2009-2010 Constitution Page

2009 State Constitution


Constitution Of The Indiana Rural Letter Carriers’ Association

Approved at the 107th State Convention, Fort Wayne IN, June 21, 2009.



ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this Association shall be the “Indiana Rural Letter Carriers’Association.”

The Indiana Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (INRLCA), byits Secretary/Treasurer, maintains custody and control of the State Association name as well as any State Association logo or symbol. Unauthorized

use of the State Association name, logo, or symbol shall be addressed by the filing of an internal union charge or legal action or both.



ARTICLE II

Purpose

The Purpose of this Association shall be:To improve methods used by the Rural Mail Carriers;

To cooperate with the U S Postal Service and the public for the good ofthe service;

To promote a fraternal spirit among it’s members; and

To benefit their conditions of labor.

As membership is the life blood of any organization, this Association strongly supports the active recruitment of non-members by encouraging the development of membership campaigns within all levels of this Association, including but not limited to, rural academies, new employee orientations, individual visitations, letters, etc; and

This organization shall not affiliate or merge with any other organization or group without a majority vote of the delegates at a national or special convention, or a majority mail referendum vote of all members voting.



ARTICLE III

Members

Section 1 Member in Good Standing.

A "member in good standing" is a member who has made timely payment of dues and has not voluntarily

withdrawn or been expelled or suspended by the Association.

Section 2 Classifications The active membership of the Associationshall be composed of:

Bargaining Unit Member. Membership is open to the following rural carriers:

Regular Carriers (Designation Code 71), including regular carriers whoare in Injured-on-Duty/Leave Without Pay (IOD/LWOP) status and assignedto (980-989) rural routes;

Part-Time Flexible Rural Carriers (PTFs, Designation Code 76);

Substitute Rural Carriers (Designation Codes 72 and 73);

Rural Carrier Associates (RCAs, Designation Codes 74, 78, 79);

Rural Carrier Reliefs (RCRs, Designation Code 75);

Auxiliary Rural Carriers (Designation Code 77); and Rural Carriers in the Armed Forces of our country provided they were members when their duty began.

Bargaining Unit Members in good standing are entitled to all voting rights and to hold both elective and appointive office at all levels of the Association.

Retired Member. Retired membership is open to Rural Carriers who were members in good standing at retirement on an annuity. Eligibility for Retired membership expires on June 30 of the year following retirement.

Failure to pay dues for one full membership year terminatesRetired membership. However, a Retired carrier whose membership has lapsed, due to extenuating circumstances, may apply for reinstatement to the National Secretary-Treasurer by providing proof of prior membership and the current year’s dues.

The National Secretary- Treasurer shall present the request for membership to the National Board for a decision.

Retired Members in good standing are entitled to all voting rights with the exception of ratification of National Agreements.

Retired Members may not be elected to National office.

Associate Member. Associate membership is open to Rural Carriers whowere members in good standing and are now either working in other non-managerial Postal Service jobs or have left the service and are not

receiving an annuity. Failure to pay dues for one full membership year terminates Associate membership. Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote or to hold elective or appointive office in the Association.

Retired Associate Member. Retired Associate membership is open to Associate Members who have retired on an annuity.

Eligibility for Retired Associate membership expires on June 30 of the year following retirement.

Failure to pay dues for one full membership year terminates Retired Associate membership. Retired Associates may not apply for reinstatement.

Retired Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote or to hold elective or appointive office in the Association.

Honorary Member. Honorary membership may be bestowed by the Association at the National Convention upon recommendation of the National Board. Honorary Members shall not be entitled to vote or to hold elective or appointive office in the Association.



Section 3 Restrictions

Inasmuch as it is an unfair labor practice under the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) for any employer (including persons acting in that capacity) to dominate or interfere with the administration of any labor organization, it follows that employers, while they may be members, may not be candidates for office or serve as officers.

Members are prohibited from participation in the Association while serving in managerial or supervisory positions, such as Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Acting Supervisor (204-B) or Postmaster Relief (PMR) or acting in any capacity normally performed by a manager. Members who accept managerial positions shall be deemed to have resigned from all elected and appointed positions within the Association, and shall be prohibited from holding any elected or appointed union positions for a period of one year from the last day served in that capacity.

Section 4

Affiliation Membership of local branches shall consist of: Any member of this Association living in adjoining unorganized counties and any member of this Association who is so located that it would be more

convenient for them to attend the meeting of said local branch.

Section 5

Family Plan

The annual State Auxiliary Per Capita dues shall be designated as follows, plus the National Auxiliary per capita dues as defined in the National Auxiliary Constitution.

Regular Rural Carriers; $8.00

Part-Time Flexible Rural Carriers; $8.00

Substitute Rural Carriers; $5.00

Rural Carrier Associate; $5.00

Rural Carrier Relief; $5.00

Auxiliary Rural Carriers; $5.00

Retired Rural Carriers; $5.00

Those members who have signed an authorization for deduction of duesform 1187 and those that have paid by cash shall have amounts deducted pro-rata from defined dues amounts by the NRLCA and remitted

to the National Auxiliary quarterly.

Those NRLCA members who have signed an authorization for deduction of dues form 1187 or have paid by cash and do not wish to participate in the Family Plan may request a refund of Auxiliary dues. Such refund

request must be made in writing to the NLRCA Secretary-Treasurer not more than twenty (20) days and not less than ten (10) days prior to the beginning of the NRLCA fiscal year. This refund request will stay in effect each year until the member notifies the NRLCA Secretary- Treasurer otherwise.

Section 6 Dues

The yearly dues for:

Regular, Part-Time Flexible Rural Carriers and Associate members shallbe $263.00;

Substitute, RCA and RCR $112.00;

Retired $47.00;

Plus National Association per capita dues as set by the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association.

Five ($5.00) dollars for each regular member, part-time flexible carrier;

And Two ($2.00) dollars for each substitute, RCA and RCR; and;

One ($1.00) dollar for retired members shall be returned to each organized county.

Will be paid to the Indiana Auxiliary:

Twelve ($12.00) dollars of the yearly dues collected from each regular,

Part-Time Flexible Rural Carrier

Nine ($9.00) dollars for substitutes, RCR, RCA and retired; and

This money is to be paid to the auxiliary within fifteen (15) days of receipt by the State Association.

If the member does not wish to make this contribution to the Auxiliary, a

written request each year for an exemption may be made to the State Auxiliary Secretary for reimbursement.

The Auxiliary shall make a detailed report of the revenue and expenditures for the fiscal year available to the State Association and in the state newspaper.

Association funds will not be utilized to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Proviso: The dues increase will be in effect for (3) years beginning July1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2011. The increase funds collected will be placed in a separate bank account.

Section 7 Membership Year

The membership and fiscal year of this Association shall be from July 1st to June 30th of each year.

Section 8

Standards of Conduct for the Association and its Members

The following standards of conduct are prescribed for this Association.

Maintain democratic procedures and practices;

Ensure members’ rights to participation in the affairs of the Association through periodic elections, fair and equal treatment under the governing rules and due process in any disciplinary proceedings;

Prevent discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, creed, national origin disability, or on the basis of marital, economic, social or political status;

Maintain the fiscal integrity of the Association;

Prohibit business or financial interests on the part of its officers and

agents which conflict with their duty to the Association.



ARTICLE IV

Subordinate Units

Section 1

Subordinate Units

Any county or combination of counties, not holding a local branch charter, may apply to the State Secretary-Treasurer for a local branch charter, upon the payment of regular state and national dues for each of it’s

members and the election of a President, Vice-President and a Secretary-Treasurer; and failure to hold a meeting at least once a year shall cause forfeiture of the local unit charter.

Any member from adjoining counties, upon formation of a local branch in their own county, may transfer without fee.

Any local branch failing to comply with the foregoing sections of this article, by the first session of the Annual Meeting, shall be reported delinquent by the State Secretary-Treasurer; and the delegates of such branch shall not be eligible to participate in the deliberations of this Association until such local branch completes the required reports and has been reinstated by a majority vote of the delegates present and voting.

Any combination of counties, holding Local Branch Charters, may apply to the State Secretary for a combined Local Branch Charter.

Any organized county may apply to become a part of an existing Local Branch, providing State and National membership dues have been paid. The Local Chapter and the State Secretary must approve the application.

Section 2

Officers

All duly elected Officers of local branches shall assume their duties immediately following the meeting in which they are elected. A report of these elections shall be forwarded to the State Secretary-Treasurer and the appropriate District Executive Board member within ten (10) days following election.

Section 3

Unit

States shall have authority to establish subordinate units. No unit’s Constitution shall conflict with the NRLCA Constitution.

Section 4

Trusteeship

Purpose. The National Board may place any subordinate unit in trusteeshipfor any of the following reasons:

To uphold the principles of this Constitution;

To prevent or correct corruption or financial mismanagement;

To ensure performance of collective bargaining agreements or duties of a bargaining representative;

To restore democratic procedures;

To otherwise carry out the objectives of the Association.

Authority. The trustee shall assume immediate control of the subordinate unit with full authority over all officers and property.

The trustee shall act in such capacity for the duration of the trusteeship.

Hearing.

A trusteeship hearing shall be held before a committee of three members within 30 days of imposing trusteeship.

The members shall be selected as follows: one member selected by the National Board, one selected by the Board in trusteeship and a chairman selected by the other two members. The committee shall have sole discretion regarding the conduct and procedures of the trusteeship hearing. Only Bargaining Unit Members may serve on this committee. No member of this committee shall be chosen from the State Association or Unit in trusteeship, or from the National Board. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the President as soon as practical following the hearing. The National Board shall determine whether to continue or to terminate the trusteeship.

Termination.

The affected subordinate unit may petition the National Board to terminate the trusteeship at six month intervals following the decision of the National Board. The board of the subordinate unit in trusteeship may appeal the decision of the National Board as provided in this Constitution. The National Board may terminate a trusteeship at any time.

ARTICLE V

Officers and Appointees

Section 1 Officers The elective officers of this Association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and six Executive Committee Members, to be elected annually, excepting the Executive Committee members, whose term shall be for three years, with two members to be elected each year;

Section 2 Duties of Officers

The President shall;

Preside at all meetings of the Association;

Enforce all rules;

Make interim appointments to fill all vacancies of the Board of Control, unless such vacancy shall be filled by an election;

Appoint the Chaplain;

Appoint Sergeant-At-Arms;

Appoint three or more members of the following committees; Credentials, Finance Review, Resolutions, Constitution, and any other committees needed;

Report of their official acts at each annual meeting; and Perform such other duties as the laws and usages of the Association may require.

The Vice-President shall:

Preside in the absence of the President;

And in case of death, resignation, disqualification, refusal or neglect of the President to discharge the duties of office, the Vice-President shall become President and serve until such time as their successor shall be

duly elected and installed;

The Vice-President shall report all official acts at each annual meeting;

The Vice-President shall be responsible for Booster meetings set-up; and

Shall assist the Secretary-Treasurer.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall;

Keep a full and correct record of all proceedings of this Association;

Keep a correct account between the Association and local branch, including the name, number and location of each local branch;

Keep an itemized account of all money received and disbursed;

Remit on a regular basis to the National Association, all national dues collected from the membership;

Give a monthly financial statement to the Finance Committee; Handle all correspondence relative to the office of the Secretary-Treasurer; shall report all official acts to each annual meeting;

All formal action of the Board of Control, membership and all receipts and disbursements for the preceding year;

The Secretary-Treasurer may close the Association books on May 31st of each year; and

The Secretary-Treasurer shall have no less than (7) seven days and no more than (30) thirty days to give all Association equipment and material to the newly elected Secretary-Treasurer and finalize the disbursements

and receipts of the Association finances that occurred during his/her watch.

Section 3 Appointees

The Auto and Homeowners Insurance Representative shall;

Oversee, under the conditions imposed by the contract between the Indiana Rural Letter Carriers’Association and the Underwriters, the Auto and Homeowners Insurance made available by such contract; Shall provide an annual activity report at each State Convention; and The Auto and Homeowners Insurance Representative shall hold office until their resignation or relieved by action of the Board of Control.

The Sergeant-At-Arms shall preserve order at all meetings and perform such other duties as the President may require of that office.

Section 4 Election

To become eligible for any elective office in the State Association or as a delegate to the National Convention, a member must be in good standing at the time of their election and or seating as a delegate, to the extent that they are current with their dues.

The nomination and election of officers shall take place during the last session of the annual meeting.

The election of Officers shall be by secret ballot except where there is only one candidate placed in nomination.

Where only one candidate has been nominated, the President and/or Secretary/Treasurer shall declare

the election by consent.

All officers shall be elected by a majority vote. When there are more than two candidates for the same office, the one receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped at each ballot after the second until a majority vote is obtained for one candidate of elected delegates to the State Convention.

The installation of Officers shall take place immediately before adjournment of the annual meeting.

The members of the Executive Committee shall be elected from the following geographical area, as designated on the official district map included in the Constitution;

North districts to consist of the Northwest and Northeast district with one elected from each district;

Central districts to consist of the West Central and East Central with one elected from each district;

South districts to consist of the Southwest and Southeast district with one elected from each district; and

The candidate for position of Executive Committee Person in each district shall reside or work in an office within that district. If no such candidate is available then candidates residing or working in adjoining districts

may be nominated for that district. In the event there are no candidates available within the adjoining districts, candidates from other association districts may be nominated.

One of the two oldest members, in respect to term of office, shall be Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The State Association will comply with all reasonable requests of any candidate to distribute campaign literature by mail to all members in good standing.

The campaign literature must be furnished to the State Association in envelopes which are already stuffed, sealed, and contain proper postage or post cards already prepared for mailing; and

All other expenses for mailing, such as labels and having them attached must be paid in advance by the candidate.

Any request for distribution of campaign literature should be directed to the State Secretary-Treasurer.

Local Units - Election.

Only members in good standing shall be eligible to nominate, vote or hold office in a Local Unit. Election of officers shall be by secret ballot and shall take place at the annual meeting.

The Unit President shall make appointments when necessary to fill vacancies in elective positions until the next annual meeting. All delegates to the State Convention shall be elected by secret ballot. Notice of the annual meeting for the purpose of election of Unit officers shall be given in writing to each member not less than 15 calendar days prior to the meeting date. The annual meeting must be held at least 40 days prior to the State Convention. The meeting notice shall be mailed to each member at the last known address.

Section 5 Salaries, Expenses and Benefits

This Association shall pay:

The President, an unaccountable expense account of Five Hundred ($500.00) dollars per annum:

To each of the following officers, President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Chaplain and members of the Executive Committee, it shall pay mileage at the USPS standard rate, while on official duties during

the interim services rendered this Association under the direction of the Board of Control;

The Board of Control shall receive actual expenses for called meetings; and The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive Six Hundred ($600.00) dollars per month to be payable bi-weekly; and The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive the USPS rate per mile both ways per county meeting attended.

The Board of Control shall also be reimbursed for each day of annual and sick leave lost due to requirements of official duties;

Each member requesting reimbursement for a lost day of annual or sick leave will submit a full copy of their pay stub with the appropriate timely voucher.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to pay the USPS rate per mile both ways to the State Board members and Assistant State Stewards, who attend a county meeting in the area they represent, except

when attending one’s own county meeting. No expense shall be charged to the Association.

All members of the Board of Control, (President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and six members of the Executive Committee), StateSteward and Assistant State Stewards not assigned to an area, shall receive USPS rate per mile, both ways, per county meeting attended.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to pay the Auto Representative Fifteen (15%) percent of the fee the Insurance Company pays the state.

Any outgoing State Officer has Ninety (90) days to submit any monetary claims, or forfeit all claims.

Section 6 Removal Any member of the Board of Control, who becomes separated from the rural delivery service by committing any act that would bring disservice to themselves or the Rural Carrier Association,

shall resign at once.

Section 7 Association Property Officers shall account for and deliver to their successors or to the State Board all monies, books, papers, securities or other property of the Association at the end of their term of office or when requested by the State Board.

ARTICLE VI

Section 1 State Convention The annual meeting of this Association shall be held in June, with the last day of business to be held on Sunday each year on the dates set by the Board of Control;

Section 2 Site Selection

The Annual Meeting will be held in the following order; Northeast, EastCentral, Southeast, Northwest, West Central, and Southwest.

If for any reason the place so prescribed shall be undesirable, the Board of Control shall have the authority to change such place by giving notice through the Official Newsletter of Official Notices of the Annual Meeting.

It will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee person from the respective area to find the site. There is no requirement that the annual meeting be held within the district, which has the meeting responsibility.

When an area has been awarded a State Convention, it shall be granted two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars one (1) year before the scheduled convention for its use to compensate its area committee expenses

and other convention expenses not authorized for payment by the State Association. Any unexpended funds of the above shall accrue to the area association treasury.

Section 3 Delegates

Each organized local branch shall be entitled to one delegate, in addition to one delegate for each five members or major fraction thereof.

Each unorganized county shall be entitled to at least one delegate, and an additional delegate or delegates for each five members or major fraction thereof, after the first five members.

The annual dues forwarded to the State Secretary-Treasurer, not later than the first business session of the Annual Meeting, shall be used as the base for delegate computations.

The delegates shall be elected by secret ballot.

The delegates shall be elected by secret ballot at a called meeting.

The local branch officers shall sign the credentials for such delegates.

The voting unit of the Annual Meeting shall consist of all delegates designated in the previous section; all of who must be members in good standing and have the proper signed credentials from their local branch

officers. Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote. There shall be no voting by proxy.

The voting unit shall be seated separately from the visitors during all business sessions.

Section 4 Quorum Nine members representing at least six local branches shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser number may adjourn to a future time.

Section 5 Order of Business Dispensing with the reading of any report required by these bylaws at a business session of the State Convention is acceptable, provided that copies of those reports are given to the

delegates before the election of new officers. Any questions concerning these reports will be “In Order” after the distribution of the copies.

Section 6 Booster Meetings

The Winter Booster Meeting will be held in January or February (with the exception of 2010, it will be held in May) and the Fall Booster Meeting in October or November each year and located in the Indianapolis Metro Area plus 50 miles. Business sessions shall not commence before 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for the transaction of Association business; and

Section 7 Special Meetings Special sessions may be held at such times as agreed by the Board of Control. Special meetings shall:

Be called by the President and Secretary-Treasurer within thirty days after receipt of signed petitions from at least one-half of the local branches in good standing;

The local branch President and Secretary must sign these petitions;

Initiation of the above mentioned must be taken by the local branches at a regular or special meeting;

No other business shall be transacted at a special meeting except that for which the special meeting is called; and

Representation and rules of procedure for special meetings shall be the same as required for annual meetings.

ARTICLE VII

National Convention Delegates

Section 1 Eligibility

Each state association shall be entitled to representation by one delegate for every 100 members or major fraction thereof and one Delegate-at-Large. Membership shall be based on the number of dues withholding

and cash pay Bargaining Unit and Retired Members. In order for a state to receive credit for cash pay members, dues must be received no later than the close of business on the first day of the Convention.

Only Bargaining Unit Members and Retired Members in good standing may be nominated, elected or seated as delegates. Such “good standing”status shall be the sole prerequisite for determining eligibility or entitlement to service as a delegate or to any payment or benefit, except that a state may establish reasonable rules to ensure attendance at the

Convention.

A member who from the time of nomination through the end of the convention holds any position in USPS management or a job which competes with the USPS or this Association shall be ineligible to serve as

delegate.

Section 2 Nomination

Within each state association, nominations for National Delegate shall be submitted by U.S. Mail to the Secretary-Treasurer on a nominating ballot or copy. The nominating ballot shall be signed and show the name and address of the member making the nomination, and may include self nomination.

The nominating ballot shall be published in the February, March, April and May issues of The National Rural Letter Carrier.

Nominations must be received in the office of the State Secretary at least 40 days prior to the opening of the state convention.

Upon receipt, the State Secretary shall send a notice of nomination to the candidate by U.S. Mail.

Section 3 Election

A member must be on the rolls at least 40 days prior to the opening of the state convention in order to be eligible to vote for National Delegates.

The State Secretary shall prepare a ballot listing the candidates for National Delegate.

The order of the listing of names will be determined by a blind draw conducted by a Association member whose name does not appear on the election ballot. Instructions on each ballot shall include the number

of delegates to be elected, the deadline for return of the ballot and the mailing address of the designated post office box. The number of votes cast on each ballot shall not exceed the number of delegates to which

the state association was entitled at the previous convention.

The State Secretary shall cause the ballot to be mailed to eligible members at least 20 days prior to the opening of the state convention.

In addition, the State Secretary/Designee shall arrange for the rental of a post office box for the receipt of the ballots and another for the return of undeliverable ballots.

An envelope marked "Ballot" shall be provided in which to seal the ballot.

To permit verification of membership and to maintain the integrity of the voting procedure, an outer envelope, also marked "Ballot" which clearly identifies the name and address of the member, shall also be provided. The sealed envelope containing the ballot shall be placed in the outer envelope by the member and mailed to the designated post office box.

An Election Committee shall be appointed by the State President.

No candidate for National Delegate may serve on the Election Committee. After the deadline for receipt of ballots, the Election Committee shall collect and tabulate the ballots at the state convention. The post office box designated for the return of ballots shall be accessible only to the Election Committee. Any candidate or designee may observe the ballot tabulation. In reporting the results of the election, the candidates shall be placed on a roster in the order of votes received. The number of delegates to which the state is entitled shall be declared regular delegates; the remaining candidates shall be declared alternates.

Each state association shall be entitled to one Delegate-at-Large from the roster of elected regular delegates. That position shall be filled by a state officer in ranking order, beginning with the State President.

A state officer may not be automatically declared a delegate by virtue of office unless elected by direct vote of the membership.

National-Paid Delegates shall be named in accordance with the plurality of votes received.

The State Secretary shall prepare credentials in duplicate for the Delegate-at-Large, regular delegates and an appropriate number of alternates immediately following the state convention and send originals to the National Secretary-Treasurer. The duplicate shall be provided to the delegate for identification. The state’s seal shall be embossed on the face of credentials.

Delegates holding proper credentials shall be seated at the National Convention if their state has paid National Per Capita Tax for members in good standing. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall notify each state association of the status of its National Per Capita Tax at least two weeks prior to the National Convention.

All elected National Delegates shall confirm their intentions to attend the

National Convention not later than the 15th day of July.

Section 4 Compensation of State-Paid National Delegates

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to pay from the treasury of this Association:

A sum of money, not to exceed, One Hundred ($100.00) dollars for per diem per day during sessions of the National Convention;

Plus the same as paid by National per mile by direct route to help pay the expenses of each delegate attending the National Convention.

(Except the Delegate-At-Large and the National paid delegate).

A member of the INRLCA who has moved out of state and has been elected to National Delegate will be paid travel expenses from the last office they worked at in the State of Indiana.

A regular elected delegate attending a National convention must be present at all roll calls if the state allows per diem. Failure to be present at any roll call, unless duly excused by the Chairman of the Delegation,

shall deprive the delegate of their per diem for that session. Chairman of the Delegation is to furnish the State Executive Committee with the roll call.

ARTICLE VIII

State Board

Section 1 Members

The President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and the six members of the Executive Committee shall constitute the Board of Control.

Section 2 Duties The Board of Control shall;

Convene within seventy-five days following the adjournment of the Annual meeting;

Review the minutes of the preceding annual meeting;

Have general supervision of the business of the Association during the interim between sessions;

Examine all bills and approve same if found correct;File the bond of the Secretary-Treasurer with the President; Appoint and supervise the Auto and Homeowners Insurance Representative;

Act as Trustees of the Association;

Each member shall report all official acts to the annual meeting; and All minutes of the Board of Control meetings shall be signed by a majority of the Board of Control.

ARTICLE IX

Committees

Section 1 Convention Committees

The duties of the Credential Committee shall:

Start at the beginning of the general registration;

They shall receive and examine the credentials of all members entitled to vote at the Annual or Special meeting at which they are serving; And furnish each delegate with a distinctive badge entitling such delegate

to a seat in the voting unit;

At the beginning of the first business session, they shall report the number of delegates registered; and

At the beginning of each subsequent session, they shall report any additional delegates registered since their last report.

The Finance Review Committee shall:

Examine the Secretary-Treasurer’s accounts and records covering the period from the preceding annual meeting to the annual meeting for which appointed, and report their findings and recommendations; and

They may break down their audit to cover the period from the preceding annual meeting to May 31st, then audit from May 31 to the annual meeting for which appointed, if this is the practice used by the Secretary-

Treasurer.

It shall be the duty of the committee on Constitution:

To examine and report, with or without recommendation, all proposed amendments to this Constitution; and

They shall examine and correct all amendments as provided for the government of local branches, so they will not conflict with the Constitution of the State and National Association.

To ensure that the current and future amendments to this Constitution are placed under their respective categories or indexes.

The committee shall have the authority to place amendments proposed with the improper article into the proper indexed article;

Will, by reading the current Constitution while comparing it to the previous

Constitution shall determine if placement is correct. The Secretary shall present copies to the committee of all adopted amendments from the previous year to assist in this requirement; and

The committee, along with the Secretary, will ensure that each change to the Constitution is in bold lettering from year to year and will be permanently bound with staples.

Section 2 Special Committees Other committees, that may be appointed, shall at each annual meeting report on such matters as may be referred to them.

ARTICLE X

Steward System

Section 1 Selection

The official State Board shall appoint the State Steward.

The official State Board upon the recommendation of the State Steward shall appoint Assistant State Stewards.

The official State Board upon the recommendation of the State Steward shall appoint area Stewards.

Section 2 Compensation

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to pay from the treasury of the Association to the State Steward:

A 48 Hour evaluation at Step 12;

Plus $600.00 per month;

And all benefits previously paid by the Postal Service;

Plus the USPS rate per mile;

Reimbursement for actual expenses in connection with their duties.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to pay from the treasury ofthe Association;

To the Assistant State Stewards, Three Hundred ($300.00) dollars per month;

And Area Stewards, One Hundred ($100.00) per month;

Plus the USPS rate per mile;

And per diem in the amount of their salary for any day that their

official duties as stewards are required; and

Reimbursement for actual expenses in connection with their duties.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to pay the Local Steward the sum of fifteen ($15.00) dollars upon the presentation of their steward card at the steward meeting of the Winter and Fall Booster meetings.

Section 3 Duties and Responsibilities of Stewards Refer to the Stewards manual and Article XIV, Steward System, of the National Constitution.

ARTICLE XI

Appeals

Section 1 State

A member aggrieved by any action of a state association, officer or steward shall have the right to appeal to the State Board.

Appeals must be in writing and be filed with the State President within 30 days of having knowledge of said action.

Within 10 days of receipt of the appeal, the State President shall notify all members of the State Board and the assigned NRLCA Executive Committeeman and shall request that the Charging Party provide a letter

outlining the specific charges and any relief sought. This letter of specificity, along with complete documentation, must be returned within 20 days of receipt of the President’s request.

Upon receipt of the letter of specificity, the State President shall forward a copy to the Charged Party for response. The Charged Party shall have 20 days to respond in writing and provide documentation to the State President.

The State Board shall review the Charging Party’s letter of specificity, documentation, relief sought and the response of the Charged Party.The State Board is authorized, in consultation with the NRLCA Executive

Committeeman, to take the necessary action to resolve the issue within 30 days. Extension of this 30-day time limit, when necessary, shall not exceed 15 days. The Charging Party(s) and Charged Party(s) (hereafter

referred to as the Party or Parties) shall be notified in writing of the decision of the State Board.

Section 2 National (For instructions to appeal to the National Board refer to Article VII and XV of the National Constitution & Bylaws)

ARTICLE XII

Parliamentary Authority

The parliamentary authority of this Association shall be Roberts Rules ofOrder – Newly Revised, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution.

ARTICLE XIII

Amendment of Constitution

This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting by a 2/3 vote of the registered delegates, present and voting. All proposed Constitution changes must be presented to the Secretary/Treasurer no later than

three days prior to the first day of the business session of the annual meeting, with the exception of all standing committees.

Any previously adopted or defeated Constitution change may be brought back up under new business.

This Constitution is adopted subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the National, which if in conflict with any provision therein shall be regarded as automatically repealed.

The Constitution of this Association shall be indexed in the following order with additional Articles as needed:

Article I: Name

Article II: Purpose

Article III: Members

Article IV: Subordinate Units

Article V: Officer & Appointees

Article VI: Meetings

Article VII: National Convention Delegates

Article VIII: State Board

Article IX: Committees

Article X: Steward System

Article XI: Appeals

Article XII: Parliamentary Authority

Article XIII: Amendment of Constitution

Article XIV: Auxiliary



ARTICLE XIV

The Auxiliary

This Association recognizes an Auxiliary to the Indiana Rural Letter Carriers’Association. Membership in this Auxiliary shall be within those limits imposed by the Auxiliary of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association.