5th District Democrats

Bylaws

As Adopted on February 15, 2006 by the General Membership.

ARTICLE 1:

The name of this organization shall be the 5th District Democrats,
herein referred to as the 5th DISTRICT.

ARTICLE 2:

The 5th DISTRICT shall operate under the rules and bylaws of the
King County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC) and the Charter,
rules and bylaws of the Washington State Democratic Central
Committee (WSDCC), and in accordance with the laws of the state of
Washington.
It shall be the policy of the 5th DISTRICT to contribute to the
growth and influence of the Democratic Party to work to increase
party membership, and to support Democratic Party candidates for
political office.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

All elected appointed and acting Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) in
the 5th District shall be members. Any person living in the 5th
legislative district, declaring publicly that they are a Democrat and
will support the principles of the Democratic Party, shall become a
member upon payment of dues. The 5th District, upon application, may
waive dues.

ARTICLE 4: DUES

Schedule of Dues
- Senior/Student/Reduced Income: $5.00
- Individual: 15.00
- Family: 30.00
The following categories are to encourage donation above the
minimum:
- 'Club' Membership: $50.00
- Bronze Membership: 100.00
- Silver Membership: 250.00
- Gold Membership: 500.00
- Platinum Membership: 1000.00
- Associate Membership: 15.00
- Newsletter Subscription Only: 5.00
Dues are based on the calendar year and are due by January 31. They
are not prorated, except for new members joining after October 1,
who will be credited for the subsequent year as well as the current
year.
Associate members live outside and do not have voting privileges in
the 5th District. Consequently, associate members will not have
voting privileges and cannot make motions as defined under
Robert's Rules of Order at 5th District meetings.
Voting credentials are based on timely payment of dues. Individuals
will become voting members immediately upon payment of dues.

ARTICLE 5: MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held at least every 60 days. Meetings may
be called by the District Chair, 25% of the District Officers or by
15 Precinct Committee Officers.
Notice of all meetings shall be to all members by mail, telephone
or email. Notice shall be given to all members at least 10 days in
advance for any meeting held for the purpose of electing or
removing officers.
A quorum shall consist of 40% of officers and either 10 members or
10% of the membership, whichever is greater.
The Treasurer shall have a credentialing report available at each
General Meeting. Voting credentials are defined in Article 4(d),
and only those members with voting rights shall be issued
credentials.

ARTICLE 6: ENDORSEMENTS

Endorsement meetings:
The first meeting after the filing date shall be the Primary
Election endorsement Meeting. The first meeting after the
Primary Election shall be the General Election endorsement
meeting.Â Candidates endorsed in advance of or at
the Primary Election endorsement meeting shall remain endorsed
for the General Election if those candidates will appear on the
ballot for the General Election.
1. A quorum call shall be formally required at the beginning of
  the Primary Election and General Election endorsement
  meetings.
2. A 2/3 voting approval of members present is required for
  endorsement of campaigns or candidates.
3. Multiple endorsements for the same office may be made.
4. Proxy votes are not acceptable.
Candidates eligible for endorsement:
Only identified Democratic candidates may be endorsed, except
for judges or where Party declaration is prohibited. Candidates
seeking endorsement should complete and return the 5th District
Endorsement Questionnaire to the 5th District Endorsement
Committee.
Endorsement Committee:
In the first quarter of the year, the Chair shall appoint a
five-member endorsement committee. This committee will be
responsible for:
1. Creating a current 5th District Endorsement
  Questionnaire.
2. Collecting and reviewing all 5th District Candidate
  Endorsement Questionnaires.
3. Presenting a verbal and written Endorsement Committee report
  at the Primary Election endorsement meeting and the General
  Election endorsement meeting.

ARTICLE 7: DISTRICT OFFICERS, ELECTIONS AND DUTIES

Elections of District Officers shall be in January of odd numbered
years as provided by state law and procedures of WSDCC.
Officers of the 5th DISTRICT will be as follows:
1. District Chair
2. First Vice Chair
3. Second Vice Chair
4. Two delegates to WSDCC
5. Two delegates to KCDCC
6. Two alternates to KCDCC
7. Recording Secretary
8. Treasurer
9. Technology Officer
The dual positions of delegates and alternates shall be one man and
one woman in each case.
The duties and responsibilities of the officers shall be as
follows:
1. District Chair: Conduct meetings of the 5th DISTRICT, serve
  as liaison to KCDCC and WSDCC and appoint committee chairs,
  sergeant of arms and parliamentarian. Serve as ex-officio
  member of all committees.
2. First Vice Chair: Serve in the absence of the Chair; serve as
  alternate for the Chair to KCDCC and WSDCC. Responsible for
  PCO recruitment and retention.
3. Second Vice Chair: Serve as Chair of all fund raising
  committees.
4. Delegates: Attend respective meetings representing the 5th
  DISTRICT and report back to the membership.
5. Recording Secretary: Keep a record of the minutes of the
  meetings of the 5th DISTRICT, report them at each meeting,
  and keep a credentials report for each meeting.
6. Treasurer: Keep a report of all moneys belonging to the 5th
  DISTRICT; keep a current roster of members and PCOs; maintain
  the 5th DISTRICT bank accounts; and pay bills in a timely
  manner. Be knowledgeable of appropriate Washington State Law
  and the State Public Disclosure Commission requirements; and
  report to the officers and membership at each meeting.
7. Technology Officer: Lead the design and implementation of
  technologies to support the strategy of the 5th DISTRICT.
  Develop a communications strategy. Chair the Technology
  Committee, and serve as liaison between the Executive Board
  and the technologists on the Technology Committee.
Filling of Vacancies: In the event of a vacancy in the office of
the District Chair, a new chair will be elected by the elected and
appointed PCOs at a special meeting of the 5th District Democrats
called by the First Vice-Chair within thirty (30) days of the
vacancy being announced In the event of a vacancy in an office
other than Chair, the office may be filled by the Executive Board
within thirty (30) days of the vacancy being announced.
Removal of District Officers: On written request of twenty percent
(20%) of the elected and appointed (PCOs), or by sixty percent
(60%) of the Executive Board, a special meeting of the Fifth
District may be called for the purpose of removing any District
officer. A District officer may be removed by two-thirds of the
elected and appointed PCOs present and voting, not counting
abstentions, provided that 30 days notice of the meeting and
grounds for removal has been given to those eligible to vote and to
the District officer whose removal is sought. A rebuttal to the
grounds for removal shall be included with the notice, if the
District officer chooses to respond. A quorum for a meeting to
remove a District officer shall be 40% of the elected and appointed
PCOs.
Executive Board Communications: Executive Board voting may be
conducted via e-mail or teleconference.

ARTICLE 8: EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers and the
appointed committee chairs.

ARTICLE 9: COMMITTEES

The members of the 5th DISTRICT shall authorize committees. The
District Chair shall appoint committee Chairs.

ARTICLE 10:

Robert's Rules of Order shall govern in matters not covered by
these bylaws.

ARTICLE 11: PRECINCT COMMITTEE OFFICERS CATEGORIES AND DUTIES

PCOs are elected during each even year general election. Appointed
PCOs are appointed by the District Chair to fill vacant precincts
in which they live. Acting PCOs are appointed by the District Chair
to fill vacant precincts in which they do not reside.
PCOs are expected to attend District meetings, pay dues, support
District endorsed candidates, convene precinct caucuses, nominate
poll workers, and support the activities and goals of the
Democratic Party. PCOs are expected to doorbell their neighborhood
a minimum of once annually.

ARTICLE 12: FINANCE

At the second meeting of each year the 5th DISTRICT shall adopt a
budget or spending guide. All expenditures of the 5th DISTRICT
shall be approved by a majority vote of the members present at a
regular meeting.
District funds shall be banked and accounts shall require two
authorized signatures for withdrawal unless the amount is less than
$100.00. These may be the Chair, First Vice Chair, Treasurer, or
Recording Secretary.
In order to facilitate the process of receiving and distributing
campaign-related contributions, the 5th District Democrats shall
maintain a separate Campaign Fund Budget line item. The following
procedures shall apply:
1. The 5th District Campaign Fund shall be maintained as a
  separate journal, with entries and totals within the general
  purpose 5th District accounts as a separate Budget line item.
  The Campaign Funds represented by the Budget line item shall
  be used for the support of 5th District candidates for
  political office. No disbursals shall be made from the
  Campaign Fund for 5th District operations or events, or
  transferred to other accounts not similarly restricted.
2. Contributions to the 5th District Democrats may be designated
  for the 5th District Campaign Fund. Dues and receipts from
  District events shall not be directed to the Campaign Fund
  Journal except by approval of the membership. Other
  contributions to the 5th District that are not designated may
  be added to the Campaign Fund at the discretion of the
  District Chair.
3. Disbursals from the Campaign Fund shall be at the sole
  discretion of the District as described below:
4. 1. No contributions to the Campaign Fund shall be accepted
    with any earmarking or other restrictions, in
    compliance with Public Disclosure Commission
    regulations.
  2. Disbursals from the Campaign Fund shall require either:
    The assent of the District Chair, District First
    Vice-Chair, District Second Vice-Chair, and District
    Treasurer, or The assent of the District Chair, the
    District Treasurer and the approval of a majority of
    District Paid Members and/or Precinct Committee
    Officers voting at a regular District meeting.
  3. All disbursals from the Campaign Fund shall be reported
    to the Public Disclosure Commission as campaign
    contributions from the 5th District Democrats. All
    disbursals shall be reported to the membership at the
    next regular meeting.
  4. All contributions to and disbursals from the Campaign
    Fund and the general accounts of the 5th District
    Democrats shall be in compliance with the Washington
    State Campaign and Public Disclosure Laws.
At the September meeting of even numbered years the Chair shall
appoint a three member Audit Committee. They shall audit all
financial matters and records of the 5th DISTRICT and report to the
membership at the following January meeting.

IT IS HEREBY DECLARED that it is the goal of the 5th DISTRICT
DEMOCRATS to have its membership and Executive Board reflect the
diversity of our nation. We invite membership from all, regardless of
race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnic background.