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Constitution of the Democratic Party of Monroe County
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ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Democratic Party of Monroe County.
ARTICLE II - Purpose
It shall be the primary responsibility of the county party to develop the fullest possible party membership in the county, to hold regularly scheduled meetings, to encourage Democratic candidates for county and legislative offices, to form and maintain an effective campaign organization, to make recommendations for a party platform, and generally, to promote the interests of the Democratic Party in the county.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Any resident of Monroe County, at least 14 years of age, who subscribes to the liberal principles of the Democratic Party is eligible for voting membership and shall become a member upon payment of dues and receipt of such dues. Such a person is automatically a member of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
ARTICLE IV - Organization
Sec. 1 - The elected officers of the county shall include a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, a treasurer and two members at large. Such officers shall be elected for a term of one year.
Sec. 2 - Nomination of a candidate for county Party office may be made by a nominating committee or from the floor by a member. Nomination must have prior consent of the nominee. Failure to obtain such prior consent shall invalidate the election of a person so nominated.
Sec. 3 - Election of a county Party officer shall require a majority of those members present and voting. If two or more candidates are nominated for an office, election shall be by secret ballot.
Sec. 4 - The chairperson shall be the presiding officer at all meetings and shall act as administrative head of the organization. He or she shall have the power to appoint special project chairpersons, with the consent of the Executive Committee. Such special project chairpersons shall serve until the project is completed or the county chairperson's term of office expires.
Sec. 5 - The vice-chairperson shall be responsible for the executive directions of the county in the event of the chairperson's absence or incapacitation.
Sec. 6 - The secretary shall maintain records of the organization and issue meeting notices.
Sec. 7 - The treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the organization, shall make financial reports in writing at each county meeting, and shall expend funds only in accordance with the directive of either the Executive Committee or the majority vote of the members. The treasurer also shall prepare such financial statements as are required by law and forward them to the proper county and/or state officials. Besides the customary duties of the treasurer, that officer shall keep a record of all paid memberships. The treasurer's books shall be submitted regularly to an auditor or to an auditing committee appointed by the chairperson.
ARTICLE V - Executive Committee
Sec. 1 - The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the county party and such appointed officers as the Executive Committee shall ask to serve. In addition, the outgoing chairperson shall serve for two years.
Sec. 2 - The chairperson of the county Party shall be the chairperson of the Executive Committee.
Sec. 3 - The Executive Committee may meet regularly between county Party meetings or, in the event of a decision to be rendered prior to the regular county party meeting, the chairperson shall call, as soon as possible, a meeting of the Executive Committee. Decisions made by a majority vote of the Executive Committee shall be final.
ARTICLE VI - Dues and Finance
Sec. 1 - Membership dues shall be determined by the Constitution of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for any calendar year.
Sec. 2 - A portion of the annual dues as set by the Constitution of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin shall be sent to the state Party treasurer. The portion of membership dues remaining with the county may be used as the Party determines.
Sec. 3 - Funds for the county Party treasury may be solicited from sources other than membership dues.
ARTICLE VII - Meetings
Sec. 1 - Unless otherwise ordered by the Democratic Party of Monroe County or its Executive Committee, regular meeting shall be held once a month on a day agreed upon by the members. Written notice of regular meetings shall be sent to members at least three days before each meeting.
Sec. 2 - When three months elapse without a meeting of the county unit, 20% of the county membership may petition the Congressional district chairman who shall call a meeting of the county giving a ten day written notice.
Sec. 3 - The annual meeting held for the purpose of electing officers and other business shall be held no earlier than November 1 not later than December 31. At least ten days written notice of such election must be given by the secretary of the county party to each member entitled to vote and State Party Headquarters. At any such election only members whose dues are paid for the year in which the election is held shall be eligible to vote. In the event the county chairperson shall fail to call such an election meeting within the specified time period, the state chairman shall be authorized to call such an election meeting as soon as practicable, providing always that the provisions of this section with respect to notices shall be observed by the state chairman.
Sec. 4 - Special meetings may be called by the chair person or by the executive committee or upon the "Written request of any five members." Written notice of special meeting shall be at least ten days before such meeting and shall contain a notice of the purpose of the meeting.
Sec. 5 - Five members shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VIII - Endorsement
The Democratic Party of Monroe County shall not endorse nor support any candidate for any elective office in any primary election.
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
Sec. 1 - This constitution shall be amended only at a regularly called meeting by two-thirds vote of all members present and voting, provided there is a quorum.
Sec. 2 - The constitution, bylaws and amendments hereto shall be sent to the state party headquarters before coming effective.
Sec. 3 - The amendments shall be introduced and read at one meeting and then re read at the next meeting for action. The proposed amendment shall be written in the notice of the second meeting.
ARTICLE X - Constitutional Procedure
Sec. 1 - This constitution shall supersede any previous motions or rules to the contrary made by the county party.
Sec. 2 - If and when it shall appear that this constitution is in conflict with constitution of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin the later shall prevail.
Amended and adopted at a regular meeting of the Democratic Party of Monroe County on April 10, 2006.
Chair:___________________________________ Date__________________
Secretary:_______________________________ Date__________________
Approved by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin on 16 September 2006
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