PREAMBLE

The Democratic Party of Baxter County holds to these principles:

We believe that the best government is one that is efficient and understanding – a government that is based not on systems and bureaucracies but on people, ideas, and values.

We believe in a government that stands on the side of families. One that listens, understands, and addresses their concerns.

We believe in a society that values the community and protects all citizens from violence and crime.

We believe in a society that puts the health, safety, and prosperity of its citizens first. One that promotes excellence in education, choices in quality health care, and a healthy environment for all citizens.

We believe in the equality of all citizens, regardless of race, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or disability status.

We believe in pursuing these ideals with honesty and integrity, with respect for the freedoms that we in Baxter County and Arkansas are proud to call our own. 

ARTICLE I: NAME 

The name of the organization shall be the Democratic Party of Baxter County hereafter known as DPBC or as the Committee.  

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE 

• To help elect Democrats at all levels of government, including at the city and county level. 

• To organize and mobilize activities on behalf of the DPBC and the Democratic Party of Arkansas (DPA). 

• To grow and maintain membership in the DPBC, 

• To increase visibility of the Democratic Party in Baxter County; and

• To participate in the Arkansas state Democratic Conventions and other activities of the DPA.

   

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: 

The Committee is open to any person who is a registered voter, who lives in Baxter County, and upholds the principles of the Democratic Party. Each January. Committee members shall file as a Committee Member. Members may also be added throughout the year by completing a membership form. Membership will be active for a two (2) year period.

Section 2: 

The duties of the Committee members shall be  

• To attend meetings of the DPBC, as set by the Chairperson and/or Membership. 

• To participate in the governance and direction of the affairs and activities of the DPBC. 

• To assist in the identification and recruitment of candidates for local and state candidates,

• To aid and cooperate with the campaigns of Democratic Party nominees for office. 

• To assist in fund-raising efforts of the DPBC to promote the campaigns of Democratic Party nominees for office

• Collaborate with the Chairperson to strengthen grassroots Democratic efforts. 

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS 

Section 1: Officers shall be elected following the DPA Party Rules and Arkansas laws. Anyone who meets the criteria in Section 1 is eligible for election to a DPBC office.  Officers to be elected are the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The Chair and the Vice chair shall be of opposite genders. The officers are to serve two (2) year terms.  

Section 2: DPBC Officers must avoid public expressions of support, including campaign contributions for candidates opposing Democratic nominees. 

Section 3: The Chairperson shall: 

• Preside at all Committee meetings; 

• Set the agenda for all Committee meetings. 

• Serve as the spokesperson for the Committee. 

• Establish any other committees as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Party

• Appoint a chair for sub-committees and ad hoc committees, as needed. 

• Attend all DPA Committee Meetings and serve as a liaison between DPA and the DPBC Committee

• Perform other duties as needed for the presiding officer of the Committee that the membership assigns. 

Section 4: The Vice-Chairperson shall: 

• Assist the Chairperson in the discharge of his/her duties. 

• Temporarily assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in his/her absence. 

• Perform such duties as the Committee may assign and have other duties that are usual to the office of the Vice Chair. 

• Assist the Chairperson in planning programs for the Committee meetings.

• Work to identify candidates for the City Council, Quorum Court, School Board, and state offices.

Section 5: The Secretary shall: 

• Maintain and update the membership roster, to include name, address, cell/home phone numbers and email address,

• Keep an accurate record and minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Committee. Shall designate another board member to take minutes, if necessary.

• Submit a roster to the DPA of committee members annually

• Submit a roster to the DPA of county officers following the biennial election.

• Ensure that minutes are posted on the DPBC in a timely manner.

• Ensure that a notice of meeting dates, times and locations is posted on the DPBC website in a timely manner. 

• Collaborate with the Treasurer to archive books, documents, correspondence, records, minutes, bylaws, strategic plans, photographs, news releases, and other effects and property of this organization.

• Assists the chair with correspondence to members or external organizations.

• Work with the webmaster to ensure information on the DPBC website is current and accurate.

Section 6: The Treasurer shall: 

• Be responsible for the financial receipts and disbursements of the Committee. 

• Deposit the funds of the Committee in a chartered State or Federal Bank or Banks. 

• Be authorized to sign all checks. If for any reason, the Treasurer is unable to perform this duty, the chairperson is authorized to sign checks:

• Make detailed financial reports of funds disbursed and funds received at each meeting of the membership. 

• Comply on a timely basis with all legal requirements relating to the receipt and disbursement of funds. 

• DPBC shall register with the Secretary of State, file quarterly reports with the Secretary of State, annually renew their registration with the Secretary of State, and follow all state laws and rules for county political party committees.

• Deliver to a newly elected Treasurer, after an audit, if requested, the funds and all books and records kept during his/her tenure in office. 

• Perform such duties as the Committee may assign and have other duties customary and usual to the office. 

Section 6:  An Election Commissioner shall be elected in January following the General election, following the election of DPBC officers. The office of Election Commissioner shall not be combined with any other offices. .  

Section 7: The incumbent Chairperson shall call for the election of officers of the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Members should be given notice of the election at least five (5) days prior to the election. 

Section 8: The current Chairperson shall preside over the election of officers except when the Chairperson is opposed for re-election. In that case, the Vice Chairperson shall serve as the temporary Chairperson until the new Chairperson is elected. After the election of officers, the newly elected officers shall assume their positions as officers. 

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS 

Section 1:  All public meetings of the Committee shall be open to the members of the Democratic Party. The Committee shall support the broadest possible participation without discrimination. The time and place for all public meetings of the Committee shall be published in such a manner to ensure timely notice to all Democrats (email, radio, social media, etc.). Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all and large enough to accommodate all persons. 

Section 2: A meeting shall be held at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening day of the filing period set by the DPA to set filing fees for county and municipal candidates.  

Section 3: Members of the Committee shall be notified of meetings by the Chairperson or Secretary. The Committee will meet at least four times each year in non-election years and at least bi-monthly in election years.  Meeting dates can be modified by the membership or the executive committee consisting of the officers. 

ARTICLE VI: QUORUM 

Section 1: To conduct the business of the Committee, twenty percent (20%) of the membership in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Committee business. 

Section 2: Unless otherwise specified, any action taken by the Committee shall be effective only if adopted by a simple majority of the Committee members present at a Committee meeting.

Section 3: No person shall be entitled to more than one vote.  Voting by proxy is permitted, but no member shall vote the proxy of more than one(1) other member. No proxy shall be valid for more than one meeting.

Section 4: Proxies shall only be granted only when printed, dated, and signed and filed with the Secretary by the beginning of the meeting. The proxy shall be preserved for no less than one (1) year.

Section 5: All meetings shall be open to the public.

ARTICLE VII: COUNTY CONVENTION 

The Democratic Party of Baxter County Convention shall be held for the purpose of electing delegates and alternates to the State Convention and for any other such purpose as may be required by the State Party rules, or State law. 

 The DPBC Convention shall be held within 30 days after the Primary General Election.  The DPBC Convention may take place at either a regular meeting of the DPBC Committee, or a specially called meeting.  The Committee is identified as having three (3) delegates to the State Convention.

Adequate notice shall be given by the Chairperson of the Committee notifying County Convention delegates and candidates by mail no later than one week in advance, when possible, of the DPBC Convention.

ARTICLE VIII: SUB-COMMITTEES/AD HOC COMMITTEES

Section 1: The Chairperson may establish standing sub-committees, as needed, to perform the duties and meet the objectives of the organization. Any member of the Committee may volunteer to be on a sub-committee. 

Section 2: The Chairperson of the Committee shall be an ex-officio member of all appointed subcommittees, except the Nomination Sub-Committee. 

Section 3: Standing Committees include:

• Nomination Committee: Identifies and recruits candidates to run for Executive Committee positions.

• Baxter County History Committee: Documents achievements of the Democratic Party in Baxter County.  Presents information regarding these accomplishments in presentations at Committee meetings and includes information on the web page.

• Legislative Committee: reviews and tracks state and national legislation and alerts committee members about House and Senate bills that will impact the community.

• Local Beat Committee: attends meetings of the City Council, Quorum Court, and School Board.  Reports to membership at Committee meetings.

• Publicity/Public Relations Committee, which is responsible for brochures, leaflets, photographs, press releases, identification of information to be included on social media and web page.

• Events and Special Projects, which is responsible for organizing events, identifying and ensuring participation at community events. Presents community events to Executive Committee for consideration.

• Election Committee: Works with Vice Chair to develop Voters Registration opportunities and signup, Get Out the Vote Outreach, and Candidate recruitment. This committee will determine appropriate campaign donations to candidates who are running for local or state offices (City Council, Quorum Court, state representative or state senator).

ARTICLE IX: OFFICER AND MEMBER RESIGNATIONS 

Section 1: Committee members or officers may resign at any time. Such resignations shall be in writing and shall take effect at the time designated in the letter of resignation or upon receipt by the Chairperson or Secretary. 

Section 2: If no written notice of resignation is received, the Committee can vote to vacate the office. Written notice of that action shall be sent to the resigning member or officer. The reason and effective date shall be stated. 

ARTICLE X: FINANCES 

Section 1: The Committee shall be a non-profit organization. The Executive Committee (officers) shall authorize expenditures in emergency situations. Under normal conditions, all expenditures will be approved by the Board through a budgetary process All expenditures above $500 will be approved by the Committee.

Section 2: If the Committee is dissolved or non-certified by the DPA, disbursement of all funds shall be made by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the Party.  

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS 

Section 1: These bylaws may be amended by a two-third (2/3) vote of the members of the Committee present at a meeting, provided that written notice is given to all members at least 30 days prior to the meeting.  

Section 2: These bylaws shall be in full force and effect upon their adoption and shall supersede all bylaws, rules, motions, and policies of a contrary nature with the exception of the DPA Rules of the Party.  

Section 3: These bylaws shall be reviewed and revised as needed every 2 years.

ARTICLE XII: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE 

All business is subject to the Rules of the Democratic Party of Arkansas and these Bylaws. Meetings shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.  

Adopted: 

Date:_________________________________ 

Chair:_________________________________ 

Vice Chair:_________________________________ 

Secretary:______________________________

Treasurer:______________________________