Democratic Town Committee of Acton By-Laws

Article I - NAME

The name of this organization is and shall be "Democratic Town Committee of Acton, Massachusetts" (the Committee).

Article II - Objectives

It shall be the purpose of the Committee to promote the objectives and interests of the Democratic Party, and to encourage interest in the Democratic Party.

Article III - Policies

The policies of the Committee shall be in harmony with the policies of the State and National Democratic Committees.

Article IV - Membership

Section 1 - Definition.  Whenever reference is made in these by-laws to "elected members: or "Committee Members", it shall mean those Members elected at the presidential primaries and Members elected to fill vacancies among those elected in presidential primaries. If the word "Member" is not qualified, it shall include Associate as well as Elected/Committee Members.

Section 2 - Associate Members. Committee Members may, by vote at any meeting, select Associate Members by a two-third vote of those Committee Members present and voting.  Nominations for Associate Members shall be made by the Nominating Committee or from the floor.  Associate Members shall have  the right to vote on the Town Committee and the subcommittees but shall not have the right to vote on the election of Committee Members or Associate Members or for officers.

Section 3 - Qualifications. The Democratic Town Committee shall consist of enrolled members of the Democratic Party resident in the Town of Acton who shall have been elected at the presidential primaries, and their replacements in case of vacancies, as provided in Section 8. 

Section 4 - Representation.  The Committee shall actively seek membership representation from all  segments of the population, including minorities, the handicapped, youth, senior citizens, low and moderate income people, and women, and shall not exclude anyone from membership on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, physical handicap or economic status.

Section 5 - Number.  The number of Elected Members of the Committee shall not exceed thirty-five (35) in accordance with statute (Chapter 52 MGL). The number of Associate Members is not limited.

Section 6 - Vacancies.  Vacancies in membership of the Town Committee shall be filled by nominees designated by the Nominating Committee or nominated from the floor, and elected by majority vote of the Committee Members present and voting at the meeting following the meeting at which they were nominated.  Nominees shall be selected from among the Associate Members or, in the absence thereof, from any other eligible candidates.  Nominees must be enrolled members of the Democratic Party resident in the Town of Acton.  Replacement Committee Members may serve until the next organizational meeting after the following presidential primary, at which time they may run for Committee Member in the primary along with others.

Section 7 - Attendance.  In accepting election, members affirm a commitment to participate in the activities of the Town Committee.  Members may be removed from the Committee after adequate notice and a two-thirds vote of the Committee membership for failure to attend at least half of the Committee meeting and/or activities during the preceding 12 months.  A member may choose to resign upon notice but, if not, shall have 30 days to appeal to the Town Committee or to the Judicial Council of the State Democratic Committee. 

Section 8 - Dues.  Dues for all Elected and Associate Members shall be determined annually by a majority vote of Committee Members at the first meeting of the calendar year, due and payable within 30 days.  The Chair may waive all or any portion of the dues for any member for economic reasons.

Article V - Officers - Elections

Section 1 - Organization of the Committee.  The Committee shall meet no later than April 15 of each election year to organize by choosing, by secret ballot by a majority of Committee Members present and voting, a Chair, Vice-Chair, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Affirmative Action Officer, and any other officers it may decide to elect.  Only Elected Members of the Town Committee may serve as officers.

Section 2 - Chair.  The Chair shall preside at meetings, direct the functioning of the Committee, and appoint members of subcommittees.

Section 3 - Vice-Chair.  The Vice-Chair shall be the opposite sex of the Chair, shall preside at and conduct all meetings in the absence of the Chair, and shall have all powers of the Chair in selected by majority vote of members present and voting.

The Vice-Chair shall fulfill the role of Parliamentarian as required at Committee meetings. However, the Chair may appoint a different parliamentarian if the Vice-Chair prefers not to exercise this function.

Section 4 - Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall take and keep records of proceedings of the Town Committee, including attendance at each meeting, and file reports required by law. 

Section 5 - Corresponding Secretary.  The Corresponding Secretary shall notify members and other interested Democrats of meetings and events, and handle any mailings that may be mailed for by the Committee or the Chair. 

Section 6 - Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall have custody of all Committee funds, shall be responsible for the collection of dues, shall maintain accurate financial records, and shall prepare and present such financial reports as the Chair of the Committee may direct. The Treasurer may open a bank account or accounts in a bank or trust company of his/her selection, funds in such account's) subject to withdrawal upon the Treasurer's signature.

Section 7 - Affirmative Action Officer.  The Affirmative Action Officer shall conduct affirmative action  and outreach programs to encourage full participation by all segments of the population, with particular  focus on Blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, Native Americans and Cape Verdians, the handicapped, Youth, low and moderate income people, senior citizens and women.  Such programs shall be coordinated with those formulated and implemented by the Affirmative Action and Outreach Sub-Committee of the State Committee (State Charter, Article 7, Section III). Goals of the Affirmative Action Officer shall be to provide target group programs of the Democratic Party, and to elect members of said groups to all levels  and units of the party proportionately to enrolled Democrats in the voting area, in a formula compatible  with United States Census data.

Section 8 - Term of Office.  All Committee Officers shall be elected for two-year terms, and shall serve  until their successors are elected or they are re-elected at the following bi-annual organizational meeting.

Section 9 - Nominating Committee.  Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Chair to serve for two years, and shall be responsible for proposing candidates for each office to be voted upon by the membership at scheduled bi-annual elections and to fill any vacancies that may occur between the bi-annual elections.

Article VI - Meetings

Section 1 - Organizational Meetings.  The Town Committee shall meet after the presidential primary and before April 15, and organize by electing a Chair, Vice-Chair, Recording Secretary, Corresponding  Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as it may deem necessary.  The organizational meeting and elections shall be chaired by the outgoing Chair or the highest officer present.  In the absence of any former officers, a Chair Pro Tem shall be elected.  After the election of officers, who shall take office immediately, the status of Associate Member may be reviewed.

Section 2 - Call to Meeting.  The Chair shall call at least four meetings of the Town Committee in each year.  Special meeting may be called by the Chair, or by written request for a special meeting signed by any ten Elected Members and delivered to the Chair who shall promptly call such a meeting.  Requests for special meetings must state the purpose of such meetings.  No other business may be conducted at such  special meeting.  All Town Committee meetings shall be open to the public.  Should it be necessary to go into executive session, the procedures of Robert's rules shall be followed.  

Section 3 - Notice.  The Corresponding Secretary shall notice all Elected Members and Associate Members of the time and place of each meeting, by mail at least seven days prior to the meeting and business to be conducted.  The Chair or Acting Chair shall prepare a reasonable detailed agenda for each forthcoming  meeting.

Section 4 - Quorum.  A quorum shall consist of one fourth of the Elected Members of the Town Committee.  Elected Members must attend in person to be counted in quorums & votes.

Section 5 - Order  of Business.  The following shall be considered the normal order of business:

•       Introduction of guests.
•       Reading of the minutes.
•       Report of the Treasurer.
•       Reports of other officers and committees.
•       Unfinished business.
•       New business.
•       Reading of communications and announcements.
•      Adjournment.

This order of business may be waived by a majority vote of the committee members present and voting.

Section 6 - Procedure.  Meetings of the Democratic Town Committee shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order as most recently revised except to the extent that these by-laws provide otherwise.

Section 7 - Endorsements.  An important function of the Town Committee is the endorsement of candidates for public office.  The announced agenda in the notice of a meeting at which such endorsements are to be considered must make explicit mention of this intent.  In order for an endorsement of the Town Committee to have maximum impact, a vote for endorsement of at least four-fifths of those present and voting is required.

Section 8 - Vote.  A majority of members present and voting shall be sufficient to transact all business except as otherwise provided in these by-laws.

Article VII - By-Laws

Section 1 - Validity.  The validity of these by-laws shall continue in effect from year to year without express renewal, unless amended according to the following procedure.

Section 2 - Notification.  Any proposed amendment must be made in writing by a Committee Member and submitted at a meeting to the chair, who shall read it and refer it for consideration at the following meeting. A proposed amendment at which it is considered.

Section 3 - Interpretation.  If a question arises as to the interpretation of these by-laws, the Chair shall refer the matter to the Parliamentarian or By-Laws Committee, and then rule as seems fit.

Article VIII - Committees

Section 1 - Appointment.  There shall be a Nominating Committee and any other Committees of the Town Committee may deem necessary, all appointed by the Chair.

Section 2 - Executive Board.  The officers and immediate past Chair of the Committee shall constitute the Executive Board for planning activities of the Town committee, and otherwise advising the Chair.  Decisions of the Board shall be subject to the approval of the Town Committee.  Meetings of the Board can be called by the Chair or upon request of three Board members.

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Letter in Support of Safer Alternatives Bill