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The purpose of the African American Caucus shall be to seek full representation of African Americans at all levels and in all activities of the Wake County Democratic Party.
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AAC-NCDP Constitution and Bylaws
AAC-WCDP By-Laws
Approved on February 26, 2008, for submission to AAC-NCDP
Article I – Name
The name of the Organization shall be “The African American Caucus-Wake County Democratic Party (AAC-WCDP).”
Article II – Affiliation
The AAC-WCDP, chartered by the African American Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party (AAC-NCDP), is an integral part of the North Carolina Democratic Party and Wake County Democratic Party and shall be influenced and guided by the platform and policies of the Democratic Party on the county, state and national levels.
Article III – Objectives and Policy
Section 1. Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the AAC-WCDP shall be to seek full representation of African Americans at all levels and in all activities of the Democratic Party. This shall include, but not be limited to the following objectives:
• To support the Democratic Party at all levels.
• To ensure that issues of concern to the African American community are made known to the Democratic Party and that Democratic Party positions on those issues are communicated to the African American community.
• To take appropriate public stands on issues relevant to the African American community.
• To encourage African Americans to seek public office and participate in delegate selection and committee processes at all levels of the Democratic Party, conventions and organizations.
• To work with the Wake County Democratic Party Executive Committee to strengthen the Wake County Democratic Party.
• To promote political and civic participation by all African Americans.
• To work for the election of Democratic Party candidates.
• To initiate and carry out programs and projects on behalf of the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates.
Section 1a. Vision
To create an African American Caucus membership of dynamic, progressive and visionary registered Democrats. To create a growing youth movement of young Democrats, all committed to: (1) helping advance African Americans in labor, community leadership, and entrepreneurship, and (2) fostering the ideals and values of the Democratic Party.
Section 1b. Mission / Goals
The AAC-WCDP has six primary missions / goals:
• Increase membership and participation in the AAC-WCDP.
• Identify and recruit qualified African American candidates to run for elected and/or fill appointed positions.
• Train African American candidates running for office.
• Support candidates running for office.
• Serve as a liaison between the African American community and Wake County Democratic Party Executive Committee and Wake County legislators.
• Provide education and informational forums for Wake County citizens.
These goals are accomplished by:
• Raising money.
• Organizing events that raise political awareness, cultivate new members, and provide a venue to discuss issues.
• Keeping our membership appraised of the political happenings within the Democratic Party and the community.
• Members will also receive regular email updates, talking points on key issues, action alerts and news updated on issues that matter to AAC-WCDP members.
Section 2. Policy
The AAC-WCDP shall not publicly endorse or support the candidacy of any person for any public office that is not the Democratic Party nominee or appointee.
Section 3. Officer Candidacy
In the event an Officer of the AAC-WCDP elects to run for public office, said individual shall step down from his or her position upon formal announcement of their candidacy.
All Officer Positions except the President and Vice President positions if they become vacant during the term of office may be filled by the AAC-WCDP President by appointment with a majority vote of the Executive Committee present and voting and will serve out the term of that vacated office.
If the President or Vice President positions become vacant during the term of office the positions may be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee present and voting and will serve out the term of that vacated office.
Vacant positions shall be filled within 30 days.
Section 3a. Executive Board
The AAC-WCDP Executive Board shall be comprised of all Officers of the AAC-WCDP.
All members of the AAC-WCDP Executive Board shall be required to attend all meetings in addition to all special called meetings during the year. (Exceptions may be granted on per person basis)
Section 3b. Removal
1- Any Officer or Committee Chair of the AAC-WCDP may be removed in accordance with Article XIII of the AAC-WCDP By-Laws.
2- Three consecutive absences from any meetings by any Officer or Committee Chair of the AAC-WCDP may result in their removal from that position. Upon three consecutive absences, the Secretary may send a termination letter informing said Officer or Committee Chair that he or she is in violation of the AAC-WCDP By-Laws and is subject to removal from office.
3- Failure to discharge your duties of office or committee chair shall be deemed a violation of these By-Laws and may subject said Officer or Committee Chair to removal from said position.
4- All Officer Positions except the President and Vice President positions if they become vacant during the term of office may be filled by the AAC-WCDP President by appointment with a majority vote of the Executive Committee present and voting and will serve out the term of that vacated office.
5- If the President or Vice President positions become vacant during the term of office the positions may be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee present and voting and will serve out the term of that vacated office.
Vacant positions shall be filled within 30 days.
Article IV – Membership
General Membership
Any African American, who is a registered Democrat in North Carolina as defined by the North Carolina Democratic Party Plan of Organization who pledges to the principles of the Democratic Party and will work for the election of Democratic Candidates through the AAC-WCDP and seek full representation of African Americans at all levels and in all activities of the Democratic Party, shall be eligible to hold a position in the AAC-WCDP.
a. Associate Membership
Any non-African American, who is a registered Democrat as defined by the North Carolina Democratic Party Plan of Organization who pledges to the principles of the Democratic Party and will pledge to help obtain full representation of African Americans at all levels and in all activities of the Democratic Party, through the AAC-WCDP and the AAC-NCDP, shall be eligible for an Associate Membership with the AAC-WCDP.
As an Associate Member of the AAC-WCDP, the Associate Member can serve on any committee appointed by the AAC-WCDP President but will not be eligible to serve as an AAC-WCDP Officer or Committee Chair and will not have a vote in any matters pertaining to the AAC-WCDP.
b. Dues
General Membership Dues shall be set at $25.00 per year. The dues period runs from the 1st day of January through the 31th of December. Membership dues are owed on the 1st day of January. Dues must be submitted at the same time as when the membership application is submitted.
New members who submit their application and dues in November or December will have their dues applied to the next calendar year even though their memberships will become effective immediately.
Associate Membership Dues shall be one-half of the General Membership Dues, also due on the 1st day of January.
Article V – Organization
Minimum Membership
The AAC-WCDP must have a minimum of five (5) members to maintain its charter from the AAC-NCDP.
By-Laws & Constitution
The AAC-WCDP will adopt By-Laws to maintain its charter from the AAC-NCDP.
The AAC-WCDP herein adopts and will be governed by the AAC-NCDP Constitution.
Article VI – Officers
Section 1. Officers
The elected Officers of the AAC-WCDP shall be:
1. President
2. Vice President
5. Treasurer
6. Assistant Treasurer
7. Secretary
8. Assistant Secretary
9. Parliamentarian
No person can serve as an Officer of the AAC-WCDP unless he or she is a general member of the AAC-WCDP.
No Officer of the AAC-WCDP Executive Board can hold more than one AAC-WCDP Executive Board position during the same term during his or her tenure.
At least one of the above Officers shall be at least under thirty-six (36) years of age at the time of the election.
Section 2. Elections & Appointments
Officers shall be elected by the membership biennially in odd number years at a time and place determined by the AAC-WCDP Executive Committee. They may succeed themselves but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
Section 3. Nominations
Nominations shall be accepted from the floor.
Section 4. Committee Chairs
• Committee Chairs shall be appointed by the President and serve for a term of two years.
• Committee Chairs may be reappointed but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
• No person can serve as a Committee Chair of the AAC-WCDP unless he or she is a general member of the AAC-WCDP.
Article VII – Duties of the ACC- WCDP Executive Board (Officers)
Section 1. President
• The President shall call and preside at all meetings of the AAC-WCDP.
• The President will appoint members of all Committees, may call special meetings for any committee, and shall be the ex-officio voting member of all committees.
• The President is the chief spokesperson for the organization. All correspondence including, but not limited to e-mails, phone call, faxes and minutes that is sent out shall be coordinated through his or her office.
• The North Carolina Democratic Party Plan of Organization and/or Robert’s Rules of Order will govern the President and organization if the AAC-NCDP Constitution or AAC-WCDP By-Laws does not specifically addresses any questions which may arise.
• The President should establish a permanent mailing address for the AAC-WCDP.
• The President and AAC-WCDP Executive Committee shall have general supervision of all affairs of the AAC-WCDP and shall cooperate fully with the Wake County Democratic Party Executive Committee.
Section 2. Vice President
The Vice President shall serve as an aide to the President. The Vice President shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President or upon request of the President. If for any reason a vacancy should occur in the office of the President, the Vice President shall assume the office until the next regular election.
Section 5. Treasurer.
• The Treasurer shall be responsible for receipts and disbursements of all funds, shall make a full financial report at each meeting of the Executive Board or Executive Committee and at each regular meeting of the general membership and shall make such interim or annual reports as the President may direct.
• The Treasurer shall be responsible for preparing the annual budget for presentation to the AAC-WCDP Executive Committee and to the general membership.
• The Treasurer shall produce the books for inspection upon demand by the President and or the AAC-WCDP Executive Board or Executive Committee.
• The Treasurer shall provide a year-end report to the AAC-WCDP.
• The Treasurer shall also work closely with the Secretary and Assistant Secretary.
• The Treasurer shall perform all tasks assigned by the President.
Section 6. Assistant Treasurer
• The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in all duties upon request of the Treasurer.
• The Assistant Treasurer shall also work closely with the Secretary and Assistant Secretary.
• The Assistant Treasurer shall serve in the absence of the Treasurer and shall assume the office of the Treasurer if that office becomes vacant until the next general membership election.
• The Assistant Treasurer shall perform all tasks assigned by the President.
Section 7. Secretary
• The Secretary shall be the custodian of all minutes of meetings of the AAC-WCDP and the Executive Committee meetings, and keep on file all reports of the Officers and Committee Chairs.
• The Secretary shall keep membership lists, shall be custodian of all official documents, shall keep and maintain all records of historical value, shall send notices of meetings and necessary notifications or mailings and shall handle the correspondence of the AAC-WCDP.
• The Secretary shall work closely with the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer to keep the membership list current.
• The Secretary of the AAC-WCDP shall provide minutes to the WCDP as requested.
• The Secretary shall perform all tasks assigned by the President.
Section 8. Assistant Secretary
• The Assistant Secretary shall work closely with the Secretary and assist the Secretary in all duties upon the request of the Secretary.
• The Assistant Secretary shall serve in the absence of the Secretary and shall assume the office of the Secretary if that office becomes vacant until the next general membership election.
• The Assistant Secretary shall perform all tasks assigned by the President.
Section 9. Parliamentarian
• The Parliamentarian shall keep the President, the Executive Board, the Executive Committee and general membership informed as to the most current rules and procedures for carrying on the business of the AAC-WCDP. Such rules and procedures shall include these By-Laws, the North Carolina Democratic Party Plan of Organization and Roberts Rules of Order.
• The Parliamentarian is responsible for the orderly conduct of all meetings of the AAC-WCDP and will have the final decision on parliamentary law. In the absence of specifically adopted rules of procedure, AAC-NCDP Constitution provisions or AAC-WCDP By-Laws, the Parliamentarian will invoke the use of Roberts Rules of Order.
Article VIII – Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee
The AAC-WCDP Executive Committee is made up of the AAC-WCDP Executive Board and Committee Chairs. The President and AAC-WCDP Executive Committee shall have general supervision of all affairs of the AAC-WCDP and shall cooperate fully with the Wake County Democratic Party Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet as called by the President. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon request of one-third of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is charged with planning and coordinating a good relationship with all print, radio, television and cyber space media and the AAC-WCDP. The Committee shall be responsible for preparing news releases and other information concerning the AAC-WCDP. The committee shall work in conjunction with the President and the Executive Committee for the best interest of the AAC-WCDP and the Democratic Party.
Section 3. Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising Committee is charged with planning and organizing fundraisers or otherwise raising money for the support and maintenance of the AAC-WCDP.
Section 4. Get Out to Vote (GOTV) Committee
The GOTV Committee is charged with planning and organizing GOTV efforts on behalf of the AAC-WCDP, including efforts made in conjunction with WCDP or non-WCDP organizations, groups, committees or boards.
Section 5. Hospitality Committee
The Hospitality Committee is charged with the welcoming of all AAC-WCDP members and all visitors to AAC-WCDP meetings and events.
Section 6. By-Laws Committee
The By-Laws Committee is charged with periodically reviewing the AAC-NCDP Constitution & By-Laws and ensuring the AAC-WCDP By-Laws are in conformity therewith. The Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing the AAC-WCDP By-Laws and making recommendations to the AAC-WCDP Executive Committee and members for amending the AAC-WCDP By-Laws.
Section 7. Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is charged with recruiting new AAC-WCDP members and maintaining current AAC-WCDP membership. It will be the responsibility of this Committee to enforce membership requirements. The Committee is responsible for distributing membership cards as supplied by the AAC-NCDP. All members that do not renew their membership will lose their right to vote and will not receive an active membership card.
Section 8. Outreach Committee
The Outreach Committee will be charged with planning and fostering a good relationship with the Wake County African American community and Wake County community in general. This Committee may be assigned special tasks such as planning and organizing open forums or other events open to the public.
Section 9. Special Committees
The President may establish Special Committees.
Article IX. Contributions
The Treasurer may receive voluntary contributions for the support of the AAC-WCDP.
Article X– Reports
All Committee Chairs shall make reports to the membership at each regular meeting of the membership and an annual report shall be filed with the Secretary.
Article XI– Quorum
Representation from at least ten members of the AAC-WCDP general membership shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at regular or special called meetings.
Representation from at least three members of the AAC-WCDP Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at Executive Board meetings.
Representation from at least six members of the AAC-WCDP Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at Executive Committee meetings.
Article XII – Elections
Elections shall be held biennially in each odd year at a place and time to be determined by the AAC-WCDP Executive Committee. Nominations may come from the floor.
Article XIII – Removal from Office
Upon the Secretary sending a termination letter informing said Officer or Committee Chair that he or she is in violation of the AAC-WCDP By-Laws, the AAC-WCDP Executive Board, at the next regular meeting, will present the violation allegations to the membership body. The general membership then will vote whether to remove said Officer or Committee Chair from their respective position. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership present and voting shall be necessary for the removal of an Officer or Committee Chair.
Article XIV – Amendments
Section 1. Notice.
A proposed amendment to the AAC-WCDP By-Laws must be presented in written form to the AAC-WCDP Executive Committee at least fourteen days prior to any meeting where amendment of the By-Laws will be on the agenda. A written statement explaining the change shall accompany the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment shall be presented for a vote to the general membership.
Section 2. Two-Thirds Vote Required.
An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership present and voting shall be necessary for the adoption of an amendment.
Article XV– Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the AAC-WCDP in all cases in which they are applicable and in which are not covered in either the AAC-WCDP By-Laws or the North Carolina Democratic Party Plan of Organization.
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Membership Application
African American Caucus –
Wake County Democratic Party
2008 Membership Application
Date ____ / ____ / _______
Name ______________________________ Birth Date ____ / ____ / ________
Spouse ______________________________ Birth Date ____ / ____ / ________
Address _______________________________________________________________
City _____________________________________ ST ________ Zip ______________
Day Phone (_____) _____ - ______ Evening Phone (_____) _____ - ______
Email ________________________________________________________________
Occupation _________________________ Employer _______________________
*State law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $50.00 in an election cycle (2 years)
DUES & CONTRIBUTIONS
General Membership $25.00 Associate Membership $12.50
Annual Dues (to be submitted at same time as application) $ _________
Additional Contribution $ _________
Total $ _________
Please make checks payable to “African American Caucus - WCDP.”
Mail to: African American Caucus - WCDP
220 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
COMMITTEES
Communications Membership GOTV Outreach
Fundraising Hospitality Bylaws
* Membership is limited to registered Democrats in Wake County*
Paid for by African American Caucus-WCDP