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MCDCC By-Laws
 
Mason County Democratic Central Committee By-laws
PREAMBLE
The purpose of this organization is to foster and promote the principles of the Democratic party, to promote the efficiency of government, to further the success of the Democratic Party in all National, State, and County Elections, to educate our own members and the public in the principles of the Democratic Party, to advance the cause of peace, to support elected Democratic officials, and to bring to prosperity, happiness and security to our people.
ARTICLE 1 - NAME AND MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Name
The official name of the organization shall be the MASON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE. The organization may also be referred to as the Mason County Democrats.
Section 2: Governing Body
The MCDCC governing body consists of all duly elected and appointed Precinct Committee Officers and members of the Executive Board and Officers. All Democratic officials in Mason County, the 35th Legislative District, and the 6th Congressional District shall be members of the Central Committee.
Section 3: Membership
Any resident of Mason County who declares him/herself a Democrat may become a member upon payment of annual dues. Such members are welcome and entitled to participate in discussions, vote on issues and perform all duties except those limited to PCOs by state statute. Dues will be paid at the time of joining and be renewable in February of each year. The MCDCC shall establish the amount of annual dues by the January meeting of each calendar year.
ARTICLE II –PRECINCT COMMITTEE OFFICERS
Section 1: PCO Duties
As prescribed under RCW 29.42, it is the duty and responsibility of Precinct Committeepersons to: Attend all Central Committee meetings and participate in the conduct of its affairs; Identify the location for, notify the public of, convene and Chair the biennial Party Precinct caucus in accordance with state law and the party charter; Attend all legislative District caucus meetings in the District in which they reside, and through their participation elect a District Chair, Vice-Chair, and two representatives to the State Central Committee; Recruit and recommend to the County Chair the names of persons willing to serve as Election Board workers; Canvass, doorbell, arrange coffee hours, poll watch, and perform other activities to help elect Democrats; Elect the officers of the Central Committee no later than the second Saturday of January in odd-numbered years, the term of office to run for two years.
Section 2: PCO Vacancies
In accordance with State Law, the Chairperson may make appointments to fill precinct vacancies subject to approval by the Central Committee, following a personal appearance of the proposed committeeperson before the Executive Committee prior to 30 days before an election, unless excused for a bona fide reason. All elected and appointed Precinct Committee Officers shall take the oath of office.
Section 3: Deputy PCOs
The Committee Chairperson or the Precinct Committee Officer may designate in writing a Deputy Precinct Committee Officer to serve at meetings where that member is unable to attend. The name of the Deputy Precinct Committee Officer shall be filed with the Secretary and will remain in effect until revoked by the member or the Committee Chairperson. The Deputy Precinct Committee Officer shall be a registered voter. A Deputy Precinct Committee Officer will NOT be allowed to vote at the biannual organizational meeting or have the right to vote on the dismissal or recall of any officer of the Central Committee, or the Committee Chairperson.
ARTICLE III - OFFICERS
Section 1:
The officers of the organization shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, State Committeeman and State Committeewoman, Parliamentarian and Sergeant-at-Arms. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be of the opposite sex. Each such officer shall perform the customary duties of his respective office. All officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Precinct Committeepersons present at the biennial organizational meeting and shall serve until the time of convening the succeeding biennial organizational meeting. Any citizen Democrat may hold office. The Central Committee shall operate under the old By-laws until new By-laws have been approved.
Section 2:
In the event of a vacancy in any elective office for any reason, an election by ballot may be held to fill the said vacancy at the next meeting of the Central Committee. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chairperson for any reason, the Vice-Chairperson shall automatically assume the duties and hold the office of Chairperson until an election is held at the next meeting of the Central Committee. The Secretary shall notify in writing all Precinct Committee Officers of the vacancy and the forthcoming election.
ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1:
The Chairperson shall preside over the Executive Committee and all meetings of the Central Committee. The Chairperson shall not customarily vote, except on ballot issues, in order to maintain a position of impartiality. Under most circumstances, the chair shall appoint all standing and ad-hoc committees. The Chairperson shall be the chief executive and chief information officer of the Central Committee.
Section 2:
The Vice-Chairperson shall perform such duties as usually pertain to that office or as may be assigned by the Chairperson of the Executive Board. The Vice-Chairperson shall preside when the Chairperson is absent. The Vice-Chairperson shall serve as the chief program officer of the Central Committee.
Section 3:
The Secretary shall keep a roll of the members, a record of their attendance, and all minutes of each regular, and special meetings, shall keep all correspondence received, and keep a copy of all correspondence sent out by the Central Committee ’s as part of the permanent records, keeps copies of the By-laws available, mails notice of all monthly and special meetings to members at least 5 (five) days prior to meeting dates. The Secretary shall maintain accurate phone lists for the purpose of best mobilizing Democrats to use the Legislative Hotline. The Secretary shall be the chief administrative officers of the Central Committee.
Section 4:
The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds coming into the custody of the Central Committee. The Treasurer shall keep complete books of account which accurately reflect the receipts, expenditures, assets and liabilities of the committee, and make all reports required by State and Federal Laws and regulations. All monies received on behalf of the Committee shall be deposited by the Treasurer in a bank selected by the Executive Committee. The books of the Treasurer shall be audited annual by a committee appointed by the Chairperson, and an annual written financial report be issued at the January meeting to the Central Committee as a whole. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Central Committee.
Section 5:
The State Committeeman and the State Committeewoman shall represent the county at all meetings of the Democratic State Central Committee and report the activities of such committee to the Mason County Central Committee. These representatives may select an alternate form the membership of the Central Committee to carry their written proxy to enable the designated alternate to vote at state meetings. The State Committeeman and the State Committeewoman shall be the chief policy officers of the Central Committee.
Section 6:
The Parliamentarian shall advise the Chairperson, other officers and Central Committee members on matters of parliamentary procedures. The Parliamentarian ’s role during meetings will be that of an advisory to the Chairperson. It is the duty of the Parliamentarian -as inconspicuously as possible-to call the attention of the Chairperson to any error in the proceedings that may affect the substantive rights of any member or may otherwise do harm. The Parliamentarian has the same duty as the Chairperson to maintain a position of impartiality, and therefore shall not vote on any question except in the case of a ballot vote. he Parliamentarian shall be the chief protocol officer of the Central Committee.
Section 7:
The Sergeant-at-Arms shall perform the ordinary duties of Sergeant-at-Arms, and in addition hall endeavor to improve the discipline, interest, enthusiasm, harmony and good will of the meetings. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall act in greeting and introducing guests and new members as they arrive at the meetings, and contacting members that have been absent according to the provisions of Article IX, Section 2.The Sergeant-at-Arms shall chair the Sunshine Committee and be the chief morale officer of the Central Committee.
Section 8:
At the conclusions of their terms in office, each officer shall turn over to his or her successor all minutes, records, and documents pertaining to the procedures, actions, and history of the Central Committee.
ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES
Section 1:
There shall be the following Standing Committees:
1 Executive Committee
2 Sunshine Committee
Section 2:
Ad-hoc committees may be appointed by the Chairperson, and they shall perform such duties as defined in their creation.
Section 3:
No committee shall incur any expenditure involving the organization, unless authorized to do so by the Central Committee.
Section 4:
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers listed in Article III, plus the Immediate Past-Chairperson, plus one ex-officio representative from each of the State recognized Democratic clubs in Mason County, those State recognized Democratic clubs being the Democratic Women ’s Club and the Young Democrats. The Chairperson of the Central Committee shall be the Chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet regularly prior to monthly Central Committee meetings or at the call of the Chairperson.
Section 5:
The function of the Executive Committee shall be to make recommendations to the Central Committee upon matters of concern to the Central Committee, and to perform such specified functions and duties as are authorized or required by the By-laws or resolutions of the Central Committee. Each Executive Committee member will be responsible for their chief are of operations as outlined in Article IV. In addition to the listed areas of expertise, the Immediate Past Chairperson shall be the Chief Historical Officer for the Central and Executive Committees. It shall also be the duty of the Executive Committee, in emergency situations to authorize business that normally would be subject to approval by the Central Committee.
Section 6:
All emergency authorization approval by the Executive Committee shall require a quorum of (2/3)two-thirds of the voting members of the Executive Committee.
Section 7:
The Sunshine Committee shall serve as the official liaison between the Central Committee and its members in the event one of the members becomes ill or is otherwise incapacitated. The Sunshine Committee shall be authorized to incur expenses of up to $20.00 per occurrence from the Sunshine Committee budget without prior approval of the Central Committee.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
Section 1:
Law passed in 1961.The County Central Committee of each major political party shall consist of Precinct Committee Officers of the party from the several voting precincts of the County. This committee shall meet for the purpose of organization at the place designated by the County Chairperson after two o ’clock PM anytime after Precinct Committee Officers are authorized, up to and including the second Saturday in January. A notice mailed at least five (5)days prior to the date of the meeting shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson who must be of opposite sexes; it shall also elect a State Committeeman and State Committee woman. In addition a Secretary, Parliamentarian, and Sergeant-at-Arms shall be elected. Only Precinct Committee Officers elected in general elections may vote for officers and adoption of the By-laws during the reorganization meeting. A quorum for a reorganization meeting is 50%+1 of the elected Precinct Committee Officers.
Section 2:
The reorganization meeting shall be called to order by the first enumerated of the following officers present: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, or Treasurer, who shall preside until the election of a Chairperson Pro Tem. The Chairperson Pro Tem shall preside until all officers are elected, thereafter the elected chairperson shall preside. The first order of business following the election of officers shall be the adoption of By-laws. The Central Committee shall operate under the old By-laws until new By-laws are accepted.
Section 3:
Regular meetings of the Central Committee shall be held monthly at a place designated by the Executive Committee. A quorum for a regular meeting will be members present.
Section 4:
A. Special meetings may be called at anytime by the Chairperson, or in his or her absence or incapacity, by the Vice-Chairperson, or Chairperson, or by a third of the Committee ’s membership.
B. The person or persons calling a special meeting shall designate the site and date and purpose of the meeting. No business shall be transacted or action taken that is not specified in such notice.
C. All members of the Committee must be notified in writing and notices must be postmarked at least five days in advance.
Section 4:
Only qualified members of the Central Committee shall be eligible to vote at any meeting, provided however, that the presiding officer shall be empowered to announce and request prior to the voting an advisory vote from all present at the meeting on business that is not specifically Central Committee business. Each member shall have one vote. No voting by proxy is authorized. A member must be present to vote. (Qualified members means Precinct Committeepersons, Democratic officers as enumerated in Article 1,Section 1,and the regular By-laws officers as provided as specific in Article III, Section 1.)
Section 5:
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert ’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these By-laws. Members of the Committee shall be recognized by the presiding officer prior to the recognition of non-members in attendance, but any non-members present may be permitted to speak. The proceedings of all meetings shall be recorded in written minutes by the Secretary; in the absence of the Secretary, the minutes will be recorded by someone designated by the presiding officer.
ARTICLE VII - ENDORSEMENT AND SUPPORT OF CANDIDATES
Section 1:
The endorsement of candidates by the Central Committee can help to elect Democrats. Prior to the August Central Committee meeting in election years, the Executive Committee will meet to evaluate the entire slate of candidates filed as Democrats. At this meeting the Executive Committee will recommend or not recommend each candidate on this slate. The Executive Committee may consider past performance in elective office, campaign literature, personal interviews, and any other relevant information in making its recommendations. Those candidates recommended by the Executive Committee shall comprise the recommended slate of candidates.
Section 2:
At the August Central Committee meeting following the Executive Committee meeting mentioned in Section 1,the recommended slate of candidates will be voted on en masse. This motion shall be considered moved and seconded upon the Executive Committee ’s recommendation. Central Committee members may move to amend this motion in order to change the recommended slate. All such amendments require a two-thirds vote of members present. Individual candidates not included on the final adopted slate of candidates, may be endorsed by separate motion. A vote to endorse a candidate not included in the final adopted slate of candidates will require a two-thirds majority of members present. Nothing in this section should be construed as requiring or limiting the Central Committee ’s endorsement to one candidate per office.
Section 3:
At the October Central Committee meeting, the Central Committee may endorse candidates that have not been previously endorsed. Action under this section is not subject to prior Executive Committee review.
Section 4:
The endorsement of ballot issues, referendums, and initiatives may be considered at any Central Committee meeting.
Section 5:
Nothing in this Article (VII) shall be construed as requiring or limiting the Central Committee's support for announced Democratic candidates if such support is voted upon by a majority of Central Committee members present at an official meeting.
ARTICLE VII - RECEIPT AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
Section 1:
The Treasurer shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer for the Central Committee. For a description of duties see Article III, Section 4.
Section 2:
Obligations for administrative expenses may be incurred by the Central Committee within the limits of the funds available for payment.
Section 3:
Expenditures may be made by the Central Committee for the purpose of continuing the campaign for office of a Democrat nominee or an issue endorsed by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee at a general election. Expenditures may be made by the Central Committee for the purpose of continuing a campaign for office of a Democratic candidate for a primary election, provided that the aforementioned candidate has been endorsed by the Central Committee.
Section 4:
The Central Committee shall be authorized to accept donations in trust for expenditures for any specific purpose, candidate, or issue of the Democratic Party.
ARTICLE IX - RESIGNATIONS, DISMISSALS, AND RECALLS
Section 1:
Any member may resign from the organization. The resignation shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee and shall become effective when accepted by the organization.
Section 2:
When records show any committee member has been absent for three consecutive meetings without due cause, this to be duly reported to the Central Committee, and upon vote of the majority of Committeepersons present, he or she shall be asked to attend meetings or to submit formal resignation.
Section 3:
Charges against any member of the Central Committee which could lead to his or her dismissal must be referred to the Executive Committee. Any proposal to make charges which could instigate recall fall under the auspices of RCW 29.82.upon receipt of such charges, the Executive Committee shall have hearings, at which all parties concerned may attend and be heard. The Executive Committee shall make known to all committee members their recommendations. After receipt of the recommendations of the Executive Committee, the charges against any member or officer shall be voted on at the next regular meeting. The Secretary shall send written notice of the meeting to all committee members at least five days prior to such meeting. No member shall be dismissed without two-thirds vote of a quorum present at such a meeting. Grounds for dismissal would include the Precinct Committee Officer moving from the precinct, determination that the Precinct Committee Officer is not a registered voter, a formal change of party affiliation, or any action taken that would legally disqualify a member from serving as a Precinct Committee Officer.
Section 4:
Appointed Acting Precinct Committee Officers serving in a precinct other than the one in which they reside, shall upon notification that a prospective Precinct Committee Officer residing in the aforementioned precinct has applied for that position, immediately resign from that particular precinct. In the event of this occurrence, the Chairperson shall make every effort to place that person in another precinct.
ARTICLE X - ORDER OF BUSINESS
- Call to Order
- Flag Salute
- Roll Call
- Introduction of the Members and Guests
- Minutes
- Treasurer’s Report
- Communications
- Committee Reports
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Good of the Order
- Adjournment
ARTICLE XI - COUNTY CONVENTION
The Mason County Democratic Convention shall be held in election years prior to the Washington Democratic Convention to adopt the county platform and elect state delegates.
The Convention members or delegates shall be the maximum number allotted to each precinct and shall be chosen by election in precinct caucus.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
The By-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Central Committee by a majority vote of a quorum present, provided, that the amendment was submitted in writing at a previous meeting and that written notice of the proposed amendment has been given to the members five days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be voted upon.
These By-laws are complete as of the meeting held on August 9, 2006
____________________________
Roslynne, Chairperson
Mason County Democratic Central Committee
Last Updated:Thursday January 10, 2008
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