Oak Forest Area Democrats
Bylaws and Constitution
ARTICLE I
Organizational Identity
The name of this organization shall be Oak Forest Area Democrats.
ARTICLE II
Organizational Mission
This organization shall have as its mission objectives and purposes:
A. To support and promote the Democratic Party at all levels of government and continue its historic role as a party which promotes social justice, the local, state and national interest, and the needs of all people.
B. To keep the Oak Forest area community informed of the Democratic Party and its principles and activities. Approved informational activities include political rallies, qualified speakers on current events or happenings, letters to the editor, telephone banks, block walking, a newsletter to interested citizens and voters or any other activity approved by the Executive Board.
C. To help in organization of area precincts by identifying activists to fill precinct chair vacancies and encourage precinct chairs and volunteers to work their precincts.
D. To encourage, support and mentor our future leaders and candidates for the Democratic Party and provide continuous input to the County and State Party on local issues of importance to voters with suggested solutions.
ARTICLE III
Membership
All persons who are democrats and/or interested in the Democratic Party and its principles are eligible for membership in the organization. The primary focus for membership solicitation shall include, but not be limited to, the following geographic areas:
- Precinct 73 (Garden Oaks, Lowell Heights),
- Pct. 86 (Shady Acres),
- Pct. 117 (Langwood),
- Pcts. 189 & 448 (Oak Forest),
- Pct. 270 (Forest Pines & Forest West),
- Pcts. 322 & 498 (Pinemont area),
- Pct. 323 (Shepherd Forest III)
- Pct. 324 (Shepherd Park Plaza),
- Pct. 365 (Shepherd Park Terrace)
- Pct. 505 (Mangum Manor, Covered Bridge),
- Pct. 578 (Candlelight Oaks, Candlelight Forest),
- Pct. 663 (Shepherd Forest)
- Pct. (Lazybrook)
- Pct. 204 (Timbergrove).
Membership dues shall be set by the Executive Board annually on the anniversary of the organization’s formation (March, 2007)). Dues will be assessed annually on the anniversary of the organization’s formation. No prorating of dues will be allowed.
A member in good standing shall be defined as any member current in their organizational dues (at least three months before the organization election). Each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote in organizational elections. Members in good standing shall be entitled to serve as an officer of the organization, or on the Executive Board.
New members may vote in officer elections and on candidate endorsements if they joined and paid their dues at least one month prior to the voting. Renewing members may vote in officer elections and on candidate endorsements if they renew their membership and pay their dues at the time of the voting. There shall be no proxy voting.
ARTICLE IV
Organization Officers and Executive Board
The Oak Forest Area Democrats shall have the following officers:
- President,
- Vice-President,
- Secretary,
- Treasurer, and
- Voting Parliamentarian.
To be eligible to serve as an officer, a person must be a member in good standing (see Article III). The term of the offices shall be one year.
Elections shall be held at the yearly anniversary meeting of the organization. Nominations will be accepted at the OFAD meeting held immediately prior to the Election. Vacancies for any unexpired term shall be filled on an interim basis by presidential appointment until the next regular meeting when the appointment will be confirmed with a vote of the membership. The aforementioned officers in addition to all standing committee chairs and the outgoing president shall constitute the Executive Board of the Oak Forest Area Democrats.
The Executive Board shall determine by majority vote the standing committees whose chairs shall serve on the Executive Board. The standing committee chairs will be reappointed at the first meeting of the newly elected Executive Board. Vacancies for any unexpired committee chair term be filled on an interim basis by majority vote of the Executive Board pending a confirmation vote of the membership at the next regular meeting. The functions of the Executive Board shall be:
- Maintenance of a continuous program of political activity and education.
- Development of organizational awareness in every precinct in the designated area.
- Establish dues, if any, to be collected from members.
- Development of fund-raising activities to support the organization, the Harris County and Texas Democratic Party, and area candidates.
- Any other functions as provided for in the Bylaws or approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers
A. The President shall preside at all meetings and be the official spokesperson for the Executive Board. The President shall have the power to call special meetings. The President shall be the official spokesperson at all official meetings or gatherings with other Democratic organizations, Democratic officeholders, and/or candidates seeking office. The President shall be a non-voting member of all duly appointed committees.
B. The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President. Committee chairs shall report to the Vice-President prior to each business meeting and shall serve as their primary contact regarding organizational business.
C. The Secretary shall keep the minutes and attendance of all meetings and be prepared to submit minutes for approval at the next scheduled meeting. The Secretary shall make such records available to the membership upon request.
D. The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all moneys of the organization and shall record all financial transactions and report them to the Executive Board and the General Membership. The Treasurer shall be responsible for timely submission of all Texas Ethics Commission reports in compliance with all State laws.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings Required
The Oak Forest Area Democrats shall meet at least once in a two month period for the purpose of conducting organizational business. The Social Committee shall organize social events open to the General Membership and guests in the event there is no regularly scheduled business meeting. Special meetings may be called by the President with the consent of the majority of the elected officers.
A quorum shall be needed for the purpose of conducting business. A quorum is defined as a majority of the people present at any meeting are members in good standing.
ARTICLE VII
Constitutional Authority
The ultimate governing body with final authority over the organization shall be the General Membership. The General Membership shall empower the Executive Board to conduct the business of the organization. Regular business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rule of Orders. These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at the official anniversary meeting of the organization, provided the proposed amendment has been presented at the preceding meeting.