Retiree Association of Flight Attendants-

Communication Workers of America

Organized in 2004

Organizational Structure Officially Established  April 28, 2010

Bylaws Adopted February 14, 2012

Amended March 1, 2015

                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I                        NAME                                                         1

ARTICLE II                      JURISDICTION                                          1

ARTICLE III                     OBJECTIVES                                             2

ARTICLE IV                     GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE       2

ARTICLE V                       MEMBERSHIP                                          3

ARTICLE VI                     DUES AND RAFA FUNDS                       4

ARTICLE VII                    COUNCIL OFFICERS                               4

ARTICLE VIII                   EXECUTIVE BOARD                               6

ARTICLE IX                     INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS                 7

ARTICLE IX                     RECALL                                                      9

ARTICLE XI                     COMMITTEES                                          10

ARTICLE XII                    MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS                     11

ARTICLE XIII                   RULES                                                       11

ARTICLE XIV                  AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS                11

Retiree Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Bylaws

ARTICLE I:          NAME

The name of this organization shall be Retiree Association of Flight Attendants—hereinafter referred to as RAFA.

ARTICLE II:        JURISDICTION

Section  1  RAFA shall serve as a constituent unit of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Section  2  RAFA is and shall be the officially recognized representative of the AFA-CWA retired Flight Attendants.

ARTICLE III:      OBJECTIVES

The objectives of RAFA shall be:

        1.     To promote membership in RAFA to eligible persons as defined in Article V of these bylaws.

        2.     To formulate and support programs that will advance the best interests of RAFA members in matters such as     pensions, annuities, Social Security and health benefits.

        3.     To improve the quality of life for both active and retired members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

        4.     To promote the aims and objectives of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA in matters that pertain to both working members and retirees.

        5.     To maintain the ties of professional unity between working and retired personnel.

        6.     To provide opportunities for RAFA members to socialize and a forum for exchanging of information of interest   and benefit to retired members, and for the expression of their views.

        7.     To keep the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA informed of the collective needs of retired (RAFA) members.

        8.     To monitor legislation at the state, national and international levels that may affect RAFA members and to keep RAFA members informed of such legislation.

        9.     To consult with other organizations that also promote the interests of retired people.

ARTICLE IV:      GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE

Section  1  Governance   The governance of RAFA shall be vested in the elected Presidents of each RAFA Council who collectively form a Retiree Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Executive Board. Meetings will be conducted by the International President.

Section  2  Structure  The structure of the Retiree Association of Flight Attendants shall consist of the following:

                1.     Retiree Local Councils

                2.     Retiree Executive Board

ARTICLE V:       MEMBERSHIP

Section  1  Membership shall be open to all former flight attendants.

Section  2  Non-voting Associate Membership in RAFA may be accepted from friends, family members, active flight attendants, and other supporters.

Section  3  The transfer of membership from a RAFA Council to the jurisdiction of another RAFA Council shall be granted without payment of any fees if the individual’s membership is in good standing.

Section  4  Membership records of RAFA shall be kept in accordance with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA record keeping. Each local council shall be responsible for updated and accurate local membership records. The records of all councils shall be coordinated yearly.

Section  5  Membership eligibility in RAFA shall be determined without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

ARTICLE VI:      DUES AND RAFA FUNDS

Section  1  The amount of RAFA dues shall be established, changed or retained by the RAFA Executive Board subject to     the vote of RAFA membership. Yearly membership dues will be solicited from each member.

Section  2  Expenses drawn on RAFA accounts shall be authorized

by the RAFA Council President, recorded by the Council Treasurer, and reported to the members on a quarterly basis.

Section  3  The Council shall have the right to engage in other forms of fundraising, including for Flight Pac, subject to        the approval of the RAFA Executive Board.

Section  4  Each Council shall donate a specified amount per member yearly to an international account. The RAFA     Council Presidents shall determine the designated amount in the third quarter of each year.

ARTICLE VII:      COUNCIL OFFICERS

Section  1  The officers of the RAFA local councils shall be at a minimum a President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer or Secretary and a Treasurer.

Section  2  Elections

                a.     The length of term of office shall be for three (3) years or until their successors have been duly elected and   installed.

                b.     The officers of RAFA shall be nominated and elected in accordance with policy manuals of the councils.      Any member in good standing may run for office.

                c.     Each RAFA member in good standing shall be entitled to one (1) vote.

                d.     Ballots and election records shall be preserved for the length of the term.

                e.     Each RAFA Council shall establish a policy manual for conducting elections.

                f.      At the close of their official term, outgoing officers shall deliver to their successors in office all books,       papers and other property of the council that may be in their possession. 

                g.     Officer training shall be reviewed and available upon request.

                h.     Newly elected officers shall assume their positions in accordance with council policy manuals.

Section  3  Vacancies

If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice-President shall serve as President for the remainder of the term of office. All vacancies of the offices of Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer or Secretary and Treasurer between regular elections    shall be filled by appointment by the President of the RAFA Council with the Approval of the Local Council Officers.    Office holders of Secretary and Treasurer are eligible to move into a vacated Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer position with the appointment by the President and with the approval of the Local Council Officers.

Section  4  Duties of Officers

             a.     President:

                1.     Administer the affairs and execute the policies of the organization,

                2.     Preside at all local meetings,        

                3.     Represent the Local RAFA Council to outside groups,

                4.     Appoint members to all committees, serve as an ex officio member of all committees and establish new    committees as necessary,

                5.     Call regular and special meetings of local officers and the general membership,

                6.     Fulfill other duties as the office requires, and as are consistent with the bylaws of RAFA and the Association  of Flight Attendants-CWA constitution and bylaws.

            b.     Vice-President:

                1.     Assist the President with his/her duties,

                2.     Assume the duties of the President in case of his/her absence, disability or upon the President’s request,

                3.     Oversee the work of committees as assigned by the President,

                4.     Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Board.

            c.      Secretary

                1.     Record and keep the minutes of all officer meetings, general membership, and special meetings,

                2.     Disseminate pertinent information to the general membership, including notification of meetings,

                3.     Preserve election records,

                4.     Be responsible for correspondence,

                5.     Keep an official file of all RAFA matters.

           d.     Treasurer

                1.     Shall be the custodian of the assets of RAFA,

                2.     Report at each meeting the financial status of RAFA,

                3.     Cause the payment of all bills approved by the President and/or the Executive Board,

                4.     Fulfill any duties related to financial matters,

                5.     Write and sign checks with designated officer’s approval.

           e.     If a Council does not have each of these officers, the President may designate a member of the council to     assume those duties as best meets the needs of the Council.

ARTICLE VIII:      EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section  1  Composition

                The Executive Board shall consist of:

                 a.     The RAFA Local Council Presidents.

                 b. The International Officers shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Board unless they are also elected Presidents of local RAFA councils.

                 c. Each voting member of the Executive Board shall have one (1) vote.

Section  2  Duties

                 a.     The Executive Board shall deliberate upon all matters referred to it by RAFA and other matters coming to its attention for the good and welfare of RAFA and report as soon as possible its recommendations to RAFA.

                 b.     The Executive Board shall approve all standing committees and special committees appointed by the President.

                c.      The Executive Board shall interpret RAFA bylaws.

                d.     The Executive Board shall make policy recommendations for consideration by the general membership.

                e.     The Executive Board shall plan the agenda for all RAFA Executive Board meetings.

                f.      The Executive Board shall prepare and present a yearly budget and act upon non-budget expenditures as     may be required.

                g.     The Executive Board shall cooperate with the officers and retirement committee of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA to improve retirement benefits for all members.

                h      The Executive Board shall vote in the Representative Election for the AFA-CWA seats on the CWA Retired Members Council Board of Directors (RAFA Seats).

                i.      The Executive Board shall receive regular reports from the designated RAFA representatives to the CWA Retired Members Council and shall give direction to those representatives on behalf of the members of RAFA.

Section      3      Executive Board Meetings

                a.     The Executive Board shall meet, when possible, at least quarterly to transact any business referred to it. The Executive Board President may call a special meeting by notifying all members of the board. The President shall call a special meeting at the request of a majority of the members of the Board.

                b.      The International President will coordinate the meetings and act as spokesperson for the Executive Board.

                c.      An accurate record of proceedings of the Executive Board shall be maintained by the International Secretary/Treasurer.

                e.     A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for Executive Board meetings.

ARTICLE IX           INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS

Section      1.     The officers of  RAFA shall be the International President, International Vice President and International Secretary-Treasurer.

Section      2.     Members of RAFA who have been active members for at least one year immediately preceding nomination shall be eligible for International Office.

Section      3.    The International Officers shall be elected by the Executive Board with a majority vote in the month of January of each election year.

Section      3.     Duties

                  a.    International President.

                        1.  The International President shall be the chief administrator and head of RAFA.

                        2.  The International President shall supervise the affairs and functions of RAFA and shall coordinate its activities.

                        3.  The International President shall be responsible for and supervise the managerial functions within RAFA.

                        4.  The International President shall carry out the policies of the Executive Board and serve as Chairperson of the Executive Board Meetings.

                        5.  The International President shall consult with and be assisted by the International Vice President and the International Secretary-Treasurer in furthering the objectives of the Executive Board.

                        6.  The International President shall be the official spokesperson for RAFA and may authorize other counsel or agents of RAFA to speak for RAFA in her/his place.

                b.  International Vice President

                        1. The International Vice President shall function under the jurisdiction of the International President in carrying out the policies of the Executive Board.

                        2.  The International Vice President shall assist the International President by performing duties that may be specifically assigned to the International Vice President by the International President.

                        3.  The International Vice President shall perform the duties of the International President in the International President’s absence.

                 c.  International Secretary-Treasurer

                        1.  The International Secretary-Treasurer shall be directly responsible to the International President and shall     be held accountable to the Executive Board.

                        2.  The International Secretary-Treasurer shall be charged with keeping the general records.

                                    3.  The International Secretary-Treasurer shall be charged with the efficient administration of financial and fiscal policies of RAFA as set forth.

Section      4.     Term of Office

                 a.   The regular term of office for the International Officers of RAFA shall be three years and shall commence       on February 1.

                 b.   The term of office for International President, if elected as a result of a vacancy, shall be for the balance           of the unexpired term and shall commence immediately upon election.

                 c.   The term of office for International Vice President, if elected as a result of a vacancy, shall be for the balance   of the unexpired term and shall commence immediately upon election.

                d   The term of office of the International Secretary-Treasurer, if elected as a result of a vacancy in the office for   any reason, shall be for the balance of the unexpired term and shall commence immediately upon election.

Section      5.     Vacancy in Office

                 a.   When a vacancy in the office of International President occurs, such vacancy shall be filled by the International Vice President for the remainder of the term or until an election to fill the position produces a successful candidate.

                 b.   When a vacancy in the office of International Vice President occurs for any reason, within thirty (30) days from the date the vacancy occurs, the President will appoint an active member to serve in said office.  Pending the Executive Board’s ratification, the appointee or that person’s successor shall continue to serve as the Acting International Vice President.

                 c.   When a vacancy occurs in the office of International Secretary-Treasurer, within thirty (30) days from the date the vacancy occurs, the International President will appoint an active member to serve said office. Depending on the Executive Board’s ratification, the appointee or that person’s successor shall continue to serve as the International Secretary-Treasurer.

                  d.   In the event that all three offices become vacant the President of the largest RAFA Council shall immediately cause a special Executive Board meeting to be called for the purpose of electing said Officers.

Article X:           RECALL

Section      1.     Recall of Local Council Officers

                 a.           A Recall Petition must be signed by thirty percent (30%) of Retiree Council members in good standing   and presented to the Local Council Officers.

                 b.           A special membership meeting with the single agenda item of the recall shall be called to act upon a   recall petition.

                 c.           The petition must be passed by a majority of the established quorum to enable a secret recall ballot to       be sent to the membership of RAFA.

Section      2.     Recall of International Officers

                a.           Any International Officers may be recalled & removed from office by action of the executive board

                b.           For purposes of a recall of the International Officers a quorum shall consist of 75% of the members           of the executive board 

                c.           A majority of the quorum is needed to recall any International Officer

ARTICLE XI:       COMMITTEES

Section      1      Local Council Committees

                a.     RAFA may have the following standing committees:                              

                        1.     Nominating/Elections

                        2.     Organizing/Membership

                        3.     Legislative/Political

                        4.     Audit

                        5.     Community Services/Social Activities                                                                 

                        6.     Pensions and Benefits

                 b.         The President or the RAFA membership may authorize special committees when deemed necessary            to carry out the work of RAFA.

                 c.     Members of the Committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the RAFA Officers, subject to the right of the RAFA Membership to overrule such appointments.

                 d.    A majority of the committee members shall constitute a quorum for committee meetings.

                 e.    Each local officer may be assigned to supervise one (1) or more of the committees.

                 f.     The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees.

Section      2      Executive Board Committees

                a.     The Executive Board may authorize Executive Board Committees when deemed necessary to carry out the work of RAFA. The President may initiate the formation of Executive Board Committees with approval of the Executive Board or the RAFA membership. 

                b.     Members of the Committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the RAFA Executive Board, subject to the right of the RAFA membership to overrule such appointments.

                c.      A majority of the committee members shall constitute a quorum for committee meetings.

                d.     The President of RAFA shall be an ex officio member of all committees.

ARTICLE XII:     MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section      1      Regular meetings shall be held on a quarterly basis, when possible, and announced at the beginning of        each calendar year. The Local RAFA Officers will set the meetings, when possible, each quarter of the year with a      minimum 15-day notice to members for regular meetings.

Section      2      Additional Meetings

                a.     Additional meetings may be called by the President with the agreement of the Local Officers or by        approval of the membership at an official meeting.

                b.     Members shall be notified by U.S. Mail, electronic mail or other appropriate methods at least 48 hours     before special meetings are to be held.

Section      3      Attendance and Quorum. At regular or special meetings of a Local Council, the active members in good standing who remain in attendance shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except that any special meeting called verbally or on less than twenty-four (24) hours’ notice, a quorum shall consist of twenty percent (20%) of the active members of that Council.

ARTICLE XIII:   RULES

All meetings and other business of  RAFA shall be conducted under the rules of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. On questions where the rules do not clearly apply, The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis shall govern.

ARTICLE XIV:    AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Section      1      Amendments to these bylaws shall be proposed by a majority of the RAFA Executive Board in writing          at least Thirty (30) days before the amendment vote and to the general membership at least fifteen (15) days before the amendment vote.

Section      2      A member’s proposed amendment must be submitted in writing to the RAFA Executive Board for their consideration.

Section      3      A proposed amendment to the bylaws shall be considered at the next regularly scheduled business meeting following notice to the general membership.

Section      4      Approval of amendments requires a majority vote of the members in a duly constituted quorum and is subject to approval by Retiree Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Executive Board.

Established on April 28, 2010, by unanimous vote of the

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Board of Directors

Retiree Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Bylaws Committee

Gayle Hardt, Chairperson

Marian Bruns

Martha Casne

Patricia Friend

Karen Kitt

Georgia Nielsen

V. Diane Robertson