BYLAWS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WASHOE COUNTY

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Democratic Party of Washoe County.  

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of the organization shall be to encourage and facilitate the participation of Democrats in Party activities; to recruit and assist Party members to seek public office; to support Democrats serving in elected public office; and, to advance the principles and positions of the Democratic Party.

Article III – Members

All registered Democrats in Washoe County are members of the Democratic Party of Washoe County.

Article IV - Executive Board

Section 1       The elected officers of the Party shall be:  Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Member-at-Large.  These officers shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section 2       The officers shall be elected at a meeting of the Central Committee in April of every odd-numbered year.  The elections shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article V.

Section 3       The officers shall be elected to serve a term of two years.

Section 4       The County Chair shall direct the activities of the County Party and shall preside at all meetings.

Section 5       The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair in the performance of his/her duties.  He/She shall be first in line of succession to the Chair in the event of a vacancy.

Section 6       The Vice-Chair will head any Standing Committee in the absence of an appointed chair.

Section 7       The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings.  He/She shall serve as custodian for all current and previous minutes and non-financial records of the County Party.  At the end of his/her term of office, the Secretary shall turn over to the incoming Secretary all minutes, books and records of the Party then remaining in his/her possession.

Section 8       The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all monies of the Democratic Party of Washoe County, and shall disburse these monies only under the direction of the Chair and/or the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall maintain an accounting of all monies received and disbursed which shall be at all times accessible to the members of the Executive Board and Finance Committee.

Section 10     All checks drafted on the Democratic Party of Washoe County account shall have two authorized signatures, pursuant to Section 1, Article X of these bylaws.

Section 11     The Treasurer shall ensure that the receipt, recordation, management and disbursement of funds are conducted in accordance with the Financial Operating Procedures adopted pursuant to Section 1, Article X of these By-Laws. The Treasurer shall ensure that any financial reports required by State or Federal law are submitted in an accurate and timely manner.  At the end of his/her term of office, the Treasurer shall turn over to his/her successor, within 10 working days, all monies, books and records of the Democratic Party of Washoe County then remaining in his/her possession.

Section 12     The Board Member-at-Large shall chair the Financial Review Committee and perform other duties as requested by the County Chair.

Section 13     Any mid-term vacancy on the Executive Board will be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall make the final determination.

Section 14     A member of the Executive Board may be removed from office for non-attendance, malfeasance or failure to perform the duties of office.  Non-attendance shall be considered a total of three (3) unexcused absences from Executive Board meetings in a calendar year.  Requests for an excused absence must be approved or rejected by the Executive Board in advance, at the time of the absence, or no later than the meeting immediately following the absence.  The Secretary shall record the status of the absence in the minutes.  To remove an officer, a resolution shall be passed at the Central Committee meeting calling for a vote of removal at the next meeting.  A vote of a simple majority of those present is required to remove any officer.

Section 15     Unless prohibited by the State or National Party By-Laws or Charters, the Executive Board may meet in executive session to discuss the following sensitive issues: personnel matters, matters involving actual or potential litigation, and as recommended by legal counsel. The Secretary shall record any final action resulting from an executive session in the minutes.

Section 16     Votes of the Executive Board relating to urgent matters may be taken in the period between meetings. Each member of the Executive Board shall be presented with the same written motion, and may express their vote in writing via electronic mail, facsimile transmission, or in person. The action shall be deemed valid when the number of written votes received constitutes a majority of the Executive Board. Any such vote and results shall be recorded in the minutes of the next regular meeting of the Executive Board, and the Secretary shall maintain a record of the written votes submitted.

Article V   - Rules for Election of Officers

Section 1       Election of officers shall be governed by the following rules, and others the Central Committee may deem necessary to conduct fair elections.

                     (a)  All Central Committee members shall be eligible to vote, and votes shall be taken by secret ballot;

            (b)  Each voter must sign a registry;

                     (c)  Nomination speeches for candidates shall be given equal time;

                     (d)  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be responsible for maintaining order during each vote;

                     (e)  The Chair shall appoint a Commissioner of Elections to resolve all disputes concerning voter eligibility.  No candidate for election shall serve as a Commissioner of Elections;

                     (f)   Anyone wishing to call for a re-vote must so advise the Commissioner of Elections immediately following the elections;

                     (g)  Anyone wishing to contest the election must do so in writing to the Commissioner of Elections no later than forty-eight (48) hours after the election.  The decision of the non-contested members of the Steering Committee regarding any contest is final;

                     (h) For any office where there is a single candidate, a voice vote may be taken.

Section 2       The nomination of candidates for leadership positions in the Democratic Party of Washoe County shall be based on merit and ability, without regard to gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other prohibited basis of discrimination as detailed in the State or National Party Charter or bylaws.

Section 3       The following oath of office shall be administered to each member of the Executive Board: “I, (name), do solemnly affirm that I will well and faithfully carry out the duties as (name of office) of the Democratic Party of Washoe County.  I will support and defend its By-Laws and Charter.  I will serve and fulfill my responsibilities consistent with the highest standards and traditions of the Democratic Party.”

Article VI – Central Committee

Section 1       The County Central Committee shall be the governing body of the Democratic Party of Washoe County, subject to these bylaws, the policies adopted at the County Convention and the authority of the State and National Democratic Party.

 

Section 2       Elected Democratic public office holders who reside in Washoe County shall be members of the Central Committee.

Section 3       The elected officers of the Party shall serve as the Executive Board and of the County Central Committee with duties and responsibilities pertaining to the biennial County Convention as set forth in NRS Chapter 293.

Section 4       The Central Committee shall meet at regular meetings, at least quarterly, which are open to the public and at which any member of the Central Committee is allowed to present matters to the Committee.

Section 5       Written notice of Central Committee meetings, including an agenda, shall be given to all members at least five (5) days before a meeting. For purposes of these By-Laws, “written notice” in all cases shall be defined as either 1) a mass mailing via the United States Postal Service to all members of the Central Committee, or; 2) electronic communication to all members of the Central Committee using the Central Committee’s electronic mail list, AND posting of any notice on the Democratic Party of Washoe County internet site

(www.washoedems.org) AND by making such notice available for review at the offices of the Party during regular office hours.

Section 6       The County Convention shall adopt a County Platform, shall elect delegates to the State Convention, and may conduct any other business that is properly brought before it.

Section 7       No proxy shall be voted at Central Committee or Executive Board meetings.

Section 8       The Chair or a majority of the Executive Board may call a special meeting of the Central Committee. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.  Except in emergencies, five (5) days notice shall be given.

Article VII - Executive Director

The Executive Board may contract for the services of an Executive Director and other paid staff, who may be an employee of the Party or an independent contractor.  The roles, responsibilities, duties, and compensation of any such Executive Director shall be contained in a memorandum of understanding or contract agreed to by the Executive Director and by a majority vote of the Executive Board.  The Executive Director answers to the Executive Board on matters of policy and strategy, and to the Chair on day-to-day matters of operations and tactics (unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws or procedures adopted by the Executive Board in writing).  The Executive Director shall at all times comply with these By-Laws, along with applicable laws, in the discharge of his/her duties.  The ability to discipline, modify or terminate the services of the Executive Director rests solely with the Executive Board.

Article VIII - Steering Committee

The Steering Committee shall be composed of the Executive Board, the Executive Director, the Chair or designated representative of any Standing Committee or committees appointed by the County Chair; a member of the University of Nevada Reno Chapter of the Young Democrats (chartered by the State Party); and the Chair or designated representative from any affiliated organization chartered by the County Party. The Steering Committee shall advise on matters of policy and activities of the Party.

Article IX - Affiliated Organizations

The diverse nature of our society gives rise to many groups that wish to be affiliated with the County Party.  Experience amply demonstrates that such associations only strengthen the Party, and therefore, they are to be encouraged.  The chairperson or other designated representative of each affiliated organization shall serve on the Steering Committee.  Each affiliated organization shall be chartered by the County Party, which, in turn, will ensure that each such affiliate shall operate in accordance with the Charter of the Nevada State Party.  Excepted from this requirement are the Young Democrats of Nevada and/or the College Democrats of Nevada that operates under the auspices of the National Democrats of America and/or the College Democrats of America and the Nevada State Party. In order to be chartered, each Affiliated Organization must present a copy of the organization’s bylaws, a list of officers and membership. Members must be registered Democrats.

Article X – Committees

Ad hoc committees may be appointed by the Chair as necessary, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board. The Standing Committees shall be:

Section 1       There shall be a Finance Committee. The members shall consist of the Treasurer (who will serve as Chair of the Finance Committee), County Party Chair, Executive Director, and other members as appointed by the Treasurer and County Party Chair.  The role of the Finance Committee shall be: To develop, maintain and implement a set of Financial Operating Procedures to be ratified by the Executive Board, and adhered to by the Executive Board, staff and volunteers; to prepare and present to the Executive Board annual and updated budgets, forecasts and projections as appropriate; and to serve in an advisory and supervisory role for all committees or affiliated organizations that conduct fundraising activities for the Party.

Section 2       There shall be a Financial Review Committee. The members shall consist of the Board Member at Large (Chair of the Financial Review Committee), The Secretary, and an appointed member of the Finance Committee other than the Treasurer or County Chair.  The Financial Review Committee may solicit external professional services and shall conduct a financial review of the books and records no more frequently than once a year, and at least once every two years and always at the end of the treasurer’s term. The Financial Review Committee shall provide a report to the Finance Committee, and after review and comment by the Finance Committee to the Executive Board.

Section 3       There shall be a Membership Committee. The Chair of the Membership Committee shall be appointed by the County Chair. The purpose of the Membership Committee shall be to encourage active participation and membership in the Democratic Party of Washoe County.

Article XI - Procedural Rules

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern meetings of the Democratic Party of Washoe County in all cases where they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws, or with the Democratic National Charter, or with any relevant state statute.

Article XII - Sergeant at Arms

The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be a Party member appointed by the Chair every two years, who shall assist the Chair in maintaining order at Central Committee meetings.

 

Article XIII - Amending These By-Laws

Section 1       These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the Central Committee by a two-thirds vote of those members present, and that written notice of the proposed amendment(s) is made fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2       Amended or revised By-Laws shall take effect immediately after approval.

Article XIV – Revocation

All previous By-Laws and amendments thereto are hereby revoked.