ARTICLE IX - CHAPTER OFFICERS AND MEETINGS

Section 1.Chapters shall be organized as prescribed in this constitution.

Section 2. It shall be the responsibility of the president of this local, or of the vice-president when so designated by the executive board, to see that the chapters are organized and function in keeping this constitution.

Section 3. The chapters shall meet no less than quarterly, and more frequently as is necessary. A local membership meeting may replace a chapter meeting. Two or more chapters may combine their meetings. Adequate notice shall be given of all chapter meetings.

Section 4. The officers of the chapter shall be a chapter chairperson, a chapter vice-chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer.

Section 5. The officers of a chapter shall be elected by secret ballot at the September meeting of each even-numbered year, and shall serve till their successors are elected. Notice of the chapter election meeting shall be mailed or delivered to each chapter member no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the September election meeting date. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted. An elections committee shall be appointed to count ballots and determine the results of the election. No nominee shall serve on the elections committee. All elections shall be by secret ballot except such case as there is but one nominee, and a majority shall be required to elect. Newly elected chapter officers shall take office immediately.

Section 6. The chapter chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the chapter. He/she shall appoint standing chapter committees, subject to the approval of the chapter membership, and shall report periodically to that body the progress and standing of his/her official acts.

Section 7. The chapter secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all chapter meetings. The secretary shall perform such other duties as the chapter may require.

Section 8. The chapter treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt of dues that are not submitted by check-off. He/she may perform such other duties as the chapter may require.

Section.9. The vice-chairperson shall assist the chairperson in his/her duties and shall serve as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Section 10. Chapter officers and local table officers, by virtue of their offices, shall be the delegates to the WSEU Council 24 bargaining unit conferences. Alternates for chapter officers may be elected as delegates to these conferences upon proper notice to the membership of the respective chapters. Each delegate to the (Professional Social Services) bargaining unit conference shall have one vote on any matter voted upon during the course of any bargaining unit conference. No delegate shall be allowed to carry any other delegates vote to said bargaining unit conference. Alternates shall be in ranked order.

Section 11. In the case of a vacancy in any office of a chapter, notice of that vacancy shall be announced at the next regular chapter meeting following the occurrence of the vacancy and that office shall be filled by an election at the following chapter meeting, except that in the case of a vacancy in the office of chapter chairperson, if there is a vice-chairperson, that individual will have the choice to accept or decline the office of chairperson. If accepted, the office of vice-chairperson thereby becomes vacant.

Section 12. Special meetings of the chapter may be called by the chairperson, by the local union president, by the local executive board, or shall be called by the local president upon request of twenty-f ive members or twenty-five percent of the membership of the chapter, whichever is less. Special meetings also may be called by the Executive Director of Council 24.