Bylaws

Bylaws of Delaware County Team Democrat PAC

ARTICLE I: Organization

1. The name of the organization shall be Delaware County Team Democrat Political Action Committee (also called, Team Democrat).

2. The organizational mission of the PAC is to promote and support Democratic candidates who embrace ethical government practices, in accordance with the organization’s established Code of Ethics.

ARTICLE II:  Purposes

The following are the purposes for which this organization has been organized:

1.  To embrace and implement the organizational mission.

2.  To serve as a resource for individuals who are exploring Democratic candidacy for any local, state, or national office.

3.  To assist and support Democratic candidates who embrace the standards and ideals of the organization’s mission.

4.  To create an environment where participation is welcome and one that reflects the diversity of the community. We are an equal opportunity organization. Equal opportunity practices include measures taken by this organization to ensure no one will be discriminated against with regard to race, sex, disability, age, religion, familial status, retaliation, sexual orientation, or national origin.

ARTICLE III: Membership

1.  This organization shall be open to all Delaware County Democrats who subscribe to the mission and purpose of the organization.

2.  To be eligible for active membership with full voting rights, payment of annual dues is required. All persons who have paid their dues during the calendar year shall constitute the membership for that calendar year.

ARTICLE IV: Leadership

1. The executive power of Delaware County Team Democrat PAC shall reside in an Executive Board of seven (7) members that will include the Chairperson and Treasurer.

2.  In keeping with the Indiana Code, The PAC shall have a Chairperson and Treasurer, who shall be properly recorded with the Indiana Election Commission.

3. All members of the Executive Board shall be residents of, and registered voters in, Delaware County, Indiana at the time they are elected, and their terms shall end if they cease to be residents and registered voters in Delaware County. If there is a dispute as to whether an Executive Board member meets these requirements, the matter shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the other Board members.

4.  The terms of Executive Board members shall be three years and shall be staggered. The staggered terms shall be initiated, during the initial election of Executive Board members, by choosing three members to serve one-year terms, two members to serve two-year terms, and the Chairperson and Treasurer to serve three-year terms. No current candidate (one who has filed to run for public office) or sitting elected official may be elected to or continue to serve on the Executive Board.

5. A simple majority of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

6. Each Executive Board member shall have one vote. Voting may not be done by proxy.

7. Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining members of the Board for the balance of the vacated term.

8.  An Executive Board member may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a special meeting called for that purpose when sufficient cause exists for such removal and when considered necessary for the best interests of the organization. 

ARTICLE V Executive Board Duties

1.  The Executive Board shall direct and manage the business of the PAC, to include creating and terminating committees, making appointments to committees within the organization, and endorsing candidates.

2. The Executive Board members shall meet monthly, or as needed, to conduct the business of the PAC. Board members shall be notified in advance of all meetings.

3. The Executive Board may make such rules and regulations governing the conduct of its meetings as it deems necessary, within the limitations of its Bylaws.

4.  The Executive Board shall select a Secretary from one of its members.

ARTICLE VI Officers’ Duties

1.  Officers shall by virtue of their office be members of the Executive Board.

2.  No officer shall for reason of the office be entitled to receive any salary or compensation.

3.  The officers of the organization and their duties shall be as follows:

The Chairperson

The Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of this PAC with general supervision over its work. He/she shall be charged with all duties incident to the office of Chairperson, including convening all meetings of the Executive Board and general meetings of the members, in accordance with these Bylaws. He/she shall preside at all such meetings. The Chairperson shall appoint Ad Hoc committees, as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.

The Chairperson shall be the second name on financial accounts of the PAC and shall be one of the officers who may sign checks or drafts of the organization.

In the event of the absence or inability of the Chairperson to exercise his/her office, the Board shall appoint from among its members an acting Chairperson of the organization with all the rights, privileges and powers as if he/she had been the duly elected Chairperson.

The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the organization and shall be solely responsible for such monies or securities of the organization. He/she shall cause all monies to be deposited in a timely manner into a financial institution. He/she must be one of the officers who shall sign checks or drafts of the organization.

No special fund may be set aside that shall make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to sign the checks issued upon it.

He/she shall render a written account of the finances to the Executive Board at every meeting, and such report shall become part of the minutes of such meeting.

The Treasurer shall submit all Campaign Finance Reports required by the State according to state-imposed deadlines.

He/she shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Treasurer. The Treasurer must be a United States citizen and shall be bonded.

The Secretary

The Secretary shall record all proceedings of the Executive Board and at the Annual Meeting, and at any other called meeting. He/she shall be the keeper of the organization’s permanent records.

He/she shall cause all notices to be duly given in accordance with these Bylaws and as required by law.

In general, the Secretary shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be incidental to the office, as are given by these Bylaws, or as from time to time may be assigned by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII: Committees

1.  All Standing Committees of this organization shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

2.  The Chairperson shall appoint Ad Hoc committees as needed.

3.  The Standing Committees shall be:

Candidate Interview Committee

The purpose of the Candidate Interview Committee is to interview candidates for possible endorsement by Team Democrat in a general election.

Duties of the committee: The committee, once appointed by the Executive Board, will go about the process of interviewing candidates for endorsement.

1.            The Interview Committee, consisting of an odd number of members, at least three (3), shall establish questions for the candidates based on Team Democrat philosophies and beliefs.

2.             The committee shall notify all Democratic candidates that an interview process shall be conducted in order for candidates to be endorsed by Team Democrat.

3.            The committee shall arrange a meeting with each interested Democratic candidate at a mutually convenient time.

4.           The committee shall conduct the interviews and record its findings.

5.           The committee shall report its findings and recommendations concerning candidate endorsements to the Executive Board.

6.            In the event any recommendation is not unanimous, each committee member shall be prepared to respond to any questions the Executive Board may have about the candidates.

7.          Committee members will conduct themselves in accordance with the Bylaws of Team Democrat.

Nominating Committee

A Nominating Committee, consisting of an odd number of members, at least three (3), shall be appointed by the Executive Board at least 60 days before the Annual Meeting.

The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominees for the offices of Chairperson, Treasurer, and Executive Board in order to present the names of declared candidates at the Annual Meeting. Any active member of the PAC who meets the election criteria in Article IX may be nominated. Self-nominations are allowed.

Notwithstanding the above, nominations may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting. It is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to determine if the

person(s) so nominated meet(s) the qualifications prescribed in these Bylaws.

The Nominating Committee members shall conduct the election of officers and the Executive Board, count the ballots, and announce the results.

Internal Audit Committee

 The Audit Committee shall, on an annual basis, meet with the Treasurer to conduct an internal audit of all financial records of that calendar year. The Executive Board shall appoint two (2) members of the PAC to serve on the committee.

The audit report shall be presented at the Annual Meeting.

Membership Committee

 The Membership Committee shall serve as a liaison between the PAC membership and the PAC Executive Board, provide monthly membership status reports to the Board, and actively recruit new members.

In the PACs initial year, the Executive Board shall appoint five (5) members from the general membership: three (3) to serve one-year terms and two (2) to serve two-year terms. As terms expire, two-year replacements will be appointed.

Fundraising Committee

 The Fundraising Committee shall create, plan, and execute mechanisms for ongoing financial stability and growth. The Committee shall establish a plan for generating income, establish long-range financial goals, and implement fundraising events by use of sub-committees specific to each event.

In the PACs initial year, the Fundraising Committee shall consist of a minimum of five (5) members: three (3) to serve one-year terms, and two (2) to serve two-year terms. As terms expire, two-year replacements will be appointed.

The Treasurer shall be an Ex Officio member of the Committee.

ARTICLE VIII: Meetings

1.  The Annual Meeting of this organization shall be conducted the third Saturday in January. The agenda shall include the election of officers and board members, and other business of the organization.

2.  The Chairperson, Treasurer, and Executive Board positions shall be elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting in the year that such terms expire.

3.  The Secretary shall notify every active member of this organization of the time and place of the annual meeting at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

4.  The greater of ten (10) percent or a minimum of fifteen (15) of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum.

5.  Special meetings of this organization may be called by the Chairperson with the approval of the Board, or at the written request of 12 active members. The Secretary shall notify every active member  of this organization of the time and place of the special meeting at least 7 days prior to the meeting. 

ARTICLE IX: Elections

1.  Candidates for the Chairperson, Treasurer, and Executive Board must be members in good standing for at least one year prior to the election in which they are on the ballot. This requirement will not apply to those selected to the initial Executive Board.

2.  All regular elections shall be conducted by the Nominating Committee.

3.  In a contested race, voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.

4.  A person casting a ballot must be a member in good standing for a minimum of 60 days. The Membership Committee shall confirm that each individual casting a ballot is a member in good standing.

5.  All ballots must be cast in person. There shall be no votes cast by proxy.

ARTICLE X: Procedures

Except as herein provided, all proceedings of the Team Democrat PAC shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

ARTICLE XI: Dues

Membership dues shall be collected annually and shall be based upon a calendar year. The dues shall be set by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XII: Amendments

1.  These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members in good standing at an Annual Meeting.

2.  Amendments may be proposed by any active member. The amendments must be received by the Executive Board at least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting at which they shall be presented.

XIII: Dissolution

1.  Section 1. Method

This organization may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of active members present at an annual or specially called meeting, provided previous notice of the meeting has been given to the active membership at least 30 days prior to the meeting. After disposition of the assets, the Treasurer shall file a final report (CFA -4 form) with the Indiana Election Commission, and checking the box indicating that the PAC is disbanding.

2.  Section 2. Disposition of Assets

Upon dissolution of the organization, the Executive Committee shall, after payment of all debts and liabilities, dispose of all assets as outlined in the Indiana Election Division rules in the Indiana Campaign Finance Manual.

Revised: September 1, 2011 by the Bylaws Committee

Presented: September 10, 2011 to members by the Bylaws Committee

Amended by members in open forum: September 10, 2011

Adopted by the membership: September 10, 2011