Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Brownstown
Democratic Club.
Section 2. The purpose of this club shall be to provide the
Democrats in Brownstown an organization through which they can carry on
political activities according to their determination, compatible with
the activities, principles and philosophy of the Democratic Party and in
cooperation with the Democratic Party at all levels of the organization.
The objectives of the club shall be to foster interest and participation
of the Democratic electorate in Brownstown and in all levels of
government and political activity.
Article II
Membership and Dues
Section 1. Membership shall be open to those persons
demonstrating an interest in advancing the goals and objectives of the
club.
Section 2. Membership dues shall be $10.00 for a regular
membership. Student and Senior Citizen dues shall be $5.00. Club dues
may be waived by the President and Treasurer jointly upon a showing of
financial hardship. Dues shall be payable yearly.
Section 3. Applicants for club membership shall be approved by
a vote of the general membership.
Article III
Elections
Section 1. Only duly accredited and paid members of the club
shall have the right to elect officers of the club or have a vote
concerning any activity of the club. Only residents of Brownstown
Township can be elected an Officer in the club.
Section 2. Officers and Board members shall be elected at
annual elections to be held at the November meeting of every year.
Section 3. Elections shall be by secret ballot and a simple
majority shall elect a candidate to any office.
Section 4. Nominations for any office shall be made at the
general membership meeting at which the election is held. Nominations
may also be made by a nominating committee appointed by the President.
Article IV
Officers
Section 1. Officers of the club shall consist of a President,
Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer,
and four (4) Trustees. These officers shall also comprise the Executive
Board.
Section 2. The President shall preside over regular and special
meetings of the general membership and the Executive Board. The
President shall appoint committee members and chairs. He or she shall
serve as an ex-officio member of all committees and carry out such other
duties and business that are normal to the office of President.
Section 3. The Vice-President shall preside over meetings in
the absence of the President. In the event that the President is unable
to fulfill his or her duties, the Vice-President shall fulfill the
duties of the President during the incapacity. The Vice-President shall
assume the office of President upon the death or resignation of the
President.
Section 4. The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate
record of all minutes of all general membership and Executive Board
meetings.
Section 5. The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for
the club correspondence.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of the
finances of the organization and carry on all monetary transactions of
the club upon approval of the general membership and/or the Executive
Board. The funds of the club shall be deposited in a chartered bank and
shall be drawn only be checks signed by the Treasurer and either the
President or Vice-President. The Treasurer shall, upon demand of the
Executive Board, produce his or her books and records for examination
and audit. At the end of the Treasurer’s tenure in office, three
trustees appointed by the Executive Board shall make an audit of the
books and records. Upon a completed and approved audit, they shall sign
a statement declaring same, providing copies to the outgoing and
incoming Treasurer.
Section 7. All official correspondence and mail shall be signed
by the President and/or Corresponding Secretary and copies kept on file
by the Corresponding Secretary.
Section 8. Upon death or resignation of any officer other than
President, the President shall appoint a replacement to fill out the
term, subject to approval by the membership at the next meeting.
Article V
Executive Board
Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to
execute the policies of the club and to carry out the membership’s
instructions.
Section 2. A quorum for an Executive Board meeting shall
consist of a simple majority of the Board. The highest-ranking officer
shall chair the meeting.
Article VI
Meetings
Section 1. General membership meetings shall be held as
designated by the Executive Board. The club shall meet at least four
times every year.
Section 2. A quorum for any general membership meeting shall be
twelve (12) persons.
Article VII
Amendments and By-laws
Section 1. Amendments to these By-Laws shall be presented in
writing and introduced at a general membership meeting. Notice of a vote
on the proposed amendment (along with the language proposed) shall be
made to the membership for the next meeting following introduction. A
two-thirds vote of the membership at that meeting is needed for passage.
Section 2. These By-Laws shall be effective upon approval of a
majority vote of the members of the club.
Section 3. The club may adopt rules to help run the club by a
two-thirds vote of the membership.
Article VIII
Club Conduct
Section 1. No officers or members of this club shall
discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, or sexual orientation
on matters within this organization.
Article IX
Rules
Section 1. Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail in matters not
addressed by these By-Laws and adopted rules.
Article X
Chartering
Section 1. This club shall charter with and be active within
the Sixteenth District Democratic Organization. In the event the club is
dissolved, all assets shall revert to the benefit of the Sixteenth
District Organization. No endorsement of the club for elective office
shall conflict with them.
These By-Laws agreed to and ratified on ___________________________.
