Amended - December 20, 2013
CONSTITUTION
ELEANOR AND FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT DEMOCRATIC CLUB
[Greenbelt, Maryland] PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND
ARTICLE 1—NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt Democratic Club of Prince George’s County, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Club.
ARTICLE 2—PURPOSE
The purposes of the Club shall be to further the principles of the Democratic Party and to elect its candidates in general elections. The Club shall provide a means:
a) To encourage all eligible voters to exercise their right to vote by becoming registered voters.
b) To study the views of the electorate in order to initiate action and/or make recommendations regarding legislation, government programs, and/or policies of the Democratic Party at the national, state, and local county levels.
c) To provide a forum for the elected Democratic and appointed officials of the national, state and county levels.
d) To engage in a supportive and productive relationship with the elected Democratic Central Committee of Prince George’s County.
e) To strengthen the position of [Greenbelt area] Democrats in the national, state, and county decision-making process.
f) For all registered Democrats to participate in and work for the promotion of civic, community and governmental improvements relevant to Prince George’s County.
ARTICLE 3—MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Club shall be open to individuals who have registered to vote in the Democratic Party and interested individuals who are too young to vote.
ARTICLE 4—OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the Club shall be President, four Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and two (2) Sergeants-at-Arms.
Section 2. The four Vice-Presidents shall serve as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Vice-President—the order to be drawn by lot. In the absence of the President, the 1st Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President. Should the President be unable to complete his/her elected term, the duties shall pass to the 1st, 2nd, 3d, and 4th Vice-President respectively, upon agreement to serve.
Section 3. The elected officers of the Club must support the Democratic Party’s candidates and platform. Any sworn officer who openly supports or endorses a candidate of another political party or an Independent candidate, who is opposed by a Democratic candidate for the same public office, will be subject to removal by a vote of the members in good standing. “Good standing” is defined to describe any members whose dues are current by the records of the Treasurer.
Section 4. If a vacancy occurs in any other office, the President shall appoint a successor, subject to the approval by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. The officers of the Club shall be elected to their respective office for a term of one year.
Section 6. All officers of the Club shall be elected by ballot at the Annual (November) meeting.
ARTICLE 5—BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the Club subject to the By Laws as amended by the Club. The President or five members of the Board of Directors may call a special session of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Board of Directors, all of whom must be members in good standing, shall be comprised of the ten (10) elected officers, the two immediate Past Presidents, the chairs of the Standing Committees, and the Club Historian.
ARTICLE 6—COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Standing Committees shall be Membership, Nominating, Ways and Means, Communications, Program, Hospitality and any other which the Board of Directors deems necessary.
Section 2. The President shall appoint the Chairs of all committees with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors. These Chairs shall serve at the pleasure of the President.
ARTICLE 7—ELECTIONS
Section 1. An election of officers shall be held every year at the regular November (Annual) meeting.
Section 2. Recommendations of a Nominating Committee, appointed by the President, shall be presented to the membership, in writing, at the October meeting. Nominations shall be open from the floor at the October and November meetings, provided that the consent of the nominee is obtained.
Section 3. The officers elected at the November meeting shall be sworn in at the December meeting. The sworn officers shall enter upon their duties immediately and hold office until their successors are elected or appointed.
ARTICLE 8—AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members in good standing present and voting at any meeting of the organization called for the purpose of amending the Constitution, provided that at least a quorum shall be present at said meeting and further provided that the proposed amendment(s) shall have been mailed or emailed to all members in good standing at least fifteen (15) days prior to such meeting.
(Original Constitution adopted at the First Annual Meeting, November 1976; Amended October 21, 1988; Amended December 15, 1995; Amended December 20, 2013)