Bold Print is proposed change. Underlined is proposed deletion.

 

CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLICANS OF CLAY COUNTY

as adopted Clay County Convention, March 15th, 2008

The Republicans of Clay County welcome the participation of all Minnesotans who are concerned with the implementation of honest, efficient, responsive government. The Republican Party (Party) believes in the equality of all, as stated in the Declaration of Independence. It, therefore is the Party committed to equal representation and opportunity for all and the preservation of the rights of each individual. It is the purpose of this Constitution to ensure that the Party provides for full participation with equal opportunity for all Minnesotans.

ARTICLE I NAME

The name of this Basic Political Organizational Unit (BPOU) shall be the Republicans of Clay County.

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be composed of all persons residing in Clay County who desire to support the objectives of the Republican Party.

ARTICLE III PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this organization shall be the maintenance and advancement of the principles and objectives of the Republicans. The objectives of the organization shall be to secure the election of Republican officials, remembering always that in order to govern, Republican candidates must win elections.

ARTICLE IV PRECINCT PARTY ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Precinct Caucus: The regular biennial caucus of the members of this organization residing in each precinct shall be called by the Chairperson of this organization in each even-numbered year as prescribed by the Minnesota Statutes. This caucus shall include election of a precinct Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. Additional unofficial precinct meetings may be called by the precinct Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson to discuss issues, candidates and other matters of interest.

Section 2. Precinct Delegates: The biennial caucus shall elect delegates to the BPOU Convention. The Clay County Executive Committee shall determine the apportionment of delegates based upon the vote cast in each precinct for the Republican candidate for Governor or President in the last preceding statewide general election. Each precinct shall be entitled to a minimum of two (2) delegates. The Precinct Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson shall be the first nominees for election as delegates. Officers of the current Executive Committee and elected Republican state representatives are delegates to the BPOU convention regardless of the caucus process. Their inclusion will not affect the caucus allocation for the precincts involved.

Section 3. Precinct Alternates: Such biennial caucuses may also elect a number of alternates to the BPOU Convention equal in number to the delegates elected from that precinct.

Section 4. Precinct Committee: The Precinct Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson along with the elected delegates shall comprise the Precinct Committee of the precinct.

ARTICLE V BPOU CONVENTIONS & ENDORSEMENTS

Section 1. Conventions: The BPOU Convention shall be held each year during the period set by the State Executive Committee, and the Clay County Executive Committee shall determine the time and place of the convention. Special Clay County Conventions may be held at any time deemed necessary by a majority of the members of the Clay County Executive Committee.

Section 2. Composition: The BPOU Conventions shall be composed of all delegates or their seated alternates duly elected at the precinct caucuses.

Section 3. Election of Officers: Those annual Conventions held in odd-numbered years shall elect from the membership of The Republicans of Clay County a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The nominees for these positions shall be voted upon separately and shall serve until the next odd-numbered year BPOU Convention.

Section 4. State and District Convention Delegates and Alternates: BPOU Conventions in even-numbered years shall elect from the membership of The Republicans of Clay County Delegates, First Alternates and Second Alternates to the District and State Republican Conventions. The current BPOU Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson shall serve as Delegates to the State and District Conventions. First and second alternates will be assigned a numerical ranking by number of votes received. In the case of a slate being elected by voice vote, the Executive Committee will randomly assign a numerical order.

Section 5. Election of State Central Committee Delegates and Alternates: BPOU Conventions in odd-numbered years shall elect from the membership of the Republicans of Clay County: State Central Committee Delegates, First Alternates, Second Alternates and Third Alternates.

Section 6. Quorum: Ten percent (10%) of the membership of the Convention shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business of the Convention.

Section 7. Committees: Prior to the convening of any Clay County Convention, the Clay County Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson shall appoint as needed the following pre-convention committees from the duly elected delegates and/or alternates to the Convention.

a. Credentials Committee

b. Rules Committee

c. Resolutions Committee

d. Nominating Committee

e. Standing Constitution Committee

f. Such other Committees as circumstances dictate

Section 8. Endorsing Conventions: At any endorsing convention that may be held, delegates seated at the convention may endorse candidates for public office by a vote of 60% of the delegates and seated alternates, based on the _3rd credentials report, provided, however, that such endorsement shall be advisory only and that delegates to the District and State Conventions shall not be bound by such endorsement.

ARTICLE VI BPOU EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

Section 1. Establishment: There shall be an Executive Committee responsible for providing leadership to the organization and for the management of its affairs.

Section 2. Composition: The Executive Committee shall consist of members of The Republicans of Clay County as follows:

A. Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the BPOU having responsibility for providing leadership and executive guidance.

B. Deputy Chairperson. The Deputy Chairperson shall work with the Chairperson in providing leadership and executive guidance, and shall perform the duties assigned by the Executive Committee.

C. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all of the BPOU Executive Committee meetings and shall send out all notices of the meetings.

D. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive, keep and be responsible for all funds of the BPOU and shall complete accurate records and accounts of the receipts and disbursements of such funds.

 

E. Finance Chairperson and Deputy Finance Chairperson as defined in Article VII, Section 1.

F. Directors. Directors shall be responsible for providing leadership for the organization in particular areas of party function. The Directors shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and confirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee.

G. One designated representative from each unit of an auxiliary or affiliate organization of The Republicans of Minnesota located in Clay County.

H. Ex-Officio (Non-voting): Elected State or National public officials, present officers of the Congressional District, State and National organizations of the Republicans who reside in Clay County, and the immediate past Chairperson and past Deputy Chairperson of the organization shall serve as ex-officio members.

Section 3. Meetings: The Executive Committee shall hold regular monthly meetings. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson shall be the presiding officer. In the absence of both the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson, a presiding officer shall be elected by those voting members present. Fifty percent (50%) of the voting members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of its business.

Section 4. Pre-endorsement Activity: If there is a contest for any endorsement, all declared candidates seeking that endorsement shall be allowed equal access to all information, Clay County events, and resources allowed candidates prior to endorsement.

ARTICLE VII BPOU FINANCE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Composition: The Finance Committee shall consist of the Finance Chairperson and Deputy Finance Chairperson appointed by the Executive Committee and such additional members as the Finance Chairperson deems necessary.

Section 2. Function: The Finance Committee shall be responsible for the organization and

administration of the fundraising for the BPOU, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII VACANCIES

Section 1. Vacancies among officers and directors shall be filled by the Executive Committee and confirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Vacancy in Precinct Delegation: A vacancy shall occur in a delegate or alternate position upon death, resignation or change in residence to outside of the precinct from which the delegate or alternate was elected. Special caucuses for one or more precincts may be called by the Executive Committee in a manner prescribed by statute of biennial precinct caucuses for the sole purpose of filling vacancies in precincts which exist at the time of notice.

Section 3. Vacancy in District or State Delegation: A vacancy shall occur in a delegate or alternate position upon death, resignation, or change in residence to outside of the BPOU. These vacancies may be filled by the BPOU Convention in odd-numbered years.

ARTICLE IX SEATING OF ALTERNATES

Section 1. BPOU Conventions: Should any elected precinct delegate to the BPOU Convention fail to attend such Convention, said seat shall be filled from the qualified available alternates from that precinct by caucus action of the assembled delegates from that precinct.

Section 2. District or State Conventions: If a delegate is unable to attend a District or State Convention, or a portion thereof, said Delegate may designate a First Alternate to fill the vacancy by notifying the BPOU Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of such designation in writing not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the Convention. The Delegate may designate a Second Alternate in the same manner but only if, after inquiry, no First Alternate is available to fill the vacancy. If a Delegate fails to attend a District or State Convention, or a portion thereof, and fails to designate an Alternate replacement, Alternates will be seated in the numerical odder that they were elected.  the Delegate’s seat shall be filled from among the qualified available Alternates, by caucus action of the assembled BPOU Delegates to the Convention. No Second Alternate may be seated at any District or State Convention until all First Alternates attending such Convention from the BPOU shall be given an opportunity to be seated in an existing vacancy.

ARTICLE X REMOVALS

Members of the Executive Committee, Delegates and Alternates to Conventions may, except as otherwise prescribed by State Constitution, be removed only by a two-thirds vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee. Notice of any proposed removal and of the time and place at which such removal is to be voted upon shall be given to the members of the Executive committee. The individual whose removal is proposed and Executive Committee members shall be served with a statement of the specific grounds for the proposed removal at least ten (10) days before a vote is to be taken upon such proposal.

ARTICLE XI CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments: This Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of the members seated at a BPOU Convention. No proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Convention until after it has been considered by a Constitution Committee and reported out of said Committee by at least a minority report signed by two such committee members. Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Constitution Committee in writing and at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to any BPOU Convention at which that proposed amendment is to be considered.

Section 2. Effective Date: Each amendment to this Constitution shall, unless otherwise prescribed by the amendment, become effective immediately upon its adoption.

ARTICLE XII RULES OF ORDER

The rules of parliamentary procedure contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern Republicans of Clay County in all applicable cases in which they are not in conflict with this Constitution, the laws of the State of Minnesota or the Constitution of the Republicans of Minnesota.