Constitution and Bylaws

May 26, 2004

Article I – Organization Name

The name of this organization shall be Sharpstown Democrats.

Article II – Objectives

Sharpstown Democrats shall have as its objectives those adopted in the Mission Statement.

Article III – Membership

All persons who are supportive of Democratic Party principles, are eligible for membership in the organization. The membership is principally for those who reside in the Sharpstown area but all are welcome to join.

Article IV – Voting and Elections

In order to insure stability and transparency of the Sharpstown Democrats, the following rules on voting and elections are adopted. To be eligible to vote (to be a “voting member”) the member must be a dues-paying member. No election can be held without either (1) at least ten (10) dues-paying members present or (2) two-weeks' notice to the Membership for general meetings. Notice shall consist of posting on the Sharpstown Democrats website and announcement by email to all members who have an email address.

Article V – Officers and Meetings

Sharpstown Democrats shall have the following officers and board members which constitute the Executive Committee:

President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and three (3) at-large board members. To be eligible to server as an officer or board member, a person must have become a dues-paying member at least three (3) months before the organizational election. The term of the office shall be one (1) year. Elections shall be held at the regular January meeting of the organization with terms beginning at the following regular February meeting. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired term by election by members present and voting at regular meetings. The functions of the Executive Committee shall be to set policy, resolve disputes, carry out the mission statement and to represent the club at meetings of the Harris County Democratic Party.

In all matters, the General Membership, the Executive Committee and the Officers of the Sharpstown Democrats shall conduct all organization activities in as open and above-board manner as possible and with the highest integrity. This Constitution and Bylaws recognize this commitment by minimizing specificity to allow the maximum flexibility of the Sharpstown Democrats to carry out the Goals of the Organization in a timely manner.

All paid members, including the members of the Executive Committee, are part of the General Membership. The General Membership, by majority vote unless indicated differently elsewhere in the Constitution and Bylaws, may initiate items and vote on all items relating to the Sharpstown Democrats and may exercise this right at any scheduled Sharpstown Democrats meeting. The powers of the General Membership are in no way subservient to those of the Executive Committee.

Sharpstown Democrats shall meet monthly at a regularly scheduled location and time. Special meetings may be called by the President with the consent of the Executive Committee.

Article VI – Executive Committee Roles and Responsibilities

The powers of the Executive Committee, which serve at the pleasure of the General Membership, include:

1. Formulating policies and procedures and establishing project priorities.

2. Preparing working budgets and authorizing expenditures of organization monies.

3. Running the day-to-day operations of the organization through its Officers and various Committees.

The President shall preside at all meetings and be the official spokesperson for the Executive Committee. The President shall create committees and appoint their members and chairpersons with the consent of the Executive Committee. The President shall have the power to call special meetings. The President shall be the official at all official meetings or gatherings with any other Democratic organizations, Democratic officeholders and/or candidates seeking office.

The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President as well as assist in presidential duties as needed.

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and be prepared to report those minutes at the next scheduled meeting. The Secretary shall such records available to the officers if requested.

The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all monies of the organization and shall record all financial transactions and report them to the Executive Committee and the General Membership.

The at-large board members will serve to assist in tasks as the need arises and vote on issues that the Executive Committee must resolve.

Article VII – Membership and Bylaws

1. Membership dues shall be set by the Executive Committee, approved by the General Membership and made a part of the Bylaws.

2. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the dues-paying members present and voting at a meeting provided the proposed amendment has been read as a proposed amendment at the preceding meeting. Bylaws not in conflict shall be adopted by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a meeting. Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a meeting.

3. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern unless otherwise provided in this Constitution and Bylaws or by the rules of the Texas Democratic Party. This Constitution and Bylaws shall take effect upon adoption by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those in attendance at a meeting of the membership.

Bylaws

1. Membership dues for the Sharpstown Democrats shall be $10.00 per person per year or part thereof. Calendar year for dues will be January 1 through December 31. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to raise dues by no more than $5.00 without further consultation to the membership.

2. Voting may be done by proxy by written notification submitted to an Executive Committee member.

3. Any elected Democratic official whose jurisdiction include Sharpstown shall be considered an honorary member.

[Note: This is the initial version which I have recovered from a printed copy of the document which was posted on the old SDC website.]