BYLAWS OF WEST COUNTY DEMOCRATS
2019-2020
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be West County Democrats.
ARTICLE II: GOVERNANCE
These 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 this organization is to educate its members on issues of public, cultural, or political concern, to encourage members to actively support Democratic candidates for political office, and to support social action projects or community support activities as approved by the membership.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Any person who is interested in the purpose of this organization shall be eligible for membership upon payment of yearly dues. A paid up member shall become a voting member of the organization after attendance at a minimum of one regular or one special meeting of the organization.
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. The amount charged for dues of persons 26 years of age, or less, shall be fifty per cent (50%) of the standard annual dues. A simple majority of the members present is needed to make the change.
Section 3. Continuing Members: Dues of all continuing members are due and 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 (3) members appointed by the Chair shall conduct an annual review of the organization’s finances at the end of the fiscal year. 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.
(page 2 WCD Bylaws/policies)
ARTICLE VII: QUORUM
Section 1. Board of Directors: A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. General Meetings: Fifteen percent (15%) of the membership as of January 31 of the current year shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VIII: OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall be two (2) Co-Chairs, vice-chair for Programs, vice-chair for Membership, secretary and treasurer. All reference to the chair in these bylaws shall refer to the co-chairs. Each officer is entitled to one individual vote.
Section 2. The vice-chair for programs and the secretary shall be elected for two-year terms in even numbered years.
Section 3. The vice-chair for membership and the treasurer shall be elected for two-year terms in odd numbered years.
Section 4. Vacancy in an unexpired term of an officer shall be filled by nomination by the chair, with the consent of the Board.
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, Program: The program vice-chair shall serve as chair of the program committee and in the absence of the Chair perform the Chair’s duties.
Section 3. Vice-Chair Membership: The vice-chair of membership shall serve as chair of the membership committee and in the absence of the Chair and program vice-chair perform the Chair’s duties.
Section 4. Secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of the general meetings of the organization. The minutes shall be submitted to the Chair and made available to the membership.
Section 5. 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. 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 officers and directors shall each serve a two-year term. Vacancy in an unexpired term of a director shall be filled by nomination of the Chair, with the consent of the Board.
(Page 3, WCD Bylaws/Policy)
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. Electronic Voting. The Chair shall have the authority to call for a vote from the Board of Directors by electronic means.
ARTICLE XI: 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 written ballot. The new officers will assume their duties on January 1.
ARTICLE XII: NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Chair will solicit from the Board of Directors names of members to serve on the Nominating Committee. From this list the Chair will select three to serve on the Nominating Committee; one a member of the Board of Directors and two from the general membership. The committee as a whole will select the chair. Nominations shall be presented to the membership at the general meeting in October and voted on at the annual meeting in November.
ARTICLE XIII: OTHER COMMITTEES
Other committees may be established by the Board of Directors as needed.
ARTICLE XIV: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the most 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 or previously approved policies of the West County Democrats.
ARTICLE XV: 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 XVI: 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 this 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 12-14-05, 12-11-06,
2-12-07, 7-14-08, 2-13-12,
12-9-13, 3-9-15, 11-1-16
POLICIES OF WEST COUNTY DEMOCRATS
ARTICLE I: 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 the purposes of the Democratic Party.
Section 2. West County Democrats will lent its name, members’ activities, and/or financial support only to projects, events, organizations, or position statements that are related to the purposes of West County Democrats as stated in the bylaws, Article III Mission Statement. Resolutions for such support will be presented in writing at a regular meeting of the membership (first reading), then discussed by the Board for their recommendation, and read again as a motion at the following regular meeting of the membership (second reading) at which time the Board’s recommendation shall be announced.
Section 3. West County Democrats shall not endorse or sponsor candidates for political office.
ARTICLE II: FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
West County Democrats shall not provide financial support to candidates for political office.
ARTICLE III: MEETINGS
Section 1. Sales or promotions: Items relating to Democratic activities may be placed for sale at designated tables at meetings. Any other items must have the approval of the Chair.
Section 2. A meeting shall be cancelled if the meeting place is closed due to inclement weather. The meeting shall not be rescheduled.
Section 3. Meeting agendas shall be posted on the website.
Section 4. Announcements at meetings shall be limited to three minutes.
ARTICLE IV: OTHER 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 V: AMENDMENTS TO THE POLICIES
Changes in these 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 two weeks before the vote is taken.
Policies Adopted: March 5, 2004
Amended: December 11, 2008
Amended: July 14, 2008