BLACK AUSTIN DEMOCRATS BY-LAWS
MISSION STATEMENT
To Promote participation in the political process by Black Democrats throughout the Greater Austin Area.
ARTICLE I NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be the Black Austin Democrats, [“BAD”] A Chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats
ARTICLE II PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
The goals of this organization shall be:
a] To stimulate in Blacks an active interest in government affairs;
b] To facilitate the Black participation in the Democratic Party;
c] To perpetuate the ideas and principles of the Democratic Party;
d] To attract new members to the BAD;
e] To help acquaint voters and potential voters with issues and candidates;
f] To promote by our efforts the highest degree of government response to public needs;
g] And to promote economic development as it impacts and interfaces with political participation in the Black community in greater Austin area.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Any Person who is a Democrat is eligible for membership
Section 2.
a) Regular memberships are open to Democrats
b] Student memberships are open to any Democrat who is a full-time student enrolled in an educational program and not over the age of 22.
Section 3. Membership is established upon receipt of dues or as otherwise provided. Membership dues shall be payable annually and due each November. Dues paid after November 1 through December 31 of any year will cover the balance of that year and all of the subsequent year. Dues paid after January 1 of any year will cover the balance of that calendar year through December 31.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS and EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The officers of the organization shall consist of:
President, Vice-President for Membership, Vice-President for Political Action, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian.
Section 2. The six (6) officers and three (3) Members At Large shall comprise the Executive Committee. The Treasurer of the Political Action Committee is a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Duties of the officers:
President: The President shall preside at all regular meetings. The President shall exercise general supervision over the interest and affairs of BAD and shall appoint committees as outlined in these by-laws.
Vice-President for Membership: The Vice-President, in the event of the absence, inability or refusal of the President to perform the duties, shall for the duration of such absences, inability or refusal, assume the prerogative and powers of the President for all purposes. The Vice-President shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate list of members as well as conducting a systematic campaign for increasing the number of members. The Vice-President shall perform additional duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Committee.
Vice-President for Political Action: The Vice-President for Political Action shall be responsible for the organization’s political activity, including serving as chairman of the endorsement committee, liaison to other Democratic organizations, and the representative of the organization of the Political Action Committee established by the organization.
Secretary: The Secretary shall keep all records of BAD and minutes of regular and special meetings and of the meetings of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall keep in permanent form the minutes of all regular, special and Executive Committee meetings. Copies of such minutes should be made available to all members upon request. The Secretary shall keep a permanent file of all correspondence received, which shall be submitted to the President and Executive Committee upon request and made available for inspection upon request by any member.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive or collect all fees, dues and other monies constituting the revenue of BAD, which shall be, deposited into an established BAD account at a local financial institution whose funds are federally insured by a vote of the membership. The Treasurer shall disburse these funds in the manner authorized by the Executive Committee subject to the Constitution and By-Laws. The accounts and books shall at all times be open for inspection by the Executive Committee and any auditor authorized by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall make a quarterly report to the membership of all funds received and disbursed and at such other times as the Executive Committee may require.
Parliamentarian: The Parliamentarian is responsible for recommending revisions to the BAD by-laws as necessary, to advise the President or chair of the meeting on questions of order and to make sure applicable procedures are followed during any and all meetings; to advise on any violations of parliamentary procedure, to be responsible for parliamentary procedure education for the benefit of BAD members and to ensure that parliamentary procedure is governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
Members at Large: The Members at Large shall be elected by the membership and serve for a one (1) year term.
Section 4. The Executive Committee and/or officers shall have no authority to make a public statement on any issue except when so delegated by the membership at a regular or special called meeting.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
Section 1. There shall be one regular scheduled meeting per month, on the third (3rd) Thursday of each month except during the month of December when the regular meeting shall take place on the second (2nd) Thursday of the month.
Section 2. Executive Committee meetings may be called by the President or by 2 or more of the Executive Committee with notice to all members of the Committee.
Section 3. All announcements of meetings shall be mailed or electronically transmitted at least 5 days in advance of the meeting
Section 4. Seven (7) members or more of the membership, and at least three of them must be members of the Executive Committee, will constitute a quorum of the organization.
Section 5. Regular business meetings of the Executive Committee shall proceed as outlined on the agenda prepared before each meeting as adopted by the Executive Committee. The meeting shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VI. DUES
Dues shall be determined upon the vote of a majority of members, at any regular meeting. There shall be no more than one increase in dues in any given calendar year.
Amended 11/15/2018 - Membership fees are due November of each year.
ARTICLE VII VOTING
Section 1. Only members who are current in their dues shall be eligible to vote.
Section 2. A majority vote of members present is required to adopt any measure put before the body, except as otherwise provided by the By-Laws.
Section 3. All voting shall be secret balloting upon request by any member, otherwise voting shall be as directed by the Parliamentarian.
Section 4. Only members who are current in their dues 60 days prior to the election of members the prior year shall be eligible to vote in any election of officers/members at large or on candidate/issue endorsements.
ARTICLE VIII ENDORSEMENT MEETING
Section 1. BAD reserves the right to not endorse in any race.
Section 2. Any member serving in a paid capacity for a candidate/issue being considered in a contested endorsement shall disclose such involvement prior to speaking on behalf of or in opposition of the candidate/issue at endorsement meeting.
Section 3. The Vice-President for Political Action shall chair the committee charged with the responsibility of conducting any endorsement meeting held by the organization.
ARTICLE IX ELECTION
Section 1. The months of November and December will be established as the month for elections, the Executive Committee shall set such date and membership shall be informed within 10 days. Newly elected officers shall take office at the next regular meeting in January of the following year.
Section 2. No person who has been a member for less than six (6) months shall be eligible to hold office.
Section 3. Elections shall be held every year.
Section 4. Each officer can serve no more than two (02) consecutive terms.
ARTICLE X COMMITTEES
Section 1. The following shall be standing committees of the chapter.
Section 2. Appointment of the committee chairs shall be made by the President except as otherwise provided herein.
Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall consist of 5 members elected by the membership appointed by the President. The Chair of the Committee shall be selected by a majority of the members of the Committee.
Section 4. The Nominating Committee shall monitor the election with the assistance of the Parliamentarian.
Section 5. The Political Action committee shall consist of 5 members;
a. The Political Action Committee shall be a non-profit corporation organized under the State of Texas.
b. The Political Action Committee shall be governed by a majority of the members selected in accordance with the By Laws.
c. The Treasurer of the Political Action Committee shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the membership. The Treasurer of the Political Action Committee shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
d. The acts, fundraising, and operation of the Political Action Committee shall be separate and distinct from the Black Austin Democrats any shall act in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations regarding Political Action Committees.
ARTICLE XI ABSENCES, VACANCIES, RESIGNATIONS AND REMOVALS
Section 1. Four (4) absences within a year, the office shall be declared vacant, except in cases of illness or other emergency situations. The executive Committee may choose to hold a special election or appoint a person to the office.
Section 2. Any officer must notify an Executive Committee member of his/her absence 24 hours prior to the meeting or as soon as practicable.
Section 3. Any officer may resign by submitting a written resignation. The resignation should be delivered or mailed to the President, Secretary or Treasurer and effective as stated in the letter or upon acceptance by the body, whichever is earlier.
Section 4. All records must be submitted to the President immediately upon resignation of the office.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Provisions of these by-laws may be amended in the following manner:
Updated 2/22/2019
MISSION STATEMENT
To Promote participation in the political process by Black Democrats throughout the Greater Austin Area.
ARTICLE I NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be the Black Austin Democrats, [“BAD”] A Chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats
ARTICLE II PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
The goals of this organization shall be:
a] To stimulate in Blacks an active interest in government affairs;
b] To facilitate the Black participation in the Democratic Party;
c] To perpetuate the ideas and principles of the Democratic Party;
d] To attract new members to the BAD;
e] To help acquaint voters and potential voters with issues and candidates;
f] To promote by our efforts the highest degree of government response to public needs;
g] And to promote economic development as it impacts and interfaces with political participation in the Black community in greater Austin area.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Any Person who is a Democrat is eligible for membership
Section 2.
a) Regular memberships are open to Democrats
b] Student memberships are open to any Democrat who is a full-time student enrolled in an educational program and not over the age of 22.
Section 3. Membership is established upon receipt of dues or as otherwise provided. Membership dues shall be payable annually and due each November. Dues paid after November 1 through December 31 of any year will cover the balance of that year and all of the subsequent year. Dues paid after January 1 of any year will cover the balance of that calendar year through December 31.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS and EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The officers of the organization shall consist of:
President, Vice-President for Membership, Vice-President for Political Action, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian.
Section 2. The six (6) officers and three (3) Members At Large shall comprise the Executive Committee. The Treasurer of the Political Action Committee is a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Duties of the officers:
President: The President shall preside at all regular meetings. The President shall exercise general supervision over the interest and affairs of BAD and shall appoint committees as outlined in these by-laws.
Vice-President for Membership: The Vice-President, in the event of the absence, inability or refusal of the President to perform the duties, shall for the duration of such absences, inability or refusal, assume the prerogative and powers of the President for all purposes. The Vice-President shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate list of members as well as conducting a systematic campaign for increasing the number of members. The Vice-President shall perform additional duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Committee.
Vice-President for Political Action: The Vice-President for Political Action shall be responsible for the organization’s political activity, including serving as chairman of the endorsement committee, liaison to other Democratic organizations, and the representative of the organization of the Political Action Committee established by the organization.
Secretary: The Secretary shall keep all records of BAD and minutes of regular and special meetings and of the meetings of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall keep in permanent form the minutes of all regular, special and Executive Committee meetings. Copies of such minutes should be made available to all members upon request. The Secretary shall keep a permanent file of all correspondence received, which shall be submitted to the President and Executive Committee upon request and made available for inspection upon request by any member.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive or collect all fees, dues and other monies constituting the revenue of BAD, which shall be, deposited into an established BAD account at a local financial institution whose funds are federally insured by a vote of the membership. The Treasurer shall disburse these funds in the manner authorized by the Executive Committee subject to the Constitution and By-Laws. The accounts and books shall at all times be open for inspection by the Executive Committee and any auditor authorized by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall make a quarterly report to the membership of all funds received and disbursed and at such other times as the Executive Committee may require.
Parliamentarian: The Parliamentarian is responsible for recommending revisions to the BAD by-laws as necessary, to advise the President or chair of the meeting on questions of order and to make sure applicable procedures are followed during any and all meetings; to advise on any violations of parliamentary procedure, to be responsible for parliamentary procedure education for the benefit of BAD members and to ensure that parliamentary procedure is governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
Members at Large: The Members at Large shall be elected by the membership and serve for a one (1) year term.
Section 4. The Executive Committee and/or officers shall have no authority to make a public statement on any issue except when so delegated by the membership at a regular or special called meeting.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
Section 1. There shall be one regular scheduled meeting per month, on the third (3rd) Thursday of each month except during the month of December when the regular meeting shall take place on the second (2nd) Thursday of the month.
Section 2. Executive Committee meetings may be called by the President or by 2 or more of the Executive Committee with notice to all members of the Committee.
Section 3. All announcements of meetings shall be mailed or electronically transmitted at least 5 days in advance of the meeting
Section 4. Seven (7) members or more of the membership, and at least three of them must be members of the Executive Committee, will constitute a quorum of the organization.
Section 5. Regular business meetings of the Executive Committee shall proceed as outlined on the agenda prepared before each meeting as adopted by the Executive Committee. The meeting shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VI. DUES
Dues shall be determined upon the vote of a majority of members, at any regular meeting. There shall be no more than one increase in dues in any given calendar year.
Amended 11/15/2018 - Membership fees are due November of each year.
ARTICLE VII VOTING
Section 1. Only members who are current in their dues shall be eligible to vote.
Section 2. A majority vote of members present is required to adopt any measure put before the body, except as otherwise provided by the By-Laws.
Section 3. All voting shall be secret balloting upon request by any member, otherwise voting shall be as directed by the Parliamentarian.
Section 4. Only members who are current in their dues 60 days prior to the election of members the prior year shall be eligible to vote in any election of officers/members at large or on candidate/issue endorsements.
ARTICLE VIII ENDORSEMENT MEETING
Section 1. BAD reserves the right to not endorse in any race.
Section 2. Any member serving in a paid capacity for a candidate/issue being considered in a contested endorsement shall disclose such involvement prior to speaking on behalf of or in opposition of the candidate/issue at endorsement meeting.
Section 3. The Vice-President for Political Action shall chair the committee charged with the responsibility of conducting any endorsement meeting held by the organization.
ARTICLE IX ELECTION
Section 1. The months of November and December will be established as the month for elections, the Executive Committee shall set such date and membership shall be informed within 10 days. Newly elected officers shall take office at the next regular meeting in January of the following year.
Section 2. No person who has been a member for less than six (6) months shall be eligible to hold office.
Section 3. Elections shall be held every year.
Section 4. Each officer can serve no more than two (02) consecutive terms.
ARTICLE X COMMITTEES
Section 1. The following shall be standing committees of the chapter.
- Fundraising Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Political Action Committee
- Executive Committee
Section 2. Appointment of the committee chairs shall be made by the President except as otherwise provided herein.
Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall consist of 5 members elected by the membership appointed by the President. The Chair of the Committee shall be selected by a majority of the members of the Committee.
Section 4. The Nominating Committee shall monitor the election with the assistance of the Parliamentarian.
Section 5. The Political Action committee shall consist of 5 members;
- Vice-President for Political Action
- Treasurer of the Political Action Committee
- 3 elected by the membership.
a. The Political Action Committee shall be a non-profit corporation organized under the State of Texas.
b. The Political Action Committee shall be governed by a majority of the members selected in accordance with the By Laws.
c. The Treasurer of the Political Action Committee shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the membership. The Treasurer of the Political Action Committee shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
d. The acts, fundraising, and operation of the Political Action Committee shall be separate and distinct from the Black Austin Democrats any shall act in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations regarding Political Action Committees.
ARTICLE XI ABSENCES, VACANCIES, RESIGNATIONS AND REMOVALS
Section 1. Four (4) absences within a year, the office shall be declared vacant, except in cases of illness or other emergency situations. The executive Committee may choose to hold a special election or appoint a person to the office.
Section 2. Any officer must notify an Executive Committee member of his/her absence 24 hours prior to the meeting or as soon as practicable.
Section 3. Any officer may resign by submitting a written resignation. The resignation should be delivered or mailed to the President, Secretary or Treasurer and effective as stated in the letter or upon acceptance by the body, whichever is earlier.
Section 4. All records must be submitted to the President immediately upon resignation of the office.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Provisions of these by-laws may be amended in the following manner:
- Any member desiring to so amend must propose the amendment or amendments at a regular meeting. Proposed amendments must be in writing and no action may be taken or any proposed amendment until the following regular meeting. The membership shall be notified of the proposed amendment and the date of the meeting at which the proposed amendment will be acted upon. Any amendment will require an affirmative vote of not less then two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present.
Updated 2/22/2019
