INDEX

 
 
ARTICLE I – NAME   ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Page 2
 
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE   ------------------------------------------------------------------ Page 2
 
ARTICLE III – MEMBERS   ---------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2

 

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS AND VOTING   ------------------------------------------- Page 4

 

ARTICLE V – ENDORSEMENTS   ------------------------------------------------------- Page 5

 

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE BOARD AND ELECTION   ---------- Page 6

 

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES   ---------------------------------------------------------- Page 9

 

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS   ------------------------------------------------------- Page 10

 

ARTICLE IX – DUES   ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 10

 

ARTICLE X-INTERPRETATION OF BY-LAWS   ------------------------------------ Page 11

 

SIGNATURES OF CHAIR, BY- LAWS CHAIR   -------------------------------------- Page 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I – NAME

 

            This Organization shall be known as the Bensalem Democratic Organization.

 
 
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

 

  1.  To promote good government in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

 

  1.  To promote Democratic registrations and create and maintain loyalty to the Democratic Party.

 

  1.  To aid in the selection and election of qualified Democrats to Municipal, County, State, and Federal offices.

 

  1. To create a feeling of good will and fellowship among its members at all times.                           
 
 
ARTICLE III – MEMBERS

 

  1. There shall be two forms of membership which are active and supportive.

 

1.       Members who are considered active shall meet the requirements in Article III, Sections B and C and will enjoy all rights and privileges of active membership.   

 

2.       Supportive members are those members who make a contribution to the organization and do not enjoy the rights and privileges of active membership. 

a.       Supportive members do retain the right to become active members by complying with the requirements for active membership.

 

  1.  To be eligible for becoming and remaining an active member of the Organization a person must:

 

1.      Be a registered Democratic voter in Bensalem Township;

 

2.      Pay all dues required.

 

3.      Abide by all Bylaws of the Organization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERS-continued.

 

 

C.     Prior to becoming an active member a person must:

 

1.       Attend three (3) regular meetings within a six (6) month period before the meeting at which their active membership application is considered by the general membership.

2.       Receive the affirmative vote of a majority of those active members present at the next regular meeting after their active membership has been proposed by the Membership Committee.        

 

D.    Any member charged with conduct harmful to this Organization shall be:

 

1.      Given a hearing by the Executive Committee.

 

2.       If said charges are considered substantiated by a majority vote, the Executive Committee will present a recommendation of expulsion to the general active membership at the next regular meeting.

 

3.      The active general membership shall then hold a vote on the expulsion of the member at that meeting. 

 

4.       If expulsion is approved by a two thirds (2/3) vote of those present and eligible, the member shall be expelled from the Bensalem Democratic Organization for a period of two years. After that time, the ex member can re-apply for membership if he/she so desires as indicated in Article III, Section E.

 

E.     Any person who loses their active membership by resignation, expulsion, failure to pay dues or any other reason shall be required to go through the procedure of becoming a new active member before he/she can again become an active member in good standing.

 

F.       Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, all current elected and/or appointed Committee People of Bensalem Township shall be deemed active members in good standing of this Organization if their dues are paid in full prior to the start of any given meeting, unless they have been expelled pursuant to Article III, Section E.

 

G.    Any active member who does not attend at least three (3) meetings in any given calendar year may have his/her active membership cancelled.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS AND VOTING

 

A.     The Organization shall hold its regular meetings once per month on the dates selected by the Chairperson in consultation with the general active membership.

 

B.     Special meetings shall be called by the Chairperson when deemed necessary or:

 

1.      If requested to do so in writing by ten (10) active members.

a.        Any request or call for a special meeting shall state the nature of the business to be conducted at that meeting. 

 

2.       Notice for all special meetings shall be given to all active members not less than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting. 

 

3.      The notice shall include the nature of the business to be conducted. Only such business as mentioned in the meeting notice may be transacted.

 

C.     All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with these Bylaws, and Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

 

D.     One quarter of the active members shall constitute a quorum for a regular or special meeting.

 

E.     Proxies shall not be permitted for any purpose by this Organization.

 

F.       No person shall be permitted to vote at any meeting unless they are an active member in good standing.

 

G.    An active member shall be in good standing if:

 

1.      His/her dues are paid in full before the start of any given meeting

 

2.       He/she has attended at least half of the regular meetings in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the meeting in question. 

 

3.      The only exception to this provision shall be that provided by Article III, Section G of these Bylaws.

 

H.    All voting, except for voting for endorsements, the election of officers, the expulsion of a member or amendments to these By - laws shall be conducted by voice or roll call votes.

 

  1.  All voting for endorsements, election of officers, the expulsion of a member or the amendment of these bylaws shall be by signed paper ballot.

 

  1. In no case shall any person have more than one vote in any matter.

 

 

ARTICLE V – ENDORSEMENTS

 

A.    Before any primary election, the Bensalem Democratic Organization may conduct endorsement votes for the following offices:

 

1.      Pennsylvania State Representative (18th Assembly District)

 

2.      Bensalem Township Magisterial District Justice

 

3.      Bensalem Township Mayor

 

4.      Bensalem Township Council

 

5.      Bensalem Township School Board Directors

 

6.      Bensalem Township Auditor

 

7.      Bensalem Township Constable

 

  1. In even number years (non presidential election years) the Bensalem Democratic Organization shall meet with those 6th Senate District people from outside Bensalem for the purpose of endorsing a State Senator candidate from the 6th Senate District.

 

C.     For purposes of endorsements only, the only persons entitled to vote shall be:

 

D.     Active members of the Organization who are duly elected and/or appointed Committee People of Bensalem Township.

 

E.      Active members of the Organization who are members of the Executive Board of the Bucks County Democratic Committee.

 

F.       Active members of the Organization who are members of the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee or the National Democratic Committee.

 

G.     Active members of the Bensalem Democratic Organization who hold an elected Township, County, State or Federal office including elections officials whether they were elected or appointed to that office.

 

H.    The officers of this Organization.

 

I.        Before any person shall be endorsed they must have received the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority of those eligible votes actually cast at the meeting where the endorsement vote is taken.

 

J.       Once made, an endorsement may not be changed unless:

 

K.    At least two-thirds of all those eligible to cast votes for an endorsement vote to change the endorsement at a duly convened endorsement meeting.

 

L.      No vote on an endorsement shall be valid unless taken at a duly called meeting of the Organization where notice of the meeting and the fact that an endorsement would be considered was given to all active members of the Organization at least five (5) days before the meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE BOARD AND ELECTION

 

A.     Officers of the Organization shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

B.      Officers shall be elected at the June meeting of each even numbered calendar year and shall hold office for two years or until successors is elected.

 

C.      To be elected as an officer of the Bensalem Democratic Organization, a candidate must:

 

1.      Receive more then fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast.

 

a.        If no candidate receives more than (50%) of the votes cast, there will be a run off election between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes.

 

b.       The candidate who receives the majority of votes cast in the run off election will be elected to office.

 

D.     Only persons entitled to vote in the Organization shall be eligible to hold office in the Organization.

 

E.     Should a vacancy occur in any office of this Organization for any reason,

 

a.       The vacancy shall be filled by a vote of the active membership at the next regular meeting after the regular meeting at which the vacancy is announced and accepted.

 

b.       The person who is selected to fill any vacancy shall hold office for the balance of the original term.

 

F.      The duties of the Executive Board shall be as follows:

 

1.       The Bensalem Democratic Organization Executive Committee shall have jurisdiction over all matters not specifically reserved to the General Active Membership or the Chairperson and:

 

a.       Shall have authority to establish the budget and establish procedures for payment of organization expenses.

 

b.      Authorize the payment of Bensalem Democratic Organization expenditures not to exceed $5000.00 between general membership meetings.

 

c.        Select an individual to perform a financial audit if deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.

 

d.      Determine if a surety bond is necessary for all financial signatories.

 

 

e.       Determine by a two thirds vote the “inability to serve” of any member of the Executive Board or the termination of that inability.

 

f.        The Bensalem Democratic Organization Executive Committee and/or their designee(s) will approve any material, campaign or otherwise that:

 

1)       Is endorsed by the Bensalem Democratic Organization with or without the name of the Bensalem Democratic Organization on the material.

 

2)      Will reasonably be interpreted by non Bensalem Democratic Organization members to be endorsed by the Bensalem Democratic Organization.

 

3)      Is paid for in any part directly from the treasury.

 

  1. The duties of the Officers shall be as set forth as follows:

 

1.      Chairperson:

 

a.        Direct the operation of the Bensalem Democratic Organization within the framework of the Bensalem Democratic Organization By-laws as well as of the National Constitution of the Democratic Party and the Party By-laws at the national, state and county levels.

 

b.      Issue proper notice of all regular and special meetings.

 

c.       Preside over all regular and special meetings.

 

d.       Appoint all Committee members and retain ex-officio membership on each Committee.

 

e.        Represent and act as the Bensalem Democratic Organization spokesperson on all matters.

 

f.       Sign all documents pertaining to official business of the organization.

 

g.       Recommend all non elected committee persons to be appointed by the County Chairperson.

 

h.       Authorize the payment of all expenditures not to exceed $1300.00 between general membership meetings.

 

i.         Perform all other duties as are necessary to protect and advance the interests of the Democratic Party.   

 

Vice Chairperson:                                                                                                          

 

a.       Serve as Assistant to the Chairperson.

 

b.       Serve as the Chairperson in the event the Chairperson is unable to serve until the Chairperson returns to active participation or until a new Chairperson is elected.

 

2.      Secretary:

 

a.       Record and keep minutes of all meetings.

 

b.       Conduct such correspondence as may be necessary or as the Chairperson may direct and maintain copies in a permanent file.

 

c.        Maintain custody of all books, records, papers and effects of the organization and transfer same to the duly elected successor.

 

d.       Distribute literature, copies of documents and other communications to the Bensalem Democratic Organization membership.

 

3.      Treasurer:

 

a.        Receive and deposit all funds of the Bensalem Democratic Organization in the financial institution authorized by the Executive Committee.

 

b.      Pay chapter debts as follows:

 

1)       Those up to $1300.00 between general meetings as authorized by the Chairperson.

 

2)       Those up to $5000.00 between general meetings as authorized by the Executive Committee.

 

3)      All expenditures as authorized by the General Membership.

 

c.       Submit monthly financial reports.

 

d.       Provide the Heads of Committees any financial information necessary to perform their duties.

 

e.        Submit Bensalem Democratic Organization books and records for audit on demand of the Executive Committee.

 

f.        Furnish a surety bond to the Chapter on demand of the              Executive Committee.

 

1)       Premium is to be paid by the Bensalem Democratic Organization.

 

g.      Prepare and file all necessary financial reports with township, county, state and federal governments as well as any other reports required by the Democratic Party.

 

h.       Keep an accurate and current record of all receipts and expenditures of the Bensalem Democratic Organization according to currently accepted accounting principles.

 

i.        Appoint an assistant(s) Treasurer as needed.

 

 

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

 

A.     Committees of the Organization shall be classified as the Executive Committee, Standing Committees or Special Committees:

 

1.      The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Organization and the Chair of each of the Standing Committees.

 

2.       The Executive Committee shall have the power, with the approval of the Chairperson, to act for the Organization between meetings. However, such power shall not include the power to elect officers, make endorsements, expel members or amend these Bylaws.

 

3.      The Standing Committees shall consist of the following:

 

a.       Registration Committee

 

b.      Finance-Fund Raising Committee

 

c.       Election-Campaign Committee

 

d.      Membership Committee

 

e.       By-laws-Legal Committee

 

4.       The Treasurer shall automatically be a member of the Finance- Fund Raising Committee. The Secretary shall automatically be Chairperson of the Membership Committee.

 

5.       The Chairperson of the Bylaws-Legal Committee shall automatically be the Parliamentarian of the Organization.

 

6.       Except as stated herein, the Chairperson of the Organization shall appoint the active members and chairpersons of all committees.

 

7.       All standing or special committees shall consist of three (3) or five (5) active members.

 

8.      Special committees may be created from time to time by the Chairperson or by the general active membership by majority vote.

 

a.       The purpose and duration of a Special Committee shall be stated when it is created.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

 

A.     Amendments to these Bylaws shall be approved only upon the affirmative vote of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those active members voting at a duly convened regular meeting where an amendment is properly brought to vote under this Article.

 

B.      Any proposed amendment must be first be introduced at the regular meeting prior to the regular meeting at which it will be submitted for vote. After being introduced the amendment must be reduced to writing and mailed to all active members at least five (5) days prior to the meeting at which it will be submitted for vote.

 

ARTICLE IX – DUES

 

A.     Dues shall be ten dollars ($10.00) annually payable at the January meeting. Collections of dues will start at the November meeting and must be paid by or before any meeting in which a vote is taken in order for a member to be eligible to vote

 

B.      Any member who is:

 

1.      Unemployed

 

2.      Receiving Social Security retirement

 

3.      Receiving a Social Security disability pension

 

4.      Receiving any other retirement or disability pension

 

5.      Or over age sixty-five (65) may be exempt from the payment of dues upon certification of the necessary facts to the Membership Committee.

 

 

ARTICLE X-INTERPRETATION OF BY-LAWS

 

A.     Any interpretation of these By-laws which might be required will be made by the Parliamentarian.

 

1.      If the Parliamentarian is unable to state a position,

 

2.       The Executive Committee will rule on the issue. The decision so reached will be final.

 

3.       Redefinition or clarification of any section may then be made through the amendment procedure provided for in Article VIII of these By-laws.