By-Laws of the Walker County Democrat Club

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ARTICLE I - NAME:

          The name of this organization shall be: WALKER COUNTY DEMOCRAT CLUB      

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ARTICLE II - PURPOSE:

         The purpose of this organization shall be:

          a.  to stimulate in people an active interest in governmental affairs;

          b.  to perpetuate the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party;

          c.  to attract new members to the Democratic Party;

          d.  to help acquaint voters and potential voters with the issues and activities of the Democratic Party;

          e.  to raise money to support the candidates and activities of the

               Democratic Party;

          f.   and to promote, by our efforts, the highest degree of governmental response to public needs.



 

ARTICLE III - POLICY:

          Section 1.  This organization shall neither endorse nor support the candidacy of any person for any public office prior to nomination by the Democratic Party or in any other manner give its influence as an organization to the cause of any candidate or faction of the Party other than in a general election campaign.

       Section 2.  This organization shall support, actively and by appropriate means, the nominees of the Democratic Party in national, state, and local elections.  It shall endeavor to maintain permanent contact with voters hroughout the area and shall function continuously in order that it may contribute to the growth and influence of the Democratic Party

 

ARTICLE IV - POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE:

          The Walker County Democrat Club will be a General Purpose Political Committee governed by the Texas Ethics Commission campaign finance rules. A General Purpose Political Committee can support candidates and measures and is not tied to a specific candidate or specific measure.

 

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP:

          Section 1.  Any person who is a Democrat is eligible for membership.

Section 2.  Membership in Good Standing

          1.  Dues must be paid up and current.

          2.  Dues are due on the first of each April and are expected to be paid promptly.  If the dues are not paid by June 1st, the delinquent member will be notified.  If dues are not paid by July 1st, then that individual’s name will be removed from the membership roll.

 

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS:

          Section 1.  The officers of the club shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. 

          Section 2. The duties of the five officers named above shall be as follows:

          PRESIDENT:  The presiding officer of the club.  Calls and conducts all meetings, appoints committee chairs, acts as liaison with the County Chair and State and National Democratic Parties and keeps informed of political events and schedules.  Makes recommendations for expenditure of club funds for approval by the Executive Committee or the membership.  Directs the Treasurer to make approved expenditures.

          VICE-PRESIDENT:  In the absence of the President, carries out the duties of the President.  Keeps informed by working closely with the President.

          CORRESPONDING SECRETARY:  Keeps the club membership regularly informed about club meetings and activities.  Maintains contact information for other Democrats and other persons favorably disposed to the Democratic Party.  Assists in publicizing club meetings and activities.

          RECORDING SECRETARY:  Maintains complete and accurate records of the club’s activities, including the minutes of each meeting.

          TREASURER:  Administers all funds and maintains complete financial records of the club.  Collects all dues and other funds.  Maintains an up-to-date roster of club membership based on payment of current year’s dues.  Reports the status of finances at each meetings.  Keeps the President advised on all approved financial transactions.  Files appropriate reports with the Texas Ethics Commission.

          Section 3.  ELECTION:  The officers shall be elected Biennially in odd numbered years at the April meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting and shall hold office until the election of their successors.  A nominating committee, appointed by the club president or executive committee, shall submit a slate of officers to the membership.  Additional candidates who are members in good standing may be nominated from the floor.  Voting for the candidates can be either oral or by ballot. The office of President Shall be limited to Three (3) consecutive Two (2) year terms.

         Section 4.  SYSTEMS ADMINSTRATOR: In addition to the elected officers named above, a System Administrator who will maintain all of the club’s Web Pages, Social Media Outlets, Electronic Communications and all IT Services, to be selected by appointment of the Club President with the approval of the Executive Committee. This Officer will serve as ex officio member of the Executive Committee.

                Section 5. Board of Trustees: The Walker County Democrat Club shall also consist of a Board of Trustees to be elected to 1 year, 2 year and 3-year terms. The Board of Trustees shall be for the purpose of and Annual Audit of the Clubs Operations and Finances, and also that the Club is conducting it affairs in accordance with Federal, State and Club Bylaws.  The Annual Audit is conducted in the month of January of each year, and prepared and presented to the Club at the February General meeting.

 

ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

          Section 1.  The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the organization and the Walker Democratic County Chair as an ex officio, nonvoting member. The Executive Committee shall meet at the pleasure of the President, normally to set the agenda for scheduled meetings or to discuss emergency or pressing business that cannot wait for the regular meeting.  The President may schedule other members to attend the Executive Committee meetings, but only the elected officers of the organization may vote.  An Executive Committee meeting may be conducted by conference call or email, if needed or desired. 

          Section 2.  Quorum: a majority of the elected officers shall constitute a quorum.

          Section 3.  The Executive Committee may vote to expend funds and approve expenditures up to $500.  Expenditures for items or activities of over $500 must be approved by vote of the club membership.  Only in case of an emergency may the Executive Committee approve an expenditure above $500.  If such funds for an emergency are expended, the President must report the circumstances to the club membership at the next scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE VIII – Board of Trustees:

            Section 1. The Walker County Democrat Club shall also consist of a Board of Trustees to be elected to 1 year, 2  year and 3 year term

 

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES:

          Section 1.  Committees shall consist of the following:

          1.  Nominating - Appointed by the President or Executive Committee prior to the April election;

          2.  Special Event - Appointed by the President or Executive Committee;

          3.  Any other committee as deemed necessary

          Section 2.  All committee chairs serve at the pleasure of the President.   Committee members serve at the pleasure of the Committee Chair.

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ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS:

          Section 1.  Meetings shall be held on a regular basis; the day, time, and place to be decided on a regular basis.

          Section 2.  Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee.  The date, time, place, and purpose for any special called meeting will be publicized to the membership.

          Section 3.  Any regular meeting date may be cancelled or rescheduled for a good reason, if proposed to the membership by the Executive Committee and approved by a majority vote of those members in attendance at a prior regular meeting.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X - DUES:  A modest membership fee shall set by vote at a regular meeting.

 

ARTICLE XI - VOTING:

          Section 1.  All decisions that are made by the general membership of the organization shall be by a majority vote of members in attendance and voting at a regular meeting, except in those instances where a quorum is defined and specified in these by-laws.

          Section 2.  Only members in good standing shall be eligible to vote.

 

 

ARTICLE XII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY:

          The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the club’s activities.  A parliamentarian may be appointed by the President.

 

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS:

          Upon petition of not fewer than five members, amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed, and not less than 30 days thereafter may be ratified if agreed to by an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the members in good standing present and voting.  A quorum for this purpose shall be one more than one-half of the membership.

 

ARTICLE XIV - LIAISON WITH THE COUNTY CHAIR:

          Realizing that the Walker County Democratic County Chair incurs expenses, the club will endeavor to help with these expenses if money is available.  Any club funds expended by the County Chair must be pre-approved by a majority of the membership present and voting at a regular meeting or by the Executive Committee in accordance with Article VII.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV - FUND TRANSFER IN CASE OF DISSOLUTION:

          If and when/or at such time as the Walker County Democrat Club disbands, after payment of all fiscal obligations, the balance in the club treasury shall be dispensed by the Executive Committee in accordance with the policies of the Texas Ethics Commission campaign finance rules.

These By-Laws, comprised of fifteen articles, were approved by the membership on the 12th day of July 2022, by unanimous vote.

President:   Nick Ransford

Vice-president: Dorothy Willett

Corresponding Secretary:  Nick Ransford (Acting)

Recording Secretary:  Dorothy Willett (acting)

Treasurer:  John Michael Adams   

 

Note:  The original by-laws were created on August 11, 1997, and signed by Hattye Owens, President; Dorothy H. Shandera, Vice-President; Dorothy Morgan, Secretary; and Fiona K. Massey, Treasurer.