Club Bylaws

				

				
			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				

			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE Chagrin Gateway Democrats


ARTICLE I ─ NAME


This club’s name shall be Chagrin Gateway Democrats, hereinafter referred to as “Club”.


ARTICLE II ─ PURPOSE


The purpose of this Club shall be to:


    

  1. Provide election information to members and the public;
    2. 

  2. Support and promote the platforms and principles of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the Ohio Democratic Party, and the Democratic National Committee; and
    3. 

  3. Support and promote candidates endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the Ohio Democratic Party, and the Democratic National Committee.
    4. 



ARTICLE III ─ POLICIES


Section 1. ENDORSEMENT POLICY


Where the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party has made no endorsement in a particular race or for a particular issue, the Club may endorse a Democratic candidate in such race or a position on such issue. Individual members of this organization may work for the candidate or issue of their choice in such elections, but not in the name of the Club.


Section 2. OPPOSITION PARTIES


The Club shall not support an opposition party candidate nor act against the policies and bylaws of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the Ohio Democratic Party, or the Democratic National Committee.


Section 3. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS


The Club shall not affiliate with any political organization which is not officially recognized as working in concert with the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the Ohio Democratic Party, or the Democratic National Committee.  


ARTICLE IV ─ MEMBERSHIP


Section 1. FULL MEMBERSHIP


Every registered Democrat residing in Bentleyville, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls Township, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, Orange Village, Pepper Pike, or Woodmere shall be eligible for full membership in the Club. An application for full membership must be accompanied by the first year’s dues to the Club and approved by an elected officer of the Club or the City Leader.


Section 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP


The following persons shall be eligible for membership as an Associate Member:


    

  1. Any person who would otherwise qualify for membership under Article IV, Section 1 but has not established residence in the communities listed there;
    2. 

  2. Any unaffiliated person who agrees to abide by the purposes set forth in Article II. An application for associate membership must be accompanied by the first year’s dues to the Club and approved by an elected officer of the Club or the City Leader. An Associate Member shall not have voting privileges or hold office in the Club.
    3. 



Section 3. GOOD STANDING


A member in good standing shall be a member who is a registered Democrat and has paid the required dues for the current calendar year at least thirty (30) days prior to a vote.


    

  1. For purposes of establishing membership to elect an initial slate of officers, members may pay dues, and be considered in good standing, up to the time of the first election. This clause will be voided and removed following the election of officers.
    2. 



ARTICLE V ─ DUES


Section 1. FISCAL YEAR


The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31.


Section 2. MEMBERSHIP DUES


The Executive Committee shall set membership dues for the fiscal year. Membership dues shall be payable no later than December 31 and shall be delinquent March 1. Dues collected in October, November, and December may be applied to the following year’s membership.


    

  1. For purposes of establishing membership to elect an initial slate of officers, dues will be set at $10—payable up to the start of the meeting at which officers are elected. This clause will be voided and removed following the election of officers.
    2. 



Section 3. CLUB DONATIONS


Club shall contribute a minimum of $25.00 payable to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party on or before December 31 of each year.


ARTICLE VI ─ ELECTED OFFICERS AND DUTIES


Section 1. ELECTED OFFICERS


The elected officers of this club shall be a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.


Section 2. ELIGIBILITY


Each elected officer must be a full member in good standing.


Section 3. ELECTION


The officers shall be elected at the February meeting of odd numbered years or, if no such meeting shall occur for any reason, at the next meeting held thereafter.


Officers shall serve a term of two years, or until their successors are elected.


    

  1. Notice of intent to seek Club office must be sent electronically to the Executive Committee at least fourteen (14) days prior to the election.
    2. 

  2. Election of officers will begin with President, then will proceed with elections for First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer 
    3. 

  3. If there are more than two candidates for an office and no candidate receives a majority vote on the first ballot, a second ballot shall be taken eliminating the low candidate and the process shall continue until one candidate receives a majority of votes.
    4. 

  4. Candidates may seek more than one office, but will be removed from down ballot elections after they are elected to an office.
    5. 



Section 4. VACANCY


A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the First Vice President. All other vacancies within term shall be filled by election at the first meeting following the creation of the vacancy.


Section 5. OFFICER DUTIES.


    

  1. The President shall:

      

    1. Call and preside over all meetings of the Club and the Executive Committee;
      2. 

    2. Make Committee appointments as necessary to conduct the business of the club;
      3. 

    3. Co-sign checks as one of two authorized signatures with the Treasurer; and
      4. 

    4. Supervise and assist with all other duties and activities of the Club and its officers.
      5. 

    

    2. 

  2. The First Vice President shall:

      

    1. Perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence;
      2. 

    2. Fill the unexpired term in the event of a vacancy in the office of President;
      3. 

    3. Assist the Secretary in performing the Secretary’s duties; and
      4. 

    4. Perform such other duties as are assigned by the President, the Executive Committee, or the Club.
      5. 

    

    3. 

  3. The Second Vice President shall:

      

    1. Assist the Treasurer in performing the Treasurer’s duties; and
      2. 

    2. Perform such other duties as are assigned by the President, the Executive Committee, or the Club.
      3. 

    

    4. 

  4. The Secretary shall:

      

    1. Keep the minutes of all meetings of the Club and Executive Committee;
      2. 

    2. Keep the record of Club membership;
      3. 

    3. Monitor and respond to communications on all written, electronic, and social media accounts, in coordination with the President;
      4. 

    4. Maintain all Club records; and
      5. 

    5. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President, the Executive Committee, or the Club.
      6. 

    

    5. 

  5. The Treasurer shall:

      

    1. Screen all applicants for Club membership pursuant to Article IV;
      2. 

    2. Collect all dues of Club members and all other funds which are received by the Club and give receipts for such;
      3. 

    3. Serve as custodian of all Club funds and deposit them in a bank approved by the Executive Committee;
      4. 

    4. Co-sign checks as one of two authorized signatures with the President;
      5. 

    5. Disburse funds only as directed by the Executive Committee or the Club;
      6. 

    6. Make financial report(s) to regular Club and Executive Committee meetings and, upon written demand, to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party;
      7. 

    7. Make an annual report of all receipts and expenditures; and
      8. 

    8. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President, the Executive Committee, or the Club.
      9. 

    

    6. 



Section 6. RECORDS


All officers and all committee chairpeople shall deliver all records of the Club to their successors.


ARTICLE VII ─ MEETINGS


Section 1. REGULAR MEETINGS


Regular meetings shall be held as decided by the Executive Committee, including by video or teleconference (including Zoom). At least seven (7) days’ notice shall be given to all members for regular meetings.


Section 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS


Special meetings may be called by the President or Democratic City Leader with at least seven (7) days’ notice.


Section 3. EXECUTIVE MEETINGS


Executive meetings may be called by the President or City Leader with at least seven (7) days’ notice and attendance will be limited to the elected officers.


Section 4. QUORUM


Ten percent (10%) of the membership of record shall constitute a quorum for meetings, the election of officers, and the removal of officers and members.


Section 5. ORDER OF BUSINESS – REGULAR MEETINGS


The order of business at each regular meeting shall be:


    

  1. Call to Order
    2. 

  2. Reading of Minutes
    3. 

  3. Reading of Correspondence
    4. 

  4. Report of Officers
    5. 

  5. Report of Committees
    6. 

  6. Report of City Leader
    7. 

  7. Business of the meeting and speakers
    8. 

  8. New Business
    9. 

  9. Adjournment
    10. 



Section 5. VOTING


Only full members in good standing shall be eligible to vote on matters coming before the Club, including the election of officers. A vote of the Club or Executive Committee may be conducted at any regular or special meeting, whether in person or by video or teleconference. The vote shall be ratified and entered into the minutes at the body’s next regular meeting.


Section 6. CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE


Prior to a primary election, all candidates who are registered Democrats and seeking election to a public office as Democrats in the jurisdictions of the Club’s communities shall be permitted to speak at Club meetings—in an order determined by the President ahead of the business of the meeting.


After a primary election, only candidates endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party may speak at Club meetings.


Section 7. NOTICE. Notice for all meetings may be sent electronically, advertised in local media, or posted on the Club’s official webpage or social media account(s).


ARTICLE VIII ─ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


Section 1. COMPOSITION


The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers.


Section 2. DUTIES


The Executive Committee shall transact necessary business between meetings of the Club, approve committee appointments made by the President, and perform other duties as assigned by the Club and these Bylaws.


ARTICLE IX ─ COMMITTEES


Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES


Standing committees may be created as the Club desires. The committee membership of such committee(s) shall be appointed by the President, and approved by the Executive Committee. Officers and Club members may be appointed to standing committees and shall serve for the same term as the President.


Section 2. COMMITTEE MEMBERS


All committee members must be members in good standing in the Club.


ARTICLE X – REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OR MEMBERSHIP


Members of the Executive Committee or members of the club may be removed by two-thirds (2/3) vote of Club members in good standing for any of the following reasons after investigation by the Executive Committee:


    

  1. Non-payment of dues;
    2. 

  2. Publicly advocating for a non-Democratic candidate where there is an endorsed Democrat for a public office;
    3. 

  3. Registering as a Republican;
    4. 

  4. Failure to uphold the policies and objectives of this Club as stated in these bylaws; or
    5. 

  5. Any serious act (including noncriminal acts) of misconduct, including but not limited to acts of dishonesty, theft, misappropriation of funds, moral turpitude, or any other action that is detrimental to the reputation or goodwill associated with this Club.
    6. 



ARTICLE XI ─ PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY


The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the conduct of the Club’s business except where inconsistent with these bylaws or those of the County Party.


ARTICLE XII ─ AMENDMENTS


These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of Club members in good standing at any meeting of the club, provided that notice of the proposed amendment(s) shall have been sent to each member seven (7) calendar days prior to the date of the meeting.


ARTICLE XIII – PREVIOUS CONSTITUTIONS AND BYLAWS


This Constitution and Bylaws supersede any and all previous Constitutions and Bylaws of the Chagrin Gateway Democrats and shall take effect immediately upon adoption.


ARTICLE XIV ─ DISSOLUTION


Club may be dissolved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of Club members in good standing at any regular or special meeting of the club, provided that notice of the dissolution has been submitted in writing (including by electronic means) at least thirty (30) days prior and has been sent to all members of the club. In the event of dissolution, the Executive Committee shall, after payment of all liabilities of the club, distribute any remaining assets to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, consistent with the bylaws of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. No funds shall be distributed to any member or officer of the club. The right to use the name of a dissolved club shall revert to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.


These revised and amended bylaws approved and adopted by the Chagrin Gateway Democrats on January 7, 2025 by elected and appointed members of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Central and Executive Committees.