Kennebec County Democratic Committee Bylaws

Amended Feb 20, 2020

Article I

Name 

The name of the organization shall be the Kennebec County Democratic Committee (KCDC), hereafter referred to as the County Committee.

 

Article II

Object & Purpose

 

The object and purpose of the County Committee shall be:

  1. To promote the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party;

  2. To encourage and maintain participation and unity of the enrolled voters in Kennebec County;

  3. To promote leadership to, and coordination with, municipal committees, the Maine Democratic State Committee, and the Democratic National Committee; and

  4. To elect Democrats.

 

Article III

Membership

 

Section 1. Membership Classes.

The membership of the KCDC shall consist of the following classifications:

  1. Municipal

  2. At-Large

  3. Ex-Officio

  4. Honorary

 

Section 2. Municipal Membership.

A.    In accordance with the Charter of the Maine Democratic Party, each municipality shall be entitled to three (3) members, one of whom shall be the municipal chair.

B.    Each municipality shall be entitled to an additional number of members equal to the number of delegates allotted to it at the most recent Democratic State Convention.

C.    When possible Municipal membership shall gender balanced.

D.    At each biennial caucus, municipalities shall elect members to the County Committee.

E.     Members shall assume office as soon as elected by the municipal caucus and shall serve until the next biennial caucus.

F.     If a vacancy occurs it may be filled by the Municipal Committee.

 

Section 3. At-Large Membership. At-Large members may be elected by the County Committee at any regular meeting, shall be subject to verification, shall take office at the next regular meeting following their election, and shall serve until the next following biennial caucuses.

 

Section 4. Ex-Officio Membership. The Officers and members of the Executive Board of the County Committee, who are not already members of the County Committee, shall be ex-officio members of the County Committee.

 

Section 5. Honorary Members.

A.    Honorary membership shall be awarded by the County Committee to outstanding individuals who have significantly furthered the purposes of the Maine Democratic Party through distinguished service.

B.    Honorary members shall have the right to attend and speak at County Committee meetings, but shall have none of the other rights, duties, or privileges of membership.

 

Section 6. Duties of Members.

 

  1. It shall be the duty of a member of the County Committee to attend meetings of the County Committee and participate in the government and direction of the affairs and activities of the Democratic Party in Kennebec County.

  2. It shall be the duty of a member of the County Committee to work closely with municipal chairs in order to promote a grassroots Democratic organization.

  3. It shall be the duty of a member of the County Committee to serve as a liaison between the mu­nicipal committees and the County Committee for the exchange of information concerning the activities and requirements of each.

  4. It shall be the duty of a member of the County Committee to aid and cooperate with the cam­paigns of Democratic candidates.

  5. It shall be the duty of a member of the County Committee to assist in fundraising efforts for the County Committee activities and Democratic campaigns.

 

Section 7. Resignation and Removal of Members.

 

  1. Any member may resign from the County Committee by submitting a written notice of resignation to the Chair of the County Committee. Such resignation to take effect immediately unless there is a date of resignation specified in the notice.

  2. Any member may be removed because of inaction or impropriety by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the County Committee at a meeting called for that purpose by written notice sent thirty (30) days prior to said meeting. A member so removed shall not be eligible for membership in the County Committee until the next biennial caucus.

  3. Upon resignation or removal of a Municipal member the Chairperson of the County Committee shall inform the appropriate Municipal Chair immediately.

 

Article IV

Officers

 

Section 1. Officers.

  1. The Officers of the County Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, and a Treasurer.

  2. Each officer shall perform the duties prescribed in these Bylaws and by the Parliamentary Au­thority adopted by the County Committee.

 

Section 2. Election of Officers.

  1. A person seeking to be an officer of the County Committee must be an enrolled Democrat in Kennebec County.

  2. In January of each odd-numbered year, the Chairperson shall call the biennial meeting for the election of officers.

  3. The Chairperson shall issue the call by written notice to all members of the County Committee, such notice to be sent not less than seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

  4. The current Chairperson shall preside over the election.

  5. All contested elections shall be by ballot.

  6. Officers shall assume office immediately upon election and serve until the next regular election.

  7. The Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, although elected separately, may be held by the same person.

 

Section 3. Duties of the Chairperson.

  1. The Chairperson shall serve as the general executive officer and spokesperson of the County Committee.

  2. The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings of the County Committee and its Executive Board.

  3. The Chairperson shall appoint the membership of all sub-committees unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or in the motion establishing the committee.

  4. The Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all sub-committees except any nominating or disciplinary sub-committees.

  5. The Chairperson may appoint such persons as they deem necessary to assist them in the duties of their office, and they shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairperson.

  6. The Chairperson shall perform such other duties as assigned by the County Committee.

 

Section 4. Duties of the Vice-Chairperson.

  1. The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chair­person.

  2. The Vice-Chairperson shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or the County Committee.

 

Section 5. Duties of the Recording Secretary.

  1. The Recording Secretary shall be the recording officer of the County Committee and its Executive Board and shall be the custodian of all records not assigned to other officers.

  2. The Recording Secretary shall maintain the official list of County Committee Membership, its officers, and the membership of all sub-committees.

  3. The Recording Secretary shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or the County Committee.

 

Section 6. Duties of Corresponding Secretary.

  1. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the general correspondence of the County Committee.

  2. The Corresponding Secretary shall maintain the mailing lists of the County Committee.

  3. The Corresponding Secretary shall maintain the County Committees website and all of its social media  accounts

  4. The Corresponding Secretary shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or the County Committee.

 

Section 7. Duties of the Treasurer.

  1. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the County Committee and as such shall be the custodian of all its financial records and shall make periodic financial reports as directed the County Committee or its Executive Board.

  2. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or the County Committee.

 

Section 8. Resignation, Removal and Filling of Vacancies.

  1. Any Officer may resign from the County Committee by submitting a written notice of resigna­tion to the County Committee. Such resignation to take effect immediately unless there is a date of resignation specified in the notice.

  2. Any Officer may be removed because of inaction or impropriety by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the County Committee at a meeting called for that purpose, by written notice sent thirty (30) days prior to said meeting.

  3. Nominations shall be taken for any officer vacancies at the next regular meeting of the County Committee for which at least seven (7) days notice can be give, with the election being at the next regular meeting following.

 

Article V

Meetings

 

Section 1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the KCDC shall occur on a monthly basis, except in December, unless otherwise agreed to by the County Committee.

 

Section 2 Special Meetings. The Chairperson may call special meetings and shall call a special meeting upon the written request of at least five (5) County Committee members.

 

Section 3. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of seven (7) members.

 

Section 4. Proxy Voting. In compliance with the Charter of the Maine Democratic Party, proxy voting shall not be allowed at any time.

 

Section 5. Notice of Meetings.

  1. Meeting notices shall be made by posting on the County Committee website at least seven (7) days prior to any meeting.

  2. Notice shall be made by electronic means to members providing an electronic address.

  3. All notices shall include the date, time, and place of the meeting and may include the agenda.

 

 

Article VI

Executive Board

 

Section 1. Establishment & Power.

  1. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the County Committee between meetings of the County Committee, but shall take no action which modifies or repeals an action taken by the County Committee.

  2. The Executive Board shall fix the time and place of County Committee meetings.

  3. The Executive Board shall have the power to approve disbursement of funds for emergency ex­penses and shall report all such disbursements to the next regular meeting of the County Committee.

  4. The Executive Board may make recommendations to the County Committee.

  5. The Executivie Board shall perform such other duties as are specified in these Bylaws.

 

Section 2. Membership. Executive Board Membership shall consist of the elected Officers of the County Committee and the County representatives on the Democratic State Committee.

 

Section 3. Meetings.

  1. The Executive Board shall hold at least one meeting between each regular County Committee meeting.

  2. The Executive Board may allow participation in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

  3. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Executive Board may be taken without a meeting if all the members consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action.  The resolution and the written consents thereto by the members of the Executive Board shall be reported to the next regular meeting of the County Committee and included in that meetings minutes.

 

Article VII

Sub-Committees

 

Section 1. Creation of Sub-Committees. The County Committee may create such standing and ad-hoc sub-committees as it deems necessary to accomplish its purpose.

 

Section 2. Membership. Sub-committee membership shall be open to any enrolled Democrat in Kennebec County.

 

Section 3. Chairperson. Unless specified otherwise in the rule or motion creating it the Chairperson of a sub-committee shall be elected by the County Committee. The County Committee Chairperson shall have the right of first nomination.

 

Article VIII

Parliamentary Authority

 

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the County Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special Rules of Order the County Committee may adopt.

 

Article IX

Bylaws Distribution & Amendments

 

Section 1. Bylaws Distribution. At the first County Committee meeting following the biennial State Convention, copies of the County Committee Bylaws shall be made available. Copies of these By-Laws shall also be available through the Secretary, upon request.

 

Section 2. Amendment.

  1. These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the County Committee by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.

  2. Written notice of the proposed amendment shall be sent to the County Committee members at least seven (7) days prior to the next meeting date; and shall be made available to those present and voting at the meeting.

  3. Upon adoption of the Bylaws, or any amendment thereof, the Secretary shall file a copy with the Headquarters of the Maine State Democratic Party.