Bylaws

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Revised January 26, 2021

page1image18850960

The CCDP Bylaws have been updated to address changes in the Texas Election Code that have been incorporated into 2018-2019 Texas Democratic Party Rules. https://txdem.co/Party-Rules

BYLAWS OF COLLIN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of this Party shall be the “Collin County Democratic Party” or simply “CCDP.” CCDP is governed by the County Executive Committee (CEC) composed of duly elected or appointed Precinct Chairs who are the only members with voting rights.

ARTICLE II
MISSION

The Mission of CCDP is to elect more Democrats and to champion the Democratic values of equal opportunity, justice, and to support the common good of all the people, in Collin County, in Texas, and around the nation.

ARTICLE III
PURPOSE

CCDP works to elect Democrats at all levels of office. CCDP coordinates Democratic Party campaigns in Collin County under the general direction of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP). CCDP is responsible for building the party organization at the county level, registering Democratic voters, encouraging Election Day turn out among Democratic voters, and getting our candidates elected to office.

The essence of CCDP’s purpose is to encourage the fullest possible participation of all Democratic voters. It is dedicated to disseminating the Democratic message, platform, and philosophy. A major source of CCDP’s grassroots organizing is through the encouragement and facilitation of participation in community education and social events. CCDP provides a grassroots forum for the study and discussion of public policy issues and their impact at the local level.

ARTICLE IV
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

The Collin County Democratic Party operates within the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) and hereby adopts the following Statement of Principles to govern party activities at all levels.

A. Beliefs

We believe that the Democratic Party, with its great diversity, its flexibility, its historic adaptability to fruitful change, and its instinctive responsiveness to human needs and aspirations, can provide the leadership required in these challenging times.

B. Declarations

To achieve these principles, we hereby make declarations per the TDP Rules to govern party activities at all levels.

C. Code of Conduct

CCDP expects Officers, Precinct Chairs and Party Leaders to model these fundamental principles and expects the same of those they interact with:

  1. Integrity. Being straightforward, honest and truthful in all professional and business relationships.

  2. Courtesy. Being courteous and respectful in all interactions.

  3. Objectivity. Not allowing bias, conflict of interest or the influence of other people to override their professional judgment.

  4. Professional behavior. To comply with relevant laws and regulations, and avoid any action that could negatively affect the reputation of the Democratic Party.

Failure to honor this code can result in disciplinary action to include removal from a leadership position.

ARTICLE V
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

A. Internal Revenue Service

CCDP is a political party and complies with reporting requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 527. No part of the earnings or assets shall inure to the benefit of any individual, including any officer except as provided by state law. Appropriate compensation may be paid to staff members, if any.

B. Legal Compliance

CCDP shall be in compliance with all applicable federal, state, county, and local laws.

C. Texas Democratic Party

CCDP is governed by the Texas Election Code and the Texas Democratic Party Rules. Any provision contained within these Bylaws determined to be in conflict with federal, state, or local law or the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party shall be null and void. Only the conflicting provision shall be null and void, the remaining portions of these Bylaws shall continue to govern the operation of the CEC.

ARTICLE VI
SUPPORTERS

A. Participation

Any qualified Texas voter eighteen (18) years of age or older, unless otherwise spelled out in these Bylaws, who supports the “Statement of Principles” of the Texas Democratic Party may participate fully in any Party activities, and may be elected to any CCDP Office, except where specifically prohibited by law or by CCDP Bylaws.

B. Privileges

Supporters do not have voting privileges. No dues will be imposed in the Collin County Democratic Party.

ARTICLE VII
OFFICERS

A. Officer Positions

The officers of CCDP shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. The CEC may create additional officer positions, define the authority and duties of each such position, and elect or appoint persons to fill the positions. Refer to TDP Rules for more details on Officer Positions.

B. The County Chair shall:

  1. Preside at all general meetings and CEC meetings. If the County Chair is not present, then the Secretary or any qualified Democrat may conduct the meeting. Prior to each meeting, the Chair will prepare and distribute a draft agenda to be approved by the body at the beginning of the CEC meeting.

  2. Execute any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments that the CEC has authorized to be executed. However, the Chair may not execute instruments on behalf of the CCDP if this power is expressly delegated to another officer, agent, or committee of the CCDP by the CEC, the Rules, or statute. The Chair shall perform other duties prescribed by the CEC and all duties incident to the office of County Chair.

C. The Vice Chair shall:

  1. Preside over the Administration Committee which provides for adequate facilities and the effective operation of the office, including staffing, both volunteer and employed.

D. The Treasurer shall:

  1. Chair the Finance Committee.

  2. Prepare and present a monthly financial report to the CEC.

  3. Submit an annual operating budget to the CEC for approval on or before the final meeting of each calendar year.

  4. Ensure an informal audit is conducted at the conclusion of each calendar year and presented to the CEC.

  1. Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the CCDP.

  2. Insure that the CCDP files accurate and timely IRS, federal, state, local and TDP reports, as required.

ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES

A. Standing Committees

The standing committees shall be the Finance, Administration, and Fundraising Committees. The (CEC) shall establish committee descriptions and determine the functions of such standing committees, as it deems necessary, to assist the CEC in carrying out its functions. The Chair, with the advice and consent of the CEC, shall appoint a chair for each standing committee

B. Ad Hoc Committees

  1. The CEC may establish one or more committees to delegate specified authority to a committee and may appoint or remove members of a committee.

  2. The CEC may establish qualifications for membership on a committee.

  3. Committees have spending authority and are required to prepare an operating budget that must be approved by the CEC. Expenses are signed for and submitted by the Committee Chair to Finance.

    ARTICLE IX
    CCDP BUSINESS

A. Meetings

  1. The County Executive Committee meets at least quarterly at a time and place ordered by the County Chair.

  2. The CEC shall perform statutory election-related duties in accordance with TDP Rules.

  3. The County Chair may designate a member to fulfill the duties of any other officer who is not present at a meeting.

  4. Written or electronic notice of all meetings must be delivered to all members at least five (5) days before the date of the meeting, except in emergency situations.

  5. Committee reports and any motions to be offered in new business shall be submitted in writing at least five (5) days before the date of the meeting.

  6. The County Chair may call a special meeting of the CEC as needed with the approval of a majority of the other officers.

  7. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the CEC may call a special meeting provided that they present a petition to the County Chair in advance of the date of the requested special meeting to allow the County Chair to deliver notices in accordance with TDP Rules. In the absence of the County Chair the petition may be delivered to the Vice Chair or Secretary.

B. Quorum

All members present at a meeting shall be counted as present for the purposes of determining a quorum at a meeting of the County Executive Committee. A quorum for conducting statutory business is a majority of the chairs posted on the Secretary of State website at the time of the meeting. The quorum for conducting non-statutory business shall be 25% of the chairs posted on the Secretary of State website at the time of the meeting.

C. Meeting by Electronic Means

The CEC and its committees may consider and vote on any motion via e-mail, other electronic means, and/or during teleconferences. Voting by electronic means will be supplemental to a regularly scheduled meeting and is to be used for time-sensitive actions that cannot be deferred until the next regularly scheduled meeting. A quorum of voting members is required. The motion, the attendees and the votes will be recorded and added to other official meeting records.

ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT OF Bylaws

A. Amendment

A two-thirds majority of the CEC members present and voting at a regularly called meeting or special meeting at which the required quorum is present, may alter, amend, repeal, or enact new Bylaws. The notice of any such meeting shall be sent (14) fourteen days in advance and shall include the text of the proposed Bylaws provisions as well as the text of any existing provisions proposed to be altered, amended, or repealed.

B. Authority

The Rules and Bylaws Committee is responsible for periodic review and revision of the Bylaws, incorporating motions passed by the CEC and changes required to comply with state law and TDP Rules.

C. Suspension of a Rule

Any provision of the Rules may be suspended by a two-thirds majority vote.

Last revised January 26, 2021