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Democratic Party of Bulloch County By-Laws
Adopted:
Preamble
We, the members of the Democratic Party of Bulloch County are committed to the establishment of a Party open to all Democrats of Bulloch County, Georgia. We are committed to the wisdom and efficiency of the will of the majority; to a belief in the merits of a two Party system of government, which allows for diversity of groups and individuals, and to the belief that our Party will be strengthened by these differences. We believe in the value of the individual and believe that government, while protecting life, liberty, and property of individuals, must also be responsive to their collective needs and wills. To this end, we encourage full, timely and equal opportunity for all segments of the population to participate in Party affairs.
We pledge ourselves to an honest participation of all citizens within the framework of the United States Constitution and the laws of the United States and the State of Georgia.
Democratic Party of Bulloch County By-laws
ARTICLE I
Section A – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Democratic Party of Bulloch County. Herein referred to as the "Party".
Section B – Location
This organization shall serve as the Democratic Party for Bulloch County, Georgia as outlined in The Charter, By-laws and Rules of the Democratic Party of Georgia.
Section C - Territorial Area
The Party shall function in the territorial area of Bulloch County, Georgia.
ARTICLE II
Section A – Membership
Membership is open to any person residing within the territorial limits of Bulloch County, who professes to be a Democrat and who demonstrates allegiance to the principles, traditions and beliefs of the Democratic Party.
Section B - Dues
Annual dues will be Twenty-four dollars ($24.00) to run January through December of the current year. Dues will not be prorated or refunded. Payment of dues is not mandatory for membership.
ARTICLE Ill
Section A – Governance
The governing authority of the Party shall be the Executive Committee. Such Executive Committee shall conduct all business of the Party at any duly called meeting of the Executive Committee and/or Party. To this end, we encourage Party members to participate in discussion during general meetings.
Section B - Executive Committee Members
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the party.
1. The Executive Committee shall consist of a minimum of five (5) members.
2. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to appoint five (5) at-large -members.
Section C - Election of Executive Committee Members
1. The party shall elect officers to the Executive Committee at the March meeting of the party.
2. Party members shall be allowed to nominate candidates by officer position to the Executive Committee from the floor at the March meeting.
3. At the March meeting of the Party, Party members shall elect, either by a show of hands or a secret ballot, the officer members of the Executive Committee.
4. Executive Committee members shall serve two (2) year terms.
5. Initial Executive Committee members and Officers shall be selected from the members who volunteer at the first meeting to fill a term that that will last until the first election/selection in March, 2003.
Section D - Duties of Executive Committee
I. To promote development of the Party organizations and activities.
2. To seek and encourage qualified candidates for public office.
3. To support Democratic nominees.
4. To perform election functions as are required by law.
5. To maintain appropriate records.
6. To raise funds for appropriate purposes.
7. To perform such duties as may be required by the State Committee.
Section E - Election and Responsibilities of Executive Committee 0fficers
I. Officers shall be elected at the March meeting, with the exception of the 2nd Vice-Chair. The position of the 2nd Vice-Chair will always be filled by the current President of Young Democrats of Bulloch County. The chair from the previous year will preside over the election meeting until the new Chair is elected, after which time the new Chair shall conduct the meeting.
2. The Officers of the Executive Committee shall consist of a Chair, 1st Vice-Chair, 2nd Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
3. The Officers shall serve a two-year term.
4. The Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Party; shall perform the usual duties of this office, shall decide all questions or disputes not controlled by laws of the State party; shall countersign orders and checks properly drawn on or by the Treasurer; shall appoint sub-committees not otherwise provided for; and shall perform other duties as may be required by the Committee or the State Party Charter and By-laws.
5. A 1st Vice-Chair who shall act in the absence of the Chair, shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees, shall see that all persons entering the meetings are members and notify the Chair of any visitors; shall assist the Chair in maintaining order, shall, in the absence of the Chair, be authorized to sign vouchers, checks, and other documents, and shall perform other duties as may be required by the Committee, or the State Party Charter and By-laws.
6. A 2nd Vice-Chair who shall act in the absence of the Chair and/or the 1st Vice Chair, shall assist the 1st Vice Chair in the performance of those duties.
7. A Secretary, who shall take minutes at all official meetings of the Party; shall retain all records of the Party including minutes and other historical and official documents; shall distribute minutes to the Executive Committee Members; shall maintain accurate lists of Executive Committee members including addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses; shall assist the Chair with agendas; shall conduct correspondence for, and in the name of the Committee; shall present all communications and bills to the Committee and deliver such bills to, and for the files of the Treasurer; shall draw orders on the Treasurer when passed by the Committee; and shall perform the usual duties required of this office, and perform such other duties as may be required by the Committee and/or the State Party Charter and By-laws.
8. A Treasurer who shall receive all funds of the Committee, give a receipt thereof, and deposit same in a bank of sound financial standing in the name of the Committee; shall pay all properly drawn orders by check, which check shall be countersigned by the Chair or Vice Chair; shall file any required government reports; shall perform the usual duties of this office; and shall perform other such duties as stated by the Committee and/or the State Party Charter and By-laws.
Section F – Appointments
The Chair of the Executive Committee shall make the following appointments:
1. a chair of committees to perform necessary tasks.
2. a Parliamentarian. If any member of the Executive Committee disagrees with an appointment, she/he may ask for a vote to change the appointment, and a majority vote of the Executive Committee shall rule.
Section G - Executive Committee Member and Officer Vacancies
When a vacancy on the Executive Committee occurs, the members of the Executive Committee shall fill that vacancy for the remainder of the term from the Party membership. If a vacancy in any position of the officers occurs, the members of the Executive Committee shall fill that vacancy from the Executive Committee for the remainder of the term.
Section H- Removal of Executive Committee Member and Officer
The duty of each member of the Executive Committee is to take an active role in the operations of the Party. If an Executive Committee member is unable to attend three unexcused meetings and has not assumed active involvement in the Party, the officers of the Executive Committee may call for a resignation and appoint a nominating committee to select a replacement candidate who is able to fulfill these obligations. If the Executive Committee member feels he or she has been asked unfairly to terminate his or her term, she or he may call for a hearing of the Executive Committee to reconsider the Chair’s decision. The member to be removed shall be notified of termination via registered, return receipt mail.
Section I- Filing Requirements
In meeting filing requirements set forth in the State Charter and By-laws and the State Election Code, the Executive Committee shall report directly to the State Chair and the Election Superintendent the following documents:
1. a list of Executive Committee members;
2. all charter, by-laws, and regulations of the Party and affiliate organizations;
3. a certification by the Chair that the Party is duly constituted and organized, and is following sound financial operating procedure;
4. an annual report of activities or meeting minutes, the location and signatories of all Party bank accounts.
ARTICLE IV
Section A – Meetings
The Democratic Party of Bulloch County shall conduct regular monthly meetings.
Section B - Notice of Meetings
Notices of regular and special meeting times and places of the Party shall be mailed or emailed to all members of the Executive Committee and posted in the local newspaper at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. Notices of meetings of the Executive Committee shall be mailed or emailed five days prior to the meeting date, or, in case of emergency, members may be telephoned or emailed for immediate notification and response.
Section C – Quorum
A quorum to transact business at any duly called meeting shall consist of the Chair or the Chair's appointee, and three (3) members of the Executive Committee.
Section D - Rules of Order
Roberts Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall govern the conduct of meetings of the Party, the Executive Committee, and all committees.
Section E - Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Chair, or by:
1. a written request to the Chair signed by three members of the Executive Committee; or
2. a written request to the Chair signed by four (4) members of the Party.
Section F - Affiliate Organizations
The Party may recognize and allow affiliation of such county organizations as the Executive Committee deems appropriate, as provided for in the State Party Charter and By-laws.
Section G – Prohibitions
No member of the Party or Executive Committee shall receive compensation for, or be reimbursed for, expenses incurred while attending a meeting of the Party or an Executive Committee meeting.
Section H – Committees
The Executive Committee shall provide for an Affirmative Action committee and any other committees, as the Executive Committee may deem necessary.
ARTICLE V
Section A – Policy
1. The Party shall not endorse or support candidates for public office prior to nomination by Democratic Party. However, it shall be the right of members, as individuals, to participate actively in campaigns in the Democratic Party primaries and in non-partisan elections.
2. The Party shall actively support all of the nominees of the Democratic Party in national, state, and local elections.
3. The Executive Committee may establish or declare policy that is consistent with the By-laws.
ARTICLE VI
Section A - Adoption of By-laws
1. The Democratic Party of Bulloch County may adopt new by-laws, or amendments to these by-laws, by the vote of a majority of the members present at a regular meeting, provided notice of the intent to adopt or amend the by-laws has been given, in writing, to members either delivered by mail or email or published in the local paper at least 14 days prior to the meeting.
2. All changes in By-laws shall be presented to the Party at a duly called regular meeting, but shall not be voted upon until the next duly called regular meeting.
Section B - Adoption of Rules
The Executive Committee shall adopt rules and regulations not in conflict with the provisions of the State Party Charter and By-laws and the State Election Code. Such rules and regulations shall become effective only when copies, certified by the Chair of the Bulloch County Executive Committee, have been filed with the Bulloch Election Superintendent and the State Party Chair. |
