Regional Guidelines

At the November Meetings in Orlando, the Regional Caucus voted to Beta test Regional Guidelines in 2005. Below are the Guidelines that will be tested. As a Region, we will be noting what aspects of this "test" we think are beneficial to the Region as well as those aspects we think need to be revamped.

GUIDELINES FOR WCR REGIONS

June 2004

Rev. July 2004

Purpose of Region

The purpose of the Region is to provide a strong, organized link between State Chapters and the national WCR.

Description of Region

The Region is comprised of the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Regional Committee

$ Composition

P Current Regional Vice President (RVP)

P Most Recent Past RVP willing and able to serve

P Current State Chapter Presidents

P Current State Presidents-elect

P State Governors currently serving on the National Governing Board

$ Governance

The Regional Committee is entrusted with fulfilling responsibilities as follows:

$ Responsibilities

P Annually elects the next year’s Regional Vice President from among members who have served on the Regional Committee within the past three (3) years.

No name shall be placed in nomination without the consent of the nominee.

P Elects one member annually from among its Regional Committee members to serve on the national WCR Nominating Committee as an Alternate in case the RVP cannot serve.

P Interviews all candidates from within the Region for the position of national WCR Financial Secretary and makes appropriate recommendation to the national WCR Nominating Committee.

P Determines the annual per-member Regional Fee, if any, to be assessed, which fee will always cover the period January 1 to December 31.

- Changes must be approved no later than the November Conference.

P Plans and delivers an optional joint regional conference and sets registration for same.

P Prepares and disseminates conference information to stakeholders

P Recommends, when deemed appropriate, candidates for the position of national WCR Line Office

P Develop and approve an annual budget

P Review financial statements

P Record and disseminate to Regional Committee members minutes of Regional Committee meetings.

$ Chaired by current RVP; in her absence the group will select a temporary chair.

$ Sub-committees comprised of WCR members in the region may be appointed by the RVP to accomplish the purposes of the region. RVP serves ex-officio on all sub-committees.

$ Proxy voting and/or representation not allowed.

Financial Authorities

$ Region has authority to collect registration fees for regional conferences

$ Region has authority to collect per-member fees from constituent states.

$ RVP and WCR Executive Vice President (ExecVP) have control and authority over all funds, which may be accumulated.

$ ExecVP will maintain regional funds in an appropriate account, including any accumulated funds.

$ ExecVP will be responsible for bookkeeping and management of regional account and for submitting periodic accounts to the regional committee

$ ExecVP will make books and funds available to the new RVP within 15 days after the Annual Conference in November.

$ Regions may use WCR’s Employer TaxID number when necessary.

$ Audits will be conducted by outside, independent auditors in conjunction with the WCR organizational audit.

Meetings

$ The Regional Committee will meet twice a year in conjunction with WCR national meetings (formerly known as Regional Caucus Breakout) and whenever the Region holds a regional conference.

$ Special meetings of the Regional Committee may be called by the RVP provided at least ten days notice is given. May be by conference call or other means such that all participants can hear each other speak.

$ Quorum will be 30% of Regional Committee members, provided these members belong to more than one state chapter.

$ Meetings will be open to WCR members in the region, except when electing an RVP from among its members.

$ At meetings where the Regional Committee selects the next year’s RVP from among their number, each candidate will be asked to address the group. Candidates must be present throughout the entire deliberation so that they are casting informed ballots.

Regional Conferences

- are optional

- will be held jointly with at least one other region whenever possible

- will be held within 50 miles of an airport serviced by major U.S. carriers

- will be programmed with real estate and chapter management topics to maximize business value for the attendee

Regional Vice President

$ Position established, described and administered in WCR national bylaws.

$ Serves on the national WCR Nominating Committee, provided she/he is not a candidate for national WCR Line Office. (The Regional Committee also elects the name of a qualified Alternate in case the RVP cannot serve.)

$ Additional duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the National President

$ Presides over meetings of the Regional Committee

$ Serves as the reciprocal communication link in all matters between WCR and the combined states of the region.

$ Places the name of the candidate for next RVP into nomination.

$ Attends State Chapter meetings when such action can be helpful or when the prestige of the office will enhance their programs and/or effectiveness.

$ Schedules meetings with officers in the region during WCR national meetings to improve understanding, cooperation and two-way communications.

States Rights

$ The State Chapters in the Region affirm their desire to act together in determining regional policies and in nominating candidates. This affirmation does not preclude State Chapters from taking business directly to the national WCR Governing Board.

$ States within a WCR Region that do not have a State Chapter and wish to have representation on the Regional Committee must grow their membership accordingly.

P Once 50 members are achieved, the members in the state may nominate a State Governor, who, upon approval, will automatically serve on the Regional Committee.

P States with at least 50 Active members and two Local Chapters may charter a State Chapter, if desired, in which case their State Governor, State Chapter President, State President-elect will automatically serve on the Regional Committee.

Fiscal and Elective Year

$ Will be the same as National WCR.

Amending These Guidelines

$ Amendments to these Guidelines, and to any Standing Rules the Regional Committee may approve, must be consistent and in accord with National, State Chapter and Local Chapter Bylaws.

$ A written notice of proposed changes to the Guidelines and/or to Regional Standing Rules must be provided to members of the Regional Committee at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is scheduled for consideration.

$ Amendments to these Guidelines and to Regional Standing Rules are without force unless/until approved, first by the national WCR Bylaws Committee and then by the Governing Boards of the Region’s constituent State Chapters.

$ Amendments made by the national WCR Governing Board to these Guidelines are automatically binding upon the Region.

Parliamentary Authority

$ Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition.