Grand Prairie Democrats By-Laws
ARTICLE I - NAME
This organization's name is the Grand Prairie Democrats.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Section 1
This organization's purpose is to function as an affiliate of the National Democratic Party and perpetuate principles
of democracy.
Section 2
This
organization will endorse and support all Democratic nominees and assist in their election.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
There
will be three categories of membership: regular, non-voting, and honorary.
Section 2
Regular membership is open to persons who adhere to this organization's
principles and goals. Membership is restricted only by payment of dues. Voting privileges are restricted to regular
members whose dues are not more than 30 days in arrears.
Section
3
Non -voting members are members who do not count in determining quorum.
Associate Members. Persons such as Democratic office holders or candidates for Democratic
public office, who may wish to maintain a membership and support the organization, but who are unable to be involved in the
regular meeting and policy making process.
Inactive Members.
A member is moved into inactive status after consecutively missing in excess of fifty percent of scheduled meetings in a six
month period. The member is returned to regular (voting) membership status upon attendance at two consecutively scheduled
meetings.
Section 4
Honorary
members will consist of person placed in this category by a majority of the officer's recommendation and a majority of the
membership, for distinguished service to the Democratic Party. Such membership does not count in quorum.
Section 5
Membership shall run from January 1st
to December 31st of each year. Membership renewals will take place each January. Members joining and
paying dues after June 31st will be a member through December of the following year.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
Section 1
This
organization's officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Parliamentarian. They will be elected in odd
numbered years in January except for the Parliamentarian, who shall be appointed by the President. Officers shall assume
their duties immediately upon election and serve for a two year term. Officers elected in the case of a vacancy will serve
out their predecessor's term.
Section 2
All officers must be registered voters and have voted in the last Democratic primary election.
ARTICLE V - DUES
Section 1
The annual dues shall be $25.00 for a Family Membership, $15.00 for an Individual Membership, and $5.00 for a Student
Membership and Senior Citizen over 65. A Student is defined as anyone holding a current I.D. card from an educational institution.
A 30 day grace period will be allowed, after which time, members not paying their dues will be dropped from the rolls.
ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section
1
The Board of Directors will consist of elected officers, the Parliamentarian and the
Political Action Committee Chairman. Chairs of standing committees, Chairs appointed to any Special Events, and Honorary Directors
will serve as advisory members to the Board, may vote, but do not count toward Board quorum. Honorary Directors will consist
of all past Presidents.
Section 2
A quorum will consist of not less than a majority of the current Board of Directors.
Section 3
If the President is unable to serve a full term, the Vice-President
will assume those duties for the remainder of the term.
Section
4
The Board of Directors will fill vacancies of officers until the next election. This
action shall be ratified by the membership. Any Board member who absents himself from three consecutive Board meetings, without
excuse, can be considered as having resigned.
ARTICLE VII
- COMMITTEES & APPOINTED POSITIONS
Section 1
Committees can be created by the President, with the approval of the Board, to promote the organization's purposes.
Section 2
Committee Chairs will be appointed
by the President. Appointments will be made on the basis of ability and dedication to the principles of the Democratic Party.
Section 3
PAC Treasurer - The PAC Treasurer
will be appointed by the President with ratification of the Board and membership. The PAC Treasurer is responsible to ensure
compliance with the Texas Ethics Commission rules and regulations and the laws of the State of Texas.
ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS
Section 1
Organization
meetings will be called at least four (4) times a year. Members must be notified at least seven (7) days in advance of the
meeting. A quorum will be at least 40% of the membership.
Section
2
Special meetings can be called when deemed necessary by the President or a quorum of
the Board.
Section 3
The
organization shall meet, generally, on the second Saturday of the month in which a meeting is called. The Board of Directors
may alter this time when re-scheduling is deemed necessary.
ARTICLE
IX - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1 (President)
(a)
The President will preside at all meetings of the organization and meetings of the Board.
(b) The President will, with the Treasurer, sign contracts and obligations of the organization. All officers will
have their names on the bank account, which shall require two signatures. In absence of the President, the Vice-President
shall sign with the Treasure. In the absence of the President and Vice-President, the Secretary can sign with the Treasurer.
Section 2 (Vice-President)
(a) The Vice-President
will assume the President's duties when a temporary absence occurs.
(b)
The Vice-President will be responsible for the arrangement of a meeting place.
(c) The Vice-President will be responsible for finding a speaker to speak at each meeting about principles and ideas
germane to the Democratic Party.
Section 3 (Secretary)
(a) The Secretary will be responsible for maintaining and holding a complete record of the organization's minutes.
(b) The Secretary will be responsible for notifying members of all meetings.
Section 4 (Treasurer)
The Treasurer will
be the custodian of the organization's funds, and shall deposit and disburse those funds as directed by the membership.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
Section
1
The by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of
the attending members, or a majority of the membership if written notice of the proposed amendments have been submitted to
the members at least thirty (30) days in advance.
Section
2
Any officer or Board member working against this organization's purpose can be recalled.
A recall must be initiated by a petition bearing the names of at least 20% of the regular members, and be presented to the
Board of Directors one month prior to the recall. Regular members must be notified at least one week prior to the meeting
at which the vote is taken, and two-thirds of the attending members must concur.
ARTICLE XI - BUDGETING & FINANCE
Section 1
A budget will be adopted in January of each year by the Board and submitted to the membership for ratification by
a majority vote.
Section 2
The
Board of Directors may vote by majority vote to spend up to $250.00 two times a year without approval from the membership.
Section 3
An audit committee will be established
prior to each election. The committee will be appointed by the President with ratification by majority vote from the membership
and will consist of two regular members (non-Board members) and the Treasurer.
Section 4
The organization will hold a fundraiser once a year with the monies
being placed into the Political Action Committee or the general fund as determined by the membership.
ARTICLE XII - PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
This organization will follow Robert's
Rules of Order (Revised), except where they conflict with the aforementioned by-laws.
Adopted as Revised April 11 2009
