Democracy for Houston Constitution & Bylaws

ARTICLE I

      The name of this organization shall be Democracy For Houston.

ARTICLE II

Democracy For Houston shall have as its objectives and its purposes:

• To support and promote the Democratic Party at all levels of government.
• To support and promote fiscally responsible and socially progressive Democratic candidates and issues.
• To communicate with, educate, activate and empower individuals and organizations at the grassroots level throughout the Greater Houston area.
• To encourage individuals and organizations to become an integral part of the Democratic Party, precinct by precinct.

ARTICLE III

All persons who are Democrats and/or support the Democratic Party and its principles are eligible for membership in Democracy For Houston.  The membership is for those who reside in the greater Houston area, but all are welcome to join.

To become a voting member in good standing with Democracy For Houston:

• A person must have paid their annual dues at least three months prior to earning eligibility to vote.
• A person must attend three monthly meetings, in the past twelve months, prior to earning eligibility to vote.
• A voting member can be recommended for removal for cause by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Steering Committee.  A Special Meeting shall be called to consider the recommendation for removal of a voting member for cause by a two-thirds majority vote of voting members present.

ARTICLE IV

Democracy For Houston shall have an Executive Steering Committee.

1. It shall consist of nine members.
1. The term of office for each Executive Steering Committee member shall be for one year.
2. Elections for all Executive Steering Committee members shall be held at a Special Meeting of Democracy For Houston in February.
1. Voting shall be conducted using a preference voting system.  Each voting member in good standing shall indicate their preferences by numbering their candidate choices one through nine, with nine being their first choice and one  being their last choice.  The nine candidates with the highest total scores win.
2. n case of a tie, the tie shall be broken by a second ballot of the candidates involved in the tie.  Again, the voting will be conducted using the preference voting system, numbering their candidate choices nine through the number needed to satisfy the election of nine members to the Executive Steering Committee.
3. Voting shall be conducted by paper ballot. 
3. Nominations to fill any vacancies shall be accepted at the first monthly meeting after the vacancy occurs.
4. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired term by election by the Executive Steering Committee.

2.  The Executive Steering Committee functions shall include:

1. The maintenance of a continuous program of political activity and education, as well as development of awareness and organization throughout the Greater Houston area.
2. The appointment and removal of Volunteer Coordinators, to assist in ongoing programs and committee work.
3. The development of fundraising activities to maintain and/or support the programs of Democracy For Houston.
4. Any other functions as provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws.

3.  To be eligible to serve on the Executive Steering Committee:

1. A person must be a dues-paying member five months prior to the election.
2. A person must be a voting member in good standing.
3. A person must attend six monthly meetings prior to the election.
4. A person must serve on a Democracy For Houston Action Committee six months prior to the election.                                                

ARTICLE V

Members of the Executive Steering Committee shall include the following:

1.  Permanent officers:

     a.  Treasurer

1. Shall receive and deposit all monies of the organization.
2. Shall record all financial transactions and report them to the Executive Steering Committee and the general membership.
3. Shall be responsible for filing all required reports to the Texas Ethics Commission and the United States Treasury Internal Revenue Service.

      b.  Assistant Treasurer

1. Shall assist the Treasurer in fulfilling all the duties as outlined in The Constitution and Bylaws.

2.  Other leadership roles shall include, but are not limited to:

a.  Meeting Chairperson

1. Shall moderate all monthly meetings according to the agenda set by the Executive Steering Committee.

b.  Recording Secretary

1. Shall keep the minutes of all the meetings and be prepared to report these minutes at the next scheduled meeting.
2. Shall make such records available on the official Democracy For Houston website prior to the next meeting.

c.  Sergeant of Arms/Parliamentarian

1. Shall keep order at all meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order. 

ARTICLE VI

Democracy For Houston shall hold the following meetings:

1.  Monthly Meetings.

1. The Monthly Meetings shall be chaired by a Meeting Chairperson.  The Meeting Chairperson shall be appointed by the Executive Steering Committee.
2. Any interested person may attend a Monthly Meeting.

2.  Special Meetings.

1. Special Meetings shall be called by the Executive Steering Committee.
2. Each Special Meeting shall be chaired by a member of the Executive Steering Committee.
3. The Special Meeting Chair shall be appointed by the Executive Steering Committee to serve for the duration of the Special Meeting.
4. Any voting member in good standing may attend Special Meetings and be eligible to vote.
5. A quorum for a Special Meeting shall consist of at least fifteen voting members in good standing or ten percent of the last official tally of voting members in good standing, whichever is greater. 

3.  Monthly Business Meetings.

• The Executive Steering Committee shall conduct Monthly Business Meetings.
• Each Business Meeting shall be chaired by a member of the Executive Steering Committee.
• The Business Meeting Chair shall be appointed by the Executive Steering Committee at the prior Business Meeting, to serve for the duration of the next Business Meeting.
• Only Executive Steering Committee members are eligible to vote during each Business Meeting.
• A quorum of six Executive Steering Committee members shall be present to conduct a Business Meeting.
• Any voting member in good standing shall be eligible to attend and speak at a Business Meeting

ARTICLE VII

A. Democracy For Houston shall have Action Committees.

1. Action Committees shall be created and disbanded at the discretion of the Executive Steering Committee. 
2. The purpose of each Action Committee shall be designated by the Executive Steering Committee.
3. The Executive Steering Committee shall appoint a Volunteer Coordinator for each Action Committee. 
   1. The Volunteer Coordinator shall be a voting member in good standing. 
   2. The Volunteer Coordinator shall develop the Action Committee. 
   3. The Volunteer Coordinator shall serve as the Action Committee’s liaison to the Executive Steering Committee until the Action Committee selects a Committee Chairperson.
4. Each Action Committee shall select its own Chairperson.
   1. Each Action Committee Chairperson shall be a voting member in good standing.
   2. Each Action Committee Chairperson shall be an active member of the Action Committee.
   3. A Volunteer Coordinator may serve as an Action Committee Chairperson.

ARTICLE VIII

Membership dues shall be set by the Executive Steering   Committee, approved by the voting members in good standing at a Special Meeting, and made a part of the Bylaws.

This Constitution shall be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members in good standing present at a Special Meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been read as a proposed amendment at a previous Business Meeting.

Bylaws, not in conflict with the Constitution, shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members in good standing present at a Special Meeting.

ARTICLE IX

This Constitution and Bylaws shall take effect upon adoption by a two-thirds majority vote of those in attendance at a Special Meeting of the Democracy For Houston participants.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all Democracy For Houston meetings unless otherwise provided in this Constitution and Bylaws.

BYLAWS

Membership dues to Democracy For Houston shall be renewed annually at the following rates:

1. Dues of $20.00 per individual per year, or
2. Dues of $30.00 per couple per year, or
3. Dues of $10.00 per full-time student per year.
4. Requests for “Membership Dues Exemption Status” based on certain circumstances/needs may be appealed to the Executive Steering Committee.