SHANDAKEN DEMOCRAT CLUB
Our Mission: "to endorse and support the election and appointment of Democratic candidates to partisan and nonpartisan offices throughout our voting districts: Town, County, State and Nation." Read More>>>
By-Laws
II. Membership & Voting Rights
VI. Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
A. In our membership, it is to be open, inclusive, and representative of the Town of Shandaken.
B. To operate at all times in an open and democratic manner, and in accordance with established rules of fair procedure;
C. To serve the needs and address the problems of the residents of this community,
D. To work actively for the election of public and party officials of the highest ability and integrity, with a record of progressive convictions, and to demand from them accountability;
E. To provide an open forum for community debate on local and national issues, and to work
toward the furthering of the goals and needs of the 4 districts of Shandaken;
F. To investigate, initiate, and lobby for the enactment of legislation that will further our political goals;
G.To fight to preserve the historical integrity and unique character of the district, its
residents and businesses, its diversity and natural borders.
II. Membership & Voting Rights
A. Qualifications: Any registered Democrat residing in the Town of Shandaken who subscribes to, and desires to further the beliefs, as set forth in our Preamble, shall be eligible for membership, subject to the payment of dues.
B. Dues: There shall be a Five ($5.00) Dollar fee per individual member. All members will have equal rights within the club, except that non-residents of the Town of Shandaken shall not be officers, as provided for in IIID.
C. Member in Good Standing:
1. Membership shall fall due as of February meeting of each year, and may be renewed at the Annual Membership Meeting, and a person paying dues on or before that time shall be deemed to be a member in good standing through January meeting of the following year. A person will retain all rights of club membership to which (s)he was previously entitled for one calendar month after dues have expired. Thus, whoever tendered dues in December is eligible, without further payment, to exercise all rights of membership through January of the following year.
2. The period covered by per annum dues begins on the day such dues are paid (or if dues are mailed in on the date of the postmark) and extends through the end of January of the following year. There will be no refunds.
3. A member in default of dues for one year or less may remedy this default by paying both lapsed and current dues, and on such payment, shall regain, after 30 days, all rights and privileges of membership. The payment shall relate back to the date it was originally due.
4. A member in default of dues for more than one year shall be considered a new member.D. Rights of Members: Immediately upon payment of the initial dues, each new member shall receive a membership card and a copy of the club's by-laws. (S)he shall have the following rights and privileges:
1.To receive timely (see Meetings) notice by mail /Email of all general membership meetings and any other notice provided for in these by-laws;
2. To attend and participate in membership meetings, executive committee meeting, and other committee meetings, and to be a member of committees, in accordance with provisions set forth below;
3. To have voting rights: there shall be one category of membership with regard to voting. Only full voting members, as defined in 4a, will be allowed to vote on the following:
a. election of the club's officers and members of the club's executive committee;
b. endorsement of candidates for political or party office, and resolutions tantamount to endorsement;
c. votes on referenda and other questions to be proposed on the primary and general election ballot;
d. procedural votes which have a significant impact on any one of the above;
e. amendments to the club's by-laws.
4. Full voting member shall:
a. have been a member for 60 days, inclusive, from the date his/her check was submitted by hand, or from the date of the postmark on the envelope if mailed. It goes without saying that his/her payment must have cleared; and must be a resident in Shandaken and a registered Democrat.
b. not be a voting member or hold office in any other political club within Shandaken.
5. Expulsion: Any member may be expelled for cause following:
a. a petition enumerating the reasons and signed by a majority of the executive committee or twelve regular members of the club.
b. at least two weeks notice by certified mail of the time and place of the membership meeting at which the charges will be heard.
c. a vote to remove by at least two-thirds of the regular members present provided there is a quorumE. Code of Conduct
1.Members should support the principles and candidates of the Democratic Party.
2. Members act with responsibility and integrity with respect to Club business and within meetings.
3. Members must respect any confidential information regarding Club business or Club members, especially that declared to be so.
4. Violation of any of these can serve as grounds for expulsion.
A. Club officers shall be elected at the February general membership meeting.
B. Term of office is one year. All officers shall serve until the announcement of the result of the
subsequent election.
C. The club shall elect officers by majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting, provided there is a quorum.
D. Any member in good standing who is a resident of the Town of Shandaken for at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting shall be eligible to hold club office. No member shall hold more than one office.
E. Vacancies:l. If the office of president shall become vacant during the term, the vice- president shall serve as acting president until the next general membership meeting, at which time, to fill the remainder of the unexpired term, a special election for a new president shall be held.
2. If any other elected office or any place on the executive committee becomes vacant, shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by a special election at the next general membership meeting.F. No club member may be an officer and hold an elected or appointed political office.
G. A member of the executive or any other committee should, before addressing an issue disclose any potential conflict of interest, including, but not limited to having a financial interest in the issue. A member must refrain from voting on an issue on which (s)he has conflict.
H. All votes for officers, executive committee members, endorsements, by-law amendments and expulsion shall be written by ballot. The ballots shall be opened and counted, and the results shall be announced immediately following the vote. The secretary shall publish the results of the vote in the minutes mailed/Emailed to each member, and then place ballots in a sealed envelope until after the next regular scheduled membership meeting. No challenge to the accuracy of the count may be accepted after that next meeting.
A. The officers of this club shall be: president, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and treasurer.
B. Duties:
l. President: The president shall:
a. be the chief administrative officer of this club, a member of the executive committee and an ex-officio member of all other committees established by the club;
b. preside at all general membership meetings, and all meetings of the executive committee.
c. act as the official spokesperson for the club, report to the membership on its activities and shall perform such other duties as the executive committee may direct;
d. appoint and remove the chairs of all standing committees, with the advice and consent
of the executive committee;
e. assume or assign the duties of any other officer who has become temporarily incapacitated until (s)he can resume their responsibilities.
f. in the conduct of ordinary business, vote only in the event of a tie, except that the president may vote in any secret ballot.
2. Vice-President: In the absence of the president, or in the event that the office of the president shall become vacant, the vice-president shall preside at all general membership meetings, and all the executive committee assign. In the event of the temporary absence of the president and the vice-president, the executive committee shall select one of its members to be acting president.
3. Treasurer: The treasurer shall:
a. be responsible for all funds received and disbursed by the club, for maintaining the club's bank account, and all attendant financial records;
b. maintain a bank account which requires two signatures for issuing all checks. Signatorys will be the treasurer and either the president, vice-president, or the recording secretary;
c. give financial reports at the general membership meetings;
d. give a written annual financial report to the membership within 60 days of the end of the fiscal year.
e. keep an up-to-date list of all members in good standing, which list shall be determinative of the right of any member to vote at any meeting of the membership (see VI.B. l.);
f. sit as a member of fund raising committee.
g. report finances to the Board of Elections.
h. all financial records shall be open for inspection by members in good standing.
4. Recording Secretary: The recording secretary shall:
a. be responsible for the accurate preparation and/or compilation and safekeeping of the minutes of all proceedings of this club, of the executive committee, and all complication of committees, and such other records as the president or the executive committee may deem advisable. Minutes shall be open for inspection by any member in good standing of the club;
b. notify all members of all meetings of this club, with their agenda;
c. hold the corporate seal.
5. Corresponding Secretary: The corresponding secretary shall:
a. be responsible for the accurate preparation and/or compilation and safekeeping of all incoming and outgoing mail and correspondence as directed by the president with the advice and consent of the executive committee.
b. work closely and in tandem with the recording secretary.
c. send copies of resolutions to the relevant elected officials and agencies.C. Duties: The executive committee shall:
l. be the managing body of the club;
2. administer the policies of the club;
3. approve any expenditure greater than one hundred ($100.00) dollars except for routine expenses connected with mailing exclusively to the club membership;
4. set the agenda, the time, and the place for the general membership meetings;
5. advise and consent to all appointments by the president;
6. approve all uses of the mailing list other than meeting notice;
7. make any decision delegated to it by the general membership, except endorsement of
candidates;
8. hold meetings, at times and places mutually agreeable to its members, at special meetings, as necessary, called by the president upon the written or oral request of at least three members of the executive committee. Special meetings shall be held upon at least 72 hours of verbal notice to all members, except that a shorter notice shall be permitted in case of emergency, if approved by a majority of the executive committee.D. All meetings of the executive committee shall be open to all members of the club, and regular members shall have the right to speak.
E. Removal: Any officer may be removed for cause following:
l. a petition enumerating the reasons and signed by a majority of the executive committee or twelve regular members of the club;
2. at least two weeks notice by certified mail of the time and place of the membership meeting at which the charges will be heard;
3. a vote to remove by at least two-thirds of the regular members present, provided there is a quorum.
A. There shall be an executive committee which shall serve as the administrative
body of the club.
B. TERM AND COMPOSITION: The executive committee shall be comprised of all officers of the club, during their term in office, including: president, vice-president,
recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer and chairs of all standing
committees.
C. DUTIES: The executive committee shall:l. be the managing body of the club;
2. administer the policies of the club;
3. approve any expenditure greater than one hundred ($100.00) dollars
except for routine expenses connected with mailing exclusively to the club
membership;
4. set the agenda, the time, and the place for the general membership
meetings;
5. advise and consent to all appointments by the president;
6. approve all uses of the mailing list other than meeting notice;
7. make any decision delegated to it by the general membership, except
endorsement of candidates;
8. hold monthly meetings, at times and places mutually agreeable to its
members, at special meetings, as necessary, called by the president upon the
written or oral request of at least three memberrs of the executive committee.
Special meetings shall be held upon at least 48 hours of verbal notice to all
members, except that a shorter notice shall be permitted in case of emergency,
if aproved by a majority of the executive committee.D. All meetings of the executive committee shall be open to all members of the club,
and regular members shall have the right to speak.
E. REMOVAL: Any officer may be removed for cause following:l. a petition enumering the reasons and signed by a majority of the executive
committee or twelve regular members of the club;
2. at least two weeks notice by certified mail of the time and place of the
membership meeting at which the charges will be heard;
3. a vote to remove by at least two-thirds of the regular members present.
VI. Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
A. Committees:
l. There shall be the following standing committees: membership, fund raising, campaign, and such other committees as it shall be the pleasure of the president, with the advice and consent of the executive committee, to set up;
2. Conditions of Membership:
a. All committees shall be open to all club members in good standing upon formation , that is, for the first month following the date notice is given for formation in the minutes.
b. Any committee member who attends three consecutive meetings, may join that committee.
3. Campaign: The campaign committee chair must be a resident of the Town of Shandaken.
4. Only members of a committee shall have voting rights on that committee.
5. The president may remove committee chairs, subject to the advice and consent of the executive committee.
6. Committees shall meet as the need arises, at times and places mutually agreeable to their members.B. Standing Committees:
l. Membership Committee: The committee will receive from the treasurer accurate records of club membership and expirations, mailing notices to members during the month in which their annual membership dues are due, collecting dues and passing them on to the treasurer for deposit, prepare lists of members eligible to vote prior to any major club election or endorsement, greet club newcomers and candidates, and be responsible for recruiting new members.
2. Fund raising Committee: The committee is responsible for fund raising projects, and for planning social events. It will also arrange for any refreshments at club meetings, set up for meetings, and clean up after them. The treasurer will be an ex-officio member of this committee.
3. Campaign Committee: The committee will be responsible for the registration of new voters and the day-to-day operations during campaigns (such as gathering of signatures for qualifying petitions, co-ordinating volunteers, and arranging for the printing of literature). It will prepare, prior to the start of the campaign, a campaign budget, and submit it for approval by the executive committee and the general membership.
A. Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised will govern procedure, except where superseded by these by-laws.
B. General Membership Meetings:
l. Annual Meeting of Members: The club will hold its annual meeting during the month of
February, to elect officers and to transact such other business as may properly come before it.
2. In addition, the club will hold at least six monthly meetings per year, at times set by the
president, with the consent of the executive committee.
3. The president, with the consent of the executive committee may call General meetings at any time.
4. All members shall be given at least 72 hours notice.
5. In case of emergency, the president, with the consent of the executive committee may declare an emergency meeting of the general membership with three days notice, a clear explanation of the emergency must appear on the face of the notice.
6. Except in cases of emergency, the club will not call for membership meeting during normal working hours on a business day, nor for a place of meeting not in the executive district of the club.
7. Quorum: One-third (1/3) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum.
8. Voting: Unless otherwise provided, all questions shall be decided by a majority of members present, and each member present shall have one vote.
VIII. Ratification & Amendment of By-law
A. These by-laws shall be ratified, and may be amended, upon its ratification, by two-third of
the members.
B. Notice for such a meeting must include the proposed by-laws or amendment.
Democrats must unite behind a common purpose; to protect and further the progressive reforms of the past century, reforms that the Democratic Party has been instrumental in enacting. We appeal to all people who call this region home to participate in the political process, turn the political tide to favor Democrats and ensure the preservation of our Constitutional Rights.
The Shandaken Democrat Club seeks to build a foundation of progress that is consistent with the principles of the Democratic Party. In working towards fulfilling this goal, we shall endeavor to endorse and support the election and appointment of Democratic candidates to partisan and nonpartisan offices throughout our voting districts: Town, County, State and Nation. We stand behind Democratic candidates and support County Committee Members who honor our endorsement.
The Shandaken Democrat Club unites behind a common purpose of:
- Increasing the number of registered Democrat voters.
- Boosting Democratic voter turn out through Club "get out the vote" efforts.
- Promoting Club membership. An increased membership brings valuable resources to the cause.
- Identifying qualified candidates to run for office.
- Encouraging involvement of teenagers and young adults, the next generation of Democrats.Principles of Unity
I The Club generally supports the principles and the candidates of the National Democratic Committee and will work to promote them in Shandaken.
II The Club is committed to building a dynamic and supportive community of
Democratic activists: locally, regionally and nationally.
III The Club will promote and support candidates who are honest, ethical and
committed to working responsibly for the well being of all constituents
of Shandaken.
IV The Club supports and will work to encourage economic develoment that:
a. is locally owned and operated;
b. helps revitalize and sustains the vitality of our hamlets' main streets;
c. is in character with our hamlets and rural lands;
d. expands our tax base;
e. protects the scenic character of the Route 28 corridor;
f. is of low impact on our enviroment and natural resources;
g. is in harmony with the health and wellness of our communities and people.
V The Club supports and will work to create an open government that encourages
public participation.
VI The Club supports efforts to preserve and utilize our existing architectural
and enviromental heritage.
VII The Club will work to promote Shandaken as vital place to live and work.
VIII The Club encourages the use of alternative, renewable energies and resources.
IX The Club encourages the protection of our natural resources.
X The Club will encourage affordable housing that preserves the character of our hamlets and rural life.
XI The Club opposes casino gambling within Shandaken.