BYLAWS OF THE
STONEWALL DEMOCRATS OF ALACHUA COUNTY
A Chapter of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this
organization shall be the Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County (herein
referred to as "the caucus.")
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Section 1. Purpose.
The purpose of this organization shall be to:
· encourage voter registration and stimulate
active interest and participation in political and governmental affairs among LGBT
LGBTQ Democrats;
· promote the candidacy of Democrats specifically
committed to the principle that no individual shall be deprived of equal rights
based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression and to encourage
the passage of legislation securing such rights;
· strengthen and further the ideals and principals
of the Democratic Party;
· support and elect duly selected nominees of the
Democratic Party who are openly supportive of LGBT LGBTQ issues in national, state and local campaigns;
· ensure inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Democrats throughout and at all levels of the
Democratic Party;
· foster a spirit of understanding of issues of
interest to the extended community of sexual orientation minorities; and
· advocate issues of concern to the LGBT LGBTQ community and its supporters.
Section 2. Mission.
The
Stonewall Democratic Caucus of Alachua County is devoted to advancing equal
rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and
expression. The caucus strives to: (1) identify, educate and activate the LGBT
LGBTQ electorate and its supporters on Democratic
Party principles in order to increase participation and turnout in elections
for Democratic candidates, (2) inform the county Democratic Executive Committee
and Florida Democratic Party about LGBT LGBTQ issues of relevance and where the Democratic
Party platform stands on these issues, (3) recruit, support, elect and retain
openly LGBT LGBTQ
candidates, and candidates who are openly supportive of the LGBT LGBTQ community to elected office, and (4) advocate
for equality based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION
Section 1. Membership
and Associate Membership. Any Democrat registered to vote in the
State of Florida, supportive of the purpose and mission statement of this
caucus, who wishes to participate actively in the caucus, and who pays dues as
specified by the membership shall be a member. No other residency
restriction may be placed upon membership or the privileges of membership in
this caucus. Any Democrat, supportive of the purpose and mission
statement of this caucus, registered in the State of Florida, but who cannot
participate actively in the caucus, shall be an associate member, upon payment
of dues specified by the Board. Associate members may speak at caucus
meetings and serve on committees, but shall not vote and shall not be counted
in determination of a quorum.
Section 2. Friends
of the Caucus. Mindful of the need to reach out and the
benefits of a policy of inclusion, a person who:
(a) is not a Florida resident, or
(b) is not eligible to register to vote in Florida,
but who subscribes to
the purpose and mission of the caucus, shall be a “friend of the caucus,” upon
payment of dues specified by the Board. “Friends” may speak at meetings
and assist on committees, but may not vote.
ARTICLE IV. DUES
Section 1. Annual
Dues. Annual dues for members, associate members, and “friends,”
shall be set forth by the membership, payable to the Treasurer by December 31,
for the ensuing year, or at time of becoming a member, for the remainder of
that calendar year. No later than September 30 of each year, the
membership shall establish a dues schedule for each category of membership and
affiliation for the ensuing year. If such dues schedule is not
established by September 30, the then-current dues schedule will continue in
full force and effect.
Section 2. Notification
of Arrears and Effect on Status and Voting Privileges. By January 31 of
each year, the Secretary shall notify members, associate members, and friends
who have not renewed their membership for that year. Those members,
associate members, and friends whose dues are not paid by March 1 shall be
automatically placed in inactive status. Provided notice had been sent to
the members’ last known address, the voting privileges of those members in
arrears will be suspended until dues are paid and they shall not be counted in
determination of a quorum.
Section 3. Resignation
from Membership or Affiliation. Members, associate members, or
friends desiring to resign from the caucus shall submit their resignations in
writing to the Secretary.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers.
The officers of the caucus shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary,
a Treasurer and such other officers as deemed necessary by the
membership. All officers shall perform the duties prescribed in Robert’s
Rules of Order Newly Revised, the parliamentary authority for the caucus,
as modified and amplified by these bylaws.
Section 2. Term
of Office. All terms of office shall be for two (2) years, or until a
successor is elected. The terms of office shall commence at the close of
the meeting at which they are elected.
Section 3. Office-Holding
Limitations. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
shall serve no longer than two terms in the same office. No member shall
hold more than one office at a time.
Section 4. Publicizing
Elections. In order to fully and adequately inform prospective and
current members of the election of caucus officers, the caucus shall publicize
election procedures fully, timely, and in such a manner as to assure notice to
all interested Democrats.
ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. President.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the caucus, and Board of
Directors, and shall be ex-officio member of all committees (except the
Nominating and Audit committees). The President, or the President’s
designee from among the members of the Board, (a) shall represent the caucus at
county, district, state and national meetings and functions and (b) shall act
as the only official spokesperson for the caucus and represent it whenever
necessary. The President shall refer any questions for study to the
appropriate committee and shall provide guidance to the committee chairs in
their work. The President shall perform all other duties pertaining to
the office of President, as directed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Vice
President. The Vice President shall assist the President in the
discharge of the President’s duties; shall maintain a current list of members,
associate members, and friends with addresses, precinct numbers, phone numbers
and e-mail addresses, as well as committee assignments and shall assume the
office of the President in the absence, or inability to serve, of the
President. The Vice President shall chair the Strategic Planning
Committee and shall be responsible for oversight of outreach to attract new
members.
Section 3. Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of the caucus, and
Board of Directors; shall be custodian of all records of the caucus (except
those assigned to other officers or committee chairs by these bylaws); and
shall maintain the caucus bylaws with any amendments properly recorded, as well
as special rules of order, and standing rules. All records of the caucus
shall be available for inspection by members and associate members, upon
written request to the President. The Secretary shall issue the call of
meetings, assist the President in preparing an order of business, and --- in
the absence of the President or Vice President --- shall call a meeting to
order, until a Chair pro tempore is elected. The Secretary shall chair
the Communications and Bylaws Committees
Section 4. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the caucus; shall keep an
accurate record of receipts and expenditures; shall present a written statement
of all income, expenditures, accounts payable, and income receivable since the
previous meeting of the caucus; shall present such interim or special reports,
as required by the Board; and shall prepare an annual statement of expenses and
receipts to be presented at the Annual meeting in February. All financial
statements and reports shall be in writing and made available to Board members,
to the extent practicable, at least a week in advance of meetings. The
annual financial statement, and such other records as from time-to-time, the
Audit Committee requires, shall be audited by the Audit Committee, and the
Treasurer shall provide any detail or records so required. The Treasurer
shall disburse funds as authorized by the Board or membership. Checks may
be signed by the Treasurer or the President. The Treasurer shall chair
the Finance Committee.
Section 5. Loyalty
Oath. Officers and Directors shall execute a loyalty oath, in the
form and manner prescribed by rules of the Florida Democratic Party,
immediately upon taking office or as soon thereafter as possible (within thirty
[30] days), before the discharge of their duties. Notwithstanding any
other provision of these bylaws, failure to comply shall result in immediate
forfeiture of office.
Section 6. Maintenance
of Membership. All officers and directors shall pay dues for the
ensuing year by December 31. Notwithstanding any other provision of
these bylaws, failure to comply shall result in immediate forfeiture of office.
Section 7. Caucus
Records. All records created and maintained by officers in the
discharge of their duties shall be the exclusive property of the caucus.
Officers shall be custodians of such records during their term of office and
shall physically present them at the meeting called to elect officers (or at
such other time as their term ends) to ensure the smooth transfer of all
records to succeeding officers upon election of their successors.
ARTICLE VII. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS OF THE CAUCUS
Section 1. Regular
Meetings. There shall be at least ten regular general membership
meetings of the caucus each year held monthly on the 4th Thursday of the month unless otherwise ordered by the caucus or
the Board of Directors. a date
determined by the membership.
Section 2. Special
Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President or
upon written request of a majority of the Board of Directors, and shall be
called upon written request of twenty (20) percent of the membership. The
purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. The stated purpose
shall be the only business conducted at such special meetings. One week's
notice of the special meeting shall be provided to the members.
Section 3. Annual
and Biennial Meetings. The annual meeting each year shall be held
during the regularly scheduled meeting in February. Every odd numbered
year, the Annual Meeting shall include elections of officers and directors as
outlined in Article IX of these bylaws and shall also be known as the Biennial meeting.
Section 4. Quorum.
Twenty (20) percent of the caucus membership shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at any regular or special meeting. A majority
vote is necessary to carry motions, except as otherwise provided in these
bylaws.
Section 5. Meetings
Open to All Democrats. The time and place for all regular, annual,
biennial, or special meetings of the caucus shall be publicized fully and in
such manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons.
Meetings shall be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of
race, color, creed, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, marital status, or physical disability. All
meetings shall be in a facility accessible to the physically handicapped.
Section 6. Voting.
No voting at a meeting of the caucus shall be by secret ballot. Proxy
voting at general membership meetings of the caucus shall be prohibited.
ARTICLE VIII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Board
Composition. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and two additional at large members
elected by the caucus membership.
Section 2. Duties
and Powers of the Board. The Board of Directors shall have full power
and authority over the affairs of the caucus, except those specifically
reserved to the General Membership in these bylaws. The Board shall be
subject to the orders of the General Membership of the caucus, and none of its
acts shall conflict with action taken by the General Membership of the caucus.
Section 3. Board
Meetings. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board; meetings of the
Board of Directors shall be held monthly. Special meetings may be
called by the President, and shall be called within twenty (20) days upon
written request of one-third (1/3) of the Board.
Section 4. Quorum.
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5. Voting.
No vote at a Board meeting shall be taken by secret ballot. Proxy voting
shall not be permitted in accordance with Florida Democratic Party Bylaws.
ARTICLE IX. ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominations
and Elections of Board of Directors.
A.
At the Biennial meeting
held in February during odd numbered years, members will elect the Board of
Directors.
B.
In November of each even
numbered year, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee, comprised of
three members. The duty of this committee shall be:
1.
to publicize the
elections and qualifications for candidacy,
2.
to recruit members for
each position,
3.
to ensure the
eligibility (consistent with these bylaws) for all members seeking office,
4.
after ascertaining their
eligibility and willingness to serve, to nominate at least one candidate for
each position to be filled at the biennial meeting,
5.
to conduct the elections
process.
No Nominating Committee
member may be nominated or elected to any position filled
at
the biennial meeting.
C.
At the biennial meeting
in February, the Nominating Committee shall report on nominations received to
date and then accept further nominations from the floor.
D.
Prior to the biennial
meeting, the Nominating Committee shall prepare one ballot for each position,
with the names of the duly qualified candidates. Each ballot will be printed
with the name of the caucus on the top, followed by the position to be voted
upon, with the candidates’ names printed on the ballot. There will be a
blank line or lines provided for each office, for additional nominations from
the floor. At the bottom of the ballot, there will be two blank lines to
be completed by the voter, with the voter’s signature and printed name.
E.
Voting will be by open
ballot in accordance with Florida Democratic Party rules. Members must be
present to vote; absentee or proxy voting is prohibited. The Nominating
Committee shall preside over and conduct the election process. As
nominations from the floor shall be in order, voters may write in candidates’
names and vote for the preferred candidate. Following each vote, the
Committee shall collect and count the ballots, utilizing additional tellers, as
necessary, and will announce the results at the end of the count. A
majority of those present and voting shall be required for election; the
nominee receiving the lowest number of votes shall be removed from the next
ballot. The Committee shall afford any candidate the right to a recount,
after which the Committee shall certify the results.
F.
To be eligible to vote,
participate in elections, and be a candidate at the biennial meeting, a new
member must have been a member forty-five (45) days prior to that
meeting.
G.
If a candidate for a
Board of Directors position is unopposed or the number of candidates equals or
is less than the number of officers to be elected, such candidates may be
elected by acclamation.
H.
The Secretary shall
retain all ballots, available for inspection, for a period of three (3) years,
after which the ballots may be destroyed.
ARTICLE X. VACANCIES AND REMOVAL
Section 1. Vacancy
of President. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the
Vice President shall become President.
Section 2. Other
Vacancies. Vacancies created by removal shall be immediately filled
at the same meeting. The President shall fill other vacancies, on an
acting basis, until the next meeting of the general membership. At such
meeting, after nominations from the floor, the position shall be filled for the
remainder of the term. Election shall be by open ballot; members shall
indicate their choice for the vacancy and shall sign and print their own
name. Election may be by acclamation, if only one person is nominated for
the position. The Secretary shall retain all ballots for a three years
period from the date of election, after which the ballots may be destroyed.
Section 3. Removal.
Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed upon two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the members at any regular or special general membership meeting after
thirty (30) 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, malfeasance,
misfeasance, neglect of duty, abandonment of office, incompetence, permanent
inability to perform official duties, supporting a non-Democrat against a
Democrat in an election, and conviction of a felony. Any absence from
four (4) Board meetings shall constitute neglect of duty. Unexcused
absences from two consecutive regular Board meetings shall constitute abandonment
of office.
ARTICLE XI. STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing
Committees. The Standing Committees shall be Bylaws, Finance,
Strategic Planning, Membership, Campaign, Communications, Audit, and
Nominating.
Section 2. Bylaws
Committee. The Bylaws Committee, chaired by the Secretary, shall
recommend such changes in the bylaws as appear necessary and feasible from time
to time.
Section 3. Finance
Committee. Promptly after the November meeting, the President shall
appoint a Finance Committee, comprised of the Treasurer and at least two other
members, which shall prepare a budget for the ensuing calendar year, to be
submitted to the General Membership in January for approval. The
Committee shall develop a fundraising plan, recommend manners of fundraising,
and coordinate all such fundraising activities.
Section 4. Strategic
Planning Committee. The Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by the
Vice President, shall develop a strategic framework document for Board
approval. Thereafter, it shall maintain, update, and revise the plan as
necessary, coordinate with other committees to ensure congruence with the plan,
and shall monitor achievement against plan benchmarks.
Section 5. Membership
Committee. The Membership Committee, chaired by the Vice
President, shall ensure that all persons wishing membership are, in fact,
registered Democrats in Florida within twenty (20) days of their application;
shall maintain permanent membership records and shall organize membership
campaigns.
Section 6. Campaign
Committee. The Campaign Committee shall work toward the election of
Democratic candidates, including local, county, state and national candidates.
It shall support voter registration efforts, serve as a clearinghouse for
candidates’ request for volunteers, and mobilize the general caucus membership
and LGBT LGBTQ
community at large to vote. The Campaign Committee shall report on the
status of candidates and issues, recommending actions (including endorsements)
as appropriate.
Section 7. Communications
Committee. The Communications Committee, chaired by the Secretary,
shall see that all activities, including meetings, are advertised to the
membership. It shall ensure that caucus members are informed on issues
and upcoming activities. It shall also develop and maintain a caucus
website, subject to Board approval.
Section 8. Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee, comprised of at least three members
(none of whom may serve on the Finance Committee), shall be appointed within thirty
(30) days of the February meeting. The duty of the committee shall be to
audit the Treasurer’s books, the annual financial report, or any other reports
required to be audited by the President, Board, or general membership.
The President and Treasurer may not serve on such committee, although they may
be called upon and shall be required to provide any and all information
requested by the committee to discharge its duties.
Section 9. Nominating
Committee. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee, whose
duties are defined in Article IX, Section 2 of these bylaws.
Section 10. Committee
Records and Reports. All records created and maintained by standing
or special committees in the discharge of their duties shall be the exclusive
property of the caucus. Every committee shall keep an accurate, complete,
and permanent record of its proceedings, including membership attendance at all
meetings of the committee. Committee chairs shall be custodians of such
records, shall make copies of all records quarterly for submission to and
retention by the Secretary, and shall transfer all records to succeeding chairs
upon the appointment of their successor. All committees shall make
written reports to the President and to the general membership, as requested or
upon initiative of the individual committee chair.
ARTICLE XII. SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Section 1. Creation
of Special Committees. Special committees may be created (a) by the
President, (b) by petition of twenty (20) percent of the members attending a
general membership meeting, or (c) by petition of fifty (50) percent of the
members of the Board. The size of such special committees shall be
determined (a) by the President if formed at the President’s initiative, (b) by
majority vote of the general membership meeting if formed by member petition,
or (c) by a majority of the Board if formed by Board member petition.
Section 2. Membership
of Special Committees. For special committees created by either member or
Board member petition, the President shall appoint, within ten (10) days, not
more than half of the members of such special committees and the remainder
shall be nominated and elected by a majority vote of the members attending the
general membership meeting or by a majority vote at the Board meeting at the
general membership or Board meeting at which the petition is presented.
Section 3. Special
Committee Chairs. For special committees created by the President,
the President shall appoint the chair. For special committees created by
petition, such committees shall have an organizational meeting called by the
Secretary within thirty (30) days after the election of committee members, at
which organizational meeting, they shall elect, by a majority vote, a chair and
vice-chair.
Section 4. Special
Committee Records and Reports. Special committees shall make reports
and keep records in the same manner as outlined for standing committees in
these bylaws.
Section 5. Discharge
of Special Committees. Special committees may be discharged when the
President has determined that their function has been fulfilled, except that
special committees created by petition must only be discharged by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of the body (i.e., general membership or Board) that elected the
members.
Section 6. Term
of Service. The Chair and members of the special committee shall
serve a term of not more than two (2) years, commencing when appointed or
elected and ending at the earlier of (1) the biennial elections meeting after
which they were appointed or elected, or (2) the date when discharged.
The term of service may be extended by the President, or a majority vote of
either the general membership meeting or the Board. Such members may be
reappointed or reelected, without limit on the number of successive terms they
may serve.
Section 7. Removal
of Elected Members. Any chairperson or member of a special committee,
who is not appointed by the President, may be removed from such committee in
the same manner as provided for the removal of officers as described in these
bylaws.
Section 8. Vacancies
of Elected Members. Vacancies of elected members shall be filled by
the Board, immediately, but no later than the next meeting after the creation
of a vacancy.
ARTICLE XIII. FINANCES
Section 1. Receipts.
All dues, contributions, receipts from fundraising activities, and any other
funds received shall be deposited in the name of the caucus in a qualified
banking institution in the State of Florida designated by the President, in
consultation with the Treasurer. A newly elected President shall not
change an existing banking institution, except for cause and with the approval
of the Board.
Section 2. Disbursements.
A.
By its adoption of a
budget, the membership shall establish the maximum amounts that may be expended
for each activity or item of expense. Any expenditure in excess of these
amounts is not authorized and shall require prior approval, by budget
amendment, by the membership. Any individual disbursement in excess of
two hundred dollars ($200.00) to any one payee shall require Board or general
membership approval.
B.
Any authorized
disbursement shall be made upon the signature of the President or Treasurer.
C.
Petty cash disbursements
may not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) in any one calendar month.
All petty cash disbursements shall be made upon the signature of the President
or the Treasurer.
Section 3. Records.
An annual financial report showing the receipts and disbursements of the caucus
for the preceding calendar year, and its assets and liabilities shall be
prepared in writing and signed by the Treasurer for presentation to the
membership at the Annual Meeting. It shall be submitted to the Audit
Committee, no later than forty-five (45) days after the Annual Meeting.
The Audit Committee shall provide its findings to each of the next following
meetings of the Board and general membership.
ARTICLE XIV. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in
the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall
govern the caucus in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they
are not inconsistent with these bylaws, the rules of the Florida Democratic
Party, and the Democratic National Committee.
ARTICLE XV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. Caucus
Charter Recertification. At the time appointed by the Florida Democratic
Party Committee on Clubs, Organizations, and Caucuses, the caucus shall provide
requested records for recertification by the Florida Democratic Party.
Failure to maintain certification may result in loss of permission to use the
word "Democrat," “Democratic,” or any derivative thereof.
Section 2. Caucus
Dissolution. In the event the caucus chapter wishes to dissolve, a
resolution stating the date of dissolution and reasons therefor shall be
adopted by a majority vote at a general membership meeting of the caucus
chapter, after being submitted in writing at the previous meeting. When the
caucus chapter disbands for any reason, the chapter assets and funds, after all
debts are satisfied, shall become the property of the Florida GLBT Democratic
caucus.
Section 3. Grievances.
Disputes and grievances may be resolved by the President, Board of Directors,
by the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus or by the Florida Democratic Party
Central Committee whose decision shall be final, unless appealed to the
Judicial Council of the Florida Democratic Party within forty-five (45) days
from the date of said decision. The Board of Directors shall prescribe a
disputes and grievance procedure to designate the roles and authority of the
President and Board of Directors, as well as the use of other members (not
parties to the dispute or grievance), who may individually or collectively
mediate and/or investigate the issue.
Section 4. Written
Notice. Where required by these bylaws, notification in writing
shall include communication by e-mail.
ARTICLE XVI. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 1. Amendment
Process. These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at
any regular or special general membership meeting pursuant to notification in
writing ten (10) days prior to the meeting. The text of any proposed
bylaws amendment shall be submitted to the Board and Bylaws Committee at least
sixty (60) days prior to such meeting. The Bylaws Committee shall review
such proposed amendment and provide a written report and recommendations to the
Board and membership. The exact language of the proposed amendment, the
written report of the Bylaws Committee, and the recommendation, if any, by the
Board shall be included in the notification of the meeting. Bylaws and
any changes or amendments thereto, together with copies of the minutes of the
meeting at which they are adopted, shall be filed with the Florida GLBT
Democratic Caucus within thirty (30) days following adoption.
Section 2. Effective
Date. All amendments shall take effect immediately, but shall be
subject to approval by the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and the Florida
Democratic Party Central Committee. Any amendment or change, which is not
approved, shall be deleted from the bylaws. Actions taken pursuant to
such unapproved amendment or changes shall be null and void.
ARTICLE XVII. ENDORSEMENT PROCESS
Section 1. Candidate
Endorsements. The Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County have made a firm
commitment to endorse and support Democratic candidates who will work to
further the mission of Stonewall Democrats. In all state-wide and local
primaries, elections, or runoffs, whether partisan or non-partisan, where more
than one Democrat is running for the same public office, the caucus may endorse
(defined as endorsing, certifying, or recommending in any manner), and support
a candidate. No such endorsement shall be made prior to the close of the
period of candidate qualifying.
Section 2. Endorsement
Process. The endorsement process will be developed by the By Laws Committee
and submitted to Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be required to
approve this process by a 60% of the vote.
Stonewall
Democrats of
Endorsement Procedures
1. Endorsement of any
Democratic candidate will be based on the following criteria: Viability
(Campaign donations and expenditures), Voting History (Incumbents or previously
elected officials), public statements, campaign internet/social media content
and questionnaires/interviews (if required).
2. In order for the SDAC to
endorse Democrats in any election cycle the organization must:
a.
Hold a current certification from the LGBT Caucus of the Florida
Democratic Party.
b. Meet the meeting
requirement set forth in Article 7 of these bylaws.
c.
Have at least three officer’s position filled.
3. At the January meeting
of any election cycle the general membership by a 60% vote will determine if
the endorsement process will include interviews or questionnaires or both for
candidates.
4. At the end of the
qualifying period the President or their designee will contact each of the
Democrats running for office within Alachua County. If candidates file earlier
than the qualifying period the President or their designee may follow this
process in an earlier time period. They will ask if the candidate is interested
in receiving the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County. If the
candidate would like to seek the endorsement the following will occur:
a.
A
verbal explanation of the process. If requiring a questionnaire then an email
address will be attained and questionnaire sent to candidate.
b.
If
requiring an interview then the candidate will be scheduled at the next general
meeting. If there is no regular meeting scheduled then a special meeting will
be called in accordance with these bylaws.
5.
At
the conclusion of all interviews/questionnaires the President will schedule the
next meeting or a special meeting to complete the endorsement process. In
preparation for the endorsement meeting the President shall:
a.
Send
the membership the completed questionnaires or notes from the interviews.
b.
Include
the notice of endorsement meeting date and time.
c.
Include
the endorsement meeting process and agenda.
6. The Secretary will be
responsible for compiling a list of eligible members that can vote at the
endorsement meeting. To be eligible to vote a member must be:
a.
Current in their dues
b. Attended at least 50% of
the meetings during the previous calendar year or if a new member 50% of the
meetings from their membership date.
7.
At
the scheduled endorsement meeting the process will be:
a.
Each
member’s eligibility to vote will be verified by the Secretary.
b.
A
quorum of those eligible to vote will be established by the President.
c.
The
endorsement process will follow Roberts Rule of Order.
d.
Each
endorsement will require a 60% favorable vote of members present.
e.
In
addition a second vote will take place for the purpose of designating funds to
endorsed candidates. This vote will take a simple majority.
The
President or their designee will contact the endorsed candidates within two
days of the endorsement meeting. They will explain appropriate us of the
endorsement for their campaign. They will also share the SDAC logo with the
candidates for their use in campaign materials and web content mm. They will
also discuss what campaign activities the membership of Stonewall Democrats can
participate.
