ByLaws
BYLAWS
OF THE
ROCKDALE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
ARTICLE I. NAME, PURPOSE, AND FUNCTION
A. NAME
This organization shall be known and referred to as the Rockdale County Republican Party.
B. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Rockdale County Republican Party shall be to develop, foster, advance, and perpetuate the principles of the Republican Party, to support and otherwise do all within its power to insure the election of all Republican nominees for public office whose name appears on the general election and any special election or other regular election ballots in Rockdale County.
C. FUNCTION
The Rockdale Republican Party, consisting of its members shall serve as the central and unified authority and representative body of the Republican platform and policies within Rockdale County. It shall function to develop, implement, encourage, educate and create Republican principles within Rockdale County and it shall strive to recruit and elect qualified Republican candidates to every available public office.
ARTICLE II – PARTY MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership in the party shall be open to all legal and qualified registered voters residing within Rockdale County who subscribe to the principles of the Republican Party.
B. A member in good standing shall be a dues paying member who has actively volunteered in at least 10 hours of official Rockdale Republican Party activities including meetings, fund raisings, and campaigning, excluding any called conventions and non-Republican campaigning. Members not meeting this criteria will be reviewed by Board for eligibility.
C. Non residents of Rockdale County that subscribe to the principles of the Republican Party can be a non-resident member of the Rockdale Republican Party.
ARTICLE III – ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY COMMITTEE
A. PURPOSE
The Rockdale County Committee shall be the governing body (except while the Rockdale County Convention of the Rockdale Republican Party is in session) of the Rockdale Republican Party, which is a political organization and political party as defined by Georgia law. The Rockdale County Committee shall, in the interim between County Conventions, be vested with all duties, power, and privileges possessed by the County Convention and shall act for the Rockdale County Republican Party.
B MEMBERSHIP
The County Committee shall be the governing body of the Rockdale County Republican Party. Members shall be members in good standing and shall consist of:
1. County Chairman
2. 1st Vice Chairman
3. 2nd Vice Chairman
4. Vice Chairman of Events
5. Vice Chairman of Fundraising
6. Secretary
7. Assistant Secretary
8. Treasurer
9. Assistant Treasurer
10. Parliamentarian
11. Immediate Past Chairman
12. The Republican Member of the County Board of Elections and
Voter Registration
13. All members of District Committees and the State Committee who reside in Rockdale County
14. President of the Young Republicans Club of Rockdale County
15. The Chairman of each of the eighteen (18) county precincts
16. All elected Republicans residing in the County
17. General Counsel
18. Such members-at-large as are nominated by the Chairman and approved by a majority of the County Committee who serve as Committee Chairman.
C. VOTING PRIVILEGES
All members of the County Committee shall be voting members, except the General Counsel, the Parliamentarian, the Immediate Past Chairman, and all elected Republicans residing in the County.
D. QUORUM
A Quorum for the transaction of business for the Rockdale County Committee shall constitute presence in person or by a proxy fifty (50) percent of the voting members of the County Committee.
E. PROXIES
No member shall vote more than two individual proxies at any single County Committee meeting. Each member shall be responsible for submitting his/her own proxy to the representative of his choice. A committee member’s proxy shall be revoked by said member upon his attendance at the committee meeting for which it was given. All proxies must be submitted to the Secretary prior to or during roll call of committee meetings.
F. DUTIES
1. COUNTY COMMITTEE
The County Committee has the duty to enhance the prestige and reputation and to build the voting and financial strength of the Rockdale County Republican Party. The County Committee shall be responsible for filling officer vacancies.
2. CHAIRMAN
a. The Chairman shall be the chief executive of the Rockdale County Republican Party.
b. The Chairman shall be the spokesman for the Rockdale County Republican Party and for the County Committee and it shall be his/her duty to communicate directly with the news media. In performing this function, the Chairman may delegate this responsibility and may appoint at his/her discretion a Publicity Chairman.
c. The Chairman shall be the presiding officer at each meeting of the County Committee, and shall issue the call for and preside at each county convention unless replaced by a temporary convention chairman, and shall appoint such sergeants at arms as may be necessary to maintain order.
d. The Chairman shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the County Committee, such standing committees as deemed appropriate.
e. The Chairman shall exercise all the duties, responsibilities and powers delegated by these rules, and such other duties, responsibilities and powers consistent with these rules, and such other duties, which the County Committee may assign the Chairman.
f. Consistent with applicable law, the Chairman shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the County Committee, the Republican member of the Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration.
g. The Chairman may appoint, with the advice and consent of the County Committee, a Historian whose duty it shall be to keep a record of the activities of the Rockdale County Republican Party.
h. The County Chairman may at his/her discretion appoint a Chaplain to serve without vote.
i. The Chairman may authorize expenditure of $200.00 without prior authorization from the Executive Board.
j. Chairman shall appoint house committee to prepare facilities to all County meetings.
3. FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN
The First Vice Chairman shall coordinate the efforts of the Rockdale County Republican party in supporting all opposed Republican candidates in General Elections and shall be responsible for coordinating the activities of the precincts in conjunction with the precinct chairman, as the county Chairman may direct.
4. SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN
The Second Vice Chairman shall be responsible for party organization and membership growth, and otherwise serve the County Chairman as directed.
The Second Vice Chairman shall direct the activities of the Precinct chairs and coordinate information gathered by the Third Vice Chairman’s activities except during campaign efforts.
5. VICE CHAIRMAN OF EVENTS
The Vice Chairman of Events shall work with the Chairman to provide internal and external notification of events and county functions and shall coordinate the efforts of the Rockdale County Republican Party in special events to support Republican candidates and elected officials, to further the goals of the Party and raise funds for the Rockdale County Republican Party and otherwise serve at the direction of the County Chairman.
6. VICE CHAIRMAN OF FUNDRAISING
The Vice Chairman of Fundraising shall work with the Chairman to further the goals of the party and raise funds for the Rockdale County Republican party and otherwise serve at the direction f the County Chairman.
7. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall be the official record keeper of the Rockdale County Republican Party and shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the County Committee and the Executive Board and shall keep an accurate attendance Record at County Committee meetings and Executive Board Meetings. The Secretary shall be the custodian of party records except the Treasurers books. The Secretary will call the role when it is required and shall be responsible for personal correspondence such as, but not limited to, expression of gratitude, concern, condolence and congratulations and other duties the Chairman may assign.
8. ASSISTANT SECRETARY
The Assistant Secretary shall assist the secretary in the performance of his/her duties listed above and shall perform such other duties as the Chairman may designate.
Assistant Secretary shall generate and maintain all databases used by authorized members of the party. Databases including email distribution list, voter information, and any other information gathered by any officer of the party.
9. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the Rockdale County Republican Party and of the County Committee. The Treasurer shall account for the same by regular monthly statements, shall supervise the preparation and execution of the budget, shall furnish a report to the Chairman, of those members whose dues are delinquent and shall perform such other duties as the Chairman may designate.
10. ASSISTANT TREASURER
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of his/her duties listed above and shall perform such other duties as the Chairman may designate.
11. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
The Immediate Past Chairman shall conduct new member orientation meetings when necessary and shall perform such other duties as the Chairman may designate.
G. ABSENCE OF THE CHAIRMAN
In the absence of the Chairman, at any regular or called meeting of the County Committee or the Executive Board, the presiding officer shall be determined by the following line of succession: the First Vice Chairman, the Second Vice Chairman, the Third Vice Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Treasurer.
H. MEETINGS
1. At the call of the County Chairman, the County Committee shall hold a minimum of two (2) meetings annually. The County Chairman shall determine the specific time and date of said meetings. Additional County Committee meetings may be called by the County Chairman, or upon written notice requesting a meeting, presented to the Secretary by one-third (1/3) of the members of the County Committee.
2. All committee meeting notices shall be in writing and delivered by facsimile, e-mail, or U. S. Postal Service. The notice shall designate the time and place of said meeting and shall be sent by the Secretary not less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
3. Place designated by notice of said meeting. The place may also be an audio/video/teleconferencing means where such place will be the information given to members that provides access to the electronic meeting.
I. TERM OF OFFICE
The officers and members of the County Committee shall be elected by the County Convention. Their term of office shall begin upon adjournment of the County Convention except for officers and members elected between conventions to fill vacancies, in which case the term shall begin at time of election. All terms of office shall extend until the convening of the next odd year County Convention unless sooner removed in accordance with these rules.
J. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
1. Any member of the county committee may be removed from the County Committee for cause by fifty percent plus one (50%+one) of the other members of the County Committee at any duly called meeting of the County Committee. However, such individuals must be given written notice of such meeting, sent at least ten (10) days in advance thereof, setting forth the grounds and such individual must be given the opportunity to be present, and to be heard in person and/or by any representative of his choice. “Cause” as used herein shall include:
a. Failure to perform duties of his office,
b. Failure to participate in the affairs of the Party,
c. Conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Party,
2. All Members of the Executive Board are expected to support the official qualified candidates of the Republican Party in all contested general elections and non-contested Republican Party elections, except as identified herein. Public support of any candidate in opposition to the official Republican candidate in a general election by an elected officer shall constitute conduct detrimental to the best interests of the party, except as identified herein. Should seventy-five (75%) percent of Executive Committee agree, then the Rule shall be suspended.
3. Neither the Chairman nor the Vice Chairmen shall publicly support any candidates during a contested primary. Vice Chairmen may support any Republican Presidential candidate of his/her choice provided that neither that officer’s title nor party resources may be used in conjunction with any campaign media.
4. Any other such causes as may be determined by the Executive Board.
K. VACANCIES
Any vacancies caused by death, resignation, suspension, continued failure to perform or termination of residence with the County, shall be filled by the County Chairman, pending approval by the County Committee. The Chairman or Acting Chairman shall call a meeting within thirty (30) days of the County Committee to fill vacancy. Notice of the called meeting shall be in writing and delivered by facsimile, e-mail, or U.S. Postal Service no less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE IV – ORGANIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. MEMBERSHIP
The Executive Board shall consist of the following County Committee Officers:
1. Chairman
2. 1st Vice Chairman
3. 2nd Vice Chairman
4. Vice Chairman of Events
5. Vice Chairman of Fundraising
6. Secretary
7. Assistant Secretary
8. Treasurer
9. Assistant Treasurer
10. Parliamentarian
11. Immediate Past Chairman
12. The Republican Member of the County Board of Elections and
Voter Registration
13. General Counsel
14. President of the Young Republicans Club of Rockdale County
B. VOTING
All members, excluding General Counsel, Immediate Past Chairman, and the Parliamentarian, shall be voting members of the Executive Board.
C. DUTIES
a. The Executive Board of the Rockdale County Republican Party shall have the duty, responsibility, power and authority to conduct the affairs of the Rockdale County Republican Party between meetings of the County Committee.
b. In accordance of the State Call, the Executive Board shall implement County Conventions and Mass Meetings, shall fix a place for holding same, and shall make arrangements.
c. The Executive Board shall have the authority to allocate and to contribute funds of the Rockdale County Republican Party to the official campaign funds of Republican Party nominees.
d. The Executive Board or County Chairman may authorize and obtain an audit of the books of Rockdale County Republican Party at least once each year.
e. The Executive Board shall approve the County Chairman’s appointment of a General Council and the Parliamentarian. These positions may be filled by one individual provided the person can meet the requirements.
D. MEETINGS
1. The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the Chairman, or upon written notice requesting a meeting to the Secretary by 1/3 of the members of the Executive Board.
2. All notices shall be in writing and delivered by facsimile, e-mail or U.S. Postal. The notice shall designate time and place of said meeting and shall be sent by the Secretary not less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
3. An emergency meeting of the Executive Board may be called without the ten (10) day notice if approval is given by at least fifty (50) percent of the Executive Board over the phone. The request for an emergency meeting must include the time, place and the date of said meeting.
4. Place designated by notice of said meeting. The place may also be an audio/video/teleconferencing means where such place will be the information given to members that provides access to the electronic meeting.
E. QUORUM
Present in person or by proxy of fifty (50) percent of the voting members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Board.
F. TERM OF OFFICE
The officers and members of the County Committee shall be elected by the County Convention. Their term of office shall begin upon adjournment of the County Convention except for officers and members elected between conventions to fill vacancies, in which case the term shall begin at time of election. All terms of office shall extend until the convening of the next odd year County Convention unless sooner removed in accordance with these rules.
G. SUSPENSION
Any member of the Executive Board who qualifies to run in a contested primary for a public office shall be suspended from the Executive Board until completion of the election cycle. If elected, then the member will be deemed to have resigned from said Executive Board.
ARTICLE V – COUNTY CONVENTIONS AND MASS MEETINGS
A. MEETING DATES
Pursuant to an official call of the Georgia Republican State Committee, County Conventions and Precinct Mass Meetings shall be held in each odd-numbered year to conduct business including, but not limited to, electing party leadership. Subject to a call from the Georgia Republican State Committee, additional County Conventions and Precinct Mass Meetings shall be held each presidential election year to conduct business including, but not limited to, electing Delegates and Alternate Delegates to District State Republican Conventions.
B. ELECTION OF DELEGATES
Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the County Conventions shall be elected at Mass Meetings held in accordance with the Call of the Georgia Republican State Committee. In conformity with the Rules of the Georgia Republican Party only Delegates and Alternate Delegates elected at a Precinct Mass Meeting may participate in a County Convention.
C. COMMITTEES IN SESSION
No official business may be transacted at any Convention and Mass Meeting while any of its temporary or permanent committees are in session.
D, RULES OF ORDER
Robert’s Rules of Order Shall govern all deliberations of County Conventions and Precinct Mass Meetings, and their respective committees, except to the extent that they are modified by the Georgia Republican State Committee, by these Rules or by a majority vote of said Convention, Mass Meetings or committee in session, a quorum being present.
E. DISTRIBUTION OF RESOLUTIONS
The following shall be used as a procedure for all submitted resolutions to the Rules and Resolutions committee.
Resolutions that are submitted to the Committee on Rules and Resolutions during county conventions will be ranked by said committee for the following criteria:
A resolution that pertains only to the sentiments of the Rockdale County Republican Party shall be marked as “County”.
A resolution that pertains to a Congressional District that draws upon Rockdale County for qualified delegates to its District Convention shall be marked as “District”.
- A resolution that pertains to the State of Georgia shall be marked as “State”.
- Resolutions shall have one, two or all three marks as described in A, B, or C.
- Upon passage of any resolution at County Convention, the mark shall be used to send a copy as a submitted resolution to the appropriate Rules and Resolutions Committee automatically. Resolutions marked solely as “County” shall have no further distribution.
ARTICLE VI – ALLOCATION OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES TO THE CONGRESSIONAL CONVENTIONS AND TO THE GEORGIA STATE CONVENTION
A. Delegates and Alternate Delegates allocated to Rockdale County for the Congressional District(s) and the Georgia Sate Republican Conventions shall be elected at the County Convention.
- District and State Delegates and Alternate Delegates, shall be allocated to and elected from the Congressional District(s) in the same proportion as their respective vote for the Republican presidential candidate in the immediate preceding presidential election.
ARTICLE VI CANDIDATES
The County Committee shall not qualify any person to enter any Republican Primary Election in Rockdale County conducted for the purpose of nominating candidates for public office, unless that person shall first make an affidavit, under oath or affirmation, that he or she is duly qualified under the laws of Georgia to hold such office, is a dues paid Rockdale County Republican Party member, and that he/she affirms allegiance to the Republican Party by signing the following oath: I do hereby swear (or affirm) my allegiance to the Republican Party.
ARTICLE VIII – CONFLICT OF RULES
To the extent that any rule herein, or section thereof, is or becomes in conflict with the rules of the Georgia Republican Party or the Georgia Election Code, such rule or section thereof is superseded thereby and void, and the remainder of these Rules shall not be affected.
ARTICLE IX – DEFINITION OF PARLIAMENTARY TERMS
A. MAJORITY
More than half of the votes cast.
B. QUORUM
The specified number of members required to hold a legal meeting.
C. TWO-THIRDS
Two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast.
D. MAN
The term “man”, as used in Chairman or vice Chairman, and the term “he”, as used in he, his, or him, does not indicate the sex of the holder of the office.
- NOTICE
All notices will either be given in written form and shall be mailed or can be in
the form of facsimile or email.
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS
A. These Rules may be amended in following ways:
1. At any County Convention of the Rockdale County Republican Party by a majority vote of those present.
2. At any County Committee meeting of the Rockdale County Republican Party by a seventy-five (75%) percent vote, a quorum being present. Each member of the County Committee shall be given written notice, at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, setting forth the intention to amend the rules, and details of the proposed amendment(s).
B. Said amendment(s) shall become effective when adopted and recorded with the Board of Elections unless otherwise provided.
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