held January 7, 2021
 As Amended and Adopted at the Board Meeting held August 4, 2022
 As Amended and Adopted at the Board Meeting held [INSERT DATE]

PREAMBLE

We, the Utah Young Republicans, are herein formed to educate, motivate, activate, and train our members in the principles upon which the United States Constitution was founded and its stated scope in governmental affairs, community involvement, and the American political system, and do hereby associate ourselves together and declare the following to be our Bylaws.

ARTICLE I

The name of this organization shall be the Utah Young Republicans (“UYRs”).

ARTICLE II

A. OBJECTIVES

  1. To train, educate, and motivate individuals between eighteen (18) and forty (40) years of age in political principles under the U.S. Constitution and the Republican Party platform;
  2. To aid in the election of Republicans; and
  3. To find and educate future Republican business, government, and community leaders.

ARTICLE III

A. MEMBERSHIP

  1. Active Membership. To be an active member of the UYRs, a person shall: adhere to the objectives of the UYRs, be between eighteen (18) and forty (40) years of age, be a resident of the State of Utah, and be a registered member of the Utah Republican Party. Only active members may vote or hold office.
  2. Honorary Membership. An honorary membership may be granted to a person whom the Executive Committee of the UYRs may wish to confer special distinction in recognition of outstanding service to the UYRs or Republican Party. Honorary members may neither vote nor hold office.

B. DUES

  1. Dues shall be charged by each club from the members as set out in its bylaws. To maintain its charter, each club shall forward five dollars ($5.00) for each member to the UYRs’ Treasurer by the fifteenth (15th) of the month following collection.

ARTICLE IV

A. UYRs CLUBS

  1. Clubs. The UYRs shall consist of clubs and auxiliaries (hereinafter jointly referred to as “club” or “clubs”) and each club may represent an entire county, part of a county, or several adjacent counties. Clubs may also be formed around specific interests or professions.
  2. Chartering of Clubs. To receive a charter, a club shall:
    1. Submit a list of at least five (5) founding members, with contact information and designation of one (1) club Chair and at least one (1) Director to serve on the UYR Board of Directors (hereinafter “the Board”);
    2. Submit a list containing the names and contact information of any other non-founding members; and
    3. Submit a copy of the proposed club’s proposed bylaws to the State Chair for provisional approval or rejection. If provisionally approved, the Board shall ratify or reject the charter of such club by a majority vote at the next Board meeting.
  3. Club Conventions. Each club chartered by the Board shall hold its organizing meeting during the month of June.
  4. Rechartering of Clubs. Each club affiliated with the UYRs shall submit an application for re-chartering after their June organizing meeting and shall be re-chartered annually at the meeting of the Board that occurs either in June or at the next Board meeting after June, if the Board does not meet in June. Each club shall demonstrate that they have the required five (5) members, list the names, emails, and phone numbers of the five (5) members, the current list of active members with email and phone numbers, and shall receive a new charter from the State Chair.
  5. Amendments. In the event a club amends their bylaws, a final version of said bylaws shall be transmitted to, and kept by, the Secretary of the UYR Executive Committee.
  6. Official Club Business Meetings. Each club chartered by the Board shall hold at least five (5) officially called meetings each calendar year in order to maintain its charter. If this provision is not complied with, the State Chair may send a registered letter or official email to the last known chair of the club stating that action has been instituted to revoke the club charter. If after thirty (30) days the club has not presented evidence to the Board or the Executive Committee on the Board’s behalf that this provision has, in fact, been complied with, the charter may be revoked by the Chair, at the Chair’s discretion.
  7. Suspension or Revocation of a Charter. Any club that fails to conform to the provisions of UYR bylaws may have its charter suspended or revoked by a majority vote of the Board.

B. UYRs EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  1. Executive Officers. The Executive Officers of the UYRs shall be a Chair, Vice-Chair, National Committeewoman, National Committeeman, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Director, and Communications Director.
  2. Election of Executive Officers. The Executive Officers shall be elected at-large at the UYRs’ State Organizing Convention in odd years and take office at the conclusion of said Convention.
  3. Qualifications for Executive Office. Each candidate for Executive Office shall certify that he or she is:
    1. Registered and a Republican in the State of Utah;
    2. Will not be over 40 years old during the entire length of the term of office.
  4. Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy occurring among the Executive Officers, such office must be filled by a majority vote of the Board at a duly called meeting. Executive Officers elected to fill a vacancy shall only serve the remainder of the two (2) year term of office common to all Executive Officers.
  5. Term of Office. The term of office for an Executive Officer shall be for a term of two years until a successor is duly elected and qualified.
  6. Removal from Office.
    1. Failure of any Executive Officer to attend, either in person or by teleconference, three (3) Executive Committee meetings in a six (6) month period or three (3) consecutive regular Board meetings without just cause shall constitute the resignation of such Executive Officer.
    2. Any Executive Officer may be removed from office for unexcused failure to perform the duties of office by a signed petition in writing to the Secretary from twenty (20) percent of the Board and by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board.

C. UYRs EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  1. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the State Executive Officers and other individuals appointed by, and serving at the discretion of, the State Chair and approved by the Board.

D. UYRs STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of the following persons:
    1. Each State Executive Officer shall be an at-large Director;
    2. Each State-level Auxiliary (Policy, Membership, etc.) lead shall be a Director;
    3. Each Club Chair shall be a Director.
  2. Removal from Office. Failure of any elected Director to attend three (3) consecutive regular Board meetings, or failure to perform constituted duties without just cause, shall constitute automatic resignation from the Board. The Board shall be the final arbiter in determining compliance of these duties.
  3. Vacancies. A vacancy among the elected Directors shall be filled from the club in which the vacancy occurred, as specified in the clubs bylaws.
  4. Term of Office. The term for Directors shall be equal in length to the term of office held by officers of the club from which the Director was elected. This provision shall not apply to at-large Directors.

 

ARTICLE V

A. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  1. Duties of the Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the UYRs, at the state convention of the UYRs, at all meetings of the Board; shall have the power to act for and on behalf of the UYRs with the consent and approval of the Board; shall appoint all standing and special committees and chairmen of the same; shall appoint the auxiliary positions to the Executive Committee, with the approval of the Board; shall sign all checks jointly with the Treasurer; shall be a member of all committees without the right to vote; shall act as a liaison between the UYRs and the Republican Party; shall be responsible to see that all amendments to the bylaws are properly recorded with the Republican Party and shall perform such additional duties as may be required of the office. 
  2. Duties of the Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair, shall maintain a membership roll of all active members as communicated by each club chair, shall maintain a membership roll of all Honorary Members, shall accept and retain a list of all Directors as communicated by each club chair, shall accept and retain a list of the convention delegates, and shall perform such other duties as designated. 
  3. Duties of the National Committeeman and Committeewoman. The National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall represent the UYRs on the Young Republican National Committee and its functions and perform such other duties as designated by the Executive Committee or Board. 
  4. Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the UYRs and the Board according to procedure and maintain a record of such proceedings; shall issue the call for all meetings; shall keep a record of the attendance of the Board and Executive Officers at all regular Board meetings; shall call the Roll of the membership when required; shall have custody of the Bylaws and all other club records not specifically assigned to another office; shall maintain a file of correspondence, and shall furnish a copy of all such correspondence to the State Chair; shall maintain contact between the UYRs and the National Federation; shall maintain a file with copies of each club’s bylaws; and shall perform such other duties as the State Chair shall designate. 
  5. Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds belonging to the UYRs and keep adequate books of account; shall furnish a full financial report to the Board annually; shall furnish the Board with an independent audit of the books of the Treasurer at the opening of the State Convention which audit shall be paid for by the UYRs; shall sign all checks jointly with the Chair and shall perform such other duties as the Chair may designate, or may be required of the office. 
  6. Duties of the Executive Director: The Executive Director shall oversee the day-to-day operations and administrative functions of the UYRs; shall implement the strategic goals, programs, and initiatives approved by the Board and Executive Committee; shall coordinate and support the activities of all chartered clubs to ensure alignment with the statewide mission and objectives of the UYRs; shall develop and manage membership recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies in coordination with the Vice-Chair and club leadership; shall plan, organize, and execute major statewide events, training programs, and leadership development initiatives; shall assist the Treasurer in preparing budgets, tracking expenditures, and supporting fundraising efforts; and shall maintain organizational records and ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, Republican Party rules, and these bylaws.

D. DUTIES OF THE UYRs STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. Duties of the Board. The Board shall serve as the governing body of the UYRs; shall approve all appointments by the Chair by a simple majority vote; shall authorize all funds expended by a simple majority vote, provided that the Board may approve a budget for specific or general items of expenditure which approval shall serve as authorization to expend such funds; shall have the power to adopt, establish, and enforce the rules necessary to carry out the objects of the UYRs so long as such is not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
  2. Meeting of the Board. The Board shall meet on the Call of the Chair or in the event of his or her disability, the Vice-Chair, or on the written request of a simple majority of the members of the Board to the Secretary who shall then be obliged to issue the Call within five (5) days notice of the same. Notice shall be given to each member of the Board not less than seven (7) days prior to any meeting.
  3. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of voting members of the Board present at a duly called meeting and said quorum shall have the authority to transact any business of the UYRs by a simple majority vote unless a larger vote is called for herein.

ARTICLE VI

A. CONVENTION 

  1. State Convention. A state convention shall be held every odd numbered year between March 1st and April 30th for the purpose of electing the Executive Officers and such other business as allowed by these Bylaws. The time and place shall be selected by the Board. 
  2.  Call to Convention. The Chair shall notify each club chair regarding a call to convention no later than thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the convention. 
  3. Delegates. Clubs chartered and recognized by the Board shall be entitled to send delegates to the convention. Each club is entitled to have five (5) delegates, one (1) of which shall be the club chair. Alternate delegates may be designated as club chairs, but must be certified by the Vice-Chair in the same manner as regular delegates. Once selected and certified, delegates shall be bound by the rules of the convention. 
  4.  Certification of Delegates. The delegates shall be certified by name to the Vice-Chair no later than midnight of the Wednesday prior to the convention or at a later date determined by the Board, but in no case later than the casting of votes at the state convention. In the case where the club represents more than one county, the county in which the delegate resides shall be stated in the certification. 
  5.  Recognition of Delegates. The delegates shall be registered voters in the counties in which they reside and be active members in the clubs they represent. 
  6. Election by Delegates. Delegates shall vote by roll call for all Executive Committee Officer Positions. Candidates receiving a simple majority of voters shall be declared the winner after all votes have been cast. 

ARTICLE VII 

A. UYRs AFFILIATIONS 

  1. Utah Republican Party Auxiliary. The UYRs shall maintain its auxiliary status with the Utah Republican Party including fulfilling the following criteria: 
    1. Have submitted a copy of the group’s bylaws to the State Executive Committee for review and; 
    2. The group’s stated purpose and bylaws comply with and assist in the Party’s purpose of electing Republicans to office and; 
    3. The group provides a list of at least 25 active members and their contact information to the State Executive Committee and; 
    4. All voting members of the group are registered Republicans, except for teenage and college age groups who are old enough to vote shall be registered Republicans. 
    5. The group shall accept all registered Republicans who meet eligibility requirements as set forth in the auxiliary’s bylaws. Teenage and college groups may accept members not old enough to vote as set forth in their bylaws. 
    6. The group’s documents shall outline a method of election of officers with terms of office not being greater than two years. The auxiliary shall provide written proof an election for officers has been held within the past two years with a minimum of 25 credentialed members, or 10 credentialed members for teenage groups, participating in the election. 
    7. The group shall meet at least quarterly with a minimum of 10 members in attendance. Notice of all meetings shall be noticed to all members. 
  2. Young Republican National Federation Affiliation. The UYRs may affiliate with the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF) and as such may abide by its constitution and bylaws, insofar as the YRNF does not interfere in the relationship between the UYRs and the Utah Republican Party. 
  3. Delegates to the National Convention. If the UYRs are a chartered organization of the YRNF, delegates to the YRNF national convention shall be determined in the following manner and shall have the following funding priority: 
    1. The State Chair shall be entitled to be a delegate; 
    2. The National Committeewoman shall be entitled to be a delegate; iii. The National Committeeman shall be entitled to be a delegate; 
    3. If the UYRs are allowed to have more than three (3) delegates, the State Chair may appoint up to three (3) delegates, provided that said persons are active members; and 
    4. All vacant delegate positions may be filled by an active member by way of nomination from a UYR State Officer, and confirmed by a majority of Board members in the following Board meeting. 
  4. Funding for the National Convention. The UYRs shall not be required to fund a full delegation to the YRNF national convention. If the Board chooses to fund anything less than a full delegation, a delegate position shall be funded in the order the position is filled. The Board shall determine the number of funded delegate positions prior to the selection of delegates. 

ARTICLE VIII

A. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS 

  1. Board of Directors. By a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of the Board at a meeting called for that purpose; provided, however, that no such meeting shall be called within thirty (30) days prior to any state convention of the UYRs. 
  2. State Conventions. By a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the certified delegates present and voting at a regular state convention of the UYRs; provided, however, that such amendment shall have been submitted in writing to the State Chair fourteen (14) days prior to the convening of the convention. 

ARTICLE IX 

A. BOARD MEETINGS. 

  1. Matters to be Placed on Call. The Call for a meeting of the Board shall list the following, if they are to be acted upon at the meeting: amendments to the State Bylaws, filling of vacancies in an Executive Office, voting on a general budget, election of delegates to the National Convention, setting time and place of the Convention, removal from office, withdrawing the charter of a club, and the chartering of a club. Items not listed in the Call for the meeting may be considered if motioned and approved by a majority of board members in attendance. 
  2. Placing Matters on Call by Board Members. Any six (6) members of the Board may submit a signed request to the State Chair for an item to be placed on the Call of the meeting. The item shall be placed on the Call if it is received five (5) days prior to the meeting date. 

ARTICLE X 

  1. ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES. 
  1. No Republican candidate for public office, whether local, state or national, shall be publicly endorsed or opposed by the UYRs prior to a Party Primary or Party endorsing convention; no Republican official elected by the general public whether local, state or national, shall be opposed by the UYRs, or any club chartered by the UYRs; no individual opposing any Republican for an office elected by the general public shall be endorsed by the Board of the UYRs, the UYRs organization itself, or any club chartered by the UYRs, unless otherwise voted by majority vote of the Board.