Adopted: February 1, 2022
Clarke County Democratic Committee
Article I. Organization
- Name. The name of the organization shall be the Clarke County Democratic Committee, hereinafter referred to as the “Committee.”
- Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Committee will be from January 1 through December 31.
Article II. Authority
The Committee is organized under the authority of and in accordance with the Code of Virginia and the Party Plan of the Democratic Party of Virginia. Nothing contained in these Bylaws is intended to conflict with the Code or the Party Plan. If such a conflict should occur, the Code and/or the Plan will have Precedence. All activities of the Committee, including mass meetings, primaries, conventions and fundraising will be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Party Plan.
Article III. Purpose
The purpose of the Committee will be to serve as the organizing body of the Democratic Party within the County of Clarke; to assist in the election of Democratic nominees for office, to encourage voter registration and voter participation in every election in the County of Clarke
Article IV. Membership
4.1 General Membership. Persons become members by submitting an application form at any scheduled meeting.
4.2 Eligibility. Voting members must be registered to vote in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
4.3 Other Organizations. Members of the Clarke County High School Young Democrats will be extended membership as ex-officio members of the Committee.
4.4 Dues. The fee for membership dues will be; $40 for an individual or family; $10 for students; and for seniors, 55 or older, $25. The dues’ structure may be amended by 30 day notice to the membership and approved by a quorum of voting members. Dues are not mandatory for membership but are important in the ability to preform necessary obligations of the Committee.
Article V. Executive Officers
5.1 Composition. The CCDC Executive Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Candidates for the Executive Committee must be voting members of the Committee. We reserve the right to combine the offices of secretary and treasurer.
5.2 Election and Term of Office. The voting membership shall organize and elect the Executive Committee pursuant to the Party Plan. All voting during an election shall be done by secret ballot. The Executive Committee shall serve a term of two years beginning January 1 of even numbered years. The elected Executive Committee has the right to vote on Committee business upon election.
5.3 Democratic Party Leaders. If residing in the County of Clarke, all Democratic party holders whether local, state or federal, and officers of the Congressional District Committee shall be ex-officio voting members of the CCDC.
5.4 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office will be filled for the remainder of the term by a majority vote of those members present at the next scheduled meeting with 10 days’ notice given to Committee members of the vacancy.
5.5 Records. The records, pertinent to CCDC (with the exception of emails), of all principal officers will be available for inspection by any member of the Committee. Requests must be given in writing and shall be honored by all officers within 10 days of request.
Article VI. Duties of the Principal Officers
6.1 The Chair. The Chair will preside at all meetings of the Committee and generally guide the business and functioning of the Committee. The Chair shall be the official spokesperson for the Committee. The Chair will serve as Chairman of the Executive Comm. The Chair may appoint additional officers or subcommittees as deemed necessary by the Committee. The Chair, or their designate, will serve as ex-officio member of all subcommittees. The Chair will perform other duties as required by the Bylaws, the Party Plan and the Code of Virginia.
6.2 The Vice Chair. The Vice Chair will assume all duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair or when the Chair is unable to act. The Vice Chair will serve as an ex-officio member of all three standing committees to facilitate timely communication, coordination of standing committee activities and organizational sense-making.
6.3 The Secretary. The Secretary will keep accurate records of each meeting and provide timely written notice of all meetings. The Secretary will also keep the committee member roll and conduct correspondence. Minutes shall be transmitted to members within 7 days prior to the next scheduled meeting.
6.4 The Treasurer. The Treasurer will have charge of all funds belonging to the Committee and will deposit them in a bank to the credit of the Committee. The Treasurer will secure a second signature from one of the other officers for each check written over $500 on behalf of the Committee. He or she will pay all bills and maintain complete records of transactions. The Treasurer will be in charge of membership dues and regularly update the Committee regarding paid members. A financial report will be given at each meeting.
6.5 District Representative. The District Representative will be a liaison to district & state proceedings. The District Representative will attend meetings with other representatives and keep the Committee informed of actions of this body. This is an appointed position unless the appointment is contested. The Representative is appointed for a 4-year term beginning January 1 in the year of each Gubernatorial election.
Article VII. Meetings
7.1 Scheduled Meetings. The full Democratic Committee shall schedule meetings that shall be open to the public. The Committee shall convene six (6) scheduled meetings in a calendar year with said meetings scheduled on the first Tuesday of the month, excluding months where other events may take precedence (such as the holiday party or summer picnic).
7.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings can be called by the Chair or by 30% of the voting members of the Committee in writing to the Secretary 10 days before a proposed meeting or by a majority vote at a scheduled meeting. The purpose of this meeting must be stated in the notice and only that specific business will be taken up.
7.3 Quorum. A quorum shall consist of 20% of the voting membership. A simple majority of voting members present is required for any official action of the Committee.
Article VIII. Removal
Procedures to remove a member of the Committee from office or membership shall follow the rules for removal as outlined the Party Plan of the Democratic Party of Virginia.
Article IX. Amending the Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present and voting at any meeting, providing that the notice and the proposed change(s) have been made available to all members not less than fifteen (15 days prior to the vote on the proposed change(s).
Article X. Parliamentary Authority
The rules governing the Committee will be the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order in all cases that those rules are applicable and do not conflict with the Bylaws, Party Plan and the Code of Virginia.