Preamble of the By-laws for the Eau Claire County Democratic Party

The Eau Claire County Democratic Party is an established and recognized charter affiliate with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and the National Democratic Committee.  All business and representation conducted by the Eau Claire County Democratic Party is in accordance with and by the authority of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and the By-laws of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party.  Elected officers, appointed representative and members at large imply and affirm that all practices and deeds comply with the constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin and all laws therein.

Mission Statement

The Eau Claire County Democratic Party is founded on the ideal of pluralistic representation and inalienable participation in governing.  The Democratic Party of Eau Claire County will further strive to enjoin and enable members as well the general public to actively promote and support political candidates that best represent progressive achievement in public office. Be it also our virtue to service as a voice and viable venue in effecting public policy and the creation of laws.

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. 

Section 2  The 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 or 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 - Confederation of the By-laws

Section 1  The By-laws for the Eau Claire County Democratic Party shall be codified, articulated and so practiced so as to be in compliance with By-laws of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Section 2  The authority to govern and administer the duties of Office for the Eau Claire County Democratic Party shall be  vested by the election of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and five at-large board members.

Section 3 –All elections and execution of duties of office will be conducted in compliance with ARTICLE VI – County taken from the “BY-LAWS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN”.

ARTICLE III - Elections

Section 1  Notices 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. A person’s legal or voting residence shall be used to determine eligibility for voting membership in the county.

Section 2   If 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 3  In an election for a group of identical offices, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

Section 4 There shall be no absentee ballots. 

ARTICLE IV-Meetings

Section 1  Regularly scheduled meetings for which notice has been sent shall not be canceled arbitrarily by the chairperson without consent of the executive committee.

Section 2  All public meetings at all levels of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party are open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or economic status.

Section 3 - 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 V - Finances

Section 1   No 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 $150 requires prior approval from a party officer or the office manager. Expenses greater than $150 must be approved by the executive board or the general membership prior to reimbursement.

ARTICLE VI - Committees

Section 1-    The executive committee of the County shall have the power to create committees for specific purposes, whose chairpersons shall be appointed by the local County chairperson with the approval of the executive committee.

Section 2   All expenses for all committees must be approved and paid for by the county organization. Any funds raised by a committee must be turned in to the treasury.

Section 3 Standing 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) The chair of each committee will be appointed by the executive committee.

d) To transact business a committee must have more than 50% of the members present.

e) Each committee must report activities to executive committee and the membership by:

a. maintaining an official file in resource center

b. record minutes of activities to be kept on file in resource center

c. establishing a starting budget, if needed, that is approved by executive committee and or membership.

d. turn in vouchers or invoices of expenditures and all monies raised or remaining at end of event or responsibilities.

f) The chairperson of the party may be in attendance at the committee meetings.  He/she shall have full voice and vote.

Section 4  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 VI, Section 3.

ARTICLE VII Amendments to the By-laws

Section 1 Any 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 a 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 3                Members 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 4            Additions or amendments to the By-laws must ratified by a two/thirds of members attending the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - 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 IX - Effect of Inconsistent Provisions

Section 1              All provisions of the Bylaws which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitutions of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin shall be null and void.

Section 2              These Bylaws shall supersede all previous Bylaws adopted by the Eau Claire County Democratic Party.

 ARTICLE X - Ratification of These By-laws

These By-laws herein shall only be ratified by a two/thirds vote by the board and a two/thirds vote by the membership attending as prescribed in Article VII.