Preamble

This organization is established to promote the philosophy of the Democratic Party, to support its candidates, to educate the residents of the 45th Legislative District about the ideals, goals and activities of the Democratic Party, and to extend opportunities to participate in the Party to all Democrats in the District.

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the 45th District Democratic Organization.

Article II: Policies

Section 1: This organization operates under the applicable bylaws and rules of the King County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC), the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC), the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and the laws of Washington State.

Section 2: It is the policy of this organization to contribute to the growth, development and influence of the Democratic Party and to increase Party responsibility by guaranteeing maximum participation, equal representation and equal treatment for all.

Section 3: This organization supports the platform of the Democratic Party and those Democratic Party nominees who, by their records and their reputations, are in general agreement with that platform.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: The membership of this organization consists of (A) All elected, appointed, and acting 45th District Democratic Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) and (B) District residents who are at least sixteen (16) years of age, or persons having a place of business in the 45th Legislative District, and who declare themselves to be Democrats and pay dues to this organization.

Section 2: PCOs are not required to pay membership dues but are encouraged to do so. Dues from those who are not PCOs must be paid thirty (30) days prior to gaining voting privileges. All members are accorded equal privileges except as provided for in these bylaws.

Section 3: Dues are established by the organization at the second meeting after the District biennial reorganization meeting.

Article IV: Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs)

Section 1: KCDCC rules and bylaws govern the appointment of PCOs.

Section 2: An appointed PCO supersedes an acting PCO, who may or may not reside in the precinct. A primary task of each acting PCO is to recruit a precinct resident to file for PCO.

Section 3: Applications for acting and appointed PCOs are considered at regular District meetings. A prospective PCO must be in attendance at the meeting where his/her application is acted upon.

Section 4: Applications for acting and appointed PCOs are voted on one at a time. When only one person applies for PCO in a precinct, a voice vote is taken unless there is a request for a written ballot. Every application for PCO presented to the organization at a regular membership meeting must be approved or denied at that meeting and cannot be tabled or postponed.

Section 5: Approval of any person to the position of acting or appointed PCO requires a majority of those present and eligible to vote. The District Chair is responsible for sending all recommendations to the County Party in a timely manner.

Section 6: By a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a regular meeting, the organization may temporarily delegate to the Executive Board the power to recommend to the County Party acting and appointed PCOs in the following month, provided the procedures of this Article are otherwise followed. Delegation of this power is appropriate in a situation of heightened activity and impending deadlines (as for caucuses).

Section 7: Any member who is a resident of the district is eligible to be nominated, elected and serve in any elected officer position (although some positions may be subject to age and gender limitations). The electors for district officers shall be the elected and appointed PCOs for precincts in the district.

Section 8: Only elected and appointed PCOs may select candidates for appointment to a Democratic elected office.

Section 9: A PCO is considered to have resigned from the position upon: (A) Written resignation directed to the organization, (B) Termination of registration to vote in the precinct which he/she represents, or (C) Any other manner declared by Washington State statutes.

Section 10: The Chair must announce all PCO resignations at the next Executive Board and membership meetings and publish such resignations in the next newsletter.

Article V: Officers and Duties

Section 1: The officers of this organization are: Chair, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, two (2) Delegates (one male and one female) and two (2) Alternate Delegates (one male and one female) to KCDCC, two (2) Delegates (one male and one female) to WSDCC, and one (1) delegate to the King County Young Democrats. Their term of office is two (2) years, commencing at the 45th District's biennial reorganization meeting.

Section 2: Additional officers may be elected by the membership from time to time to fill posts suggested or required by applicable rules and laws.

Section 3: The Chair is the executive officer of the organization. The Chair presides at all meetings, appoints all committees, designates members to perform such duties deemed necessary, and performs all duties customarily carried out by the executive officer of an organization.

Section 4: The First Vice-Chair serves in the absence or incapacity of the Chair, acts as a third Alternate Delegate or an alternate to the Chair at KCDCC, and performs other duties as directed by the Chair. Tne First Vice-Chair does not automatically succeed the Chair if that office becomes vacant.

Section 5: The Second Vice-Chair serves in the absence or incapacity of the First Vice-Chair and performs other duties as directed by the Chair. However, the Second Vice-Chair does not serve as a fourth alternate delegate or as alternate to the Chair at KCDCC, and does not automatically succeed the First Vice-Chair if that office becomes vacant.

Section 6: The Secretary records the minutes of District meetings and prepares a summary for inclusion in the newsletter or presentation at regular monthly meetings, and performs other duties as directed by the Chair.

Section 7: The Treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping of the organizations flmds, prepares checks for disbursement of funds, makes monthly reports (oral or written) to the members, submits an annual report, and performs all functions normally attendant on the office, including strict adherence to the requirements of the Public Disclosure Commission.

Section 8: Delegates and Alternates to KCDCC represent the District organization at each meeting of the County Central Committee and report back to the membership. One (1) man and one (1) woman serve as Delegates, and one (1) man and one (1) woman serve as Alternate Delegates from the District organization. An Alternate Delegate is seated in the absence of a Delegate or in the absence of the District Chair if the First Vice-Chair is unable to attend.

Section 9: Delegates to WSDCC represent the District organization at each meeting of the State Central Committee and report back to the membership. One (1) man and one (1) woman serve as Delegates from the District organization.

Article VI: Executive Board

Section 1: The District Executive Board is composed of all elected District officers and the chairs of all standing committees. Standing committee chairs are appointed by the District Chair as needed, with the approval of the Executive Board and a majority of those members present and voting at a regular membership meeting.

Section 2: The Executive Board meets on a regular basis for the purpose of planning and directing the policy and activities of the organization. Meetings are called by the Chair or at the request of fifty percent (50%) of the Executive Board members.

Section 3: The Executive Board is responsible for the preparation of an annual budget. Approval of the budget requires a simple majoirty of those present and voting at a regular membership meeting.

Section 4: A majority of the Executive Board constitutes a quorum at its meetings.

Section 5: Notice of regular Executive Board meetings is published in the newsletter. These meetings are open to all Democrats.

Article VII: Membership Meetings

Section 1: Meetings of the organization will be held monthly at a regular time and place, unless changed by the Executive Board. These meetings are open to all Democrats.

Section 2: A quorum consists of twenty percent (20%) of PCOs.

Section 3: Meetings will conform to the latest revision of Robert's Rules of Order.

Article VIII: Endorsements

Section 1: The organization may make endorsements of candidates or take positions on ballot proposals within the applicable rules of KCDCC, WSDCC, and DNC.

Section 2: The endorsement of a candidate by this organization or the establishment of a public position of this organization can be made by a simple majority of members in attendance at a regular meeting of this organization. Notice that the consideration of endorsements and/or positions will be on the meeting agenda must be published in the district newsletter prior to the meeting.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Amendments to these bylaws must be approved by a two--thirds (2/3) majority of the members in attendance at a regular meeting of this organization. Notice that bylaw changes are on the meeting agenda must be published in the district newsletter prior to the meeting.