  Preamble
We, the members of the Mercer County Young Democrats, do hereby establish
this Constitution on March 15, 1997 in order to further the goals of the
Democratic party and to demonstrate our commitment to the community.
 Article
I: Name
The name of this organization shall be "Mercer County Young Democrats."
Article
II: Purpose
The purpose of the Mercer County Young Democrats shall be to support and
elect candidates of the Democratic Party, to encourage a more pluralistic
participation in the Democratic Party and the political process, and foster
a better community in Mercer County.
Article
III: Membership
Section 1. -- Qualifications
Any resident of Mercer County between the ages of 16 and 29 who is willing
to foster, maintain, and promote the activities and interests of the Democratic
Party in Mercer County may apply for membership. He or she shall be presented
to the membership at the next regular meeting of the organization for induction
as a member.
Section 2 -- Rights and Privileges of Members
All members shall have the right to be heard at least once on a question
of order, shall have the right to question all officers and committee chairpersons
as to their activities on behalf of the organization, shall have the right
to inspect and examine the minutes of the meetings and all financial records
of the organization upon written request and notice, and shall have the
right to vote at all meetings when in compliance with the provisions of
these bylaws. Membership entitles said member to all provisions of these
bylaws and, when in good standing, said member has full voting rights.
Article
IV: Officers
Section 1 -- Offices
The officers to be elected are: President, Vice-president, Treasurer,
Secretary, State Committeeman, and State Committeewoman. They will be known
as the "Executive Committee."
Section 2 -- Method of Election
The officers to be elected by the organization shall be members in good
standing. Nominations will be taken from the floor. When all the nominations
have been taken, the nominating process will be closed and the motion seconded.
The votes will be cast by open ballot. The candidate receiving the highest
number of votes for each office shall assume that office. The officer shall
maintain good standing in the organization or his or her office shall automatically
become vacant..
Section 3 -- Term of Office
Each officer elected as said shall hold office until the next annual
organization meeting or until such time as his or her successor shall have
been duly elected.
Section 4 -- Filling of Vacancies
All vacancies occurring by any manner other than by expiration of term
shall be filled by nomination from the floor and election at such meeting.
The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each office shall
be elected.
Section 5 -- Duties of Officers
President: The president shall preside at all meetings of the
organization. He or she shall within 30 days after his or her election
appoint the chairperson and not less than two members to each of the standing
committees. He or she shall be the ex-official chairperson of all committees.
It shall be his or her duty at all times to enforce and strictly observe
the charter and bylaws of this organization and decide all questions of
order subject to appeal to the membership. He or she shall call all meetings
of the organization, including special meetings, upon at least 72 hours
written notice to the members.
Vice-president: the vice-president shall preside at all meetings
in the absence of the president. He or she shall assume such duties and
responsibilities in the event of a vacancy in the office of president until
such time as the same shall have been filled as aforesaid.
Treasurer: the treasurer shall be chief financial officer of
the organization. He or she shall open a checking account pursuant to resolution
passed by the members and shall duly deposit all organization funds in
said account. He or she shall keep a ledger of all financial transactions
of the organization and supporting items which shall be required by law
or by organization. His or her signature shall be required on all checks
of the organization, together with the signature of at least one (1) other
officer to be specified by the organization.
Secretary: the secretary shall take accurate minutes of all organization
and executive committee meetings and shall perform such other duties as
my be deemed necessary and proper by the President.
State Committeeman & State Committeewoman: along with the
president serve as the county organization's representatives to the Young
Democrats of New Jersey.
Article
V: Removal, Reprimand and Censure of Officers and Members
Any officer who shall fail to perform the duties of his or her office substantially
or any officer or member who fails to perform a duty imposed by law or
who acts contrary to law may be referred to the executive committee for
investigation and hearing. Said referral shall be made by the executive
committee upon receipt of a written complaint against the officer or member
in question. Such complaint, investigation, and hearing shall be and remain
confidential except in those cases where removal, reprimand and/or censure
is in order. The executive committee, after finding that removal, suspension
and/or censure by a vote of the committee members not involved in the complaint,
is required to make a recommendation to the membership at the next monthly
meeting. At this time the officer or member complained against may agree
or disagree with the findings. In the event of disagreement, such officer
or shall be entitled to be heard by the membership, and the matter will
be decided by a 2/3 majority floor vote of the members in attendance at
such meeting.
Article
VI: Expenditure of Funds
All funds, except those expended from the petty cash account, shall be
expended only upon approval by the majority of the officers at a meeting
of the organization after the floor has been opened to questions from the
members. The organization shall maintain a petty cash account in the custody
of the treasurer in the amount of $100.00 which shall be replenished at
such meeting upon majority vote of the officers. Funds from such account
may be expended by written authorization from any officer specifying the
date on which the expenditure will be made, to whom it will be paid and
for what purpose; said authorization shall be countersigned by the treasurer.
Not more than $25.00 will be expended from such account for any purpose.
At the next regular meeting a report of all such expenditures will be given
by the treasurer and requests and receipts therefore shall be available
for inspection by the membership. The balance of any funds - - should such
funds be available -- will be deposited into the campaign account after
all expenditures have been paid.
Article
VII: Standing and Temporary Committees
Section 1 -- Committee Types
The membership of the standing committees shall be appointed by the
President within 30 days after his or her election and shall remain in
existence throughout the year. Select committees shall be created by a
simple majority vote of the membership and shall be given an explicit time
period of existence. The membership of select committees shall be appointed
by the President within 30 days its formation.
Section 2 -- Standing Committees
Service Committee: This committee shall be in charge of maintaining
the chapter's commitment to the community. In addition, the committee shall
plan and carry out at least two service events each year for the membership.
Campus Outreach Committee: This committee shall be in charge
of maintaining contact with those members that are attending school outside
of Mercer County by informing them of the chapter's activities and actions.
The chairperson shall be appointed from those members attending school
outside of Mercer County.
Fundraising Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be
to propose to the membership and carry out all activities to raise funds
for the activities of the chapter.
Recruitment Committee: This committee shall be in charge of recruiting
new members with the goals of enlarging the chapter and to better carrying
out the chapter's purpose specified in Article II.
Township Committees: Every member shall belong to one of the
13 committees that make up the township committees. Each township of Mercer
County shall be represented. These committees shall be in charge of informing
the membership of the political developments in their township.
Public Relations Committee: This committee shall promote in the
media the activities of the organization with the objective of promoting
a positive party and chapter image.
Section 3 -- Select Committees
Constitution and Bylaws Committee: When a simple majority of
the membership deems the need for an amendment to the constitution and
bylaws, the president shall appoint a chairperson and six members to this
committee. This committee shall review the constitution and bylaws and
make recommendations regarding amendments or deletions. Written notice
shall be given to the president of the organization at least two weeks
prior to the meeting at which the amendment or deletion to the bylaws will
be proposed. Said notice shall set forth what part is intended to be amended
or deleted and in what manner, but must not exceed the purview given to
them by the membership's initial vote. The president shall then explain
in the notice for the meeting to be mailed by the secretary that an amendment
or deletion will be presented, specifying what the amendment or deletion
is. Said amendment or deletion must be adopted by a vote of two-thirds
of the membership present in accordance with Article III, section II.
Other Select Committees: Other select committees may be set up
by a majority of the membership present as they are deemed necessary.
Article
VIII: Meetings
Section 1-- Schedule
This organization shall meet annually for the purpose of election of
officers in the month of March following the general election in each year
at a time and sight arranged by the incumbent president of the organization.
It shall also regularly meet monthly.
Section 2 -- Quorum
A quorum for conducting of business at any meeting shall consist of
the presence of not less than three (3) members of the executive board.
At meetings to fill vacancies of officers, to endorse candidates for party
or public office or amend the bylaws a quorum shall consist of the presence
of not less than one-quarter of the voting membership plus one.
Section 3 -- Proxy
There shall not be any voting in absentia or by proxy.
Section 4 -- Sample Order of Business at Meetings
Roll Call of Officers
Announcement as to a Quorum
Reading and Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Announcement of Guests
Financial Reports
Committee Reports
Presidential Report
Speakers
Correspondence
Old Business
New Business
Adjournment
Article
IX :Policy
The Mercer County Young Democrats as a group may not endorse any Democratic
candidate running for public office in a primary election. We will support
and endorse all Democratic candidates in a general election.
Article
X :Dues
All members are required to pay annual dues in the amount set by the executive
committee. Dues should be paid within 30 days of acceptance of membership
and for returning members, by the 1st of June of each year. |
