Bylaws and Standing Rules

Out of respect for our group, we ask that all members follow our established bylaws and standing rules.

Bylaws of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women

This organization shall be known as the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (Archdiocese of Chicago) hereinafter referred to as ACCW. It is affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women, hereinafter referred to as NCCW.

Section 1.

The Most Reverend Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Chicago is the sponsor of this ACCW. It shall be under his sole jurisdiction.

Section 2.

The Most Reverend Ordinary will appoint an ACCW Spiritual Advisor through whom he shall ordinarily exercise his jurisdiction.

Section 3.

The ACCW Spiritual Advisor shall appoint Vicariate Spiritual Advisor.

The letters of the insigne of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (Archdiocese of Chicago) shall be C-R-E-W to represent Charity, Religion, Education and Welfare.

The objectives of ACCW shall be:

To promote the growth and development of the spiritual life of the women of the Archdiocese under the patronage of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
To provide service to the organizations affiliated with ACCW in order to effectively implement the ACCW programs.
To unite Catholic lay organizations of women, to develop their leadership potential, and to motivate and assist them to act upon current issues in the Church and society.
To serve as a medium through which the women of the Archdiocese may speak and act on matters of common interest.
To establish communication with other groups in an endeavor to create interest in and to aid in the solution of present-day moral, social and economic problems.

Section 1.

Membership shall include Catholic lay organizations of women in the Archdiocese: in parishes, in Associate organizations, and in mixed membership organization, who subscribe to the objectives of ACCW (Article IV above) shall be eligible for membership in ACCW.

Section 2.

Catholic women who subscribe to the objectives of ACCW shall be eligible for individual membership provided that their parish does not have an affiliated ACCW woman’s group.

Section 1. ACCW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The ACCW

Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers of the ACCW, President, Vice-President Coordinator of Vicariate Presidents, Vice-President Coordinator of Commission Chairs, VicePresident Coordinator of Event Planning, Treasurer, Secretary and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.

Section 2. ACCW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The ACCW Board of Directors shall be composed of the ACCW Executive Committee, ACCW Past Presidents, ACCW Vicariate Presidents, ACCW Commission and a Representative from each qualified ACCW Associate Organization (See Standing Rules, Executive Committee and Board of Directors), President of a Representative from the ACCW Alumnae organization and Representatives of the ACCW assigned to the Most Reverend Ordinary's Archdiocesan Commissions.
All members of the Board of Directors of the National Council of Catholic Women residing in the Chicago Archdiocese during their terms of office shall be ex-officio members of the ACCW Board of Directors with voice but no vote.
The current National Presidents of Associate National Organizations who reside in the Chicago Archdiocese and whose organizations have local representation in the ACCW Board of Directors as listed on the current ACCW Board of Directors roster shall be honorary members of the ACCW Board of Directors without voice or vote.
ACCW Vicariate Presidents shall serve as ex-officio members of the ACCW Board of Directors for one year following their term of office with voice and vote.
The liaisons from the Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts, Campfire Boys and Girls and Junior Daughters of the Knights of St. Peter Claver shall be an ex-officio member of the ACCW Board of Directors with voice and vote. Amended June 27, 2014 3 F. The President of the ACCW Alumnae shall be a member of the ACCW Board of Directors with voice and vote.

Section 3. ACCW VICARIATES

The ACCW shall be divided into ACCW Vicariates as established for the Archdiocese by the Most Reverend Ordinary.
Each ACCW Vicariate shall have an Executive Committee composed of the Vicariate President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and the appointed ACCW Vicariate Spiritual Advisor. Each Vicariate shall have bylaws, which shall be in accord with the ACCW bylaws.
All Vicariates are required to donate a portion of their proceeds to ACCW. Each Vicariate shall only retain operating expenses in the treasury.

Section 4. ACCW DEANERIES

The ACCW Vicariates shall be divided into ACCW Deaneries as determined by alignment with the Archdiocesan Guidelines, after prior consultation with the ACCW Vicariate President and with the approval of the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.
Each ACCW Deanery shall be governed by their respective ACCW Vicariate bylaws and the ACCW bylaws.

Section 5. ACCW COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEE

The Commissions under ACCW shall be: Spirituality (encompass Church, Legislation), Service (encompass Family, Community, and International) and Leadership (Organization)

Section 6. ACCW STANDING COMMITTEES

Standing Committees of the ACCW Commissions shall be established or discontinued by order of the ACCW Board of Directors and with prior approval of the ACCW President, the ACCW Commission Chairs and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor. (See - Standing Rules, Committees-Commissions.)

Section 7. ACCW SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Special Committees shall be appointed by the ACCW President with the approval of the ACCW Spiritual Advisor as the need arises. Upon acceptance by ACCW President of the Special Committee's final report, the Special Committee shall cease to exist

Section 1. ACCW OFFICERS

The ACCW Officers shall be: President, Vice-President Coordinator of Vicariate Presidents, Vice-President Coordinator of Commission Chairs, Vice-President Coordinator of Event Planning, Treasurer and Secretary.
All ACCW officers shall be elected for a term of two years in the evennumbered years and shall not be eligible to hold the same office for more than one term. The incoming officers shall assume their duties at the close of the June ACCW Board of Directors Meeting.

Section 2. ACCW COMMISSION COMMITTEE CHAIRS

The ACCW Commission Chairs shall be appointed by the newly elected ACCW President with the approval of the ACCW Advisor for a term of two years. ACCW Commission Chairs shall assume their duties, when the outgoing Board has completed June programs for its term of office.

Section 3. ACCW STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS

(See - Standing Rules, Commissions-Committees.) The ACCW Standing Committee Chairs shall be appointed as soon as possible by the newly elected ACCW President in consultation with the respective Commission Chairs and with the approval of the ACCW Advisor for a term of two years.

Section 4. ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICE OF ACCW BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS

Any woman who is a member of an ACCW affiliated organization or an individual member is eligible to serve on the ACCW Board of Directors.
All ACCW Past Presidents shall remain on the ACCW Board of Directors with voice and vote subject to ACCW Bylaws, Article X, and Section 3B.

Section 1. ACCW ELECTIONS

The officers of the ACCW shall be elected at the Spring Board of Directors Meeting in even numbered years. Amended June 27, 2014
A Nominating Committee of five members shall be elected from the ACCW Board of Directors at the meeting in the even-numbered years. Two members shall be appointed by the ACCW President, one of whom shall have served on a preceding Nominating Committee. Three members shall be elected by the Board: two additional shall be elected to serve as alternates in case of absence of regular members of the committee. No member shall serve on the on the Nominating Committee more than two terms consecutively. The Nominating Committee report may include at least two (2) nominees, but not more than three (3) for each office. Serving on the Nominating Committee does not exclude nomination for office. The Nominating Committee report shall be submitted to the ACCW President and Spiritual Advisor for approval.
Only members of the ACCW Board of Directors are eligible for the offices of the ACCW President and Vice-Presidents, other offices may be board members or have qualifications that make them eligible for the office.
Any member of the ACCW may make nominations from the floor, with the prior consent of the nominee, and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor. No ACCW member can hold an ACCW Executive Board office and Vicariate President office at the same time.
All ACCW elections shall be done by ballot. A majority vote of those present and voting shall be required to elect.
In the event the office of ACCW President becomes vacant, the Vice President /Coordinator of Vicariate Presidents, with the approval of the Board of Directors and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor, shall assume the office of President until a special election takes place. All other vacancies on the ACCW Board of Directors shall be filled through appointment by the ACCW Board of Directors for the remainder of the term and until the next election with the approval of the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.

Section 1. ACCW OFFICERS - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.

At a time and place convenient to the Most Reverend Ordinary, the ACCW shall renew its annual commitment to him.

Section 2.

The ACCW Executive Committee shall meet prior to the ACCW Board of Directors meeting on a day designated by a majority vote of its members present and voting.

Section 3. ACCW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The ACCW Board of Directors shall meet every other month with the exception of July and August, at different times and locations designated by a majority vote of its members present and voting.
Any member absent from meetings of the ACCW Board of Directors within the ACCW year without valid excuse confirmed to the ACCW President can be removed from the ACCW Board of Directors. (See - Standing Rules, Executive and Board of Directors).
Voting at any meeting shall be confined to the ACCW Board of Directors members present.
A quorum for transacting the business of the ACCW Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of its members present and voting.

Section 4.

ACCW Commission Chairs shall inform ACCW Vicariate Commission Chairs of any new as well as existing activities at least once a year.

Section 5.

Conferences and special meetings may be called by the ACCW President and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor at any time and place designated.

Section 6. DELEGATES

The official delegates of the National Council of Catholic Women shall be the ACCW President or one other appointed by the ACCW President and ACCW Spiritual Advisor.

Section 7. ACCW WORKSHOPS

ACCW workshops of the Vicariate, Commissions and Leadership shall be conducted for educational and informational purposes with the approval of the Vice President Coordinator of Vicariates, Vice President Coordinator of Commissions, the ACCW President and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.

Section 1.

The ACCW Vicariate Presidents shall submit a written annual report to the ACCW Vice-President Coordinator of Vicariate Presidents, who shall submit the report to the ACCW President before the final ACCW Board of Directors Meeting.

Section 2.

The ACCW Parish Presidents shall submit an annual written report to their respective ACCW Vicariate President with a copy for the ACCW President.

Section 3.

Special committee reports shall be submitted to the ACCW President and ACCW Spiritual Advisor as specified.

Section 4.

Delegates to the ACCW Board of Directors from the ACCW Associate Organizations shall submit an annual written report to the ACCW Vicariate President by the final ACCW Board of Directors meeting, with a copy for the ACCW Vice-President Coordinator of Vicariate Presidents. The delegates may also present an oral report at the Vicariate Spring Report meeting

The ACCW shall publish such materials as may be required, with the approval of the ACCW President and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.

Section 1.

If a parliamentarian is needed by ACCW during a meeting, the President should be free to appoint one. The ACCW Board of Directors must approve any fee that will be required.

Section 2.

The parliamentarian is a consultant who advises the President and other officers, committees and members on matters of parliamentary procedure.

Section 3.

“Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised Current Edition" shall govern the proceedings of this organization not covered by these bylaws.

These Bylaws shall be amended at any regular meeting of the ACCW Board of Directors providing the following criteria are met:

Proposed amendment shall be submitted in writing to the ACCW Bylaws Committee.
Proposed amendments shall be presented in writing and read at the Board of Directors meeting, with the approval of the ACCW President and ACCW Spiritual Advisor, one month prior to the ACCW Board of Directors meeting at which it will be submitted for vote.
These Bylaws shall be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the membership present at the regular meeting of the ACCW Board of Directors.

Standing Rules – Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women

Recommendations to an office or to a chair a committee shall be submitted to the ACCW President in writing with qualifying background material accompanying the recommendation. The President's approval or rejection upon consultation with the ACCW Spiritual Advisor shall come within two weeks.
Advice and consent of the nominee's pastor and/or Spiritual Advisor should be sought before the appointment is official.
A Standing Committee for Bylaws shall be appointed by the newly elected ACCW President with the approval of the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.

Membership in resource organizations shall be registered in the name of the ACCW organization, rather than in the name of the individual representative of ACCW.
An information file on personnel of other organizations, i.e., Church Women United, etc. shall be kept. The following shall be included in the file: President’s name, address, email (if available) and contact phone numbers, i.e., office, cell phone.
A representative from each of the following organizations may be invited to the ACCW Fall Assembly event every year and to the ACCW Convention/Conference whenever held:
Church Women United
ELCA Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Negro Women

Any and all ACCW members delegated by the ACCW President with the approval of the ACCW Advisor to attend board or other meetings of non-affiliated organizations may not commit ACCW to any course of action until commitment has been approved by the ACCW Board of Directors.
When an ACCW Board of Directors' member is invited to participate in a particular function, she is expected to consult with ACCW President and the Executive Committee for evaluation and clarification of the significance of the request to ACCW policy.
All ACCW Board of Directors members should distinguish between expressing an opinion as an individual and as representing ACCW policy.
ACCW Vicariate and ACCW Deanery Boards shall adopt similar policies.

Any special request made by an ACCW Board of Directors member which is directed to an individual organization involved with Archdiocesan activities should be presented to the ACCW President for consultation and evaluation.
No member in the ACCW organization shall use the ACCW title for any communication other than that concerned with ACCW business.

Example:
To further political candidates;
To further business interest;
To further a cause...etc.
ACCW Vicariate and ACCW Deanery Boards shall adopt similar policies.

Never at any time, under any circumstances, are any lists from the ACCW Office to be given out to an individual or an organization. These lists are strictly for ACCW use. This applies to all ACCW Board of Directors members as well as Vicariate and Deanery Board members.
An administrative Office Policy was adopted Dec. 2009.

Since ACCW is striving to present a balanced view on negotiable positions of the Church, all materials, directives and publicity pertaining to those issues, shall be checked with ACCW Officers and Commission Chairs concerned, then approved by the ACCW President and Spiritual Advisor before any distribution.
All information released on ACCW letterhead must be approved by the ACCW President and Advisor.
The ACCW Vicariate Newsletters shall be submitted to the ACCW President for approval before any distribution. All other communications from ACCW Vicariate Boards and ACCW Deanery Boards shall be approved by the Vicariate President before distribution.
All ACCW news releases prepared by Vicariates and the Deaneries for the New World shall be submitted to the ACCW President for distribution.
All mail addressed to the ACCW Office is routinely opened by the office staff. Only mail marked Personal will be re-addressed and sent on without being opened.
The official publication of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women shall be known as “COUNCIL CLOSE-UPS”.
All materials submitted for the website must have pre-approval by the ACCW President and/or Spiritual Advisor.

Any expenditure of funds by an ACCW Board of Directors member shall have prior approval from the ACCW President and the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.
Any ACCW expenditure other than budgeted items, exceeding $200 should be brought before the Executive Committee for preapproval.
For accounting purposes, any expense incurred by any ACCW Board member or Spiritual Advisor, for reimbursement from ACCW must be submitted with a receipt or other sustaining documentation.
Reference to all monetary refunds should be stated on all registration forms.

The ACCW Executive Committee is empowered to execute a “quick vote” via email, telephone or in person for urgent matters. A majority vote of the committee is necessary for action.
Proposals presented to the ACCW Executive Committee for inclusion on the agenda of the ACCW Board of Directors meeting should contain general statement of purpose.
All ACCW Board of Directors meetings, regardless of locations are to be called to order as decided by the Executive Committee.
Only those Associate Organizations subscribing to the Objectives of the ACCW as stated in the ACCW Bylaws, which are nationally organized and whose local membership is open to all Catholic women of the Archdiocese of Chicago, shall be eligible for representation on the ACCW Board of Directors.
Any Board of Directors Member not able to attend an ACCW Board of Directors meeting shall telephone or email prior to meeting date, the ACCW President at the ACCW Office and not the ACCW Commissions or Coordinators. As a courtesy, the ACCW Commissioner/Coordinator concerned can also be notified if the absent member is to give a report at the meeting.
Any member absent from two meetings of the ACCW Board of Directors within the ACCW year without valid excuse confirmed to the ACCW President shall be notified of dismissal in writing by the ACCW President and ACCW Advisor.
Current ACCW Vicariate Presidents, ACCW Commission and Standing Committee Chairs, including those terminating office in June, shall be responsible for the ACCW Vicariate Workshops and Educational Sessions. They shall be assisted by the incoming ACCW Vicariate and Deanery Officers and Deanery Commission Chairs.
The ACCW Alumnae is an organization of former members of the ACCW Board of Directors. The Alumnae shall adopt regulations to define and govern its organization. The purpose of the Alumnae is to carry out activities in support of ACCW.

Meetings of ACCW Commissions, Standing Committees and Special Committees should be held with the ACCW President in attendance. Dates of the meetings must be cleared with the ACCW President before she places them on the ACCW Calendar.
Suggestions and Recommendations to ACCW Committees shall be presented to ACCW Committee Chairs in writing and signed.
A majority of ACCW Board of Directors Members present and voting is required for election of ACCW Nominating Committee members.
ACCW Commission Chairs when holding meetings with ACCW Deanery Commission Chairs shall notify appropriate Vicariate/Deanery personal to send representatives to attend the meeting.
An ACCW Standing Committee Chair is chair of a designated unit of a Commission. The ACCW Committees under the three Commissions are:

SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION: Liturgy, Ecumenism,Legislation

LEADERSHIP COMMISSION: Membership, Program Guide, Communications, Leadership Training, Publicity, Web Site, Newsletter

SERVICE COMMISSION: Youth, Abused Women and Deprived Children, ACCY Archdiocesan Girls’ Organizations Representative, Morality in Media, Marriage/Family Life, Immigration, Safety and Environment, USO, Health Issues, Volunteer Services, Senior Citizens, Prison Ministry, Domestic/ Foreign Missions, Foreign Understand and Ethnic Outreach, Works of Peace, Representative to the Spanish Speaking
ACCW Commissions-Committees the commissions shall cooperate with Archdiocesan offices and agencies only with the approval of the ACCW President and ACCW Spiritual Adviser. This cooperation may be on a continuing basis to as the need arises in a particular situation.
Special Committees shall be appointed as needed.

A substitute attending an ACCW Board of Directors meeting, Commission meeting or Committee shall have voice only in those matters directly concerned with the chair or office she represents.
ACCW Special Committees have no substitutes.

If an ACCW Board of Directors Member wishes to invite a visitor to an ACCW Board of Directors meeting, either to speak on an issue or simply to witness a meeting without voice or vote, she shall have approval of the Chair of that ACCW Commission or Committee where applicable, the ACCW President and ACCW Advisor. This request must be submitted in writing prior to the meeting. Visitors to ACCW Committee meetings can be present in order to give information and to answer questions. Prior approval of Chair, ACCW President and ACCW Advisor is required. Visitors must be excused before the Committee continues consideration of a motion or votes on the issue.

All invitations to the Cardinal, Auxiliary Bishops and clergy of other denominations to participate in any ACCW sponsored program should be cleared with the ACCW President and sent through the ACCW Spiritual Advisor.

Members of the Board of Directors are requested not to solicit funds for any purpose during the meeting. An announcement of an event may be made under Announcements at the meeting with approval of the President beforehand.

ACCW pledged to provide NCCW with $1,000 per year for 10 years (started 2013) as part of the Legacy Circle to become members of NCCW’s 100th Birthday Club.

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