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Article One: Name
The Women Progressive Activists (WPA) is the name of our organization.

Article Two: Mission
The members of WPA join to encourage and support progressive women to run for political office or otherwise engage in civic life; to preserve civil and voting rights; to establish a network of progressive women promoting health, protecting the environment, creating peace, safeguarding justice, improving the education and general welfare of children; and to influence the use of money and power toward achieving the tenants of our mission.

Article Three: Membership
WPA is member-driven and member-focused. Membership is voluntary, based on self-identification of those who desire to be politically active and effective in agreement with the WPA Mission (Article Two). Membership privileges remain current with annual dues. Privileges may include broadcast email to members, various website posting functions, as well as access to informational member Web pages. Access to member Web pages is suspended if dues remain unpaid through the first quarter of the fiscal year. Privileges are re-instated upon payment of annual dues.

Article Four: Meetings/Quorum
Meetings shall be in accordance with the WPA Mission. WPA members are encouraged to attend any meeting of the organization, including those of the Executive Committee. The WPA membership meets quarterly or as determined by the Executive Committee. A general voting quorum consists of at least 25% participation by current members. An elected Executive Committee shall determine a regular day of the month for meetings. The Executive Committee meets monthly or about ten times per year which may occur as an extension of other WPA meetings. Meeting dates may be changed, cancelled or finalized by the Executive Committee. Every effort will be made to confirm or announce a meeting date and purpose to WPA members 28 days in advance. Every effort will be made to make cancellations, announce details or provide reminders at least one calendar week before the meeting.

Article Five: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee leads the WPA organization. The Executive Committee consists of elected WPA officers and appointed committee Chairs. Elected officers are expected to attend every announced meeting. In the event that an elected officer regularly fails to attend meetings without delegation or explanation, or upon a voluntary resignation or inconclusive election results, the Executive Committee may declare the position vacant and appoint a WPA member to complete the officer's term. An appointed Chair may be subject to similar action.

The Executive Committee may act with a minimum of three Executive Committee members, including at least two elected officers, present at an announced meeting. Action directly affecting the general membership is only taken at announced meetings. Additional Executive Committee consensus, deliberations or procedural discussions may be achieved otherwise, as necessary to further actions taken at an announced meeting. The Executive Committee may establish its own rules and procedures in alignment with these Bylaws.

Article Six: Officers and Chairs

Officers
Officers of the WPA include President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. A normal term of office is one year, but not limited to one term. The Vice-President/President-Elect automatically succeeds the President unless special action is taken. Upon concluding a full term, a Past President may continue as a member of the Executive Committee during the term of the successor President. Officers are not prohibited from also serving as Chairs or expanding their duties as agreed by the Executive Committee. When necessary, an officer may delegate duties to another officer of the Executive Committee.

President: The President is responsible for WPA general oversight which may include activities such as communication, agenda development and chairing meetings.

Vice President/President-Elect: The Vice President/President-elect assists the President, and presides pro tempore in the absence of the President.

Secretary: The Secretary prepares Executive Committee meeting minutes. Minutes approved by the Executive Committee are posted to member pages of the WPA website. The Secretary may execute additional correspondence or provide other records for WPA as agreed by the Executive Committee.

Treasurer: The Treasurer performs banking transactions as authorized by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer maintains accounts such as the membership (dues) roll and the USPS PO Box. The Treasurer reports regularly to the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall provide a summary report to the membership each June. In addition to the Treasurer, at least one other Officer shall be authorized to sign on the bank account.

Chairs: Chairs represent expanded leadership opportunities for members. Chairs take responsibility for member-driven projects and activities. Chairs may be appointed at the discretion of the Executive Committee. As limited members of the Executive Committee, Chairs report to and may expect support from the Executive Committee. Chairs may be Standing or Ad Hoc as determined by the Executive Committee at time of appointment. Chairs may compose a committee of WPA members to accomplish related duties. The Chair and committee may establish rules or procedures for their work.

Suggested Standing Chairs:

Communications Chair (CC): The Communications Chair assists with organizational communications and coordinates development of both public and member Web pages between the Executive Committee and the website administrator.

Civic Affairs Chair (CAC): The Civic Affairs Chair maintains and updates information on voting and other civil rights on the website. The CAC may also select and post external resources.

Membership Development Chair (MDC): The Membership Development Chair assists in delivering membership opportunities. In coordination with the Executive Committee, the MDC may implement various programs to increase membership or to encourage participation and ensure a member-driven focus.

Suggested Ad Hoc Chairs:

Bylaws Chair: Working closely with the Secretary, the Bylaws Chair leads an annual evaluation of the Bylaws. Endorsements Chair: Working closely with or while serving as the MDC, the Endorsements Chair directs and monitors the process of evaluating potential organizational endorsements during an election season. Executive Development Chair (EDC): Working closely with or while serving as the MDC, the EDC identifies candidates for Vice-President/President-Elect, Treasurer and Secretary. The Executive Development Committee ideally shall consist of the EDC, the President-elect, a past President, and the Membership Development Chair and one or two general members totaling at least three persons but not more than five. Current Program Chair: Working closely with the President and Vice President, a Current Program Chair develops the program for a quarterly membership meeting, a public forum, or other WPA event. Program development includes all aspects such as committee composition, agenda, topic, format, invitations, publicity, venue selection and venue preparation, refreshments, etc.

Article Seven: Attendance and Participation
WPA members are encouraged to attend any WPA event or meeting, including those of the Executive Committee. Attendance or participation is especially recommended to facilitate the election of officers.

Article Eight: Election of Officers
Beginning in April, a WPA member may self-nominate for VP/President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations may also be made by the Executive Committee or the general membership. The Executive Development Chair receives nominations and presents them to the general membership in early May, upon which date nominations are closed. Election requires at least 25% participation of the current membership. Conducted during a ten day period prior to the June meeting, votes may be submitted by email to the WPA website or by signed postal mail to the WPA PO Box, received in advance of the meeting date. Results are announced at the June meeting and reported in the minutes. Elected officers assume their duties upon announcement of election results.

Article Nine: Dues
Dues are paid annually. The fiscal year is July-June to coincide with normal officer terms. Dues amount may be evaluated annually. An Executive Committee recommendation to the membership without majority protest of the members will take effect at the beginning of the new fiscal year. Dues paid in the second half of the fiscal year will be credited to the next fiscal year. Contributions in excess of dues will be accepted, with the understanding that WPA is not a 501(c)3 organization and neither dues nor any part of a donation will be eligible for tax deduction. Dues may be waived for exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Treasurer, or upon recommendation to the Treasurer by any current member. Alternatively, any member may privately offer a dues sponsorship to a prospective member.

Article Ten: Parliamentary Authority
In the absence of consensus or applicable WPA rules, business is conducted according to the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order. Exception: The discussion of an agenda item may precede the making of a motion. The President or Chair decides when positions are clear, calling for a motion and a vote.

Article Eleven: Communications
Online communication is routine. Members may post "No Reply" messages to the general membership through the website. Members may post information on either public pages or pages exclusive to members, according to instructions on dedicated pages. Relying on member integrity, access is intended to be as liberal as practically possible.

The Executive Committee may establish communication protocols for both website management and official WPA communications. The Executive Committee may decide issues at meetings or online. Because WPA values in-person discussion and inclusive process, use of the website for decisions involving the membership usually is reserved for time-sensitive issues.

Article Twelve: Amending the Bylaws
Bylaws anticipate that as WPA membership evolves, written policies will serve better than collective memory or caprice. The Bylaws Chair may propose amendments or forward amendments from any member for consideration by the Executive Committee. The Bylaws Committee may present proposed amendment text along with relevant evaluation and recommendation to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee posts approved draft text on the website, as a discussion item, no later than 28 days in advance of an announced membership ballot date established by the posting. Action may be determined by online discussion or as an announced agenda item. Approval requires a two-thirds majority vote with at least 25% of the membership participating. Members may vote by email to the website or by signed postal mail to the WPA PO Box, received in advance of the meeting date. A failed amendment may be re-introduced within 28 days for Executive Committee action by online request of 25% of members.

Article Thirteen: Endorsements
A primary aim of WPA is to be proactive in supporting progressive women candidates and encouraging progressive women to run successfully for elected office. Members may always offer individual support to candidates or ballot initiatives of their own choices. As an organization, WPA may find it desirable to endorse candidates in either a primary or a general election. An Endorsements Committee researches in advance elections with potential for endorsements that further the WPA Mission. Based on these findings, the Endorsements Committee may announce a schedule for the member-driven endorsement process that responds to practical time limitations of an election cycle. The member-driven process for political endorsement is as follows: Any WPA member in good standing may submit candidate or issue endorsement recommendations to the Endorsements Committee. The Endorsements Committee presents timely recommendations with relevant election information to Officers of the Executive Committee. Officers of the Executive Committee notify the membership of endorsements under consideration. Notification shall be by email on a date certain, with discretionary use of U.S. mail, telephone, or in-person communications by exception. A prescribed comment period of no less than 10 days, shall provide for reasonable membership response. Membership comments are accepted by email, U.S. mail, telephone, or in person. Specific instructions for responses shall be included in the notice of endorsement consideration. Based on an assessment of expressed member sentiment, with additional consideration of the WPA Mission tenants, the Executive Committee may approve WPA organizational endorsements. WPA posts approved organizational endorsements on a dedicated public page of the website.

Article Fourteen: Interest Committees
Interest Committees may be formed by WPA members. The committees may focus around a particular issue (election reform, environment, affordable housing, etc.) or event. Interest Committees are asked to report to the Executive Committee regarding programs or activities that represent or concern WPA as an organization. Interest Committees may also serve as WPA Current Program Committees. (Article Five)

Article Fifteen: Hold Harmless Disclaimer
The WPA shall indemnify and hold harmless any officer of the organization against any action or proceeding and expenses and liabilities. Every member of the Executive Committee of WPA may be indemnified by the organization against all expenses and liabilities, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred or imposed in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding to which the member may become involved by reason of being or having been a member of the Executive Committee of the organization, or any settlement thereof, unless adjudged therein to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of duties. In the event of a settlement, the indemnification herein shall apply only when the Executive Committee approves such settlement and reimbursement as being in the best interest of the organization. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to and/or exclusive of all other rights to which the member of the Executive Committee is entitled.