Kansas NORML Bylaws

ARTICLE​ ​I.​ ​Purpose 

 

Section​ ​1. This organization shall promote a better understanding of: 

1. The current status of laws concerning cannabis (marijuana) in the state of Kansas and in the United States at large; 

2. The medical, legal, environmental, economic and civil libertarian arguments for more reasonable treatment of cannabis in Kansas statute and the laws of the United States and; 

3. The policy options for cannabis regulation as delineated in the NORML Official Policy Statement. 

 

Section​ ​2. This organization shall be affiliated with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in accordance with the guidelines enumerated in the NORML Affiliate and Chapter Guidelines. 

 

Section​ ​3. This affiliate shall be commonly known as Kansas NORML, hereafter referred to as “Chapter”.

 

ARTICLE​ ​II.​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Obligations​ ​of​ ​Chapter 

 

Section​ ​1. Chapter shall have autonomy over how their chapter functions. 

1. Chapter shall be governed by their own members, board, and officers in accordance with their own established rules, bylaws, articles of incorporation or other governing principles; 

2. Chapter bylaws shall be forwarded annually to the national office; 

3. Chapter shall establish criteria for voting membership in their chapter; 

   1. Such criteria may include payment of dues, meeting attendance, volunteering for chapter-sponsored activities, or other similar criteria; 

4. Chapter may implement rules requiring an individual to have been a member of the Chapter for a fixed period of time prior to being permitted to vote, such period should not exceed ninety (90) days; 

5. Chapter may raise funds for such dues by any means, including collecting payments directly from members, or engaging in other fundraising; 

6. Chapter shall submit to the national office the names and contact information of all members;

7. Chapter shall refrain from making any endorsement in a statewide race. Endorsement-related inquiries should be directed to the national office and/or NORML PAC. Revised​ ​-​ ​10/4/2017;

8. Notwithstanding any provision of these Bylaws, the Chapter shall not engage in any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under sections 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law). 
    

 

ARTICLE​ ​III.​ ​Membership 

 

Section​ ​1. The membership shall be divided into: Seedling, Sprout, Toker, Bud, Sugarleaf, Cannasseur levels.

 

Section​ ​2. Membership shall be divided into the following categories. Active members are up to date dues paying (or approved service providing) members: 

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• Sprout: $ 30.00 annually

• Toker: $50.40 annually/$4.20/mo.

• Bud: $120.00 annually  

• Sugarleaf: $500.00 annually/$41.66/mo.

• Cannasseur: $1,000.00 annually/$83.33/mo.

 

Section​ ​3. Travel Guidelines. 

1. During all trips where hotel or shared lodging is used, Chapters will follow all applicable hotel policies regarding occupancy and space, and will actively make sure that members are comfortable and affirmatively consent with lodging arrangements;

2. Chapters will adopt an open-door policy to proactively address any issues that arise during travel situations. In the event that an individual is uncomfortable reporting travel-related issues to Chapter leadership, complaints can be directed to National NORML staff. Revised​ ​-​ ​10/4/2017;

 

Section​ ​4. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, special amenities, event discounts, and promotions may be made available to dues paying members of the Chapter only. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE​ ​IV.​ ​Board​ ​of​ ​Directors 

 

Section​ 1. Only active or sponsorship dues paying members of the Chapter shall be eligible to serve as elected or appointed members of the Board of Directors. 

1. The inaugural number of Board members shall be five (5) and consist of the following: Executive Director, Deputy Director, Treasurer, Secretary, and Communications Director. 

2. The maximum number of Board members shall be twelve (12);

3. Board membership shall be divided as evenly as possible among the four (4) congressional districts in Kansas, with no one district having more than four (4) board members and not less than two (2);  

4. The Executive Director may appoint ad hoc, advisory, and/or ex officio members to the board as determined to be necessary, however, those members will have no official vote. 

 

Section​ ​2. Board Officers: 

1. The Board of Directors shall elect Officers of the Board of Directors in December of even numbered years. 

2. Only members of the Board of Directors may be elected Officers of the Board; 

3. Duties of Officers of the Board of Directors listed are descriptions of duties to be used as guidelines for Chapter leadership; 

4. There are no specific limitations or obligations of responsibility or authority other than detailed herein; 

5. The Board and Officers shall act as a team and be ready and willing to share information and duties, and Board members shall cross-train and assist wherever possible; 

6. The Executive Director provides the main leadership role for the chapter. The Executive Director is central to the strategy and overall success of the Chapter, and is responsible for the following duties listed but not limited to: 

   1. Planning and execution of short-term and long-term goals; 

   2. Secure for the chapter adequate money along with the the Fundraising committee and committee chair;

   3. Oversee development and implementation of an annual budget; 

   4. Provide oversight of the budget and disbursements with the Treasurer;

   5. File taxes with Treasurer;

   6. Function as the primary Spokesperson for the Chapter;

   7. Manage chapter communication with the Communication Director;

   8. Keep a current elected official distribution list with the Deputy Director and Secretary;

   9. Facilitation of board and meetings with the Deputy Director;

   10. Set a meeting agenda with the Deputy Director. 

7. The Deputy Director is 2nd in command of the organization. 

   1. The Deputy Director assists the Executive Director with all primary responsibilities when needed and is also in charge of the following duties: 

   2. Maintaining Chapter Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation and Mission Statement; 

   3. Participation on monthly conference call; 

   4. Preparations of meeting agendas; 

   5. Facilitation of board and membership meetings;

   6. Keep a current elected official distribution list with the Executive Director and Secretary;

   7. Organize and keep updated a Chapter calendar with the Secretary and Communications Director; 

8. The Treasurer is the financial manager of the Chapter, making sure monies are accurately accounted for. The Treasurer’s other duties are as follows: 

   1. Updating the monthly bank account statement; 

   2. Planning and execution of short-term and long-term fundraising strategy;

   3. Maintaining financial records of merchandise and membership dues; 

   4. Filing taxes with Executive Director; 

9. The Secretary is the record keeper of the organization, and is intrinsic to the organization of the chapter. The Secretary is in charge of the following duties: 

   1. Document and maintain Board of Director and membership meeting minutes; 

   2. Organize and keep updated a Chapter calendar with the Deputy Director and Communications Director; 

   3. Maintain with the Communications Director a current active chapter email list;

   4. Keep a current elected official distribution list with the Executive and Deputy Directors;

10. The Communications Director is in charge of the chapter’s public image and outreach to the community and local media. The Communication Director is in charge of the following duties: 

    1. Maintain regular communication with Chapter membership;

    2. Manage the Chapter’s social media accounts;

    3. Organize and keep updated a Chapter calendar with the Deputy Director and Secretary; 

    4. Distribute  chapter materials and monthly newsletter;

    5. Keep current chapter membership email list with Secretary;

    6. Keep current media contact distributions list.

 

Section​ ​3. All elected Board members shall serve for a term of two (2) years; 

1. Board elections will be held annually in December;

   1. One half of Board members will be elected every other year;  

2. Appointed Board members shall serve until the next annual election for Board positions;

3. Any Board member or Officer may be removed for just cause by a supermajority of 65% of the Board present and voting in the affirmative;

4. The failure to participate in two (2) or more consecutive scheduled meetings without prior notification represents just cause for removal from the Board;

   1. The Board member in question shall be given the opportunity to speak prior to a vote being held; 

   2. The Board member subject to removal is not eligible to vote on this matter;

5. Participation on national conference calls is required by at least one member of the Board of Directors. 

 

Section​ ​4. Filling Board vacancies. 

1. Board members may nominate candidates immediately or at the board meeting following the vacancy;

2. Elections may also occur at this meeting or be scheduled for the first available opportunity;

3. Candidates to fill Board vacancies must be active members of the organization and capable of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the position; 

4. In the event no qualified candidates are nominated to fill a vacant board position, the Board may defer filling such vacancy until such time as a qualified candidate is nominated and approved by vote of the Board of Directors;

 

Section​ ​5. The quorum for the Board of Directors to conduct business shall be a majority of currently seated directors, with a minimum quorum of four (4) members. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE​ ​V.​ ​Executive​ ​Committee 

Section​ ​1. The Executive Director shall nominate two (2) other Board Officers to serve on an Executive Committee; 

1. The committee shall therefore be comprised by a total of three (3) Officers of the Board of Directors;

2. Nominations must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors;

3. The Executive Director shall chair the Executive Committee;

4. The Executive Committee shall take all necessary actions to pursue the objectives of the Chapter on a day-to-day basis, and make decisions between regular meetings of the Board on matters that do not require the input of the full Board of Directors;

5. The Executive Committee will conduct business using in person meetings, email, telephonic communication, and video conference; 

6. Actions of the Executive Committee are subject to monthly review by the Board of Directors. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE​ ​VI.​ ​Board of Directors ​Meetings 

 

Section​ ​1. The organization’s Board of Directors will meet in person monthly. 

1. The Board members shall be given seven (7) days advance notice of each meeting by email; 

2. Quorum required for the official conduct of business is six (6) members present;

3. Any Board members can participate in meetings telephonically or by video in lieu of in-person attendance, only so long as the official quorum requirement has been met. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE​ ​VII.​ ​Membership​ ​Meetings 

 

Section​ ​1. The organization’s membership will meet in person at least four (4) times per year. 

1. Each of the four (4) congressional districts will host at least one membership meeting each year; 

2. The Board shall give members thirty-day advance notice of each meeting by posting an announcement of the meeting on the official Chapter website, on official social media outlets, and by email;

3. The quorum needed for the general conduct of business is ten (10) percent of the active membership or ten (10) members (not including Officers of the Board of Directors present), whichever is fewer; 

 

Section 2.​ ​Voting 

1. Only active members may vote; 

2. A quorum is required for a vote to be contested; 

3. The majority vote of fifty percent plus one of the active members present is required to conduct business; 

4. No new member, who joins at a meeting, may vote at that meeting, but may vote only at subsequent meetings. Revised​ ​-​ ​10/4/2017 
    

 

ARTICLE​ ​VIII.​ ​Finances 

 

Section​ ​1. All funds are to be deposited and handled through a checking account at a reputable financial institution under the name of the Chapter and maintained by the Treasurer. 

1.  A bank account must be established within thirty (30) days of Chapter approval;

2. The Board of Directors shall determine who shall be authorized on the Chapter's behalf to sign checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money; 

3. The Board of Directors may authorize the Executive Director to sign acceptances, notes, or other instruments of indebtedness; to enter into contracts; or to execute and deliver other documents and instruments; 

4. ​The Chapter shall provide a copy of all financial statements on a quarterly basis or upon the request from NORML staff;

 

 

 

ARTICLE​ ​IX.​ ​Elections 

 

Section​ ​1. Board seats subsequent to the six (6) inaugural seats filled shall all be filled by an election of the Chapter membership. 

1. No financial commitment or donation to the Chapter may be required in exchange for election to the board of directors; 

2. Nominations and elections for board members shall take place during the membership meeting held in the month of July;

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Section​ ​2. Election rules: 

1. The quorum to conduct nominations and elections is ten (10) percent of the active membership, or ten (10) members, whichever is fewer;

2. ​The majority required to elect a new Board member is fifty percent plus one of the active membership present at the meeting;

3. If fifty percent plus one majority is not obtained by one of the candidates, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from consideration, and the active membership will vote again; 

4. In the event that fifty percent plus one majority of the active membership cannot be obtained by anyone, the voting will be postponed until the next meeting;

5. Any active member of the organization may nominate an active member for a Board position by raising his or her hand and indicating such when recognized; 

6. Each active member shall have one vote per Board vacancy; 

7. At the discretion of the Executive Director, voting may be either by show of hands, voicing ‘aye’ or ‘nay’, or by written ballot. Revised​ ​-​ ​10/4/2017 

 

 

 

ARTICLE​ ​X.​ ​Amendments 

 

Section​ ​1. Any active board member may introduce an amendment to these bylaws at the conclusion of any board meeting. The active board members shall vote on the amendment at the following meeting. If the amendment passes, it will take effect following approval by the national office of NORML. 

A.​ The quorum for an amendment is a majority of active board members, A two-thirds majority of active board members present at the time of the voting is needed to amend the bylaws. 
 

 

ARTICLE​ ​XI.​ ​Parliamentary​ ​Authority 

 

Section​ ​1. National NORML bylaws and "Robert's Rules of Order", newly revised, by Sarah Corbin Roberts, shall be used in all cases not covered by these bylaws, including but not limited to removal of officers from the board and/or expulsion of members. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE​ ​XII.​ ​Copies​ ​of​ ​Bylaws 

 

Section​ ​1. Copies of bylaws shall be posted on the official chapter website, and made available to anyone upon request. 

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Updated February 18th, 2022