WCR North Broward- Bylaws
MODEL BYLAWS FOR THE NORTH BROWARD CHAPTER OF THE
WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS®
ARTICLE I – CREATING THE CHAPTER
Section 1: (A.) A Local Chapter of the WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTOR® is hereby created and established under the authority granted in ARTICLE XIII of the Bylaws of the WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS®, an affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
(B.) This Chapter shall be known as the NORTH BROWARD CHAPTER of the WOMEN’S
COUNCIL OF RELATORS® and shall encourage its members to dedicate themselves to the highest
service of the public and real estate industry.
Section 2: (A.) This Chapter shall be subject to the national and state bylaws of the WOMEN’S
COUNCIL OF REALTORS® and shall have its local bylaws approved by the WCR national Bylaws
Committee. Upon approval of these bylaws by National WCR, the North Broward Chapter is authorized
to use the WCR name and symbols in connection with the name of the Chapter.
(B.) The Chapter agrees to create programs that support the national WCR objectives, disburse dues, and
raise additional funding through supportive programs. The NORTH BROWARD CHAPTER
represents WCR in the community and shall actively follow the WCR objectives and work with Local
Boards of REALTORS® and the State Association of REALTORS®.
Section 3: (A.) The mission of the WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTOR®: We are a network of
successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry
leaders.
Section 4: Chapter may be disbanded after due notice for:
(A.) Not maintaining at least twenty (20) Active Members;
(B.) Not filing a list of current officers;
(C.) Not filing an Annual Report with the WCR National Office;
D.) For any other reason deemed by the national Governing Board to be in the best interest of the WCR.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Any REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, or Institute Affiliate1 member in good
standing of a Board(s) Association(s) of REALTORS® of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® shall be eligible for Active membership in this Chapter, the State Chapter (if any) and the
National WCR. The NORTH BROWARD CHAPTER boundaries shall be the same as the
REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Inc.
1 Institute Affiliate members shall be individual who hold a professional designation awarded by a qualified Institute, Society or Council
affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS® that addresses a specialty area other than residential brokerage or individuals who otherwise hold a
class of membership is such Institute, Society or Council that confers the right to vote or hold office. “Article IV, Section 1.4, NAR Constitution.
Section 2: An Active member of this Chapter may be eligible for limited membership in more than one
Local Chapter and in more than one State Chapter. Non-resident members shall be individuals engaged
in the real estate profession within the territory of one Chapter who wish to obtain the services afforded
by another Chapter by paying local dues only to it and state dues if the second Chapter is located in
another state. They shall not be eligible to vote or hold elective office in the second Chapter.
Section 3: National Affiliate shall hold membership in a Local Board of REALTORS®, but they may
not be REALTORS®.
Section 4: National Affiliate members shall pay national, state, and local dues and may vote, hold local
office (except President, President-elect and Vice President), use the WCR logo and symbols, and avail
themselves of national WCR services. National Affiliates may not comprise more than thirty percent
(30%) of the national membership of the Local Chapter.
Section 5: The national WCR office shall determine the percentage of National Affiliate memberships
in each Chapter monthly. When the 30% limitation is reached for a Chapter, National Affiliate
applications shall be returned to the applicants. Additional National Affiliate applications will be
processed when the Chapter percentage of this type of membership falls below 30%.
Section 6: Local affiliate members include individuals who are engaged in a profession related to real
estate, such as, but not limited to real estate finance, home inspection, home staging and unlicensed
clerical support and who shall not be required to hold membership in a local association of
REALTORS®. Local Affiliate members shall pay only local dues and may attend local meetings, be a
member of a committee, and chair a special committee or task force. They may not vote, hold office, use
WCR logos or symbols, or avail themselves of national WCR services.
Section 7: A member becomes eligible to vote in the NORTH BROWARD CHAPTER thirty (30)
days from the receipt of application by and payment by of dues to Local Chapter designee.
Section 8: Those persons who are currently employed in an executive, administrative or management
capacity by a member Board, State Association holding membership in the National Association, or a
member Board of a foreign affiliate of the National Association shall be eligible for National or Local
Affiliate membership after payment of applicable dues.
ARTICLE III – DUES2
Section 1: (A.) Effective JANUARY 1, 2013, annual membership dues for Active members shall be
$30.00, plus national dues and State Chapter dues, if applicable.
(B.) Effective JANUARY 1, 2013, annual membership dues for National Affiliated members shall be
$30.00, plus national dues and State Chapter dues, if applicable.
(C.) Effective JANUARY 1, 2012, annual membership dues for Local Affiliate members shall be
$166.00, which are Local Chapter dues only.
2 Except for new Chapters, effective date must be January 1 of the year the current Local Chapter dues went into effect. Midyear changes are not allowed.
(D.) Effective JANUARY 1, 2003, annual membership dues for Non-resident members shall be
$30.00, which are Local Chapter dues only.
Section 2: (A.) Annual membership dues shall be payable by the first day of January each year.
(B.) New members shall pay full year’s dues upon making application. On January 1 of the following
year, they shall only be billed for that portion of dues unpaid for the year.
Section 3: (A.) All local, state and national dues of Active members and National Affiliate members
shall be billed by and paid to the national office of WCR. Local Chapter and State Chapter membership
dues billed by and paid to the national WCR shall be refunded to the Local Chapter and State Chapter.
(B.) Local Chapter membership dues for Local Affiliate and non-resident members, due February 1,
shall be billed by and paid to the Local Chapter and retained by the Chapter.
Section 4: Any member delinquent in payment of membership dues by more than three (3) months shall
forfeit membership.
Section 5: Annual chapter dues of each member shall be established in time to notify the National WCR
office prior to October 31 of the immediately preceding year.
ARTICLE IV – THE GOVERNING BOARD
Section 1: The government of the Chapter shall be vested in the Governing Board which shall consist of
the President, President-elect, Vice President of Membership, Secretary and Treasurer (or Secretary-
Treasurer), most recent past President able and willing to serve, one Active past President appointed by
the incoming President, and Chairmen of Standing Committees; all of whom shall be entitled to vote.
Section 2: The Governing Board shall have full power to conduct the business of the Chapter; to
suspend any officer or member for just cause; and to otherwise govern the affairs of the Chapter in
accordance with the bylaws of this Chapter, the State Chapter (if any), and the national WOMEN’S
COUNCIL OF REALTORS®.
Section 3: Five of the members of the Governing Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4: (A.) Regular meetings of the Governing Board shall be held at least six times per year at
times and places as shall be designated by the President.
(B.) Special meetings of the Governing Board may be called by the President or shall be called at the
request of at least three members of the Governing Board.
Members of the Governing Board may unite in a petition to call such meeting or individually address
written request to the President.
Upon receipt of such petition or written request from the required Governing Board members, the
President shall notify each members of the Governing Board of such meeting in writing. Not less that
fifteen (15) days nor more than thirty (30) days notice shall be given for a special meeting. Such notice
shall state the time and place of the meeting, and the purpose for which it is called. Only the business
stated in the call to the meeting shall be transacted at such meeting.
ARTICLE V – CHAPTER MEETINGS
Section 1: (A.) Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held at least eight times per year at times and
places to be determined by the Governing Board.
(B.) Special meetings of the Chapter may be called at such times and places as the Governing Board
shall, by resolution, require. Not less than five (5) days nor more than then (10) days notice shall be
given for a special meeting. Such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting, and the purpose of
which it is called. Only the business stated in the call to the meeting shall be transacted at such meeting.
Section 2: Twenty percent of the REALTOR®/REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®/Institute Affiliate (see
definition after Article II) members of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum at all meetings, except in
those cases where the Chapter consists of fewer than fifteen Active members, when a majority shall be
required to constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI – ELECTIVE OFFICERS
Section 1: (A.) The elective officers of the Chapter shall be a President, President-elect, Vice President
of Membership, Secretary and Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer). These officers shall perform the
duties prescribed by these bylaws such as may be assigned to them by the Governing Board and by the
parliamentary authority adopted in these bylaws.
(B.) The President, President-elect and Vice President of Membership of the Chapter shall be elected
from the REALTOR®/REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®/Institute Affiliate members in good standing. Other
officers shall be elected from among REALTOR®/REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®/Institute Affiliate of
National Affiliate members in good standing of the Chapter.
(C.) The officers may serve in the office to which they have been elected for more than one term, but
may not serve more than two consecutive terms. The officer shall hold for a term commencing
JANUARY 1 and ending DECEMBER 31 or until their successors have been elected, whichever is
later.
Section 2: (A.) The President shall be the chief officer of the Chapter, and shall preside at the meetings
of the Governing Board and Chapter. At all other times during the term of office, the President shall
represent the Council and act in its name, subject to its policies.
(B.) The President shall appoint all committee chairmen and committee members except the Nominating
Committee. All appointments of committee chairmen shall be subject to approval of the Governing
Board. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees expect the Nominating Committee.
Section 3: The President-elect shall perform the duties of the President in the event of the President’s
disability or absence and perform such other duties as requested by the Governing Board.
Section 4: (A.) The Secretary shall verify reports from national WCR of the names of all members of
this Chapter and their status and keep record of new members.
(B.) Immediately following the annual election meeting, the retiring Secretary shall report to the
Executive Vice President of the WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS® the names and addresses of
all officers elected, giving the beginning and ending dates of their terms of office. A copy of this report
shall be sent also to the Governor(s), the State Chapter President and the Vice President of the Region.
ARTICLE VII – VACANCIES
Section 1: (A.) In the case of a vacancy in any elective office, except the President and President-elect,
the President shall appoint a qualified member to fill the unexpired term.
(B.) In case of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-elect shall complete the unexpired term
thus creating a vacancy in the office of the President-elect. The President-elect who fills a vacancy in
the office of President shall automatically become President for a full term after completion of the
expired term as President.
(C.) In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-elect caused by a vacancy in the office of
President, the members of the Nominating Committee shall submit the name of at least one nominee to
the President who shall present it to the Governing Board for approval. An affirmative vote of a
majority of the Governing Board shall be necessary to elect. The President-elect who fills a vacancy in
the office shall automatically become President-elect for a full term after completion of the unexpired
term of President-elect.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-elect is not caused by a vacancy in the office of
President, the members of the Nominating Committee shall submit the names of at least one nominee to
the President who shall present it to the Governing Board for approval. An affirmative vote of majority
of the Governing Board shall be necessary to elect. The President-elect who fills this type of vacancy
shall automatically becomes President after completion of the unexpired term of President-elect.
(D.) In the event of a vacancy in any of the committee chairmen, except the Nominating Committee
chairman, the President shall appoint a qualified member to fill the unexpired term.
(E.) All appointments to fill vacancies shall have the approval of the Governing Board.
ARTICLE VIII – NOMINATIONS
Section 1: (A.) The Nominating Committee shall consist of four3 Active members in addition to the
most recent past President able to serve who shall be chairman of the committee.
3Larger Chapter may wish to strike “four” and insert “six” and strike “three” in (b.) and insert “five”.
(B.) One member of the Nominating Committee shall be elected by the Governing Board from its
membership, and three members plus two alternates shall be elected by the general membership at the
Annual Election Meeting. Alternates (designated #1 and #2) shall serve only in the absence of the
committee member.
(C.) The members of the Nominating Committee shall serve during the calendar year subsequent to the
election.
(D.) Nominating Committee members shall not be eligible to serve successive terms, except those
designated alternates who were not required to serve as committee members.
Section 2: It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to select at least one candidate for each
office and to present its report in writing to the Secretary who shall present it in writing to the general
membership at least (10) days before the Annual Election Meeting.
Section 3: After the President has presented the slate of candidates for election, additional nominations
from the floor may be made by any active members before the election.
Section 4: No name shall be placed in nomination without the consent of the nominee.
ARTICLE IX – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1: The election of officers shall be held at the Annual Election Meeting of the Chapter which
shall be held prior to October 15.
Section 2: (A.) Election of officers shall be by viva voce or roll call vote, or written ballot if there are
two or more nominees for an office. Each Active and National Affiliate member may cast one vote. A
majority shall elect. When there are more than two nominees for any office and there is no majority on
the first ballot, the top two nominees will run off against each other and all other nominees are
eliminated.
(B.) Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE X – COMMITTEES
Section 1: Standing Committees, Workgroups and Task Force shall be appointed annually by the
President subject to the approval of the Governing Board.
Section 2: (A.) Standing Committees shall be: Bylaws, Education and Programs, Finance and Budget,
Membership, Nominating and Ways and Means.4
(B.) Each of the Standing Committees shall consist of not fewer than three (3) members of the Chapter.
4 Ways and Means, Strategic Planning and Marketing Committees may be added to the Chapter’s Standing
Committee at the option of the Chapter. The Chapter membership needs to vote on these additions as amendments to the
bylaws in accordance with Article XIII.
(C.) Appointments shall be made for the remainder of the elective year or until their assigned task has
been completed, whichever occurs first. All members are eligible for reappointment.
Section 3: (A.) Special Committees, to perform such services as may be assigned to them, may be
appointed by the President with the approval of the Governing Board.
(B.) Each of the Special Committees shall consist of not fewer than three (3) members of the Chapter.
(C.) Appointments to Special Committees shall be for a period of one year. All Special Committee
members are eligible for reappointment.
(D.) The audit committee shall be appointed at the next to the last meeting of the elective year and shall
present its report at the first meeting of the next year.
ARTICLE XI – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be
recognized as the authority governing the proceeding of the Chapter in all cases not provided for the
these bylaws or in the standing rules.
ARTICLE XII – DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1: In the event of suits or claims in which one or more current or past officers or directors of the
Chapter are named as a result of their status as such or decisions or actions taken in good faith and
reasonably understood to be within the scope of their authority during their term as such, the Chapter
shall, directly or through insurance secured for the benefit of such officers and directors and employees,
secure counsel to act on behalf of and provide defense for such officers and directors and employees;
pay reasonable defense expenses incurred in advance of final disposition of such case; and indemnify
such officers, directors and employees with respect to any liability assessed or incurred as a result of any
such claim, suit or action.
Section 2: The above stated defense and indemnification of officers and directors shall extend to those
individuals when serving at the request of the Chapter as a director or officer of another entity, but only
after indemnification and insurance coverage from such other entity has been exhausted.
ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 1: These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Chapter by two-thirds vote in the
affirmative of the Chapter members present and voting at such meeting, provided that a quorum is
present, and provided the substance of the proposed amendments has been submitted to all members of
the Chapter at least (10) days in advance of the meeting at which they will be acted upon, and provided
that no such amendment shall become effective until the same shall have been submitted to and
approved by the WCR national Bylaws Committee.
Section 2: Amendments to the Local Chapter bylaws require by WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF
REALTORS® shall be mandatory and become effective immediately. The general membership of the
Local Chapter shall be notified of such amendment(s) at the next regular meeting following receipt of
notice, and the Chapter bylaws shall be changed immediately to include such amendment(s).
ARTICLE XIV – DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the NORTH BROWARD CHAPTER, of the
Women’s Council of REALTORS® and after providing for payment of all obligations, the Chapter shall
distribute any remaining assets to the FLORIDA State Chapter of Women’s Council of REALTORS®.
In the event there is no State Chapter, the remaining assets shall go to the national Women’s Council of REALTORS®
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