DCNF June Meeting
BYLAWS OF THE Democratic Club of North Florida ARTICLE 1 – NAME The complete name of this organization shall be Democratic Club of North Florida ARTICLE II - OBJECT AND PURPOSE The object of this organization shall be to stimulate active interest in political and governmental affairs; to strengthen and to further the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party; to provide reasonable and ongoing financial support to the county Democratic Executive Committee; to promote participation among Democrats; to support and elect the duly selected nominees of the Democratic Party in national, state, and local campaigns; and to foster good fellowship among all Democrats. In all Primary elections, no candidate will be endorsed or supported individually by this club. At no time will members of this organization support a candidate from another Party. ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Democrats registered to vote in a North Florida Member County as defined in Section 2 below and are interested in the objectives of this club shall be eligible for membership. No other residency restriction may be placed upon membership or the privileges of membership in this club. In accordance with Article VI of the Florida Democratic Party Bylaws, with the exception of the organizational meeting of this club, those members permitted to vote in any club election for officers or board members must have been a paid member of the club at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date of such election. Officers and directors shall be required to execute the Loyalty Oath in the form included in the Bylaws of the Florida Democratic Party. Section 2. ARTICLE IV – DUES Section 1: Annual dues shall be determined following an annual evaluation of the Board of Directors of the dues contributed by Club members. The Board of Directors shall make a recommendation annually to the Club's membership as to the amount of the dues assessment. A change in Club dues shall be enacted only upon a majority vote of those present and voting providing a quorum is present at a regular Club meeting considering a change in the dues assessment. Dues shall be payable to the Treasurer by January 15th for the ensuing Club year, or at the time of becoming a member, and paid again on the normal due date. If authorized by the Board of Directors, member dues paid during the final three (3) months of the preceding year may be credited as full payment for the ensuing Club year. Section 2: At any time, annual Club dues may be augmented by Club sponsored fund-raisers, provided that the funds raised are devoted to Club sponsored programs to enhance membership, improve communications with Club members and their sponsoring county Democratic Executive Committee (DEC), and informing the community at large regarding Democratic Party policies and programs only. Annually, funds derived from club dues and other income, not to exceed an aggregate of $500.00 in any one year, may be contributed to Democratic Party candidates. Such contributions shall be reported individually to their county DEC in a timely manner, not to exceed 45 days from the date of any such contribution. Section 3: 0-50 members $25.00 51-100 members $50.00 101-300 members $75.00 301-500 members $100.00 501-750 members $150.00 751-1,000 members $250.00 1,000 plus members $500.00 Eighty percent (80%) of the contribution shall remain with the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee and twenty percent (20%) of the contribution shall be remitted to the Florida Democratic Party by the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee no later than April 1 of each year of the Club's existence. The failure of the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee to remit the Annual Party Contribution for the Democratic Club of North Florida shall be grounds for removing the Club's charter by action of the State Central Committee only. Section 4: At the time of the Democratic Club of North Florida's Charter Recertification in July of each odd numbered year when the Club applies to the county Certification Committee for a Certificate of Compliance, the Club shall submit its latest bank statement(s) to the Certification Committee. The Certification Committee shall be empowered to augment the Club's Annual Party Contribution by an amount not to exceed twenty percent (20%) of the balance in the Club's bank accounts and other financial instruments -- including checking, certificates of deposit (CD), and savings accounts -- to be paid to the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee for the purpose of supporting the election of nominated Democratic Party candidates following the Primary Election only. ARTICLE V – OFFICERS Section 1: The officers of this club shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary by the membership. Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws. Section 2: All terms of office shall be for one or for two (2) years. Commencing in a year in which ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and Board of Directors, of which the President is automatically Chair; shall be ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; shall appoint all Standing and Special Committees and their respective chairs; shall represent the Club at county, district and state functions; shall give guidance to the respective committee chairs in their work; and shall perform all duties normally pertaining to the office of President. Section 2: The Vice President[s] shall render all possible assistance to the President in matters pertaining to the Club, and shall assume the office in the absence of the President, or the President's inability of to serve. Section 3: The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors;; and shall possess and maintain the official copy of the Club's Bylaws, with any and all amendments to the Bylaws properly recorded. The current list of Club members shall be based a record of dues paying members provided by the Treasurer on January 15th for the ensuing Club year, or at the time of becoming a member, and paid again on the normal due date established by the Board of Directors. Section 4: The Treasurer shall receive all monies collected by the Club; shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; shall maintain a current list of members with addresses, phone numbers and precinct numbers; shall present a statement of all income and expenditures occurring since the previous meeting of the Club, and at other times when formally requested by the Board of Directors; and shall pay out funds only as authorized by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Club shall audit all records maintained by the Club Treasurer annually, and, if a discrepancy is noted, the discrepancy shall be reported to the Club's members. Checks shall be signed by either the Treasurer or President. ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS Section 1. Regular meetings of the club shall be held monthly, on the third Monday of the month unless otherwise ordered by the club or by the board of directors. Section 2. The president or a majority of the board of directors may call special meetings, with one week's notice to the members. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Section 3. Twenty percent (20%) of the total membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business at any regular or special meeting. A majority vote is necessary to carry motions. Section 4. All meetings shall be in a facility accessible to the physically handicapped. ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers and a minimum of four (4) elected Directors plus the following ex officio members: the immediate past president, the president of the Capital City Democratic Women's Club or designee, and the Chairman of the Leon County DEC or designee. Section 2: The annual election of Directors shall be held at the October meeting. Commencing in a year in which Section 3: The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to plan and organize each monthly meeting of the Club and make recommendations to the Club's membership that will facilitate the transaction of Club business during regular and special meetings. No action of the Board of Directors shall be in conflict with any action taken by the Club's membership at regular or special meetings. Section 5: Five (5) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. 6: Any member may be removed from office upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership of the club at any regular or special meeting after ten (10) days notice to the membership that a motion for the purpose of removal of said member will be considered at the regular or special meeting. The removal may be for causes including, but not limited to, the following: malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, and conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude. ARTICLE IX – ELECTIONS Section 1. Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting held in November of each year with the exception of the charter year. Section 2. Section 3. With the exception of the organizational meeting, there shall be a forty-five (45) day membership requirement prior to a member being permitted to vote or participate in any club election of officers or board members. Section 4. If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the vice president shall become president. When they occur, vacancies shall be filled by the club at a regular meeting. Section 5. Voting for officers and directors must be by secret ballot. Proxies and absentee voting are prohibited. In the event of a tie vote for any officer or board member, the winner shall be determined by the flip of a coin. ARTICLE X - STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1: The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the Standing Committees of the Club. The President shall appoint the membership of the Standing Committees promptly after each annual meeting. Section 2: The Board of Directors of the Club is empowered to establish those Standing Committees necessary to: a. Propose and adopt an annual budget; b. Provide accurate audit records of the Club's financial activities administered by the Treasurer; c. Maintain and amend the bylaws as may be required for time to time; d. Support Democratic candidates for public office; e. Establish and maintain eligibility criteria for Club membership; f. Communication of the purpose and policies of the Club to the general public; and g. Discover and develop means of raising funds to sustain Club programs and coordinate its fund raising activities. ARTICLE XI – ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROVISION The club hereby adopts and shall enforce the following anti-discrimination provisions: ARTICLE XII- AMENDMENTS The bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at a regular meeting pursuant to notification in writing one week prior to the meeting. Bylaws and any changes or amendments are subject to approval by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Certification Committee (DEC chairman, state committeeman and state committeewoman) and the Florida Democratic Party Committee on Clubs, Organizations, and Caucuses together with copies of the minutes of the meeting at which these amendments were adopted. ARTICLE XIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and the rules of the county Democratic Executive Committee, Florida Democratic Party and National Democratic Party. ARTICLE XIV – ACCOUNTABILITY Section 1. Charter Recertification: In July of each odd numbered year the club shall apply to the Certification Committee of the county Democratic Executive Committee for a Certificate of Compliance. Failure to do so shall result in the forfeiture of all rights and privileges of the use of the word Democrat, Democratic, or derivative thereof. The Certification Committee shall be empowered to implement the provisions of Article IV (Dues), Section 4, at its discretion during the recertification process. Section 2. Dissolution: In the event this club wishes to dissolve, a resolution stating the date of dissolution and the reasons for the dissolution shall be adopted by a majority vote of the club after being submitted in writing at the previous meeting. When the club disbands for any reason, the club's assets and funds, after all debts are satisfied, shall become the property of the county Democratic Executive Committee. Section 3. Grievances: Clubs disputes and grievances may be resolved with the county chairman, state committeeman and state committeewoman of the county Democratic Executive Committee in the county of charter. Should one (1) person hold two (2) of these offices, the vice chairman of the county Democratic Executive Committee shall also be involved in said resolution. Such resolution may be appealed to the county Democratic Committee whose decision shall be final unless appealed to the Judicial Council not later than forty-five (45) days from the date of said decision. These revised bylaws were approved by the membership . _________________ ________ _________________ ______ Jane Hughes, Secretary Date David V. Jacobsen, President Date
DCNF JUNE MEETING: Elected Officials and Lobbyists to assess 2013 Legislative Session
Tallahassee's elected leaders and key lobbyists will brief Democratic Club of North Florida members on the impact the 2013 Legislative Session has on Tallahassee. Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, Rep. Alan Williams, AFSCME Legislative Director Doug Martin and Activist for Women and Retirees Barbara Devane will all discuss how the legislature dealt with their constituents. Sen. Bill Montford and Supt. Jackie Pons are also invited. The meeting will begin at 6:30 on Monday, June 17, with a reception followed by the presentations. Members and guests are asked to make a $5 donation for the food and beverage.
Please note: The DCNF Meeting is at the Railroad Square Conference Center, 918 Railroad Ave.
The business meeting will have a discussion of a proposed revision to the DCNF Bylaws. (If you are receiving this announcement as an email the proposed revision is attached; otherwise view the proposed bylaws at www.DCNF.blogspot.com The DCNF Board approved the proposed bylaws at the June Board Meeting.
Sen. Nan Rich, Democratic Candidate for Governor, is confirmed to attend the 13th Annual Old Fashioned Picnic, July 27, 4:00-7:00 at Lee Vause Park. A barbeque dinner for $10 is available.
For purposes of this club North Florida Member Counties are defined as Leon County, those Florida Counties bordering Leon County and those Florida Counties immediately adjacent to bordering Counties.
Annual Party Contribution: In January of each year, the Democratic Club of North Florida chartered under the rules of the Florida Democratic Party shall pay an annual contribution, based on membership as of December 31 of the preceding year, to the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee based on the following calculation:
an amendment to these Bylaws affecting the duration of the term of office is adopted, terms of office may be staggered for the year following adoption only permitting certain officers to serve for a one-year term and the remaining officers to serve for a full two-year term. Officers shall be eligible for unlimited terms in the same office.
an amendment to these Bylaws affecting the duration of the term of office is adopted, terms of office may be staggered for the year following adoption only permitting certain Directors to serve for a one-year term and the remaining Directors to serve for a full two-year term.
Section 4: Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be at least one week prior to the regular monthly meeting of the Club, or at the request of the President or three (3) members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall investigate all excuses for nonattendance of Board members at regular or special meetings and shall determine whether good and sufficient reason existed for any absence. Members wishing to be excused from a Board meeting must submit an excuse to a Club officer. Members with two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from regular or special Board meetings may be removed from the Board by a majority vote at a meeting with a quorum of the Board of Directors present and voting.
The Board of Directors shall appoint the chairman of the nominating committee prior to the September meeting. At the September membership meeting two additional members will be elected by the general membership to complete the nominating committee. This Committee shall present a candidate for each elective office at the regular meeting in October. Additional nominations from the floor shall be in order at that time.