Bylaws
Preamble
The Supreme and Authoritative Representative Body of the Democratic Party in
Lebanon County shall consist in a County Committee and the duly elected officers
thereof, together with such other subordinate committees and officials as may be
set forth in these by-laws.
Article I - Name
The organization shall be known as the Lebanon County Democratic Committee.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of the organization shall be manifold. It shall make such rules
and regulations for the government of the Democratic Party in Lebanon County,
consistent with the rules of the Democratic State Committee, as may be deemed
necessary and proper. It shall contribute to the growth and influence of the
Democratic Party, in municipalities, county, state and nation; develop
leadership and maintain and promote harmony within the ranks of the Lebanon
County Democratic Party; to expound the philosophy of the Democratic Party; and
to join with all others of like thought and principle in achieving the goals of
the Democratic Party in all areas of government.
Article III - Authority
The County Committee of Lebanon County, legally called and assembled in
accordance with the rules of the party, is empowered to make such rules and
regulations for the government of the Democratic organization, and the members
and candidates thereof, not inconsistent with the rules of the Democratic State
Committee, as shall be necessary for the orderly government and best interests
and success of the party; provided, however, that such rules are not to become
effective until or unless approved by the Executive Committee of the Democratic
State Committee in Pennsylvania.
Article Iv - Membership
Section 1 - Composition of Committee Membership
The Democratic County Committee of Lebanon County shall consist of three
resident registered Democrats from each election precinct in the County, who
shall be elected every four years by the Democratic electors of their
precinct, at the Spring Primary held in a Gubernatorial election year, and
shall be elected for a four year term at the time, place and manner as
provided by the primary election law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Section 2 - Qualifications
No person other than a duly qualified and registered Democratic elector
shall qualify to hold any office under these by-laws of the Democratic Party
of Lebanon County. If any such person holding a party office shall change
party registration then the office shall be deemed vacant and a successor
shall be appointed in accordance with these by-laws.
Section 3 - Vacancies
Subject to the provisions of Article VIII, Section 3, the County
Chairperson is empowered to fill all vacancies existing in the County
Committee at any time from any cause, and shall do so as vacancies may occur.
A County Chairperson shall not fill any vacancy occurring through failure to
select a Committeeperson at the local primary at which they should have been
elected, until after the election of a Chairperson at the reorganization
meeting.
Article V - District Organization
Section 1
The County of Lebanon shall be divided for purposes of the organization,
into ten districts.
Section 2
At a caucus for each district held immediately following the reorganization
meeting of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee, each district shall
nominate one or more candidates for the office of District Leader of such
district.
Section 3
The District Leader of each district shall then be elected from the list of
nominees by the Committeepersons of each district at the caucus of each
district held immediately following the reorganization meeting.
Section 4
The District Leader shall be a currently elected Committeeperson in one of
the voting precincts composing the district. Each District Leader shall be a
member of the Executive Committee as provided in these by-laws.
Section 5
In the event a vacancy occurs in the leadership of any district, said
vacancy shall be filled at a meeting of the district Committeepersons called
by the County Chairperson within a reasonable period of time from the date
such a vacancy occurs.
Section 6
The Executive Committee of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee shall
have the power and authority to recommend the recall for any District Leader.
Such recommendation of recall may be initiated at the first regular monthly
meeting of the Executive Committee by a simple majority of the members of the
Executive Committee present at that meeting. If recall is recommended, notice
of the Executive Committee’s decision shall be given to the District Leader in
writing within 5 days of the meeting. Such notice shall advise the District
Leader that he or she may attend the first regular meeting of the following
month to contest the recommendation and request recission of the Executive
Committee’s decision. If the decision is not rescinded, the County Chairperson
shall schedule a District Meeting in the leader’s district to be held within
30 days, but not less than 10 days, of the meeting to consider and vote upon
the recommendation of recall. Committee people in the office of the district
in question shall be given at least 10 days notice in writing of the date,
time, place, and reason for the meeting.
Section 7
- The Districts shall be composed as follows:
-
- District 1
-
Millcreek, Heidelberg Schaefferstown, Heidelberg
Kleinfeltersville Townships and Richland Borough
- District 2
-
Myerstown Borough North, Myerstown Borough South,
and Jackson East, and Jackson West Townships
- District 3
-
South Lebanon North, South Lebanon South, South
Lebanon West Townships and Cornwall and Mt. Gretna Boroughs.
- District 4
-
North Cornwall North, North Cornwall South, West
Cornwall, West Lebanon, North Lebanon East, North Lebanon Middle, and North
Lebanon West Townships
- District 5
-
Palmyra Borough East, Palmyra Borough North,
Palmyra Borough West, and the Townships of South Londonderry Campbelltown,
Lawn; North Londonderry East, North, and West
- District 6
-
Townships of Annville East, Annville West, North
Annville, South Annville, and Cleona Borough
- District 7
-
Townships of East Hanover, Swatara, Union
Greenpoint, Union Lickdale, Bethel Fredericksburg, Bethel Mt Zion, and
Jonestown Borough.
- District 8
-
Lebanon City wards: First East, First Middle,
First West, Eight, and Fourth
- District 9
-
Lebanon City wards: Second East, Second West,
Third, Sixth, and Seventh
- District 10
-
Lebanon City wards: Fifth East, Fifth Middle,
Fifth West, Ninth and Tenth
Article Vi - Meetings
Section 1 - Organization meeting
The Chairperson of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee shall issue a
call for the assembly and organization of the County Committee as elected, to
meet at a convenient time and place in the County of Lebanon no later than the
sixth Wednesday following the Spring Primary Election in the year in which
County Committeepersons shall be elected. Such call shall be made at least ten
(10) days prior to the meeting by public proclamation or written notice,
signed by said Chairperson, addressed and mailed to every Committeeperson
elected at said Primary.
At the organization meeting the retiring Chairperson shall preside only for
the purpose of:
1) Calling the meeting to order.
2) In the event the Chairperson of the County Committee fails or neglects
to issue a call for the organization of the new County Committee, within the
time provided, any three members of the newly elected County Committee shall
have authority to issue such a call to meet, in the same manner and with ten
(10) days notice as the Chairperson is required to give, such meeting so
called having the authority and legality as if called by the retiring County
Chairperson.
Section 2 - Regular Meetings
The Lebanon County Democratic Committee shall meet in regular session four
times a year at a time and place designated in the written notice on the
following dates:
- Within ten (10) days following the first day for circulating petitions.
- Within ten (10) days immediately preceding the Primary Election.
- Within ten (10) days after Labor Day.
- Within twenty (20) days prior to the November Election.
Section 3 - Special Meetings
The Lebanon County Democratic Committee may be called to a Special Meeting
at any time by the County Chairperson upon five (5) days written notice.
The County Chairperson shall call a Special Meeting upon the written
request signed by any twenty-five (25) Committeepersons of the County
Committee.
Written notice of a Special Meeting sent to all Committeepersons shall
contain the purpose for such meeting. No other business may come before the
County Committee at such Special Meeting than that set forth in the notice
calling such Special Meeting.
Section 4 - Proxies
Any Committeeperson may substitute any Democratic elector from his or her
own election precinct by a signed and witnessed proxy, to act for the
Committeeperson temporarily at the next session of the Committee, and the
holder of the said proxy shall have all the powers and rights at the
designated meeting as the Committeeperson would have if personally present.
Article VII - Notices
All notices of regular or Special Meetings shall be in writing signed by the
Chairperson or the Secretary of the County Committee. Such notices shall be sent
by regular United States mail at least ten (10) days in advance of regular
meetings and at least five (5) days, for Special Meetings.
Article VIII - Officers
Section 1
There shall be elected a Chairperson of the Lebanon County Democratic
Committee, two Vice-Chairpersons, one of whom shall represent the City of
Lebanon and one to represent the County, a Secretary, an assistant Secretary,
a Treasurer, and an Assistant Treasurer each of whose terms shall run for the
ensuing four (4) years or until their respective successors are elected and
installed. One of the Vice-Chairpersons shall be of the opposite sex as that
the Chairperson. (As amended 10/20/93)
Section 2
Each nominee for an office shall be a duly qualified Committeeperson.
Section 3
Where vacancies occur in any office other than County Chairperson, the
County Chairperson shall have the power to fill such vacancies with temporary
appointments until the next regular meeting of the County Committee. At that
meeting, the County Committee shall elect persons to fill such vacancies for
the balance of the unexpired term in each case.
Section 4
An officer may serve an unexpired term to which they were elected when
there is a change of residence within the boundaries of the County of Lebanon.
Article Ix - Duties Of Officers
Section 1
The Chairperson shall:
- Be the chief executive officer of this organization.
- Preside at all meetings of the general membership and of the Executive
Committee.
- Have general and active management of all business of this organization.
- See that all orders and resolutions of the Executive Committee are
carried out.
- Have general superintendence and direction of all other officers of this
organization and see that their duties are properly performed.
- Be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
- Appoint all committees, except as may be provided otherwise in these
by-laws.
Section 2
One of the Vice-chairpersons shall be elected at the regular reorganization
meeting to fulfill the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chairperson.
Section 3
In the absence of the Chairperson designate, the other Vice-Chairperson
shall conduct all business of the organization.
Section 4
The Secretary and/or Assistant Secretary shall:
- Attend all sessions of the Executive Committee and all meetings of the
Lebanon County Democratic Committee and act as a clerk therefore.
- Record all votes and minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept
specifically for that purpose and when requested, perform a like service for
all standing committees.
- Send notices of all meetings to the members of the County Committee as
provided by these by-laws.
- Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive
Committee, the County Committee, or the County Chairperson.
Section 5
The Treasurer and/or Assistant Treasurer, under the direction of the
Executive committee shall:
Have charge of the funds of this organization and shall deposit the same in
the name of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee in depositories designated
by the Executive Committee.
Pay all vouchers or bills properly attested by the Chairperson and
Secretary.
Make a complete and accurate report of the finances of this organization at
each meeting of the Executive Committee and each regular meeting of the County
Committee. The books of the Treasurer shall be submitted for audit upon
written request of the Chairperson or of the auditing committee, but not more
than twice per year.
Article X - Bonds
The Executive Committee may require officers to be bonded as it shall deem
necessary for any amounts as it may deem necessary provided, that the Treasurer
of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee be bonded annually for a figure to be
determined by the Executive Committee. The County Committee shall pay for the
Treasurer’s bond.
Article XI - Elections
Section 1
Prior to the election of officers at the organization meeting of the
Lebanon County Democratic Committee, a standing vote shall be taken to decide
if the voting for the day shall be by ballot or by standing vote.
Section 2
A simple majority of those present shall be sufficient to elect an officer.
Article XII - Executive Committee
Section 1
The Executive Committee of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee shall
consist of the elected officers of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee,
the ten District Leaders, five appointed members at large who shall be
registered Democratic voters, Lebanon County members of the Pennsylvania State
Democratic Committee and the State Committee Executive Committee, if any.
Section 2
The officers of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee shall be the
officers of the Executive Committee.
Section 3
Proxies are permitted at meetings of the Executive Committee.
Article XIII - Executive Committee, Duties And Responsibilities
Section 1
The Executive Committee shall execute the duties and powers of the County
Committee during the intervals between the meetings of the County Committee.
It shall formulate and adopt policies and recommend to the County Committee
for adoption policies for the accomplishments of the purposes of the County
Committee.
Section 2
The Executive Committee shall meet on the first and third Wednesday of each
month unless decided otherwise at a regular meeting of the Executive
Committee.
Section 3
The Executive Committee shall hold Special Meetings at the call of the
Chairperson by the Chairperson giving at least five (5) days notice . Any
seven (7) members of the Executive Committee may call a special meeting by
notice at any time to the Chairperson.
ARTICLE XIV - VACANCIES ON ELECTIVE TICKET
Section 1
The County Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons, Secretary and Treasurer, are
constituted a committee to fill any vacancies on an elective ticket not
covered by the State by-laws or by Sections 2, 3, and 4 herein.
Section 2
Committeepersons residing in the City of Lebanon are hereby constituted a
nominating committee to nominate a person to fill any vacancy that may occur
after the time has elapsed for filling nominations during the odd year
election campaign on the Democratic ticket for Lebanon City elective offices,
and a majority of them are empowered to so certify the same to the County
Board of Elections.
Section 3
Committeepersons in a borough or township are hereby constituted a
nominating committee to nominate a person to fill any vacancy that may occur
after the time has elapsed for filling nominations for all elective offices in
and a majority of them are empowered to so certify the same to the County
Board of Elections.
Section 4
Committeepersons residing in the judicial district are hereby constituted a
nomination committee to nominate a person to fill any vacancy that may occur
after the time has elapsed for filling nominations for all judicial elective
offices in the judicial district affected, and a majority of them are
empowered to so certify the same to the County Board of Elections.
Article XV - Quorums
Section 1
Ten percent (10%) of the duly qualified members of County Committee shall
constitute a quorum at any meeting of the County Committee.
Section 2
Seven (7) members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive
Committee.
Article XVI - Standing Committee
Section 1
The County Chairperson may appoint the following permanent committees:
Financial, Auditing, Proxies, and Publicity.
Section 2
]The Auditing Committee shall be subject to the approval of a majority vote
of the Executive Committee members in attendance.
Article XVII - Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts Rules of Order (latest edition), except as it may vary with these
by-laws, shall be the guiding rules for the conduct of the affairs to this
organization.
Article XVIII - Prohibition for Payment of Certain Filing Fees
The County Committee may not use its funds to pay the filing fees of
candidates for the offices of County Commissioner or Jury Commissioner.
Article XIX - Amendment of By-Laws
Section 1
These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the County Committee
by one of the following methods:
- Anyone desiring to move an amendment to the rules shall prepare a copy
of the rule to be amended, and with it a copy of the rule as it is to appear
when amended, and have ten percent (10%) of the members of the County
Committee to approve and sign the same with a request to the County
Chairperson that said proposed amendment shall be submitted at the next
regular meeting of the County Committee.
- The Chairperson shall appoint a by-laws committee of not more than 5
members of the County Committee who shall study and recommend change, if
any, to the Chairperson.
Section 2
The Chairperson shall send a copy to each
Committeeperson, all of which shall be done at least fifteen (15) days before
the day of the meeting at which it is to be voted upon.
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LCDC
