Jerry T. Howard, DBA Rural Resources
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Constitution and By-laws

Of

The Missouri Democratic Rural Caucus


CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I – NAME

SECTION 1 – The name of this organization shall be “The Missouri Democratic Rural Caucus”

SECTION 2-  Public actions or statements may be made in the name of the organization with the consent of a majority vote of the Executive Board.

SECTION 3 – The Missouri Democratic Rural Caucus may develop an official logo to be prominently displayed on all correspondence, communications, signs or banners.

ARTICLE II – OBJECT

SECTION 1 – The purpose of this organization shall be to promote, publicize and inform Rural needs to the general public, government bodies and agencies and professional organizations and to elect Democratic candidates who represent and promote rural concerns.

SECTION 2 - This organization may expend funds to promote the purposes of this organization on majority vote of the membership at meetings or between meetings by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 - This organization shall be composed of Democrats who are registered voters and are interested in promoting rural concerns.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

SECTION 1 – The officers of this organization shall be one (1) Chair Person, two (2) Vice-Chair Persons from: the Northeast Quadrant of the state; two (2) Vice-Chair Persons from the Northwest quadrant of the state; two (2) Vice-Chair Persons from Southeast Quadrant of the state; two (2) Vice-Chair Persons from the Southwest Quadrant of the state, and a Secretary and a Treasurer.  The Vice Chair Person selected from each quadrant shall be the officers of those quadrants and the Secretary and Treasurer of the Missouri Democratic Rural Caucus may be selected from the membership at large.  The Parliamentarian shall direct all parliamentary procedures of the Executive Board and the Caucus. All meetings will be governed by Roberts’ Rules of Order. 

SECTION 2 – The immediate past Chair Person of the organization shall be a member of the Executive Board for one term after serving as Chair Person. The Chair Person may appoint former officers as cadre to assist in operations of the Caucus.


ARTICLE V – DUES

SECTION 1 – Members shall pay annual dues of ten dollars ($10.00).

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1- The Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendments have been submitted to the Caucus at least thirty (30) days prior to coming up for adoption, and may be amended at any regular meeting without previous notice, by unanimous vote.

 

BY-LAWS

THE MISSOURI DEMOCRATIC RURAL CAUCUS

ARTICLE I – FISCAL YEAR

SECTION 1 - The fiscal year shall commence January 1 and shall end December 31

ARTICLE II – MEETINGS

SECTION 1 - The annual meeting shall be scheduled by a majority of the Executive Board present.

ARTICLE III – QUORUM

SECTION 1 – A simple majority of members present shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 2 – A simple majority of officers present shall constitute a quorum for an Executive Board Meeting.

SECTION 3 - Every dues paying member is entitled to a vote.

SECTION 4 - This organization shall be affiliated with the Missouri State Democratic Party.

ARTICLE IV – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 1 – A nominating committee of three (3) members shall be appointed by the Chair Person at the meeting held prior to the Annual Democratic State Committee Meeting.  The nominating committee shall nominate the Caucus officers from names of the quadrant officers submitted to the committee.  Quadrants shall organize and elect officers prior to said annual meeting. The annual meeting shall occur on the same date as the first state committee meeting occurring after January 1.

SECTION 2 – All officers shall be elected biennially; no officer shall succeed himself/herself except when qualified candidates are not provided by the nominating committee.

SECTION 3 – The election and installation of officers shall be held at the organization’s biennial meeting.

SECTION 4 - No person shall be eligible to hold an elective office who is not a legal voter of the State of Missouri and a member of the Missouri Democratic Party.

SECTION 5 – Vacancies shall be appointed by the Executive Board. A vacancy shall occur when an officer is absent from two consecutive meetings or in the case of a resignation or death.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS AND DUTIES OF THE MISSOURI DEMOCRATIC RURAL CAUCUS

SECTION 1 – The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the caucus and the executive board and shall have supervision and be the general manager of the caucus. The Chair shall appoint a parliamentarian and an auditor and chairs of such special committees as occasion shall demand. The Chair will perform all duties incident to the office of the chair

SECTION 2 – When the Chair is unable to be present at a scheduled meeting, the Chair will name a replacement to conduct the business of the caucus.

SECTION 3 – The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings, be custodian of all official documents except those rightfully belonging to the offices of Chair and Treasurer. A copy of the minutes will be distributed to each member present and to each member of the Executive Board and may be distributed by e-mail. 

SECTION 4 - The Auditor shall be appointed by the Chair and shall take charge of the Treasurer’s books 15 days prior to the election of officers and audit same.

SECTION 5 – The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping an accurate record of all financial affairs. The Treasurer shall pay bills only as approved by the Chair and make a report of all receipts and disbursements at each meeting. The Treasurer shall close the books 15 days before the election of officers and shall return the books to the auditor.

SECTION 6 - Standing and special committees shall constitute any necessary committees to promote the good of the Caucus and shall be appointed by the Chair Person’s direction. The duties of these committees shall be such as implied by their respective titles and shall be as assigned them by the Chair Each appointed Committee Chair person shall appoint the co-chair persons to serve in specific areas as deemed necessary.

 

ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1 – The Executive Board shall consist of the following. The Chair, Regional Chairs and Vice-Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer and shall assist the Chair in general supervision of the affairs of the Caucus..

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 – These By-laws may be amended by the same procedures as for the Constitution.

Respectfully submitted and adopted
This ____ day of _________, _____.

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