Progressive Democrats of Colorado

Progressive Democrats of Colorado By-Laws

Article 1. Name, Affiliation, and Purpose

Section 1-1
This organization shall be known as Progressive Democrats of Colorado (PDC).

Section 1-2
PDC shall be an initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party

Section 1-3
We, Progressive Democrats of Colorado, are committed to strengthening and expanding the Colorado Democratic Party by providing a voice for progressive ideals and policies within the Party.

Section 1-4
These bylaws are intended to supplement the Rules of the Democratic Party of Colorado as they relate to Party Initiatives. The Election Laws and the State Rules shall take precedence in the case of any discrepancies.

Article 2. Membership

Section 2-1
Any person registered as a Democrat in the state of Colorado and who supports the mission of PDC is eligible for membership in PDC.

Section 2-2
All members of PDC shall be entitled to hold office and participate in decisions and activities provided that they have paid the required membership dues.

Section 2-3
Members shall be required to pay dues of $10 per year.

Article 3. Membership Meetings

Section 3-1
Membership meetings of PDC shall be held at least twice annually. Twenty days notice shall be given to all members.

Section 3-2
The quorum for a membership meeting shall be 30% of the members.

Section 3-3
Membership meetings may be called by a Co-Chair or by the Executive Committee or by at least one fifth of the members of PDC.

Article 4. Officers and Executive Board

Section 4-1
The Officers of PDC shall be a two Co-Chairpersons, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 4-2
The officers shall exercise the powers and assume the duties customary of their offices. The Officers shall have such additional powers and duties as may, from time to time, be conferred upon them.

Section 4-3
The Executive Committee of PDC shall carry on the business of PDC between membership meetings, and exercise other functions herein authorized. The Executive Committee shall consist of all officers and five other persons elected for that purpose.

Section 4-4
Executive Committee meetings may be called by a Co-Chair or by at least one third of the members of the Executive Committee. Reasonable notice must be given to all Executive Committee members.

Section 4-5
The quorum for a Executive Committee meeting shall be 50% of the members of the Executive Committee. Members may participate by phone.

Section 4-6
The Executive Committee may take action without a meeting provided a majority of the Executive Committee members approve the action and all Executive Committee members are notified.

Section 4-7
The Executive Committee shall appoint such Committees as may be necessary for the work of PDC. The purposes, functions, and terms of office of the Committee members shall be clearly indicated at the time of their appointment. These committees shall be held accountable for following the rules of PDC and their work will be open and available to members of PDC.

Article 5. Elections

Section 5-1
Officers and Executive Committee Members shall be elected at a membership meeting to be held in March of each year.

Section 5-2
Officers shall be elected by a majority of those members present and voting. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, run-off elections shall be held with the person receiving the fewest votes being dropped until two candidates remain.

Section 5-3
For the election of Executive Committee Members the Instant Runoff Voting system shall be used.

Section 5-4
Officers and members of the Executive Committee shall be elected for a term of one year or until their successors have been elected and installed in office.

Section 5-5
In the event a vacancy shall occur in any office, such vacancy may be filled by a temporary appointment by the Executive Committee. At the next membership meeting prior notice shall be given of the vacancy and an election held to fill the office for the balance of the term.

Article 6. Removal from Office

Section 6-1
Officers and members of the Executive Committee may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of those present at a membership meeting called expressly for that purpose.

Article 7. Amendments

Section 7-1
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at any membership meeting, provided that notice of the by-law change shall have been mailed to the membership twenty days prior to the meeting. Until PDC is approved by the Colorado Democratic Party as an initiative the notice of change is waived.

Article 8. General Provisions

Section 8-1
A proxy is an authorization, in writing, for one person to act for, and in place of, another at a meeting of a committee. For the purpose of establishing a quorum, proxies shall be counted. Members of PDC may deputize, by signed proxy, a named person to act for them at any meeting. No person may carry more than two proxies. The persons giving the proxy may make written instructions thereon as to how it shall be voted.

Section 8-2
Any procedure which is not prescribed in or governed by these Rules shall be governed by the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.