MREWA Bylaws
Updated September, 2003

ARTICLE I
Name
The group, coming together for the purpose of obtaining objectives stated below, shall be known as the Missouri Rural Electric Women’s Association, and shall be organized as a volunteer group and as an AMEC Board-recognized organization, of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

ARTICLE II
Objectives
The purpose of the Missouri Rural Electric Women’s Association (MREWA) shall be as follows:

1. To create interest and understanding of the rural electric program among the general public.

2. To open channels of communication on the local levels from both the national and statewide associations of rural electric cooperatives.

3. To develop programs through which its members can help both local, state, and national organizations carry out their legislative, educational and public relations programs.

4. To establish liaison between local rural electric women and other women’s organizations, thereby gaining understanding and support of the program from women outside the ranks of rural electrification.

ARTICLE III
Membership
All rural electric women board directors and wives of board directors; women employees and wives of employees; and women rural electric members are eligible for membership in Missouri.

ARTICLE IV
Dues
Members of the MREWA are asked to participate in this organization and become a member by paying annual dues of $5.00. The money for the MREWA will be used for the promotion of the objectives of the MREWA.

ARTICLE V
Officers
President: The President shall be elected annually by the membership of MREWA at the annual meeting. The President will preside over the MREWA annual meeting and will represent MREWA on the statewide level. She may plan, implement, and assist MREWA programs on the state and local level which have been approved by the AMEC Board Members. She will also submit a budget for the MREWA to the AMEC Board of Directors.

Vice President: The Vice President shall be elected annually by the membership of MREWA at the annual meeting. The Vice President will assist the President when requested and will be able to take over the office of President in the event of a vacancy.

Secretary: The Secretary shall be elected annually by the membership of MREWA at the annual meeting. The Secretary will assist the President and Vice President when requested and will be able to take over the office of Vice President in the event of a vacancy.

The President and Vice President and Secretary will serve a term of one year in their respective offices from the MREWA annual meeting of the year elected to the MREWA annual meeting of the following year. The officers may serve two terms in each office.

Staff Representative: The General Manager of AMEC shall appoint a female member of his staff to serve as the ex-officio, non-voting coordinator of the MREWA, and as the Treasurer of the MREWA.

President of AMEC: The President of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the MREWA as he serves on all official AMEC committees.

ARTICLE VI
Nominations
Prior to the AMEC annual meeting, the MREWA President shall appoint two women to serve with her on a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall nominate MREWA members to fill the positions of President, Vice President and Secretary for the following term. The nominees shall be presented at the business session of the MREWA annual meeting. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted. The nominee receiving the majority of the votes shall be declared elected.

ARTICLE VII
Annual Meeting
For the main purpose of electing officers, hearing and exchanging ideas, and transacting such business as may properly come before the meeting, the Annual Meeting of the MREWA will usually meet at the time and place set by the AMEC Board of Directors for their Annual Meeting.

Any additional meetings deemed appropriate by the MREWA may be called by the President during the year. All MREWA members may be advised of any such meetings and encouraged to attend.

ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
These bylaws may be adopted, amended, altered, or repealed by the affirmative votes of those members voting and present at the Annual Meeting of the Missouri Rural Electric Women’s Association, but only if the notice of such meeting shall contain a copy of the proposed bylaw to be adopted, amended, altered, or repealed, as the case may be.
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