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BYLAWS OF THE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF WEST MICHIGAN

ARTICLE 1. NAME

This association shall be known as the Progressive Democrats of West Michigan.

ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Progressive Democrats of West Michigan is fourfold: first, to provide a forum for discussion of political issues vital to the preservation of our nation’s democratic way of life; second, to reach out to the people in the region who have been under-represented to give them a place to be heard; third, to find and campaign for candidates for political offices who will promote Democratic and progressive concepts in government at all levels; and fourth, to advocate and promote progressive policies for the health, education, safety and well-being of the residents of West Michigan.

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the Progressive Democrats of West Michigan Membership in the Progressive Democrats of West Michigan shall be open to any Michigan resident of voting age who supports the purposes of this association.

A. Voting Membership

Members are those who pay annual dues and fulfill one of the following participation options:

a. Actively participate in the association at least three meetings in a preceding six (6) month period.

b. Or volunteer at least ten (10) hours in support of one or more association projects, activities or functions.

c. Voting membership is retained by attending fifty percent (50%) of scheduled regular monthly meetings during the previous twelve (12) months and payment of the annual dues.

B. Supporting Membership

Members unable to fulfill the participation requirements, but who continue to pay annual dues, shall be considered supporting members. Supporting members may:

1. attend all meetings, except for meetings of the Executive Board;

2. receive all communications;

3. participate in committees and activities of the association.

Section 2. Release of Membership

A member may be released from membership by:

1. a letter of resignation or

2. if evidence is found that an individual is actively working against the purposes of the association, the member will be notified that a discussion will be held at the next general meeting to determine the status of his/her membership.

Following the discussion, a vote will be taken in which 2/3 of the voting members present will be required to release the member from membership in the association.

Section 3. Absentee Voting

Members may obtain an absentee ballot for the election of officers from the Secretary to be submitted before, or no later than, the meeting when the voting is to occur.

ARTICLE 4. DUES

Section 1. Annual Dues

Annual dues shall be twenty-five ($25.00) per member and shall cover the calendar year during which the dues are paid. Said dues shall be payable no later than the beginning of the regular meeting in February.

Section 2. Financial Control

The funds of this Association shall be deposited in a financial institution which may include a bank or credit union and shall be drawn upon only by checks signed by the Chair and Treasurer. In the event that the Chair and Treasurer reside in the same household, the Vice-Chair shall co-sign the checks with the Treasurer.

Section 3. Dues Reduction

Dues may be reduced, waived, or pro-rated by the Executive Board for any person who wishes to be active in the association but for whom payment of dues would cause financial hardship.

ARTICLE 5. OFFICERS AND BOARD

Section 1. Officers

The officers of this association shall be nominated and elected from the voting members and shall be the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and three Directors-at-Large.

Officers shall have two (2) year terms beginning January first of odd-numbered years.

A. Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in even-numbered years.

B. Nominations for officers may be made at the two regular member meetings immediately prior to the even-number years Annual Meetings. Any member may bring a nomination to the floor.

C. Resignations from the Executive Board will be voted on immediately if brought at a member meeting, or at the at the next meeting after they are received, should they be submitted between meetings.

D. Vacancies among the officers shall be filled by an election at the next regular member meeting after the vacancy occurs, with the exception of a vacancy in the position of Chair.

Section 2. Duties of the Chair

The Chair shall preside at all meetings and have such other duties as are usual to the office of Chair or that may be required by the Association. The Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section 3. Duties of the Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair in the discharge of his/her duties and temporarily assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chair in his/her absence. The Vice-Chair shall assume the position of Chair for the remainder of the Chair’s term of office when a vacancy occurs.

Section 4. Duties of the Secretary

The Secretary shall keep an accurate record and provide minutes of the proceedings of all meetings, as well as such other duties as are usual to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall keep and preserve all documents, correspondence, minutes, membership lists and attendance plus the historical records of the Association, and shall deliver to the newly elected Secretary all the aforesaid items keeps and preserved during his/her tenure of office.

Section 5. Duties of the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial receipts and disbursements of the Association subject to the approval of the voting membership, and shall provide financial reports to the membership. The Treasurer shall keep and preserve all financial documents, reports and records of the Association and submit them for an annual audit which shall be open for inspection at all regular meetings. The Treasurer shall prepare monthly reports to be presented at the regular meetings, which will include: (A.) Banking statements, (B.) Previous balance, (C.) Income, (D.) Expenses, (E.) The new balance, and (F.) Budget and year-to-date comparisons.

The Treasurer shall deliver to the newly elected Treasurer all the aforesaid documents kept and preserved during his/her tenure of office.

Section 6. Three Directors-at-Large

The Directors-at-Large shall participate in and contribute to the deliberations of the Board to achieve the purposes of the Association.

Section 7. Board

A. Members

The Officers shall be the Board of the Association.

B. Regular Duties

The Board shall prepare an agenda for each member meeting. The Board may approve events and proposals submitted in writing by committees of the Association. The Board may approve purchases, so long as the year-to-date expenditure for that line-item would not exceed the budgeted amount.

C. Assigned Duties

The Board shall conduct all business of the Association delegated to it by the members (at either an all-member or member meeting).

D. Attendance

Board members are expected to make all necessary efforts to attend all meetings of the association. The Secretary shall send by U.S. mail a written request for resignation from any officer who is absent at a third Board meeting in a row for unexpressed causes.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section 1. All-Member Meetings

A. Regular (Annual)

There shall be an All-Member meeting in November, known as the Annual Meeting. The agenda of the annual meeting shall include the adoption of the budget for the following year; any amendments to the bylaws, as submitted by the bylaws committee at the October member meeting; elections of officers (only during even years); approval of a calendar of dates, times and places for the following year's member meetings; and any resolutions brought forward that were introduced at the October member meeting.

B. Special

All-Member meetings may be called by a simple majority of any regular Member meeting.

C. Notice

Members shall be given at least thirty days notice of All-Member meetings.

D. Quorum

Quorum for All-Member meetings shall be a majority of the members (i.e., including both the voting members and the supporting members).

E. Rights

All members shall have equal rights during All-Member meetings.

Section 2. Member Meetings

A. Regular (Monthly)

Member meetings shall be held monthly on the date, time, and at the place approved during the previous Annual Meeting.

B. Special

Member meetings may be called by the Chair or any three board members.

C. Notice

Members shall be given at least seven days notice of member meetings.

D. Quorum

Quorum for member meetings shall be the majority of the voting members.

E. Rights

Voting members have full rights at member meetings. Supporting members may not bring motions and may not vote during member meetings, but may speak for or against motion. Supporting members may ask questions at the discretion of the chair during member meetings.

Section 3. Board Meetings

A. Regular

Board meetings shall be held monthly.

B. Special

Board meetings may be called by the Chair or any two members of the Board.

C. Notice

Members shall be given at least three days notice of board meetings.

D. Quorum

Quorum for Board meetings shall be the majority of the board members.

E. Rights

Board members have full rights at Board meetings. Voting members (who are not members of the board) may participate, at the discretion of the Chair. Voting members (who are not members of the board) may not vote at Board meetings. Supporting members may not attend Board meetings unless invited by the Board.

Section 4. Committee Meetings

A. Regular

Standing committees shall meet regularly as determined by the Board.

B. Special

Committee meetings may be called by the Head of the committee or any three members of the Committee.

C. Notice

Committee members shall be given at least three day notice of committee meetings.

D. Quorum

Quorum for a committee meetings shall be three (3) members of that committee.

E. Rights

Committee members have full rights at Committee meetings. Members (who are not members of the committee) may participate, at the discretion of the Head of the committee. Members (who are not members of the committee) may not vote at committee meetings.

Section 4. Meeting Notices

Notices of meetings shall be delivered by in person, by mail, phone, or email using the most recently contact information, as published by the Secretary.

ARTICLE 7. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Types of Committees

There shall be two types of committees: Standing and Special. The Chair position for each committee shall be decided by a majority of the committee members.

Section 2. Standing Committees

A. Rules and Bylaws: Recommend needed rules and changes to the Bylaws after conducting the appropriate voting process

B. Finance: Assist the Treasurer in the administration and monitoring of the fiscal operation of the Association, in accordance with its goals.

C. Candidate Recruitment: Recruit and promote progressive candidates for all levels of government.

D. Program: Provide educational programs concerning progressive issues and concerns for the membership and the community-at-large.

E. Outreach: Develop relationships with internal and external constituencies, as well as a strong/positive community presence

F. Screening and Recommendation: Screen candidates and issues for endorsement by the Association

G. Web site: Maintain updated information on the activities and purposes of the Association of the PDWM web site

H. Web Administrator: Chair-appointed, subject to Board of Directors’ approval

Section 3. Special Committees

Committees shall be formed as required to meet the objectives of the Association.

ARTICLE 8. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the official parliamentary authority of the Association.

ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Proposals for changes or amendments to these Bylaws shall first be referred to the Rules and Bylaws Committee, which shall report its recommendations at the October meeting or at the next special meeting called for that purpose. There must be an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the November Annual Meeting or Special Meeting called for that purpose, to accept the proposed changes or adopt the proposed amendments.

ARTICLE 10. DISSOLUTION

The Progressive Democrats of West Michigan shall be a non-profit Association.

Upon its dissolution all assets, plus real and personal property of the Association and its committees, shall revert to a cause selected by a majority of the membership. No part of the income or assets of the Association shall be paid to any of its members except for the reimbursement of actual expenses, reasonable compensation for services, or a contribution for electing a member to office, any of which must be approved by the membership.

ARTICLE 11. RATIFICATION OF THE BYLAWS

Ratification of these Bylaws shall be sought at the Annual Meeting to be held on November 9, 2005. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at the annual meeting will ratify and adopt these Bylaws as those of the Progressive Democrats of West Michigan.

ARTICLE 12. ORGANIZATION AFFILIATION

The affiliation of this organization with any other shall require a registered, roll call vote of a 2/3 majority of the voting membership.

Bylaws Committee Established May 11, 2005

Bylaws Ratified November 9, 2005

Amended April 12, 2006

Changes to Clarify and for Possible amendment, April 2007 STANDING RULES OF THE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF WEST MICHIGAN

1. All press releases, news articles, advertisements and other communications with the press will be provided electronically or in print to all members of the Executive Board. If there are no objections, said communications may be released upon unanimous approval of the Executive Board members or after 48 hours, whichever comes first.

2. When a new member joins the PDWM, his/her dues for the first calendar year will be reduced by $2.00 for each month (s)he enrolls after January. Members who joined the PDWM after its organizational meeting in May, 2005, will have dues paid in 2005 applied to 2006.

3. COMMITTEE PROCESSES

a. DEVELOP proposals for the Association on which to take action in accordance with the purposes of the committee and the Association as a whole.

b. INFORM the Chair of any reports or items on which action is to be taken during the week prior to the regularly scheduled meeting.

c. PRESENT ideas or activities suggested in committee that would be done in the Association before proceeding with the idea or activity.

d. CONDUCT approved activities through to completion.