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DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF NEW MEXICO BY-LAWS (Revised 1999) |
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ARTICLE I. NAME |
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The name of this organization is DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF NEW MEXICO, herein referred to as the DWNM, is established as a not for profit political organization under the laws of the state of New Mexico. |
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ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES |
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Section 1. Objectives - The objectives of DWNM are: |
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A. To inform and educate the membership on issues and activities vital to the Democratic Party and to support said activities for the fulfillment of same. |
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B. To support the Democratic Party and to work for the election of the Democratic Party candidates in General Elections. Individual members are encouraged to actively support the candidates of their choice in Primary Elections. |
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C. To lend stability and continuity to the Democratic Party of New Mexico. |
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D. To promote opportunities for training for the membership and to encourage a strong local and statewide Democratic Women of New Mexico organization. |
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E. To encourage Democratic women to become involved in the political process at county, state and national level. |
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Section 2. Prohibitions- |
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A. DWNM will not: 1. Endorse candidates during Primary Elections. 2. Stage candidate debates during Primary Elections 3. Permit the use of its name or logo in any advertisement or written paraphernalia without prior written consent of the Executive Board 4. Support candidates of an opposing party. |
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B. Officers may not use their office or title to advance the cause of any individual candidate in Primary Elections. |
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ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP |
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Section 1. Membership Eligibility A. Local Organizations of Democratic Women whose members are in good standing with DWNM and whose By-Laws and membership lists are filed with DWNM President at least sixty (60) days prior to any general meeting. |
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(09/99) |
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Pagel |
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(09/99) |
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Current county By-Laws must be re-filed with the DWNM when by-laws revisions are made by County organizations. |
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B. Individual members that are registered Democrats and that reside within a community where a county organization of Democratic Women does not exist may join DWNM on an individual basis. |
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Section 2. Members in Good Standing |
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A. A member in good standing is one who conducts him or herself in accordance with the By-laws of DWNM and whose dues are paid as stated in Article IV. Dues |
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Section 3. Honorary Members - |
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A. An individual who has rendered honorary service to DWNM and who has had honorary membership conferred upon him/her by DWNM, An honorary member my not vote or hold office unless he/she is a member in good standing of DWNM. Nominations for honorary membership shall be made in writing by a member in good standing and submitted to the Executive Board for approval. |
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ARTICLE IV. DUES |
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Section 1. Assessment and Payment |
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A. Annual dues of DWNM members are determined by the Executive Board and changes may be presented for approval at the next general meeting. |
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Section 2. Due Date |
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A. Dues must be received by the DWNM Treasurer in January. New member dues must be paid at least thirty (30) day prior to any meeting in order for that member to be in good standing. New member dues paid after the Fall meeting are applied to the following membership year. |
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ARTICLE V. MEETINGS AND QUORUM |
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Section 1. General Meetings A. DWNM shall hold (2) general meetings each year for the purpose of conducting regular business. One meeting (convention) shall be held in the Spring and one in the Fall of each year with election of officers held at the fall meeting. B. The exact date and location for the general meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board and the host organization. C. Meetings shall consist of a business session, a program, and/or workshops. |
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(09/99) |
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Section 2. Special Meetings A. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the members of the Executive Board upon thirty (30) days written notice prior to the meeting setting forth the time, date, place and purpose of the meeting. Section 3. Quorum |
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A. The presence of fifteen (15) members in good standing, including officers, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting of DWNM. |
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Section 4. Notification A. Thirty days prior to a meeting, all members in good standing shall be notified in writing of the date, time place and/or purpose of said meeting. In odd numbered years the written report of the Nomination Committee shall be included. |
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Section 5. Financial Responsibilities A. DWNM shall assume financial responsibility of the postage and printing of any meeting notifications. B. The host local county shall assume complete financial responsibility of the general meetings (convention). Section 6. Fiscal Year A. DWNM fiscal year shall be January 1 st through December 31 st . Section 7. Voting A. Each member in good standing who has been certified by the Credentials Committee shall have one vote at any meeting, in the conduct of DWNM business. He or she must be present at the meeting as proxies will not be accepted. Section 8. Order of Business A. The order of business for all DWNM meetings is: 1. Call to order 2. Report of the Credentials Committee 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting 4. Treasurer's Report 5. Corresponding Secretary Report 6. Executive Committee or Board of Directors Report 7. Standing Committee Reports 8. Special Committee Reports 9. Unfinished Business 10. New Business 11. Announcements 12. Adjournment |
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Section 9. Minutes --- |
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A. Minutes of the meetings shall be taken by the Recording Secretary and shall include a minimum of: 1. Date, time and location of meeting 2. Credentials Committee Report 3. Committee Reports 4. Motions, seconds and action or vote. 5. Verbatim statements at request of a member action, directed by the membership. 6. Time of adjournment. B. Minutes of a general meeting shall be distributed to the Executive Board within Thirty (30) days. |
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ARTICLE VI. GOVERNMENT |
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Section 1. Elected Officers -- A. DWNM elected officers are: 1. President 2. Vice-President 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Three Regional Vice-Chairs representing each of the Congressional Districts Section 2. Appointed Positions - A. The President shall appoint a Corresponding Secretary, Parliamentarian and Historian. |
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Section 3. Executive Committee - A. The DWNM Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers and may when necessary, act for DWNM. The presence of five (5) members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. B. The Executive Committee has supervision of and control of the disbursement of DWNM funds and reimbursements will not be issued to any individual or committee without prior approval of the Committee. Section 4. Executive Board -- A. Members: 1. The Executive Board of DWNM shall consist of the Executive Committee, the Immediate Past President, the Chair of each of the Standing Committees, and current presidents of local organizations of Democratic Women of New Mexico. 2. The Appointed Officers of DWNM shall serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Board. |
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(9/99) |
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Psge4 |
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3. Regular meetings of the Executive Board of DWNM may be held quarterly at the discretion of the President; special meetings of the Executive Board may be called upon request of four (4) members of the Board. |
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4. Quorum - Any nine (9) members present at a meeting of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. |
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5. Executive Board Duties: - The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of DWNM in the interim of general meetings. It is subject to the orders of DWNM, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by DWNM. |
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ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS |