ARTICLE II

Section 1. The objectives of this organization shall be:

1. To foster grassroot support at the precinct level for the ideals and principles of the Democratic party;
2. To assist in the selection and the election of Democratic candidates to legislative positions in the 20th Legislative District;
3. To influence the principles of the Democratic party to make elected officials responsible to the wishes of the constituency.

Section 2. The methods of obtaining the objectives of the organization shall be:

1. Gaining full participation of the Precinct Committeepersons and other Democrats in the decision making processes and activities of the Democratic party;
2. Giving a full measure of support to the Lewis County, Thurston County, and Pierce County legislative district, congressional district, state and national committees;
3. Obtaining outstanding candidates for every legislative position at election time;
4. Insuring that every legislative position on the ticket in the district is filled by a Democratic candidate;
   5. Urging voter registration;
   6. using our utmost efforts to financially support and physically work for the election of Democrats;
   7. Organizing to get out the vote on election day.
   

ARTICLE III

Policies

Section 1. This organization shall affiliate with and become a part of the Democratic State Central Committee and endeavor in all ways to cooperate with and carry on the work of that organization in the counties of Lewis, Thurston and Pierce.

Section 2. It shall be the policy of this organization in all its endeavors to contribute to the growth and influence of the Democratic party, to develop leadership, to increate party responsibility, and to maintain and promote harmony within the party ranks.

Section 3. This organization shall seek, in all of its operations, the cooperation of the 20th Legislative District, the Lewis, Thurston and Pierce County Committees, Congressional District, State and National Committees.

Section 4. This organization will actively support the nominees of the Democratic ticket; PROVIDED, the nominees indicate their general agreement with the philosophy of the Democratic party.

ARTICLE IV

Membership

Section 1. All 20th Legislative District precinct committee officers, whether elected, appointed, or acting, shall be voting members of this organization.

Section 2. Any registered voter in the 20th Legislative District, who declares to be a Democrat and who agrees to have his or her name published as a Democrat, shall be a member of this organization. Any other person who declares to be a Democrat shall be eligible for non-voting membership in this organization.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1. The officers of this organization, who shall be elected at the first meeting after each general election, shall consist of the following:

a. Chairperson
b. 1st Vice-Chair
c. 2nd Vice-Chair
d. Past Chair Emeritus
e. Secretary
f. Treasurer
g. State Committeeman
h. State Committeewoman

Section 2. The 1st Vice Chair and the 2nd Vice Chair shall be elected so that each county is represented by one vice chairperson.

Section 3. An Democrat shall be eligible to hold office, and if not present at the time of election, must have given his/her consent in writing to serve as an officer.

Section 4. Any vacancy in the offices of the Committee shall be filled by a majority vote of all general members of the Committee at the next general membership meeting of the Committee, or sooner at a specially called meeting of the general membership of the Committee, called by the Chairperson ten (10) days prior to the meeting of election.

ARTICLE VI

Duties of Officers

Section 1. The Chairperson shall direct the affairs of the organization as its administrative officer, including: a) to convene and conduct meetings, b) to grant authorization for signatures on checks, d) no later than the first meeting following the organizational meeting, the Chairperson shall appoint a By-Laws Committee which shall meet and make recommendations of revisions and adoptions to be presented to the body of the organizational meeting for approval and ratification at the following meeting.

Section 2. The 1st Vice Chairperson shall preside at all meetings at which the Chairperson shall not be present; be responsible for voter registration; act as liaison with the Thurston, Lewis and Pierce County in recruiting and helping to recruit election board members; and perform such duties as usually pertains to those offices, and as may be assigned him/her by the Chairperson and/or Executive Board

Section 3. The 2nd Vice-Chairperson shall be responsible for the fund-raising activities of the organization, including the annual fund raiser, and perform such duties as usually pertains to those offices and as may be assigned to him/her by the Chairperson and/or Executive Board.

Section 4. The Past Chair Emeritus shall be eligible to take part in the activities of the Executive Board, and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chairperson.

Section 5. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the organizations; a roll of its members; a copy of the formal reports of its officers and committees; be responsible for the formal correspondence of the committee, including meeting notices, and maintenance of the mailing/telephone list.

Section 6. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds in the organization. He/she shall keep a record of receipts, disbursements, and, at the end of each calendar year, he/she shall submit his/her accounts for auditing, and shall be responsible for compliance with public disclosure requirements. He/she may be bonded in such amount as the Executive Board may determine. The Treasurer shall submit written reports to the general body of the general meeting.

Section 7. The State Committeman and the State Committeewoman shall be the liaison officers between the State Central Committee, Legislative District Committee, and the Lewis, Thurston and Pierce County Democratic Central Committees.

ARTICLE VII

Removal of Officers

Section 1. Grounds for Recall. Any officer may be removed by roll call vote on one or more of the following grounds:

• a. Failure to perform duties as prescribed by the Articles;
• b. Making public endorsements in the name of the 20th Legislative District Democratic Committee without obtaining prior approval by the general membership or the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Procedures for Recall

• a. Any motion to recall an officer must be in writing and must be signed by at least ten (10) 20th Legislative District Democratic Committee members.
• b. A recall motion shall be referred to the Executive Committee for review. Written notification of a recall motion shall be made to all 20th Legislative District Democratic Precinct Committee Officers and to all individuals on the 20th Legislative District mailing list within ten (10) days of referral to the Executive Committee. Following notification of the membership the Executive Committee shall conduct public hearings regarding the recall motion. At the next meeting of the general membership of the 20th Legislative District Democratic Committee after the hearings are concluded, or at a specially convened meeting of the general membership committee, the Executive Committee will make its recommendation to the membership.
• c. A two-thirds vote of the general membership is required to recall an officer.
• d. In no case shall a recall motion remain unresolved for more than forty five (45) days.
  

ARTICLE VIII

Executive Board

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of::

1. The duly elected officers of the organization.
2. All 20th District Democratic State Legislators.
3. The Board shall also include, as non-voting members, the Chairpersons of all standing committees.

Section 2. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be the Chairperson of the Executive Board.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall formulate policy and provide general direction of the activities and functions of the 20th Legislative District Democrats, subject to final approval of the membership of the Committee, in expenditures of funds beyond authorized limits as set forth in Article XII, Section 3, and in the support of candidates.

Section 4. The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the Chairperson. The Executive Board meeting shall be open to all members.

Section 5. Notice shall be by telephone at least two (2) days prior to the meeting, or in writing at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.

Section 6. The Executive Board shall appoint a Campaign Services Committee, whose duties shall include meeting with and/or interviewing all Democratic legislative candidates on the ballot in the 20th Legislative District.

ARTICLE IX

Election of Officers

Section 1. The regular biennial election of the organization shall be held at a meeting following the general election, with ten (10) days notice to the elected precinct committeeman or committeewoman and all individuals on the 20th Legislative District Democratic membership list. The terms shall be for two (2) years or until their successors are elected. The term of Past Chair Emeritus shall be for two (2) years.

Section 2. The Chairperson shall appoint two election clerks who shall assist the Secretary in receiving and counting the votes. The Secretary shall act as judge at the election.

Section 3. The election of officers and members of the Executive Board shall be by written ballot. The majority of voting members attending the meeting shall be required to elect.

Section 4. If the biennial election is not held on the date fixed in Section 1 of this Article, a special election may be called immediately at the request of at least ten percent of the committeemen/women, such regular elections to be conducted in the manner above-prescribed for regular elections.

ARTICLE X

Meetings

Section 1. The 20th Legislative District Democratic general membership shall meet at least once each month.

Section 2. The Chairperson may call special meetings at his or her discretion.

Section 3. A majority of the voting members of the Executive Board may call a special meeting.

Section 4. A quorum shall consist of at least half of the Executive Board members being present.

ARTICLE XI

Revenues and Operating Policies

Section 1. Revenues may be raised as recommended by the Executive Board.

Section 2. Exempt and Non-Exempt Accounts and methods of disbursements:

In order to comply fully with Initiative 134 and other campaign finance laws, take full advantage of the enhanced powers granted Legislative District Committees by Initiative 134, and maximize 20th Legislative support for Democratic Candidates, the 20th Legislative District Democratic Central Committee shall establish, maintain and file the appropriate Public Disclosure Commission Reports for Exempt and Non-Exempt Accounts.

The Exempt Account shall be utilized to fund 20th LDDC operating expenses and indirect support of candidates, such as party mailings, maintenance and staffing of a campaign headquarters, and other forms of support provided by law. Disbursements from the Exempt Account will be made in accordance with the 20th LDDC budget.

The Non-Exempt Account, or Political Action Fund, shall be utilized to provide direct financial support to candidates in accordance with campaign finance laws.

Because Washington State law allows for the transfer of funds from Non-Exempt (political action) accounts to Exempt (operating) accounts but prohibits the transfer of funds from Exempt (operating) accounts to Non-Exempt (political action) accounts, all proceeds from the 20th LDDC fundraisers shall be initially deposited into the Non-Exempt account and maintained there until such time as the 20th LDDC Treasurer needs to transfer funds to pay for Exempt account expenses.

Financial contributions to candidates from the Non-Exempt account shall be made at the direction of the 20th LDDC Executive Board.

The Non-Exempt (political action) fund will be utilized to provide direct financial contributions to candidates for state officers in accordance with Initiative 134 and other applicable campaign finance laws. The emphasis of contributions will be to assist candidates in close races who have well designed campaigns.

ARTICLE XII

Committees

Section 1. All standing committee members shall be appointed by the Chairperson, with approval of the Executive Board, subject to removal by the Chairperson with approval of the Executive Board.

Section 2. Special committees may be appointed by the Chairperson, and they shall perform such duties as may be defined in their creation.

Section 3. No committee shall incur any expenditure exceeding $50.00 involving the organization unless authorized to do so by the voting members of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XIII

Section 1. "Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these by-laws.

ARTICLE XIV

Section 1. The order of business at regular meetings of the general membership shall be as follows:

1. Call to order;
2. Flag salute;
3. Roll Call;
4. Introduction of visitors and guest;
5. Reading and approving minutes of previous meetings;
6. Reading minutes of previous Executive Board meeting;
7. Treasurer's report;
8. Approval of bills;
9. Communications;
10. Report of Committees
     a. Standing
     b. Special
11. Unfinished business;
12. New business;
13. Discussions and "for the good of the Party"
14. Adjournment

ARTICLE XV

Amendments

Section 1.. These by laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the general membership by a majority vote; PROVIDED, that the proposed amendment was submitted in writing at a previous meeting and that a written notice of the proposed amendment has been given to the members not less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled meeting.

APPROVED and ADOPTED by the 20th Legislative District Democratic Committee on the _____ day of __________2002.