Marlborough Democratic City Committee (MDCC)
Marlborough, Massachusetts
BYLAWS OF THE MARLBOROUGH DEMOCRATIC CITY COMMITTEE
Ammended May 11, 2019
Article I – NAME
This organization shall be known as the Marlborough Democratic City Committee, herein after called MDCC.
Article II - PURPOSES
MDCC is organized and constituted under 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 and organize for the success of the 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 and within Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Article III - MEMBERSHIP
1. MDCC shall consist of up to thirty five (35) members for each of the seven (7) constituent wards thereby consisting of up to 245 total MDCC members. Members must be registered Democrats in Marlborough, Massachusetts, who shall have been elected at the Presidential Primary for a period of 4 years ending thirty (30) days following the day of the next Presidential Primary, together with those elected to membership by the members of MDCC, in conformance with the provisions of law and these bylaws.
2. Each of the seven (7) Wards, following the election of its members, shall meet and organize, and from its members elect a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as it may decide to elect. At such meeting the Ward Committee may add to its elected members provided it does not exceed the total allowed by law as found on file with the Secretary of State’s Office.
3. MDCC, following the organization of its member wards, shall meet and organize, and from its members elect a Chairperson (or co-Chairpersons), Vice Chairperson(s), Secretary, Treasurer, Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor, and such other officers as it may decide to elect.
4. MDCC may, by vote at any announced MDCC or individual Ward meeting, add to its elected members provided it does not exceed the total allowed by law as found on file with the Secretary of State’s Office, noted previously in Article III, Paragraph A. Any such members must be nominated by their Ward Committee chairperson or by any three members of their ward and they are appointed by an affirmative vote of the majority of Ward Committee members present and voting. Any such vote may take place at any announced MDCC meeting provided that the quorum requirements for an individual ward meeting are satisfied as per Article XIII section H. Associate members, if any, shall be the candidates first considered for filling vacancies.
5. MDCC may, by vote at any announced MDCC or individual Ward meeting, authorize the appointment of Associate Members. Associate Members must be registered Democrats in the City of Marlborough, shall not have the right to vote but shall have such other powers and duties as MDCC may determine. Any such Associate Members must be nominated by their Ward Committee chairperson or by any three members of their ward and they are appointed by an affirmative vote of the majority of Ward Committee members present and voting. Any such vote may take place at any announced MDCC meeting provided that the quorum requirements for an individual ward meeting are satisfied as per Article XIII section H.
6. Any member of MDCC who has served as such for a total of twenty (20) or more years will become a "20-Year Member". Upon the designation of any such "20-Year Member", such member's elected position shall be vacated. "20-Year Members" of MDCC have all the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of elected members, including full voting rights. "20-Year Members" shall not be included in the two hundred forty five (245) member limitation on MDCC as per Article Two, Section II of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
7. Any duly elected member of MDCC who permanently changes residence from the City of Marlborough during the said four years shall cease to be a member of the Committee at that time. In addition, members may be removed by a vote of the majority of the Committee using procedures guaranteeing adequate notice and due process for one or more of the following reasons:
failure to attend at least half of the regularly scheduled MDCC meetings during any calendar year;
public support for or financial contribution to an opponent of a nominee of the Democratic party who publicly supports the platform of the Democratic Party as adopted at the most recent state and national Democratic convention;
unauthorized use of the Party name or resources; and/or
conviction after appeals are exhausted of a criminal offense other than a misdemeanor.
a member must be given an opportunity to resign before notice of the hearing on the question of removal is given to the membership of the committee. A member removed under this section shall have thirty (30) days to appeal to the Judicial Council of the Democratic State Committee and the vacancy may not be filled in such case until the final decision of the Judicial Council is made.
8. MDCC may set the membership dues annually by a two thirds vote of the elected members present and voting. No elected or ex-officio members or associate committee member shall be required to pay dues in order to vote or otherwise participate in committee business.
Article IV - OFFICERS
1. The officers of this organization shall consist of a Chairperson (or co-Chairpersons), Vice Chairperson(s), Secretary, Treasurer and Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor, and such other officers as it may decide to elect. These officers shall be elected at the MDCC bi-annual organizational meetings and shall serve for a term determined by the scheduling of the bi-annual organizational meetings per Article XIII, Clause A. (The Chairperson(s) and Vice Chairperson(s) should not all be of the same sex),
2. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the officers of MDCC, the Chairpersons of each Ward, and the chairs of each of the standing committees of the Committee shall each be a member ex-officio of the Executive board.
3. In the event of death, resignation or the permanent removal from the MDCC of any of the above named officers, their places shall be declared vacant and be filled at the next regular meeting of MDCC. A statement of such changes in the officers of the Committee shall be sent immediately by the Secretary of the Committee to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to the Secretary of the Democratic State Committee and to the City Clerk.
Article V - CHAIRPERSON
The Chairperson (or co-Chairperson) shall preside at all meetings of MDCC. The Chairperson (or co-Chairperson) shall, in addition to the duties required by law, shall have general charge and supervision of all MDCC activities and shall have the power to appoint all standing committees and such other special committees as are created from time to time. The Chairperson (or co-Chairperson) shall have the power to call all special meetings of the MDCC and all regular meetings at such time or times as may seem to be advisable, subject only to the vote of the Committee in fixing the number of regular meetings to be held during the course of the year.
Article VI - VICE CHAIRPERSON
The/A Vice Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of MDCC in the absence of the Chairperson (or co-Chairperson). The Vice-Chairperson(s) shall perform all duties and have the powers of the Chairperson (or co-Chairpersons) in the case of their temporary absence.
Article VII - SECRETARY
The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of MDCC and shall issue notice by mail to each member of each meeting of the Committee at least seven days prior to the date of the meeting. The Secretary shall, within ten days after the organization of the Committee, file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of the Democratic State Committee and the City Clerk, a list of the officers and members of the Committee; and shall immediately file with the same officials a statement of the changes in the organization or membership of the Committee thereafter.
Article VIII - TREASURER
The Treasurer shall have the custody of all funds belonging to MDCC and shall pay all orders subject to the approval of the Chairperson and shall procure and file vouchers for all such payment. No expenditures of funds of MDCC shall be made by the Treasurer outside the regular activities or expense thereof except upon the approval of a majority of MDCC at a special or regular meeting. She/He shall submit a report of the financial condition and transactions of MDCC at all regular meetings. A detailed report shall be provided at least annually. Additionally, the Treasurer will file reports with the appropriate state and local offices with regard to fundraising.
Article IX - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND OUTREACH ADVISOR
The Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor shall be responsible for developing strategies and activities to expand participation in the Committee of the Party’s Affirmative Action target groups.
Article X - BYLAWS COMMITTEE
There shall be a Bylaws Committee appointed by the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall designate the Chairperson of the Bylaws Committee.
Article XI - CHANGES IN THE BYLAWS
1. These bylaws may be amended or repealed at any regularly called meeting of the elected members of MDCC, provided such proposed change is in writing and is signed by the elected member proposing it and is in the hands of the Chairperson before the call of the next meeting, at which such proposal is to be acted upon. The proposed bylaw change shall be sent to all members with the announcement of the meeting and must be notified at least 30 days in advance. Bylaws can be changed by majority vote of committee.
2. Such proposed changes in the bylaws shall be referred forthwith by the Chairperson to the bylaws Committee which shall make a report with 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 necessary to overturn the report of the Bylaws Committee or to approve the change in the bylaw. Bylaw change proposals which contradict the provisions of the Massachusetts Democratic State Party Charter cannot be considered.
3. 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 Committee in order that they continue in force.
Article XII – STANDING COMMITTEES
1. There shall be an Events Committee appointed by the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall designate the Chairperson of the Events Committee. The Events Committee shall be responsible for developing events and activities to support the goals of the MDCC and for storing, maintaining, purchasing, and keeping a current inventory of campaign and events materials used by MDCC for promotions, advertising, campaigns, and outreach/community activities.
2. There shall be a Communications Committee appointed by the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall designate the Chairperson of the Communications Committee. The Communications Committee shall be responsible for coordination and management of official MDCC website, Facebook, Yahoo, e-mail, addresses, phone numbers and press release communications/content and general MDCC branding. The Communications Director, Chairperson and other key officers as designated by the Chairperson, will be the only owners of website and e-mail passwords and shall insure security of e-mail addresses used in MDCC correspondence.
3. The terms of all standing committee Chairs shall be on-going and self-perpetuating. Each Chair shall be responsible for recommending their replacement prior to their relinquishment of the position unless they have been rendered incapable of doing so.
4. Membership and Voter Recruitment and Reactivation Committee. The Chairperson shall designate the Chairperson of the Events Committee. The Events Committee shall be responsible for developing subject related events and activities to support the goals of the M.D.C.C. and for storing, maintaining, purchasing, and keeping a current inventory of campaign and events material issued by M.D.C.C. for promotions, advertising, campaigns, and outreach/community activities.
Article XIII – MEETINGS
1. Organizational meetings for the City and Ward committees shall be held on a bi-annual basis no later than April 15 in non-presidential years and as defined in State law in presidential election years. The Committees shall organize by electing a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer for each Ward and a Chairperson (or co-Chairpersons), Vice-Chairperson(s), Secretary, Treasurer and Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor for the MDCC.
2. Regular meetings of MDCC shall be held at least four times a year, at least once each quarter.
3. Meetings of MDCC and its constituent Wards shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order as most recently revised, except to the extent that these bylaws provide otherwise. There may be a Parliamentarian appointed by the Chairperson. Parliamentary procedure may be waived by a two thirds vote of the elected members present and voting.
4. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at least twice each year in the first and third calendar quarters.
5. Special meetings of MDCC and its constituent Wards may be called by the Chairperson, or by written request for a special meeting signed by any ten Elected Members and delivered to the Chairperson who shall promptly call such a meeting. Requests for Special Meetings must state the purpose of such meeting. No other business may be conducted at such special meeting.
6. In the event of a refusal of the Chairperson (or co-Chairperson) of MDCC to call a meeting of MDCC, a majority of the executive committee may, in writing, order the Secretary of MDCC to call a meeting of MDCC. Said executive committee shall have the power to act upon all matters pertaining to MDCC arising between the meetings of said Committee.
7. All Elected Members and Associate Members shall receive written notification of meetings seven days in advance of each regular or annual meeting, or 72 hours in advance of a special meeting. Notice of meetings shall provide the time and place and a reasonable detailed agenda of such meetings.
8. Notice of special meetings must contain the standard pertinent information and the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called.
9. Ten (10) percent or at least eleven (11) of members, including a majority of the Officers, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of MDCC business. One third or at least three (3) of the members, including the Chairperson, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Ward business.
10. The order of business at MDCC meetings shall be as follows:
· Calling the roll of officers and members and announcement of quorum (sign-in sheets may be used in lieu of roll call).
· Reading the minutes of the previous meeting.
· Treasurers Report
· Reports of officers and committees.
· Reading of communications addressed to the Committee.
· Old or unfinished business.
· New business.
· State Committee Reports
· Speaker (Optional)
· Adjournment.
11. The order of business may be waived by a two thirds vote of the elected members present and voting.
Article XIV – ENDORSEMENT OF ELECTION CANDIDATES
1. MDCC and its constituent Wards:
· shall not endorse any candidates in a Democratic primary election if more than one candidate has expressed an interest to run and filed sufficient signatures to be on the ballot.
· may endorse any Democratic candidate running unopposed in a Democratic Primary Election.
· will not endorse any candidate running in a Municipal Election. Individual members are free to do what they wish.
2. Endorsement of any candidate shall require a four-fifths vote of the elected members present and voting.