ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
A.The Milton Democratic Town Committee shall consist of not fewer than three nor more than thirty-five residents of the Town of Milton who shall be registered Democrats, and who shall have been duly elected at the Presidential Primary for a period of four years from thirty days following their election, together with those elected to membership by the members of said Committee, in conformance with the provisions of law.B.The Committee shall within ten days after the thirtieth day next following the election of its members, meet and organize by the choice of a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor, and such other officers as it may decide to elect. At such meeting the Committee may add to its elected members provided it does not exceed the total allowed by law as found on file with the Secretary of State’s Office (thirty-five).
The Committee shall within ten days after the thirtieth day next following the election of its members, meet and organize by the choice of a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor, and such other officers as it may decide to elect. At such meeting the Committee may add to its elected members provided it does not exceed the total allowed by law as found on file with the Secretary of State’s Office (thirty-five).C.With respect to current members of the Committee who served as such for 20 or more years, said member’s elected position on the Committee shall be vacated after the member has served over twenty years and he or she shall become a “Life-time” member of the Committee. Life-time members shall have all the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of elected members, including full voting rights. Life-time members shall not be included in the thirty-five (35) member limitation of the Committee per Article Two, Section II of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Failure of a life-time member to attend the required minimum number of meetings shall not be a basis for removal as stated in Section XVII of these by-laws.
With respect to current members of the Committee who served as such for 20 or more years, said member’s elected position on the Committee shall be vacated after the member has served over twenty years and he or she shall become a “Life-time” member of the Committee. Life-time members shall have all the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of elected members, including full voting rights. Life-time members shall not be included in the thirty-five (35) member limitation of the Committee per Article Two, Section II of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Failure of a life-time member to attend the required minimum number of meetings shall not be a basis for removal as stated in Section XVII of these by-laws.D.The Committee may, by vote at any meeting, authorize the appointment of associate members. Associate members shall not have the right to vote but shall have such other powers and duties as the Committee may determine. Associate members shall be registered Democrats, and shall be duly proposed and accepted by the members of the Committee at a meeting called for this purpose.
The Committee may, by vote at any meeting, authorize the appointment of associate members. Associate members shall not have the right to vote but shall have such other powers and duties as the Committee may determine. Associate members shall be registered Democrats, and shall be duly proposed and accepted by the members of the Committee at a meeting called for this purpose.E.If any member changes his or her residence from the Town of Milton during the said four years, he or she shall cease to be a member at the end of the calendar year during which said residence is changed. If any member, whether elected or chosen to fill a vacancy, cancels or changes his or her party enrollment, he or she shall forthwith cease to be a member of the Committee.
If any member changes his or her residence from the Town of Milton during the said four years, he or she shall cease to be a member at the end of the calendar year during which said residence is changed. If any member, whether elected or chosen to fill a vacancy, cancels or changes his or her party enrollment, he or she shall forthwith cease to be a member of the Committee. F.Vacancies occurring after the initial organizational meeting shall be filled by vote of the Committee at a meeting called for this purpose. Associate members, if any, shall be the candidates for filling the vacancies.
Vacancies occurring after the initial organizational meeting shall be filled by vote of the Committee at a meeting called for this purpose. Associate members, if any, shall be the candidates for filling the vacancies.ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
A.The officers of the Committee shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor. These officers shall be elected at the initial organizational meeting and shall serve for a term of two years, at the end of which new elections for officers shall be held.B.There shall be an executive committee consisting of the officers of the Committee and others elected. The duties of the executive committee shall include the certification of life-time members and other responsibilities as detailed in Article X of these by-laws. C.In the event of the death, resignation or the permanent removal from the Town of Milton of any of the above-named officers, their places shall be declared vacant and be filled at the next regular meeting of the Committee. The notice of said meeting shall state that a vacancy will be filled at the meeting. A statement of such changes of officers of the Committee shall be sent immediately by the Secretary of the Committee, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to the Secretary of the Democratic State Committee, and to the Milton Town Clerk.ARTICLE V: CHAIR
The Chair shall, in addition to the duties required by law, preside at all meetings of the Committee and shall have general charge and supervision of all Committee activities. The Chair shall have the power to appoint all standing committees and such other special committees as are created from time to time. The Chair shall have the power to call all special meetings of the Committee and all regular meetings at such time or times as may seem advisable to the Chair, subject only to the vote of the Committee in fixing the number or regular meetings to be held during the year. The Chair shall have the right to vote at all meetings and serve ex official on all standing committees.ARTICLE VI: VICE-CHAIR
A.The Vice-Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Committee in the absence of the Chair. The Vice-Chair shall perform all duties and have the powers of the Chair in the case of the Chair’s absence.B.The Vice-Chair shall serve ex officio on all standing committees.ARTICLE VII: SECRETARY
The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Committee and shall issue a notice of each meeting by mail to each member of the Committee at least three days prior to the date of the meeting. The Secretary shall, within ten days after the organization of the Committee, file a list of the officers and members of the committee with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Secretary for the Democratic State Committee, and Milton Town Clerk, and shall immediately file with the same officials a statement of the changes in the organization or membership of the Committee thereafter. The Secretary shall perform other such duties pertaining to the office as may be required by the Chair. In the absence of the Secretary, a Secretary pro tempore shall be designated by the Chair.ARTICLE VIII: TREASURER
The treasurer shall have the custody of all Committee funds, and shall pay all orders subject to the approval of the Chair and shall procure and file vouchers for all such payment. No expenditures of Committee funds shall be made by the Treasurer outside the regular activities or expenses thereof except upon the approval of a majority of the Committee at a special or regular meeting. The Treasurer shall submit a report of the financial condition and transactions of the Committee at all regular meetings. A detailed report shall be provided at least semi-annually.ARTICLE IX: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND OUTREACH ADVISOR
The Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor shall be responsible for developing strategies and activities to expand participation in the Committee of the Party’s Affirmative Action target groups: Black, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific American, Native American and Cape Verdeans and others who may be under-represented on the Committee including persons with disabilities, lesbians, gay men, workers, youth, low- and moderate-income people and senior citizens.ARTICLE X: POWER OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE; CALL OF MEETING BY PETITION
A.In the event of a refusal of the Chair to call a meeting of the Committee, a majority of the executive committee may, in writing, order the Secretary of the Committee to call a meeting of the Committee.B.The executive committee shall have the power to act upon all matters pertaining to the Committee arising between meetings of the Committee.C. 20 percent or more members of the Committee may, in writing, order the Secretary of the Committee to call a meeting of the Committee.ARTICLE XI: COMMITTEE MEETINGS
There shall be a minimum of four regular Committee meetings each year commencing in September and continuing through May.40 percent of the voting members shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting. Motions shall be carried by majority vote of those present and voting at such meetings. The conduct of the meetings shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Procedure, except where otherwise noted in these by-laws. Attendance of members shall be recorded at each meeting.ARTICLE XII: ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business at meetings shall be as follows:1.Calling the roll of officers and members2.Reading and approving the records of the previous meeting3.Reports of officers and committees4.Reading of communications addressed to the Committee5.Unfinished business6.New Business7.AdjournmentARTICLE XIII: FISCAL YEAR AND DUES
The fiscal year of the Committee shall be from May first through April thirtieth of the following year. Each member of the Committee shall pay to the Treasurer the sum of twenty-five dollars for annual dues. Each life-time member shall pay to the Treasurer the sum of twenty dollars for annual dues. Each associate member shall pay to the Treasurer the sum of twenty dollars for annual dues. Lifetime members over the age of 65 are exempt from annual dues. All dues are payable by the thirtieth day of September for each fiscal year.ARTICLE XIV: NOMINATION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
At least thirty (30) days prior to the deadline for filing nomination papers in the Presidential Primary, the Chair shall:1. Place a notice in the local newspaper stating the time and place where nomination papers may be signed and giving the deadline for signing; and
2. Instruct the Secretary to notify in writing each Member and Associate Member the time and place where nomination papers may be signed and the deadline for signing.
ARTICLE XV: ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
An elections committee shall be appointed by the Chair consisting of five members, a majority of whom shall be regular members of the Committee. A chair of the elections committee shall be appointed by the Chair. The function of the elections committee shall be to prepare ballots for the election of officers and to assist the Chair in the duties outlined in Article XIV.ARTICLE XVI: BY-LAWS COMMITTEE; CHANGES IN THE BY-LAWS
A.There shall be a by-laws committee appointed by the Chair from the members of the Committee. The Chair shall designate a chair of the by-laws committee.B.These by-laws may be amended or repealed at any regularly called meeting of the Committee, provided such proposed change is in writing and is signed by the member proposing it and is in the hands of the Chair before the call of the next meeting, at which such proposal is to be acted upon. The proposed by-law change shall be sent to all members with the announcement of the meeting.C.Such proposed changes in the by-laws shall be referred forthwith by the Chair to the by-laws committee which shall make a report with its recommendations at the same meeting, if possible, but no later than at the following meeting. After hearing the recommendations of the by-laws committee, these by-laws may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of those members of the Committee present and voting.D.Unless and until amended or repealed by the members, these by-laws shall continue in effect from year to year and no formal motion shall be necessary at any meeting of the Committee in order that they continue in force.
Unless and until amended or repealed by the members, these by-laws shall continue in effect from year to year and no formal motion shall be necessary at any meeting of the Committee in order that they continue in force.ARTICLE XVII: REMOVAL OF MEMBERS
A.Members of the Committee may be removed by procedures guaranteeing adequate notice and due process and by a 2/3 vote of those present and voting, a quorum being present for one or more of the following reasons:
Members of the Committee may be removed by procedures guaranteeing adequate notice and due process and by a 2/3 vote of those present and voting, a quorum being present for one or more of the following reasons:1. Failure to attend at least half of the regularly scheduled Committee meetings during any calendar year;2. Public support for or financial contribution to an opponent of a nominee of the Democratic Party which nominee publicly supports the platform of the Democratic Party as adopted at the most recent state and national Democratic convention;
3. Unauthorized use of the Party name or resources; and/or
4. Conviction after appeals is exhausted of a criminal offense other than a misdemeanor.
B.A member must be given an opportunity to resign before notice of the hearing on the question of removal is given to the membership of the Committee.
A member must be given an opportunity to resign before notice of the hearing on the question of removal is given to the membership of the Committee.C. Procedures for Removal of a Member
1. The Chair shall receive notice of a complaint/allegation that a member has violated the rules for membership as outlined in (A 1- 4) above;
2. The Chair shall notify the member of the specific complaint/allegation and that notice of a hearing for removal of the member is to be sent to the membership. The member shall, at the time of notification, be given an opportunity to resign in lieu of the hearing.
3. If said member chooses to resign in lieu of a hearing, the member shall do so in writing.
D. Hearing Procedures:
1. The Chair shall read the notice of complaint/allegation;
2. The member shall be given an opportunity to rebut the complaint/allegation;
3. The Chair shall call for a vote on the matter before the membership; and
4. The Chair shall provide the member with written notification of the results of the vote.
E.A member removed under this section shall have thirty (30) days to appeal to the Judicial Council of the Democratic State Committee and the vacancy may not be filled in such case until the final decision of the Judicial Council is made.
A member removed under this section shall have thirty (30) days to appeal to the Judicial Council of the Democratic State Committee and the vacancy may not be filled in such case until the final decision of the Judicial Council is made.By-Laws
BY-LAWS OF THE MILTON DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE
ARTICLE I: NAME
This organization shall be known as the Milton Democratic Town Committee, herein after called the Committee.ARTICLE II: PURPOSES
This Committee is organized and constituted under authority of and in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, and shall have as its purposes the following: to foster and advance the ideals and aims of the Democratic Party; to work in cooperation with the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic State Committee; to aid in carrying out the planks of the platform of the National and State Conventions of the Party; to work and organize for the success of the Democratic candidates of the District, County, State and Nation; to do all things necessary and incidental to the building and strengthening of the Democratic Party in Massachusetts.Milton, Massachusetts
