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DRAFT Constitution of the Second District Democratic
Congressional Committee
Iowa
Ratified (NOT YET RATIFIED)
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Article I - Title
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name of this organization shall be the Second District Democratic Congressional
Committee - Iowa, hereinafter referred to as the Second District Committee.
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Article
II - Aims and Purposes
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Section
1. The purpose of this organization shall be to perpetuate a
representative, effective, and responsible Democratic party organization;
advance the interests of the Democratic party at the county, congressional
district, state, and national levels, to sustain and advance the principles
of social justice and democracy; to uphold civil rights, civil liberties
and constitutional government.
Section 2. This organization shall be primarily concerned
with the election of Democratic members of the United States Congress.
Additionally, the organization shall be responsible for assisting the
election of state legislators whose districts cross county lines within
the Second Congressional District, serving as a liaison between the county
Democratic organizations and the Democratic State Central Committee, and
providing a forum at which county leaders can discuss matters of mutual
concern to all. In odd number years, this organization shall conduct a
district workshop. |
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Section
1. The Second District Committee is an independent Democratic
Party Committee. The Second District Democratic Convention, held
biennially, shall be the supreme governing body of this organization.
Nothing in this constitution shall abrogate the constitution of the Iowa
Democratic Party or the Code of Iowa.
Section 2. The highest ruling authority of the Second District
Committee between biennial conventions shall be the general membership.
Section 3. Between membership meetings, highest authority
shall be the Executive Board.
Section 4. Between Executive board meetings, highest authority
shall be the Chairperson.
Section 5. No expenditures shall be incurred between membership
meetings except in an emergency. Maximum disbursements between
membership meetings shall not exceed $50.00, shall be approved by the
Chairperson and must be reported at the next membership meeting. This
section shall not prevent the membership from authorizing prior approval
of routine expenditures.
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Section
1. Membership in this organization
shall consist of the six (6) Second District State Central Committee
persons and one representative from each county for each 2,500 votes
cast in that county for the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in
the preceding election. Each county shall have at least three representatives.
Section 2. One representative from each county shall be
the county chair person or the chairperson's designee; other representatives
and alternates shall be elected by each county central committee at
the first regular meeting following the county central organizational
committee meeting.
Section 3. Representatives are expected to attend all regular
and special meetings. The county chairperson shall be notified, by mail,
should any representative fail to attend 3 consecutive meetings. The
county chair person shall notify the Second District Executive Board
of action taken. Representatives may be excused by the Executive
board, for cause.
Section 4. One member from each county shall be specifically
responsible for finances and another for issues and research.
Each member shall be appointed by the chairperson to serve on one of
the four committees: Education, Finance, Program. and Issues.
Section 5. A copy of this constitution shall be provided
to each Second District Committee person within two months after that
member's election.
Section 6. A revised list of all Second District
Committee members and alternates shall be provided to each member within
three (3) months after the county conventions.
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Article V - Executive Board
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Section
1. The Executive
Board shall consist of the six (6) Second District State Central Committee
persons, the Vice-chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, DNC and Minority
Caucus members residing in the District, if any, the Affirmative Action
Delegate and the required number of members-at-large as needed so as
each county is represented.
Section 2. The Executive Board may convene prior to each meeting
of the organization, prepare an agenda for the meeting, and make recommendations
to the organization.
Section 3. The Executive board shall serve as a candidate
recruitment committee for the District Congressional seat.
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Section
1. The officers of this organization shall consist of a chairperson
who is a member of the State Central Committee; also vice-chairperson,
secretary and treasurer who can be either Second District State Central
Committee persons, Second District members-at-large or other registered
Democrats of the District.
Section 2. The chairperson shall preside at meetings and
have general charge over the affairs of the organization.
Section 3. The vice-chairperson shall assume the duties of
the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson and assist the chairperson
in the discharge of his/her duties. In the event the chairperson is unable
or unwilling to serve, the vice-chairperson shall assume the office of
chairperson until a chairperson, who is a member of the State Central
Committee, is elected at the next scheduled meeting
Section 4. The secretary shall have custody of all books,
records, and papers of the organization, except those specifically
required to be in the possession of the treasurer. The secretary shall
be responsible for maintaining attendance, records and minutes.
Section 5. The treasurer shall have custody and keep
account of all monies for the organization, and provide a financial report
at each meeting. The treasurer shall be responsible for all reports required
by federal and state campaign finance disclosure laws. Immediately
after the election of officers, or at any time there is a change in the
office of treasurer, the chairperson presiding at that meeting shall appoint
a committee to audit the books and report at the following general meeting.
Section 6. Officers shall be elected at the first meeting
of the organization following each Second District Democratic Convention.
Each term of office shall begin immediately following election and continue
two (2) years. In the event any officer is unable or unwilling to
serve, a new officer shall be elected at the next meeting after the vacancy
occurs. Written notification of such vacancy and ending election
shall be postmarked first class at least ten days prior to the election.
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Section 1. The Second District
Committee shall meet at least once every three months at a time and
place agreed upon by the membership. The chairperson, or a majority
of the Executive Board, may call special meetings as deemed necessary,
and shall call a meeting within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of written petition
of twenty (20) percent total membership representing at least
three (3) counties. Items of business shall be so noted in the call.
Section 2. The secretary shall mail notice of meetings to each
member of the organization postmarked first class at least ten (10)
days prior to the date for such meeting. E-mail is an acceptable notification
alternative for those who select that method.
Section 3. All meetings of the organization shall
be open to the public.
Section 4. No business of the organization shall be conducted
in the absence of a quorum which shall consist of 20% of the total membership
with at least seven (7) counties represented.
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Article
VIII - Amendments
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to this constitution must be presented in written form at a regular meeting
of the organization, and then approved by a two-thirds majority of those
present and voting at the following meeting. |
Article
IX - Ratification
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This constitution
shall be ratified and take effect upon approval by a two-thirds majority
of those present and voting at a regular meeting of the organization.
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Second
District Counties:
Appanoose, Cedar, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Johnson,
Lee,
Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Van Buren,Wapello, Washington and Wayne.
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