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National Association of Letter Carriers
Branch 4645 By-Law Established 1998

 Article 1            Identification

The name of this Branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers shall be:  Branch 4645 of the N.A.L.C. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 

Article 1            Section 1

 The regular meetings of Branch 4645 will be normally held the 2^nd Tuesday of each month.  The time to be posted each month to meet the needs of the membership. 

Article 1            Section 2

A quorum shall consist of 5 members present in good standing.  All items of business must be conducted with a quorum present.  If a quorum is not present within 15 minutes after the meeting time, the meeting shall be ruled cancelled.  A quorum needs to be present to conduct business for any meetings, special, emergency or regular. 

Article 1            Section 3

 The time, place, date and purpose of any Special Meeting shall be announced y a member of the Executive Board and will be posted on each station bulletin board at least 7 days prior to date of meeting.

The President can, if need arises and situation urgent, call an Emergency Meeting.  The president will call all stations and inform then of date, time and place of meeting.  A minimum of 6 hours advance notice will be given prior to emergency meeting.  This time limit may be waived if the situation so dictates.  The discussion at this meeting shall be limited to the purpose for which the meeting was called. 

Article 2            Officers

Elective offers of Branch 4645 shall be:  President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms and members of the Board of Trustees. 

Article 2            Section 1

The Executive Board of Branch 4645 shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, and Secretary Treasurer. 

Article 2            Section 2

The term of office for all officers shall begin at the December meeting following the election and run until the December meeting 4 years later. 

Article 2            Section 3

There shall be no limit to the number of terms an officer can serve.

Article 2            Section 3

Election of Officers of Branch 4645 shall run in conjunction with the National Elections.  An election committee of 2 members in good standing including the chairperson will be appointed at the September meeting.  No member of the committee shall be a candidate for office.  Appropriate ballots shall be given to members no later than 10 days after the regular October meeting and returned by date on ballot.  The election committee will be responsible for preparing, sending, receiving, and tallying all ballots.  Nominations for all offices shall take place at the regular meeting.

Article 2            Section 5

Delegates to state and national conventions from Branch 4645 shall be determined by the State and National Constitutions.  Delegates shall be elected in the same manner in which general elections are held.  Eligibility of members to be delegated shall consist of attendance at at least 6 regular meetings prior to election in the calendar year. 

Article 2            Section 6

In case of a tie on final ballots, a Secret Ballot will be held on the floor as the first item of business at the November Branch meeting.  The secret ballot allows the President of Branch 4645 to vote but not cast a second vote to break the tie.  Under regular voting procedure, the President shall have the deciding vote. 

Article 3            Duties of Officers

The duties of the officers of Branch 4645 shall be the same as those described in the Constitution of the National Associations of Letter Carriers of the Subordinate Branches.  Additional duties are outlined in these by-laws. 

Article 3            Section 1

The President shall preside over regular meetings.  The president shall appoint all stewards.  The President shall assign and authorize attendance at seminars and meetings. 

Article 3            Section 2

The Vice-President shall take over duties if the President in the absence or inability of the President to perform his/her duties.  The Vice-President shall fill the presidency if the President steps down until an election is held.  A special election can be called by the Executive Board to fill the vacancy. 

Article 3            Section 3

The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for the recording duties of the branch.  The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for the financial records and the handling of the funds of the branch. 

Article 3            Section 4

The Board of Trustees shall examine and report to the branch the condition of the books of the branch at least once every year.  They should compare the vouchers and records and see that they correspond with collections and disbursements.  This examination shall be conducted in the month February for the preceding year.

Article 4            Expenditures

Article 4            Section 1

Salary for the President shall be $150.00 paid monthly by the Branch.  Secretary-Treasurer will be paid $100.00 per month.  Shop stewards shall be paid as follows:  Main office Post Office Steward will receive $100.00, Surfside Post Office will receive $50.00 and North Myrtle Beach Post Office Steward will receive $50.00.  Any paid officer or Steward holding a dual position shall be compensated at said rate for each position held.  New positions will be voted upon by the membership.  All subsequent stations shall be evaluated as the need arises. 

Article 4            Section 2

A member who attends a seminar assigned by the President shall be compensated up to 8 hours per day according to that individual’s rate of pay as authorized by the executive board.  (Sunday and Conventions excluded.) 

Article 4            Section 3

Conventions:  Expense paid Delegates.  To be an expense paid delegate, a member must attend at least 6 regular meeting held in the twelve months prior to the conventions.  Any member that is a paid delegate to the Biennial Convention of the NALC must attend meeting for which Branch 4645 pays fees.  If the delegate does not attend these meetings, the delegate must reimburse the Branch the funds paid.  All delegates shall be instructed by the Branch on specific issues. 

Article 4            Section 4

Exemption of Dues:  Any member who is in an non-pay status with no income from any source, may make application to the Branch for exemption of payment in whole or in part of the dues.  Application must state the time length of the exemption and reason for the request.  The Executive Board is authorized to approve or disapprove the request. 

Article 4            Section 5

Per-diem and other expenses.  Mileage and per-diem rate for delegates to the South Carolina State Association Convention, seminars, training session and special meetings called by the NALC shall be as follows: 

            1.  Mileage:       .30 cents per mile per vehicle, map mileage when travel by auto is authorized.  Any
                                    travel other than auto shall be approved by the Executive Board prior to travel. 

2.  Per-Diem:     Breakfast, $3.50; Lunch $6.00; Dinner $12.00; Gratuities, $2.00 per day except when less than a full day, $1.00.  No lodging expense is authorized within the State of South Carolina on the day of adjournment of the convention, seminar, training session, or special meeting.  Lodging expense will only be authorized when convention, seminar, training session, or special meeting is held beyond a fifty (50) mile radius from Myrtle Beach.  No per-diem will be paid to delegates that receive funds from other sources such as State or National.

Article 4           Section 6 

Emergency Travel Expenses.  The President of Branch 4645 or his designate representative, who is required to attend an emergency meeting called by an officer of the NALC will be authorized to draw advance funds necessary to accomplish this function.  He will report to the membership at the next meeting following the travel where the expenses were incurred.  He will be reimbursed for any expenses in excess of the advance made and/or will reimburse the Branch treasury any monies drawn in excess. 

Article 4            Section 7

Welfare Committee.  The Vice-President of Branch 4645 shall act as the Flower committee.  Immediately upon ascertaining that a member or member’s immediate family (parent, spouse, child) has passed away, or that a member has been hospitalized, the Vice-President shall order a flower arrangement to be sent to the funeral home, hospital, or a home as appropriate.  In case of death, a comparable donation to an organization of their choice may be made in lieu of flowers at the request of the member or member’s family.  The arrangement or donation is not to exceed $50.00 in cost. 

Article 4            Section 8

Other Expenses.  Individual’s expenses under $100.00, which are not covered by the by-laws, for such items as phone bills, office equipment and supplies.  Refreshments, postage, manuals and subscriptions shall require approval by the president and shall not require prior approval by the membership.  Such expenses shall be reported at the next regular meeting.  The member requesting that expenses be paid must fill out an expense report that will be turned over to the Treasurer.  All other expenses, which are not covered in the by-laws, shall require majority approval at the next regular meeting. 

Article 5

Presidential Authority.  The president of Branch 4645 shall be authorized to approve from branch funds payment for such things as payment of time spent by officers or members attending special labor-management meetings or for performing vital work for the Branch.  This shall include payment to Stewards of Officers traveling from one station to another to handle grievances. 

Article 6

Signing of checks.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall sign all checks.  Those authorized for a second signature on checks are as follows:    President and Vice-President 

Article 6            Section 1

Branch 4645 Board of Trustees shall be responsible for reviewing any vouchers or expense reports that are questioned by any member in good standing. 

Article 7

Retirees.  Branch 4645 shall provide a plaque commemorating their active membership to members in good standing upon their retirement from the USPS.

Article 8

General Information.  Amendments to these by-laws may be voted upon at a Branch meeting provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting and suitable notification to the members has been made at least ten (10) days before the vote.  The amendment must be read, discussed, and approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present who are eligible ad chose to vote.  Amendments voted upon and approved shall become effective immediately. 

Article 8            Section 1

Grievance Actions.  If an employee designates the NALC as his representative on the matter of a grievance, it shall be the duty of the Station representatives, at the installation where the grievance originated to represent the member in Step 1 or Step 2 of the Grievance procedure.  If the grievance is not resolved, it is the responsibility of the Station Representative to notify the Step 2 designee immediately.  The Step 1 and Step 2 Designees have full authority to settle or withdraw all grievances. 

Article 8            Section 2

Committee of Presidents.  The Branch President by virtue of this office shall be a member of the Committee of President.  He shall be authorized Branch funds to attend meeting called by this group if he determines the issues to be discussed will be of benefit or of interest to the Branch.  Upon return, the President or designee will make a report of the meeting.  The President has the authority to appoint a designee if he cannot attend.  The next senior officers will be the best choice. 

Article 8            Section 3

Correspondence.  Any correspondence pertaining to any member of this branch will be kept is a locked file for future reference.  These files will be accessed by the Executive Board.  If any member wisher to view files pertaining to themselves or union business, they must have one of the Executive Board members present when doing so. 

Article 8            Section 4

Health Benefits.  The Health Benefit representative shall be authorized Branch funds to attend seminars and training sessions. 

Article 8            Section 5

Local Contracts.  A committee shall be formed two (2) months before local negotiations to gather information and discuss point to negotiate.  The committee shall be comprised of at least three (3) members in good standing.  Volunteers shall make up the committee.  The final draft of the local contract shall be ratified at a special or regular meeting by a majority.  The membership will receive advance notice of the meeting.  Only after ratification will the Branch President sign the new contract. 

Article 9

Approval of By-Laws.  These By-Laws were read and approved at the regular meeting held on 10-20-98.  The second reading of these by-laws was made on 11-17-98 and then was adopted.

Witnessed By:  Mary Jackson and Jeff Jensen

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Contact:  nalcweb4645@msn.com