ARTICLE I: NAME AND AFFILIATIONS
Section 1. NAME. The name of this organization shall be the “Young Democrats of Wake County.”
Section 2. AFFILIATIONS. This organization shall be affiliated with the Young Democrats of North Carolina and shall be influenced and guided by the platforms and policies of the Democratic Party on the local, state, and national levels.
ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE AND POLICY
Section 1. OBJECTIVE. The objective of the Young Democrats of Wake County shall be to stimulate in young people an active interest in governmental affairs, to serve as a mechanism for satisfying political expression and a desire to take a more active role in the political process, to make members of the Democratic Party aware that young people intend to take an active role in Party affairs, and to promote the acquisition of political power by young people.
Section 2. POLICY. This organization and its members shall take an active interest in local, state, and national affairs.
Section 3. ENDORSEMENTS. This organization shall support actively and by appropriate means the nominees of the Democratic Party in national, state, and local elections. This organization shall not endorse the candidacy of any persons for public office prior to nomination by the Democratic Party; however, individual members may support candidates prior to nomination.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. ELIGIBILITY. The membership of the Young Democrats of Wake County shall be open to all registered Democrats in Wake County.
Section 2. CLASSIFICATIONS. There shall be four (4) classifications of membership- Regular (Active), Couple, Associate, and Student. Any registered Democrat between the ages of eighteen (18) and thirty-five (35) shall be eligible for Regular Membership. Any registered Democrat who has attained the age of thirty-six (36) shall be eligible for Associate membership. Any Associate member shall carry all of the rights and privileges of Regular membership except that no Associate member shall be eligible to vote or hold office in the Young Democrats of Wake County.
Section 3. DUES. Dues shall be required of each Regular, Couple, Student, and Associate member in the amount of twenty dollars, thirty-five dollars, ten dollars, and ten dollars, respectively.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section 1. DEFINITION. The elected officers of this organization shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, and a Secretary. A Treasurer shall be appointed by each newly elected President within 21 days of the President’s election.
Section 2. PRESIDENT. The duties of the President shall be to uphold and enforce the provision of these Bylaws; to organize and administer the organization; to preside over all meetings; to call special meetings when necessary; to appoint chairpersons of standing committees; to appoint a Treasurer and, as necessary, a Deputy Treasurer; to unilaterally remove, where necessary, the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer; to appoint select committees to serve at his/her discretion; to represent the organization at conventions and official functions; and to chair the Executive Board. The President (or his or her designee) shall also deliver a State of the Charter Address during the regularly scheduled April meeting.
Section 3. VICE-PRESIDENT. The duties of the Vice-President shall be to advise and assist the President in the administration of the organization and to assume the duties of the executive office in the temporary absence of the President.
Section 4. SECRETARY. The duties of the Secretary shall be to maintain the files of the organization; to record the minutes of all meeting; to conduct the official correspondence of the organization; and to take necessary steps to maintain affiliations and charters with the Young Democrats of North Carolina. This officer’s duties may be assumed by the Treasurer at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Section 5. TREASURER. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to keep an accurate account of all financial transactions; to compile periodic financial status reports; to collect the annual membership dues; and to conduct all other financial affairs of the organization. Every July and November, the Treasurer shall also present to the Executive Board a brief oral or written report on the financial solvency of the Young Democrats of Wake County and its compliance with all rules imposed by the North Carolina Board of Elections. The duties of the Deputy Treasurer, if appointed, shall be to support the Treasurer in all duties identified in this Section.
Section 6. QUALIFICATIONS. Any member in good standing other than an Associate member shall be eligible to hold elected office in this organization.
Section 7. ELECTIONS. Elections of officers shall be held at a general membership meeting in January of each year. Officers shall begin their terms immediately upon being sworn in and shall hold office until their successors are chosen and installed. It shall be the duty of each outgoing officer to transfer any significant records, papers, logins, and authorities to his or her newly elected counterpart within one month of the election of new officers.
ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. EXECUTIVE BOARD. The Executive Board shall serve as an advisory and planning committee for the organization. At Large voting members shall be elected along with the officers at the annual membership meeting. The Executive Board shall include five at-large members elected by the organization, as well as the four officers and the immediate past President.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Section 1. MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the organization shall be held each month as announced by the Executive Board, and shall be announced at least 21 days before each meeting.
Section 2. QUORUM. One-fourth of the Active members shall be required for binding action on the business of the organization during membership meetings.
Section 3. BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF MEETINGS. When the organization is not in session during a scheduled meeting, the Executive Board shall act for the organization on all matters unless the Bylaws state that action is to be taken by the full membership of the organization.
Section 4. PLANNING SESSION. Within two months of the election of new officers each January, the newly elected officers and the newly appointed Executive Board members shall hold a formal planning session. During this planning session, the officers and Executive Board members shall identify goals for the remainder of their terms and, if necessary, develop a timeline for meeting those goals. They may also make any other decisions necessary to carry out their duties.
ARTICLE VII: GOVERNMENT
Section 1. AMENDMENTS. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of a general membership meeting when notice of the amendment is given at the previous general membership meeting. When no previous notice is given, any amendment may be affected by a three-quarters vote of a general membership meeting.
Section 2. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY. The proceedings of this organization shall be governed by the following authorities in the following order of precedence. The Bylaws of the Young Democrats of Wake County; the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised; and executive discretion.
Revised and Approved: May 19, 2011
