Branch Bylaws

b. TENURE. Terms of elected officers shall begin on July 1; however, the incoming president may call a meeting of the incoming officers prior to July 1 for the purpose of approving appointments and making plans for the coming year. Elected officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and assume office. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office. An officer who begins to serve after the start of the fiscal year shall be deemed to have served a full term if s/he carries out her/his duties for six months or more, and may be re-elected for only one more term.

c. VACANCIES. After July 1, a vacancy in an elected office, except that of the president, shall be filled for the unexpired term by the board of directors; however, a vacancy in the office of president shall be filled by the president-elect. If a vacancy occurs between the election of officers and July 1, the nominating committee shall make a nomination and the branch membership shall elect a new person, except that if the vacancy occurs after the last general meeting for the year, the sitting board, upon nomination by the standing nominating committee, shall elect a person to fill the vacancy.

d. NOMINATIONS. A nominating committee of five members and two alternates shall be elected by the board of directors at its October meeting. The committee shall function until the following July 1. The report of the nominating committee shall be presented to members at the branch meeting prior to the annual meeting and sent in writing at least two weeks before the election. Nominations may be made from the floor at the time of election, provided written consent of the nominee has been obtained.

e. ELECTIONS. Voting shall be by ballot at the annual meeting of the branch. A majority of votes cast shall be necessary for election. When there is but one nominee for office, the vote may be taken by voice.

Section 2. Appointed Officers shall be the budget director; editor of the branch newsletter The Key; parliamentarian; coordinators for neighborhoods, and sections; chairs for bylaws, directory, , international interests, public information, public policy, and for such other special interests and special projects as are necessary to carry out the work of the branch.

a. APPOINTMENTS shall be made by the president with the approval of the executive committee.

b. DUTIES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS. (Also see Policies and Procedures.)

1. Budget Director. The budget director, with the budget committee, shall prepare the annual branch budget, shall be responsible for branch financial matters, and shall make recommendations regarding all financial policies to the board of directors.

2. Public Policy Chair. The Public Policy chair shall be responsible for the branch public policy program under the guidance of the AAUW-CA public policy committee and within the limitations of the Association public policy program.

3. Other appointed officers shall perform duties usually associated with their respective responsibilities, and such other tasks as the board of directors may request, and shall make reports as required.

ARTICLE VIII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Board of Directors

a. MEMBERSHIP. The board of directors shall be composed of the elected and appointed officers. Ex officio board members shall be branch members who have served as past presidents of AAUW-CA, or are currently serving on the AAUW-CA executive board.

b. DUTIES. The board shall have the general power to administer the affairs of the branch, including but not limited to establishing policies and procedures to control financial records. It shall accept responsibility delegated by the Association and state.

Section 2. Executive Committee. The executive committee shall consist of the elected officers and shall act in the interim between board meetings. It shall exercise such power and authority as may be delegated to it by the board and shall report to the board on all actions taken between regular meetings of the board.

ARTICLE IX. MEETINGS (Branch, Board, Executive Committee) AND PRESIDING OFFICER

Section 1. Branch Meetings.

a. REGULAR MEETINGS. The branch shall hold regular meetings each month from September through May, unless otherwise provided by the board of directors.

b. ANNUAL MEETING. The March meeting of the branch shall be the annual meeting of the branch for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for such other business as may properly arise.

c. SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING. The next regular meeting of the branch following October 1 shall be the semi-annual meeting of the branch for the purpose of voting on the annual branch budget, and for such other business as may properly arise.

d. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings may be called by the president, a majority of members of the board of directors, or by written request of ten members of the branch. Notice of the date, time, place, and business to be brought before the meeting shall be sent by the secretary to the members in writing at least seven days in advance. Only business for which notice has been given shall be transacted.

e. QUORUM. In all branch meetings, ten percent of the current membership, at the time of the meeting, shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2. Board Meetings. Meetings of the board of directors may be held monthly, August to June. Special meetings may be called at any time by the president or upon the written request of four members of the board or ten members of the branch. The incoming or continuing president may call a meeting of the incoming board of directors prior to July 1 for the purpose of making plans for the coming year. A quorum shall be a majority of the board members; however, when a position is held by more than one person, that position carries one vote.

Section 3. Executive Committee Meetings. Meetings of the executive committee shall be held on the call of the president or two members of the executive committee. The incoming or continuing president may call a meeting of the incoming executive committee prior to July 1 for the purpose of approving appointments and making plans for the coming year. A quorum shall be a majority of the executive committee members; however, when a position is held by more than one person, that position carries one vote.

Section 4. Presiding Officer. The president shall preside at all meetings of the branch, the board of directors, and the executive committee. The president-elect shall preside in the absence or disability of the president. In their absence or disability, the order of responsibility for presiding officer shall be the first vice president (program), second vice president (membership), third vice president (Educational Foundation), and fourth vice president (Legal Advocacy Fund).

ARTICLE X. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees shall be program, membership, budget, audit, and bylaws.

Section 2. Committee Appointments. Standing committees shall be appointed as follows. The program committee shall be appointed by the first vice president, program. The membership committee shall be appointed by the second vice president, membership. All other committees shall be appointed by the president or the committee chair.

Section 3. Special Committees. Special committees may be appointed by the president with the consent of the board.

Section 4. Ex Officio Members. The president and president-elect shall be ex officio members of every committee except the nominating committee and the audit committee. An ex officio member of a committee or other body has all the privileges of membership, including the right to make motions and to vote, but shall not be counted in determining if a quorum is present at the meeting.

ARTICLE XI. CONVENTIONS

Delegates and alternates to the Association and state conventions, as described in Association and state bylaws, shall be elected by the branch and certified by the president.

ARTICLE XII. PROPERTY

Section 1. Title to property. The title to all property, funds, and assets of the branch, whether incorporated or not, shall at all times be vested in the branch for the joint use of the members, and no member or group of members shall have any severable right to all or any part of such property. The branch shall have complete control over the acquisition, administration, and disposition of its property without consent of the Association, except that such property shall not be used for any purposes contrary to those of the Association.

Section 2. Transfer of assets. In the event of the dissolution of the AAUW Palo Alto Branch, all assets of the branch shall be transferred and delivered to the AAUW Educational Foundation and the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund.

ARTICLE XIII. FORFEITURE OF BRANCH STATUS

Article XIII of the Association's Charter and Bylaws contains the provisions and conditions under which a branch may be discontinued.

ARTICLE XIV. INDEMNIFICATION

Every member of the board of directors may be indemnified by the Palo Alto Branch against all expenses and liabilities, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred or imposed upon such members of the board in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding to which the board member may become involved by reason of being or having been a member of the branch board of directors, or any settlement thereof, unless adjudged therein to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of duties. The liability shall be limited to the extent authorized by California law. In the event of a settlement the indemnification herein shall apply only when the branch board approves such settlement and reimbursement as being in the best interest of the branch. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to and not exclusive of all other rights to which the officer or member of the board is entitled.

ARTICLE XV. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The Rules contained in the current edition of Roberts’ Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this branch in all instances in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or those of the AAUW-CA or the Association.

ARTICLE XVI. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Section 1. Conformity. After each Association or state convention, it shall be the responsibility of the branch president and branch bylaws committee to bring the branch bylaws into conformity with the Charter and Bylaws of the Association and of AAUW-CA. Such amendments shall not require a vote of the branch members.

Section 2. Amending Branch Provisions. Provisions of these bylaws not governed by the Charter and Bylaws of the Association or the bylaws of AAUW-CA may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at any regular meeting of the branch, provided notice of the proposed amendments shall have been given at the previous regular meeting or in writing to every member at least two weeks before the meeting at which the amendment is to be acted upon. Prior to being voted on, proposed changes to the branch bylaws shall be sent to the state bylaws chair for approval.

POLICIES and PROCEDURES OF
AAUW PALO ALTO BRANCH

USE OF DIRECTORY

All information in the Directory of the Palo Alto Branch, including its Bylaws and Policies & Procedures, is issued to members for the sole purpose of facilitating the work of the branch, and is not to be used directly or indirectly for any commercial or promotional purposes without the express written consent of the board of directors.

MAILINGS WITH/FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

An authorized nonprofit organization cannot lend its nonprofit mailing permit to other organizations, but may have a combined mailing with a nonprofit organization that also has a nonprofit mailing permit.

AMENDMENTS

Policies and procedures may be amended at any time by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, with one vote being cast by each position.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Reimbursement for Conventions/Meetings

With approval of the Board, the following allocations may be made:

1. ASSOCIATION CONVENTION. The branch may allocate $500 toward the expenses of the president-elect or an alternate.

2. STATE CONVENTION. The branch may pay the registration fee of the president, president-elect, program vice-president-elect, membership vice-president-elect, the Educational Foundation vice-president-elect, and the Legal Advocacy Fund vice-president-elect.

3. DISTRICT FALL EVENT. The branch may allocate $100 toward the expenses of the president or an alternate.

4. ADDITIONAL FUNDING. At its discretion, the board may provide additional funding if appropriate.

5. TRANSPORTATION. A donation is recommended for each member carpooling to conventions or other meetings attended for branch purposes, to reimburse the driver for trip expenses.

Amount of Dues

1. ASSOCIATION MEMBERS. Total Palo Alto Branch dues of $75 include $39 for the Association, $10 for AAUW-CA, $24 for the branch treasury, $1 for the branch Educational Foundation, and $1 for the branch Legal Advocacy Fund.

2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Dues collected from associate members shall be the same as for Association members. Fifteen dollars shall be submitted to the Association treasurer for a subscription to the Association publication distributed to all members. State dues of $10 shall be submitted to the AAUW-CA office. One dollar shall be allocated to the branch Educational Foundation, $1 shall be allocated to the branch Legal Advocacy Fund, and the balance of the associate member’s dues shall be retained in the Palo Alto Branch treasury.

3. STUDENT AFFILIATES. Total dues of $24 for student affiliates of Palo Alto Branch include $17 for the Association and $7 for AAUW-CA. Branch dues are not charged for student affiliates.

4. NEW MEMBERS. New members joining Palo Alto Branch between January 1 and March 15 of the fiscal year shall pay $42.50 half-year dues allocated as follows: $19.50 for the Association, $10 for AAUW-CA, $12 for the branch treasury, and $0.50 each for the branch Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund. New members joining after March 15 shall pay full annual dues of $75 for the fiscal year to begin the following July 1; however, all membership privileges and publication subscriptions shall begin immediately. Student Affiliate new members joining between January 1 and March 15 are charged $15.50 half-year dues, with $8.50 for the Association and $7 for AAUW-CA.

Dues Bills and Reminders

First dues notice, to be mailed by May 1, shall be prepared by the incoming membership treasurer, president, membership vice president, and an experienced budget director or treasurer. The administrative secretary shall assist with printing and mailing.

For the second dues notice, to be mailed June 1, incoming membership vice president shall prepare the notice, membership treasurer shall make a list of members not yet renewed, data coordinator shall provide labels, and administrative secretary shall assist with printing and mailing.

Dues Refunds

AAUW dues payments, once made to Palo Alto Branch, are not refundable.

Prospective Members

An eligible person may attend two meetings as a visitor. If s/he wishes to continue attending, s/he is expected to join the Palo Alto Branch.

Subscriptions to The Key

The amount of an annual subscription to The Key shall be determined by the Board. Former members presently inactive who wish to continue receiving The Key may subscribe for $10 per year.

Duties of Treasurer (Also see Bylaws and Job Description)

1. CLOSING THE BOOKS. The treasurer shall prepare the books for audit and release them to the newly-elected treasurer no later than July 31.

2. BRANCH DUES REPORT. The treasurer shall work with the membership treasurer to complete the Branch Dues Report for submittal to the Association and to AAUW-CA before July 1.

3. TAX RETURNS. The treasurer shall complete and file the tax forms for the term of office.

Duties of Membership Treasurer (Also see Bylaws and Job Description)

1. ASSUMING DUTIES. The membership treasurer shall begin her/his duties approximately two and one-half months prior to the beginning of the fiscal year for which s/he was elected.

2. DUES NOTICES. The membership treasurer shall assist with the preparation of the first and second dues notices. See details in Dues Bills and Reminders above.

3. BRANCH DUES REPORT. The membership treasurer shall work with the treasurer to complete the Branch Dues Report for submittal to the Association and the state by July 1.

4. ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP ROSTER. The membership treasurer shall transmit information about additions to the branch membership roster to other officers as necessary (membership vice president, data and neighborhood coordinators, administrative secretary, new member chair, nametag person, etc.).

Separation of Tax-exempt Funds from Branch Funds

Separate bank accounts shall be established for the Educational Foundation (EF) and for the Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF), in order to prevent co-mingling of tax-deductible Section 501(c)(3) funds with the branch’s Section 501(c)(4) funds. If possible the separate EF and LAF accounts shall be established at the same financial institution (not necessarily the same branch) as the account(s) for the Palo Alto Branch’s operating funds and reserves; enough money should be withheld from the branch’s annual donations to the Educational Foundation and to the Legal Advocacy Fund to avoid service charges on their separate accounts. Responsibilities of the Educational Foundation vice president and Legal Advocacy Fund vice president include keeping current financial records of all EF and LAF income, expenses, and net proceeds. No EF or LAF fund-raising expenses shall be paid from branch operating funds.

Financial Signature Authority

The treasurer, president, president-elect, Educational Foundation vice president, and Legal Advocacy Fund vice president shall have signature authority for check writing and the withdrawal of funds from the branch's financial accounts. For the designated signers, authority may be given either unilateral for all accounts, or for only a subset of accounts; however, the treasurer and president shall in all cases be given authority for all accounts. Two signatures are required for all checks and withdrawals in excess of $500; only one signature is necessary for amounts of $500 or less.

Dues Assistance

The dues assistance program was originally established in order to provide help to members who have shown a commitment to AAUW and who are temporarily unable to pay full dues. Such members may request dues assistance from the membership VP or membership treasurer. A committee composed of the membership VP, the treasurer and the membership treasurer shall consider each request. If approved, the treasurer shall transfer funds from the dues assistance reserve to the appropriate dues ledger column(s) in order to cover the approved portion(s) of the member’s dues.

Graduate Student Members

As a membership policy, the Palo Alto Branch extends to graduate students the same dues structure that applies to student affiliates (see Amount of Dues, above), contingent upon sufficient monies in the dues assistance designated reserves fund. A committee composed of the membership VP, the treasurer and the membership treasurer shall consider each graduate student membership and renewal application for the purpose of determining the availability and application of dues assistance funds. The treasurer must forward the full amount for Association and AAUW-CA dues, as outlined in Amount of Dues, item 1, above; the difference between what is collected from graduate student members and what is paid to the Association and AAUW-CA will be transferred from the dues assistance reserve to the appropriate dues ledger columns. The branch dues and assessments portion may be transferred from either the dues assistance or the "Power and Pride" reserve.

Designated Reserves

1. SOURCES OF FUNDS for Designated Reserves include, but need not be limited to:

a. Specific contributions for dues assistance, study/action, AAUW-CA meetings, etc.

b. Budgeted funds unspent at the end of the year in such Reserves categories as Association convention, AAUW-CA meetings, publications, etc.

c. Funds specifically set aside for use at a future time, such as dues to be sent to the Association and state, funds allocated for a biennial event in the year when the event is not scheduled, insurance etc.

d. Other funds as the board may direct.

2. EXPENDITURES OF FUNDS from Designated Reserves shall include but need not be limited to:

a. Dues assistance.

b. Transfer by the treasurer from the “Power and Pride” reserve to the branch operating fund, to pay the branch portion of each student affiliate’s and graduate student member's dues.

c. At the discretion of the board, to augment budgeted amounts for study/action, Association convention, AAUW-CA meetings, publications, etc.

d. Other expenditures as the board may direct.

Members at Large

A member-at-large is one who does not belong to a branch but maintains membership in the Association by paying annual Association dues directly to the AAUW Treasurer; s/he may vote and serve on Association committees but shall not hold any branch office nor be extended branch membership privileges. A member-at-large who wishes to become a member of Palo Alto Branch shall pay state and branch dues.

Audit Committee (Also see Bylaws, and Matters Concerning Officers/Board, below)

The committee shall borrow the necessary records from the new treasurer only for the days on which its work on the audit has been scheduled.

MATTERS CONCERNING OFFICERS/BOARD

Nominating Committee (Also see Bylaws)

1. To elect a standing nominating committee, names of at least seven branch members (who may or may not be members of the board) are submitted, with their prior consent, to the board of directors at the October board meeting. Each board position votes for five names. The member with the most votes will chair the standing nominating committee. Four members with the next highest numbers of votes shall also serve on the committee. Members with the sixth and seventh highest number of votes shall be the alternates. The nominating committee shall maintain a list of potential officer candidates to be given to its successor committee and to be used in filling vacancies during the year.

2. Committee members shall be familiar with tasks of elected officers so that appropriate information can be given to persons invited to become officers for the following year.

Program Committee

The program committee, chaired by the first vice president, shall include the vice presidents for membership, Educational Foundation, and Legal Advocacy Fund; chairs for public policy, international interests, public information (publicity) and facilities; coordinators for neighborhoods and sections; editor of the branch newsletter; and others as may be necessary. The committee shall assist the program vice president in planning branch activities, and in disseminating information to members and the community.

Membership Committee

The membership committee, chaired by the second vice president shall include the membership treasurer, new member chair, data coordinator, neighborhood coordinator, section coordinator, a representative of the program committee, and others. The committee shall assist the membership vice president in membership recruitment and retention.

Budget Committee The budget committee, chaired by the budget director, shall include the vice president for program, the vice president for membership, the treasurer, membership treasurer, administrative secretary, newsletter editor, and a past treasurer. The committee shall prepare the annual branch budget for presentation to the board of directors at its September meeting, and, after publication in The Key, for approval at the semi-annual branch meeting. When asked by the board, the committee shall study any proposed expenditures not provided for in the budget and make recommendations to the board of directors.

Audit Committee The audit committee shall include the audit chair, appointed by the president no later than May 1, and at least two other persons also appointed by the president. After July 31, the committee shall perform an audit of branch financial records from the preceding fiscal year and submit its report to the board of directors no later than the October board meeting.

Bylaws Committee The bylaws committee shall include the bylaws chair, appointed by the president, the parliamentarian, and any other persons appointed by the president or selected by the bylaws chair. The bylaws committee shall be responsible for reviewing and updating, as necessary, the branch bylaws, coordinating the approval of any bylaws changes, and facilitating the annual publication of the bylaws and policies and procedures in the branch directory.

Other Committees The vice presidents for Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund, and chairs who are appointed officers of the branch, may select committees to assist in carrying out their tasks. The president or the board of directors may establish any special committee as necessary, with the chair appointed by the president, and the committee members selected by the chair.

Lists of Members’ Interests/Skills

The dues notice sent by the membership treasurer customarily includes a form on which members may indicate their interests in specific branch activities, and their skills which the branch may utilize from time to time. The President may appoint a member who shall be responsible for maintaining lists of such interests and skills, and for forwarding the lists to the appropriate officers and chairs.

General Meetings Chair

The program vice president may request the appointment of a general meetings chair. That chair shall be appointed by the president in consultation with the program vice president.

Data Coordinator

The task of data administration, to maintain members’ address, contact and other information, shall be handled within the branch. The responsibilities may be filled as board or ex-officio appointment by the president.

Administrative Secretary

1. The administrative secretary shall maintain a list of vendors for printing and supplies, and shall order branch stationery and other supplies when needed.

2. S/he shall inform the treasurer of the cost and purpose of each bulk or second-class mailing, so a timely and accurate record may be kept of postage costs for various branch projects.

3. S/he shall assist with the printing and mailing of dues notices and other branch mailings.

4. S/he shall inform the Postmaster and the Bulk Mailing Division of the name and address of the incoming administrative secretary by July 1. The new administrative secretary shall obtain information about requirements for the branch permits and mailings.

Chair of Interbranch Council

In those years in which the Palo Alto Branch provides the chair for the Santa Clara County Interbranch Council, the immediate past president of the branch shall serve as chair. In the event the immediate past president is unable to serve, the president shall appoint an alternate, preferably a former branch president.

Educational Foundation Recognition

1. NAMED GRANTS. Suggestions for named grant nominees may come from branch members or board members, and the choices shall be made by the EF Committee.

2. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. The board shall make the final decision regarding the designated fund(s) to which Palo Alto Branch’s contribution shall be allocated.

Status of Women Surveys

In 1996-97, the Palo Alto Branch board of directors voted to take ownership of the local status of women survey results and records, and the 5-year updates. Surveys are taken and published on the decade and half-decade years (e.g., 1995, 2000, 2005), with planning and preparation beginning the preceding year. The educational equity chair, or other member as appointed by the president, shall serve as chair for this activity, and shall select other committee members as needed; the committee members may be either branch members, or members of the community not officially affiliated with AAUW. During the years when no survey activity is required, the chair shall be responsible for maintaining the historical records, making these records available for access and use, and publicizing their existence and value to the community.

BRANCH ACTIVITIES

Facilities

Access and accommodations for disabled persons should be considered when arranging for meeting places, both for branch events and for sections.

General Meetings

1. The branch general meeting has precedence over any scheduled branch section or interest group. No other branch meeting shall be scheduled at a time which conflicts with the general meeting.

2. No general or special meetings of the branch shall be scheduled on the dates of the fall district event, the district leadership training meeting, or the annual AAUW-CA convention.

3. Whenever general meetings feature Educational Foundation or Legal Advocacy Fund speakers, mandatory expenses for the EF or LAF speakers shall be paid from the branch program budget up to $100. Expenditures above that limit would need Board approval.

Sections

1. A new section may be formed by any member or group of members. Consult the section coordinator.

2. All sections are open to all members. 3. Permission from the board of directors shall be obtained by the section coordinator, acting on behalf of a section, for any expenditures by the section.

4. With the approval of the board of directors, members of a section may engage a paid instructor or speaker. All expenses involved will be borne by those participating.

5. With the approval of the board of directors, money may be allocated to a section for postage, clerical supplies, and pertinent reference materials, which will become the property of Palo Alto Branch.

Neighborhoods

1. Every branch member belongs to a neighborhood group.

2. A neighborhood group may collect funds from its members to support the activities of the neighborhood.

Procedure for Use of Name within Geographical Area

1. Affected branches should be alerted when Use of Name is required.

2. A letter should be sent to each branch giving a full summary of the issue and the rationale for action in time for the boards of directors of the other branches to act on the issue.

3. If any one of the branches opposes the action, the AAUW name cannot be used.

Candidate Policy Adopted by Association Board of Directors, June 1988; updated February 1998.

CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS

1. AAUW/states/branches may endorse or oppose candidates for appointive office, including submitting names for appointive offices.

2. AAUW/states/branches may endorse candidates for non-partisan elective office, including recruiting such candidates. In non-partisan elections in which a candidate is unopposed,

3. AAUW/states/branches may endorse or oppose such candidate(s). AAUW/states/branches may not endorse or oppose candidates for partisan elective office.

4. Before endorsing candidates for non-partisan elective office, AAUW/states/branches must carefully investigate state and local election laws. Where state or local election law considers endorsement itself a contribution, AAUW/states/branches may not endorse candidates for any elective office, partisan or non-partisan.

5. Before endorsing candidates for non-partisan elective office, AAUW/states/branches must adopt clear procedures for making endorsements. Where there are multiple branches in a single electoral district, clear procedures for making endorsements must be agreed to by a majority of those branches, and those procedures then become binding on all branches in the district. In a multi-branch electoral district, any branch(es) choosing not to participate in endorsement will notify all other branches in the electoral district, and the remaining branch(es) may proceed.

6. States/branches that have independently incorporated themselves as 501(c)(3) entities are subject to different regulations than the Association [501(c)(4)] and may not endorse candidates for any elective office.

CONTRIBUTIONS

1. AAUW/states/branches may not contribute money, mailing lists, nor anything of material value to candidates for any elective office, partisan or non-partisan.

2. AAUW/states/branches may not publish paid political announcements in AAUW publications.

ACTIVITIES FOR PARTISAN ELECTIVE CANDIDATES

1. Before a partisan election, AAUW/states/branches may have candidate forums to which all candidates in that election are invited. If three or more political parties have nominees for any office, AAUW/states/branches may limit invitations to the two political parties receiving the highest number of votes in the last preceding general election. Candidates for a specific office may participate in the forum providing at least two candidates have accepted the invitation. (This applies to federal elections. Check state election code for other races.)

2. AAUW/states/branches may invite a declared candidate in a partisan election to speak at a meeting on a subject of particular expertise, but not on her/his candidacy for future public office.

ACTIVITIES FOR NON-PARTISAN ELECTIVE CANDIDATES

1. Before a non-partisan election in which AAUW has not endorsed candidate(s), AAUW/states/branches may have candidate forums to which all candidates in that election are invited. Before a non-partisan election in which AAUW has endorsed a candidate(s), AAUW/states/branches may invite the endorsed candidate(s) to speak at a meeting on her/his/their candidacy with or without inviting non-endorsed candidates.

2. Whether or not a declared candidate in a non-partisan election has been endorsed by AAUW/states/branches, s/he may be invited to speak at a meeting on a subject of particular expertise.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES

All candidates running for the office(s) to be covered in a candidate questionnaire must have the opportunity to participate. All responses received must be printed in their entirety up to the specified word limit in any publication of responses to the questionnaire. The publication of responses should include the names of all candidates to whom the questionnaire was sent, but publication may proceed even if all candidates do not respond.

ACTIVITIES OF INDIVIDUAL AAUW MEMBERS

1. An individual member may endorse, as a private citizen, candidates for partisan elective office, contribute her/his own money or anything of value to such candidate(s), and organize for the purpose of supporting such candidate(s), but such endorsement, contribution, or organization cannot utilize the name of AAUW.

2. Any AAUW leader who is actively involved in a candidate's campaign should avoid involvement in branch/state electoral activities that may give the appearance of AAUW endorsement of the candidate.

3. As a candidate for any office, an individual member may state her/his AAUW membership as long as s/he is not opposing AAUW program or policy. Stating one’s AAUW membership while opposing AAUW positions violates the AAUW Use of Name policy (see Article IV, Section 1 of the branch bylaws). In the absence of official endorsement (for appointive or non-partisan elective office), such a statement of AAUW membership should not be construed to imply endorsement.

4. To avoid any appearance of conflict of interest or implied AAUW endorsement, any member who has declared candidacy for, or is holding, a partisan public office shall not hold an AAUW elected or appointed position in which she/he may be a spokesperson for AAUW public policy issues.

Note: See also Association Policy 109 "Use of Name."

P.O. Box 60653
Palo Alto, CA 94306-0653
info@aauw-paloalto.org