CONSTITUTION
Revised 04/07/25
ARTICLE I - NAME AND ADDRESS
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Heartland Women of Today.
Section 2: The address of this organization shall be the address of the Executive Director.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE & CREED
Section 1: The purpose of the Heartland Women of Today (WT) is to be a public benefit corporation emphasizing Community Service, Leadership, and Personal Enrichment.
Section 2: The Creed of Nebraska Women of Today is as follows:
We believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human endeavor,
That for every wrong there is a right;
For every foe, there is a friend.
That listening to all, then searching for truth;
And learning to lose makes winning sweeter.
For we work with our hands as well as our hearts,
And we know so well the work that is done
When Women of Today work together as one.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1: Any individual over the age of 18 shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2: Any Heartland WT member may maintain full membership in this organization as long as she/he wishes, and as long as she/he remains in good standing and continues to pay dues by the delinquent date.
Section 3: An Associate member of the Heartland Women of Today is hereby defined as a member of another chapter (where she/he pays dues) pays Associate member dues and is a member of the United States Women of Today.
Section 4: A member in “Good Standing” shall be defined as meeting the following requirements:
a. All dues for membership shall be paid current
b. Member shall not have any outstanding debts to any level of Women of Today.
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
Section 1: Regular meetings of this organization are to be held monthly, unless otherwise voted by the membership.
Section 2: Meeting may be cancelled or can be called as a Zoom meeting by the board with notice to the membership due to adverse weather conditions.
Section 3: Special meetings of this organization shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request of any 3 members.
Section 4: The Board shall meet every trimester throughout the year or at the request of any 3 board members.
Section 5: All board members must be present at 75% of the general membership meetings. If this is not met the board member may be removed from office.
Section 6: All board members must be present at 66% of the board meetings. If this is not met the board member may be removed from office
ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS AND STANDING RULES
Section 1: This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by 2/3 of the membership, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing at least 30 Days prior.
Section 2: This constitution shall be reviewed every two years by an appointed committee. If changes are deemed necessary, they should be presented to the entire membership at a general meeting.
ARTICLE VI - GOVERNMENT
Section 1: The government of the Heartland WT shall be vested in the board of directors consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board.
Section 2: At board meetings the President shall be allowed to vote only in deciding a tie vote.
Section 3: All officers assume duties April 1.
Section 4: In the event that any vacancy exists among the board members, a replacement shall be selected by the President with the approval of the Board members.
Section 5: In the event that enough members aren’t eligible to hold office, the offices of Vice President and Secretary may be held by the same person.
ARTICLE VII - POWERS OF DECLARATION AND COMMITTEES
Section 1: Delegations and committees shall be appointed by the President or other presiding officers, to represent the organization at any convention, meeting, or assembly as may be necessary. Such delegations or committees have no authority by virtue of such appointment to bind, obligate, or to involve the organization in any expense or to concur in any action contrary to the expressed policy of this organization.
Section 2: The President shall serve as chairman of delegations or committees, but in the event of her/his absence, she/he shall appoint a member to serve in her/his place.
ARTICLE VIII - QUORUM
Section 1: At all general membership meetings of the Heartland Women of Today, 30% of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1: ROBERT'S RULE OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED shall govern the proceedings of all general, special, and other meetings of the organization.
BYLAWS
BYLAW I - DUES
Section 1: The Annual dues for membership shall be State and National dues plus $5.00 payable at the meeting before the anniversary date that the member joined. If dues are unpaid the member shall be dropped from the roster.
Section 2: This organization will pay State and National dues for all of its individual members only after local dues have been received.
Section 3: Dues for the associate member will be $5.00 per year, coming due at the meeting before the anniversary date that the member joined her/his chapter.
Section 4: Each Fiscal year of this organization shall begin on April 1st of the current year and end on March 31st of the following year.
Section 5: Each Fiscal year of this organization shall begin on April 1st of the current year and end on March 31st of the following year.
BYLAW II - VOTING PROCEDURES
Section 1: Nominations and Elections Criteria for Officers
A. The President and Vice President shall have served on the board of the Heartland WT for 1 year.
B. The Secretary and Treasurer shall have been a member of the Heartland WT for 6 months.
C. A Heartland Woman of Today member must attend 6 meetings of the current year to be eligible to run for an office in the March elections.
D. Member shall be in “Good Standing” to run for and hold office.
Section 2: Nominating Committee
A. At the February general membership meeting in Election years the Chairman of the Board shall publish a list of members who are eligible for office and members who are eligible to vote.
B. At the February meeting in Election years, nominations shall be open from the floor, either verbally or written on paper. Proxy nominations may be submitted to the Chairman of the Board by absent Heartland WT members by the February meeting night.
C. Nominees will be required to give brief campaign speeches at the general elections in Election years, if contested.
D. The Chairman of the Board shall compile a ballot for the March meeting in Election years. All members shall be contacted for their consent to serve, if elected.
Section 3: Elections
A. Secret ballots will be cast for officers in the following order: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer must receive a simple majority of the entire votes cast to be elected.
B. A Heartland WT member must attend 6 meetings of the current year to be eligible to vote in the March elections.
C. Member shall be in “Good Standing” to vote.
The duties of the President, Chairman of the Board, and other elected or appointed officers of the Heartland Woman of Today shall be established as Standing Rules.
Section 1: The government of the Heartland WT shall be vested in the board of directors consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board. Each officer will be elected to serve a 2-year term except for the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be the President from the previous term.
Section 2: At board meetings the President shall be allowed to vote only in deciding a tie vote.
Section 3: In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall assume duties of the President. In the absence of both foregoing officers, the Chairman of the Board shall assume duties.
Section 4: Appointed Positions
A. The President shall appoint members to the following positions: Program Manager, Chaplain, and Newsletter Editor.
B. No appointee shall have the power to enter into any agreement or contract or otherwise obligate the organization except upon authority of the r general membership.
Section 5: Funds
A. The Treasurer shall collect all money due the organization and deposit the same in the chapter checking account at a local bank. Funds shall be dispersed only by approval of a majority of the general membership. All checks must be signed by the Treasurer and counter signed by the President or the Executive Director.
B. The Heartland Woman of Today Checkbook MUST be present at all meetings.
C. All officers and appointees must submit their final bills to the Treasurer by the Monday following awards Banquet, with the exception of a Heartland WT hosted Annual Convention.
D. At the close of the fiscal year the Treasurer’s books shall be declared closed for the previous year, and no further bills may be presented or paid which have incurred in the previous year. The books shall be turned over to an independent examiner with financial background by April 15th with the Financial review being completed by May 1st, with the exception of a Heartland WT hosted Annual Convention.
E. Upon dissolution of Heartland Women of Today Corporation, the distribution of assets will be given to Heartland community charities.
BYLAW V - STATE PHILANTHROPY
The state Philanthropy of the Heartland Women of Today shall be Aid to Foster Children. This is supported by chapter contributions received during the fiscal year and administered by the Foster Care Closet and the Nebraska Children and Families Camp Catch Up.
The Heartland Women of Today will adopt a chapter priority program if one is approved at Fall State Conference.
BYLAW VII - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
The Heartland Women of Today will adopt all State and National Community Development programming.
BYLAW VIII - AMENDMENTS
Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by 51% of those present and voting, providing that the proposed amendments have been presented in writing at least 30 Days prior.
STANDING RULES
1. Duties of the Elected Board Members are as follows;
a. The President of the organization shall:
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Preside over all meetings.
iii. Keep a record of member participation in meetings, projects and etc.
iv. Shall be only an ex-officio member of all committees
v. Shall be responsible for submitting or delegate Chapter Chatter in the GAVEL.
vi. Complete a Mid-Year Membership Evaluation.
vii. Shall appoint members to the following positions:
1. Program Manager
2. Chaplain
3. Newsletter Editor
viii. Shall oversee Chaplain and Newsletter Editor
ix. At the Membership Retreat the President hall submit a proposed Plan of Action for review and subsequent approval at the Membership Retreat.
x. Perform such other duties as are incidental to the office she/he holds.
b. The Vice President of the organization shall:
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Preside at such meetings as not attended by the President.
iii. Be responsible for the chapter Membership Books.
iv. Shall be responsible for the Community Connections
v. Shall oversee the Program Manager
vi. Be responsible to notify members of upcoming general membership meeting four (4) days prior to the meeting.
vii. Perform such other duties as are incidental to the office she/he holds.
c. The Secretary of the organization shall:
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Take minutes of all meetings, which shall be submitted to the newsletter or distributed at the following meeting.
iii. Shall maintain a record of attendance at meetings.
iv. Be responsible for all correspondence.
v. Shall write Thank You notes for donations of time, money and services unless the thank you is warranted by results of a project. Then the Project Chairman is responsible for issuing the Thank You note.
vi. Keep a file of meeting minutes with current and past two (2) years all others turn over to the Executive Director.
vii. Perform such other duties as are incidental to the office she/he holds.
d. The Treasurer of the organization shall:
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Oversee the Monies for the Aid to Foster Children Program and other programs.
iii. Shall collect dues by date set in Bylaw I Section I.
iv. Have general supervision of all the financial affairs of the organization.
v. Keep an updated cash disbursement journal with accounting of income and expenses showing both budget and actual amounts. Format at Treasurer’s discretion.
vi. Complete a Mid-Year Budget and Finance Review.
vii. Complete a year-end financial statement
viii. As of April 1st, the checkbook shall be turned over to the new officer in Election years.
ix. At the Membership Retreat, the Treasurer shall submit a proposed Budget for the upcoming year for review and subsequent approval at the Membership Retreat.
x. Keep a record of all paid members as well as a record of the dates that a new member joins.
xi. At year-end all Membership Dues Billing from 2 years prior shall be submitted to the Executive Director for files.
xii. Perform such other duties as are incidental to the office she/he holds.
e. The Chairman of The Board of the organization shall:
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Be responsible for the review of the Constitution and Bylaws with an appointed Committee.
iii. Serve as Parliamentarian
iv. Be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date and current copy of the Constitution and Bylaws.
v. Promote State conventions.
vi. Promote National Mid-Year and Annual Convention.
vii. Promote US Founders Charities.
viii. Be responsible for purchasing a gift up to $25.00 to be given to any Heartland Woman of Today serving as a state or national president, at her outgoing Banquet.
ix. Provide a gift from the chapter to the outgoing President at the installation Banquet. The Chapter will reimburse up to $25.00.
x. Perform such other duties as are incidental to the office she/he holds.
f. Any officer failing to fulfill the obligation of their office shall be brought under the following disciplinary action:
i. Forewarning by the board and given 1 month to correct their actions.
ii. If she/he fails to correct the problem she/he may be dismissed by a majority of the general membership at a regular monthly meeting.
iii. Voting will be taken by secret ballot only.
2. Duties of the Appointed Chairmanships are as follows;
a. The Programming Chairman of the organization shall;
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Promote State and National Personal Philanthropy Programs.
iii. Promote all State and National Personal Enrichment Programs.
iv. Keep accurate record of all .member certifications
v. Perform such other duties as are incidental to the office she/he holds.
vi. Promote Today’s Youth
b. The Chaplain of the organization shall;
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Promote the Women in General and Chaplain certification areas.
iii. Send memorials of $25.00 to a Heartland Woman of Today member if there is a death in family, (spouse, children, and parents). A card will be sent to the Heartland Women of Today member if a death occurs in the extended family (siblings, grandparents, and parent-in-law). A card will be sent to the spouse if such a death occurs in her/his family.
iv. Arrange for a meal to be provided for a Heartland Woman of Today member who is in the Hospital.
v. Arrange for a baby shower for each Heartland Woman of Today member who has her/his first baby since joining the Heartland Women of Today.
vi. Arrange for a Bridal shower for each Heartland Woman of Today who gets married.
vii. Perform such other duties as are incidental to the office she/he holds.
c. Newsletter Editor of the organization shall:
i. Attend all Meetings
ii. Set a date for submissions.
iii. Compile and distribute the newsletter.
3. Webmaster of the Heartland Chapter shall:
i. Attend all meetings
ii. Maintain and update the website
4. Heartland Women of Today Facebook Administrator shall:
i. Attend all meetings
ii. Do weekly updates or more as deemed necessary
iii. Post any Heartland members submission
5. Duties of the Executive Director of the organization shall:
a. Attend all Meetings
b. Be permanently on the checking/savings accounts signature card.
c. Be responsible for the corporation papers.
d. Be responsible for all material assets
e. Shall be responsible for sales tax filings to the Nebraska Department of Revenue
f. Shall be responsible for filing the 990 form with the Internal Revenue Service
6. Year-End Member Recognition and Awards Banquet
a. At year end one member shall be recognized as Outstanding Woman of Today and shall be selected by a points system created by the President. The member receiving this recognition shall be presented with an award as determined by the President and membership at the Awards Banquet. All members and associate members are eligible.
b. At year end one member shall be recognized as “Key Woman” and shall be selected by a secret ballot of the general membership at the meeting preceding the Installation Banquet. The member receiving this recognition shall be presented with an award as determined by the President and the membership at the Awards Banquet.. All members and associate members are eligible.
c. Anniversary pins will be awarded to members, one each consecutive fifth anniversary of membership in Women of Today. Years spent, as a member of the former organization will be included in determining membership years for receiving an anniversary pin.
d. The President may give Presidential awards of her/his choice at the Awards Banquet at her/his own expense.
e. The Banquet date shall be at the discretion of the President.
f. The chapter may select candidates from the community for the Outstanding Woman competition.
i. She will receive a corsage.
ii. The Heartland WT will pay all convention expenses for the Outstanding Woman if she competes at State Competition.
iii. The candidate will be responsible for any of her spouse's expenses.
g. The chapter will invite Past Presidents of the chapter to the Awards Banquet.
7. No Children over the age of 2 years are to attend the general membership meetings, Personal Development Courses, or other adult-only activities.
8. In the event that a General Membership meeting must be called to order as a Board meeting, a majority of those present may approve the payment of bills presented.
9. In the event that business needs to be addressed between meetings that cannot wait, a phone and/or email vote may be taken by the President. Each Heartland member in good standing is entitled to one vote.
10. The Heartland Women of Today will reimburse the competition fee for any Heartland Woman of Today who competes on the State or National level providing that the local treasury has a minimum balance of $100.00 pending any outstanding bills.
11 There will be a Service Charge of $10.00 plus bank charges for all checks that are returned for insufficient funds, these MUST be paid in cash. If the chapter receives two insufficient checks from a member, that member will no longer be able to write checks to the chapter.
12. Any member who owes dues or any such monies to the chapter is not in good standing.
13. All Officers shall maintain all officer materials and turn them over to the Executive Director at the end of each members term
14 An Associate member is entitled to the same benefits as a member except as follows or as stated otherwise in these Constitution, By-Laws or Standing Rules.
15. Associate Members may hold an elected office in the Heartland chapter unless She/He is holding an elected office in her/his home chapter.
16. If a member wants to pursue a State or National office, they must be in “Good Standing” and must FIRST obtain Chapter support for his/her application.