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BYLAWS OF THE WEST COUNTY DEMOCRATS
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be West County Democrats.
ARTICLE II: GOVERNMENT
The Bylaws shall govern this organization in all practices.
ARTICLE III: MISSION STATEMENT
West County Democrats was formed by a group of concerned citizens. The
purpose of the organization is to educate the members on the issues and
to encourage members to actively support Democratic candidates for
political office.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Any person who is interested in the purpose of this organization shall
be eligible for membership upon payment of the yearly dues.
ARTICLE V: FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and
end on December
31.
Section 2. Amount of Dues: Dues shall be set by the members of the
organization at the annual meeting based on a recommendation by the
Board of Directors. A simple majority of the members present is needed
to make a change.
Section 3. Continuing Members: Dues of all continuing members are
payable on or before January 1. A member whose dues remain unpaid after
April 1 shall be dropped from membership.
Section 4. New Members: New members may join throughout the year upon
payment of annual dues.
Section 5. Annual Audit: A committee of three members appointed by the
Chair shall conduct an annual review of the organization's finances at
the end of the fiscal year (December 31). A written report shall then
be sent to the Chair for presentation to the members at the February
meeting.
Section 6. Annual Budget: The annual budget shall be approved by the
Board of Directors and presented at the annual meeting for adoption by
the members.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Section 1. General Meetings: Meetings shall be held monthly. Time and
location will be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Board of Directors' Meetings: The Board of Directors shall
meet prior to the annual meeting. Additional meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be called by the Chair as needed.
Section 3. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting shall be held in November.
ARTICLE VII: QUORUM
Section 1. Board of Directors: A simple majority of the Board of
Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. General Meetings: Twenty-five percent of the membership, as
of January 31 of the current year, shall constitute a quorum of all
general membership meetings.
ARTICLE VIII: ROTATION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall be
Co-Chairs, Co-Vice Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer. A Chair and a
Vice Chair shall be elected each year for a two year term to succeed
the corresponding officer. All reference to the Chair in the
Bylaws shall refer to the Co-Chairs; all reference to the Vice Chair in
these Bylaws shall refer to the Co-Vice Chairs. Each officer is
entitled to one individual vote.
Section 2. The Secretary shall be elected for a two year term in even
numbered years.
Section 3. The Treasurer shall be elected for a two year term in odd
numbered years.
ARTICLE IX: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Chair: The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the
organization and all meetings of the Board of Directors. With the
exception of the Nominating Committee, the Chair shall appoint the
chairs of all committees and be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 2. Vice Chair: The Vice Chair shall, in the absence of
the Chair, perform the Chair’s duties. Section 3. Secretary: The
Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the organization
and a copy of these minutes shall be submitted to the Chair.
Copies of the minutes shall be made available to the members if desired.
Section 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all
monies of the organization. The Treasurer shall keep full and
accurate records of all monies and make a report at each meeting.
A yearly report shall be made at the annual meeting. All books and
records shall be turned over to the new Treasurer at the end of the
retiring Treasurer’s term.
ARTICLE X: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Membership: The Board of Directors shall be composed
of the elected officers, the immediate past Chair and six elected
Directors. All members of the Board of Directors shall be members of
West County Democrats.
Section 2. Duties: The Board of Directors shall manage and
supervise the business and activities of the organization. The board
shall create special committees and task forces as needed.
Section 3. The six Directors shall serve a two year term.
Section 4. Meetings: A meeting of the Board of Directors shall be
held prior to the Annual meeting and whenever deemed necessary by the
Chair.
Section 5. Quorum: A quorum of the Board of Directors
meeting shall be a majority of its members. Section 6. Executive
Committee: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the
elected officers and shall act in the interim between Board of
Directors’ meetings. The Executive Committee shall exercise such
power and authority as may be delegated to it by the Board of Directors
and shall report to the Board of Directors on all actions taken by it
between regular meetings of the Board. The Committee shall meet
at the call of the Chair or at the written request of one member of the
Executive Committee. At least one day’s notice must be given.
Section 7. Immediate Past Chair: The immediate Past Chair
shall serve as advisor and a non-voting member to the Board of
Directors and the Executive Committee.
Section 8. Electronic Voting: The Chair shall have the authority to
call for a vote from the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee
by electronic means.
ARTICLE XI: STANDING COMMITTEES
These committees shall be approved by the Board of Directors as needed.
ARTICLE XII: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
There shall be a Nominating Committee. Other special committees shall
be established by the Board of Directors as needed.
ARTICLE XIII: NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Chair will solicit from the Board of Directors names of people to
serve on the Nominating Committee. From this list the Chair will
select three people to serve on the Nominating Committee. One
person will be a member of the Board of Directors and two will be from
the general membership. The Committee Chair shall be elected by
the committee members. Nominations shall be presented to the
membership at the general meeting in October and voted on at the annual
meeting in November.
ARTICLE XIV: ELECTIONS
The election of officers and directors shall take place at the annual
meeting in November. At this time nominations may be presented from the
floor with prior consent from the nominee. Elections may be made by
voice vote when a candidate is unopposed. If there are two or more
candidates for a particular office, the vote shall be taken by ballot.
The new officers will assume their duties on January 1.
ARTICLE XV: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of
Order: Newly Revised shall govern this organization in all
instances in which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and
voting at any monthly meeting of the organization or at any special
meeting called for this purpose. The proposed amendment shall have been
presented in writing at the previous meeting.
ARTICLE XVII: DISSOLUTION
The West County Democrats shall use its funds and/or properties to
accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these Bylaws, and
no part of said funds and/or properties shall revert, or be distributed
to the members of the organization. On dissolution of the organization,
any funds and/or properties remaining shall be distributed to the
Missouri Democratic Party.
Bylaws Adopted: March 5, 2004
Amended: December 14, 2005
Amended: December 11, 2006
Amended: February 12, 2007
Amended: July 14, 2008
POLICIES OF THE WEST
COUNTY DEMOCRATS
The articles and section numbers of these policies correspond with the
West County Democrats Bylaws for cross referencing.
ARTICLE I: NAME
ARTICLE II: GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE III: MISSION STATEMENT
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership list will be distributed to all current
members after April 1. The membership list will not be given to anyone
except for purposes of the Democratic Party.
Section 2. West County Democrats will lend its name and/or financial
support as a sponsor or co-sponsor only to activities and organizations
which are related to the West County Democrats mission. This must be
approved by the membership at a regular meeting. These requests shall
be presented as a motion to the membership at one meeting. The
Board will then review the motion at a Board meeting or by electronic
means. At the next membership meeting, the Board shall make its
recommendation and after a discussion, the membership will vote to
accept or reject the motion.
Section 3. Requests for West County Democrats to join other
organizations shall be presented to the Board. If approved by the
Board, such requests shall be presented to the membership at one
meeting and voted on at the next meeting
Section 4. West County Democrats shall not endorse or sponsor
candidates for political office.
ARTICLE V: FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Addendum: West County Democrats shall not provide financial support to
candidates for political office.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Section 1: General meetings: Meetings shall be held on the second
Monday of the month. The location of the meetings shall be determined
by the Board of Directors.
Addendum: Sales or Promotions: Items relating to Democratic activities
may be
placed for sale at designated tables at the meetings. Any other items
must have the approval of the chair.
Addendum: A meeting shall be cancelled if the meeting place is closed
due to
inclement weather. The meeting shall not be rescheduled.
Addendum: Meeting agendas shall be posted on the website.
Addendum: Announcements at meetings shall be limited to three minutes
each.
ARTICLE VII: QUORUM
ARTICLE VIII: ROTATION OF OFFICERS
ARTICLE IX: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
ARTICLE X: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ARTICLE XI: STANDING COMMITTEES
ARTICLE XII: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Jo Ann Fox Hughes award committee shall consist of the current
recipient and three members appointed by the Chair. The guidelines
adopted by the membership shall be used in the selection process.
ARTICLE XIII: NOMINATING COMMITTEE
ARTICLE XIV: ELECTIONS
ARTICLE XV: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE XVII: DISSOLUTION
AMENDMENTS TO THE POLICIES
Changes in the West County Democrats policies, addition, deletion, or
amendment shall be passed by a majority vote of the membership present
at a regular meeting. Members shall be notified in writing of
proposed changes at least two weeks before the vote is taken.
Policies Adopted: March 5, 2004
Amended: December 11, 2006
Amended: July 14, 2008
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