CHARTER 

of the 

PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS 

PREAMBLE 

As “progressives,” we believe that it is through government that the needs of the people are  protected and provided for. What unites us as progressive Democrats is our belief that the  common good must supersede the influence of corporate greed. As a party, we are strongest  when we respect individual liberties, with second class status for no one. We are strongest when  we embrace our diversity, united by a sense of collective responsibility, rather than allowing any  differences to divide us. 

 As the Progressive Caucus, we aim to put these core values into practice and thereby  strengthen our party. When we promote educational opportunities that deepen our understanding  of the needs of our communities, we strengthen our party. When we support progressive  candidates who lead and who unashamedly promote core Democratic values, we strengthen our  party. When we hold ourselves and our elected representatives accountable, increasing  transparency and small “d” democratic principles, we strengthen our party. When we work in  coalitions and support the efforts of our sister caucuses, we strengthen our party. In all that we  do, we commit to being respectful, to promoting party unity, and to increasing the success our  party, our candidates and our Democratic values. 

We, the PROGRESSIVE members of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, hereby  formally declare that we have organized a caucus that shall hereafter be known as the  Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus.  

Recognizing that the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has committed  itself to the principles of representing the common good and individuals in the political process  and of fair representation at every lx`evel of state activity, we organize with the intention of advising  the Party of the means by which it can best fulfill the ideals from which its principles derive. 

The Progressive Caucus is a forum and focus for action on issues of concern to all the individual  residents of Pennsylvania. Our goal is to assist in the party building and the winning of elections  while promoting the general welfare of all the residents of Pennsylvania. 

As committed Democrats, we seek a truly just society. We will collectively and individually work  through the Democratic Party to achieve the eradication of racial, sexual, and economic  discrimination, and toward the realization of a national community in which social equity and a  respect for individual dignity prevail. We pledge, therefore, that consistent with the principles of  our Party, we honor the rules set forth in the Charter and By-Laws of the Democratic Party of the  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For these ends and upon these principles, we do establish and  adopt this charter of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus. 

AMENDMENTS, BY-LAWS AND RULES 

Section 1. This Charter may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and  voting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus, provided that at  least thirty days written notice of the meeting on the proposed amendment has been given to all  member of the Caucus.

Section 2. By-Laws of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus shall  be adopted to provide for the governance of the affairs of the Caucus. 

RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION 

The Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus, assembled pursuant to the motion for adoption passed by a unanimous vote on Saturday, February 5, 2011, hereby adopts  for the governance of the Caucus the Charter attached hereto.

BYLAWS 

Adopted Pursuant to the Charter of the 

PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE 

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS 

ARTICLE ONE. NAME, PURPOSE, DUTIES AND POWERS 

Section 1. Name and Purpose 

This organization shall be known as the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive  Caucus. It shall have general responsibility for advising the Pennsylvania Democratic Party on  matters of strategy and policy pertaining to progressive issues, subject to the provision of these  Bylaws, adopted pursuant to the Charter of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee's  Progressive Caucus, and the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth  of Pennsylvania. This responsibility shall include, but not be limited to: 

(a) Uniting the progressive members within the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee; (b) Giving a united voice within State Committee to all progressive Democrats Statewide; (c) Seeking out, endorsing, promoting and supporting progressive Democratic candidates to  run for political office; 

(d) Actively lobbying and working for all social and economic issues this body endorses; (e) Promoting and supporting the Democratic process within the Pennsylvania Democratic  State Committee; 

(f) Assisting the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee in developing strategies for  advocating progressive values as part of its ongoing agenda; 

(g) Monitoring and advocating the Democratic Party's progress toward implementing its  stated commitment to progressive values in the formation of policy and the conduct of  Party; 

(h) Recommending means by which national, state, and local Democratic Party  organizations can develop effective progressive programs with specific goals and  timetables for achieving results; 

(i) Establishing networks for the development of grassroots support of the progressive  values of the Democratic Party; 

(j) Channeling resources to aid in the achievement of the aforementioned objectives; and (k) Taking such other actions as may be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of  these Bylaws. 

ARTICLE TWO. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Section 1. Definitions 

(a) “Caucus” or “Progressive Caucus” shall mean the Pennsylvania Democratic State  Committee Progressive Caucus. 

(b) “The Democratic Party” shall mean the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of  Pennsylvania. 

ARTICLE THREE. MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1. Voting Membership 

Voting membership of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus shall  be limited to members of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, meeting the  requirements for selection, certification, and eligibility as defined by the Charter and Bylaws of the  Democratic Party of Pennsylvania, who have submitted a membership form/application and any dues, which shall be voluntary, to the Treasurer of the Progressive Caucus. 

Section 2. Associate Membership 

Any registered Democrat who is not a member of State Committee may be a non-voting  Associate Member of the Progressive Caucus provided he or she has submitted a membership  form/application and any dues, which shall be voluntary, to the Treasurer of the Progressive  Caucus. 

Section 3. Removal of Members 

(a) Removal from the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee as provided by the Charter  and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall  constitute cause for removal as a voting member. 

(b) After a minimum of ten days notice and opportunity for a hearing before the Caucus,  upon grounds found by the Caucus to constitute good and sufficient cause, the  Progressive Caucus may remove a member by two-thirds vote of a quorum or a majority  of the entire membership.  

ARTICLE FOUR. MEETINGS 

Section 1. Organizational Meeting 

The Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus shall hold an Organizational  Meeting every four years, concurrent with the Organizational Meeting held by the PA Democratic  State Committee after its election, for the purpose of election of Caucus officers and any other  organizational business that may come before the Caucus. 

Section 2. Regular Meetings 

The Progressive Caucus shall hold regular meetings concurrent with Pennsylvania Democratic  State Committee meetings. 

Section 3. Special Meetings 

Special meetings of the Progressive Caucus may also be called by the Chair or by written request  of no fewer than one-quarter (25%) of the members of the Caucus. It shall be the duty of the  Caucus Chair to honor a qualified written request from members of the Caucus and call the  Special Meeting within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of the request. The date of such meeting  shall be fixed by the Chair not later than thirty (30) days nor earlier than fifteen (15) days from the  date of the call. 

Section 4. Call to Meetings 

No later than ten days before each scheduled meeting, the members of the Progressive Caucus  shall receive written notice by US Mail, fax, or email of the date, time and place of such meeting,  and the tentative agenda.  

Section 5. Quorum and Voting Privileges 

(a) Twenty percent (20%) of the current voting membership of the Caucus or fifteen (15)  such voting members, whichever is greater, shall constitute a quorum.  

(b) Voting privileges shall be reserved for those Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee  members who have had their membership application recorded by the Secretary of the  Progressive Caucus for at least one previous meeting of the Caucus. This provision shall  not apply at the Organizational Meeting following the election of Pennsylvania State  Committee members. 

(c) Each member having voting privileges shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each issue  before it. 

(d) Voting by proxy on behalf of Voting Members of the Progressive Caucus shall be  permitted only as provided in the Bylaws of the Pennsylvania Democratic State  Committee. Proxies may be either general or limited, and instructed or uninstructed. All  proxies shall be in writing and transferable if so specified. No member or proxy member 

may at any time cast more than one (1) vote on each issue before it. A proxy for any  officer of the Caucus shall not be entitled to assume the duties or powers of the office. 

ARTICLE FIVE. OFFICERS 

Section 1. Election and Tenure of Officers 

The officers of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus shall consist  of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected by a majority of a  quorum of the Caucus at each Organizational Meeting of the Progressive Caucus following the  election of State Committee members. Officers shall be chosen from the Voting Members of the  Progressive Caucus. 

(a) The term of office shall be four years, and until a successor shall be elected. (b) The offices of Chair and Vice Chair shall be gender balanced. 

Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Chair 

The Chair shall be the chief presiding officer of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee  Progressive Caucus and its Executive Committee, and shall exercise the authority delegated to  her/him by the Caucus. She/he shall be required to attend all meetings except for good and  sufficient cause.  

(a) The Chair shall appoint a Parliamentarian, tellers, etc., as needed. 

(b) Subject to Article Seven of these bylaws, the Chair shall appoint such committees as the  business of the Caucus shall require. 

(c) The Chair shall contribute to the formation of Party and Caucus policy. (d) The Chair shall execute all other actions necessary or appropriate in order to carry out  the provisions of the Charter and Bylaws of the Caucus and to secure full and adequate  participation by Progressives in all Party affairs. 

Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities of the Vice-Chair 

The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair and may perform  any other duties necessary to carry out the provisions of the Caucus Charter and Bylaws. She/he  shall be required to attend all meetings except for good and sufficient cause. 

Section 4. Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary 

The Secretary shall take and keep the minutes of all Caucus meetings and may perform any  other duties necessary to carry out the provisions of the Caucus Charter and Bylaws. She/he  shall be required to attend all meetings except for good and sufficient cause. 

Section 5. Duties and Responsibilities of the Treasurer 

The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all financial transactions of the Caucus; (a) She/he shall be a signatory on all accounts maintained by the Caucus; (b) She/he shall collect any dues, which shall be voluntary, in accordance with a voluntary  dues policy established by the Caucus; and  

(c) She/he may perform any other duties necessary to carry out the provisions of the Caucus  Charter and Bylaws. 

(d) She/He shall attend all meetings of the Caucus except for good and sufficient cause. (e) She/He shall make a financial report at each meeting, and annually at the first meeting of  each new year shall present a written financial report for the previous year to the Audit  Committee. 

Section 6. Removal from Office 

(a) An officer of the Caucus may resign by written notice to the Chair of the Caucus, or in a  case of resignation of the Chair, to the Vice Chair. Such resignation shall be effective  immediately. 

(b) After a minimum of ten days notice and opportunity for a hearing before the Caucus, and  upon grounds found by the Caucus to constitute good and sufficient cause, the Caucus 

may remove an officer by two-thirds vote of a quorum or a majority of the entire  membership. 

(c) An officer will be presumed to have resigned from her/his office if she/he fails to attend  three consecutive Progressive Caucus meetings in person, or if she/he resigns or is  removed from membership in the State Committee. 

Section 7. Vacancies 

Vacancies created by death, resignation, or removal of any officer of the Caucus shall be filled by  the election of a replacement officer by the full Caucus at its next regular meeting. Any  replacement so elected shall serve for the remainder of the original officer’s term and until a new  successor shall be elected. 

(a) The Chair may make an interim appointment for the purpose of filling said vacancy until  the full Caucus is convened. 

ARTICLE SIX. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Section 1. Composition 

The Executive Committee of the Progressive Caucus shall consist of five members comprised of  its current Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, plus its immediate Past Chair. In the event  the immediate Past Chair declines Executive Committee membership, is no longer a voting  member of the Progressive Caucus, or is elected to another office for the current term, the  Caucus shall elect one other voting member to serve as an at-large member of the Executive  Committee in place of the immediate Past Chair. 

Section 2. Powers and Duties 

The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Caucus between  meetings, shall consult with the membership and make recommendations to it, and shall perform  such other duties as these Bylaws or the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of Pennsylvania shall  require. The Executive Committee shall be subject to actions of the Caucus, and none of its acts  shall conflict with actions taken by the Caucus. 

Section 3. Meetings and Votes of the Executive Committee 

(a) Meetings of the Executive Committee may be convened in person or by conference call  or videoconference. 

(b) Members of the Executive Committee may vote by voice or standing vote, or by  telephone, email, or other electronic means. 

ARTICLE SEVEN. OTHER COMMITTEES 

Section 1. Audit Committee 

The Chair shall annually appoint an Audit Committee consisting of three Voting Members, other  than the Treasurer, to review the annual financial report of the Caucus. 

Section 2. Authorization 

The Caucus may from time to time create such other standing or ad hoc committees, as it shall  deem appropriate. 

(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Charter or in these Bylaws, the members of all  committees of the Caucus shall be appointed by the Chair of the Progressive Caucus,  subject to ratification by the Caucus. 

(b) All matters referred to any special committee, standing committee, or other sub-group  must be acted upon and said action reported to the body that originated the committee.

ARTICLE EIGHT. AMENDMENTS 

Section 1. Procedure for Amendment 

The Charter or Bylaws of the Progressive Caucus may be amended by a two-thirds majority of a  quorum at any meeting of the Caucus duly called and convened, provided that notice of the  proposed amendment(s) and a copy of thereof is submitted to all Caucus members in writing by  US Mail or email, with or prior to the Ten-Day Call to the Meeting. 

ARTICLE NINE. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY 

Section 1. Parliamentary Authority 

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern  the Caucus 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 Caucus may adopt. 

ARTICLE TEN. SEVERABILITY 

Section 1. Severability 

Any article or section of these bylaws found to be in conflict with those of the Pennsylvania  Democratic Party or Democratic State Committee, or with applicable state or federal law, shall be  null and void. In such case, the remaining articles and sections shall remain valid and in force  until amended as provided herein. 

ADOPTED: June, 2011 

REVISED: March 5, 2016.