WDTC By Laws
ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION
This organization shall be known as the Wilbraham Democratic Town Committee, hereinafter called WDTC.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The WDTC is organized and constituted under the authority of and in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, and shall have as its purposes the following:
A. to foster and advance the ideals and aims of the Democratic Party;
B. to work in cooperation with the Democratic National Committee;
C. to work in cooperation with the Massachusetts Democratic Party;
D. to work in cooperation with the state and national conventions of the Democratic Party;
E. to do all things necessary and incidental to the building and strengthening of the Democratic Party in Massachusetts and in the United States;
F. to work and organize for the success of Democratic candidates of the Town of Wilbraham; Hampden County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and United States of America;
G. to actively engage Wilbraham voters on issues that affect the town of Wilbraham.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBITY
A. The WDTC shall consist of up to 35 members elected at the Presidential primary for a period of four (4) years from 30 days following their election, together with any elected to membership in conformance with Article III. Section 1.D. Elected members are identified as active WDTC members.
B. The WDTC may, by vote at any meeting, authorize the appointment of associate members.
- i. Any registered Democrat, regardless of residence, is eligible to become a WDTC associate member.
- ii. Associate members do not have voting privileges but may participate in all WDTC activities.
- iii. There is no limit to the number of associate members.
- iv. Associate members may not serve on the Executive Committee.
- v. Any elected member of the WDTC who is no longer a registered voter in Wilbraham during his/her term changes status from an elected member to an associate member.
C. An elected member automatically loses eligibility to remain an active member if the elected member moves to another town; changes his/her party enrollment; un-enrolls from the party.
D. Vacancies shall be filled by majority vote of active members at a regular meeting following the vacancy announcement. Elected member vacancies shall be filled by majority vote of the active WDTC members in attendance. Associate members may be the candidates for filling vacancies.
E. Lifetime member: The WDTC may, from time to time, designate lifetime members, by action of voting members present at a regular WDTC meeting. Lifetime members shall have voting rights at WDTC meetings.
SECTION 2- ANNUAL DUES
Dues for active and associate members are voluntary. The suggested amount for an annual contribution is $25.00 per year.
SECTION 3 - MEMBER RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL
A. Active or associate members may resign by filing a written resignation with the WDTC Secretary.
B. Termination: A member may have their active membership terminated if:
- i. The member misses half the annual meetings without WDTC-EC approval.
- ii. The member’s legal residence is outside of Wilbraham, MA
- iii. The member is no longer a registered Democrat.
- iv. Elected members may be removed in accordance with Article Two, Section V of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- v. No elected member may be removed for failure to pay dues.
ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1 - GENERAL POWERS
The affairs of the WDTC shall be managed by its Executive Committee, hereinafter referred to as the WDTC-EC. The WDTC-EC shall have control of and be responsible for the management of the affairs and finances of the WDTC.
SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION, NUMBER, TENURE, REQUIREMENTS, and QUALIFICATIONS
A. The WDTC-EC shall consist of no less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) members.
B. The officers of the WDTC-EC shall be the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and a member at large elected by the membership.
C. In addition to the required officers, the WDTC Chair may recommend the expansion of the WDTC-EC with the approval of the WDTC-EC.
SECTION 3 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. Officers shall be elected at the organization meeting immediately following the Presidential election and shall serve a four-year term. Officers may run for reelection.
B. Officers as defined in Sections 4-8 constitute the WDTC-EC, which shall have the power to act upon all matters pertaining to the WDTC.
- i. In the event of the death, resignation, or permanent removal from the Town of Wilbraham of any of the officers, his/her office shall be declared vacant at the next regular meeting of the WDTC.
- ii. Vacancies shall be filled by majority vote of active members at the next regular meeting following the announcement of the vacancy.
- iii. A statement of such changes in officers of the WDTC shall be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of the Democratic State Committee, and to the Town Clerk.
- iv. All officers continue service until the four-year organizational meeting following the Presidential primary and may run for re-election.
SECTION 4 - WDTC-EC CHAIR
A. The Chair shall, in addition to the duties required by the Massachusetts Democratic Party, preside at all meetings of the WDTC and shall have general oversight of all WDTC activities. B. S/he shall have the power to appoint standing committees and other special committees as needed upon approval of a majority of the WDTC-EC.
C. S/he shall have the power to call WDTC special meetings at such time/s as may seem advisable.
D. S/he has the authority to convene meetings of the WDTC-EC.
E. S/he shall make nominations for Democratic registrars to the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen.
F. The Chair continues service until the four-year organizational meeting following the Presidential primary election. The Chair may run for re-election.
SECTION V - VICE CHAIR
S/he shall perform all duties and have the powers of the Chairperson in the event of the Chair’s absence.
SECTION 6 - SECRETARY
A. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the WDTC.
B. The Secretary shall, within ten days after the organization of the WDTC, file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of the Democratic State Committee, and the Town Clerk of the Town of Wilbraham, a list of the officers and members of the WDTC; and shall immediately file with the same officials a statement of the changes in the organization of membership of the LDTC thereafter.
SECTION 7 - TREASURER
A. The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds belonging to the WDTC, shall pay all orders subject to the approval of the Chairperson, and shall procure and file vouchers for all such payment.
B. No expenditures of WDTC funds shall be made by the Treasurer outside the regular activities or expenses thereof except upon the approval of a majority of the WDTC-EC at a special or regular meeting.
C. The Treasurer shall submit a report of the financial condition and transactions of the WDTC at all regular meetings and when required by law. Written reports may be required by the WDTC-EC.
SECTION 8 - MEMBER AT LARGE
The member at large may be responsible for developing strategies and activities to expand participation in the WDTC from all backgrounds, races, religions, national origins, genders and sexual orientations.
SECTION 9 - REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
A. Officers pledge themselves to perform their duties diligently and honorably or resign.
B. Officers of the WDTC may be removed with adequate notice and due process. Removal is subject to a majority vote of active membership of the WDTC for cause including but not limited to: I. Failure to attend half of the duly noticed scheduled WDTC meetings during any calendar year unless excused by the WDTC-EC for illness or other personal reasons II. Unauthorized use of the WDTC name or resources.
C. An officer must be given an opportunity to resign before notice of a hearing on the question of removal is given to the entire membership of the WDTC.
D. Officers shall be removed in accordance with Article Two, Section V of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
SECTION 1. - REGULAR MEETING
Regular meetings of the WDTC shall be held monthly from September to June.
SECTION 2 - SPECIAL MEETINGS
A. Special meetings may be called by the chair, WDTC-EC or by a petition signed by fifteen percent (15%) of active members.
B. If a meeting has not been held in 4 months’ time, the WDTC-EC or fifteen percent (15%) of the active members of the WDTC may organize a meeting.
SECTION 3 - NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member by email, not less than two working days prior to the meeting.
SECTION 4 - QUORUM
A. No quorum is required to hold a meeting.
B. At least fifteen percent (15%) of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for business purposes.
SECTION 5 - VOTING
All issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place, assuming a quorum is present.
SECTION 6 - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Any question concerning parliamentary procedure at meetings shall be determined by the Chair referencing Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VII. STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES
SECTION 1 - COMMITTEE FORMATION
A.WDTC subcommittees may be established to conduct the activities of the WDTC. Each subcommittee shall elect its own chair, track attendance, keep minutes and share member lists with the WDTC Secretary. Subcommittee chairs may update the WDTC at monthly meetings.
B. Participation in subcommittees is open to active and associate members as well as people from Wilbraham and other districts who support the work of the Democratic party.
C. Subcommittee activities need not be approved by the WDTC Executive Committee in advance, unless the subcommittee is making a public policy statement in the name of the WDTC.
D. Subcommittee expenses that are not approved in advance by the WDTC/WDTC-EC may not be reimbursed.
ARTICLE VIII. BYLAWS COMMITTEE
There shall be a Bylaws Committee appointed by the Chair from active or associate members to review and recommend changes, if needed, to the standing Bylaws.
ARTICLE IX. CHANGES IN THE BYLAWS
A. Unless and until amended or repealed by the elected members, these Bylaws shall continue in effect from year to year and no formal motion shall be necessary at any meeting of the WDTC in order that they continue in force.
B. These Bylaws may be amended at any regularly scheduled meeting of the elected members of the WDTC.
C. Any proposed Bylaw change must be submitted in writing to the Chair, signed by the active member proposing it and accompanied by the reason for the proposal.
i. Prior to WDTC action, the Chair shall promptly refer the proposal to the Bylaws committee for review and recommendation with rationale.
ii. Upon Bylaw Committee review, the proposed bylaw change and recommendation with rationale shall be sent to all members with the announcement of the WDTC meeting.
iii. At the WDTC meeting, a motion to accept the Bylaw Committee recommendation shall be made and seconded.
a. A majority of active members present and voting shall be sufficient to affirm the recommendation of the Bylaw Committee, assuming a quorum.
b. To overturn the recommendation of the Bylaws Committee, a majority vote of all active members is required.
ARTICLE X.
SECTION 1 - YEAR
The WDTC year begins on September 1st and ends August 31st of the following year.
SECTION 2 - ORDER OF BUSINESS
The suggested order of business at meetings is as follows:
- Calling the roll or signing in officers and members
- Secretary's report
- Treasurer's Report
- Reports of officers and committees
- Unfinished business
- New business
- Special presentation or program
- General comments
- Adjournment
The order of business may be changed or waived by the Chair.
Adopted May 10, 1917
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