Bylaws of the Iowa Democratic Party Third Congressional District Central Committee

As amended on February 23, 2020

Article I – Title

The name of this organization is the Iowa Democratic Party Third Congressional District Central Committee, hereinafter referred to as the “Third District Central Committee” or “Committee.”

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this organization is set out in Article V of the Iowa Democratic Party Constitution.

Article III – Authority

Section 1.

If any provision herein is determined to be in conflict with the constitution or statues of the state of Iowa; or constitution, rules, and regulations of the national or Iowa Democratic Party; that provision is deemed null and void. The parliamentary authority shall be the rules contained in the most current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised” (except as stated within these Bylaws).

Section 2.

Between membership meetings, the highest authority is the Executive Board.

Section 3.

Except as otherwise provided herein, Committee expenditures shall be approved in advance by the Committee and made directly from Committee funds. The Committee may also approve expenditures in advance by Committee members to be reimbursed from Committee funds. A Committee member who needs to incur an expense on behalf of the Committee between Committee meetings must receive the prior approval of the Executive Board in order to seek reimbursement from Committee funds. The requirements of this section shall not apply to any expenses incurred in connection with the biennial district convention. The Chair, in consultation with the First Vice-Chair and Treasurer, may incur reasonable expenses in connection with the biennial district convention and be reimbursed from district funds. Reasonable expenses incurred by any Committee member in connection with the biennial district convention shall be reimbursed to the extent the Committee member has received advance approval by the Committee, Executive Board, or by the Chair and First Vice-Chair, collectively and in consultation with the Treasurer.

Article IV – Membership

Third District Central Committee membership shall consist of what is listed in Article V, section one of the Iowa Democratic Party Constitution.

Article V – Officers

Section 1.

The officers of this organization will consist of a chair person, a vice-chair person, a secretary, and a treasurer.

Section 2.

Officers will be elected at the first quarterly meeting in odd numbered years. The current officers will serve until the first quarter meeting in 2021 to accommodate this change in election times.

Section 3.

At the discretion of the Committee, additional officers may be elected.

Article VI – Executive Board

Section 1.

The Executive Board consists of the officers elected by the Committee, the Third District Committeepersons on the State Central Committee, and the Third District Affirmative Action Chair.

Section 2.

The Board duties include preparing agendas, approving expenditures as set forth herein, and planning for future events between normally scheduled meetings.

Article VII – Officer Duties

Section 1.

Chair duties shall be that of a Chief Executive Officer, being an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees, and presiding at all Committee meetings and meetings of the Executive Committee. Chair shall submit agenda to the secretary at least seven (7) days prior to all meetings.

Section 2.

The First Vice-chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in that officer’s absence. He or she shall serve as acting Chair in the event of a vacancy in the office of Chair until that vacancy is filled.

Section 3.

Secretary shall have custody of all books, records, and papers of the organization. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings and transactions. The Secretary shall be responsible for sending notices with agenda to all members by mail (postal or electronic) at least seven (7) days prior to all meetings. The Secretary shall provide to the Treasurer a written notice of all successful motions to expend central committee funds to be maintained with the Treasurer’s records. Meeting minutes referencing such successful motions shall suffice to meet this requirement.

Section 4.

Treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the Committee and present a written report of total receipts and disbursements at each regular Committee meeting. The Treasurer shall file all proper financial reports as required by law. In addition, the Treasurer shall maintain all financial records and transactions of the Committee. All Committee bank accounts shall have both the Treasurer and Chair as signatories on record.

Article VIII – Meetings

Section 1.

Meetings of the Third District Central Committee will be held at least quarterly.

Section 2.

A quorum is 20% of the total membership with at least five (5) counties represented.

Section 3.

A special meeting of the Third District Central Committee may be called by a quorum of the total membership or by the Chair. Any special meeting called requires written notice to Central Committee members at least seven (7) days before the date of the meeting.

Article IX – Standing Committees

Section 1.

Finance Committee:
(a) Shall raise funds for the Third District Central Committee in compliance with campaign Finance laws;

(b) The Treasurer shall be a permanent member of this committee.

Section 2.

Party Building Committee: shall be responsible for increasing Democratic Party membership within the district.

Section 3.

Communication Committee: shall be responsible for obtaining and disseminating Democratic Party information throughout the district.

Section 4.

Convention Planning Committee: do the initial planning and improving the biennial district convention and the biennial district workshop.

Section 5.

Rules Committee: shall be responsible for reviewing this document and proposing amendments to these bylaws.

Section 6.

Other committees may be formed as the need arises.

Section 7.

Standing committee members will be identified by self-selection at the first quarterly meeting in odd numbered years after the 3rd District Committee officers are elected. Following the election, the newly elected chair will appoint temporary standing committee chairs to lead the committees. The standing committees shall then elect a permanent chair at their next meeting.

Section 9.

Members of standing committee are not limited to members of the district central committee. They may be alternates or interested Democrats who reside in the district.

Article X – Amendments

Section 1.

Amendments to these bylaws must be presented at a regular meeting of the organization and are effective when approved by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the following meeting. Such amendment must be submitted either in editable electronic text to the rules committee at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting where it will be presented, or as a hand-written document or a photo of a document (such as a pdf) to the rules committee at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting where it will be presented. The rules committee shall submit it to the secretary of the organization. The Secretary shall review and distribute any amendments at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting.

Article XI – Ratification

These bylaws will be ratified and take effect upon approval by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a regular meeting of the organization.