BY-LAWS OF THE Eau Claire COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
ARTICLE I - Membership & Dues
Section 1 Any person, at least 14 years of age, who subscribes to the liberal principles of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party is eligible for voting membership upon payment of annual dues as set by the DPW.
Section 2The term of a paid membership shall be for the calendar year.Any membership purchased from Oct. 1 through Dec 31 of any year, shall allow the member to be enrolled from the date of the paid membership through Dec 31 of the following year.Any membership purchased from Jan 1 through Sept. 30 of any year shall allow the member to be enrolled through Dec 31 of the same year.
Section 3 No test of membership in, or any oaths of loyalty to, the Eau Claire County Democratic Party shall be required or used that has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone, or support discrimination on the grounds of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, or economical status.
ARTICLE II - Elections
Section 1Notices of election meetings shall be in written form and post marked no later than ten days before the scheduled meeting. Memberships may be sold until the previously announced time of the meeting, including to those waiting in line to buy a membership at the meeting time. All memberships must be turned in to the secretary when the meeting begins and shall be used as a registration list for the election.Only valid members may vote.
Section 2Candidates will be offered the opportunity to draft a short (up to 200 word) statement about themselves and their reason for running.The statement will be published with the notice of election and candidates will be offered the opportunity to make a 90 second statement about themselves and their reason for running prior to the election.
Section 3If there is more than one candidate for an office, the secretary shall prepare ballots, and election shall be by secret ballot. Votes shall be tallied by a committee including one representative chosen by each candidate for the office in question.The candidate is elected who receives a majority of the votes cast.In the event that no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election is required between the two candidates receiving the most votes.
Section 4 In an election for a group of identical offices, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
Section 5 There shall be no absentee ballots.
ARTICLE III - Meetings
Section 1 Regularly scheduled meetings for which notice has been sent shall not be canceled by the chairperson without consent of the majority of theexecutive committee.
Section 2 - The time and place for all meetings of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party shall be publicized fully 5 days in advance and in such manner as to assure notice to all interested persons. Such meetings shall be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.
ARTICLE IV - Finances
Section 1No expenditure shall be reimbursed to party officers, volunteers, or employees without the presentation of itemized vouchers. Such vouchers will be honored only if submitted no later than 60 days after the expenditure has been incurred.Other than general operating expenses, reimbursement for expenditures greater than $25 but less than $500 requires prior approval from a party officer or the office manager.Commitment of expenditures greater than $500 must be approved by the executive committee or the general membership prior to reimbursement.Any expenses over $500 must be reported by the executive committee at the next general meeting.
ARTICLE V - Committees
Section 1-The executive committee shall have the power to create committees for specific purposes, whose chairpersons shall be appointed by the County chairperson with the approval of the executive committee.
Section 2 Expenditures for all committees must be approved and paid for in accordance with Article IV Finances by the county organization. Any funds raised by a committee must be turned in to the treasury.
Section 3Standing and
Ad hoc Committees:
a)Each committee shall consist of at least three members in good standing;
b)Each committee member shall be appointed by the chairperson of the party and approved by the executive committee and the membership;
c)To transact business a committee, including the executive committee, must have more than 50% of the voting members present.
d)The chairperson of the party may be in attendance at the committee meetings.He/she shall have full voice and vote.
e)Each committee must report activities to executive
committee and the membership by:
i.maintaining an official file in resource center
ii.recording minutes of activities to be kept on file in resource center
iii.establishing a starting budget, if needed, that is approved by executive committee and or membership.
iv.turning in vouchers or invoices of expenditures and all monies raised or remaining at end of event or responsibilities.
Section 4 Standing committees shall include, but not be limited to the following:Executive Management Committee, Membership Committee, Finance Committee, Resource Center Management Committee, Fundraising Committee, Constitution and By-laws Committee, and a Communications Committee.Each and every committee enabled by the executive committee shall be operated in accordance with Article V, Section 3.
ARTICLEVI - Amendments to the By-laws
Section 1Any proposed amendment to these By-laws may be introduced at any regular meeting of the party.To be acted upon, the proposal must be in written form and read before the assembly of members during that regular meeting.
Section 2 Upon initial presentation of the proposed amendment, the proposal will be tabled for discussion and/or modification at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Section 3Members will be notified of the proposed amendment change in writing, ten days before the next scheduled meeting in which discussion and voting will occur.
Section 4Additions or amendments to these By-laws must be ratified by two/thirds of members voting at that meeting.
ARTICLE VII - Rules of Order
All business shall be conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order, revised edition, except as provided herein and except that the order of business shall be determined by the Chairperson.
ARTICLE VIII - Effect of Inconsistent Provisions
Section 1All provisions of these Bylaws which are inconsistent with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Bylaws and/or the Constitutions of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin shall be null and void.
Section 2These Bylaws shall supersede all previous Bylaws adopted by the Eau Claire County Democratic Party.
ARTICLE IX - Ratification of These By-laws
These By-laws herein shall only be ratified by a two/thirds vote by the membership as prescribed in Article VI.