BCYD Bylaws
ARTICLE I. Name
The name of this organization shall be Bell County Young Democrats, hereinafter referred to as BCYD.
ARTICLE II. Purpose
2.1 The primary purpose of this organization shall be to stimulate an active interest in the political process and to promote the involvement of young people in all aspects of the political arena in the Bell County area.
2.2 This organization shall accept political contributions and make political expenditures; educate the community; and increase political participation.
2.3 The organization will work with the local, state, and federal government to address issues concerning students, the Bell County community and the Democratic Party. While local, state, and federal governments are in session, the organization will work to address issues concerning the Bell County Young Democratic Party.
ARTICLE III. Membership
Section 1. Members. There shall be two classes of membership:
a) Voting Members.
Democrats at least thirteen (13) years of age who have not yet reached forty-one (41) years of age who live, work, are enrolled in school, or are registered to vote in Bell County, Texas are eligible for membership.
b) Non-Voting Members.
Any individual who is not eligible for voting membership may join as a non-voting member.
Section 2. Application.
An applicant for membership must submit their full name, date of birth, address [city, county, state, zip code], phone number, email address, and an indication that the member agrees to support the Democratic Party to the Secretary or their designee. Any applicant for officer positions must include their street address.
Section 3. Becoming Ineligible for Voting.
Any member who becomes ineligible for voting membership will lose their voting privileges at the time they become ineligible.
Section 4. Resignation.
Any member desiring to resign from the chapter shall present a resignation in writing or electronically to the Secretary, who shall present it to the chapter at the next regular meeting.
Section 5. Dues.
There are no dues to individuals in order to be a member of the Bell County Young Democrats. The membership year shall begin on June 15th annually.
Section 6. Renewal.
Members must submit an application each year to renew their membership. Prior-year members retain their voting status for sixty (60) days after the beginning of the new membership year.
Section 7. Removal.
Membership may be revoked due to conduct or speech that directly conflicts with the values and principles of the Bell County Young Democrats. Removal decisions require a two-thirds vote of voting members at a membership meeting for expulsion, in addition to 14 days notice.
Section 8. Non-Discrimination.
No person shall be denied membership on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion or the lack thereof, economic status, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
Section 9. Misconduct.
All members shall adhere to the BCYD Code of Conduct. Any reports of misconduct should be reported to bcydtx@proton.me. Any members that do not follow the Code of Conduct will be automatically suspended from the organization (unable to participate in meetings or events or voting) and subject to Removal.
ARTICLE IV. Officers
Section 1. Officers.
The elected officers of the chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, a Membership Director, and Communication Director. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the society. The appointed officers of the chapter shall include a Parliamentarian and other officers necessary to aid in the operation of the chapter.
Section 2. Nominations.
Nominations shall happen from the floor and will open during the April regular meeting and shall remain open until closed by the President at the May meeting. Nominations not made during a meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary.
Section 3. Election.
All elected officers shall be elected at the June regular meeting. The Newly Elected Officers terms will begin on July 1st, to allow for transition time. Officers shall serve for a term of one year.
Section 4. Appointment.
Appointed officers shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.
Section 5. Eligibility for Office.
Only voting members are eligible to run for elected office. The Parliamentarian may be a non-member.
Section 6. Removal from Office.
All elected and appointed positions of the Bell County Young Democrats may be subject to removal from office for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance of assigned duties as per these governing documents; or, for violations of the governing documents of the Texas Young Democrats; or, for committing a felony under the laws of the State of Texas or the United States of America while in office; or, for failure to maintain decorum while acting in a capacity as an officer of Bell County Young Democrats. Removal from Elected Office and appointed positions shall be done by two thirds of the Executive Board; or by two thirds of the voting members at a convened meeting, scheduled with 14 days notice. Removal by voting members will need a motion by a voting member followed by four seconds.
Section 7. Ethics Reporting.
The Treasurer is responsible for filing all required documents and reports with the Texas Ethics Commission. The Treasurer is responsible for filing all reports whose reporting periods correspond to their term. The Treasurer must also report to the membership: the cash balance of the chapter and summary of transactions since the previously held meeting. Reports by the Treasurer - including those to the TEC and to the membership - should be maintained in perpetuity in a manner accessible to the Executive Board.
Section 8. Resignations and Unfulfilled Terms.
Officers shall notify the President or Vice President of their intention to resign. Upon resignation of an Officer, the President may appoint a replacement Officer to serve until a new Officer can be elected by the general membership.
Section 9. Elections for Public Office.
Any officer that makes themselves a candidate for public office at the federal, state, county, or local level must first resign before filing their candidacy. Standard vacancy rules apply for picking their replacement.
ARTICLE V. Duties of Officers
Section 1. Duties of the President.
The President shall serve as the Chief Executive and Presiding Officer of BCYD. The President shall have the authority and duties to actualize the Bylaws and deal with the affairs of BCYD. The President shall meet monthly with the officers to oversee the progress of their respective offices and responsibilities, keep written records of the meetings to submit to the Secretary, and report on these meetings and the overall progress of the organization in monthly communications with the Executive Board. The President shall also aid the Secretary in ensuring that all documents are accessible to all appropriate members.
Section 2. Duties of the Vice President.
The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of the President’s duties and shall assume those duties in the President’s absence. The Vice President shall meet monthly with the rest of the Executive Board and oversee the progress of the organization.
Section 3. Duties of the Secretary.
The Secretary shall be responsible for the recording of accurate minutes of each Executive Board Meeting and Member Meeting and for the maintenance of all organizational records. Maintenance of records includes assuring their safe storage and their accessibility to all necessary parties, including at minimum: assuring the President has access to all records, assuring the Treasurer and has access to all financial records, ensuring the Executive Board and Membership Director have access to the membership records, and minutes and attendance rosters of all bodies within the organization, and that all members have access to the Constitution and/or Bylaws.
Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of accurate financial records BCYD with the advice of the President and Executive Board. The Treasurer shall provide monthly financial reports to the Executive Board showing any income and disbursements of BCYD Funds. The Treasurer shall do all reports for the Texas Ethics Commission (refer to Article IV, Section 7: Ethics Reporting). The Treasurer must also report to the membership: the cash balance of the chapter and summary of transactions since the previously held meeting. Reports by the Treasurer- including those to the TEC and to the membership - should be maintained in perpetuity in a manner accessible to the Executive Board.
Section 5. Duties of Membership Director.
The Membership Director shall be the main contact for possible new members. The Membership Director shall submit a monthly report about how many members are in the organization and how to continue membership growth. The Membership Director shall manage the chapter’s internal communications. This includes all platforms for contacting members and growing engagement within the Chapter.
Section 6. Communications Director.
The Communications Director shall manage the chapter’s social media and digital presence. The Communications Director is responsible for creating and posting content, promoting events, and growing engagement on all social media platforms. The Communications Director shall also take charge in the creation of the organization’s graphics and those graphics shall reflect the organization's values.
ARTICLE VI. Meetings.
Section 1. Regular Meetings.
Business meetings shall be held monthly. Regular meetings should be canceled with at least 24-hour notice, unless an emergency arises. An emergency shall be considered as one of the following: sudden illness, personal or family crisis, unavailability of key participants, or severe weather. A cancellation may be called by 1 board member with a second motion.
Section 2. Special Meetings.
Special meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Special meetings shall be called with no less than 24 hours notice.
Section 3. Electronic Meetings.
Meetings may be held by any means, including by videoconference or telephone, which allows for all members to hear and participate in all proceedings in real time. The quorum consists of those members attending the meeting.
Section 4. Quorum.
Quorum consists of at least 1/3 voting members of BCYD, with a minimum of 2 voting members who do not hold appointed or elected office in BCYD.
ARTICLE VII. Committees.
Section 1. Establishment.
Any committees shall be created by the BCYD personnel.
Section 2. Membership.
Committee membership is voluntary and open to all members.
Subsection (a). The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 3. Committee Leadership.
Committees will elect their own chairs, unless otherwise specified in a motion passed by the board.
ARTICLE VII. Executive Board.
Section 1. The Board.
The elected officers of the chapter shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. Duties of the Board.
The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings; fix the location, hour, and date of meetings; and perform such duties as are specified in these bylaws. It is subject to the orders of the chapter and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the assembly.
ARTICLE IX. Parliamentary Authority.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the chapter may adopt.
ARTICLE VIII. Expenditures.
All transactions are subject to review by the general membership and the ability to spend without approval may be revoked by a 2/3 vote of the body through the end of the term.
ARTICLE IX. Amendment.
These bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting of the chapter by a two-thirds vote, provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.