ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITION
The name of the committee is the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) of Virginia. It is a voluntary political action committee of individual REALTORS® and others and is not affiliated with any political party. The Committee is an independent, autonomous organization and is not a branch or subsidiary of any national or other political committee.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
The purposes of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee of Virginia are:
A. To promote and strive for the improvement of good government by encouraging and stimulating REALTORS® and others to become more active and involved in government at every level.
B. To encourage REALTORS® and others to understand the nature and actions of their government, with regards to important political issues as well as the records of officeholders and candidates for elective office.
C. To assist REALTORS® and others in organizing themselves for more effective political action and for carrying out their civic responsibilities.
D. To endorse and/or financially support candidates in primary and general elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia; to provide funds for national political action committees which are a part of, or affiliated with, the National Association of REALTORS®.
E. To provide, through an established framework, funding for local associations and local association PACs to use in local or state elections and for political issues of local concern.
F. To assist financially, under established guidelines, the Virginia Association of REALTORS® or local associations of REALTORS® and local association PACs in their efforts to support or oppose political issues of possible statewide significance.
G. To approve the Bylaws of local association political action committees in order to designate them as members of the REALTOR® Political Action Committee of Virginia.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 1 - Membership
Membership on the committee shall be available to any REALTOR®, his or her spouse, members of his or her immediate family, other individuals, associations, boards, local association PACs, partnerships and corporations. The Board of Trustees is authorized to establish giving categories.
RPAC of VA maintains the right to limit the participation of any person, local PAC, or local association by deciding whether or not to accept that individual's contribution. A local association PAC's Bylaws and guidelines must be approved by the Board of Trustees of RPAC of VA prior to admission as a member. If during its membership, the RPAC of VA Trustees determine that a local association PAC is not in compliance with the RPAC of VA Bylaws and Guidelines, the local association PAC will be given written notice of the items out of compliance and provided a six-month period to cure the deficiency. Failure of the RPAC of VA Trustees to act does not cause the RPAC of VA Trustees to waive any of their rights herein.
SECTION 2 - Contributions
Giving clubs shall be:
99 Club Member $ 99 Annual minimum
Capitol Insider Member $ 250 Annual minimum
Governor's Club Member $ 500 Annual minimum
Washington Society Memberships: See further explanation below.
Sterling “R” Member $1,000 Annual minimum
Golden "R" Member $5,000 Annual minimum
Or $2,500 Annually for 3 years
Platinum “R” Member Sustaining Golden “R” for five years
Sustaining Contributor Member: contributors giving at least $250 for five consecutive years.
1. NAR Sterling R Program
The membership requirement for a Sterling R is a $1,000 RPAC contribution annually. Each year the State Association retains 70% ($700) and RPAC retains 30% ($300). Full Sterling R benefits will be conveyed to the contributor once RPAC receives the 30% portion of the contribution. In order to receive NAR Sterling R recognition and membership benefits, RPAC must receive its 30% portion regardless of whether the state has met or exceeded its “Fair Share Goal”.
2. NAR Golden R Program
Existing
The membership requirement is a one-time $5,000 RPAC contribution. The State Association retains 70% ($3,500) and RPAC retains 30% ($1,500). A contribution of $1,000 annually sustains a National Golden R membership, of which the State Association retains 70% ($700) and RPAC retains 30% ($300).
In order to receive NAR Golden R recognition and membership benefits, RPAC must receive its 30% portion regardless of whether the state has met or exceeded its “Fair Share Goal”.
Enhancements
The membership requirement for the Golden R Installment program will be a contribution of $7,500, in payments made in $2,500 installments over three consecutive years. Each year the State Association retains 70% ($1,750) and RPAC retains 30% ($750). Full Golden R benefits will be conveyed to the contributor once RPAC receives the final payment. The contributor, once attaining Golden R status, may sustain the Golden R membership by contributing $1,000 annually ($700 to the State Association and $300 to RPAC).
3. NAR Platinum R Program
Enhancements
The membership requirement for the Platinum R will be five separate and distinct Golden R’s given, not necessarily consecutively, until an aggregate of five Golden R’s is achieved. Sustaining Golden R contributions do not qualify for this program. Upon fulfillment of the fifth Golden R, the contributor becomes a Platinum R. More than one Golden R may be given in a single year.
RPAC has a separate recognition program, “RPAC Hall of Fame”, for recognizing contributors aggregate dollar contributions.
All three of these Major Donor Programs will constitute NAR’s “Washington Society.”
4. NAR President’s Circle Program
The membership requirement for the President’s Circle will be a $2,000 RPAC contribution annually in addition to their RPAC Major Donor contribution (at least a Sterling R). Total amount goes directly to federal candidates or national Democrat or Republican party committees. The purpose is to offer additional and personalized support.
ARTICLE IV
RECEIPT AND EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
The receipt of contributions by the Committee and the expenditure of its funds shall be in accordance with the following and any other guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 1 - LOCAL ASSOCIATION FUNDING PROGRAM
A. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
REALTORS® have long recognized the importance of political involvement at all levels. The Local Association Funding Program is designed to make funds available to all local associations for use in local political activities. Local association funding monies may be used to fund candidates or incumbents in the House of Delegates or the Senate of Virginia by transferring money from the Local Association Funding Program to a local association's State Candidate Fund Account, as long as the local association agrees to comply with the guidelines for the State Candidate Funding Program. A local association may not make contributions from its Local Association Fund Account to candidates for federal office.
B. DIVISION OF FUNDS
Local associations will have the following funds available for use as a result of the annual RPAC Campaign:
1. 20% of funds collected up to their Fair Share Goal as defined in the
RPAC of VA guidelines.
2. 60% of all funds collected over their Fair Share Goal as defined in the
RPAC of VA guidelines.
C. CRITERIA FOR DISBURSING LOCAL ASSOCIATION FUNDS
All local association funding requests must be made on a Local Association Funding Request Form approved by the local association board of directors and signed by the local association president or local association executive before being submitted to the VAR Office of Public Policy.
D. RECEIPT AND MAINTENANCE OF FUNDS
1. Local associations shall collect funds from members and forward them to RPAC of VA. Direct contributions to RPAC of VA from members may be considered "at-large" contributions if a local association has its own PAC, and does not comply with RPAC of VA Bylaws and guidelines or where there is no local association.
2. Local association funds will be maintained by RPAC of VA in each local association's name and will not be disbursed until a Local Association Funding Request Form is submitted.
3. All local association funding checks for local candidates and issues will be forwarded to the local association within one business day after receipt of the request. Local association funding checks may be sent via overnight delivery service to the local association provided the local association pays for the additional delivery charges.
4. Where applicable, all local association funding checks for state candidates must follow the State Candidate Funding Guidelines.
E. APPROVAL OF FUNDS TO STATE CANDIDATES
1. At the beginning of each two-year election cycle and as candidates are announced, RPAC of VA and the local associations will mutually define the candidates and legislators that fall within each local association's jurisdiction. Unless otherwise agreed, a legislator will be assigned to the local association which has the greatest number of REALTORS® living within that legislator's jurisdiction. Neighboring local associations may augment the funding of state candidates who “belong” to other local associations so long as the primary local association agrees with the augmentation.
2. When RPAC of VA wants to fund/endorse a state candidate/legislator, it shall notify the local association of its desire to fund/endorse. Within three business days, the local association will respond to RPAC of VA as to whether or not it agrees with funding/endorsing the candidate/legislator. If RPAC of VA does not receive a response within three days, funding/endorsing may commence unless a delayed period of time is mutually agreed upon. If either party disagrees, no funding/endorsing shall be made until the mediation process is completed.
Local associations electing to use the two-way veto process must first demonstrate a willingness to conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner towards all state candidates. Examples of this include candidate interview committees composed of REALTOR® members from each legislator’s district who represent a wide range of political views and different political parties. Local candidate interview committees must agree to review and follow RPAC of VA procedures and funding guidelines prior to making state candidate funding decisions.
RPAC of VA funds and local association funds may be used for incumbent state candidates without prior approval if the following criteria have been met:
• the incumbent legislator has been supported, funded or endorsed by RPAC of VA in the previous election;
• the RPAC of VA scorecard has been completed for the current year; and
• the incumbent legislator did not accrue any negative points during the current year.
If the incumbent legislator has received one or more negative points in the current year, the RPAC of VA Trustees and the local association must mutually approve the funding.
3. A mediation process shall be in place to resolve any dispute. The mediation team shall be composed of one representative from RPAC of VA appointed by the RPAC of VA Trustees for each local association, one member appointed by the local association, and, as needed, one Virginia REALTOR® who is mutually agreed upon by the two appointees. Each January, every local association shall appoint a Local Association Mediation Representative. Through its nominating process, RPAC of VA shall annually appoint a mediator and an alternate mediator to serve in the event that the mediator is not able to fulfill his or her role. The third member shall be identified and mutually agreed upon by the two appointed representatives when required on an as-needed basis.
SECTION 2 - STATE CANDIDATE FUNDING PROGRAM
A. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
The State Candidate Funding Program provides local associations even more of an opportunity for political participation without actually starting a political action committee. This program builds on the existing Local Association Funding Program. However, State Candidate Funding monies may be used to directly fund candidates or incumbents in the House of Delegates or the Senate of Virginia who are located within the local association jurisdiction. A local association may not make contributions from its State Candidate Fund Account to candidates for local or for federal office, unless otherwise agreed upon by the majority of the Trustees present.
B. DIVISION OF FUNDS
Local associations participating in the State Candidate Fund Program will have the following funds available for use as a result of the annual RPAC Campaign:
1. 40% of funds collected up to their Fair Share Goal as defined in the
RPAC of VA guidelines.
2. 60% of all funds collected over their Fair Share Goal as defined in the
RPAC of VA guidelines.
C. CRITERIA FOR DISBURSING A LOCAL ASSOCIATION'S STATE CANDIDATE FUNDS
1. All State Candidate Funding Requests shall be submitted on a Local Association Funding Request Form approved by the local association board of directors and signed by the local association president or local association executive before being submitted to the VAR Office of Public Policy.
2. Local associations opting into this program must use 20% of the monies they raise for state candidates and legislators within the two-year election cycle. The sole purpose of the increased percentage split is to ensure that a local association uses this fund to increase its political involvement with state legislators as opposed to accumulating these funds. If the 20% of State Candidate Funds are not used within the two-year election cycle, it shall revert to the RPAC of VA General Fund.
3. Local associations may transfer additional monies from their Local Association Fund Account to their State Candidate Fund Account by completing a Local Association Funding Request Form, which is approved by the local association board of directors and signed by the local association president or local association executive, and sending it to the VAR Office of Public Policy.
4. Local associations may also transfer monies from their accounts to RPAC of VA to assist in funding other statewide candidates or legislators.
D. RECEIPT AND MAINTENANCE OF FUNDS
1. Local associations shall collect funds from members and forward them to RPAC of VA. Direct contributions to RPAC of VA from members may be considered "at-large" contributions if a local association has its own PAC and does not comply with RPAC of VA Bylaws and guidelines or where there is no local association.
2. State Candidate Funds will be maintained by RPAC of VA in the name of each local association and will not be disbursed until a Local Association Funding Request Form is submitted. With the exception of local associations that form PACS, every association will have a State Candidate Fund Account established for its use.
E. APPROVAL OF FUNDS TO STATE CANDIDATES
1. Local associations may only fund legislators who fall within their REALTOR® jurisdiction. At the beginning of each two-year election cycle, RPAC of VA and the local associations will define which legislative districts fall within each local association's jurisdiction. This determination will typically be made based on the number of REALTORS® a local association has residing in a legislative district. Neighboring local associations may augment the funding of state candidates who “belong” to other local associations, provided the primary local association agrees with the augmentation.
State Candidate Funds should not be used to contribute to candidates who have said they will not be seeking re-election.
2. When a local association wants to fund/endorse a state candidate/legislator, it shall notify RPAC of VA staff of its desire to fund/endorse. Within three business days, RPAC of VA will respond to the local association as to whether or not it agrees with funding/endorsing the candidate/legislator. Likewise, RPAC of VA shall notify the local association of RPAC of VA's desire to fund/endorse a state candidate/legislator in that local association’s jurisdiction and the local association will have three business days to respond as to whether or not it agrees. If either party does not receive a response within three days, funding/endorsing may commence unless a delayed period of time is mutually agreed upon. If either party disagrees, no funding/endorsing shall be made until the mediation process is completed.
Once RPAC of VA and the local association have agreed on a candidate/legislator, RPAC of VA may not decrease the amount a local association chooses to contribute or sponsor for that candidate/legislator so long as the local association is using funds from its own Local or State Candidate Fund Account.
Local associations electing to use the two-way veto process must first demonstrate a willingness to conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner towards all state candidates. Examples of this include candidate interview committees composed of REALTOR® members from each legislator’s district who represent a wide range of political views and different political parties. Local candidate interview committees must agree to review and follow RPAC of VA procedures and funding guidelines prior to making state candidate funding decisions.
RPAC of VA funds and local association funds may be used for incumbent state candidates without prior approval if the following criteria have been met:
• the incumbent legislator has been supported, funded or endorsed by RPAC of VA in the previous election;
• the RPAC of VA score card has been completed for the current year; and
• the incumbent legislator did not accrue any negative points during the current year.
If the incumbent legislator has received one or more negative points in the current year, the RPAC of VA Trustees and the local association must mutually approve the funding.
3. A mediation process shall be in place to resolve any dispute. The mediation team shall be composed of one representative from RPAC of VA appointed by the RPAC of VA Trustees for each local association, one member appointed by the local association, and, as needed, one Virginia REALTOR® who is mutually agreed upon by the two appointees. Each January, every local association shall appoint a Local Association Mediation Representative. Through its nominating process, RPAC of VA shall annually appoint a mediator and an alternate mediator to serve in the event that the mediator is not able to fulfill his or her role. The third member shall be identified and mutually agreed upon by the two appointed representatives when required on an as-needed basis.
F. ATTENDING LEGISLATIVE FUNDRAISERS/MAKING CHECK PRESENTATIONS
In instances of check presentations, representatives from both RPAC of VA and the local association will be given the opportunity to attend, no matter who initiates the funding. In cases where contributions are to be used to attend fundraisers, the local that uses its "State Candidate Funds" will send local association representatives to the event. When RPAC of VA uses its general account funds to contribute to legislators/candidates, representatives of RPAC of VA will be given priority to attend the event. If either RPAC of VA or the local association wishes to send additional people to an event, the other party will be given the opportunity to send representatives to ensure local REALTOR® recognition and involvement.
G. STATEWIDE CANDIDATE FUNDING
All decisions on funding statewide candidates will be made by RPAC of VA. RPAC of VA may fund statewide candidates/events from its general fund without bearing the name of a local association on the check. A local association may directly fund a statewide candidate event once RPAC of Virginia has made an endorsement of that candidate.
In non-election years, local associations may fund incumbent statewide officers as long as these officers have not announced they will seek re-election; the funds will not be used to seek another office; RPAC of VA has endorsed or funded them in the past; and it is in RPAC’s best interest to maintain good relations with them.
SECTION 3 - LOCAL PAC FUNDING PROGRAM
A. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
The Local PAC Funding Program allows local associations to form a Political Action Committee (PAC) and still be affiliated with RPAC of VA. In order for a local PAC to be a member of RPAC of VA, however, it must file a "Statement of Organization for a Committee" with the State Board of Elections and be subject to the Fair Elections Practices Act, and it must agree to abide by the Bylaws and guidelines of RPAC of VA. A local association PAC may directly fund both local and state candidates/legislators located within its jurisdiction, subject to the Local PAC Funding program guidelines. A local association may not make contributions from its local PAC to candidates for federal office.
Local associations opting into this program must have their local PAC Bylaws and guidelines approved by the RPAC of VA Trustees at the Trustee meeting held during VAR’s Annual Convention. The local PAC Bylaws and guidelines must be submitted to the Trustees
30 days prior to VAR’s Annual Convention. Once the local PAC Bylaws are approved, the local association shall then be recognized as being in the Local PAC Funding Program, effective January 1 of the following year.
B. DIVISION OF FUNDS
A local association choosing to start its own PAC will have the following funds available for use as a result of the annual RPAC Campaign:
1. 40% of funds collected up to its Fair Share Goal as defined in the
RPAC of VA guidelines.
2. 60% of all funds collected over its Fair Share Goal as defined in the
RPAC of VA guidelines.
C. CRITERIA FOR DISBURSING A LOCAL ASSOCIATION'S PAC FUNDS
1. Local association PACs may directly fund both local and state candidates/legislators. Expenditures approved for state candidates/legislators in that local PAC’s jurisdiction, initiated by the local PAC, shall be disbursed from the local PAC general fund account to the candidate/ legislator.
Once the funding has been jointly agreed upon, checks shall be processed accordingly.
2. Expenditures approved for state candidates/legislators in a local PAC’s jurisdiction, initiated by RPAC of VA, shall be disbursed from the RPAC of VA general account. Checks drawn on the RPAC of VA general account will bear the name of RPAC of VA and of the local association PAC. One signature from an RPAC of VA representative will be required.
All checks shall be accompanied with a letter to the candidate/legislator stating that he or she is receiving the contribution with the endorsement of both RPAC of VA and the local association PAC.
The local association PAC and RPAC of Virginia will be responsible for submitting their respective required reports to the State Board of Elections.
3. Local associations are expected to use their funds for political involvement, rather than allowing these funds to accumulate over a long period of time.
D. RECEIPT AND MAINTENANCE OF FUNDS
1. A local association PAC may keep its 40% and shall forward the remaining 60% of all the contributions it receives to RPAC of VA. In this instance, at least twenty percent should be used to fund state candidates or legislators within a two-year election cycle.
2. Once the local association PAC has reached its Fair Share Goal, it may retain 60% of its contributions and shall forward the remaining 40% to RPAC of VA. The local association PAC has the option to forward more funds to RPAC of VA, if it chooses in order to help fund other state and statewide candidates.
3. Each month, the local association PAC will provide RPAC of VA a full account of all its contributions, including each contributor's name, social security number and total amount of contribution received from the contributor.
E. APPROVAL OF FUNDS TO STATE CANDIDATES
1. At the beginning of each two-year election cycle and as candidates are announced, RPAC of VA and the local associations will mutually define the candidates and legislators that fall within each local association's jurisdiction. Unless otherwise agreed, a legislator will be assigned to the local association which has the greatest number of REALTORS® living within that legislator's jurisdiction. Neighboring local associations may augment the funding of state candidates who “belong” to other local associations, provided the primary local association agrees with the augmentation.
2. When a local association PAC wants to fund a state candidate/legislator, it shall notify RPAC of VA staff of its desire to fund. Within three business days, RPAC of VA will respond to the local association PAC as to whether or not it agrees with funding the candidate/legislator. Likewise, RPAC of VA shall notify the local association PAC of RPAC of VA's desire to fund a state candidate/legislator in that local association PAC's jurisdiction and the local association PAC will have three business days to respond as to whether or not it agrees. If either party does not receive a response within three days, funding may commence unless a delayed period of time is mutually agreed upon. If either party disagrees, no funding shall be made until the mediation process is completed.
RPAC of VA funds and local association funds can be used for incumbent state candidates without prior approval if the following criteria have been met:
• the incumbent legislator has been supported, funded or endorsed by RPAC of VA in the previous election;
• the RPAC of VA score card has been completed for the current year; and
• the incumbent legislator did not accrue any negative points during the current year.
If the incumbent legislator has received one or more negative points in the current year, the RPAC of VA Trustees and the local association must mutually approve the funding.
3. A mediation process shall be in place to resolve any dispute. The mediation team shall be composed of one representative from RPAC of VA appointed by the RPAC of VA Trustees for each local association, one member appointed by the local association, and, as needed, one Virginia REALTOR® who is mutually agreed upon by the two appointees. Each January, every local association shall appoint a Local Association Mediation Representative. Through its nominating process, RPAC of VA shall annually appoint a mediator and an alternate mediator to serve in the event that the mediator is not able to fulfill his or her role. The third member shall be identified and mutually agreed upon by the two appointed representatives when required on an as-needed basis.
F. ATTENDING LEGISLATIVE FUNDRAISERS/MAKING CHECK PRESENTATIONS
In instances of check presentations, representatives from both RPAC of VA and the local association PAC will be given the opportunity to attend, no matter who initiates the funding. In cases where contributions are to be used to attend fundraisers, the local association PAC that uses its State Candidate Funds will send local association representatives to the event. When RPAC of VA uses its general account funds to contribute to legislators/candidates, representatives of RPAC of VA will be given priority to attend the event. If either RPAC of VA or the local association PAC wishes to send additional people to an event, the other party will be given the opportunity to send representatives to ensure local REALTOR® recognition and involvement.
G. MEMBER RECOGNITION
1. All REALTORS® and others who voluntarily contribute to local PACs will be recognized as giving to RPAC of VA in the same manner as those who give to RPAC of VA through local associations without PACs, as long as those PACs are members of RPAC of VA.
2. Any contributions made directly to RPAC of VA will be credited to the local PAC in which the contributor is a primary member unless the contributor specifies the local percentage to be split with another local association of which the contributor is a member.
H. STATEWIDE CANDIDATE FUNDING
All decisions on statewide candidates will be made by RPAC of VA. RPAC of VA will fund statewide candidates/events from its general fund without bearing the name of a local association PAC on the check. Once RPAC of VA has endorsed a statewide candidate in a given election cycle, a local association PAC may directly fund a statewide candidate/event.
In non-election years, local associations may fund incumbent statewide officers as long as these officers have not announced they will seek re-election; the funds will not be used to seek another office; RPAC of VA has endorsed or funded them in the past; and it is in RPAC’s best interest to maintain good relations with them.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 1 - Composition
The Board of Trustees shall consist of the following members: regional Trustees (one from each of the seven VAR regions), Trustees assigned to local associations (one trustee per 2,000 members, and not a portion thereof), with the remaining Trustees selected at-large. No local association or region shall have more than five Trustees. The ex officio members of the Trustees shall consist of VAR's President, National RPAC Trustees from Virginia, Statewide RPAC Campaign Chairman, VAR's Chief Executive Officer, VAR's Director of Public Policy, Public Policy Advocacy Group Chairman, and the Local Association Executive Officer Liaison. The ex officio members of the Trustees are non-voting members. The size of local associations will be determined by use of the National Association of REALTORS® official membership count taken each year to assign NAR Board of Directors positions.
The RPAC Regions are defined as follows: Region 1 - Blue Ridge, Dulles Area, Fredericksburg, Greater Piedmont, Massanutten, Prince William; Region 2 - Chesapeake Bay and Rivers, Northern Neck, Richmond, Southside Virginia; Region 3 – Charlottesville Area, Harrisonburg/Rockingham, Lexington/Buena Vista/Rockbridge, Staunton/Augusta, Region 4 - Bristol VA/TN, Martinsville/Henry/Patrick Counties, New River Valley, Roanoke Valley, Southwest Virginia; Region 5 - Danville, Lynchburg, South Central; Region 6 - Eastern Shore, Greater Hampton Roads, Virginia Peninsula, Williamsburg Area; Region 7 - Northern Virginia.
RPAC Trustees should meet the following qualifications:
o Be an active member in good standing of a Local Association of REALTORS®.
o Have demonstrated leadership as a REALTOR®.
o Have an active interest in the political process and knowledge of political activity within their own VAR regions.
o Commit to making appropriate appearances at Local Associations within their VAR regions to discuss RPAC and encourage active RPAC participation.
o Be willing to report at all RPAC Trustee Meetings on political activity and RPAC Campaign activity within the Local Associations to which they have been assigned.
o Not have a political party conflict of interest. They cannot serve as an elected or appointed leader (including, but not limited to, an officer, precinct chair, platform committee member) for a political party committee on the local, state or national levels.
o Cannot serve on a political party’s state or national coordinating committee.
SECTION 2 - Responsibilities of the Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall have general supervision and control over the affairs and funds of the Committee and shall establish and carry out all policies and activities of the Committee. Members of the Board of Trustees shall serve without compensation.
SECTION 3 - Selection of Trustees; Terms of Office; Removal
Whenever a vacancy occurs, the RPAC Selection Committee shall select successor Trustees.
If the vacancy occurs as the result of the expiration of a term, the appointment shall be for a three-year term.
If the vacancy occurs for any other reason, the appointment shall be for the unexpired term of that Trustee. No Trustee shall serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.
Trustees should seek prior approval from the Chairman for an excused absence from a meeting or conference call. Any Trustee accruing two or more unexcused absences per year shall be subject to removal from the Trustees by a majority vote of all the Trustees.
Any member of the Board of Trustees may be removed at any time by a resolution passed by affirmative vote of a majority of all the Trustees.
An individual may serve as both a local PAC Trustee (or as a member of a local Board of Directors) and as a RPAC of VA Trustee. Trustees shall abstain from voting on issues in which they have a conflict of interest.
SECTION 4 - Quorum
Nine members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - Designation, Elections, Terms of Office
The officers of the Committee shall be a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and a Secretary/Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by the Board of Trustees from among the members of the Board of Trustees. The Board may establish additional offices for the Committee from time to time and may fill such offices from among the members of the Board or otherwise. Unless removed, officers shall serve for a term ending at the succeeding Annual Meeting of the Board. Vacancies may be filled at any meeting of the Board of Trustees. Any officer of the Committee may be removed as an officer at any time by a resolution passed by affirmative vote of a majority of all of the Trustees. No Trustee shall hold the same office on the Board for more than two consecutive terms.
SECTION 2 - Chairman
The Chairman shall be the chief executive officer of the Committee and shall be an ex officio member of all subcommittees. The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Board of Trustees and shall appoint subcommittees, task force groups, or work groups as needed.
SECTION 3 - Vice Chairman
In the absence of a Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall preside at the meetings of the Board of Trustees and officiate for the Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall be responsible for recommending to the RPAC Trustees at the Annual Convention individuals to serve as the following year's RPAC Campaign Chairman and Campaign Vice Chairman.
SECTION 4 - Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer shall perform those duties customarily performed by the Secretary/Treasurer of a committee, or as shall be prescribed by the Board of Trustees. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Committee and shall be involved in any financial policy making decisions by VAR that affect RPAC of VA funds. He or she shall keep full and accurate accounts, and shall present financial statements to the Trustees. In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Secretary/Treasurer shall preside at meetings of the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 5 - Administrator
VAR’s Chief Executive Officer, Director of Public Policy, and Vice President of Administration shall serve as RPAC of Virginia Administrators.
The Administrators shall oversee the collection of all contributions and other funds of the organization, and shall approve the disbursement of RPAC funds in accordance with the instructions of the RPAC Trustees. Either an Administrator or a designated Trustee shall sign checks for approved funding disbursements. On disbursements of amounts greater than $5,000, two signatures shall be required on the check. The Administrators shall sign reports made to governmental authorities as required by law or directed to be filed by the RPAC Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
SECTION 1 - Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be held in conjunction with the VAR Annual Convention, or as near to such time as feasible.
SECTION 2 - Regular Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held at the Legislative Conference and the VAR Annual Convention, and at such other times as the Chairman or the Board directs, in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws.
SECTION 3 - Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by the Chairman on his or her own initiative, or upon the written request of four of the members of the Board of Trustees.
The Chairman, or the Vice Chairman in his or her absence, shall have the authority to authorize the expenditure of funds with the consent of the Board of Trustees. Such consent may be obtained through mail, overnight carrier, by hand, by facsimile, electronic mail or by conference call.
SECTION 4 - Conduct of Meetings
Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VIII
STANDING COMMITTEES
The RPAC Campaign Subcommittee, chaired by the current year's RPAC Campaign Chairman, will function as a standing committee and normally meet at least two times each year. Members of this committee shall be the RPAC Trustees, the State RPAC Campaign Chairman and Vice Chairman, and all RPAC Local Association Campaign Chairmen and Vice Chairmen.
The RPAC Selection Committee shall consist of ten members: VAR’s President, President-elect, Immediate Past President and Treasurer, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the VAR Public Policy Advocacy Group, the RPAC of VA Trustees Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer, and one local association executive. In case of duplication, the remaining members of the committee shall appoint a replacement.
When submitting candidates for Trustee positions to be considered by the RPAC of VA Selection Committee, each submitting association shall submit more nominees than there are Trustee openings available to be filled from that association. The RPAC Chairman may waive this requirement upon a determination that a sufficient number of candidates have been submitted.
RPAC of VA shall have such other committees as the Board of Trustees determines are necessary and desirable for carrying out its purposes and objectives. The Chairman and members of such committees shall be appointed by the Chairman of the RPAC Trustees.
ARTICLE IX
BOOKS, RECORDS, AND FINANCES
SECTION 1 - Books and Records
The RPAC Administrators are responsible for keeping correct and complete books and records of account. The Committee's books of account shall be audited at least once a year. The audit shall be approved by the Secretary/Treasurer, and the RPAC of VA Trustees shall be notified.
SECTION 2 - Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Committee shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
SECTION 3 - Deposits
The funds of the Committee shall be deposited to the credit of the Committee in such banks or depositories as the Board of Trustees may select.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted at any meeting of the Board of Trustees by affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees, provided that at least thirty days prior written notice of the substance of the proposed amendments, or of an intent to repeal and adopt new Bylaws, shall have been given each member of the Board of Trustees. By written consent signed by all of the Trustees, action may be taken without a meeting, and by written waiver signed by all of the Trustees, either before or after meeting, notice of the substance of such proposed amendments, or of intent to repeal and adopt new Bylaws, may be waived.