West County Democrats
St. Louis, Missouri
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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
West County Democrats