League of Women Voters of Vermont bylaws as amended in 2025
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be League of Women Voters of Vermont, hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWVVT. The LWVVT is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States, hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as LWVUS.
ARTICLE II
Purposes and Policies
Sec. 1. Purposes. The purposes of the LWVVT are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues.
Sec. 2. Policies. The policies of LWVVT are:
a. Nonpartisan Political Activity Policy. LWVVT adopts guidelines imposing limitations on board members’ political activity to protect the nonpartisan reputation of the League. LWVVT shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.
b. Communications Policy. LWVVT establishes procedures to ensure clarity and consistency in all its formal and informal communications.
c. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy. LWVVT respects and values the richness of our community and is fully committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Sec. 1. Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policies of LWVVT shall be eligible for membership.
Sec. 2. Types of Membership. Individuals at least 16 years of age who join the League shall be voting members of LWVVT and LWVUS and those who have been members of the League for 50 years or more shall be honorary life members excused from payment of dues.
Sec. 3. Dues. Any member who fails to pay dues within three months after they become payable shall be dropped from the membership roll.
ARTICLE IV
Working Groups and Inter-League Organizations (ILOs)
Sec. 1. Working Groups
Members may be organized into Working Groups to promote the purposes of the League and to take action on local government matters. The LWVVT board will determine whether working groups have fulfilled state League requirements.
Sec. 2. Inter-League Organizations
a. Members enrolled in local Leagues may organize inter-League organizations to promote the purposes of the League and to take action on county, metropolitan or regional governmental matters.
b. The LWVUS board shall recognize ILOs that fulfill requirements adopted by the national convention. LWVVT shall provide guidance for ILOs within its area.
ARTICLE V
State League
Sec. 1. Organization. LWVVT is organized to promote the purposes of the League and take action on state governmental matters.
Sec. 2. Recognition. LWVVT shall fulfill requirements adopted by the LWVUS national convention pertaining to recognition of state leagues. The LWVUS board may withdraw recognition from any state league for recurrent failure to fulfill recognition requirements.
Sec. 3. Responsibility. LWVVT shall assume responsibility for organization and development of working groups, the promotion of League program, financial development and such other matters as the LWVUS board may from time-to-time delegate to them.
Sec. 4. Disposition of Funds. Upon dissolution, the funds of LWVVT shall be paid to LWVUS.
ARTICLE VI
The Board of Directors
Sec. 1. Number, Selection, Qualifications, and Term. The board of directors shall consist of the officers and not more than six directors elected by the convention, and not more than six directors appointed by the elected members of the board. All directors shall be voting members of LWVVT. All members of the board of directors shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors have been elected and qualified.
Sec. 1. Number, Selection, Qualifications, and Term. The board of directors shall consist of the officers of LWVVT, six directors elected at convention, and not more than five directors appointed by the board. The elected directors shall take office on July 1 following the convention and serve for two years or until their successors have been qualified and elected. The term of office of the appointed directors shall expire concurrently with that of the elected directors. All directors shall be members of LWVVT.
Sec. 2. Vacancies. Vacancies other than the presidency may be filled by vote of the remaining elected members of the board of directors and shall serve until the close of the next regular biennial Convention.
Sec. 3. Powers and Duties. The board of directors shall have charge of the property and business of LWVVT with power and authority to manage and conduct the same, subject to instructions of the convention. The board shall plan and direct the work necessary to carry out the program as adopted by the convention. The board shall create and designate such special committees as it may deem necessary.
The board shall accept responsibility delegated to it by the board of directors of LWVUS for the organization and development of working groups, for carrying out the program, and for promotion of finance programs requisite to further the work of the League as a whole, including transmission of funds toward the support of adequate state and national budgets.
In executing the duties of their office, board members are expected to carry out applicable laws and regulations as well as League bylaws, mission, policies, principles, positions, standards, and procedures.
Sec. 4. Regular Meetings. There shall be at least five regular meetings of the board of directors annually. The president shall notify each board member of all regular meetings, in writing at least one week before any such meeting giving the time and place of the meeting. No action taken at any regular meeting attended by a majority of the members of the board shall be invalidated because of the failure of any member or members of the board to receive any notice properly sent or because of any irregularity of any notice actually received.
Sec. 5. Special Meetings. The president may call special meetings of the board of directors and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of five members of the board. Members of the board shall be notified of the time and place of special meetings in writing at least six days prior to such meeting. During a Convention the president may, or upon the request of five members of the board shall, call a special meeting of the board by giving each member of the board written notice of the time and place of said meeting. In emergency situations where the board may need to take urgent action before six days’ notice can be given, the president may waive the six-day requirement for notice prior to a special meeting so long as every board member is notified of the meeting in advance, conditional upon a quorum being available.
Sec. 6. Electronic Voting. In the event that a decision must be made by the board between regularly scheduled meetings, and a special meeting is not practical, the decision may be made by electronic means, provided all board members have access to such means and the board has adopted discussion/debate procedures for such meetings.
Sec. 7. Absences. In the event a member of the board is absent from four consecutive regular meetings of the board in one fiscal year, without excuse, that office shall be declared vacant. All or any member of the board may participate in meetings by conference telephone, videoconference, or other electronic communications authorized by the board, enabling all participants to communicate directly with each other at the same time. A person attending the meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting.
Sec. 8. Quorum. A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum and a majority of the members in attendance at any board meeting shall, in the presence of a quorum, decide the action.
Sec 9. Removal from Office. Any director or officer may be removed from office by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then in office at any regular or special meeting of the Board, provided that written notice of the proposed removal has been given to all directors at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Cause for removal shall include but is not limited to engaging in conduct that is detrimental to the League, violating League policies or bylaws, or failure to attend four (4) consecutive regular meetings without a valid excuse.
ARTICLE VII
Officers
Sec. 1. Election of Officers and Terms. The officers of LWVVT shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary and a treasurer. They shall be voting members of LWVVT and shall be elected by the convention and shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors have been elected and qualified.
Sec. 2. The President. The president shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the board of directors or designate another person to do so; may in the absence or disability of the treasurer, sign or endorse checks, drafts or notes; shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the nominating committee; shall have such usual powers of supervision and management as may pertain to the office of the president; and shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the LWVVT board. In the event of the absence, disability, resignation, or death of the president, the vice president shall assume the office. If the vice president is unable to serve as president, the LWVVT board shall fill the vacancy from among the elected officers.
Sec. 3. The Vice President. The vice president shall perform such duties as the president and the LWVVT board of directors shall direct.
Sec. 4. The Secretary. The secretary shall keep minutes of all Conventions and meetings of the Board of Directors of LWVVT; shall notify all officers and directors of their election; shall sign, with the president, all contracts and other instruments when so authorized by the LWVVT board and shall perform such other functions as may be incident to the office.
Sec. 5. The Treasurer. The treasurer or an appointed assistant shall collect and receive all moneys due, and be the custodian of these moneys, depositing them in a bank or banks designated by the board of directors, and shall disburse the same only upon the order of the board of directors. The treasurer shall present periodic statements to the board at regular meetings and a biennial report at the LWVVT Convention. The books of the treasurer shall be submitted for an audit biennially prior to the Convention. The treasurer will keep a calendar of important dates and filing deadlines and maintain the legal status of LWVVT by filing annual tax returns, miscellaneous income forms, and biennial reports, in compliance with federal and state regulations. The consent of the LWVVT board and signatures of two officers shall be necessary to endorse, transfer and deliver any certificate of stock, bond, note or other security or property in the name and on behalf of LWVVT.
ARTICLE VIII
Convention
Sec. 1. Place, Date, and Call. A convention of the LWVVT shall be held biennially. The time and place of the convention shall be determined by the LWVVT board of directors. The president shall send a first call for the convention to members not less than four months prior to the opening date of the convention fixed in such call. Thereafter the board of directors may advance or postpone the opening date of the convention by not more than two weeks from the date fixed in the first call. A final call to convention shall be sent by the president to members at least two months before convention.
Sec. 2. Special Convention: Purpose, Place, Date, Time, and Call. A special convention of the LWVVT called for a specific purpose may be held at any time the board of directors deems necessary. The secretary shall send, by e-mail or other means as appropriate, the call for a special convention to all LWVVT board members and members. The call for a special convention shall be sent at least three weeks prior to the convention date, giving the purpose of the convention, date, and time of the convention, and method by which the convention will be held.
Sec. 3. Composition. All members of LWVVT are entitled to attend the convention. The voting delegates are those as provided in Sec. 4 of this article.
Sec. 4. Qualifications of Delegates and Voting. Each delegate shall be a voting member enrolled in LWVVT. Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote only at the convention even though the delegate may be attending in two or more capacities. Absence or proxy voting will not be permitted. The convention shall be the sole judge of whether a delegate is qualified to vote.
Sec. 5. Representation. Members of LWVUS who reside in Vermont and attend the convention are entitled to vote on business before the convention.
Sec. 6. Powers
a. Regular Convention. A regular convention shall adopt a program; elect officers, directors, and members of the nominating committee; adopt a budget; and transact such other business as may properly come before it.
b. Special Convention. A special convention shall transact the business for which it was called. Other items of business may be considered provided that the proposed item of business is first approved for consideration by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present.
Sec. 7. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the delegates registered at the convention.
ARTICLE IX
Nominations and Elections
Sec. 1. Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall consist of three members. The chair and one member shall not be members of the board of directors and shall be elected by the convention. The third member shall be a member of the board of directors, appointed by the board within two months following the convention. Nominations for the elected positions shall be made by the current nominating committee. Any vacancy occurring in the nominating committee by reason of death, resignation, or disqualification shall be filled by the board of directors. The president of LWVVT shall send the name and address of the nominating committee members to the board.
Sec. 2. Suggestions for Nominations. The chair of the nominating committee shall request, through the membership, suggestions for nominations for offices to be filled. Suggestions for nominations by members shall be sent to the chair of the nominating committee at least three months before the convention.
Sec. 3. Report of Nominating Committee and Nominations from the Floor. The report of the nominating committee shall be sent to members two months before the date of the convention. The report of the nominating committee including its proposed slate for officers and directors to the LWVVT board of directors, and chair and one member of the incoming nominating committee shall be presented to the convention at the first session. Immediately following the presentation of this report, nominations may be made from the floor by any member of the convention provided that the consent of the nominee shall have been secured.
Sec. 4. Election. The election shall be under the direction of the election committee appointed by the president on the first day of the convention. The election shall be by ballot, except when there is but one nominee for each office, then the secretary casts the ballot for every candidate. A majority of those present and voting shall constitute election.
ARTICLE X
Fiscal Administration
Sec. 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of LWVVT shall commence on July 1 of each year
Sec. 2. Budget. The board shall submit to the convention for adoption a budget for the ensuing two fiscal years. This budget shall provide for the support of LWVVT. A copy of the proposed budget shall be sent to each member at least two weeks in advance of convention.
Sec. 3. Budget Committee. The budget shall be prepared by a committee which shall be appointed for that purpose at least three months in advance of the convention. The treasurer shall be, ex-officio, a member of the budget committee but shall not be eligible to serve as chair.
Sec. 4. Distribution of Funds Upon Dissolution. In the event of dissolution for any cause of LVWVT, all money and securities which may at that time be owned by or under the absolute control of LWVVT shall be paid to the LWVUS. All other property of whatsoever nature whether real, personal, or mixed which may at that time be owned by or under the control of LWVVT shall be disposed of to such person, organization, or corporation for such public, charitable or educational use and purposes as may be designated by the then board of directors of LWVVT.
ARTICLE XI
Principles and Program
Sec. 1. Principles. Sec. 1. The governmental principles adopted by the national convention, and supported by the League as a whole, constitute authorization for adoption of the LWVVT Program.
Sec. 2. Program. League program is the education and advocacy platform that LWVVT adopts during each biennial convention to move our mission forward. It shall consist of action to protect the right to vote of every citizen and those governmental issues chosen for concerted study or concurrence and action.
Sec. 3. Convention Action. The convention shall act upon the state program using the following procedures:
a. Members may make recommendations to the LWVVT board of directors at least two months prior to the convention. Proposals for adoption by concurrence on the floor of the convention must be submitted to the board at least six weeks prior to convention and include background information with pros and cons on the issue.
b. The board shall consider these recommendations and formulate a proposed program, which will be sent to the membership at least one month before convention.
c. The convention shall adopt a board-recommended program by a majority vote of those present.
d. Program recommendations submitted by members but not proposed by the board, may be considered for adoption at the convention provided: (1) recommendations were submitted two months before convention (2) a majority vote of members at convention request consideration, and (3) the proposed item for adoption receives a three-fifths (3/5) vote of members present.
Sec. 4. Member Action. Members may act in the name of LWVVT only when authorized to do so by the board of directors of LWVVT.
ARTICLE XII
National Convention and Council
Sec. 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 elect delegates to the convention in the number allowed LWVVT under the provisions of the bylaws of LWVUS.
Sec. 2. National Council. The board of directors, at a meeting before the date on which the names of delegates must be sent to the national office, shall elect delegates to the council in the number allowed LWVVT under the provisions of the bylaws of LWVUS.
ARTICLE XIII
Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV
Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote at any convention using the following procedures:
a. Proposal for change shall be submitted by any LWVVT member to the LWVVT board of directors at least three months prior to the convention.
b. All such proposed amendments together with the recommendations of the LWVVT board shall be sent to the membership at least six weeks prior to convention.
c. Failure of any member to receive such notice shall not invalidate amendments to the bylaws.
Amended 2025, 2023, 2021, 2017, 2007, 1999 and 1989.
Official copy as voted, June 7, 2025
