as amended April 28, 2007

Section 1 Name. The name of this organization shall be the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces. This local League is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico.

Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of the League of Women Voters of greater Las Cruces shall be to encourage informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues.

Section 2. Policy. The League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces is a nonpartisan political organization which may take action on local governmental measures and policies in the public interest in conformity with the principles of the League of Women Voters of the United States. It shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.

Section 1. Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purpose and policy of the League shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2. Types of Membership. The membership of the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces shall be composed of voting members and associate members.

a. Voting members shall be citizens at least 18 years of age.

b. Associate members shall be all other members.

Section 1. Number, Manner of Selection and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the League, two elected Directors and not more than four appointed Directors. In addition, in odd-numbered years when a new President is elected, the retiring President will sit on the Board as a member at large for a one-year term. One elected Director shall be elected by the general membership at each Annual Meeting and shall serve for a term of two years, or until a successor has been elected and qualified. The elected members shall appoint such additional Directors, not exceeding four, as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the League. The term of office of the appointed Directors shall be one year and shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual Meeting.

Section 2. Qualifications. Only a voting member of the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces shall be elected or appointed or shall continue to serve as an officer or director of this organization.

Section 3. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors by reason of resignation, death, or disqualification of any officer or any elected member may be filled, until the next Annual Meeting, by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors. Three consecutive absences from a Board meeting without a valid reason shall be deemed a resignation.

Section 4. Powers and Duties. The Board of Directors shall have full charge of the property and business of the organization, with full power and authority to manage and conduct same, subject to the instructions of the general membership. It shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the Program as adopted by the National Convention, the State Convention, and the Annual Meeting. The Board shall create and designate such special commitees as it may deem necessary. In the absence of a President and Vice President, the Board of Directors shall conduct all business of the organization. In such cases, there shall be a minimum of six Directors.

Section 5. Meetings. There shall be at least eight regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually. The President may call special meetings of the Board of Directors and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of four members of the Board.

Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board of Directiors shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers. The officers of the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, who shall be elected by the general membership at an Annual Meeting and take office immediately. The President and the Treasurer shall be elected to two-year terms in odd-numbered years. The Vice-President and the Secretary shall be elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years.

Section 2. The President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors. The President may, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts, and notes. The President shall (a) be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the Nomination Committee; (b) have such usual powers of supervision and management as shall pertain to the office of the President; and (c) perform such other duties as the President and the Board may designate.

Section 3. The Vice-President. The Vice-President shall, in the event of absence, resignation, disability, or death of the president, possess all the powers and perform all the duties of that office until such time as the Board of Directors shall select one of its members to fill the vacancy. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as the President and the Board may designate.

Section 4. The Secretary. The Secretary shall keep minutes of meetings of the League and of all meetings of the Board of Directors; shall notify all Officers and Directors of their election; shall sign, with the President, all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the Board, and shall perform such other functions as may be incident to the office.

Section 5. The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of these monies, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the Board of Directors, and shall disburse the same only upon order of the Board. The Treasurer shall present statements to the Board at their regular meetings and an annual report to the Annual Meeting.

Section 6. Alternate Governing Structure. When a President is not selected and the Vice President is unable to assume the duties of President, the Board shall govern the organization as a committee.

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces shall commence on the first day of May each year.

Section 2. Dues. Dues, as recommended by the Budget Committee and approved by the Board of Directors and by the general membership at the Annual Meeting shall be payable annually from the first day of May. Dues for new members joining after November 1 will be assessed at half the annual amount.

Section 3. Budget. The budget shall be for the fiscal year and shall include support for the total program of the League. The proposed budget as apporoved by the Board of Directors shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting and shall be submitted to the Annual Meeting for adoption.

Section 4. Budget Committee. A Budget Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting. The Budget Committee shall prepare a budget for the ensuing year and submit for review to the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve as chairperson of the Budget Committee.

Section 1. Membership Meetings. There shall be at least three meetings of the membership each year. Time and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section. 2. Annual Meeting. An Annual Meeting shall be held between April 1 and May 25, the exact date to be determined by the Board of Directors. The Annual Meeting shall:

a. Adopt a local program for the ensuing year;

b. Elect officers, directors, and two members of the Nominating Committee;

c. Adopt an adequate budget, and

d. Transact such other business as may properly come before it.

Section 3. Quorum. Voting members present shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces.

Section 1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be a member of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson and one member, who shall not be members of the Board, shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. Nominations for these offices shall be made by the Nominating Committee. The other member shall be appointed by the Board of Directors immediately following the Annual Meeting. Any vacancy on the Nominating Commitee shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Suggestions for nominations for officers and directors may be sent to this Committee by any voting member.

Section 2. Report of the Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor. The report of the Nominating Committee of its nominations for officers, directors and the members of the succeeding Nominating Committee shall be sent to all members one month before the date of the Annual Meeting. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be presented to the Annual Meeting. Immediately following the presentation of this report, nominations may be made from the floor by any voting member provided the consent of the nominee shall have been secured.

Section 3. Elections. The election shall be by ballot, provided that when there is but one nominee for each office, the Secretary may be instructed to cast the ballot for every nominee. A majority vote of those qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.

Section 1. Authorization. The governmental principles adopted by the National Convention, and supported by the League as a whole, constitute the authorization for the adoption of the Program.

Section 2. Program. The Program of the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces shall consist of: action to implement ther principles and such national, state, and local governmental issues as the membership shall choose for concerted study and action.

a. The Board of Directors shall consider the recommendations of the voting members two months prior to the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a Proposed Program.

b. The Proposed Program shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting.

c. A majority vote of voting members present and voting at the Annual Meeting shall be required for adoption of subjects in the Proposed Program as presented to the Annual Meeting by the Board of Directors.

d. Recommendations for Program submitted by voting members two months prior to the Annual Meeting but not recommended by the Board of Directors may be considered by the Annual Meeting provided that

1. The Annual Meeting shall order consideration by majority vote, and

2. The Annual Meeting shall adopt the item by a two-thirds vote.

e. Changes in the adopted Program may be made provided that:

1. Information concerning the proposed changes has been sent to all members at

least two weeks prior to a general membership meeting at which the change is to

be discussed, and

2. Final action by the membership is taken at a succeeding meeting.

Section 4. Member Action. Members may act in the name of the League of Women Voters only when they have been authorized to do so by the Board of Directors.

Section 1. National Convention. The Board of Directors, at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the national office, shall select delegates to that convention in the number allotted by League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of the United States.

Section 2. State Convention. The Board of Directors, at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the state office, schall select delegates to that convention in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces under the provisions of the Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico.

Section 3. State Council. The Board of Directors shall select delegates to that council in the number allotted the League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces under the provisions of th Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico.

Section 1. Amendments. Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted to the membership in writing at least one month in advance of the Annual Meeting. Amendments shall be effective immediately upon receipt of affirmative votes from two-thirds of the voting members present and voting at the Annual Meeting.