Maui County Democratic Committee Bylaws and Rules

R U L E S

ARTICLE I - ORGANIZATION

Section 1.  AUTHORITY.  The Maui County Committee is established and authorized in accordance with ARTICLE IV, SECTION 1 of the General Laws of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i.

Section 2.  NAME.  The Maui County Committee shall also be known as the Maui County Democratic Party of Hawai'i.

Section 3.  MEMBERSHIP. The duly elected County officers, the President of each Precinct Club, the Chairperson of each District Council Committee and the Chairperson of each Official Party Caucus shall constitute the membership of the Maui County Committee.

ARTICLE II - OFFICERS

Section 1. OFFICERS. 

1. The officers of the Maui County Committee shall be a chairperson, a vice-chairperson from each of the islands of Lana'i, Maui and Moloka'i, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary and a treasurer.
   
2. The officers and the district chairpersons shall constitute Executive Committee of the Maui County Committee.  Forty percent (40%) of its membership shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2. ELIGIBILITY.

Section 1. OFFICERS. 

1. Any member of the Party residing in the County, who has been a member of the Party for at least one (1) year prior to any election, may be elected as an officer of the Maui County Committee.
   
2. Should a district chairperson or precinct president be elected as a Maui County officer, that person shall automatically vacate the lesser office.

Section 3. NOMINATIONS.

1. Officials nomination papers shall be made available to the membership at each biennial precinct organizational meeting.
   
2. A candidate for the office of chairperson, vice chairperson, recording secretary, corresponding secretary or treasurer shall file nomination papers signed by not less than ten (10) certified members of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i residing in the County or island represented.  Nomination papers shall be filed with the Recording Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the Maui County Convention.
   
3. A Nominations Committee shall review all nominee qualifications and shall prepare a slate of nominees for presentation at the Maui County Convention.  The Nomination Committee  is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that a complete slate is offered for election.

ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

Section 1. The duties of the officers shall be those usually performed by the office concerned, and shall specifically include the following:

1. CHAIRPERSON.
   1. The Chairperson shall have the power and duty to appoint the chairperson and members of all special and standing committees, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.
      
   2. Should the delegates to the Biennial State Convention fail to fill all of the at-large and senatorial seats on the State Central Committee to which Maui County is entitled, the Chairperson shall have the authority to appoint qualified members to fill such vacant positions, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee. Appointees shall meet the requirements as set forth in ARTICLE V, SECTION 1,2,3 and 4 of the General Laws of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i. The names of such appointees shall be transmitted to the State Central Committee within ninety (90) days following adjournment of the Biennial State Convention.
      
   3. The Chairperson shall also be authorized to nominate members to fill vacancies created by the resignation or death of an elected official, or by the withdrawal of a candidate from the election process.  The advice and consent of the Executive Committee shall be sought for such nominations.
      
   4. The Chairperson shall be responsible for calling special meetings; for giving proper notice of such; and for arranging for meeting places for both special and regular meetings.
      
   5. The Chairperson shall attend the meetings of the State Central Committee and its select committees and shall report on their proceedings at regular meetings of the Maui County Committee.
2. VICE CHAIRPERSONS.
   1. The Vice-Chairpersons shall assist the Chairperson in fulfilling the responsibilities of the Chair, and shall serve as the liaisons of the Executive Committee and the Maui County Committee for Party members on their respective islands.
      
   2. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson representing the island of residence of the Chairperson shall be responsible for carrying on the functions of the Chair.
      
3. RECORDING SECRETARY.
   1. The recording secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Maui County Committee.  Minutes shall be typed and along with all written reports of the officers and standing and special committees shall be entered in a book maintained for that purpose, to be turned over intact to the succeeding recording secretary.
      
   2. The Recording Secretary shall maintain the membership lists of the Maui County Democratic Party and shall make them available for inspection by interested Party members, when requested.  The Recording Secretary shall issue membership cards to new members.
      
4. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
   1. The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for issuing press releases of Party activities; for posting official notices of meetings as required by Party Laws and rules; for preparing draft responses as necessary on emerging issues in the Maui County community and for circulating or publishing same, subject to the approval of the Chairperson or the Executive Committee.  A file of all news articles, statements, responses, etc, shall be maintained and turned over to the succeeding corresponding secretary.
      
   2. The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for the correspondence of the Executive Committee and the Maui County Committee, and shall keep copies of it in a book maintained for that purpose, which shall be turned over intact to the succeeding corresponding secretary.
      
5. TREASURER.
   1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all fundraising activities within the County and shall have custody of the County Treasury, which shall be deposited in a commercial bank in the name of the Maui County Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i or the Maui County Democratic Party of Hawai'i.
      
   2. The Treasurer shall be responsible for seeing that all money is collected by duly authorized and identified persons; that receipts be available to all contributors; and that a strict accounting is kept of all funds so collected.
      
   3. The Treasurer shall be bonded as determined by the Maui County Committee and the premium shall be paid from the County Treasury.
      
   4. The Treasurer shall report in writing at each regular meeting of the Maui County Committee, shall prepare timely reports for the Campaign Spending Commission; and shall submit a biennial financial report of the Committee Treasurer one week prior to the County Convention.

ARTICLE IV - TERM OF OFFICE

Section 1. The Maui County Committee shall organize and take office immediately following the adjournment of the Maui County Convention at which the County officers shall have been elected.  Members of the Maui County committee shall hold office for the next two (2) years.

Section 2. VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CHAIRPERSON.  In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chairperson due to death or resignation, an interim county chairperson shall be elected by the Maui County Committee in accordance with the following procedures.

1. The Recording Secretary shall notify all members of the Maui County Committee within ten (10) days of the occurrence of the vacancy.  Only members of the Maui County Committee shall be eligible to nominate persons to fill the vacancy and shall nominate such persons by forwarding a statement to that effect, signed by the nominee, to the Recording Secretary within the deadline established by the Recording Secretary in the notice of vacancy, or within ten (10) days after notification, whichever is greater.  Any member of the Party may be nominated.
   
2. The Recording Secretary shall issue a notice of the election meeting, designating the time, place and purpose of the meeting.  The names of all nominees for the office of County Chairperson shall be included in the notice which shall be mailed to all members of the Maui County Committee at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
   
3. All members present at the election meeting may vote from among the nominees, and the nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall immediately assume office.  Voting shall be by secret ballot and may only be waived by consensus of those present and eligible to vote.
   
4. Only members of the Maui County Committee shall be eligible to vote to fill the vacancy in the office of the County Chairperson.

ARTICLE V - QUORUM

Section 1. Forty percent (40%) of the membership of the Maui County Committee shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum shall constitute an action.

ARTICLE VI - PROXIES

Section 1.

1. District Officers may give their proxies to other officers of their District Councils.  Proxies shall be in writing and filed with the Recording Secretary, unless the designee is the Vice Chairperson of the Council.
   
2. County COmmittee members with valid excuses for nonattendance may give their proxies to the Chairperson of the County Committee or to their respective District Chairperson.

ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. There shall be standing committees on finance, organization, patronage and legislation.

1. FINANCE.  The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee.  This Committee shall be responsible for the raising and accounting of funds within the County.
   
2. PATRONAGE.  The Patronage Committee shall be responsible for receiving, processing and forwarding to the proper authorities all endorsements made in accordance with these Rules and the General Laws of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i.  It shall also be responsible for obtaining and compiling information on job openings and for forwarding such information to the precinct clubs.
   
3. ORGANIZATION.  The Organization Committee shall help organize or reorganize new or inactive District Councils and precinct clubs; shall encourage the registration of voters and shall compile necessary and pertinent information on voting within the County.
   
4. LEGISLATION. The Legislation Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of compiling information on worthwhile legislative projects in keeping with the Party platforms; of drafting or having drafted appropriate measures; and of cooperating with proper officials and members of the Maui County Council in having such legislation introduced and passed.  The Chairperson of the Legislative Committee shall report on its activities and the cooperation received from the various officials and board members at each meeting of the Maui County Committee.

ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Maui County Committee to establish and maintain an active and effective Party organization within the County of Maui; to inform Party members within the County Party of policies and activities; and to secure monies through fund-raisers and candidate assessments for Party activities that will ensure as large a vote as possible for Party candidates in the elections.

1. To effect these ends, the Maui County Committee shall adopt a county platform, consistent with the Party Platform adopted by the Biennial State Convention, and shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure that officials of the County Elected and appointed in the name of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i observe the platform and principles of the Party.
   
2. The Maui County COmmittee shall be responsible for carrying out the policies and programs of the State Central Committee and for ensuring adherence to the tenets of the General Laws of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i.
   
3. The Maui County COmmittee shall hear all complaints that could result in the expulsion, censure or reprimand of a member in accordance with the detailed procedures appended to these RULES and incorporated herein by reference.

ARTICLE IX - COUNTY CONVENTION

Section 1. The Maui County Convention shall be held on the first weekend in May of every even-numbered year, at a time and place to be established by the Executive Committee.

Section 2.  The time and place of the convention shall be publicized in a newspaper of general circulation at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the convention.

Section 3.  The names of the members of the convention and committees on Rules, Affirmative Action, Platform, Credentials and Resolutions shall be made available to the membership no later than the third Monday in April, or at least seven (7) days before the first meeting of each committee.  Any member of the party may be appointed to serve on the convention committees.

Section 4. The County officers, the president, first vice president (if more than one of each precinct club), the district council and elected officials shall be delegates to the Maui County Convention.

Subject to the following requirements, all the rights and privileges of a delegate shall be afforded to those elected officials who were elected as Democrats to their present offices in partisan elections conducted within the County of Maui, or who were appointed to fill vacant positions of such elected officials:

1. be a member in good standing; and
2. submit a request in writing for delegate status at least six (6) days prior to the County Convention.

ARTICLE X - MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Maui County Committee shall be held at least once every three months at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 2.   Special meetings may be held at any time at the call of the Chairperson or upon written request, submitted to the Recording Secretary, of not less than twenty0five percent (25%) of the total membership.

Section 3.  Notice of regular and special meetings shall be given in person, by telephone or by mailing such notice to the last known address of each member not less than five (5) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings of the Maui County Committee, unless they are in conflict with these RULES.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to the Rules of the Maui County Committee may be initiated by any member of the Party or by a special committee appointed for that purpose.

Section 2. All proposals for amendments shall be submitted to the Recording Secretary who shall inform the membership of the pending proposals with notice of the time, date and place for the action.  Such notice shall be given at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting.

Section 3. A majority vote of the membership of the Maui County Committee is required by adoption.

Section 4. Amendments shall be transmitted to the State Central Committee within ninety (90) days of adoption for certification of consistency with the General Laws of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i.

Section 5. Amendments submitted to and adopted by a biennial county convention shall not require further action by the Maui County Committee.  Such amendments shall be automatically forwarded to the State Central Committee for certification.

Adopted: August 6, 1996
Amended: May 2, 1998

APPENDIX A

RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Upon being notified of a complaint by a member of the Hawai'i State Democratic Party ("Complainant") against a member of said party residing in the County of Maui ("Respondent"), the Maui County Committee ("MCC") shall follow the following procedure.

1. Inform the Respondent of the Complaint in writing within ten (10) days of receipt of the written complaint.
2. Establish a date for a hearing on the Complaint within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the Complaint.
3. Inform the Respondent of the hearing date in writing at least seven days prior to said hearing, and provide Respondent with the grounds upon which the expulsion or censure is being sought and a list of names of the Democratic Party members who are eligible to vote on the question of expulsion or censure ("Voting Members").
4. Inform the Complainant in writing of the date of the hearing on the Complaint and require Complainant to attend the hearing to present the Complaint and any other information which relates to the reasons for the complaint.
5. Designate the Chairperson of the MCC or its authorized representative to preside at the hearing.
6. Conduct the hearing with a quorum of no less than forty percent (40%) of the VOting Members present.  If a quorum exists a majority of the Voting Members present shall decide the question of culpability and the penalty to be imposed -- expulsion or censure.
7. Permit Complainant and Respondent to make a statement at the hearing.
8. Permit the Complainant and the Respondent to be represented by a Spokesperson.  The names of such Spokespersons shall be presented to the Presiding Officer prior to the convening of the hearing.
9. Permit the Complainant and the Respondent or their authorized representative (Spokesperson) to question the opposing party at the appropriate time as determined by the Presiding Officer for the purpose of a) obtaining more information b) clarifying the statement presented by the Complainant or Respondent or c) showing bias on the part of the party making a statement.
10. Permit the Complainant and the Respondent to invite other Democratic Party members to present information in support of their respective positions.  Such presentations shall be limited to three (3) minutes each.  The names of such members shall be provided to the Presiding Officer prior to the convening of the hearing.  The names shall be circulated amongst the members of the MCC for possible challenges. Invitees should have verification of their Democratic Party membership in the event of challenges from the MCC.
11. Utilize the rule of relevancy and orderly and courteous conduct throughout the hearing on the Complaint.
12. Permit the MCC to convene in executive session, with the Complainant and Respondent in attendance, to consider the information received during the hearing, to obtain legal or other technical advice, or to vote on the action to be taken regarding the Complaint.
13. After the hearing, including any executive session(s), publicly announce its decision regarding the action taken on the Complaint and submit its decision to the Respondent and Complainant in writing.
14. Recognize and acknowledge that the Section 9 of the General Laws of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i and Robert's Rules of ORder (latest edition) shall be utilized to supplement the rules specified herein so long as such laws and Rules do not conflict with the procedures set forth above.

Hawai'i State Democratic Party Bylaws

SPECIAL RULES OF ORDER

All Business shall be conducted according to ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED

Voting Body

1. The voting body shall consist of the Officers of the County Committee, the President, First Vice President (if more than one (1) ) of each precinct and the District Council Representatives of each precinct.
   
2. No member of the voting body shall have more than one(1) vote and no proxy voting shall be allowed.
   
3. A majority of the registered delegates shall constitute a quorum provided that these delegates represent the majority of the precincts entitled to such representation and that no less than two (2) are members of the Executive Committee of the County Committee.
   
4. Voting shall be by voice unless the presiding officer deems it necessary to call for a show of hands or a rising vote.
   

Motions and Discussions

1. Only members of the voting body may introduce motions, but all observers may participate in the discussion.
   
2. Anyone wishing the floor for making a motion or for discussion shall rise, be recognized by the Chair, state his/her name and his/her precinct or district.
   
3. Upon recognition by the Chair, the speaking member shall announce whether he/she speaks for or against the motion before the convention.
   
4. No member shall be granted the privilege of the floor a second time on the same motion until all others who wish to speak for or against the motion have had the opportunity to do so.

Limitation of Time

1. A Timekeeper shall be appointed by the Chair.  It shall be his/her duty to indicate to each speaker a 30-second warning before the expiration of time.
   
2. A discussion shall be limited to two (2) minutes for each speaker on a motion.  Unanimous consent shall be required if additional time is to be granted a speaker, and the additional time shall not exceed two (2) minutes.  Total discussion on a motion shall not exceed ten (10) minutes.  Unanimous consent shall be required if an additional ten (10) minutes is required.

Seating

The voting body shall be seated in a designated section of the auditorium.