CORYELL COUNTY

TEXAS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN

 

Mission Statement

 

Texas Democratic Women was organized in 1987 as one response to the growing political interest expressed by mainstream women from across the state.  CCTDW shall promote the Democratic Party at all levels and work toward the increased political activity and influence of Democratic Women in Texas politics and government.  TDW provides statewide training conferences and workshops.  In addition the group serves as a communication network for existing Democratic women’s organizations and promotes the formation of new groups.

 

There are many organized groups which represent certain segments of Women Democrats in Texas.  Some are tied to a particular city or county in the state; others reflect particular issue agendas or ethnic groups.  Some groups attract women in a specific age category or occupation.  Of course, there are professional and career women in our party, but there are also many women who work in the home or are retired.  None of these organizations currently represent the broad range of women in our Party.  Texas Democratic Women works to unite this wonderful diversity of devoted women behind one common goal – the support of our party and the involvement of women in the political process. 

 

MEETINGS

WHEN:            Second Thursday of each month

 

WHERE:          Andy’s Restaurant

 

TIME:              Dinner – 6:00 p.m.        Meeting – 7:00 p.m.

 

(Changes in the above information will be announced at the preceding meeting and/or noted in the monthly newsletter.

 

DUES

AMOUNT:      $20.00  -  Regular       

 

PAYABLE:      January 1st of each year 

 

All membership levels include annual dues for the National Federation of Democratic Women, the Texas Democratic Women, and our local TDW chapter plus quarterly issues of the TDW newsletter, The Connection.

 

Ten dollars of the dues collected per member is sent to the state organization.  Dues paid to TDW after October 31st cover the following year January to December.

 

CONSTITUTION

 

ARTICLE I.  NAME

     This organization shall be known as CORYELL COUNTY TEXAS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN.

 

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE

     Coryell County Texas Democratic Women shall promote the increased political activity and influence of Democratic women in Texas politics and government.

 

ARTICLE III.  POLICY

     Section 1.  Coryell County Texas Democratic Women shall provide training and other support for Democrats working in party organizations, campaigns, and/or seeking party or public office.

     Section 2.  The members will work to promote increased representation of women in party and government institutions.

     Section 3.  Coryell County Texas Democratic Women shall promote legislative, executive, and judicial policies which support equitable representation of women in party and government affairs.

 

ARTICLE IV.  MEMBERSHIP

     Section 1.  Any Democrat who supports the purpose of this organization is eligible for membership.  This includes men as well as women.

     Section 2.  Members may be suspended for cause by the Executive Board, which consists of the elected officers and the Parliamentarian.  In cases of exceptional gravity a member may, by a three-fourths vote of the membership, be expelled.  Any member so expelled shall have the right to appeal to members in good standing at a meeting called by written notice to hear such appeal.  Action taken at said meeting, by a majority vote thereof, shall be final.  “For causes” means for any action by such member contrary to the purposes and policies of this organization.

 

ARTICLE V.  OFFICERS

     Section 1.  The officers of the club shall consist of a President,1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.

     Section 2.  The Nominating Committee shall be elected by the membership at the October meeting.  Its slate shall be presented at the November meeting, followed by election of officers.  Installation of officers shall be held in December.

     Section 3.  Officers shall serve for a term of one year.  In the initial beginning of the Coryell County chapter of TDW, these officers will serve two years:  President, 2nd Vice President, and Treasurer.  1st Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary will serve one year.  Thus, setting the precedent that one half the officers will be elected every year. 

     Section 4.  In the event an officer resigns, the Executive Board shall fill the vacancy.

     Section 5.  Multiple nominees for a office will result in a signed ballot. 

 

 

ARTICLE VI.  MEETINGS

     This organization shall meet monthly at the pre-designated time and place.

 

ARTICLE VII.  DUES

     Membership dues will be established in the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VIII.  AMENDMENTS

     Section 1.  Amendments to the Constitution and the By-laws may be proposed upon petition of not less than five (5) members, and not less than thirty (30) days thereafter may be ratified if concurred with by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds vote of the members present, amendments having been read at the preceding meeting.

     Section 2.  Standing Rules and special rules may be amended or rescinded at any meeting by two-thirds vote of the members in good standing present at a regular meeting, or at a meeting called by written notice stating the purpose for which the special meeting is called.

 

STANDING RULES

 

I.  EXPENDITURES

     The Coryell County Texas Democratic Women shall not be obligated for any expense exceeding $100 without prior approval of the Executive Board.

 

II.  SOLICITATION FOR FUNDS

     No funds may be solicited from members for any organization other than the Texas Democratic Party or any of its components during a meeting.

 

III.  Gifts

     Monies may be used from the Treasury for a memorial or honorarium for a guest speaker.  In-county speakers may be paid $25.00; out-of-county speakers may be paid $50.00.

 

BY-LAWS

 

ARTICLE I.  OFFICERS

     Section 1.  The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committee chairs and make appointments for any vacancies that may arise on the Executive Board and established committees.  The President shall perform all duties pertaining to the office and insist all rules be enforced. 

     Section 2.  The 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence and shall be in charge of program planning.

     Section 3.  The 2nd Vice President shall perform the duties of the 1st Vice President in the absence of the 1st Vice President and shall be in charge of special events including fundraising.

     Section 4.  The Recording Secretary shall correctly record the facts of each meeting.   

     Section 5.  The Corresponding Secretary shall execute all correspondence as directed by the President, and shall read to the members at regular meetings all correspondence received by the organization.

     Section 6.  The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the organization and disburse same for its business on order of the President upon prior approval by the Executive Board.  No funds shall be disbursed without such approval.  The Treasurer shall keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and report at each meeting, and shall be responsible for maintaining the current membership roster.  The Treasurer and the President shall establish a checking account at a federally insured banking institution on which there shall be two signatures:  the President and the Treasurer.  Both President and Treasurer shall sign an authorized check.

     Section 7.  The Parliamentarian, appointed by the President, shall rule when requested to do so by the President, using the current Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised as a basic standard on questions not covered in the Constitution and By-Laws of this organization.

     Section 8.  The Executive Board shall consist of the six elected officers and the Parliamentarian.

     Section 9.  The Board of Directors shall be the elected officers and the committee chairs.

 

ARTICLE II.  COMMITTEES

     Section 1.  There shall be eight Standing Committees:  Publicity, Fundraising, Telephone, Legislative Issues, Scholarship, Yearbook, Historian, and Membership.

     Section 2.  The President shall appoint the chairman of each committee and chairman in turn will appoint committee members as needed.  All appointments are subject to ratification by the Executive Board.

     Section 3.  Ad Hoc committees shall be designated by the Executive Board as is necessary to carry out the work of the organization.

     Section 4.  The President shall serve as an officio member of each committee, except the Nomination Committee.

     Section 5.  Each committee chair shall submit a written report to the President prior to the meeting at which the report is to be presented.

     Section 6.  The Publicity Chairman shall submit a final draft to the President prior to the release of any communication for publication in local newspapers including preparation of the monthly newsletter. 

 

ARTICLE III.  DUES

     Section 1.  Members of the Coryell County Texas Democratic Women shall pay a minimum of $20.00 annual dues.  Only those members who have paid their dues are in good standing and eligible to vote and will be listed in the Yearbook.

     Section 2.  Dues are payable December1st and must be paid no later than December 31st. 

 

                                                                                                            October 18, 2007