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By-laws of the Wayne County Democratic
ARTICLE I. NAME AND MEMBERSHIP
This organization shall be known as the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party. Its membership shall consist of any member who lives in the County of Wayne, all of whom must also be members of the Michigan Democratic Party and also/Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus is to promote the interests and concerns of Wayne County Black Residents within the Democratic Party, to promote the ideals and principles of Democratic Party, good government, democracy and to elect Democrats.
ARTILCE III. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Section 1. All public meetings of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus shall be open
to attendance by all members of the Democratic Party regardless of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 2. No tests for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus shall be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or current Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus members to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 3. The time and place for all public meetings of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.
Section 4. The Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a full description of the legal and practical procedures for election of Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus officers and representatives. Publication of these procedures shall be done in such a fashion that all prospective and current members of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedure in time to participate in each selection procedure of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus.
Section 5. The Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus shall publicize fully and in such a
manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications for all officers and representatives of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus. Such publication shall be done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applications for any elected or appointed position within Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for the office.
Section 6. Proportional voting shall be used in the election of the Officers and Executive
Committee of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus.
Section 7. All rules and bylaws of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus shall be
consistent with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party and shall be available upon written request by any member of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus.
Section 8. The unit rule is prohibited in the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus.
Section9. No rule shall be adopted at any level of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus that would require a person to cast a vote or be recorded as voting contrary to the person's
judgment.
Section 10. On all questions of procedure not resolved by the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party or these Bylaws, the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be used.
Section 11. Votes shall not be taken by secret ballot at any meeting of the Wayne County
Democratic Black Caucus at any level.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The Officers shall be a Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson, Second Vice-Chairperson can be of same sex or opposite of the Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. They shall have a Four (4) year term and be elected in March of the Election year. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers, three (3) at large members and Four (4) members who shall be appointed by the Congressional District Chair of the respective Districts represented in Wayne County. Vacancies among the Officers shall be filled by a vote of the Executive Committee, which shall take place within Thirty (30) days of the vacancy-
Section2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers and Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus elected members. The elected members shall serve a Four (4) year term and be elected as described in the above section.
Section 3. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings and have such other duties as are usual to the officer of Chairperson, or that may be required by this organization.
Section 4. The First Vice- Chairperson and Second Vice- Chairperson can be of the same or opposite sex from the Chairperson. The Vice-Chairpersons shall assist the Chairperson in the discharge of his/her duties, and shall temporarily assume the duties and responsibilities, such as the attendance of 4 the members of Wayne County, of the Chairperson in his/her absence. Every elected officer MUST attend every meeting, with the exception of three UNEXCUSED absences. If those absences are expired the officers can be REPLACED.
Section 5. The Secretary of this organization shall keep an accurate record and minutes of the proceedings of all meetings. He/ She shall keep and preserve all the books, documents, correspondence, records, minutes, effects, and any other property of this organization, and when a new secretary is elected the past secretary shall forth worth deliver to the newly elected secretary all the aforesaid items kept and preserved during huis/her tenure of office, He/ She shall see that proper notification is given of Caucus meetings.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial receipts and disbursements of this organization subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. The funds of this organization shall be deposited in banks and shall be drawn upon only by checks signed by any two of the following officers: Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Treasurer shall make financial reports to the Executive Committee and the Caucus. When a new Treasurer is elected, the past Treasurer shall forthwith deliver to the new Treasurer the funds and all the books and records kept during his/ her tenure in office.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular meetings of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus Executive Committee shall be on the date and at the location and time set forth in the meeting notice. At least five (5) days' notice shall be given of the date, place, and time of the meeting. Notice may be given by telephone, mail, telegram, text, fax, or email. A quorum shall consist of six (6) Members of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. At least Four (4) meetings per calendar year there shall be a full membership meeting of the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus, where the Officers and Executive Committee shall 5 report on Caucus activities. At least Five (5) days' notice of the date, place, and time of the meeting shall be given. Notice may be given by mail, text, fax, or email.
Section 3. Special meetings of the Executive Committee or full membership may be called by a majority of the Executive Committee of full membership, respectively. At least five (5) days' notice shall be given of the date, place, time and purpose of the special meeting. Notice may be given by mail, text, fax, or email. Ten percent of the full membership is a quorum for a full membership meeting.
Section 4. Subject to the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party and these Bylaws, all meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rule of Order (latest edition).
ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Chairperson, subject to the approval of the majority of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the committees and committee chairpersons necessary for the work of the organization
Section 2. Standing Committees shall include the following:
These committees shall include the appropriate subcommittees. The Chairperson of the Caucus
shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
ARTICLE VII. ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Rules and Bylaws Committee
2. Finance/ Fundraiser committee
3. Endorsement Committee
4. Political Organization/ Campaign Committee
5. Communications/ Memberships Committee
6. Policy and Resolutions Committee
7. Good and Welfare Committee
At full membership meetings, the business or the organization shall proceed in the following order:
1. Roll call of officers
2. Minutes of the previous meeting
3. Reports of officers
a. Chair
b. Vice-Chair's
c. Treasurer (financial report)
d. Secretary (correspondence)
4. Reports of committee
5. Old business
6. Good and Welfare
7. Adjournment
ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposals for change or amendments to these Bylaws shall first ne referred to the Rules and Bylaws Committee, which shall report its recommendations to the next regular Caucus meeting or special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 2. These Bylaws may be amended by a two- thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members of Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus present at a meeting, provided that written notice setting forth the proposed amendment has been given to all Caucus members at least two (2) weeks prior the date of the meeting.
Section 3. These Bylaws shall be in full force and effect upon their adoption and shall supersede all Bylaws, rules, motions, and policies of a contrary nature with the exception the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Section 4. Notwithstanding any of the ABOVE, the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus is not, and shall not be constructed as, an agent or affiliate of the Michigan Democratic Party for any purpose whatsoever, nor shall the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus have the authority to act on behalf of or bind the Michigan Democratic Party financially, contractually, or otherwise.
- These Bylaws have been presented to the Michigan Democratic Party.