OF

THE DeKALB COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY

            The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of DeKalb County, Alabama, having the responsibility under law to advance, direct and regulate the Republican Party and its official activities in DeKalb County, Alabama, does hereby enact and establish these by-laws to facilitate the discharge of its responsibility in an orderly and harmonious manner for the best interests of the party and its members and supporters.

ARTICLE I

NAME

            The name of the organization governing the Republican Party of DeKalb County shall be “The DeKalb County Republican Executive Committee”, hereinafter called “The Committee”.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE and DUTIES

            In order to promote the election of Republicans to public office, The Committee shall perform the duties imposed by applicable laws of the State of Alabama and by Party custom.  Its duties and responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1.         To direct, supervise and manage the affairs and business of the Republican Party of DeKalb County, Alabama;

2.         To create and maintain an effective and permanent Republican organization based upon political beats and boxes;

3.         To insure the selection and training of qualified officials to honestly and actively represent the Republican Party, and the citizens of DeKalb County, Alabama, at the polls during elections;

4.         To actively recruit qualified candidates for public office in DeKalb County, Alabama;

5.         To fairly conduct primary elections for the selection of candidates for public office as required by law, or as deemed necessary by The Committee or in accordance with other state guidelines;

6.         To solicit funds to conduct and support political campaigns for the Republican Party’s nominees for public office after they have been selected in party primary elections;

7.         To provide leadership and direction for Republican organizations and candidates and to unite various party interests behind the nominees within DeKalb County, Alabama;

8.         To educate the people of DeKalb County, Alabama, as to the philosophy and principles of the Republican Party and the Alabama electoral process, and

9.         To promote the development and maintenance of good government at the local and state levels and to adhere to the principles of the National Republican Party.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

1.         All qualified voters of DeKalb County, Alabama, who support the principles of the Republican Party, are eligible to be members of the DeKalb County Republican Executive Committee.

2.         The Committee shall be composed of the following thirty-two (32) regular voting members:

A.        Seven members from each of the four County Commission Districts who shall will be elected in the Republican Primary election by place numbers by the voters in the district they represent.

B.        Four members who shall will be elected by place number in a county-wide vote in the Republican Primary election.          

 3.        The following eight persons, if not otherwise a member, shall in the order listed be an ex officio voting member of The Committee:

A.        The following Committee officers:

            (1) Chairman

            (2) Vice-Chairman

            (3) Secretary

            (4) Treasurer

B.        The Legal Counsel appointed by the Chairman

C.        The parliamentarian appointed by the Chairman

D.        The president or chairman of any Republican Club, Association or Federation in DeKalb County, duly organized and acknowledged by The Committee as such, during the term that they hold this office.

E.        Members of the State Republican Executive Committee from DeKalb County in order of seniority.

F.         Elected or appointed Republican public officials who reside in DeKalb County in order of seniority.

4.         If the number of persons listed in paragraph 3. above who are not otherwise members of The Committee exceeds eight, the remaining persons may be ex officio non-voting members of The Committee.

5.         The Chairman of The Committee may appoint a legal counsel and a parliamentarian who shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairman and may be replaced by the Chairman at any time.

6.         The Committee members elected from each Beat shall serve as Beat Committeemen and shall perform their duties in accordance with the Beat Committeemen’s Handbook prepared by the Alabama Republican Party.

            7.         The term of office for regular members of The Committee (2.A. and 2.B. above)                    shall be four calendar years or until successors are elected and installed. This term                 shall begin on the day following the general election of each gubernatorial election                         year. Other members shall serve on The Committee only so long as they hold the                      office or position that entitles them to membership on The Committee.

8.         Any conduct by a Committee member which is seriously detrimental to the good name of the DeKalb County Republican Party, conduct which is flagrantly in conflict with the Party’s principles, gross neglect of party duties or failure to attend two consecutive meetings of The Committee (except when duly excused by the Executive Committee) shall constitute reason for removal from The Committee by a two-thirds vote of The Committee members present at a properly called Committee meeting.  Two weeks written notice shall be given to the person who is charged before such a meeting is held and the charges against the member shall also be given at the time notice is given. The person so charged shall be given the opportunity to present a defense before a vote is taken.

9.         When a vacancy occurs among the elected members of The Committee, The Committee shall at its next regular meeting choose by majority vote a person to fill such vacancy.  Nomination and second shall be by any of the voting members of The Committee.  If the vacancy is in a county commission district, the new member must be from the district.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS OF THE COMMITTEE

1.         The DeKalb County Republican Executive Committee shall elect the following officers:

                        A.        Chairman

                        B.        Vice-Chairman

                        C.        Secretary

                        D.        Treasurer

2.         The Committee members who reside in each Commission District shall hold a caucus and elect a District Chairman for their district from among their number.

3.         Officers shall serve a term of two calendar years or until their successors are elected and installed.

4.         Officers shall be elected at the first meeting of The Committee following each general election.  The Committee must meet within 60 days following a general election.  These officers are not required to be regular members of The Committee.

5.         Terms of office for newly elected officers shall begin immediately following their election.

ARTICLE V

DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND DISTRICT CHAIRMEN

1.         The Chairman shall be the principle officer of The Committee.  The Chairman shall:

            A.        Preside at all meetings.

            B.        Serve as the presiding officer of the Steering Committee.

            C.        Serve as an ex-officio member of all other committees.

            D.        Bring to the attention of The Committee all pertinent information from the

                        State and National Committees.

            E.        Be responsible for the day-to-day business of The Committee.

            F.         Authorize for payment all orders upon the Treasurer for disbursement of

                               funds.

                        G.        Prepare an agenda or order of business at all meetings.

                        H.        Appoint standing and special committees with the approval of The         

                                    Committee.

                        I.          Coordinate all necessary action between The Committee and the State

                                    Committee.

            2.         The Vice-Chairman shall:

                        A.        Perform the duties of the Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.

                        B.        Serve as Chairman for the unexpired term if the office of Chairman

                                    becomes vacant for any reason.

                        C.        Serve as Vice-Chairman of the Steering Committee.

                        D.        Assist the Chairman in coordinating the development of the calendar of

                                    meetings, the calendar of special events and the political plan.

3.         The Secretary shall:

                        A.        Take and record accurate minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of The    

                                    Committee and the Steering Committee. 

                        B.        Preserve in a permanent file all records and letters of value to The

                                    Committee and its officers, to be transferred to the successor at the end of

                                    his or her term.

                        C.        Conduct the official correspondence of The Committee and the Steering

                                    Committee.

                        D.        Notify The Committee members and the Steering Committee members of

                                    the time and place of all meetings.

                        E.        Serve as Secretary of the Steering Committee.

                        F.         Maintain a list of names, addresses, telephone numbers and Committee

                                    functions of all Committee members and officers.

                        G.        Call the roll at each meeting and send reminders of duties and obligations

                                    to all absent members.

                        H.        After calling the roll, certify the existence or absence of a quorum to the

                                    Chairman.

            4.         The Treasurer shall:

                        A.        Maintain all Committee funds in a reputable financial institution in an                          account under the name of The DeKalb County Republican Executive                                     Committee.

                        B.        Maintain financial records and make a detailed financial report at each

                                    meeting of The Committee.

                        C.        Pay all bills upon the written authorization of the Chairman.

(1)        An audit committee consisting of three members shall be elected by The Committee to audit the books and records of the Treasurer annually.

                        D.        Deposit all funds received as soon as possible after receipt.

                        E.        Serve as a member of the Steering Committee and as an ex-officio member                  of the Finance Committee.

F.         Deliver to the succeeding treasurer within fifteen (15) days after the expiration of his or her term of office all books, records and papers upon a receipt of transfer.

5.         District Chairmen shall be responsible for appointing Box Captains and poll workers for each voting box in their district.  They shall also perform any other duties assigned by The Committee.

6.         Each officer, except the Treasurer, shall deliver to his or her successor immediately after leaving their office all accounts, records, books, papers and any other property belonging to The Committee.

7.         The Chairman with the approval of The Committee shall appoint:

            A.        Candidate Recruitment Director shall coordinate the recruitment and 

training of Republican candidates for public office in DeKalb County.

B.        Voter Registration Director shall coordinate all activities of The Committee to promote the registration of potential Republican voters.

C.        Election Director shall recruit and oversee the activities of Republican poll workers and poll watchers.

D.        Communications Director shall arrange for public notices of meetings and other activities as directed by the Chairman and shall assist the Chairman in publishing a quarterly newsletter to Committee members containing items of interest, reports and notices of activities as deemed appropriate by the Chairman.

E.        Organizational Director shall coordinate activities of the Beat Committeemen using as a guide the Box Worker’s Handbook.

F.         Finance Director shall prepare a budget for consideration by the Steering Committee and The Committee by the first meeting of the year and coordinate all fund-raising activities.

G.        Publicity Director shall gather and disseminate, as appropriate, information regarding issues affecting the Republican Party, its causes and activities.

ARTICLE VI

THE STEERING COMMITTEE

1.         The Steering Committee shall consist of the following members:

            A.        The Chairman of The Committee

            B.        The Vice-Chairman of The Committee

            C.        The Secretary of The Committee

            D.        The Treasurer of The Committee

            E.        Commission District 1 Chairman

            F.         Commission District 2 Chairman

            G.        Commission District 3 Chairman

            H.        Commission District 4 Chairman

ARTICLE VII

DUTIES OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE

1.         The Steering Committee shall have the authority to act in the interest of The Committee between meetings of The Committee in the conduct of routine business matters.

2.         The Steering Committee shall report in full on all transactions made during the quarter to The Committee.

3.         The Steering Committee shall prepare and administer an annual budget for The Committee.  The fiscal year for The Committee shall be the calendar year.

4.         The Steering Committee shall prepare annually a calendar of meetings and a calendar of special events to be published to all committee members by the first meeting of the year.

5.         The Steering Committee shall prepare and administer an annual political plan for furthering the cause and growth of the Republican Party of DeKalb County by the first meeting of the year.

6.         The Steering Committee shall insure that meetings and programs of The Committee promote the Republican cause and inform Committee members and the public regarding Republican policies and platforms.

ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS

1.            The Committee as a whole shall meet at least quarterly at a time and place       designated by the Chairman. 

2.         A quorum shall be required to transact business by The Committee.  A quorum shall consist of a majority of all voting members of The Committee.

3.         The Steering Committee shall meet monthly at a time and place designated by the Chairman unless changed by vote of the Steering Committee.

4.         A special meeting of The Committee may be called by the Chairman or by three members of the Steering Committee or by 7 members of The Committee.

5.         Special meetings of the Steering Committee may be called by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or five members of the Steering Committee.

6.         A quorum shall be required for the Steering Committee to transact business.  A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members.

7.         The Secretary shall send written notices of all regular and special meetings to all members.  Notices shall be posted not later than seven (7) days prior to the meeting.  Notification of Committee meetings shall also be sent to:

            A.        District Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party serving DeKalb Co.

            B.        Vice-Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party serving DeKalb Co.

            C.        Notice shall be given to the Alabama Republican Party in advance and the       meeting shall be publicized and open to the public.

ARTICLE IX

QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

            The Committee shall elect four (4) of its members to serve on a Qualifying Committee along with the Chairman, who will preside over this committee.  They shall be elected immediately after the adoption of these by-laws and serve until the next election of Committee officers.  Thereafter, Qualifying Committee members will be elected at the same time Committee officers are elected every two years.

The County Chairman shall receive declarations of candidacy and qualifying fees from persons who desire to be candidates in Republican Primary elections. A Qualifying Committee appointed by the County Chairman with the approval of The Qualifying Committee shall have the power to review any declaration of candidacy, to determine whether the candidate meets the qualifications for office prescribed in the declaration of candidacy or otherwise and, subject to notice and an opportunity to be heard, to direct the County Chairman not to certify, or to de-certify, a candidate which the Qualifying Committee finds does not meet such qualifications. A person determined not qualified by the Qualifying Committee may appeal that decision to The Committee.  The Committee may reverse or overrule the Qualifying Committee’s decision by a majority of those members present and voting.  ( This paragraph shall be limited to persons who would normally qualify with the County Chairman.)

            Each person desiring to be elected as a nominee of the Republican Party for public office or to a Republican Party office shall file with the Chairman of the DeKalb County Republican Executive Committee, or his or her authorized representative, a Declaration of Candidacy and simultaneously therewith pay to the order of the DeKalb County Republican Party the following qualification fee:

1.         For public offices – 2% of the beginning annual salary for the office sought with a minimum of $300.00.

2.      For party offices - $25.00.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

            Any portion of these by-laws may be amended or revised at any meeting of The Committee, at which a quorum is present, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that notice of each proposed amendment or revision shall have been given at the preceding meeting of The Committee or included in the written call for the meeting.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

            This revision of the By-Laws shall supersede, replace and rescind all previous versions of By-Laws of The DeKalb County Republican Party immediately upon its adoption. 

            All proceedings of The Committee, the Steering Committee and any subsidiary committees or groups operating under the authority of The DeKalb County Republican Party shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, unless specifically noted in these By-Laws.