Bylaws

Article I Objectives

1. To promote economic security (adequate pensions, i.e. necessary, periodic and /or ad hoc pension adjustments).
2. To promote significant legislation to support the desires of the membership. To cooperate with other like groups with similar interests and objectives. To develop a coalition effort when required to aid and enhance legislative and legal pursuits.
3. To promote and retain an adequate national health care program and health insurance plan for retirees, with cost sharing provisions by the National, State and Local Political Subdivisions.
4. To promote an adequate national long term care program and/or insurance plan; i.e. independent home care, home health care, custodial, intermediate and skilled nursing home care for our retirees, with cost sharing provisions by the National, State and Local Political Subdivisions.
5. To secure, maintain and improve representation of AMRPE eligible retirees on the Public Employees Retirement Board.
6. To encourage representation by one or more Board members of this Association at all meetings of the Public Employees Retirement Board.
7. To promote the continued solvency of the Public Employees Retirement System and to be influential in any changes affecting the System.
8. To maintain continued financial independence of AMRPE.
9. To engage in any other activity which the general membership and/or the governing body may determine as appropriate.

Article II Membership

1. Membership in the association shall consist of the following Classifications: Active and Honorary.
   
   1. Active membership shall be open to any person who is presently receiving monthly benefits from or is paying into the Public Employees Retirement System. Active membership shall also be open to any person who is presently receiving benefits from or is paying into any of the other retirement systems administered by the Public Employees Retirement Board. This includes any person drawing a survivor’s benefit or who is designated to eventually draw survivor benefits.
   2. Honorary membership may be granted to any person approved by the Board.
2. Membership year shall run from 1 January through 31 December.
3. Annual and Life dues will be set for the membership year by the Board, to be effective 1 January of the following year.

Article III Governing Body

1. The affairs of this association shall be managed by a Board of Directors herein referred to as the Board. Actions by the Board to change the By-Laws must be by a 2/3 vote of the Board.
2. The Board of this association will consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and five members.
3. The Board will be nominated by a nominating committee, which will consist of at least three members, and will be elected for a two year term by the Board at the last monthly meeting of odd numbered years. They will take office the following January First.
4. A vacancy in office during the two year term because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, for the remainder of the two year term will be filled by the Board based on recommendations by the nominating committee.
5. In the event of 2 or more unexcused absences from regularly scheduled meetings by a board member during a six month period, the board may initiate an inquiry to the absent member as to the reasons for the absences. After the inquiry is complete, the board at the next regularly scheduled meeting will review the absentee’s reasons for being absent and the absentee’s position performance while on the board. Then by majority vote of the board, which will be recorded in the minutes, the board will exercise one of the following options:
   
   1. Excuse the absences and ask the board member to continue on the board.
   2. Declare the position open because of absenteeism and appoint a new member to that position in accordance with Article III, paragraph 4 above.
6. Duties of Officers and members.
   
   1. The president shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the association and shall preside at all meetings of the board and general membership. Immediately after installation he/she shall appoint chairpersons of the following standing committees: Audit, By-Laws, Contractor Coordinating, Nominating, Membership, Finance, Legislative, Health Care and any other committees as needed. The president will serve as ex officio of all committees except the nomination committee. The president will announce the business agenda, call meetings to order, state and place before the assembly all questions properly presented and decide all questions of order. He/she may sign with the treasurer all checks authorized for payment. He/she will act as spokesperson for the association unless another person is officially appointed to do so on a specific matter.
   2. The vice president will, in the absence of the president, perform the duties of the president and when so acting will have all of the powers and restrictions of the president. The vice president will also perform such other duties as directed by the president or the Board.
   3. The secretary will record minutes of the Board meetings; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws be custodian of the Articles of Incorporation, and By-Laws; keep a file copy of all correspondence mailed out by the association; come to each meeting prepared to read minutes of the last meeting, and perform all duties as assigned by the president or the Board.
   4. The treasurer and other fiduciary officers (president and vice president) shall be bonded for faithful discharge of their duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board shall determine. He/she shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for all funds and securities of the association; receive monies due and payable to the association from any source whatsoever; and promptly deposit all such monies in the name of the association in such banks or financial institutions as shall be selected by the Board. All expenditure of funds shall require authorization of the treasurer or one of the other fiduciary officers. The treasurer will pay bills as they become due following a yearly budget approved by the board. Expenditures outside of budget parameters must receive board approval. The treasurer will keep an itemized ledger of all deposits and withdrawals. All bills presented for payment will be itemized and kept on file for five years. The treasurer will come to each meeting prepared to give an itemized financial report of all transactions both incoming and out going, as well as current balance. The treasurer will be responsible to complete all Internal Revenue Service forms and reports required of the association. The treasurer will file with the Montana Secretary of State, the corporation Annual Report as required by law. The treasurer will also perform such other duties as assigned by the president or the Board.
   5. Board members will attend Board meetings and other meetings where the association’s attendance is required. Board members will also perform such other duties as assigned by the president and the Board.

Article IV Meetings

1. Board Meetings will usually be held the third Tuesday of each month except for June, July, and August.
2. Board members will be advised a week or so in advance of the time, place and agenda for each meeting.
3. All interested members are encouraged to attend and will be welcome to all meetings.
4. Special Board meetings may be called as necessary by the president.

Article V Parliamentary Authority

1. The parliamentary authority of the Association shall be Robert’s Rules of Order, which shall govern in situations not covered by the Association’s Articles of Incorporation, or By-Laws.

Article VI Amendments

1. The By-Laws of this association may be amended only by a 2/3 vote of the Board.

Article VII Standing Rules and Operating Procedures

1. The Audit Committee will make an annual internal fiscal examination of the association’s accounts and record. The Audit Committee will consist of a Chairperson and two Members, none of which will be fiduciary officers, except the Treasurer will be on the Audit Committee in an advisory capacity. Results from the examination will be presented to the Board.
2. The By-Laws will be reviewed biennially by a committee that will make recommendations for changes.
3. The incumbent of each office will maintain a procedure manual.
4. Any member may submit to the Board information on any item or issue that he/she feels the association should consider as part of its business. All items, so submitted, will be taken under consideration and the action of the results be conveyed to the members.
5. To cover the dues paid by life members, a substantial portion of the association’s assets will be kept in long term interest bearing accounts.
6. The association will not distribute or sell for use as a mailing list any list of members.