Constitution of the Burrillville Democratic Town Commmitee
The name of the organization shall be the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee.
It shall be the purpose of this organization, in cooperation with the National and State Democratic organizations, to promote the activity of the Democratic Party in the Town of Burrillville, Rhode Island.
The members of the Democratic Town Committee shall be composed of members selected on a town-wide basis. The number of members shall not exceed 45.
Nomination for membership in this organization shall be permitted at any regular meeting when a vacancy/vacancies exist. Said nomination to be made in accordance with such procedures as hereinafter defined and set forth in Section III of these by-laws.
The officers of this organization shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Said officers shall be elected biennially.
This organization shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, the latest edition.
It shall be the purpose of this organization, in cooperation with the National and State Democratic organizations, to promote the activity of the Democratic Party in the Town of Burrillville, Rhode Island.
The members of the Democratic Town Committee shall be composed of members selected on a town-wide basis. The number of members shall not exceed 45.
Nomination for membership in this organization shall be permitted at any regular meeting when a vacancy/vacancies exist. Said nomination to be made in accordance with such procedures as hereinafter defined and set forth in Section III of these by-laws.
The officers of this organization shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Said officers shall be elected biennially.
This organization shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, the latest edition.
Bylaws
SECTION I: DUTIES OF OFFICERSCHAIRPERSON: It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to preside at all meetings of this organization and in his/her absence, the Vice Chairperson shall preside.
The Chairperson shall set the agenda for each meeting of the organization. He/she is also responsible for scheduling and/or rescheduling meetings, in accordance with Section VI of these by-laws.
The Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of this organization. As a member of the committee, he/she shall be entitled to a vote.
In the event of a tie during any and all votes taken by the Committee, the Chairperson shall decide the outcome of the vote. The Chairperson of this Committee shall also cast the tie-breaking vote in any and all committees, if such a tie shall occur.
The Chairperson shall have the power to temporarily fill any vacancy or vacancies of a special committee or a Standing Committee, should any vacancy or vacancies occur.
The Chairperson shall have the power to temporarily fill any vacancy for the positions of Vice Chairperson, Secretary, or Treasurer; and has the ability to reassign the duties of that office, as outlined in Section I of these by-laws, until the full committee can fill the vacancy, in accordance with Section II of these by-laws.
The Chairperson is authorized to sign checks.
VICECHAIRPERSON:It shall be the duty of the Vice Chairperson, in the absence or disability of the Chairperson, to assume the duties of the Chairperson and to perform any and all other duties as set forth by the Chairperson until such time as the Chairperson-returns.
SECRETARY:It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings; to maintain and update membership lists of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; to maintain voting records of all Committees; to notify all members of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee of meetings; to file all papers on behalf of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; and notify all committees of their appointments.
TREASURER:It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and account for all monies collected by or for the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; and he/she shall pay all bills, with the authorization of the Chairperson of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. The Treasurer shall submit brief reports to the Committee at each regular meeting and shall deliver to their successor all monies and records in his/her possession upon his/her leaving office.
SECTION II: ELECTION OF OFFICERS:Officers of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee shall be elected from the membership of the Committee by a simple majority vote of those members in attendance. Each member shall be elected for a term of two years or until their successor is elected.
The election of officers shall take place during the first meeting of the Committee following a general election in the State of Rhode Island. A simple majority vote is defined as more than one half of the members present and voting.
In the even that no member of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee seeks election to any office, a three-quarters (3/4) of the of the membership will be necessary for a non-member to be presented for nomination.
Should the Committee wish to remove an officer before the expiration of his/her two-year term, any member of the Committee may make a motion at any regular meeting, special meeting, or emergency meeting of this organization. A three-quarters (3/4) vote of the membership present will be necessary to remove an officer from the Committee.
SECTION III: MEMBERSHIPAny person who is nominated for membership on the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee must submit a letter of application, in writing, to the Executive Committee at any regular meeting of this Committee for their review. They will then present it to the full Town Committee at the next regular meeting for the deliberation and vote to grant membership.
Before his/her name can be placed in nomination for membership to the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, the applicant must: be at least 18 years of age, be a registered voter within the Town of Burrillville, and be ready and willing to serve this organization immediately.
SECTION IV: DUTIES OF MEMBERSHIPMembers shall be expected to attend all regular and special meetings of this organization unless absent for just cause. It is the duty and obligation of every member of this organization to support the Democratic nominees in any primary or general election. Members who do not comply with these rules shall not be eligible for re-endorsement. Failure to attend one consecutive calendar years’ worth of regular meetings of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, without just cause submitted in writing to the Committee, shall also be grounds for re-endorsement to be withheld.
SECTION V: ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEEAll elected town and state officials who are registered as a Democrat and are not members of this Committee, or their designee, will be non-voting associate members and are invited to attend meetings of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. From time to time, said officials may be requested to enter into discussion relative to timely issues, with the entire Committee or with Special Committees.
SECTION VI: REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BURRILLVILLE DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEEThis organization shall meet monthly, and notification to each member will be by email.
Regular meetings shall be held on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 pm. If this day falls on a federal or state holiday, or in the case of inclement weather, the regular meeting shall be rescheduled by the Chairperson, as outlined in Section I of these by- laws.
Members are permitted to invite guests to regular meetings of this organization. In the event of a vote, or at the request of the Chairperson for any reason, the guests may be asked to temporarily leave the meeting.
SECTION VII: OTHER MEETINGS OF THE BURRILLVILLE DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEESpecial meetings may be called by the Chairperson at any time. Notice of such meetings are to be given to the membership via email, at least three (3) days prior to the date of the special meeting. Further, by a written request submitted to the Chairperson, ten (10) members of this Committee may request that a special meeting be held. Any vote that is held during such meeting shall be decided by simple majority.
Emergency meetings may be called by the Chairperson at any time without notice for pressing or urgent matters. Any vote held during such a meeting shall be decided by simple majority.
SECTION VIII: QUORUMA quorum shall consist of seven (7) members.No official business shall be conducted in the absence of a quorum. No official roll call votes shall be cast in the absence of a quorum.
SECTION IX: COMMITTEESSTANDING COMMITTEES:This organization shall have a Fundraising Committee and a Nominating Committee. Each Standing Committee is to consist of at least three (3) members. Each member is to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. If a member of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee wishes to one of the Standing Committees with out being appointed by the Chairperson, they may make a motion at any regular meeting of the organization. A three-quarters (3/4) vote of the membership will be necessary for the appointment to be made.
Each Standing Committee shall designate a secretary to submit copies of all minutes from their committee to the Secretary of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES:The Chairperson of the Town Committee shall, with the consent of a majority of those present, be empowered to appoint, from time to time, Special Committees in addition to those committees herein and previously mentioned, as circumstances may indicate.
All Special Committees shall be terminated at a date certain to be set at the time of their appointment and shall present a report of their work to the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee at the first regular meeting following the date of termination.
All Special Committees may be continued or discharged at the discretion of the Chairperson.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: There shall be an Executive Committee whose membership shall consist of the Officers of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, the State Committeeman for our town, and State Committeewoman for our town.
The purpose of the Executive Committee will be to act on behalf of the full Burrillville Democratic Town Committee in extreme emergencies and also tasked with recommending a course of action to the full Committee. In votes held by the Executive Committee, a simple majority of the Executive Committee members present is necessary.
The Executive Committee may meet to outline courses of action for the whole committee and may meet to strategically plan responses to the opposition. However, before any final action may be taken, the recommendations must come before the whole Committee for approval.
In the absence of a regular monthly meeting, the Executive Committee may meet and take whatever actions are necessary and urgent.
SECTION X: DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEESFUNDRAISING COMMITTEE:It shall be the duty of the Fundraising Committee to plan and execute such special fundraising projects as this organization may, from time to time, order. It shall be the duty of this committee to plan any entertainment activities of this organization.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to submit proposals to the Chairperson of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, who shall make these recommendations to the entire Town Committee, concerning the feasibility of various types of fundraising projects. This committee shall not, of itself, have authority to initiate action on any project which it may recommend until such time as action of said project is approved by the entire Town Committee.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE:The Nominating committee shall consist of the State Committeeman and State Committeewoman; all Officers of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; and all former chairpersons of the Democratic Town Committee who are still members of this Committee.
It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to draft, revise, update, and submit for approval the policy platform of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. The platform shall be submitted to the entire Committee for approval every two years, whether revised or not.
This document, when approved by the entire Committee, shall serve as a guide for the Nominating Committee to seek, recommend, and investigate the qualifications of all persons who are proposed for endorsement for election to public office by this organization. The Committee shall make a preliminary report to the full committee as soon as possible. No person shall be eligible for endorsement by this organization until such time as his/her credentials have been examined by this Nominating Committee and approved by the full Committee.
The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers for consideration of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. The Committee shall then vote to accept or reject the Nominating Committee’s recommendation for each office. The Committee can also choose to issue no endorsement for any given office.
SECTION IX: CHANGES IN BY-LAWSThese by-laws may be amended or added to at any regular or special meeting of the organization, provided however, that written notice of the meeting be sent to all members of the organization at least one month in advance of any time when said changes or additions will be acted upon.
Each member shall be entitled to digital copy of all proposed changes to these by-laws under consideration at least one month before the vote on these changes is scheduled to occur.
Each member shall be entitled to receive an official copy of the most recent version of these by-laws. These by-laws and the Constitution of this Committee shall be posted for viewing on the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee’s website and shall be emailed to all committee members.
The Chairperson shall set the agenda for each meeting of the organization. He/she is also responsible for scheduling and/or rescheduling meetings, in accordance with Section VI of these by-laws.
The Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of this organization. As a member of the committee, he/she shall be entitled to a vote.
In the event of a tie during any and all votes taken by the Committee, the Chairperson shall decide the outcome of the vote. The Chairperson of this Committee shall also cast the tie-breaking vote in any and all committees, if such a tie shall occur.
The Chairperson shall have the power to temporarily fill any vacancy or vacancies of a special committee or a Standing Committee, should any vacancy or vacancies occur.
The Chairperson shall have the power to temporarily fill any vacancy for the positions of Vice Chairperson, Secretary, or Treasurer; and has the ability to reassign the duties of that office, as outlined in Section I of these by-laws, until the full committee can fill the vacancy, in accordance with Section II of these by-laws.
The Chairperson is authorized to sign checks.
VICECHAIRPERSON:It shall be the duty of the Vice Chairperson, in the absence or disability of the Chairperson, to assume the duties of the Chairperson and to perform any and all other duties as set forth by the Chairperson until such time as the Chairperson-returns.
SECRETARY:It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings; to maintain and update membership lists of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; to maintain voting records of all Committees; to notify all members of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee of meetings; to file all papers on behalf of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; and notify all committees of their appointments.
TREASURER:It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and account for all monies collected by or for the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; and he/she shall pay all bills, with the authorization of the Chairperson of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. The Treasurer shall submit brief reports to the Committee at each regular meeting and shall deliver to their successor all monies and records in his/her possession upon his/her leaving office.
SECTION II: ELECTION OF OFFICERS:Officers of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee shall be elected from the membership of the Committee by a simple majority vote of those members in attendance. Each member shall be elected for a term of two years or until their successor is elected.
The election of officers shall take place during the first meeting of the Committee following a general election in the State of Rhode Island. A simple majority vote is defined as more than one half of the members present and voting.
In the even that no member of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee seeks election to any office, a three-quarters (3/4) of the of the membership will be necessary for a non-member to be presented for nomination.
Should the Committee wish to remove an officer before the expiration of his/her two-year term, any member of the Committee may make a motion at any regular meeting, special meeting, or emergency meeting of this organization. A three-quarters (3/4) vote of the membership present will be necessary to remove an officer from the Committee.
SECTION III: MEMBERSHIPAny person who is nominated for membership on the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee must submit a letter of application, in writing, to the Executive Committee at any regular meeting of this Committee for their review. They will then present it to the full Town Committee at the next regular meeting for the deliberation and vote to grant membership.
Before his/her name can be placed in nomination for membership to the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, the applicant must: be at least 18 years of age, be a registered voter within the Town of Burrillville, and be ready and willing to serve this organization immediately.
SECTION IV: DUTIES OF MEMBERSHIPMembers shall be expected to attend all regular and special meetings of this organization unless absent for just cause. It is the duty and obligation of every member of this organization to support the Democratic nominees in any primary or general election. Members who do not comply with these rules shall not be eligible for re-endorsement. Failure to attend one consecutive calendar years’ worth of regular meetings of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, without just cause submitted in writing to the Committee, shall also be grounds for re-endorsement to be withheld.
SECTION V: ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEEAll elected town and state officials who are registered as a Democrat and are not members of this Committee, or their designee, will be non-voting associate members and are invited to attend meetings of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. From time to time, said officials may be requested to enter into discussion relative to timely issues, with the entire Committee or with Special Committees.
SECTION VI: REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BURRILLVILLE DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEEThis organization shall meet monthly, and notification to each member will be by email.
Regular meetings shall be held on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 pm. If this day falls on a federal or state holiday, or in the case of inclement weather, the regular meeting shall be rescheduled by the Chairperson, as outlined in Section I of these by- laws.
Members are permitted to invite guests to regular meetings of this organization. In the event of a vote, or at the request of the Chairperson for any reason, the guests may be asked to temporarily leave the meeting.
SECTION VII: OTHER MEETINGS OF THE BURRILLVILLE DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEESpecial meetings may be called by the Chairperson at any time. Notice of such meetings are to be given to the membership via email, at least three (3) days prior to the date of the special meeting. Further, by a written request submitted to the Chairperson, ten (10) members of this Committee may request that a special meeting be held. Any vote that is held during such meeting shall be decided by simple majority.
Emergency meetings may be called by the Chairperson at any time without notice for pressing or urgent matters. Any vote held during such a meeting shall be decided by simple majority.
SECTION VIII: QUORUMA quorum shall consist of seven (7) members.No official business shall be conducted in the absence of a quorum. No official roll call votes shall be cast in the absence of a quorum.
SECTION IX: COMMITTEESSTANDING COMMITTEES:This organization shall have a Fundraising Committee and a Nominating Committee. Each Standing Committee is to consist of at least three (3) members. Each member is to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. If a member of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee wishes to one of the Standing Committees with out being appointed by the Chairperson, they may make a motion at any regular meeting of the organization. A three-quarters (3/4) vote of the membership will be necessary for the appointment to be made.
Each Standing Committee shall designate a secretary to submit copies of all minutes from their committee to the Secretary of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES:The Chairperson of the Town Committee shall, with the consent of a majority of those present, be empowered to appoint, from time to time, Special Committees in addition to those committees herein and previously mentioned, as circumstances may indicate.
All Special Committees shall be terminated at a date certain to be set at the time of their appointment and shall present a report of their work to the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee at the first regular meeting following the date of termination.
All Special Committees may be continued or discharged at the discretion of the Chairperson.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: There shall be an Executive Committee whose membership shall consist of the Officers of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, the State Committeeman for our town, and State Committeewoman for our town.
The purpose of the Executive Committee will be to act on behalf of the full Burrillville Democratic Town Committee in extreme emergencies and also tasked with recommending a course of action to the full Committee. In votes held by the Executive Committee, a simple majority of the Executive Committee members present is necessary.
The Executive Committee may meet to outline courses of action for the whole committee and may meet to strategically plan responses to the opposition. However, before any final action may be taken, the recommendations must come before the whole Committee for approval.
In the absence of a regular monthly meeting, the Executive Committee may meet and take whatever actions are necessary and urgent.
SECTION X: DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEESFUNDRAISING COMMITTEE:It shall be the duty of the Fundraising Committee to plan and execute such special fundraising projects as this organization may, from time to time, order. It shall be the duty of this committee to plan any entertainment activities of this organization.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to submit proposals to the Chairperson of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee, who shall make these recommendations to the entire Town Committee, concerning the feasibility of various types of fundraising projects. This committee shall not, of itself, have authority to initiate action on any project which it may recommend until such time as action of said project is approved by the entire Town Committee.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE:The Nominating committee shall consist of the State Committeeman and State Committeewoman; all Officers of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee; and all former chairpersons of the Democratic Town Committee who are still members of this Committee.
It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to draft, revise, update, and submit for approval the policy platform of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. The platform shall be submitted to the entire Committee for approval every two years, whether revised or not.
This document, when approved by the entire Committee, shall serve as a guide for the Nominating Committee to seek, recommend, and investigate the qualifications of all persons who are proposed for endorsement for election to public office by this organization. The Committee shall make a preliminary report to the full committee as soon as possible. No person shall be eligible for endorsement by this organization until such time as his/her credentials have been examined by this Nominating Committee and approved by the full Committee.
The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers for consideration of the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee. The Committee shall then vote to accept or reject the Nominating Committee’s recommendation for each office. The Committee can also choose to issue no endorsement for any given office.
SECTION IX: CHANGES IN BY-LAWSThese by-laws may be amended or added to at any regular or special meeting of the organization, provided however, that written notice of the meeting be sent to all members of the organization at least one month in advance of any time when said changes or additions will be acted upon.
Each member shall be entitled to digital copy of all proposed changes to these by-laws under consideration at least one month before the vote on these changes is scheduled to occur.
Each member shall be entitled to receive an official copy of the most recent version of these by-laws. These by-laws and the Constitution of this Committee shall be posted for viewing on the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee’s website and shall be emailed to all committee members.