Bylaws of Sharpstown Democrats 

Club

Article I – Organization Name

The name of this organization shall be Sharpstown Democrats.

Article II – Mission and Objectives

Mission: To positively impact political races covering the Sharpstown Area by maximizing Democratic voter turnout.

1.  To provide input to the Democratic Party on issues of importance to voters.

2.  To help raise funds and provide volunteer support for the Democratic Party, or lacking such, independent candidates in races that impact the Sharpstown Area.

3.  To help in organization of precincts by identifying activists to fill precinct vacancies and encourage Precinct Chairs to work their precincts and educate the public about the voting process.

4.  To raise awareness of the Democratic Party at various levels (National, State, County, City) as it affects the Sharpstown region.

5.  To encourage and mentor our future Democratic leaders and candidates.

6.  To network with other community and Democratic organizations to pool resources and exchange ideas.

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.

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

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. These Bylaws *4 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 dues 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 Bylaws *4, may initiate items and vote on all items relating to the Sharpstown Democrats and may exercise this right at any scheduled Sharpstown Democrats meeting. **2 (amended)

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   

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

2.       These Bylaws *4 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. **1 (amended)

3.        Roberts Rules of Order shall govern unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws *4 or by the rules of the Texas Democratic Party. These Bylaws *4 shall take effect upon adoption by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those in attendance at a meeting of the membership.

4.        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.  *1 (notes)

5.        Any elected Democratic official whose jurisdiction includes Sharpstown shall be considered an honorary member. *3 (notes)

Done:  May 26, 2004                     Last Revised:  February 24, 2007, aab

Footnotes:   

*1, *2, *3: The original organizing document was named “Constitution and By-laws.” In June, 2006, the membership voted on Amendment 1 to re-organize the document into one named “Bylaws” and to include the Mission Statement.  The items in the original “Bylaws section” are indicated with an asterisk followed by the original bylaw number.  These 3 items were added to Article – IV and Article – VII where applicable. 

Originally, “Article II – Mission Objectives” was named “Article II – Objectives.”  This statement:  “Sharpstown Democrats shall have as its objectives those adopted in the Mission Statement,” was removed and the objectives from the original “Mission Statement” document were inserted under Article II.

*4 Changed from “This Constitution and By-laws” or This Constitution to “These Bylaws.”

  **#:  Indicates Amendment Number

Amendments to the Bylaws of the Sharpstown Democrats Club

1.  Reconfigure the Sharpstown Democrats Club Constitution, Bylaws and Mission Statement into a single document to be titled “BYLAWS OF THE SHARPSTOWN DEMOCRATS CLUB.

The following clarification is needed to resolve a conflict in Article VII due to differences in voting methods between changing the original “Constitution” and changing the original “Bylaws”:

a)  Any amendments or changes to an existing BYLAW will require a 2/3’s majority in order to be approved.

b)  All new BYLAWS not in conflict with another will be approved by a majority of the members present at the meeting at time to vote.

2.  Change Article 5 of the Sharpstown Democrat Clubs Bylaws:  Voting on all issues pertaining to the Sharpstown Democrats Club, including resolutions, amendments and proclamations, will be resolved at Executive Committee Meetings.

a)  Annual general elections will still be performed at the January General Meeting.

b)  The General Membership may initiate resolutions or motions to modify the Bylaws.  These changes are to be resolved by the Executive Committee.

STANDING RULES established by vote of majority of members.

1. Motion to approve the January 2007 Budget and to authorize the Executive Committee to amend the Budget on an as needed basis.  (January24, 2007)

2. Motion to authorize the Executive Committee, in its capacity as a Board of Directors, to manage and operate the Budget and to make expenditures within the Budget, without prior approval of the General Membership, provided said expenditures are reported to the General Membership at its monthly or periodic meetings.  (January24, 2007)

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