Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus
Constitution & By-Laws
M
January 1, 1998
Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus
Constitution & By Laws
Preamble
The purpose of Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus shall be to: promote the general welfare, and success of the Michigan Democratic Party at the local, state and national level; particularly as it affects Hispanic/Latinos in the state of Michigan. To give the Democratic Party full cooperation and to support competent, qualified candidates that are nominated and elected to office. To assist the state and national Democratic Party officers. To draft and adopt a comprehensive platform, incorporating the accomplishments and ideals of the Democratic Party. To advocate for and maintain a program of legislative aims, particularly those beneficial to the state's Hispanic/Latino community and to work closely with the Democratic National Committee, state committees and the Democratic elected officials at the local, state and the national levels.
Article I
The name of this organization shall be known aş;
Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus
Article II
Section I
Membership
Membership in this organization shall be open to any person of Hispanic/Latino descent and who is a registered member of the Michigan Democratic Party. All members should be of good standing. Any non Hispanic/Latino member of the Michigan Democratic Party will be considered as an Associate member without a vote and without a voice unless recognized by the Chairperson. Any non-Hispanic/Latino who was a member of the Hispanic/Latino caucus prior to the adoption of this constitution and by-laws will be assumed into the organization (grandpersoned) with all the rights and privileges granted to the membership by this constitution and bylaws.
Section II
Quorum
Quorum: A quorum for meetings of the organization will consist of four members of the executive committee plus paid membership.
Article III
Section I - Officers
Officers of Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus shall be a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and Treasurer who shall be elected from the membership of the Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus and who shall meet the requirements of Article II, Membership. The above offices shall be of Hispanic/Latino, bilingual-bicultural background
Section II
Executive Board
The Executive Board will consist of the following officers, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary & Treasurer and the Chairperson from each of the standing committees; Membership, Fundraising, Communications, Political Organizing, and By-Laws.
Article IV
Duties of Offices
Section I
Chairperson
The Chairperson shall be the executive head of Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus and it shall be the duty of the Chairperson to:
1) Preside at all meetings of the organization. 2) Call special meetings of the organization. 3) Appoint all committees subject to approval by the Executive Board. 4) Appoint the Parliamentarian for the organization. 5) Appoint the Sergeant at-Arms for the organization, 6) Appoint a corresponding secretary for the organization.
Section II
Vice-Chairperson
The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson during the absence or disability of the Chairperson, and shall perform other duties as the Chairperson may direct.
Section II
Secretary
The Secretary shall perform the following duties.
1)
Record all minutes of meetings of the organization. Keep and make accessible all records of the organization to membership. Attend to all correspondence as directed by the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson.
Mail out all notices for meetings of the organization. Maintain a complete record (address, telephone numbers and attendance at all
official meetings of the organization of all members of the organization. Make available a record of attendance of members to all official meetings of the
organization at each official meeting of the organization.
Section IV
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds which are assigned to the organization. The Treasurer shall expend the same only upon written authorization of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson; this authorization to be countersigned by the Treasurer. All checks or other written forms of payment of the organization shall carry the following signatures, Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson & Treasurer. The Vice-Chairperson will sign checks only in the absence of the Chairpersons and when directed by the Chairperson.
The Treasurer shall make reports on receipts and expenditures and balances on hand at each regularly scheduled meeting or when requested, and a complete annual report to the organization, An outside audit on the finances of the organization shall be made on a yearly basis.
All dues shall be paid to the Treasurer.
Section V
Parliamentarian
The Parliamentarian will use the latest revised edition of Roberts Rules of Order, as the official manual of parliamentary procedure for all meetings. The Parliamentarian will advise the presiding officer on questions of procedure in transacting the business of all meetings. The Parliamentarian will not function as a member of the Executive Board.
Section VI
Sergeant at Arms
Sergeant at-Arms: will be appointed by Chairperson of the Organization with responsibilities as outlined in most recent revised edition of Roberts Rules of Order. The Sergeant at-Arms will not serve as an Executive Board member of the organization.
Section VII
Corresponding Secretary
Corresponding Secretary: will be appointed by Chairperson of the Organization with responsibilities as directed by the Chairperson. The Corresponding Secretary will not serve as an Executive Board member of the organization.
Article V
Election of Officers
The election of the Officers of the organization shall take place at a meeting of the organization called for that purpose at a time and place designated by the Chairperson. Officers shall serve for two years with a term to coincide with off year congressional elections during the 2nd quarter of the year.
Article VI
Section I
Standing Committees
The Chairperson will appoint the following standing committees on approval of the Executive Board, Standing Committees will submit reports at each regular meeting of the organization.
2) 3)
Membership Fundraising Communications Political Organizing. By-Laws
Section II
Ad Hoc Committees
Ad Hoc Committees: will be appointed by the Chairperson at business meetings of the organization to perform special tasks. All Ad Hoc Committees will cease to function when assigned duties have been completed and a report brought back to the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting of the organization.
Article VII
Dues
Membership Dues to the Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus will be $5.00 annually with the exception of students which will be $2.50. Membership dues can be
Inflation from 1997 is now $ 8.00. I thinking staying with the preiously requested $ 10 is fine. (Just my "two cents" here.)
This was amended by majority vote at the Convention, though there was not a one month notification. I believe LaVora had a few words about this.
Membership: in this organization shall be open to any person of Hispanic/Latino descent and who is a registered member of the Michigan Democratic Party. All members should be of good standing, All members of he Michigan Democratic Party will be considered as an Associate member without a vote and without a voice unless recognized by the Chairperson of the organization.
Procedures: The Michigan Hispanic/Latino Democratic Caucus shall review matters in accordance with its mandate, acting on the recommendations and/or business brought before it by the membership, standing and Ad Hoc Committees.
The order of business is as follows:
.
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Call to Order Approval of Agenda Reading & Approval of minutes of previous meeting. Roll call of attendance. Officers reports Standing Committee reports Old Business New Business Agenda items for next scheduled meeting of organization Good for the Order Adjourn
Structure: The Executive Board shall be composed of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary & Treasurer and Chairpersons of the Standing Committees, The Executive Board will provide the necessary leadership for an orderly conduct of business for the organization. The Executive Board will design the appropriate procedure for the implementation of committee mandates.
Standing Committees: The Chairperson of the Executive Board will appoint the following Standing Committees on approval of the Board. Additional Standing Committees must be approved by the membership at large. Standing committees will submit reports as designed by the Executive Board.
1. Membership: This committee shall work to promote membership; recruitment, effective participation of members, and keep an up-to-date list of current membership in accordance with the requirements and mandates of the Constitution and By-Laws of the organization.
2.
Fundraising: This committee will head the state wide financial operations, receive funds, recommend disbursement in accordance with the business and policies of Michigan Hispanic/Latino Democratic Caucus.
3. Communications: This committee will provide the necessary support and expertise to Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus for all public relations with
the media, organizations and associations involved in political activities. The committee will further be responsible for maintaining a newsletter on political activities of the organization to be distributed to all members of the organization.
4. Political Organizing: This committee will provide support and expertise to Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus in all areas of political organizing. The committee will design voter registration and education projects, enhance recruitment of precinct delegates and encourage participation in county and state Democratic party conventions. Other activities of the committee will be designated and assigned by the membership and the Executive Board.
5. By-Laws: This committee will be responsible for accepting all By-Laws brought to the table by members of the organization who wish to have the Constitution and By-Laws amended. The committee will review the recommended by-law and will make a report to the total membership at the following meeting from which the recommended by-law was presented to the membership of the organization. The committee will present pros and cons for the recommended by-law.
Ad Hoc Committees: All Ad-Hoc Committees will be appointed by the Executive Board Chairperson at business meetings to perform special tasks and will cease to function when their assigned duties are completed and a report is brought back to the membership.
This Constitution and By-Laws of Michigan Democratic Hispanic/Latino Caucus was adopted on October 4, 1997 at 4:00 P.M. at Cristo Rey Community in Lansing, Michigan by a majority vote of the membership.
Signed:
Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson,
Secretary
Treasurer
Lupe Ramos-Montigny
Larry C. Arteguin
Anthony S. Gonzales
Rebecca Lugo