CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS OF THE CARROLL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE ARTICLE I - Authority and Purpose The Carroll County Democratic Central Committee is constituted as the governing body of the Democratic Party in Carroll County, MD under the authority of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland and shall exercise all the powers, rights and privileges granted it under the Constitution of Maryland, the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Constitution of the United States and the By-Laws of the Maryland Democratic Party. The Carroll County Democratic Central Committee (herein known as the ''Committee'') shall promote the election of nominees of the Democratic Party of Maryland. The Committee shall conduct the business, organize the activities and foster the growth of the Democratic Party in Carroll County, MD. ARTICLE II - Membership of the Committee TheCommittee shall consist of twelve (12) members elected by the Democratic voters of Carroll County in the party's gubernatorial primary. Each Committee Member shall be elected county-wide. The selected members shall consist of six(6) men and six(6) women. Persons running for a position must be a registered Democrat living within Carroll County. Members shall serve a four (4) year term and/or until their successors qualify. Vacancies shall be selected by all remaining Committee members after a fair and thorough selection process, to be determined by the Committee at the beginning of its term It shall be the duty of members to diligently attend meetings of the Committee and of the Democratic State Central Committee. Any member who misses more than three (3) consecutive County meetings shall be counseled by the Chairperson and may be asked to resign. If the Secretary determines that any Committee member has failed to meet the Committee's attendance rule, he or she shall immediately report it to the Chairperson. The member may appeal the Chair's decision and appeal that decision to the Committee as a whole. Removal of a member of the Committee must be approved by a majority vote of the Committee. Further appeal may be submitted to the Maryland State Democratic Party. Upon motion by any member at any meeting of the Committee, and approval by a majority of members present and voting, a petition to remove a member for any cause specified in Article III, Section 6 of the Maryland Democratic Party By-Laws will be sent to the Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. A member who ceases to reside in Carroll County may not continue to serve on the Committee; such member shall be considered to have resigned. ARTICLE III - Responsibilities It shall be the duty and responsibility of each member of the Committee to promote the interest of the National Democratic Party (the ''National Party'), the Maryland Democratic Party (the ‘State Party'), and the Carroll County Democratic Party. 1. The Committee shall represent the State Party within the County and perform such functions as required by the laws of the State of Maryland, the Charter and By-Laws of the National Party and the Constitution and By-Laws of the State Party. 2. The Committee shall promote the interest of the Democratic Party and its candidates over those of the opposing political parties and candidates. The Committee shall: = Present names of candidates as required by law to the Governor for appointment = Make recommendations and present names regarding various political appointments as required by law, in writing, to the Governor, Federal Officials and local officials. = Raise funds for the local Democratic Party and State Party = Cooperate with the State Party in all matters relating to the Democratic Party of Maryland = Be responsible for promoting election campaigns and all facets thereof in cooperation with the Democratic Party candidates = Support all candidates in Democratic primary elections without endorsing any one or group of candidates. = Support all Democratic candidates in general elections = Keep a current copy of its By-Laws on file with the State Party and elsewhere, as required by law. ARTICLE IV - Meetings The outgoing Committee shall schedule the first meeting of the newly elected committee, which shall be held no later than twenty (20) days after the Gubernatorial primary. This meeting shall be chaired by the outgoing Chairperson, unless the previous Chairperson was not elected to a new term, in which case the top vote getter amongst all candidates who ran for the Committee shall chair the first meeting. The first order of business shall be the election of officers for the coming year. Arrangements shall be made to transfer records if a new Treasurer and/or Secretary are elected. The Committee may request an audit of the Committee's financial records at this time. The Committee shall hold at least nine (9) regular meetings in every full calendar year. The time and place shall be determined by the Chairperson, unless otherwise agreed to by the Committee. The meeting shall be held in public at as centrally located as possible. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or by any three (3) members. Special meetings may NOT be called for the purpose of electing officers of the Committee. The general authority for the rules of procedure of the Committee shall be those contained in the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except when they conflict with the Constitution of the United States or laws of Maryland, the Constitution or By-Laws of the Maryland Democratic Party or the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules of the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee. At the Chair's discretion, a Parliamentarian may be appointed for a meeting; said Parliamentarian may be a non-member of the Central Committee. The number of members required for a quorum for the conduct of business will be fifty percent (50%) of the whole number of current members of the Committee. ARTICLE V - Officers / Nominations of Officers 1. Nominations of Officers a. There shall be elected from the membership of the Committee: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. These officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Committee to a term of two (2) years or until their successor qualify. A vacancy in any office shall be filled within two (2) months of the vacancy's occurrence. b. In August of the second year in office, the Chairperson shall appoint a Nominating Committee for Central Committee officers. It shall consist of no less than two (2) general committee members, who are not currently Officers and who shall not be nominees c. At the September meeting of the second year, the Nominating Committee will present the names of those who have agreed to run for office. Nominations may be made from the floor. d. At the October meeting of the second year, voting will take place by secret ballot. e. At the November meeting of the same year, Officers will be installed for a new term of two (2) years. 1. Duties of Officers Chair: The Chair shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Committee and shall generally supervise its activities. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Committee and shall exercise the customary powers and duties of that position. The Chair shall have the authority to create and appoint special ad hoc committees and perform such other duties as may be required by law or as may be directed by the Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party or Central Committee. Vice Chair: The Vice Chair shall serve as the acting Chair if the Chair during the absence or disability of the Chair. In the event that the office of Chairperson becomes vacant, the Vice Chair will serve as the Chair until a successor is elected and qualifies. The Vice Chair shall have such other duties as may be assigned by the Chair or the Committee. Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for recording and preserving the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee. The Secretary shall have custody of all books, papers, records and other official documents of the Committee. The Secretary shall maintain current copies of the Committee's Constitution and membership list and supply the same to the Maryland Democratic Party and Maryland State officials as necessary. The Secretary shall send out meeting announcements, generate all communications that go outside the group and shall keep a list of information on all volunteers. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies received or raised by the Committee and shall deposit those monies and other valuables in the name of the Committee in such depositories and banks within Carroll County as the Committee shall designate. The Treasurer shall not expend or disburse any money, valuables or things, or incur any liability whatsoever, except with the authority and direction of the Committee or with its prior approval in a budget. The Treasurer shall prepare and present financial reports for the regular meeting of the Committee. The Treasurer may be bonded in such amounts as may be determined by the Committee; the cost to be paid by the Committee. ARTICLE VI - Code of Ethics Members of the Committee shall be subject to the same substantive rules of ethical guidance as State public officials to assure that they shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner that reflects creditably upon the office that they serve; shall not use their office to gain special privileges and benefits; and shall refrain from action in their official capacities when their independence of judgment would be adversely affected by personal interests. ARTICLE VII - Amendments Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of the Committee by distributing written copies to all members at any regular meeting of the Committee. It may be amended by the favorable vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Committee at the next regular meeting after the amendment is proposed. These By-Laws shall become effective immediately following their adoption by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority present and voting. If approved, this document shall be filed with the Maryland State Democratic Party within ten (10) days after adoption. ADOPTED: ___ _________________ Chair: ____________________________________ Vice Chair: ________________________________ Secretary: ________________________________