Bylaws
BYLAWS OF THE DEMOCRATS WITH DISABILITIES INITIATIVE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF COLORADO (Revised 9/8/07, Dues Revised and increased in 2014)
MISSION The mission of the Colorado Democratic Party Democrats With Disabilities Initiative (“The Initiative”) is to ensure the significant participation and influence of our diverse community at all levels within the Democratic Party. The Initiative supports political action to increase the involvement and leadership of people with disabilities in the Democratic Party.
ARTICLE I PURPOSE
1.1 Enhance the influence of people with disabilities in the Democratic Party at all levels by electing disabled individuals to party positions.
1.2 Provide training and information to increase the disabled community’s participation in the political process.
1.3 Encourage people with disabilities to register and vote.
1.4 Identify and encourage people with disabilities to be candidates, delegates, campaign workers and volunteers for the candidates of their choice and/or to serve on boards and commissions.
1.5 Provide information specifically on issues that support the disabled community.
1.6 Provide a forum to increase visibility of disabled candidates.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
2.1 The general membership shall meet no less than twice each calendar year. Each odd numbered year the general membership shall hold an annual meeting at a time to coincide with Colorado Democratic Party State Assembly.
2.2 The elected officers shall manage the affairs of the Initiative.
2.3 The membership must review and approve the annual financial report of the organization at the annual meeting.
2.4 Agenda items shall be provided one week in advance by the Chair via e-mail unless specifically requested to be sent by USPS.
2.5 The officers may call other meetings of the general membership (special meetings) with 14 days prior notice to the membership via e-mail unless specifically requested to be sent by USPS.
2.6 Meetings of the general membership shall be conducted by Roberts Rules of Order (Revised).
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP/DUES
3.1 Dues for membership in the organization shall be $5.00 per year subject to approval of the general membership at the annual meeting. In case of an individual who wishes to become a member of the Democrats With disAbilities Initiative, and the payment of dues presents a hardship, that person shall request a one-year exemption from the Executive Committee. Further, the Executive Committee shall make every effort to review and grant such a request in a thoughtful and expeditious manner.
3.2 Registration as a Democrat and the payment of dues shall constitute full membership in the organization.
3.3 To be eligible to vote for Officers dues must be current.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
4.1 The Initiative shall have the following officer positions held by separate individuals selected at large from among the members of the organization: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer.
4.1.a The Chair shall be responsible for calling and conducting meetings of the Executive Committee. The Chair shall oversee the planning and operation of all standing committees. The chair shall head the Policy Committee. The Chair shall represent the Initiative in public capacities and serve as a liaison to the State Party.
4.1.b The 1st Vice Chair shall temporarily assume the duties of the chair in his/her absence. The 1st Vice Chair shall temporarily assume the duties of Chair in the event of the Chair’s resignation or removal from office. The 1st Vice Chair shall chair the Bylaws Committee.
4.1.c The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the minutes and correspondence of the organization, notifying members of meetings, and preparing other written material for the organization. The Secretary shall be assigned additional duties as requested by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Membership.
4.1.d The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records of all organization moneys, collecting membership dues, coordinating finance with the State Party, and providing written financial reports at all Initiative meetings. The Treasurer shall be assigned additional duties as requested by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Membership.
4.2 Removal from office or from the Executive Committee shall be for cause by a two-thirds vote of the general membership present at a general membership meeting.
4.3 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise shall be filled by the Chair for the unexpired portion of the term. If the vacancy is the Chair, a new Chair shall be elected by the general membership within 90 days of said vacancy.
ARTICLE VEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Definition: The Executive Committee of the Democrats With Disabilities Initiative shall consist of all Democrats With Disabilities officers
5.1 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management and coordination of the organization, reviewing and approving financial policies, and other responsibilities as provided by the general membership.
5.2 The Executive Committee may propose any changes to the Bylaws for consideration by the general membership.
5.3 The Executive Committee shall set the time, location and agenda for general membership meetings.
5.4 Only members in good standing may serve as officers.
5.5 All officers shall serve for two-year terms.
5.6 The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times in a calendar year at a time and location agreed upon. The Executive Committee shall conduct its meetings by Roberts Rules of Order (Revised).
ARTICLE VI PERMANENT COMMITTEES
6.1 The Initiative shall have the following permanent committees: Bylaws, Policy and Membership.
6.2 Each committee shall be chaired by a member of the Executive Committee, as prescribed by the Bylaws, and include other members of the Initiative. (See Article IV).
ARTICLE VII ADMINISTRATION
7.1 Staff support and office space for the organization shall be negotiated between the Executive Committee and the Colorado Democratic Party Officers.
ARTICLE VIII AUTHORITY
8.1 All power and authority not vested in the officers and the Executive Committee and/or the Permanent Committees shall be retained by the general membership.
8.2 These Bylaws incorporate and are governed by all rules and regulations of the Colorado Democratic Party.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
9.1 The membership may, with at least 30 days notice and by a two-thirds vote of those present when quorum has been established, amend the Bylaws of the organization.
ARTICLE X DEFINITIONS
10.1 Quorum: At least three officers plus one general member.
BYLAWS OF THE DEMOCRATS WITH DISABILITIES INITIATIVE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF COLORADO (Revised 9/8/07, Dues Revised and increased in 2014)
MISSION The mission of the Colorado Democratic Party Democrats With Disabilities Initiative (“The Initiative”) is to ensure the significant participation and influence of our diverse community at all levels within the Democratic Party. The Initiative supports political action to increase the involvement and leadership of people with disabilities in the Democratic Party.
ARTICLE I PURPOSE
1.1 Enhance the influence of people with disabilities in the Democratic Party at all levels by electing disabled individuals to party positions.
1.2 Provide training and information to increase the disabled community’s participation in the political process.
1.3 Encourage people with disabilities to register and vote.
1.4 Identify and encourage people with disabilities to be candidates, delegates, campaign workers and volunteers for the candidates of their choice and/or to serve on boards and commissions.
1.5 Provide information specifically on issues that support the disabled community.
1.6 Provide a forum to increase visibility of disabled candidates.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
2.1 The general membership shall meet no less than twice each calendar year. Each odd numbered year the general membership shall hold an annual meeting at a time to coincide with Colorado Democratic Party State Assembly.
2.2 The elected officers shall manage the affairs of the Initiative.
2.3 The membership must review and approve the annual financial report of the organization at the annual meeting.
2.4 Agenda items shall be provided one week in advance by the Chair via e-mail unless specifically requested to be sent by USPS.
2.5 The officers may call other meetings of the general membership (special meetings) with 14 days prior notice to the membership via e-mail unless specifically requested to be sent by USPS.
2.6 Meetings of the general membership shall be conducted by Roberts Rules of Order (Revised).
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP/DUES
3.1 Dues for membership in the organization shall be $5.00 per year subject to approval of the general membership at the annual meeting. In case of an individual who wishes to become a member of the Democrats With disAbilities Initiative, and the payment of dues presents a hardship, that person shall request a one-year exemption from the Executive Committee. Further, the Executive Committee shall make every effort to review and grant such a request in a thoughtful and expeditious manner.
3.2 Registration as a Democrat and the payment of dues shall constitute full membership in the organization.
3.3 To be eligible to vote for Officers dues must be current.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
4.1 The Initiative shall have the following officer positions held by separate individuals selected at large from among the members of the organization: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer.
4.1.a The Chair shall be responsible for calling and conducting meetings of the Executive Committee. The Chair shall oversee the planning and operation of all standing committees. The chair shall head the Policy Committee. The Chair shall represent the Initiative in public capacities and serve as a liaison to the State Party.
4.1.b The 1st Vice Chair shall temporarily assume the duties of the chair in his/her absence. The 1st Vice Chair shall temporarily assume the duties of Chair in the event of the Chair’s resignation or removal from office. The 1st Vice Chair shall chair the Bylaws Committee.
4.1.c The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the minutes and correspondence of the organization, notifying members of meetings, and preparing other written material for the organization. The Secretary shall be assigned additional duties as requested by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Membership.
4.1.d The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records of all organization moneys, collecting membership dues, coordinating finance with the State Party, and providing written financial reports at all Initiative meetings. The Treasurer shall be assigned additional duties as requested by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Membership.
4.2 Removal from office or from the Executive Committee shall be for cause by a two-thirds vote of the general membership present at a general membership meeting.
4.3 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise shall be filled by the Chair for the unexpired portion of the term. If the vacancy is the Chair, a new Chair shall be elected by the general membership within 90 days of said vacancy.
ARTICLE VEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Definition: The Executive Committee of the Democrats With Disabilities Initiative shall consist of all Democrats With Disabilities officers
5.1 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management and coordination of the organization, reviewing and approving financial policies, and other responsibilities as provided by the general membership.
5.2 The Executive Committee may propose any changes to the Bylaws for consideration by the general membership.
5.3 The Executive Committee shall set the time, location and agenda for general membership meetings.
5.4 Only members in good standing may serve as officers.
5.5 All officers shall serve for two-year terms.
5.6 The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times in a calendar year at a time and location agreed upon. The Executive Committee shall conduct its meetings by Roberts Rules of Order (Revised).
ARTICLE VI PERMANENT COMMITTEES
6.1 The Initiative shall have the following permanent committees: Bylaws, Policy and Membership.
6.2 Each committee shall be chaired by a member of the Executive Committee, as prescribed by the Bylaws, and include other members of the Initiative. (See Article IV).
ARTICLE VII ADMINISTRATION
7.1 Staff support and office space for the organization shall be negotiated between the Executive Committee and the Colorado Democratic Party Officers.
ARTICLE VIII AUTHORITY
8.1 All power and authority not vested in the officers and the Executive Committee and/or the Permanent Committees shall be retained by the general membership.
8.2 These Bylaws incorporate and are governed by all rules and regulations of the Colorado Democratic Party.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
9.1 The membership may, with at least 30 days notice and by a two-thirds vote of those present when quorum has been established, amend the Bylaws of the organization.
ARTICLE X DEFINITIONS
10.1 Quorum: At least three officers plus one general member.