Article
I: Name
Section 1: The name of this organization shall
be the Illinois Democratic Women and hereinafter referred
to as I.D.W.
Section
2: I.D.W. shall have and continually maintain within
Illinois an official address which shall be the address
of the current President, or as may be designated from
time to time by the Executive Committee.
Section
3: The fiscal year shall commence on July 1 and
end on June 30 of each following year.
Article
II: Purpose
Section 1: I.D.W. shall be a grass-roots organization
whose purpose shall be: Working for more equitable representation
and participation of Democrat women in all levels of
the Democrat Party and in all levels of government.
Section
2: I.D.W. shall work to fulfill this purpose through
educational programs and fundraising activities.
Section
3: It shall be the policy of I.D.W. to refrain from
endorsing any candidate prior to Primary elections.
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Membership in I.D.W. shall be open to
all Democrats who support the principles and purposes
of this organization.
Section
2: Membership shall be dependent upon payment of
dues as assessed by I.D.W. Board of Directors and announced
at the Annual Meeting. The dues shall apply for each
fiscal year. New members shall pay one-half years dues
if after January 1st.
Section
3: Regular local Democrat Women's Organizations
may be members of I.D.W. by paying for one membership,
affording said organization voting privileges of a single
representative member. Individuals of such organizations
may also be members by paying individual memberships.
Article
IV: Membership Privileges
Section 1: Each member shall have one vote on each
matter of business brought before I.D.W. regular meetings
and conventions.
Section
2: Eligibility to vote shall be determined by verification
of membership by Treasurer and/or Membership Chairperson.
Only members in good standing as of March 31 each year
shall be eligible to vote in election of officers at
Annual Convention. Voting shall be by ballot. Proxy
voting shall not be accepted at election of officers.
Article
V: Meetings
Section 1: There shall be an Annual business meeting
and Convention of membership held in Springfield, Illinois
on the first Friday and Saturday of May, with the Board
having the discretion to change the date as needed.
The purpose of the meeting shall include election of
Executive officers of I.D.W.
Section
2: There shall be regular meetings, one of which
shall be the Annual meeting, convened at a time and
place approved by the Executive Committee.
Section
3: Special meetings of membership may be called
on written petition of 10% of the membership with notice
of the time, place and reason for calling of the special
meeting.
Section
4: Special meetings of the Executive Committee may
be called on the written petition of two-thirds of the
Executive Committee with notice of the time, place and
reason for calling of the special meeting to all current
Executive Committee members of record fifteen days preceding
the date of the special meeting. A quorum shall be a
simple majority.
Section 5: All regular or special meetings shall
be open to all members.
Section
6: All meetings shall be conducted in accordance
with Robert's Rules of Order, Newly
Revised.
Section
7: A quorum at any regular or special meeting, for
the purpose of conducting business of I.D.W. shall consist
of one (1) executive officer, one (1) board member,
and ten (10) regular members, in the absence of a quorum,
business may be conducted as usual for the purpose of
accepting minutes of previous meetings, filing of Treasurer's
report for audit and acceptance of Committee reports.
Section
8: The Executive Committee shall have the power
to act for the Board of Directors with respect to such
matters as the Board may assign to it; but the delegation
thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the
Board of Directors, or any individual Director, of any
responsibility imposed upon them by law. Any action
required by law to be taken by an Officer or governing
body on behalf of I.D.W. shall be taken as if the action
were approved at a regular or special meeting of I.D.W.
Article
VI: Officers and Directors
Section
1: I.D.W. members in good standing and new members as of March 31 each year shall elect at the Annual business
meeting, the following Executive Officers: President,
1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer. Terms of office shall be two years. President
and 1st Vice President shall be elected in even numbered
years. 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall
be elected in odd numbered years.
Section
2: Vacancies in offices shall be filled by appointment
from the Executive Committee. Appointments shall preferably
be filled from the membership in the same Congressional
District as the vacated seat.
Section
3: The Executive Committee shall consist of President,
1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
and immediate Past President.
Section
4: The Board of Directors shall include those named
in Article VI, Section 3 and shall include Committee
Chairpersons.
Article
VII: Election of Officers
Section
1: Executive Officers shall be elected at the Annual
business meeting and shall be deemed "officers
elect" until assuming full responsibilities July
1st.
Section
2: The Secretary shall cause to be printed ballots
for casting votes. Such ballots shall state the office
to be elected and space provided for names placed in
nomination for each office.
Section
3: Parliamentarian shall appoint election judges,
with the approval of the Executive Committee, to tabulate
ballots cast.
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Article VIII: Duties and Powers of Officers Section 1: The President and 1st Vice President shall be principle Executive officers of I.D.W. and shall be responsible for administration of I.D.W. business. The President shall be ex-officio member of all standing and ad-hoc committees. The 1st Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President. The 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President shall Chair a Standing Committee of their choice.
Section 2: The Secretary shall keep an accurate and official record of I.D.W. proceedings and submit a written report of previous proceedings at the following Annual business meeting.
Section 3: The Treasurer shall receive and deposit monies and securities of I.D.W. expeditiously, and shall maintain accurate books, accounts of receipts and expenditures, and bank and credit balances. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all disbursements of funds and shall submit a written quarterly report at regular quarterly meetings and shall submit a written annual report, subject to audit, to the membership at the Annual business meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for filing all necessary financial reports with the State Board of Elections in a timely manner.
Article IX: Committees Section 1: Standing Committees shall include, but not be limited to: Training and Education; Finance and Fundraising; Campaign-Liaison; Membership; Newsletter-Public Relations; Annual convention; Senate District Coordinator; Legislative Committee and Youth Outreach.
Section 2: Standing Committee Chairpersons shall be appointed by the President upon approval of the majority of the Executive Committee except for those Standing Committees chaired by the 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President.
Section 3: Ad Hoc Committees may be established as deemed necessary. Ad Hoc Chairperson shall be appointed by the President upon approval of the majority of the Executive Committee.
Section 4: An Election Committee, consisting of five I.D.W. members, shall be appointed by the President upon approval of the Executive Committee ninety (90) days prior to election of officers at the Annual business meeting. Members of I.D.W. wishing to become candidates for office of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer (in appropriate years) must file a letter of Intention with the Election Committee forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Election Committee shall present a list of nominees based upon those Letters of Intention. The Election Committee shall also seek nominees for candidacy in those offices for which no members has submitted a Letter of Intention. Nominations for each office shall also be accepted from the floor. Voting shall be as noted in Article IV, Section 2.
Article X: Duties of Committees Section 1: Training/Education: Coordinate programs to be presented at regular meetings of I.D.W. for the purpose of educating Democrats in the function of and participation in the Democrat Party and the political process.
Section 2: Finance/Fundraising: Responsible for promoting fundraising projects for I.D.W. purposes. Present a budget to the membership at the first regular meeting of each fiscal year.
Section 3: Campaign/Liaison: Coordinate volunteers to work in campaigns of candidates who support the purposes of I.D.W. and issues endorsed by the Democrat Party. Act as liaison for I.D.W. between Democratic Party of Illinois, Democratic National Committee and the National Federation of Democratic Women. May appoint, with approval of the majority of the Executive Committee, and Chair the delegation to the N.F.D.W. Annual Convention. Maintain members resumes for submission to national and/or state boards; commissions, etc.
Section 4: Membership: Responsible for promoting membership in I.D.W. and maintaining a current membership record. All dues collected to be transmitted to Treasurer for deposit in general treasury of I.D.W.
Section 5: Newsletter and Public Relations: Responsible for publication and distribution of Partners in Politics (PIP) the official newsletter of I.D.W. Official notification of all regular meetings of I.D.W. shall be through PIP. Maintain communication with the news media of Illinois, (i.e. newspapers, radio and television). Submit I.D.W. news released to appropriate media as needed.
Section 6: Annual Convention: Responsible for coordinating all preparations for the Annual Convention of I.D.W. Establish time and place of Convention. Appoint all Chairpersons and committees necessary to complete all arrangements for the Annual Convention. Appoint and supervise a Committee to produce the Convention Ad Book.
Section 7: Senate District Coordinator: Responsible for recruiting one Senate District Chairperson for all Districts. Each Senate District Chairperson is to serve as liaison between members of their Senate District and the Board of Directors. Each Senate District Chairperson will help to coordinate publicity and fundraising within their Senate District and will assist with orgainizing state-wide meetings of I.D.W. held within their Senate District.
Section 8: Youth Outreach: Chairperson is responsible for encouragelng and promoting youth membership in I.D.W.
Section 9: Legislative Committee: Chairperson is responsible for coordinating legislative activities in Springfield and for keeping membership informed of pertinent legislative information.
Section 10: All Committees shall submit a report to the membership at each regular meeting of I.D.W. An annual report shall be submitted at the Annual business meeting. A written report shall be submitted to the President seven (7) days prior to each meeting.
Article Xl: Amendments Section 1: The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present at the Annual business meeting, provided the amendments shall be submitted to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the amendments are to be voted upon.
Section 2: Amended By-Laws shall become effective immediately upon approval.
Revised: 1984 - 1990 - 1991 - 1993 - 1995 |
