PROPOSED 4TH DISTRICT BYLAWS
MICHIGAN 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
DEMOCRATIC PARTY BYLAWS
ADOPTED: AUGUST 20,1978
REVISED: JUNE 21, 1997; FEBRUARY 10, 2001; JUNE 12, 2003
PROPOSED REVISION: OCTOBER, 2011
PREAMBLE
The 4th Congressional District Democratic Party is a unit of the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP). We are committed to the fundamental values of the MDP and will always act in accordance with those values. Our 4th District Committee, Executive Board, and all other 4th District Democratic organizations shall observe all the rules of the MDP, as listed in the "Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party."
To promote and insure effective participation, communication, and organization among Democrats and Democratic Party organizations within the 4th Congressional District of Michigan, and to further the programs and policies of the Democratic Party, the 4th Congressional District Democratic Party adopts these Bylaws.
ARTICLE 1: FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Section 1. All public meetings of the 4th District at all levels shall be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 2. No tests for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the 4th District shall be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 3. The time and place for all meetings of the 4th District on all levels shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.
Section 4. The 4th District, on all levels, shall support the broadest possible participation without discrimination on grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or disability.
Section 5. The 4th District shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a full description of the legal and practical procedures for selection of 4th District officers and representatives on all levels. Publication of those procedures shall be done in such a fashion that all prospective and current members of the 4th District will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedure in time to participate in each selection procedures at all levels of the 4th District .
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Section 6. The 4th District shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications for all officers and representatives of the 4th District. Such publication shall be done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within the 4th District will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.
Section 7. All rules and bylaws of the 4th District at all levels shall be consistent with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party and shall be available on request in writing to any member of the 4th Congressional District.
Section 8. The unit rule is prohibited at all levels of the 4th District.
Section 9. No rule shall be adopted at any level of the 4th District which would require a person to cast a vote or be recorded a voting contrary to that person's judgment.
Section 10. Votes shall not be taken by secret ballot at any meeting of the 4th District at any level.
ARTICLE 2: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership of the 4th Congressional District Democratic Party shall consist of all Democratic residents of the 4th Congressional District who are members of the MDP, duly elected precinct delegates, or members and officers of the 4th District Executive and District Committee, all of whom must be current members of the MDP.
ARTICLE 3: GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Section 1. A meeting of the 4th District membership shall be held annually at the State Convention of the MDP. The meeting shall consider such matters as may be brought before it by the 4th District membership, the 4th District Executive Board, or the Michigan Democratic Party.
Section 2. All persons qualifying as members of the 4th Congressional District Democrats under the provisions of Article 1 of these Bylaws shall be eligible to participate in all functions and activities of the general membership meeting, provided they have complied with the state party rules concerning the possession of a current membership in the MDP, as follows:
"In order to vote at any convention, caucus, or meeting of any unit of the Michigan Democratic Party at any level, a person must be a member of the Michigan Democratic Party for at least thirty (30) days prior to that convention, caucus or meeting. Precinct delegates, candidates, and elected officials are exempt from the thirty (30) day advance membership requirement. However, precinct delegates, candidates and elected officials must be a member of the Michigan Democratic Party in order to vote at any Convention, Caucus or meeting of any unit of the Michigan Democratic Party at any level."
Section 3. Proportional voting by the 4th District counties as allocated and prescribed by the MDP shall be used in the election of 4th District delegates and alternates to any convention, delegates and alternates of the Democratic State Central Committee ("DSCC"), and members of the 4th District Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 4: DISTRICT CONVENTION
Section 1. A convention of the 4th Congressional District Democrats shall be held at such times as requested by the Michigan Democratic Party. The convention shall be the highest authority for the 4th District, other than the laws of the state of Michigan or the MDP.
ARTICLE 5: DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT COMMITTEE
Section 1. At the MDP state convention in odd-numbered years, the 4th Congressional District membership shall meet at the scheduled time for the congressional district conventions. The membership shall elect the officers of the 4th Congressional District Executive Comittee, consisting of a District Chair, 1st Vice-Chair, 2nd Vice-Chair, 3rd Vice-Chair, Recording Secretary, Correspondence Secretary, and Treasurer. The 1st Vice-Chair must be of the opposite sex to the Chair, as per MDP rules. Then the membership shall elect no less than 15 other persons to the Executive Committee. The term of service for the Executive Committee shall be two years, or until a successor has been duly elected.
Within 30 days of their election, the 4th District Executive Committee shall meet and elect the members of the 4th District Committee. The Executive Committee officers shall serve in their same capacity on the District Committee. Other members of the 4th District Committee shall include the duly elected Chair or designated representative of each County Committee within the district, those persons residing in the 4th District that are serving in the US Congress or Michigan Legislature, and such other 4th District persons as the Executive Committee shall choose to select. The MDP encourages the expansion of these committees for the purpose of achieving more participation and representation. Each member of the Executive Committee or District Committee shall have only one vote. The 4th District Committee is referred to as the "Executive Board" in the remainder of this document.
Section 2. The 4th District Executive Board shall have the authority, in conformity with the decisions of the Michigan Democratic Party and the 4th District membership, to determine the policies and activities of the 4th District Democrats between membership meetings or district conventions.
Section 3. The meetings of the Executive Board shall be open to all interested persons, but only a person who is a member of the Executive Board shall exercise a vote on any matter. A quorum for the conduct of business by the Executive Board shall consist of ten (10) members.
Section 4. It shall be the function of the Executive Board to:
(a) Provide for such political, social, and public relations activities and programs as it deems necessary for the development of the membership.
(b) Encourage and assist the development of the county Democratic Party organizations in the district.
(c) Coordinate with county organizations on activities that are of mutual interest to those county organizations and the Board.
(d) Give financial support and other assistance to the campaign of the Democratic nominee for the 4th Congressional District of Michigan.
(e) Make arrangements for financing the activities of the 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee.
(f) Make all recommendations for appointments to public office that may be referred to the committee by officers or agents of the United States Government, the State of Michigan or the Michigan Democratic Party.
(g) Engage in such activities, adopt such procedures, and establish and/or support such committees and agencies as may be appropriate for carrying out its functions and activities.
Section 5. The 4th District Chair shall call a meeting of the Executive Board at least twice a year. A meeting of the Executive Board shall also be promptly called by the District Chair when petitioned for by at least six (6) County Party chairs or six (6) members of the Executive Board.
