BY LAWS OF THE LDTC

Revised July 2015

 
 

Preamble

These bylaws are designed for the democratic organization of the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee. Nothing in this organization's bylaws violates the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These bylaws are consistent with the platform and Charter of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Article I – Name

This organization shall be known as the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee, hereinafter called the LDTC.

Article II – Purposes

The LDTC is organized and constituted under the authority of and in accordance with the     provisions of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, and shall have as its purposes the following:

  • to foster and advance the ideals and aims of the Democratic Party;

  • to work in cooperation with the Democratic National Committee;

  • to work in cooperation with the Massachusetts Democratic Party;

  • to work in cooperation with the state and national conventions of the Democratic Party;

  • to work and organize for the success of Democratic candidates of the district, county, state, and nation;

  • to do all things necessary and incidental to the building and strengthening of the Democratic Party in Massachusetts.

Article – III - Members

A.  The LDTC shall consist of up to 35 members elected at the Presidential primaries for a period of 4 years from 30 days following their election, together with any elected in conformance with Section D.

B.  The LDTC may, by vote at any meeting, authorize the appointment of associate members. One is eligible to become an associate member after attending three LDTC meetings.  Associate members shall not have the right to vote but shall have such other powers and duties as the LDTC may determine. There is no limit to the number of associate members.

C.  Any elected member of the LDTC who is no longer a registered voter in Longmeadow during his/her term changes status from an elected member to an associate member.

D.  Any elected member who has changed their voter registration as a result of a move to another ward or town automatically loses his/her elected membership on the committee at the end of that calendar year, if he/she does not resign sooner. Any elected member who changes party enrollment or unenrolls from the party  immediately loses his or her elected membership from the committee.

E.  Elected member vacancies shall be filled by vote of the LDTC.  Associate members, if any, shall be the candidates for filling the vacancies.

F.  Elected members may be removed in accordance with Article Two, Section V of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  No elected member may be removed for failure to pay dues.

G.  Elected members of the LDTC shall not actively support candidates of another party.

Article IV – Officers

A.  THE OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES SHALL BE:

1.  Chairperson

The Chairperson shall, in addition to the duties required by the Massachusetts Democratic Party, preside at all meetings of the LDTC and shall have  general charge and supervision of all LDTC activities. 
 

He/she shall have the power to appoint all standing committees and such other special committees as are created from time to time, upon the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee. 

He/she shall have the power to call all special meetings of the LDTC at such time or times as may seem advisable.

He/she is required by the Town of Longmeadow to annually submit a list of Democratic election workers by June 1st to the Registrar of Voters and the Select Board of the Town of Longmeadow.

He/she shall make nominations for Democratic registrars to the Town Clerk, the Registrar, and the Select Board of the Town of Longmeadow.

2.  Vice Chairperson 

The Vice-Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the LDTC in the absence of the Chairperson.

He/she shall perform all duties and have the powers of the Chairperson in the event of his/her temporary absence.

The Vice-Chairperson shall serve ex-officio on all standing committees.

The Vice-Chairperson and the Chairperson shall not be of the same gender.

3.  Recording Secretary 

The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the LDTC.

The Recording Secretary shall, within ten days after the organization of the LDTC, file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of the Democratic State Committee, and the Town Clerk of the Town of Longmeadow, a list of the officers and members of the LDTC; and shall immediately file with the same officials a statement of the changes in the organization of membership of the LDTC thereafter.  

4.  Treasurer 

The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds belonging to the LDTC, shall pay all orders subject to the approval of the Chairperson, and shall procure and file vouchers for all such payment.

No expenditures of LDTC funds shall be made by the Treasurer outside the regular  activities or expenses thereof except upon the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee at a special or regular meeting.

The Treasurer shall submit a report of the financial condition and transactions of the LDTC at all regular meetings and when required by law.

5.  Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor 

The Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor shall be responsible for developing strategies and activities to expand participation in the LDTC of the Democratic Party's Affirmative Action target groups.

The LDTC is open to all citizens who support the Democratic Party's platform and candidates.  We welcome the participation of all who share our political philosophy.

B.  IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIRED OFFICERS, THE LDTC CHAIR SHALL, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPAND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO INCLUDE OTHER OFFICERS SUCH AS:  

Corresponding Secretary;

Media and Communications Liaison;

Election Coordinator and Candidate Outreach;

Town Government Liaison and Political Advisor; and Chairperson Emeritus

C.  These officers shall be elected at the organizational meeting and shall serve for a term of two years, at the end of which new elections for officers shall be held.

 D.  These officers shall constitute the Executive Committee, which shall have the power to act upon all matters pertaining to the LDTC.

 E.  In the event of the death, resignation, or permanent removal from the Town of Longmeadow of any of the above-named officers, their places shall be declared vacant at the next regular  meeting of the LDTC.  The position shall be filled at the next regular meeting following the announcement of the vacancy.  A statement of such changes in officers of the LDTC shall be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of the Democratic State Committee,     and to the Town Clerk.

Article V – Meetings

A.  Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee meetings will be held monthly except for July and August or at the discretion of the Chairperson.

B.  If a meeting has not been held in six months' time, the Executive Committee or 20% of the elected members can organize a meeting.

C.  No quorum is required for a meeting but 8 members of the LDTC shall constitute a quorum for business purposes.

Article VI – Bylaws Committee

There shall be a Bylaws Committee appointed by the Chairperson from elected members to review and recommend changes, if needed, to the standing Bylaws.

Article VII – Changes in the Bylaws

A.  These Bylaws may be amended or repealed at any regularly scheduled meeting of the  elected members of the LDTC, provided such proposed change is in writing and is signed by the elected member proposing it.  The change must be in the hands of the Chairperson before the announcement of the meeting at which such proposal is to be acted on.

The proposed Bylaw change shall be sent to all members with the announcement of the meeting.

B.  Such proposed changes in the Bylaws shall be referred forthwith to the Bylaws Committee which shall report its recommendations at the same meeting, if possible, but no later than the following meeting.    

A majority of the elected members present and voting shall be sufficient to uphold the recommendations of the Bylaw Committee.

In order to overturn the recommendation of the Bylaws Committee, a two-thirds vote of the  elected members present and voting shall be necessary.

 C.  Unless and until amended or repealed by the elected members, these Bylaws shall continue in effect from year to year and no formal motion shall be necessary at any meeting of the LDTC in order that they continue in force.

Article VIII – Order of Business

he order of business at meetings shall be as follows:1.  Calling the roll or signing in of all officers and members.

        2.  Reading of the Recording Secretary's report.

        3.  Reading of the Treasurer's Report

        4.  Reports of officers and committees

        5.  Reading of communications to the LDTC

        6.  Unfinished business

        7.  New business

        8.  Special presentation or program

        9.  General comments

        10. Adjournment

The order of business may be waived by a majority vote of those members present and voting.

Article IX – Addendum

A.  Elections 

The LDTC will endeavor to assist all Democratic candidates on the ballot in the general elections of local, state, and national election cycles.

B.  Awards and Honors 

The LDTC may make awards to honor and recognize members  and others who have made outstanding contributions to the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee, the state and national Democratic Party, and the community.  The LDTC will endeavor to sponsor an annual event to present these awards and honors.

1.  The Executive Committee will place a name or names for consideration before the full membership of the LDTC for approval.  Nominations may be made and seconded from the floor.  

 2.  A majority vote of the membership, present and voting, is required for any and each honor to be conferred.

C.  Dues – Dues for elected and associate members of the LDTC are voluntary and are not a requirement for membership.

D.  Year – The LDTC year begins September 1st and ends June 30th of the following year.