9th District Democratic Party By-Laws

By Tim Greimel, 9th District Democratic Party Chair
Thursday, February 10, 2011

I think it's important for everyone to have a copy of the 9th District Party's bylaws before this Saturday's caucus meeting. They are below in the body of this message. Please keep this copy after this Saturday's meeting if you think you'll have reason to reference the bylaws in the future.

Among other things, the bylaws contain the job descriptions for the 9th District Party's officer positions. (See Article VI of the bylaws.)

In addition, please note the new Article V, Section 5 of the bylaws, which was added at our January 6, 2011 executive committee meeting. It states that those planning to propose resolutions for consideration at a 9th District Party meeting must give notice to the chairperson of the 9th District Party at least 7 days before the date on which the chairperson must send out the agenda for that meeting.

Since agendas must be sent out at least 5 days before a meeting, this rule means that proposed resolutions must be presented in writing to the chairperson at least 12 days before the date of the meeting at which they will be considered. We were very flexible about this at our January 29, 2011 9th District Party convention because the rule was new, but that does not mean that the party will necessarily be flexible about it in the future.

As always, please e-mail or call me with any questions.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Tim Greimel, Chair
9th Congressional District Democratic Party
(248) 425-7525

9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC PARTY
BY-LAWS 2009

ARTICLE I. NAME

This organization shall be known as the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party. It shall consist of the District Executive Committee, the District Committee, and all members of the Michigan Democratic Party and all duly elected Democratic precinct delegates residing in the 9th Congressional District.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party is to promote the philosophy of the Democratic Party; to elect Democrats who support this philosophy; and, further, to unite behind and to aid in the activities of all Party members, precinct delegates, committees, officeholders, candidates, and all other Democrats working to promote wide and active participation in the Democratic Party.

ARTICLE III. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Section 1. All public meetings of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party at all levels shall be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or disability.

Section 2. No tests for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party shall be required or used which have the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone, or support discrimination on the grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or disability.

Section 3. The time and place for all public meetings of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party, on all levels shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.

Section 4. The 9th Congressional District Democratic Party, on all levels, shall support the broadest possible participation without discrimination on grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or disability.

Section 5. The 9th Congressional District Democratic Party shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a full description of the legal and practical procedures for selection of 9th Congressional District Democratic Party Officers and representatives on all levels.

Publication of those procedures shall be done in such a fashion that all prospective and current members of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedure in time to participate in each election procedure at all levels of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party organization.

Section 6. The 9th Congressional District Democratic Party shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications for all Officers and representatives of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party.

Such publication shall be done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.

Section 7. Proportional voting shall be used in the election of delegates and alternates to any Convention, delegates and alternates of the Democratic State Central Committee, and members of the Executive Committeeand officers of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party.

Section 8. All rules and bylaws of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party, at all levels, shall be available, upon request, to any member of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party, and shall be consistent with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Section 9. The unit rule or any rule or practice whereby all members of a party unit or delegation may be required to cast their votes in accordance with the will of a majority of the body shall not be permitted, and is prohibited at all levels of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party.

Section 10. No rule shall be adopted at any level of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party which would require a person to cast a vote or be recorded as voting contrary to that person’s judgment.

Section 11. On all questions of procedure not resolved by the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party or these Bylaws, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used.

Section 12. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of any unit, committee, caucus, or Convention of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party shall be of the opposite sex.

Section 13. Votes shall not be taken by secret ballot at any meeting of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party at any level.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party shall consist of all 9th Congressional District Democratic Party precinct delegates; members of the Michigan Democratic Party residing in the 9th Congressional District; and the members of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party Executive Committee, all of whom must be members of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Section 2. Precinct delegates shall be apportioned and selected in accordance with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Section 3. The Officers and Executive Committee shall be selected in accordance with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Section 1. The Regular meetings of the 9th Congressional District Executive Committee shall be held at least six (6) times each calendar year at the date, time and place designated in the meeting notice. At least five (5) days notice shall be given of the date, time and place of the meeting. Notice may be given by mail, fax or e-mail.

The Regular meetings shall be at the call of the Chairperson. A quorum shall exist at an Executive Committee meeting when one-third (1/3) of the Officers are present and 20% of the membership of the Executive Committee is present.

Section 2. The full 9th Congressional District Democratic Party shall meet at least four (4) times each calendar year to review the activities of the Executive Committee. At least five (5) days notice shall be given of the date, time and place of the meeting. Notice may be given by mail, fax or e-mail.

Section 3. Special meetings of the Executive Committee or the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party may be called by the Chairperson, or a majority of the members or officers, present and voting, of the Executive Committee or the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party, respectively. At least five (5) days notice shall be given of the date, place, time and purpose of the Special meeting. Notice may be given by mail, fax or e-mail.

Section 4. Subject to the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party and these Bylaws, all meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order (latest edition).

Section 5. Any proposed resolution to be voted on during a meeting shall first be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party no later than the seventh day preceding the date required in these Bylaws for distribution of that meeting’s agenda.

The text of a proposed resolution shall be distributed with the agenda for the meeting at which it will be offered. The submitter of a proposed resolution may fulfill the “in writing” requirement by using either printed or electronic transmission of the full text of their proposed resolution.

Any proposed resolution that has not met the requirements of this Section will be ruled out of order. However, those present and voting at a meeting may decide by a two-thirds (2/3rds) majority vote to allow its consideration during that meeting without the requisite seven (7) days notice as long as the submitter brings an adequate number of written copies of the proposed resolution to the meeting.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AND DISTRICT COMMITTEE

Section 1. During January or February of each odd-numbered year a 9th Congressional District Democratic Party Caucus or Convention will be held, on the date set by the State Central Committee, to elect the following officers: Chairperson, 1st Vice Chairperson of the opposite sex from the Chairperson, 2ND, 3RD and 4th Vice Chairpersons, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, four (4) Officers-At-Large, and (at least) thirty (30) members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may elect additional officers.

If a vacancy occurs on the Executive Committee or among the Officers, the Executive Committee has the authority to fill the vacancy. The Executive Committee shall have regularly scheduled meetings pursuant to Article V, Section 1, and they shall keep minutes of all meetings. Those minutes shall be available to all 9th Congressional District Democratic Party members at the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party meetings held pursuant to Article V, Section 2.

Section 2.

(a) The seats on the Executive Committee shall be allocated proportionally to each Democratic Party club area consisting of a portion of the geographic area of the 9th Congressional District.

In a year immediately following a presidential election, each Democratic Party club area will be allocated a percentage of 30 seats on the Executive Committee equal to that club area's percentage of the votes received by the Democratic presidential nominee in the entire 9th Congressional District.

In a year immediately following a gubernatorial election, each Democratic Party club area will be allocated a percentage of 30 seats on the Executive Committee equal to that club area's percentage of the votes received by the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in the entire 9th Congressional District.

Fractional allocations of .5 or more will be rounded up to the nearest whole number. Fractional allocations of less than .5 will be rounded down to the nearest whole number, unless doing so would result in a club area being allocated 0 seats, in which case that club area shall be allocated 1 seat.

(b) The total number of seats on the Executive Committee shall be 30, plus any additional seats that may be necessary to ensure that each and every club area is allocated at least 1 seat, and to ensure that all fractional allocations of .5 or more will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

(c) Members of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party residing in each Democratic Party club area shall elect the members of the Executive Committee from that club area at the same biannual meeting at which the officers of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party are elected.

Section 3. Within thirty (30) days following the election of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall meet to adopt or re-adopt bylaws (by majority vote), and pass a resolution indicating its acceptance of the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party. The Officers of the Executive Committee shall serve as Officers of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party.

Between meetings of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and perform all the duties of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party, including the filling of vacancies in nominations as prescribed by law.

Section 4. The Chairperson shall preside at all Executive Committee and 9th Congressional District Democratic Party meetings, and officer meetings, and shall have such other duties as are usual to the office of District Chairperson, or that may be required by this organization.

Section 5. The 1st Vice Chairperson must be the opposite sex of the Chairperson, and assist the Chairperson in carrying out his/her responsibilities. The 1st Vice Chairperson shall preside at meetings in the absence of the Chairperson, and shall assume and fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the event the position of Chairperson becomes vacant. The additional Vice Chairpersons shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chairperson.

Section 6. The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate record and minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Executive Committee, 9th Congressional District Democratic Party and officer meetings. He/she shall keep and preserve all the books, documents, correspondence, records, minutes, effects and any other property of this organization. When a new Recording Secretary is elected, the past Recording Secretary shall forthwith deliver all preserved records to the new Recording Secretary.

Section 7. The Corresponding Secretary shall see that proper notification is given to the Officers, Executive Committee, and 9th Congressional District Democratic Party of their meetings. He/she should be capable of dealing with technology as it affects our organization. The Corresponding Secretary shall be a member of the Campaign, Membership and Communications Committee

Section 8. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial receipts and disbursements of this organization subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. The funds of this organization shall be deposited in banks or credit unions such that all deposits are federally insured, and may be drawn upon by the Treasurer or the Chairperson.

The Treasurer shall make reports to the Executive Committee as the Committee directs, and, either prepare and timely file the campaign finance reports, or oversee that they are properly prepared and timely filed. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Finance and Fundraising Committee. When a new Treasurer is elected, the past Treasurer shall forthwith deliver all preserved financial records to the new Treasurer.

Section 9. The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for maintaining order at meetings of the Officers, the Executive Committee and the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party Meetings. As part of this charge, the Parliamentarian is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party, these Bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. The Parliamentarian shall be a member of the Rules, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.

Section 10. The Officer-At-Large positions shall be filled to bring balance to the Officers Committee based on geography, sex, and skills. An Officer-At-Large shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chairperson.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Chairperson shall appoint the committees and committee chairpersons necessary for the work of the organization.

Section 2. Standing Committees shall include the following:

1. Rules, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee
2. Finance andFundraisingCommittee
3. Campaign, Membership and Communications Committee
4. Program and Events Committee

These committees shall include any necessary and appropriate subcommittees. The Chairperson of the 9th Congressional District Democratic Party shall be an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees.

ARTICLE VIII. ORDER OF BUSINESS

At meetings, the business of the organization shall proceed in the following order:

1. Roll Call of Officers
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
3. Reports of Officers
   a. Chair
   b. Vice Chair
   c. Treasurer (Financial Report)
   d. Secretary (Correspondence)
4. Reports of Committees
5. Unfinished Business
6. Postponed Business
7. New Business
8. Good and Welfare
9. Adjournment

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The Rules, Bylaws and Resolutions Committee shall report its recommendations for any amendments to the next Regular Executive Committee or Special meeting called for this purpose.

Section 2. At any time after the adoption or re-adoption of these bylaws (pursuant to Article VI, Section 3), these bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3rds) majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee present and voting at a Special meeting called for this purpose.

Section 3. These bylaws shall be in full force and effect upon their adoption and shall supersede all bylaws, rules, motions, and policies of a contrary nature with the exception of the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.