30th District Democrats

P.O. Box 3268 Federal Way WA. 98063-3268

BYLAWS of the 30th District Democrats

As Adopted January 3, 2007

The purpose of this organization is to promote the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party in the 30th Legislative District. It shall function as the official and legal arm of the Democratic Party and shall offer citizens in the 30th LD an opportunity to participate in the Democratic Party. Our mission is to recruit and support Democratic Candidates, to promote our legislative agenda, pass or defeat ballot measures and to foster accountability from those we elect.

Article I: Name:

The name of this organization shall be The 30th District Democrats

Article II Policy:

Sec. 1) This organization shall function continuously and shall otherwise operate under the applicable Bylaws and rules of the King County Democratic Central Committee.

Sec. 2) It shall be the policy of this organization to continue the growth, development and influence of the Democratic Party, and to increase Party membership and participation.

Sec. 3) This organization shall support the goals and principles of the Democratic Party and those candidates who, by their records and reputations, are in general agreement with adopted Party platforms and who have been endorsed by this organization.

Sec. 4) If there exist a conflict between these bylaws and the bylaws of the KCDCC, then the reference shall be made to the bylaws and rules of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee and the State Charter.

Article III: Membership:

Sec. 1) All elected and appointed 30th District Precinct Committee Officers are members of the 30th District Democrats.

Sec. 2) Any registered voter residing within the 30th Legislative District who declares themselves to be a Democrat may become a member upon payment of Annual Dues.

Sec. 3) Any person between the age of thirteen and eighteen years old, residing within the 30th Legislative District, may apply for a youth membership in this organization. Those who support the principles of the Democratic Party and declare themselves Democrats may become voting members upon payment of annual dues.

Sec. 4) Non-resident Democrats, upon payment of annual dues, may become associate members entitled to a voice but no vote in 30th District Meetings. A member in good standing who is redistricted shall retain full voting membership in this organization until the end of the calendar year.

Sec. 5) Dues: a. Dues shall be payable at the time of joining and renewable in February of each year. Annual Dues shall be as follows:

• – Basic Membership     $20.00 per year
• - Family Membership     $25.00 per year
• – Associate Membership   $10.00 per year
  
  
• – Senators Club   $50.00 per year
• – Presidents Club  $100 or more

b. To extend voting privileges at any meeting, other than the reorganization meeting of January, dues shall be received either 20 days prior, or by the Previous regular district meeting .

c. The Executive board may exercise the option of waiving dues and extending annual membership status to any person for whom the payment of dues would constitute a hardship, which must be approved by the prior Executive Board Meeting.

d. All Precinct Committee Officers shall be encouraged to pay dues.

Sec. 6) All records of the 30th District shall be open to inspection ant a reasonable time and location upon request of any 30th District member. Membership list may be released as directed by the Executive board or by vote of the membership.

Sec. 7) No officer or member may use his office or identify themselves as representing the 30th District Democrats or any of its subordinate bodies unless authorized by the Executive Board or the membership.

Article IV: Precinct Committee Officers:

Sec. 1) The election and appointment of the Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) shall be governed by the rules of the KCDCC, WSDCC and State law. The 30th District Democrats will recognize three types of PCO’s and offer all privileges accordingly. a. An Elected PCO is one who is elected in the General Election by the voters residing in the precinct they reside in. b. An Appointed PCO is a resident of a vacant precinct and is appointed by the County Chair upon approval of the District PCO’s and the KCDCC. Appointed PCO’s shall have all the rights and obligations of elected PCO’s. Their voting privilege commences upon approval of County Chair. c. An Acting PCO is a resident of the 30th District but not of the precinct in which they serve. An Acting PCO shall be appointed by the County Chair upon approval of the District PCO’s. An acting PCO shall be superseded by appointment or election of a resident PCO. Acting PCO’s shall have shall have all rights and privileges, except they cannot vote on Legislative Vacancies nor election of District Officers. As listed in Art. VI Sec. 2 of these bylaws.

Sec. 2) Request for appointment to appointed or acting PCO positions submitted prior to the 30th District meeting shall be acted upon at that meeting. Request must be approved by a majority vote of the qualified elected and appointed PCO’s present and voting at the meeting. If contested, a vote for appointment must be by written and signed vote. This vote or request may not be tabled or postponed.

Sec. 3) The District Chair shall submit approved request to the County Chair withing 15 days of approval. Sec. 4) No vacant PCO positions shall be filled between the general election and the January Reorganization meeting. Sec. 5 ) An elected or appointed PCO shall be considered to have resigned from their office upon written notice to the Chair, or upon termination of residence in that precinct. Vacancies due to resignation may be filled by appointment at the meeting following their announcement. Article V: Meetings Sec. 1) Regular general meetings shall be held at a time and place as designated by the monthly newsletter. Sec. 2) It shall require twenty-five (25%) of the membership or PCO’s, or a majority of the statutory officers to call a special meeting or to cancel a regularly scheduled meeting.

Sec. 3) In January following the election of PCO’s, a reorganization meeting shall be called by the KCDCC. At the reorganization meeting, all members who dues are paid for the current year are eligible to vote with no waiting period.

Sec. 4) A quorum to conduct business shall never consist of less than five members, one of whom is an elected officer. After a meeting is called to order, a quorum shall not be less than forty percent of the members present at the time called to order.

Article VI: Voting:

Sec. 1) All PCO’s, and any member who has paid their dues at least twenty days in advance of a meeting shall be entitled to vote on all matters arising at that meeting, unless otherwise provided for by these bylaws.

Sec. 2) Only elected and appointed PCOs may vote on the election of Chair, Vice Chair, State Committee persons, Delegates and alternates to KCDCC and petitions to fill vacant PCO positions. Voting shall be by signed ballot for these positions, unless the position is uncontested.

Sec. 3) All Officers and Executive Board members shall be elected by a majority of those present and voting. Proxies shall not be recognized in any voting on any 30th District Business.

Sec. 4) For the election of Officers, if no person receives a majority on the first ballot cast, the person receiving the least votes, and any other person who wishes to resign his or her nomination, shall be eliminated. On each succeeding ballot, the same rule shall apply until one person receives a majority of votes cast for that position.

Article VII: Officers:

Sec. 1) Officers of the 30th District Democrats shall be: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, State Committeeman, State Committee Woman, King County Male Delegate and Alternate, King County Female Delegate and Alternate.

Sec. 2) Officers shall be elected to two-year terms beginning in January of odd numbered years.

Sec. 3) Officers shall serve until the next 30th District Reorganization meeting, or until their successors are duly appointed or elected, unless removed from office.

Article VIII: Duties of Officers:

Sec. 1) The Chair shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. The Chair or his /her/ designee shall preside over all meetings of the 30th District Democrats. The Chair may appoint members to perform duties, as he/she deems necessary.

Sec. 2) The Vice Chair shall perform such duties as assigned by the chair.

Sec. 3) The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, and all records of the organization except those assigned to other officers.

Sec 4) The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the organization, make a financial report at each General Meeting, keep a record of all revenues and expenditures according to established accounting procedures. Treasurer will also make all appropriate reports to the Public Disclosure Commission.

Sec 5) The King County Delegates and Alternates shall represent the 30th District Democrats at KCDCC meetings and Events. They shall be responsible for presenting resolutions from the 30th District Democrats to the KCDCC and reporting actions to the 30th District. It shall be the responsibility of the Delegate to notify the Alternate if he/ she cannot attend a meeting.

Sec. 6) The State Committeeman and State Committeewoman shall represent the 30th District at the Washington State Central Committee meetings. They shall be responsible for presenting resolutions from the 30th District to the State and for reporting actions of the WSDCC to the 30th District Democrats. If a Committeeperson is unable to attend a WSDCC meeting, he/she, with approval of the Executive Board shall allow a Proxy be issued for their vote.

Article IX: The Executive Board:

Sec. 1) The Executive Board shall consist of all elected officers of the organization and the Newsletter Editor. It shall also include the Chairpersons of Subordinate Committees, Any State or National Elected Democratic Officials, and the Democratic Legislative members of the District. At no time shall their be less elected officers than appointed chairs serving on the Executive Committee.

Sec. 2) The Executive Board shall meet as needed and be subject to the call of the Chair or 3 Elected Members. All meetings are subject by our Bylaws to abide by the “Open Meetings Act”. Members are welcome to attend any Executive Board meeting; participation is subject to the Chairs rule.

Sec. 3) A quorum of the Executive Board shall be 3 voting members. At no time shall any member have a weighted or multiple votes. Article X: Removal of Officers At any regular meeting, by two-thirds vote of the members present, eligible to vote for the office, the organization may remove any elected officer who has failed to carry out the terms of his/her office. Such offender shall receive seven days written notice of intent to proposed removal. Notice of removal must be included in the notice of the meeting.

Article XI: Terms of Office, Vacancies:

Sec. 1) All officers shall serve until their successors are elected at the District reorganization.

Sec. 2) In the event of a vacancy, the Chair may appoint a replacement, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. This appointment shall be confirmed at the following 30th District Democrats General Meeting. Notice of this confirmation must be made in the meeting notice.

Article XII: Resolutions:

Sec.1) Resolutions for consideration at any regular meeting must be presented to the membership at least seven days prior to the meeting and included in the meeting notice. All resolutions shall be submitted in writing and signed by the sponsor. Last minute resolutions may be considered pending two-thirds approval of eligible members present voting to allow consideration. Resolutions brought forward at the reorganization meeting can be brought forward after re-adoption of the bylaws.

Sec 2) The Executive Board may research and recommend action on a resolution or may refer a resolution to a committee for comment or clarification. At no time shall a resolution brought forward by a member be stalled more than 30 days without action.

Sec. 3) Presentation of a resolution may be accomplished by presenting the resolution a the previous general meeting or by publishing in the Newsletter with notice of meeting in which action may be taken.

Article XIII: Endorsements:

Sec. 1) Candidates may be endorsed for elected or appointed office and positions taken on ballot measures, at the Endorsement meeting following the close of Filing. Further endorsements and action can be made at any General Meeting subject to all other terms.

Sec 2) Early Endorsements may be considered but shall require a motion and a second at any regularly scheduled general meeting, and voted upon at the following meeting. Meeting notice must include “EARLY ENDORSEMENT” in meeting notice. Debate to bring up early endorsement is limited to consideration only.

Sec. 3) A Vote to endorse shall require a sixty percent approval of eligible members present and voting.

Sec. 4) Any Endorsement can be revoked by sixty percent vote. Any revocation must include notice to involved parties and subject to all terms for endorsement.

Sec. 5) It shall not be permitted to endorse any candidate who is known to be a member of any other political party, this shall include known members of the Republican, Libertarian, Reform, American Taxpayer, and any other party recognized with party status by the Secretary of State’s office.

Article XIV. Expenditures:

Sec. 1) No money shall be paid from the funds of the 30th District except by check signed by the Treasurer or the Chair (in the absence of the Treasurer). All expenditures shall be in the furtherance of activities duly authorized by the Executive Board of the membership.

Sec. 2) Expenditures in the course of regular budgeted operations of business may be authorized by the Executive Board.

Sec. 3) Non Budgeted expenditures of Three hundred dollars or less may be authorized by Three Members (the Chair, Treasurer, and one other member of the Executive Board). Non-budgeted items in excess of three hundred dollars must be approved by the membership.

Sec. 4) Last minute Candidate Contributions may be authorized inside of one month from election by the Executive Board.

Article XV: Miscellaneous Provisions:

Sec. 1) These Bylaws shall become effective upon adoption by a majority of those members present and voting at the January 3, 2007 Reorganization meeting.

Sec. 2) These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the 30th District Democrats so long as notice of any revisions is included in the meeting notification. A two-thirds vote of eligible members present and voting is required.

Sec. 3) This organization shall operate under the laws of the State of Washington, under the National and State Charters of the Democratic Party, and under the Bylaws of the WSDCC and KCDCC. Any conflicts arising shall take precedence over this document. If any part of this document is ruled invalid it shall not affect other parts.

Sec 4) Upon approval of the bylaws, a copy of them with any attached pages for amendments shall be signed by the chair and dated. This Official Copy, with a copy of each current amendment attached, shall be present at all official meetings. A copy of the Bylaws and all current amendments shall be made available to any member upon request.

Sec. 5) In any situation not expressly covered by these bylaws, Roberts Rules of Order, revised, most recent edition shall govern. Adopted at the January 3, 2007 Reorganization meeting. The Above Bylaws are true and correct as adopted by the 30th District Democrats. In Witness Thereof, I subscribe my name this 3rd day of January 2007.

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