Jefferson County Republican Party Constitution

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                                                                                                  Constitution and By-Laws

                                                                                        Republican Party of Jefferson County 

PREAMBLE

Whereas the United States of America was established in 1789 with the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, following the Declaration of Independence of 1776, there is a constant need to follow and maintain the ideals established by our Founding Fathers in these documents. We, the Republican Party of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, establish this Constitution and By-Laws to sustain such efforts. Through this structure, we shall maintain these ideals and principles, as well as the ideals and principles of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the U.S. As such, we, the members of the Jefferson County Republican Party do approve and adopt this Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be “Republican Party of Jefferson County” (RPJC), State of Wisconsin

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to correlate and unify under one central organization the activities of the Republican Party of Jefferson County, and as a voluntary organization, to cooperate and assist our party's candidates in all national, state, county and local elections. To this end, the organization is empowered to direct, supervise, transact and control the business, property and funds of the Republican Party of Jefferson County. 

Said purposes and principles of the Republican Party of Jefferson County are:

A. To preserve and achieve fundamental Republican principles and policies,

 B. To develop a countywide aggressive, serviceable Republican organization,

C. To maintain harmony between all Republican organizations, at all levels,

D. To maintain control of the Republican Party of Jefferson County in the hands of the rank-and-file Republicans, and

E. To preserve our Republican form of government as created in the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this organization shall be open to all Jefferson County citizens of voting age who are eligible to vote in any national or state election, who subscribe to the stated Republican Party purposes and principles, have paid the annual dues and are recorded members of the Republican Party of Jefferson County:

Section 1. Membership Dues – The dues of the RPJC shall be determined by the Executive Committee and may be changed as necessary and appropriate. Annual dues shall be payable on January 1st of each year.

Section 2. Membership Applications– Application for membership in the RPJC may be made to any existing member of the RPJC. Such applications must be on the form prepared for this purpose and must be submitted to the membership chairman. 

Section 3. Membership Requirements - New members shall be eligible to vote at any meeting of Caucus after 30 days from the date of payment of annual dues; prior year members may renew at any time by payment of the annual dues and shall thereby be immediately qualified to vote at any meeting or Caucus.

Section 4. Associate membership - Persons who are not residents of Jefferson County are welcome to join the Republican Party of Jefferson County and will be designated as Associated Members and will not be eligible to vote at county meetings and county caucuses. They are also not eligible for positions on the Executive Board or as County Delegates. 

Section 5. Denial of Membership– Any member of this organization may be suspended or expelled for membership in this organization upon recommendation by the Executive Committee and by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership, after the person in question has been afforded a reasonable hearing before the membership for either conduct or declarations contrary to the objectives of the Republican Party.

ARTICLE IV – COUNTY OFFICERS and EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Officers. The elected Officers of the Republican Party of Jefferson County shall be Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall include:

A. The four (4) elected Officers of the organization, who shall be elected for a two-year term by   the County Caucus, with their elections being held in the odd numbered years,

B. The four (4) at-large members elected by the County Caucus, who shall be elected for a two-year term, with their elections being held in connection with the annual caucus, 

C. The Committee Chairpersons who serve at the pleasure of the Chairperson and are   approved by the members of the Executive Committee,

D. The Immediate Past Chairperson,

E. The Chairperson of any registered Young Republican Clubs in Jefferson County,

F. Any County Party member holding an elected partisan County, State or Federal office, 

G. Any County Party member who holds an elected position in the District, State or National   Republican Party, 

Section 3. Non-voting members Non-voting members of the executive committee shall be C., E., F., and G. from section 2. 

Section 4. Vacancies – Any vacancy in office during the term thereof, due to resignation, disqualification, death or other reason, shall be filled by the Chairman with expressed permission of the Executive Committee. The person so appointed shall act until the end of the original term..

Section 5. Leaves of Absence – Any elected Officer or elected member of the Executive Committee  who files to run for a partisan office shall take a leave of absence from the post until after the  primary election. If successful, the member shall resign that post, and the Executive Committee shall name their replacement. The replacement shall serve until the next Annual Caucus. If unsuccessful as a candidate, the candidate shall return to their position on the Executive Committee in the RPJC.

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF THE COUNTY OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Section 1. Chairperson – It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to officiate at all meetings of the  Caucuses and the Executive Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the Chairperson to  coordinate the efforts of individuals and groups to further the objectives of the Republican Party.  The Chairperson is the Administrative Executive of the organization and, as such, is charged with the supervision and direction of the overall activities. The Chairperson shall have such other duties as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Republican Party of Jefferson County.

Section 2. Vice-Chairperson – The Vice-Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson of such matters as shall be prescribed by the Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall act in the capacity of the Chairperson in their absence and shall act as Temporary Chairperson in the event the Chairperson vacates the office for any reason. If necessary, they shall continue as Temporary Chairperson until the end of the original term. 

Section 3. Secretary – The Secretary shall record and maintain a record of all the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and Regular and Special Caucuses. They shall record and maintain files of the minutes and shall perform such other related duties as may arise or as may be directed by the Executive Committee. Secretary of RPJC shall also handle all official correspondence and shall assist the chairman notifying all members of the executive committee of up-coming meetings. They shall perform such other related duties as may arise or as may be directed by the Executive Committee. 

Section 4. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all funds of the RPJC, disburse all funds necessary for the operation of the organization and its campaigns upon authorization of the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson, as stated in Article 1 of the By-Laws, maintain proper records of receipts and disbursements, and file such payroll, election and other reports as required by law. A written financial report shall be presented at all Executive and Regular or Called Caucus Meetings. The Treasurer shall maintain the official membership list by working  closely with the Secretary, membership chairman and webmaster.

Section 5. Executive Committee – The Executive Committee shall be the policymaking body of the RPJC, subject to the general authority of the membership in a regularly called Caucus. They shall have authority to transact necessary business between Caucuses, to advise the RPJC Chairperson and other Officers, to complete a slate of delegates and alternates to District Caucuses and State Conventions or to delegate such authority to the Chairperson, to establish annual membership dues, and to control and manage the property and funds of the RPJC. The Executive Committee shall meet regularly and as called by the Chairperson or by written request of five (5) members of the Executive Committee, upon notice to all members of the Executive Committee. 

ARTICLE VI – CAUCUSES & MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Caucus – an Annual Caucus of the membership shall be held prior to April 1 (or as needed to meet date requirements of District Caucuses and State Convention) of each year for the purpose of:

A. Electing Delegates and Alternates to the District Caucus and State Convention

B. Electing Officers in the odd year and four (4) members of the Executive Committee of this   organization, as provided in Article IV, 

C. Presenting, discussing and passing/rejecting Resolutions presented to the Caucus, and,

D. Transacting any other business which may properly come before said caucus 

Section 2.  Meetings may be called at any time by the Chairperson, by majority the Executive Committee, or upon the petition of ten (10) RPJC members in good standing. 

Section 3. Notice of Caucuses– Notice of all Caucuses, shall be given by advertisement at least twice in one weekly or daily newspaper in Jefferson County, or upon at least eight (8) days notification by written or printed notice to each member of the RPJC, at their last known USPS address, of the time and place of holding such Caucus, as provided in the State Party Constitution.

Section 4. Caucus Business – Only such business as has been stated in the Call shall be conducted Meetings or Caucuses

ARTICLE VII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS 

Section 1 Elections – A Nominations Committee, created in the By-Laws, shall place in nomination one (1) member in good standing for each office to be filled by election, including the at-large members of the Executive Committee, at the Annual Caucus. The nomination of candidates by this Committee shall automatically place those persons named in nomination for the offices to be filled. Other nominations may be made from the floor of the Caucus. Nominees for any  position shall be current members of the RPJC at the time of the nomination and shall consent to such nomination. 

Section 2. Ballot Requirements – Where there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by voice vote. Where more than one candidate is nominated for an office or for Delegate or Alternate, the election shall be held by written ballot. A majority of votes cast shall elect. 

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES 

Standing committees shall be established in the By-Laws with Committee Chairpersons being appointed in accordance with Article IV, Section 2(C) of this Constitution and committee members to be appointed by the Committee Chairpersons. 

ARTICLE IX – QUORUMS 

Section 1. Caucus Requirement – A quorum for a meeting or Caucus of this organization shall be a number equal to 10% of the number of authorized delegates of Jefferson County to the last preceding State Convention, and in no instance less than ten (10) members. 

Section 2. Executive Committee Requirement – A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be no less than five elected members of the Executive Committee. 

Section 3. Proxy Voting – Voting by proxy shall be prohibited at all County Caucuses and Executive Committee meetings. 

ARTICLE X – BY-LAWS 

Suitable By-Laws, consistent with the principles of this Constitution, may be adopted at any duly called Caucus in which the proposed Amendment is stated, by a majority vote of the Caucus. Amendments to the By-Laws may also be adopted by a majority of the Executive Committee, but such By-Laws so adopted shall be subject to repeal or amendment at the Annual Caucus. Notice of any changes in By-Laws shall be given in the call of each Annual Caucus.

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution may be made by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of any Caucus, Regular or Special, where the Call and Notice of such Caucus shall have stated that the Amendment is the purpose for the Caucus. Only such business as has been stated in the Call shall be conducted at specially called Caucuses. Following adoption, all amendments shall be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Wisconsin for review and approval.

ARTICLE XII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised and most current edition, shall govern all proceedings, except where inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of this organization. 

ARTICLE XIII – AMBIGUITY

In the event of any conflict or ambiguity of this Constitution or By-Laws adopted hereunder, the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin shall prevail. 

BY-LAWS 

ARTICLE I – STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees – The following shall constitute the Standing Committees of the RPJC: 

Membership

Fundraising

Program and Activities ~ Publicity

Nominations 

Constitution and By-Laws

Section 2. Committee Membership– The Committee Chairperson shall be responsible for selecting additional members in good standing to serve on their respective committees, along with approval of the County Chairman or the Executive committee.

Section 3. Duties – Duties of these committees shall be as follows: 

A. Membership Committee – This Committee shall be responsible for increasing the membership on a volunteer basis for the RPJC. Other duties shall include creating a working plan for contacting, organizing, and utilizing members during pre-election activities and Election Day activities, such as poll watching, phone calls to get out the vote, etc. 

B. Fundraising Committee – This Committee shall be responsible for raising funds for use by the RPJC. Any expenditure not in the annual budget, which exceeds $500, shall be submitted to the Committee for a recommendation and shall be approved by the Executive Committee before the actual expenditure. (The Chairperson may authorize expenditures up to $100 on behalf of the Republican Party of Jefferson County.) All monies must be properly accounted for and shall be turned over to the Treasurer. The Committee shall conduct an annual audit of the financial status and transactions of the RPJC and report the results to the Executive Committee. 

C. Program and Activities Committee ~ Publicity – The duties of this Committee shall be to prepare, plan and organize such programs, events and activities germane to the Republican Party and Jefferson County. This Committee shall also be responsible for all publicity, except when  another Committee or individual is designated for a special event. 

D. Nominations– defined in Article VII

E. Constitution and By-Laws – This Committee shall review any proposed amendments to the Constitution or By-Laws of the RPJC.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP DUES 

Annual membership dues shall be $15 for person, $5 for student which is payable January 1 of each year. 

Section 1. A student shall be defined as one enrolled fulltime in a college or technical school.

ARTICLE III – FISCAL YEAR 

The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.