The Staten Island
Democratic Association
Revised Constitution
Voted on at July 17, 1979
Meeting, revised at
Sept. 17, 2013, Dec. 17,
2013, Nov. 21, 2017, February 19, 2019 and January 21, 2020 meetings
Preamble
We believe in the principles of the Democratic Party on the
national, state and local levels. We believe that the successful
furthering of these principles demands an active party organization
in every community. We believe that such an active party
organization can exist only if it is representative of all the
Democratic voters in such communities. In consonance with these
beliefs, we adopt the following Constitution, to be the guiding
instrument of such an organization to be formed in Richmond County.
Article I
The name of the club shall be: The Staten Island
Democratic Association.
Article II
The purpose of the club shall be:
a)
To provide an independent, vigorous, liberal Democratic organization
in Richmond County;
b)
To promote the basic principles of the Democratic Party on the
national, state and local levels;
c)
To encourage the participation of all Democrats in the affairs of
their party;
d)
To seek and support candidates for public and party office of
ability and integrity who are dedicated to public service, to
promote measures designed to serve all the people, and to encourage
the appointment of qualified public officials and employees without
regard to political sponsorship; and
e)
To further the interest and participation of all citizens in the
civic affairs of our community.
Article
III
Membership
Section 1: Qualifications. Any
person at least 17 years of age who subscribes to and desires to
further the purposes of the club as set forth in Article II hereof
shall be eligible for membership, restricted to enroled Democrats or
those who state their intent to enrol as soon as eligible.
Section 2: Classes and Privileges.
There shall be only one class of membership, i.e., regular
members who shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership.
Any eligible person may become a regular member (i.e., a member in
good standing) upon payment of the annual dues prescribed for such
members in accordance with Section 3 of this Article.
Section 3: Dues. Dues
of the members will be set by a vote of the membership.
Dues are due on January 1
of the calendar year. If you have not paid by January 31, your
membership is in arrears.
Members in default in
payment of dues after the 31 day of January of any year
shall cease to be members in good standing. However, any person
first becoming a member after the first day of October of any
year will remain a member in good standing for the next calendar
year without the payment of additional dues.
A person who has not paid
dues for the current calendar year, but paid for the previous year
is in arrears, and can restore “member in good standing” status by
paying the dues for the current calendar year.
A person who last paid
dues prior to the previous calendar year is a lapsed member, and
upon paying dues becomes a new member, subject to the 45 day
restriction for voting.
A person must be a member
in good standing to:
·
Make motions
·
Vote on motions
·
Vote for endorsements
·
Vote in club elections
·
Run in club elections
Section 4: Expulsion. The
expulsion of any member for conduct inimical to the best interests
of the club or contrary to the purposes of the club, as set forth in
Article II hereof may be proposed by a petition enumerating the
reasons thereof, signed by at least five members of the Executive
Committee or 15 members of the club and submitted to the
Corresponding and Recording Secretary or the Executive Secretary.
The Secretary shall present the petition at the next meeting of the
Executive Committee. The Secretary will give the member in question
at least ten days notice by registered or certified mail of the time
and place of such meeting, the charges against him or her, and his
or her right to make a statement in person and/or in writing to such
meeting. A vote of at least two‑thirds of the full membership of the
Executive Committee shall be required for expulsion. If the
Executive Committee votes to expel the member, written notice shall
be immediately give the member, who shall have ten days to appeal
such action by written notice to the President, or Executive
Secretary, or Corresponding and Recording Secretary. If such appeal
is taken, the action of the Executive Committee shall be inoperative
unless and until ratified by a vote of two‑thirds of the members
present and voting at the next meeting of the club.
Article
IV
Meetings
Section 1: Annual Meeting, The
annual meeting of the club shall be held in January, on a date to be
fixed by the Executive Committee. The purpose of the meeting shall
be the election of officers and members‑at‑large for the Executive
Committee and the transaction of such other business as may properly
come before it.
Section 2: Other Meetings.
There shall be monthly meetings. A special meeting may be called at
any time by the President or the Executive Committee, and shall be
called within 21 days by the President upon the written request of
at least fifteen members. [Revised Sept. 2013]
Section 3: Notice. All members
shall be given at least seven days written notice of the annual
meeting and at least five days written notice of other meetings.
Section 4: Quorum. Fifteen
members or 15% of the membership, whichever is the fewer, shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 5: Voting. Except as
elsewhere provided in this constitution, every member in good
standing shall be entitled to one vote, provided that:
a) He or she has been a member for at least 45 days.
b) He or she is a registered voter
and an enroled Democrat, or states an intention to enrol as soon as
feasible.
Votes must be cast in person and not by proxy, and all
questions shall be decided by a majority of those voting, except
when a 2/3 vote is required by parliamentary rules or provisions of
this constitution.
Section 6: Agenda. The
President, or in the absence of the President, the Vice President,
with the input of the Executive Committee, shall prepare an agenda
for each meeting. Members who wish to have something added to the
agenda must notify the President before the meeting. [Revised Sept.
2013]
Article V
Officers
Section 1: Titles. The officers of the club shall be the
President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Corresponding and
Recording Secretary, Social Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2: Term of Office. All officers shall be elected
at the annual meeting of the club in January of each year and shall
serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors shall
have been elected and shall have qualified. No member shall hold the
office of President for more than two terms unless five years shall
have passed after the second term.
Section 3: Qualifications. Any member in good standing
shall be eligible to hold office, provided, however, that no member
shall be eligible to hold more than one office at the same time.
Section 4: Membership on the Executive Committee. All
officers shall be members ex officio of the Executive
Committee, with full powers.
Section 5: Duties.
a) President: The President shall be the chief
administrative officer of the club, who shall preside at all
meetings of the club and of the Executive Committee, submit a report
to the membership at each meeting of the club on condition and
activities of the club, and shall perform such other duties as the
Executive Committee may from time to time direct.
b) Vice President: The Vice President shall, at the
direction of the President, perform such duties as the President or
the Executive Committee may from time to time direct. In the event
of the temporary absence of the President, the Vice President shall
serve as Acting President.
c) Executive Secretary: The Executive Secretary shall
assist the President and Executive Committee in the administration
of club activities and duties.
d) Corresponding and Recording Secretary: The
Corresponding and Recording Secretary shall be responsible for the
preparation and safe keeping of minutes of all proceedings of the
club. He or she shall prepare and mail notices of all meetings of
the club and such other notices as shall be required by this
constitution.
e) Social Secretary: The Social Secretary shall be
responsible for the development of all social activities involving
the club. He or she will present to the Executive Committee for
approval each project with plans clearly outlined. He or she will
work with the chairperson of any and all committees with related
functions, e.g., find raising, membership and campaign.
f) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have custody of all
funds which shall be deposited in a bank or banks designated by the
Executive Committee. No expenditures exceeding $25 shall be
committed without the authorization of the President or Executive
Committee. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of
books of account showing all receipts and disbursements and such
other books of account as the Executive Committee may direct, which
books shall be open to the inspection of any member of the club upon
reasonable notice. The Treasurer shall prepare and submit all
financial reports required by law, shall render an account of the
financial condition of the club at each meeting of the Executive
Committee, and shall make an annual report to the members at the
annual meeting.
Section 6: Vacancies. If the
office of President shall become vacant, the Vice President shall be
President to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. A vacancy in
any other office shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired
term by the Executive Committee
Section 7: Removal. The
removal of any officer for conduct inimical to the best interests of
the club or contrary to the purposes of the club as set forth in
Article II hereof, may be proposed by a petition enumerating the
reasons therefor, signed by at least five members of the Executive
Committee or 15 members of the club and submitted to either the
Executive or Corresponding and Recording Secretary, who shall
present the petition at the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
The Secretary will give the officer in question at least ten days
notice by certified or registered mail of the time and place of such
meeting, and the charges against him or her, and his or her right to
make a statement in person or in writing to such meeting. A vote of
at least two thirds of the full membership of the Executive
Committee shall be required for removal. If the Executive Committee
votes to remove an officer, written notice shall immediately be
given the officer, who shall have ten days to appeal such action by
written notice to the President or either Secretary named above. If
such appeal is taken, the action of the Executive Committee shall be
inoperative unless and until ratified by a vote of two‑thirds of the
members present and voting at the next meeting of the club.
Article VI
Party Officers
Section 1: Membership on the County Executive Committee.
Endorsement of candidates for the Executive Committee of the
Democratic County Committee of Richmond County may be considered at
a meeting to be held subsequent to election of county committee
members and prior to the organizing convention of the Democratic
County Committee. At that time candidates for election as officers
of the County Committee of Richmond County shall be voted upon at
such proposed meeting by secret ballot by members entitled to vote
pursuant to Article IV, Section 5, in a manner consistent with the
guidelines for elections as set forth in Article VIII, below.
Candidates who obtain a majority of votes cast shall receive the
endorsement of the club. If elected, they shall be members ex
officio of the Executive Committee of this club with full powers to
vote, provided that they currently hold membership in the club.
Section 2: Duties. Executive members of the Democratic
County Committee of Richmond County who are elected with the
endorsement of the club shall consult with the Executive Committee
and with the general membership from time to time, and shall render
reports to the general membership from time to time.
Article VII
Executive Committee
Section 1: Numbers. The Executive
Committee shall consist of seven members at‑large elected by the
membership of the club, all officers of the club, former presidents
for the three terms following the end of their term of office, and
all Executive Members of the Democratic County Committee of Richmond
County endorsed and holding membership pursuant to Article VI,
Section 1.
The number of members of the Executive Committee may be
increased in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, Section
4B.
Section 2: Term of Office. Members at
large shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall serve until
the next annual meeting and until their successors shall have been
elected and shall have qualified.
Section 3: Qualifications. Any member
in good standing shall be eligible to serve as a member‑at‑large of
the Executive Committee.
Section 4: Functions. The Executive
Committee shall direct and supervise the policies, management and
procedures of the club, and in pursuance of these functions may make
such rules and regulations not inconsistent with law or this
constitution as it shall deem necessary and proper. The Executive
Committee may form such sub‑committees as it deems necessary to
conduct the administration of the club.
Section 5: Meetings. The Executive
Committee shall meet on the call of the President within 21 days
following the annual meeting and thereafter shall meet regularly
once every month on such dates as it may determine. Special meetings
may be called at any time upon at least 24 hours notice by the
President, or, in his temporary absence, by the Executive or
Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and shall be called by the
President upon the written petition of five or more members of the
Executive Committee.
Section 6: Quorum and Voting.
Five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. Every member of the Executive
Committee shall be entitled to one vote on all questions, which must
be cast in person and not by proxy, and except as elsewhere provided
in this constitution, all questions shall be decided by a majority
of those voting.
Section 7: Vacancies. If
vacancies occur in the membership-at-large of the Executive
Committee, the person who received the next highest number of votes
for “member-at-large” in the election shall fill the vacancy.
[Revised Sept. 2013]
Section 8: Removal. Procedures
for removal of an Executive Committee members shall be the same as
those provided for the removal of officers in Article V, Section 7,
above, except that removal shall be automatic if any elected member
of the Executive Committee fails to attend three consecutive meeting
of the Executive Committee, unless a requested leave of absence is
granted by the Executive Committee. Notification of this action will
be sent in writing after the second meeting missed.
Article VIII
Elections
Section 1: Time. Officers and
members‑at‑large of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the
annual meeting.
Section 2: Nominations.
a) Nominating Committee. At the October meeting there
shall be elected by ballot a Nominating Committee of nine members of
the club. Balloting for members of the Nominating Committee shall
conform, as nearly as may be, to the procedure for election of
members‑at‑large of the Executive Committee as set forth in Section
4B of this Article.
The member of the Nominating
Committee who receives the most votes shall be the chair of the
Nominating Committee. The
Nominating Committee shall select nominees for each of the offices
and for members‑at‑large of the Executive Committee, which selection
shall be made by majority vote of the Nominating Committee. At the
November meeting, the Nominating Committee shall submit to the
members of the club a written report setting forth the nominees for
the various positions. If requested by two members of the Nominating
Committee, the report shall include a minority report in which
additional nominations may be made for any position or positions and
such nominees shall be deemed to have been nominated in addition to
the nominees of the majority. The report shall also set forth the
procedure for nomination by petition.
b) Nominations by petition.
Additional nomination may be made by petition signed by 15% of those
members in good standing or 15 members, whichever is the fewer, as
of the final date for the submission of such petitions namely, the
December meeting at which all candidates shall be presented to the
membership as an order of business. Nominating petitions shall be
submitted to the Corresponding and Recording Secretary, or, in his
or her absence to an officer designated by the President or the
Acting President.
c) Nomination from the floor.
Nominations from the floor may be made only in the event that no
eligible candidate has been otherwise nominated for an office.
d) Notice. All names of
persons nominated will be included in the mailed notice of the
annual meeting.
Section 3: Members entitled to
vote. All members eligible under the provisions of Article IV,
Section 5, shall be entitled to vote in club elections.
Section 4: Voting Procedure.
Voting shall be by secret written ballot, except when there is no
contest for an office.
a) Officers. There shall be a separate vote for each
office in the order listed in the constitution. Each member entitled
to vote shall have one vote for each position to be filled, and a
majority of votes cast shall be necessary for election. If no
nominee receives a majority on the first ballot, additional ballots
shall be had between the nominees having the two highest numbers of
votes until one such nominee obtains a majority.
b) Executive Committee. After the officers have been
elected, there shall be a single ballot for members‑at‑large of the
Executive Committee. Added to this ballot shall be the name of any
person nominated for an office who shall have failed of election.
Each member entitled to vote shall have one vote for each position
of member‑at‑large of the Executive Committee, and the seven
nominees who receive the highest number of votes shall be declared
elected. In the event of any tie which makes it impossible to
determine which seven nominees are elected, all those nominees tied
for 7th place shall be deemed elected.
Article IX
Candidates for Public and Party Office
Section 1: Endorsement of
Candidates in Primary Elections. Endorsement of candidates for
election to party office or for nomination as the Democratic
candidate for public office where such office is to be voted upon in
a forthcoming primary election in Richmond County, or in a political
subdivision which includes all or part of Richmond County, may be
proposed by the Executive Committee or by a written petition signed
by 15% of the membership entitled to vote pursuant to Article IV,
Section 5, above, or 20 such members and submitted to the Executive
or Corresponding and Recording Secretary. Such proposal shall be
included in the notice of meeting next sent out and shall be placed
upon the agenda of that meeting. Names of additional candidates for
such office may be proposed from the floor of that meeting by any
member of the club. All candidates proposed for such office then
shall be voted upon by secret ballot by members entitled to vote
pursuant to Article IV, Section 5. The candidate who obtains a
majority of the votes cast shall receive the endorsement of the
club.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to candidates
for election as members of the Democratic County Committee.
Section 2: Endorsement of Candidates in General and Special
Elections.
The procedures set forth in Section 1, above, shall be used for
the endorsement of candidates in general or special elections.
Article X
Committees
Section 1: Audit Committee.
There shall be an Audit Committee which shall examine and audit the
books of account of the club every year, within 30 days of the
Annual Meeting and election of club officers; and at such other
times as the President or the Executive Committee shall direct. A
report of the Audit shall be submitted to the Executive Committee
and to the members at the next general meeting following such Audit.
[Revised Dec. 2013]
Section 2: Campaign Committee.
There shall be a Campaign Committee which shall direct and supervise
the activities of club in all primary and general elections in which
the club participates. In addition, the Campaign Committee shall
select and designate Area Captains and candidates for membership on
the Democratic County Committee of Richmond County, provided,
however, that such selections and designations shall be subject to
approval by the President or the Executive Committee.
Section: 3: Other Committees.
The President or the Executive Committee may, from time to time,
create such other committees as may be deemed necessary.
Section 4: Committee chairs and
members. Chair persons of all committees shall be appointed by
the president by and with the consent of the Executive Committee and
may be removed at any time by the President. Members of all
committees shall be appointed by the President in consultation with
the respective chairs.
Article XI
Use of the Club Name
No person, whether a member of the club or otherwise, shall use
the name of the club in any way which may indicate official sanction
by the club of any statement or action or in any way which may
indicate support of the club of any candidate without prior
authorization by the Executive Committee, or by the membership of
the club.
Article XII
Notices
All notices required by this constitution shall be deemed given
when mailed. This provision shall not apply to special meetings of
the Executive Committee called upon 24 hours notice, as prescribed
by Section 5 of Article VII.
Article XIII
Order
Parliamentary Procedure shall be governed by Robert's Rules
of Order (revised) in the absence of any contrary provisions in
this constitution.
Article XIV
Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by the
Executive Committee or by written petition signed by 15 members or
15% of the membership, whichever is the greater, and submitted to
the Executive or Corresponding and Recording Secretary. To become
effective, any amendment so proposed must be approved and adopted
thereafter by two‑thirds of the members present and voting at a
single meeting of the club. The substance of the change (s) to be
effected by such proposed amendment (s) must be included in the
notice of the meeting.
|
|