Bylaws of the Democrats United

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Article I — Name

The Name of this organization shall be Democrats United, a non-profit organization.

Article II — Purpose

The purpose of this Organization shall be: (a) to stimulate in people an active interest in governmental affairs; (b) to increase the efficiency of popular government; (c) to perpetuate the ideas and principles of the Democratic Party; (d) to attract new members to the Democratic Party; (e) to help acquaint voters and potential voters with the issues and the candidates; and (f) to promote by our efforts the highest degree of governmental response to public needs.

Article III — Membership

Section 1: The area served by this Organization shall be Gregg County and surrounding areas.

Section 2: To qualify for membership, one must subscribe to the purpose set forth in Article II, abide by the by-laws and pay annual dues.

Article IV — Dues

Section 1: The annual dues of the Organization shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per person per calendar year.

Section 2: No person shall hold office, serve on a committee, vote, or be considered a member in good standing unless annual dues have been paid.

Article V — Officers

Section 1: The Officers of the Organization shall consist of a President, First Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The term of office shall be two (2) years.

Section 2: The President shall preside at regular and special meetings of the Organization and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, The President shall appoint chairs for each of the standing committees except the Nominating Committee.

Section 3: The First Vice President shall assist the President in management of the Organization, and shall preside at regular, special, or board meetings in the absence of the President.

Section 4: The Secretary shall keep and maintain all minutes of meetings and shall prepare and conduct the Organization’s general correspondence.

Section 5: The Treasurer shall collect dues, disburse funds and maintain all financial records as authorized by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall propose a budget at the annual general meeting. The Board shall appoint an Assistant Treasurer, as they deem necessary. He/She shall assist the Treasurer and shall present information at general meetings when the Treasurer is absent.

Article VI — Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected Officers (4) and Directors (5) for a total of nine (9) members.

Section 2: The Directors shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Section 3: The Board of Directors shall be responsible for oversight of the administration of the Organization.

Article VII — Elections

Section 1: Election of the Officers and Directors shall be held at the Annual General Meeting beginning December 2003 by a majority vote of all members in good standing present and voting.
A proposed slate prepared by the Nominating Committee shall be sent to all members of record at least thirty days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

Section 2: A majority of those members present who are in good standing shall be required for elections.

Article VIII — Meetings

Section 1: The Annual General Meeting shall be held annually in December. General membership meetings shall be held monthly.

Section 2: Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least quarterly.

Section 3: The Board of Directors shall call a special meeting in accordance with Provisions above upon petition of fifteen (15) members in good standing of the Organization.

Article IX — Standing Committees

Section 1: Standing Committees shall be as follows: Program, Membership, Publicity, Fundraising, and Nominating. Except for the Nominating Committee, the President shall appoint committee chairs. The chairman of each committee reports to the President.

Section 2: The Program Committee shall plan and secure programs and facilities for regular meetings of the Organization, as well as be responsible for such social and special activities as the Board deems desirable.

Section 3: The Fundraising Committee shall recommend to the Board of Directors plans for revenue raising for the fiscal year.

Section 4: The Membership Committee shall be responsible for recruiting, notification of meetings, and the orientation of new members.

Section 5: The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for both internal and external communications.

Section 6: The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) persons appointed by the Board of Directors at the October meeting. The Committee shall propose a slate of nominees for Officers and Directors. Such slate shall be presented to the general membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual General Meeting in December.

Article X — Vacancies

Section 1: The Board may declare an Office or Directorship vacant because of death, moving, resignation in writing, or failure to attend three (3) consecutive Board Meetings.

Section 2: The Board shall fill any vacancy in an office or Directorship until the next Annual General Meeting.

Article XI — Quorum

Section 1: Ten (10) members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any General Meeting.

Section 2: Five (5) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at Board Meetings.

Article XII — Bylaws

Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended at any Annual General Meeting after prior notice and submission of amendments, to the Board of Directors, at least thirty (30) days before the Annual General Meeting.

Section 2: The Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote of members in good standing, present and voting at the Annual General Meeting.

Article XIII — Public Statements

Section 1: The Organization shall not endorse any single candidate for the nomination in the Democratic Primary.

Section 2: In any election other than the Democratic Primary, the Organization may endorse candidates for election and/or appointment to the public positions. Such endorsements require a two-thirds vote of members in good standing, present and voting at a regular or special meeting.

Section 3: Public statements in the name of the Organization shall be made only by the President, or designated Person.

Article XIV — Disposition of Funds

Section 1: Should this Organization be dissolved, all funds remaining in the Treasury after all expenses have been satisfied shall revert to the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee.

Article XV — Rules of Order

Section 1: Roberts’ Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the Organization in all cases where they are applicable.

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“Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear.”
— William E. Gladstone