Meyerland Democrats Club

The name of this organization shall be Meyerland Area Democrats Club.

This organization shall have as its objectives and purposes:

A. To support and promote the Democratic Party at all levels of government.

B. The exertion of influence on the Democratic Party to continue its historic role as a party which promotes social justice, the local, state and national interest, and the needs of all the people.

C. To keep the Meyerland area community informed of the Democratic Party and its principles and to reach every precinct in the Meyerland area through a continuous program of political activity, education and organization. For example, develop awareness through political rallies, qualified speakers on current events or happenings, letters to the editor, telephone banks, block walking, and other methods of reaching interested citizens and voters. D. To keep members informed with a special emphasis on civic engagement and education on issues.

A. All persons who are Democrats and/or interested in the Democratic Party and its principles, are eligible for membership in the organization. The membership is for those who reside in the Meyerland area but all are welcome to join.

B. Dues are effective January 1 through December 31: a. $20 per person OR b. $35 per couple or family OR c. $5 per student for fulltime students in either high school or college

C. A new membership is effective upon payment of dues. To be eligible to vote in Club meetings, a new member must have paid dues at least 30 days preceding such vote. Dues for a new member who joins after October 1 will apply from that date through the end of the following year. A renewing member may vote upon payment of current dues.

D. Membership in the Club may be revoked for good cause and the member expelled upon the affirmative vote by secret ballot of two-thirds of the members attending a duly-called meeting. Process for revocation of a member will consist of first an oral and written warning to such member. If member of concern does not adhere to such warnings, the Executive Committee will consider sending a motion for removal to the Club for a vote.

A. Candidate Endorsements. As a general rule, the Club will not make candidate endorsements and no member of the Club may endorse any candidate in the Club’s name. Unchallenged Democrats and Democrats post-primary may be supported by the Club.

B. Candidates. Because the Club’s purpose is to promote the Democratic Party and its principles and to elect Democrats to public offices, only officeholders and candidates of the Democratic Party will be invited to speak at Club meetings or events. The foregoing shall not apply to candidates in a non-partisan election or officeholders/candidates invited to speak to the Club by either a majority vote of the Club members at a meeting or by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

C. Recordings. No person shall make a video, audio or other recording of any Club meeting unless expressly authorized by the President or the recording is done by a Club member for official Club purposes.

D. Expenditures. All expenditures or a commitment of expenditure in excess of $200 must be approved by the Executive Committee and requires a majority vote of the club members in attendance. Amounts under $200 can be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

The Meyerland Area Democrats shall have the following officers:

A. President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms /Parliamentarian.

B. To be eligible to serve as an officer, a person must have become a dues-paying member at least three months before the organization election, with the exception of the first elections meeting on April 22, 2002. At the first election meeting, it shall be sufficient to have paid dues at the meeting prior to the elections.

C. The term of the office shall be one year.

D. Elections shall be held at the regular meeting in April of each year. Thirty (30) days notification shall be provided prior to election date via email, phone and/or verbal announcements at meetings. Only members may vote in elections. Officers are elected via a majority vote. Election for contested offices shall be by paper ballot issued by the Secretary and a majority of all votes cast shall constitute election. Uncontested elections may be held by voice vote. There shall be no proxy voting.

E. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired term by election, by members present and voting at a regular meeting. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of President for the unexpired portion of the term. In the event a vacancy occurs in an office other than President, the Executive Committee shall have the option of leaving the office vacant or calling for a special election at the next regular meeting.

Duties of Officers shall be:

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

B. The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President.Bylaws of the Meyerland Area Democrats Club Revised effective July 2013 3

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

D. The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all moneys of the organization and shall record all financial transactions and report them to the Executive Committee and the general membership, and fulfill all legal requirements under state and federal law.

E. The Sergeant at Arms / Parliamentarian shall keep order at the meetings and maintain proper procedures under the rules specified herein.

A. The Executive Committee shall consist of elected officers, and up to five other members selected by the President. The Committee will be chaired by the President, or, in the President’s absence, the Vice President. The term for any non-officer member will be the same as officers.

B. The Executive Committee shall meet at least every 60 days, but more frequently, at the President’s discretion and may meet in person or by telephone or other electronic means. Reasonable notice of any meeting shall be provided to all Executive Committee members.

C. The Executive Committee shall consult with the President on Club agenda and events. It also is responsible for developing fundraising activities to maintain the programs of the organization, and any other functions as provided for in the Bylaws. The Executive Committee has the authority to approve expenditures up to $200 by majority vote in lieu of a general Club meeting.

The Meyerland Area Democrats shall meet monthly. Special meetings may be called by the President with consent of the Executive Committee.

A. These Bylaws shall take effect and may be modified by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance at a meeting of the membership.

B. Bylaws may be changed at any regular April membership meeting, or any meeting specified by majority vote of the entire Executive Committee, or by petition of 1/3 or more of the membership. Such meetings require at least thirty (30) days’ notice to the membership. Notice provided by email, phone and/or verbal announcements at meetings.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern in all situations not otherwise provided for herein.