Party Constitution
Note*: This document was created in MS Word. When converting to Word Press (WP), the format of this website, WP does not translate MS Word document formatting well. Please ignore any awkward formatting. If you wish to receive a copy of this Constitution in a properly formatted version we will be happy to email you the word file or send you a hardcopy upon request.
Constitution of the Sanpete County Republican Party
Adopted April 30, 2011
PREAMBLE
The citizens of Sanpete County, State of Utah, who are registered members of the Republican Party, do hereby establish this Party Constitution in order to support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Utah; to support local, state and national Republican Parties in so far as they support the Sanpete County Republican Party Platform; to seek support for and elect capable and effective candidates from Sanpete County for elective public office; and to govern the affairs of the Sanpete County Republican Party.
ARTICLE I: NAME
The official name of the party shall be “Sanpete County Republican Party” (the “Party”). The Party hereby affiliates itself with the Utah Republican Party and the National Republican Party.
ARTICLE II – GOVERNANCE/MISSION
- A. GOVERNANCE: This Constitution is established under the provisions of and shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of Utah. Future changes in the laws governing political parties or court decisions that adjudge any provision herein to be invalid shall have the immediate effect of amending this Constitution to the extent needed to bring it into conformity with current law, and shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions contained herein. In all things herein stated, the Party shall comply with the law. The Central Committee, by acting by majority vote shall have the limited authority to temporarily revise the wording of this Constitution strictly for the purpose of bringing it into conformity with current law or court rulings. Such revisions shall take immediate effect but shall be subject to a ratification vote of the CDC (see Art. III, A) at its next noticed general meeting in order to be made permanent.
B. MISSION: It shall be the mission of the Party to identify and elect qualified Republican residents of Sanpete County to countywide and statewide office. Party Officers shall have a duty to further that mission to the best of their ability. Additionally, the further mission of the party shall be to advance the principals, provisions, interests, and ideals of the Utah State Republican Party platform and the platform of the National Republican Party in so far as they are in conformity with the platform of this Party.
ARTICLE III – AUTHORITY/MEMBERSHIP
- A. All power and authority in the Sanpete County Republican Party (the “Party”) originates with and is strictly derived from the grass-roots Members of the Party by and through the election in their precincts of County and State Delegates who shall represent the Precinct at the County and State Party levels. The Delegates so elected, along with the Executive and Steering Committees, shall comprise the County Delegate Council (the “CDC”), which council shall be the parliamentary body of the Party. No officer or committee of the party may exercise any power or authority in behalf of the Party except as may be granted by prior resolution of the CDC. The Party nor its officers nor its permanent committees shall make any rule or take any action that inhibits, denies, or in any way interferes with the right of the Party’s members to fully participate in the collective governance of the Party by way of a majority vote of the CDC.
B. Membership in the Party is open to all residents of Sanpete County who, at the time of any election or official function of the party, identify themselves as a Republican. Unless otherwise prohibited by Law, those entitled to vote in any Party meeting, caucus, or convention shall be limited to persons who:
1. have registered as a member of the Republican Party with the office of the Sanpete County Clerk; or
2. who at the Party function at which they intend to cast a vote, first execute a voter registration card upon which they identify their party affiliation as being ‘Republican’ and deliver the same to the Chairperson presiding at such Party function prior to casting their vote.
ARTICLE IV – ORGANIZATION/OFFICERS
- A. The Party shall be organized into political subdivisions, as required by law, from smallest to largest, as follows:
1. Tier One: The basic political subdivision of the party shall be the VOTING PRECINCT. Voting Precincts shall be formed in accordance with law and on the basis of:
a. a contiguous geographic location, and
b. as nearly an equalized population of Republicans residing therein from precinct to precinct throughout the County as is practically possible.
2. Tier Two: ADMINISTRATIVE AREA. There shall be not less than three (3) Administrative Areas in the county which shall be formed on the basis of law and the following:
a. a contiguous geographic location, and
b. an equalized number of Voting Precincts, from Administrative Area to Administrative Area, proportioned throughout the County.
c. Administrative Area boundaries and the addition of new administrative areas within the County shall be recommended, from time to time, by the Central Committee, who shall forward their recommendation(s) to the CDC in resolution form for consideration at the CDC’s next regularly noticed and held convention or special meeting called for any purpose.
d. The minimum number of Voting Precincts contained in each Administrative Area shall be three (3).
3. Tier Three: COUNTY DELEGATES COUNCIL (CDC). The whole body of County Delegates and State Delegates elected by the Voting Precincts at their respective Grass Roots Mass Meeting Caucuses, the County Representative, and members elected to any permanent committee of the Party shall comprise the CDC. The CDC shall be the governing parliamentary body of the Party. All powers and authority of the Party not expressly delegated to officers or committees by this Constitution or the Party by-laws, or which are reserved by Law for conventions, are vested in the CDC. The CDC may delegate specific powers to the various Permanent Committees of the Party, to Party Officers or, from time to time, to other individuals as the CDC deems necessary and prudent.
4. Tier Four: GENERAL PARTY MEMBERSHIP. The whole of the Party membership shall constitute the General Party Membership. Members of the General Party Membership may, through their elected County Delegate(s), propose amendments to this Constitution and the Party By-Laws, propose resolutions establishing the policies and actions of the party, and vote upon the business conducted at any Grass Roots Mass Meeting Caucus held in the Voting Precinct in which they reside.
B. OFFICERS AND DELEGATES: Only citizens of the United States whose permanent residence for voting purposes lies within a Sanpete County Voting Precinct who are registered Republicans and qualified to vote in the next general election may be elected or appointed to be a County or State Delegate or be elected or appointed to any Party office which has voting privileges at any Party convention, meeting, caucus, including mass meeting caucus, or permanent committee meeting.
1. The Executive Officers of the Party shall be: CHAIRPERSON, VICE-CHAIRPERSON, SECRETARY/TREASURER.
2. The Administrative Officers of the Party shall be: AREA CHAIRPERSON, AREA VICE-CHAIRPERSON, PRECINCT CHAIRPERSON, PRECINCT VICE-CHAIRPERSON.
3. The Parliamentary Officers of the Party shall be: COUNTY DELEGATES and STATE DELEGATES, and the County Representative (the “Delegates”).
4. The Party shall elect one (1) Representative of the Party to the State Republican Central Committee, (or such other number as may be designated from time to time by the State Republican Party,) whose title shall be: COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE STATE REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE (the “County Representative”).
C. ELECTION OF PARTY OFFICERS and DELEGATES: The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer, and County Representative shall be elected by majority vote of the CDC as hereafter stated. The Administrative Area Chairperson(s), and Administrative Area Vice-Chairpersons shall be elected by majority vote of the County and State Delegates from each respective Administrative Area. The Precinct Chairperson(s),Vice-Chairperson(s), and Secretary/Treasurer(s) shall be elected by majority vote of Party Members of their respective Voting Precincts. County and State Delegates shall be elected by majority vote of Party Members of their respective Voting Precincts.
1. COUNTY DELEGATES: County Delegates, hereinafter called “Delegates”, in a number determined in accordance with law and the rules of the Utah State Republican Party, and alternative Delegates in a number as determined by the Party, shall be elected from each Voting Precinct. Voting for Delegates and alternates shall be conducted in each EVEN-NUMBERED-YEAR at the Precinct Mass Meeting Caucus. By appointment of the Executive Committee, an alternative Delegate shall serve in the place of an elected Delegate in the event an elected Delegate is unable to fulfill the duties of his or her office. Voting shall be conducted in accordance with law and as set forth in the Party By-Laws.
2. STATE DELEGATES: One (1) State Delegate and one (1) alternate State Delegate, or such other number as may be dictated by law or the rules of the State Republican Party, shall be elected from each Voting Precinct. Voting for State Delegates and alternates shall be conducted in each EVEN-NUMBERED-YEAR at the Precinct Mass Meeting Caucus. By appointment of the Executive Committee, an alternate State Delegate shall serve in the place of the elected State Delegate in the event the elected State Delegate is unable to fulfill the duties of his or her office. Voting shall be conducted in accordance with law and as set forth in the Party By-Laws.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE AREA CHAIRPERSON/ADMINISTRATIVE AREA VICE-CHAIRPERSON: The Officers of each ADMINISTRATIVE AREA shall consist of a CHAIRPERSON & VICE-CHAIRPERSON. Any Party Member residing in one of the respective Administrative Areas may run for Administrative Area office for their Administrative Area. Administrative Area officer candidates shall have their name placed in nomination at the Party’s organizing convention. Nominations must be seconded by a party member residing in the Administrative Area in order to be valid. Nominations shall close when all candidates wishing to run have been nominated and seconded. The election shall then be immediately conducted by secret ballot under the direction of the County Chairperson. Only a caucus of duly elected Delegates residing in the Administrative Area for which the election is being conducted shall be eligible to vote. The candidate receiving the most votes shall be elected Administrative Area Chairperson for each respective Administrative Area. The candidate receiving the next highest total of votes shall be elected Administrative Area Vice-Chairperson for each respective Administrative Area. These officers shall serve a term of two (2) years.
4. VOTING PRECINCT CHAIRPERSON, VICE-CHAIRPERSON and SECRETARY TREASURER: At each Voting Precinct mass meeting caucus, Party members present shall elect by majority vote one person each to the respective offices of Voting Precinct Chairperson, Voting Precinct Vice-Chairperson, and Voting Precinct Secretary/Treasurer. Voting and assumption of office shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and the By-laws.
5. COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE to the STATE REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE (County Representative): The County Representative is not deemed to be an officer of the party for governing or administrative purposes and has no power or authority to act in the name of Party except as in regard to the casting of his/her votes as a member of the State Republican Central Committee in the Party’s behalf. Any registered Party member residing in a Sanpete County Voting District may stand for election to the office of County Representative. One person shall be elected to said office by a majority vote of a quorum of the CDC voting at the Party’s Organizing Convention. In the event the elected County Representative resigns, is incapacitated, or removed, the Central Committee may appoint another person to serve in this capacity until election of a new County Representative can be made at the regular convention or special convention of the Party called for any purpose.
6. COUNTY CHAIRPERSON: Any registered Party member residing in a Sanpete County Voting District may stand for election to the office of County Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be considered the Chief Executive Officer of the Party and shall have duties, powers, and authority as specified in the Party’s By-Laws. Any registered Party member residing in a Sanpete County Voting District may stand for election to the office of Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be elected by a majority vote of members of the CDC voting at the Party’s Organizing Convention or at such other noticed convention or general meeting of the CDC called for the purpose of replacing a Chairperson due to resignation, incapacity or removal prior to the expiration of his or her term.
7. COUNTY VICE-CHAIRPERSON: Any registered Party member residing in a Sanpete County Voting District may stand for election to the office of Vice-Chairperson. One person shall be elected Vice-Chairperson by a majority vote of a quorum of the CDC voting at the Party’s Organizing Convention. In the event the Chairperson resigns, is incapacitated or is removed prior the expiration of his or her term, the Vice-Chairperson shall assume all duties and powers of the office of Chairperson until a new Chairperson can be duly qualified and elected by the CDC at its next noticed convention or special meeting. Additional duties of the Vice-Chairperson shall be as defined in the Party’s by-laws. In the event the Vice-Chairperson cannot, for any reason, fulfill the duties of the Chairperson, the Central Committee may appoint, in the interim, another person to serve in the capacity of Chairperson until election of a new duly elected Chairperson and/or Vice-Chairperson can be made at the next noticed convention or special meeting of the CDC called for any purpose.
8. SECRETARY/TREASURER: The Secretary/Treasurer shall have charge of maintaining books, records and funds of the Party and shall be considered the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Party. Any registered Party member residing in a Sanpete County Voting District may stand for election to the office of Secretary/Treasurer. One person shall be elected Secretary/Treasurer by a majority vote of a quorum of the CDC voting at the Party’s Organizing Convention. In the event of the resignation, incapacity or removal of the Secretary/Treasurer prior the expiration of his/her term, The Central Committee may appoint another person to temporarily serve in this capacity until election of a new Secretary/Treasurer can be made at the next noticed special meeting or convention of the CDC.
9. DUTIES & POWERS: Duties and powers of the elected Party Officers not specifically defined in this Constitution shall be further defined in the By-Laws.
10. TERMS: Elected Party Officers shall serve terms of two (2) years, unless they earlier resign, are incapacitated, or are removed in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and/or the By-Laws.
Article V – PERMANENT COMMITTEES/RESPONSIBILITIES
A. The Party shall have four (4) Permanent Committees whose names, duties and functions shall be as follows:
1. COUNTY DELEGATES COUNCIL (CDC): The primary parliamentary and governing Permanent Committee of the Party shall be the CDC. All powers and authority of the Party not expressly delegated to officers or committees by Law, this Constitution or the Party’s By-Laws are reserved to and vested in the CDC.
a. Any member of the CDC may propose and the Delegates shall vote upon amendments to this Constitution and the Party By-Laws and may propose resolutions regarding establishment of the policies and actions of the party. The CDC shall act upon all such proposed amendments and resolutions. The actions of the CDC shall comprise the governing authority and policy of the Party.
b. The CDC shall elect by majority vote, and shall oversee the performance of the Party Executive and Administrative Officers and the County Representative.
c. The CDC shall ratify, or amend and ratify, and adopt the Party Platform put forward by the Central Committee.
d. The CDC shall establish and eliminate committees, other than Permanent Committees, shall establish and eliminate party offices other than party offices established by this Constitution, and do any and all other and further acts they deem in the Party’s interest.
e. The CDC shall meet at least in odd-numbered-years at the Party’s Organizing Convention and in even-numbered-years at the Party’s Nominating Convention, and may meet from time to time for any other purpose deemed necessary in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and the By-Laws. Any matter of business may be taken up by the CDC at any meeting. The Party Chairperson shall preside and conduct meetings of the CDC unless the majority of a quorum of CDC members present and voting at any particular meeting choose to appoint another person to preside over that particular meeting.
2. CENTRAL COMMITTEE: The Central Committee shall consist of the three Executive Officers of the Party, the Administrative Officers of the Party, The Precinct Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons, and all Republicans residing in Sanpete County who are elected to countywide or statewide political office. The Central Committee shall be the committee that oversees and has responsibility for implementation of all resolutions passed by the CDC. Other duties of the Central Committee shall be:
a. To oversee and supervise the general business of the Party, authorize and implement the electoral procedures and policies of the Party as established by Law and the Party’s Bylaws, and shall identify and recruit qualified candidates for Republican office at the municipal, County and State level.
b. To prepare ballots and Delegate information packages for all Conventions of the Party.
c. To prepare the Platform of the Party.
d. To oversee the activities of the Chairperson and other officers and committees of the Party.
e. The Central Committee by their majority vote, may propose amendments to this Constitution, the Party’s By-Laws, and resolutions, and forward the same to the CDC for their consideration. The Central Committee shall review all proposed amendments and resolutions presented or forwarded to them by Delegates and other committees or officers and shall forward the same with their recommendation(s) to the CDC for action thereupon.
f. The Central Committee, upon a two/thirds majority vote, acting in good faith and for good cause, including malfeasance, misfeasance, failure to perform the duties of their office, dishonesty, moral turpitude, or unreasonable or reckless conduct unbecoming an officer of the Sanpete County Republican Party, shall have the right to remove from Party office any elected Party Administrative Area or Precinct Officer, and to temporarily appoint a successor until a successor can be duly elected as called for in this Constitution and the Party’s Bylaws.
g. The Central Committee, upon a two/thirds majority vote, acting in good faith and for good cause, including malfeasance, misfeasance, failure to perform the duties of their office, dishonesty, moral turpitude, or unreasonable or reckless conduct unbecoming an officer of the Sanpete County Republican Party, shall have the right to forward to the CDC a resolution recommending the removal from Party office of any elected Party Executive Officer. Said resolution shall be acted upon by majority vote of the CDC at the next noticed regular or special meeting or convention of the CDC called for any purpose.
h. The County Chairperson of the Party shall conduct all meetings of the Central Committee unless, upon the majority vote of the members at a particular meeting, the Members choose to appoint another committee member to conduct that meeting only.
3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall consist of the Executive Officers and the Administrative Officers of the Party. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
a. To regularly report to the Central Committee the activities and acts of the Executive Committee.
b. To establish and publish the ballots and agenda(s) for Voting Precinct meetings.
c. To advise and assist the Voting Districts in the conduct of Mass Meeting Caucuses.
d. To advise and assist the Steering Committee in the planning, scheduling, and organizing of party activities, meetings, fundraising, and conventions.
e. To investigate charges of alleged malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office by any Party officer and to forward their findings therein and their recommendation in regard thereto to the Central Committee.
f. In the event of vacation of a Party office by resignation, incapacity or removal of any Party officer, and the vacation requires appointment of an interim replacement officer until another can be duly elected, the Executive Committee shall identify and recommend to the Central Committee the names of two or more qualified persons to fill any such vacated office.
g. To propose amendments to this Constitution, the Party By-Laws, and resolutions as the Committee deem fit for consideration by the CDC.
h. The County Chairperson shall conduct all meetings of the Executive Committee.
4. STEERING COMMITTEE: The Steering Committee shall conduct the day-to-day business operations of the Party in accordance with the requirements of this Constitution, the Party By-Laws, and in accordance with Law. The Steering Committee shall:
a. Plan, organize, and direct the daily affairs of the Party.
b. In accordance with the by-laws manage the financial affairs and expenditures of the Party in a fiduciarily sound and prudent manner
c. Schedule, and give notice in a timely manner of all meetings of the Permanent Committees of the Party in accordance with the provisions of the Party By-Laws.
d. Prepare financial statements and reports and forward the same to the Central Committee and the CDC on at least an annual basis or as may be required by them.
e. Recruit and support qualified Republican residents of Sanpete County for elective office.
f. To prepare public statements, press releases or other communications to media resources regarding the official public positions, statements, or policies of the Party in regard to candidates and public issues. The Steering Committee shall be the sole official source of the Party in releasing official statements, press releases and other official communications of the Party.
g. The County CHAIRPERSON shall preside over and conduct all meetings of the Steering Committee.
h. In performing all acts, the Steering Committee shall act in strict accordance with Law, this Constitution and the express provisions of the Party’s By-Laws.
5. OTHER COMMITTEES: Other Ad Hoc and/or Standing Committees may be appointed from time to time by any Permanent Committee for their respective committee purposes, subject to oversight by the CDC and the Central Committee, and shall be accountable to the appointing authority.
Article VI – CONVENTIONS AND MEETINGS
- A. CONVENTIONS: The Party shall hold conventions as required by Law, and as required by the State Republican Party. Mandatory conventions are as follows:
1. NOMINATING CONVENTION: The Nominating Convention of the Party shall be held bi-annually on the first (1st) Saturday of May in even-numbered-years, or on such other date as the State Republican Party shall require or as the CDC may, from time to time designate by majority vote. Participants entitled to vote thereat shall be all elected County and State Delegates, all Republicans residing in any Voting Precinct in Sanpete County who are elected to Countywide or Statewide political office, and all at-large Delegates as set forth in the By-laws.
a. The CHAIRPERSON shall preside over and conduct the Organizing Convention unless the CDC, by majority vote, designates another person to conduct the business of the convention.
b. The Nominating Convention shall be the convention at which the Party’s candidates for countywide office are selected or are put forward for election in the county’s Primary Election. Business of the Nominating Convention shall include at least the following:
i. Certification of County Delegates.
ii. Election of members of the Steering Committee for the ensuing term by the following motion: “I move that the Sanpete County Republican Party Steering Committee consist of the County Chairperson, the County Vice-Chairperson, and the County Secretary/Treasurer.”
iii. Selection of Delegates to the State Republican Party Convention by the following motion: “I move that the Delegates to the Utah State Republican Party Convention from Sanpete County be those Delegates appointed according to the formula set forth in the Bylaws including the State Delegates elected in their Mass Meeting Caucuses who are: (read State Delegate List), and the Exofficio Delegates appointed according to the formula stated in the Bylaws. A list of the nominated and Exofficio Delegates has been submitted to the Sanpete County Republican Party Secretary/Treasurer”
iv. Election of members of the Central Committee for the ensuing term by the following motion: “I move that the membership of the Sanpete County Republican Party Central Committee consist of the Voting Precinct Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons; members of the Steering Committee; members of the Executive Committee; and all elected Republicans holding current countywide or statewide political office who reside in Sanpete County.”
v. Election of members of the Executive Committee for the ensuing term by the following motion: “I move that the membership of the Sanpete County Republican Party Executive Committee consist of the members of the Steering Committee and the Area Chairpersons and Area Vice-Chairpersons duly elected from each of their respective Administrative Areas.”
vi. Consideration and adoption, or amendment and adoption, of the Party Platform put forth by the Central Committee.
vii. Nomination of Candidates for County Offices in accordance with the rules set forth in the by-laws.
viii. Balloting by secret ballot by Delegates entitled to vote for each respective contested office. Voting shall be upon printed ballots provided by the Secretary/Treasurer. Balloting shall continue for such time as will afford all duly accredited delegates a reasonable opportunity to cast their ballots.
ix. Counting of ballots in accordance with the provision of this Constitution and the By-laws and the announcement of balloting results.
2. ORGANIZING CONVENTION: The Organizing Convention of the Party shall be held bi-annually on the third (2rd) Saturday of April in odd-numbered-years, or on such other date as the CDC may, from time to time, designate by majority vote. Participants entitled to Vote thereat shall be all the members of the CDC, all Republicans residing in any Voting Precinct in Sanpete County who are elected to countywide or statewide political office and all delegates at-large as provided by the By-laws. Voting participants shall be entitled to one (1) vote each upon each issue or office. The Chairperson shall preside over and conduct the Organizing Convention unless the CDC, by majority vote, designates another person to conduct the business of the convention.
a. The Organizing Convention shall be the convention at which the Party, in accordance with Law, and the Party’s by-laws, elects its County Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer, County Representative, and Administrative Area Chairpersons.
b. Other Business of the Party, including consideration of amendments and resolutions or other party business appropriate to the body of the CDC shall also be conducted at the Organizing Convention.
C. VOTING PRECINCT MASS MEETING: Mass Meetings of the Party Membership shall be held in even-numbered years in accordance with the schedule set down, from time to time, by the Utah Republican Party.
D. COMMITTEE MEETINGS/QUORUM(S): meetings of the standing committees of the Party shall be as follows:
1. Attendance of a quorum of members entitled to vote at any meeting of the party shall be required before business of the Party may be conducted or acted upon at the meeting. The Chairman or Committee Director shall cause the names of all persons in attendance who are entitled to vote thereat to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
2. CENTRAL COMMITTEE: The Central Committee shall meet as deemed necessary but not less than semi-annually. Central Committee meetings shall also be held at the request of the Party CHAIRPERSON, any other permanent committee, upon the request of three (3) or more members of the Committee, or upon the request of 10% or more of the members of the CDC. A quorum shall consist of at least twenty-five (25) percent of the members of the Committee or 50% of the members in attendance at the start of the meeting, which ever is greater.
3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall meet as deemed necessary but not less than quarterly. Executive Committee meetings shall also be held at the request of the Party CHAIRPERSON, the Central Committee or any two (2) members of the Executive Committee. A quorum shall consist of fifty (50) percent of the Committee members present at the start of the meeting but not less than 25% of the whole committee.
4. STEERING COMMITTEE: The Steering Committee shall meet as needed, but not less than bi-monthly. Additional meetings shall be held at the call of the Chairperson or any two members of the Committee. A quorum shall consist of a majority of Committee members.
5. COUNTY DELEGATE COUNCIL (CDC): The CDC shall meet not less than annually at the Party’s regularly held Conventions. Additional special meetings or special conventions shall be held at the request of the Party Chairperson, upon resolution of the Central Committee, or at the request of ten (10) percent or more of the members of the CDC. A quorum shall consist of not less than one-fourth (1/4) of the CDC members.
D. GENERAL MEETING PROVISIONS: Meetings shall conform with the following:
1. OTHER BUSINESS: Business at the Organizing Convention, Nominating Convention, or any other meeting of the CDC or other permanent committees shall not be limited to agenda items only. Non-agenda business may be conducted at any meeting upon motion and approval of the Delegates or committee members by a majority vote.
2. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER: All conventions and Permanent Committee meetings shall be conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order as the procedural basis for the conduct of the meeting.
3. MINUTES: The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep accurate and detailed minutes of all conventions and meetings of the Party and its standing committees, which minutes shall annotate and memorialize the entire proceedings of all such meetings. In the absence of the attendance of the Secretary/Treasurer at any convention or committee meeting, by majority vote of a quorum of attendees entitled to vote thereat, an alternative minutes-keeper, as set forth in the Party’s By-Laws, may be appointed at conventions and meetings of the Party. The minutes of each and every meeting shall printed and/or read for approval or correction at the next succeeding meeting of the Party or committee. Once read and approved or approved as amended by majority vote of a quorum of attendees entitled to vote thereat, the minutes of the previous meeting shall be made a permanent part of the records of the Party. Minutes of meetings shall be available for review by Party members except as to those matters that are legally deemed confidential.
4. NOTICE: Prior to any convention or permanent Committee meeting, The Chairperson shall give timely written prior notice, as provided in the By-laws, to all persons entitled to attend and vote at any convention or committee meeting of the Party and shall furnish a meeting agenda and where appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, copies of any proposed Constitution or By-law amendments and any proposed resolutions to be considered thereat.
5. OPEN MEETING POLICY: This Party shall have an “Open Door” meeting policy. All Party conventions shall be conducted in full and open public view. Permanent Committee meetings shall be open to attendance by any Party member. Permanent Committee meetings may only be “closed” or conducted in “Executive Session,” when they deal with; confidential party-employee personnel matters protected by State or federal privacy laws; when discussing confidential contract negotiation issues; when devising or designing confidential campaign strategies or plans, the nature or details of which would damage Party interests by their early or untimely disclosure, and; during confidential hearings or deliberations of committee members in regard to removal from office of any Party Officer. No official action of any Permanent Committee shall be taken in “closed session.” Detailed minutes of all business conducted in closed session shall be taken and shall be maintained in the permanent records of the Party. Any Party Officer subject to an action for removal from office shall have the right to receive notice of and to attend any Party meeting, hearing, or portion of Party Meeting or hearing at which suspension or removal from office against them is discussed.
Article VII – BY-LAWS
The Party’s By-Laws shall define responsibilities and establish specific policies and procedures not expressly set forth in this Constitution, including provisions for removal of Officers for cause. The provisions of the By-Laws shall be adhered to and followed by all Party Officers, Delegates, and Permanent Committee members in the conduct of all Party business. The By-Laws shall be strictly in accordance with Law. If any Article, term or provision of this Constitution or the By-Laws is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be not in accordance with Law, such Article, term or provision shall be deemed to be amended so as to conform with applicable law. In such case, the Central Committee shall formally propose amended language of this Constitution and/or the By-Laws, from time to time, to conform with Law and shall forward the same to the CDC for approval and ratification at the CDC’s next held noticed convention or meeting.
Article VIII – AMENDMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS
- A. Any registered member of the party may propose amendments to this Constitution, the By-Laws, or propose resolutions that establish or change Party policy. In accordance with the provisions stated in this Article VIII, any such that are proposed by a Party Member shall be placed on the agenda of the next regularly held noticed meeting of the CDC and shall there be considered and acted upon.
1. Any amendment or resolution proposed by a rank and file member of the party shall be submitted in writing to any Party Officer or Delegate. The Officer or Delegate shall immediately forward the same to the Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall enter a copy of the proposed amendment or resolution into the permanent records of the Party and shall cause the proposed amendment or resolution to be forwarded to the Central Committee and logged onto the agenda of the next noticed meeting of the CDC at which action can be properly taken upon the proposed amendment or resolution.
2. The deadline for submission of proposed amendments or resolutions by persons not elected to Party office shall be six (6) weeks prior to the date of any noticed meeting of the CDC. The deadline for submission of proposed amendments or resolutions by any Party officer or permanent committee of the party shall be thirty days prior to the date of any noticed meeting of the CDC.
3. The text of any proposed amendment or resolution to be acted upon by the CDC shall be published and attached to the meeting notice and to the agenda of the meeting at which the proposed amendment or resolution will be considered.
B. Nothing in this Constitution or the Party’s Bylaws shall be construed as prohibiting members of the CDC from proposing amendments from the floor of any convention or noticed meeting of the CDC provided that a written copy of the proposed amendment is furnished to the Chairperson prior to consideration by the CDC. Proposed Resolutions may be made from the floor without prior submission of a written copy.
C. Rules and limitations upon debate in regard to any proposed amendment or resolution before the CDC shall be set forth in the Bylaws.
D. Approval of amendments to this Constitution shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the CDC. Approval of proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall require a majority vote of the CDC. Approval of any proposed resolution other than constitutional amendments shall require a majority vote of the CDC.
E. All amendments and resolutions adopted by the CDC in accordance with Article VIII. (D) above shall take immediate effect.
Leave a Reply