Constitution and By-Laws of Washington Chapter 25 National Association of Postmasters of the United States
PREAMBLE
For the purpose of advancing the United States Postal Service to a higher standard of practical efficiency
And economical operation in the interest of public welfare, to promote the interest of the Postal Service, to cultivate
the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members, to perpetuate itself as a truly fraternal organization without
regard to color, creed, or political affiliation, the Postmasters of the state of Washington hereby form
themselves into an association to be known as the Washington Chapter, National Association of Postmasters of the
United States (NAPUS).
As a part of management, we pledge ourselves to aid and assist the USPS in conducting all Postal business
for the betterment of the Postal Service and the nation.
The Washington Chapter of NAPUS, recognizing the Constitution and By-Laws of the National NAPUS
as the governing and binding authority on all bodies subordinate thereto, hereby adopts the following Constitution
and By-Laws in conformity thereto.
ARTICLE I –NAME
This association shall be known as the Washington Chapter #25 of the National Association of
Postmasters of the United States.
ARTICLE 2 –OBJECT
The object of this chapter is to aid in the improvement of the Postal Service of the United States: ~ stated
in the preamble of this Constitution, and for the mutual interchange of ideas of members of this Association and
officials of the USPS.
ARTICLE 3 –MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Any Postmaster, Officer-in-Charge, or any other person designated by the USPS to
carry out the duties of a Postmaster at a Post Office shall be eligible for active membership in this Association. All
active members shall have the right to vote.
Section 2.
Any member who has retired from the Postal Service with the title of Postmaster shall be eligible for
membership as a Postmaster Retired. Postmasters Retired shall not have the right to vote or hold office except as
provided elsewhere in this Constitution. Postmasters Retired shall be privileged to attend all meetings and social
functions.
Section 3.
Any member as defined in Section 1, who has been honorably separated or transferred from the position.
qualifying them for membership, except a Postmaster separated by retirement, shall be eligible for Associate
membership in this Association. Associate Members shall not have the right to vote or hold office, but shall be
privileged to attend all meetings and social functions.
Section 4.
Upon the death of an Active Member, Associate Member, or Postmaster Retired Member, the surviving
spouse shall be eligible for Associate Membership.
ARTICLE 4 --OFFICERS
Constitution and By-Laws of Washington Chapter 25 National Association of Postmasters of the United States 2
Section 1.
The officers of this Chapter shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Legislative Representative, and Service Representative. These officers to be elected by a majority vote of those members present at the annual convention, and will assume their duties January 1 of the following year.
The Vice President automatically becomes a candidate for President at the state Convention of the second term. Any member may become a candidate for any elective office. The term of office for District officers shall be the same as the state officers.
Section 2.
The nominating committee shall be composed of the District Presidents who shall be elected by a majority
vote of the Postmasters, in attendance, in their respective Districts. The elections in the Districts shall be held prior
to the state convention. All officers assume duty January 1of the following year. A list of these duly elected state
Officers shall be mailed to the state secretary immediately following the election.
Section 3.
When a vacancy occurs and there is no succeeding officer, the vacancy shall be filled, on an interim basis,
by appointment by the President of the Chapter with the approval of the Executive Committee. An election for a
position so filled will be held at the next annual state convention held after that appointment with the newly-
elected officer assuming duties immediately following that convention.
Section 4.
A candidate for any elective office shall not knowingly accept the nomination for an office while they hold
an office in any other Postmaster organization. During their terms of office in Washington Chapter NAPUS they
will not seek nor hold any elective office in any other Postmaster organization.
Section 5.
The term of office for the President, Vice President and the District Presidents shall be for two years. The term of office for the Secretary, Treasurer, Legislative Representative, Editor, and Service Representative shall be for two years.
ARTICLE 5 --EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1.
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Immediate Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Service Representative, Legislative Representative, the District Presidents, and one Retired Postmaster. Should a District President be unable to attend a meeting of the Executive Committee they may designate, in writing, a member from their District to stand as that District's representative. Each member shall have one vote.
If a vote is needed from the Executive Committee at times other than regularly scheduled meetings the
President may call a special meeting by notifying all committee members by mail of time and place. Voting may
also be done by mail, those votes to be kept on file until the next regular Executive Committee meeting.
ARTICLE 6 –CONVENTIONS
Section 1.
The association shall hold annual conventions and mid-winter conferences. The time and place of these meetings shall be at the discretion of the President-elect for that year with the concurrence from the Executive Committee
ARTICLE 7 –RECALL
Section 1.
To recall an officer of Washington #25, NAPUS, the following procedure must be followed. A letter of
charges stating the specific irregularities of office must be presented to the Executive Committee. Such letter of
charges must be signed by no less than ten (10) members, each from three (3) different Districts, and contain no Constitution and By-Laws of Washington Chapter 25 National Association of Postmasters of the United States 3
less than fifty (50) signatures of members of Washington Chapter #25 of NAPUS. The Executive Committee shall
render a decision within thirty (30) days of receipt of the charges.
ARTICLE 8 –DISTRICTS
Section 1.
Each SCF will become a District. Dropping the first '9' in the SCF area will create the District number
except as provided in the following: The large 983 area will be split into District 83 (peninsula) and District 84
(Cascade). The large Spokane area will be split into District 91 (Upper) and District 92 (Lower) with I-90 as the
divider. The state Executive Committee will have the authority, upon request, to make adjustments as needed.
ARTICLE 9 –AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws must have two (2) readings, one of which shall be printed
in the Evergreen or by a mailing to the voting members at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual state convention.
Adoption will require a two thirds (2/3) majority of those in the convention hall and voting.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
Section 1.
President: The President shall preside over all meetings of the Chapter, and at all Executive Committee meetings, and
shall enforce this Constitution & By-Laws and carry out the direction of this Chapter. The President will appoint
all committees.
Section 2.
Vice President (VP): The VP will automatically assume the duties and responsibilities of the
President in his/her absence. In the event of death, resignation, or removal, the VP will succeed to the office of
President and assume all the duties and responsibilities of that office for the remainder of that term of President.
This will not count as a term of office as stipulated in Article 4, Section 5 of the Constitution.
Section 3.
Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and conventions of the Chapter, and its
Executive Committee. The Secretary shall attend to all correspondence including necessary updates to the website. The Secretary will provide the Editor with minutes of the annual convention for printing in the Evergreen on the first issue following the annual convention.
Section 4.
Treasurer: As Treasurer he/she shall collect the cash dues of the Chapter and remit to the NAPUS National
Office the portion of the dues required by the NAPUS National Constitution. The Treasurer will receive from the
NAPUS National Office our Chapter's share of the dues withholding monies on a monthly basis. The Treasurer
will disburse the funds of the Chapter in accordance with the previous convention budget and/or by direction of the
Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall not disburse any funds which will exceed the approved budget, without
approval of the members at a Chapter Business Session Meeting, at an Executive Committee Meeting, or if a vote is
needed from the Executive Committee at times other than regularly scheduled meetings, the President may call a
special meeting by notifying all committee members by mail of time and place. Voting may also be done by mail.
Those votes to be kept on file until the next regular Executive Committee meeting.
Active Postmaster members of NAPUS Chapter 25 have $3.00 additional dues withheld, of which $2.00 will be put into the General fund for operating purposes. With the remaining $1.00 the Treasurer shall rebate 25% semi-annually to the Districts. The remaining 75% will be disbursed for the following purposes as deemed necessary by the Executive Board: Guest speakers fund for Mid-Winter Conference and State Convention; First-Timers registrations; Leadership Conference;; and/or reduction of State convention and Mid-Winter conference registration fees for all Postmasters ,Retired Postmasters, and Officers-In-Charge in good standing.
The Treasurer shall keep all records pertaining to finance and complete a yearly financial report for
presentation at the annual convention. The books shall be open for audit at any time, but at least once a year.
The Treasurer shall notify the President, Vice Presidents, and District Presidents as to the members and
non-members in their respective territories, and keep them informed at least quarterly as to the membership status.
Section 5.
District Presidents: The District Presidents shall represent their Districts on the Executive Committee,
preside at District meetings, and direct the Association in their Districts.
ARTICLE 2- -REPRESENTATION
Section 1.
Each member present at a convention shall have one vote on all questions and elections. There will be no
proxy voting. Postmasters Retired shall be entitled to vote on questions affecting their eligibility for membership
or the dues structure of their category of memberships. On these questions only, they shall be entitled to one vote
for each member registered and in attendance at a Convention.
ARTICLE 3 –QUORUM
Section 1.
A quorum of the Association at convention shall consist of ten (10) percent of the voting membership.
A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of fifty (50) percent of that committee. If a vote is
needed from the Executive Committee at times other than regularly scheduled meetings the president may call a
special meeting by notifying all committee members by mail of time and place. Voting may also be done by mail,
those votes to be kept on file until the next regular Executive Committee meeting.
ARTICLE 4 –COMMITTEES
Section 1.
The following committees shall be known as standing committees:
Resolutions
Audit
Constitution & By-Laws
Membership
Budget
Section 2.
The President shall appoint any committee deemed necessary to carry out the object and purpose of this
Association.
ARTICLE 5 –DUES
Section 1.
All Postmasters, PMR’s and Officers-In-Charge, as well as those honorably separated from
the service shall be eligible for membership to this Association upon payment of dues as set forth by the National
Association of Postmasters of the U.S.
Postmasters, PMR’s, and Officers-In-Charge may elect payment of dues by signing Form1187 and submitting same to the state Secretary or Membership Chairman. Such forms of payment is known as 'dues-withholding plan'
with one twelfth (1/12) of the scheduled amount being withheld by the Postal Data Center each month. This type of
dues remains in force until revoked or upon resignation or retirement.Those not signed up on the dues-withholding plan will be governed as follows:
Cash dues are payable on January 1 and shall expire on December 31 of the same year. Cash dues are
payable on the calendar year basis and each member shall pay a full year's dues, regardless of when paid. Any
member who shall have failed to pay annual dues by the first day of March shall become delinquent, and their
name removed from the rolls. Delinquent members may be reinstated by the payment of a full year's dues.
New members, which shall mean any Postmaster, PMR, or Officer-in-Charge who has never
held membership in this Association, shall pay a full year's dues during the period from the first day of January
until the 1st day of June. Any cash dues collected thereafter will be prorated monthly.
ARTICLE 6
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Section 1.
Robert's Rules of Order, new revised. shall govern the deliberations of the proceedings at any session of a
state convention or other meeting of this Association, except that where any provisions of this Constitution and By-
Laws are inconsistent or in conflict with Robert's Rules of Order then this Constitution and By-Laws shall prevail.
Constitution and bylaws revised at Port Angeles Convention 6-25-1998
Amended at the Pasco Convention July 13, 1999
Amended at the Spokane Convention July 15, 2004
Amended at the Spokane Convention June 14, 2007
Amended at the Spokane Valley Convention June 25,2010
For the purpose of advancing the United States Postal Service to a higher standard of practical efficiency
And economical operation in the interest of public welfare, to promote the interest of the Postal Service, to cultivate
the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members, to perpetuate itself as a truly fraternal organization without
regard to color, creed, or political affiliation, the Postmasters of the state of Washington hereby form
themselves into an association to be known as the Washington Chapter, National Association of Postmasters of the
United States (NAPUS).
As a part of management, we pledge ourselves to aid and assist the USPS in conducting all Postal business
for the betterment of the Postal Service and the nation.
The Washington Chapter of NAPUS, recognizing the Constitution and By-Laws of the National NAPUS
as the governing and binding authority on all bodies subordinate thereto, hereby adopts the following Constitution
and By-Laws in conformity thereto.
ARTICLE I –NAME
This association shall be known as the Washington Chapter #25 of the National Association of
Postmasters of the United States.
ARTICLE 2 –OBJECT
The object of this chapter is to aid in the improvement of the Postal Service of the United States: ~ stated
in the preamble of this Constitution, and for the mutual interchange of ideas of members of this Association and
officials of the USPS.
ARTICLE 3 –MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Any Postmaster, Officer-in-Charge, or any other person designated by the USPS to
carry out the duties of a Postmaster at a Post Office shall be eligible for active membership in this Association. All
active members shall have the right to vote.
Section 2.
Any member who has retired from the Postal Service with the title of Postmaster shall be eligible for
membership as a Postmaster Retired. Postmasters Retired shall not have the right to vote or hold office except as
provided elsewhere in this Constitution. Postmasters Retired shall be privileged to attend all meetings and social
functions.
Section 3.
Any member as defined in Section 1, who has been honorably separated or transferred from the position.
qualifying them for membership, except a Postmaster separated by retirement, shall be eligible for Associate
membership in this Association. Associate Members shall not have the right to vote or hold office, but shall be
privileged to attend all meetings and social functions.
Section 4.
Upon the death of an Active Member, Associate Member, or Postmaster Retired Member, the surviving
spouse shall be eligible for Associate Membership.
ARTICLE 4 --OFFICERS
Constitution and By-Laws of Washington Chapter 25 National Association of Postmasters of the United States 2
Section 1.
The officers of this Chapter shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Legislative Representative, and Service Representative. These officers to be elected by a majority vote of those members present at the annual convention, and will assume their duties January 1 of the following year.
The Vice President automatically becomes a candidate for President at the state Convention of the second term. Any member may become a candidate for any elective office. The term of office for District officers shall be the same as the state officers.
Section 2.
The nominating committee shall be composed of the District Presidents who shall be elected by a majority
vote of the Postmasters, in attendance, in their respective Districts. The elections in the Districts shall be held prior
to the state convention. All officers assume duty January 1of the following year. A list of these duly elected state
Officers shall be mailed to the state secretary immediately following the election.
Section 3.
When a vacancy occurs and there is no succeeding officer, the vacancy shall be filled, on an interim basis,
by appointment by the President of the Chapter with the approval of the Executive Committee. An election for a
position so filled will be held at the next annual state convention held after that appointment with the newly-
elected officer assuming duties immediately following that convention.
Section 4.
A candidate for any elective office shall not knowingly accept the nomination for an office while they hold
an office in any other Postmaster organization. During their terms of office in Washington Chapter NAPUS they
will not seek nor hold any elective office in any other Postmaster organization.
Section 5.
The term of office for the President, Vice President and the District Presidents shall be for two years. The term of office for the Secretary, Treasurer, Legislative Representative, Editor, and Service Representative shall be for two years.
ARTICLE 5 --EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1.
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Immediate Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Service Representative, Legislative Representative, the District Presidents, and one Retired Postmaster. Should a District President be unable to attend a meeting of the Executive Committee they may designate, in writing, a member from their District to stand as that District's representative. Each member shall have one vote.
If a vote is needed from the Executive Committee at times other than regularly scheduled meetings the
President may call a special meeting by notifying all committee members by mail of time and place. Voting may
also be done by mail, those votes to be kept on file until the next regular Executive Committee meeting.
ARTICLE 6 –CONVENTIONS
Section 1.
The association shall hold annual conventions and mid-winter conferences. The time and place of these meetings shall be at the discretion of the President-elect for that year with the concurrence from the Executive Committee
ARTICLE 7 –RECALL
Section 1.
To recall an officer of Washington #25, NAPUS, the following procedure must be followed. A letter of
charges stating the specific irregularities of office must be presented to the Executive Committee. Such letter of
charges must be signed by no less than ten (10) members, each from three (3) different Districts, and contain no Constitution and By-Laws of Washington Chapter 25 National Association of Postmasters of the United States 3
less than fifty (50) signatures of members of Washington Chapter #25 of NAPUS. The Executive Committee shall
render a decision within thirty (30) days of receipt of the charges.
ARTICLE 8 –DISTRICTS
Section 1.
Each SCF will become a District. Dropping the first '9' in the SCF area will create the District number
except as provided in the following: The large 983 area will be split into District 83 (peninsula) and District 84
(Cascade). The large Spokane area will be split into District 91 (Upper) and District 92 (Lower) with I-90 as the
divider. The state Executive Committee will have the authority, upon request, to make adjustments as needed.
ARTICLE 9 –AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws must have two (2) readings, one of which shall be printed
in the Evergreen or by a mailing to the voting members at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual state convention.
Adoption will require a two thirds (2/3) majority of those in the convention hall and voting.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
Section 1.
President: The President shall preside over all meetings of the Chapter, and at all Executive Committee meetings, and
shall enforce this Constitution & By-Laws and carry out the direction of this Chapter. The President will appoint
all committees.
Section 2.
Vice President (VP): The VP will automatically assume the duties and responsibilities of the
President in his/her absence. In the event of death, resignation, or removal, the VP will succeed to the office of
President and assume all the duties and responsibilities of that office for the remainder of that term of President.
This will not count as a term of office as stipulated in Article 4, Section 5 of the Constitution.
Section 3.
Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and conventions of the Chapter, and its
Executive Committee. The Secretary shall attend to all correspondence including necessary updates to the website. The Secretary will provide the Editor with minutes of the annual convention for printing in the Evergreen on the first issue following the annual convention.
Section 4.
Treasurer: As Treasurer he/she shall collect the cash dues of the Chapter and remit to the NAPUS National
Office the portion of the dues required by the NAPUS National Constitution. The Treasurer will receive from the
NAPUS National Office our Chapter's share of the dues withholding monies on a monthly basis. The Treasurer
will disburse the funds of the Chapter in accordance with the previous convention budget and/or by direction of the
Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall not disburse any funds which will exceed the approved budget, without
approval of the members at a Chapter Business Session Meeting, at an Executive Committee Meeting, or if a vote is
needed from the Executive Committee at times other than regularly scheduled meetings, the President may call a
special meeting by notifying all committee members by mail of time and place. Voting may also be done by mail.
Those votes to be kept on file until the next regular Executive Committee meeting.
Active Postmaster members of NAPUS Chapter 25 have $3.00 additional dues withheld, of which $2.00 will be put into the General fund for operating purposes. With the remaining $1.00 the Treasurer shall rebate 25% semi-annually to the Districts. The remaining 75% will be disbursed for the following purposes as deemed necessary by the Executive Board: Guest speakers fund for Mid-Winter Conference and State Convention; First-Timers registrations; Leadership Conference;; and/or reduction of State convention and Mid-Winter conference registration fees for all Postmasters ,Retired Postmasters, and Officers-In-Charge in good standing.
The Treasurer shall keep all records pertaining to finance and complete a yearly financial report for
presentation at the annual convention. The books shall be open for audit at any time, but at least once a year.
The Treasurer shall notify the President, Vice Presidents, and District Presidents as to the members and
non-members in their respective territories, and keep them informed at least quarterly as to the membership status.
Section 5.
District Presidents: The District Presidents shall represent their Districts on the Executive Committee,
preside at District meetings, and direct the Association in their Districts.
ARTICLE 2- -REPRESENTATION
Section 1.
Each member present at a convention shall have one vote on all questions and elections. There will be no
proxy voting. Postmasters Retired shall be entitled to vote on questions affecting their eligibility for membership
or the dues structure of their category of memberships. On these questions only, they shall be entitled to one vote
for each member registered and in attendance at a Convention.
ARTICLE 3 –QUORUM
Section 1.
A quorum of the Association at convention shall consist of ten (10) percent of the voting membership.
A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of fifty (50) percent of that committee. If a vote is
needed from the Executive Committee at times other than regularly scheduled meetings the president may call a
special meeting by notifying all committee members by mail of time and place. Voting may also be done by mail,
those votes to be kept on file until the next regular Executive Committee meeting.
ARTICLE 4 –COMMITTEES
Section 1.
The following committees shall be known as standing committees:
Resolutions
Audit
Constitution & By-Laws
Membership
Budget
Section 2.
The President shall appoint any committee deemed necessary to carry out the object and purpose of this
Association.
ARTICLE 5 –DUES
Section 1.
All Postmasters, PMR’s and Officers-In-Charge, as well as those honorably separated from
the service shall be eligible for membership to this Association upon payment of dues as set forth by the National
Association of Postmasters of the U.S.
Postmasters, PMR’s, and Officers-In-Charge may elect payment of dues by signing Form1187 and submitting same to the state Secretary or Membership Chairman. Such forms of payment is known as 'dues-withholding plan'
with one twelfth (1/12) of the scheduled amount being withheld by the Postal Data Center each month. This type of
dues remains in force until revoked or upon resignation or retirement.Those not signed up on the dues-withholding plan will be governed as follows:
Cash dues are payable on January 1 and shall expire on December 31 of the same year. Cash dues are
payable on the calendar year basis and each member shall pay a full year's dues, regardless of when paid. Any
member who shall have failed to pay annual dues by the first day of March shall become delinquent, and their
name removed from the rolls. Delinquent members may be reinstated by the payment of a full year's dues.
New members, which shall mean any Postmaster, PMR, or Officer-in-Charge who has never
held membership in this Association, shall pay a full year's dues during the period from the first day of January
until the 1st day of June. Any cash dues collected thereafter will be prorated monthly.
ARTICLE 6
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Section 1.
Robert's Rules of Order, new revised. shall govern the deliberations of the proceedings at any session of a
state convention or other meeting of this Association, except that where any provisions of this Constitution and By-
Laws are inconsistent or in conflict with Robert's Rules of Order then this Constitution and By-Laws shall prevail.
Constitution and bylaws revised at Port Angeles Convention 6-25-1998
Amended at the Pasco Convention July 13, 1999
Amended at the Spokane Convention July 15, 2004
Amended at the Spokane Convention June 14, 2007
Amended at the Spokane Valley Convention June 25,2010
