THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION & BYLAWS. Amended March 3, 2018

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1 THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION & BYLAWS Amended March 3, 2018

2 Table of Contents PREAMBLE... 3 ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION Section 1. Name... 3 Section 2. Responsibilities and Powers... 3 Section 3. Membership... 4 ARTICLE II OFFICERS... 4 Section I. Selection and Tenure... 4 Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Officers... 5 Section 3. Removal from Office... 6 Section 4. Vacancies... 7 ARTICLE III PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE... 7 Section 1. Powers and Duties of the Executive Committee... 7 Section 2. Membership... 7 Section 3. Tenure... 7 Section 4. Meetings... 7 Section 5. Quorum and Voting... 7 ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS... 7 Section 1. Caucus Meetings... 8 Section 2. Quorum and Voting... 8 Section 3. Issue Oriented Committees... 8 ARTICLE V JUDICIAL BOARD... 9 Section 1. Purpose... 9 Section 2. Selection and Tenure... 9 Section 3. Rules and decisions... 9 Section 4. Removal of members... 9 Section 5. Vacancies ARTICLE VI CHAPTER ORGANIZATIONS Section 1. Chapters and Their Scope Section 2. Membership... 10

3 Section 3. Minimum Membership Section 4. Official Name of Each Chapter Section 5. Chartering Section 6. Formation and Chartering of Chapters Section 7. Disbanding of Chapters Section 8. Settling of Disputes ARTICLE VII - CAUCUS FUNDS ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS ARTICLE IX - QUORUMS Section 1: General Quorum Requirement Section 2. Caucus (General) Meetings: Section 3. The Executive Committee Section 4. The Judicial Board Section 5. Committees appointed by the State Caucus President Section 6. Chapters Article X Representation on NCDP Executive and Policy Committees Section 1: NCDP Executive Committees Section 2: NCDP Policy Committees

4 PREAMBLE We, The Progressive Democrats of the North Carolina Democratic Party, hereby formally declare that we have organized a caucus that shall hereafter be known as The Progressive Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Recognizing that the North Carolina Democratic Party has committed itself to the principles of equal opportunity of participation in the political process and of fair representation at every level of state activity, we organize with the intention of advising the Party of the means by which it can best fulfill the ideals from which its principles derive. As Democrats, we seek a truly just society. We will collectively and individually work through the North Carolina Democratic Party to eradicate all forms of discrimination. We will work toward the realization of a State in which social equity and a respect for individual dignity prevail. We pledge, therefore, that consistent with the principles of the Party, we honor the rules set forth in the Plan of Organization of the North Carolina Democratic Party and by that of the North Carolina Democratic and National Party Platforms. ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION Section 1. Name The name of this organization shall be known as The Progressive Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Section 2. Responsibilities and Powers The Progressive Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party (hereinafter, referred to as the Caucus ) shall have a general responsibility for advising the North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) on matters of strategy and policy pertaining to Progressive issues and coordinating with other recognized NC democratic caucuses, subject to the provisions of the Plan of Organization of the NCDP. The Caucus shall foster our membership s accountability and responsibility, and nurture statewide Progressive leadership. The Caucus has a specific responsibility to take an active role in promoting inclusion, outreach, and empowerment of all North Carolina citizens in the political process for the benefit of the NCDP, Democrats seeking public office and all citizens of North Carolina. The Caucus s responsibilities will also include taking an active role in promoting of the Democratic Party, at all levels, its nominees for elected office, and its elected officials. These responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to: A. Providing for the election of Caucus and Democratic Party officers; B. Organizing precincts in the state with as large and diverse group of Democrats as possible so that every Democrat has a voice in the Party and Party business, as well as crafting Party rules and procedures; C. Increasing active participation at all levels of the Democratic Party and our government; D. Helping to create a NCDP party platform that supports our focus on social and economic issues. E. Supporting voter registration education of all citizens of North Carolina. F. Developing programs guaranteeing the systematic inclusion of all citizens in the decision-making of the NCDP. G. Working, collectively and individually through the NCDP, towards creating an environment within the State of North Carolina to eradicate all forms of discrimination H. Working towards creating a NCDP which demonstratively supports the needs of all the people of North Carolina. By helping to elect and reelect leaders which honor progressive values and the Democratic Party Platform and who work towards enacting NC Policies which embodies these ideals 3

5 I. Assisting state and local Democratic Party organizations in the selection and election of Progressive Caucus candidates as well as other caucus candidates such as African American, Hispanic, LGBT, Labor and Small Business caucuses. J. Promoting and organizing progressive caucuses at the Congressional District and County levels, as well as promoting a working relationship between the Local, State and National Progressive Caucuses. K. Coordinate with other States Progressive Caucuses and US Congressional Progressive Caucus on National issues. Section 3. Membership A. The Caucus membership shall be composed of registered Democratic voters whose primary residence is the location where they are registered to vote. B. The Caucus will strive to expand the NCDP membership by looking to address the concerns of unaffiliated progressive voters and progressive citizens who are not registered to vote, throughout the state, encouraging them to volunteer with the Caucus, creating a more inclusive political environment, where they will feel their voices will be heard. C. A membership form may be submitted to the Caucus Secretary electronically or on paper and a current membership list shall be kept on file with the Caucus Secretary. D. Suggested voluntary membership fees shall be determined by the Caucus Executive Committee. ARTICLE II OFFICERS Section I. Selection and Tenure A. The officers of the Caucus, who shall be identified as Progressive Democrats and are registered to vote as Democrats, shall consist of one (1) State President, one (1) State Vice President, one (1) Second Vice President, one(1) Third Vice President, one (1) Fundraising Chair, one (1) Secretary, one (1) Treasurer, one (1) Assistant Treasurer, County and Multi County Presidents, District Presidents, and Committee Chairs. These officials will form the Caucus Executive Committee. The Caucus shall strive for self-identified gender balance, and broad geographic representation by county among its officers. The State Vice President must, where possible, be of a different gender identity than that of the State President. Among the State President and the Vice Presidents, one of these offices must, where possible, be filled by a person of a racial or ethnic minority which constitutes at least twenty percent (20%) of the registered Democrats in North Carolina, and one of these offices must, where possible, be filled by a person thirty-five (35) years of age or younger who is a registered Democrat. B. Such officers as are provided for by this section of the bylaws shall be elected by a majority vote of Caucus membership in attendance, except in the case of Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, County and District Presidents and Committee Chairs. a. The County, Multi County, and District Presidents shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership of the District or County or Counties Caucus(s) in attendance of which they serve. b. The Committee Chair(s) position shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Committee they represent. c. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are appointed positions, by the Caucus President, and must meet the minimum qualifications of Treasurer set by the North Carolina State Board of 4

6 Elections. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall reside from the same county as the Caucus President. C. Elections shall be held at the meeting of the Caucus, held in August of odd numbered years. The term of office shall be no longer than two years. A notice of election of Caucus officers will be distributed to Caucus members thirty (30) days prior to the meeting when officers shall be elected. D. Eligible candidates for statewide offices must notify the Caucus Secretary at least 20 days prior to elections. Additional nominations can be made from the floor at any time prior to the vote. E. All eligible candidates for office within the State Caucus are entitled to a list of the Caucus membership upon request to the Caucus Secretary within 20 days of the meeting. The Secretary shall provide the list within 5 days of the request. F. Simultaneous Office Holding: Should any officer of the state Caucus, or a Caucus Chapter be elected as another officer of the state Caucus or another officer of a Caucus Chapter, he or she shall be deemed to have vacated their previous office. The vacated office shall be filled in accordance with the state Caucus or Caucus Chapter bylaws. In the event that an elected state caucus officer or chapter president is also an appointed member of the Executive Committee, that person shall not exercise more than one vote, in person or by proxy, on the Executive committee. Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Officers A. State President: Duties and responsibilities of the State President shall include serving as the chief presiding officer of the Caucus and the Caucus Executive Committee and exercising the authority delegated by the Caucus and the Caucus Executive Committee. The State President shall serve as the authorized day-to-day representative of the Caucus before the NCDP and any other third parties. Should the State President become incapacitated or should a vacancy occur, the Vice President will have authority to act as State President until a new State President is elected. B. State First Vice President: Duties and responsibilities of the State Vice President shall include but not be limited to assisting the State President, ensuring statewide cooperation between other caucuses and clubs in different regions of the State, and the identification and nurturing of State political talent. The State Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Executive Committee may from time to time prescribe by resolution, or as the State President may provide, subject to the powers and the supervision of the Executive Committee. In the event the State Vice President must succeed the State President due to absence, vacancy or, incapacitation, the State Vice President will serve in that capacity until the President returns or a new State President is elected by the Executive Committee for the remainder of the President's term. C. State Second Vice President: Duties and responsibilities of the Second Vice President shall include expanding the membership of the Caucus and NCDP, coordinating development of Caucus bylaws and Caucus platform. The Second Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Executive Committee may from time to time prescribe. Should the President and First Vice President be absent, become incapacitated, or a vacancy occurs, the Second Vice President will have authority to act as State President until the State President returns or a new State President is elected. D. State Third Vice President: Duties and responsibilities of the State Third Vice President shall include coordinating publicity for the caucus to expand the membership of the Caucus and NCDP and promote the Caucus message of inclusiveness and progressive values. The Third Vice President will work with committees such as Outreach, Platforms Resolutions and Legislative Affairs, Technology, and Fundraising to achieve these objectives, and perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Executive Committee may from time to 5

7 time prescribe. Should the President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President be absent, become incapacitated or should a vacancy occur, the Third Vice President will have authority to act as State President until the State President returns or a new State President is elected. E. Fundraising Chair: Duties and responsibilities of the Fundraising Chair shall include fundraising and event planning for the Caucus. The Fundraising Chair will work closely with the Treasurer and will be required to fulfill the State Board of Elections Campaign Finance Training prior to, or within one month, of taking office. The Fundraising Chair shall be an ex-officio, voting member of any fundraising or event committees. F. State Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer: The State Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are appointed by the State Caucus President and must not reside in the same household; Will have the duties and responsibilities of collection and stewardship of any monies collected. The State Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer will be required to fulfill the State Board of Elections Campaign Finance Training prior to, or within one 30 days, of taking office. In the event the State Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer position becomes vacant due to incapacitation, the State President must appoint someone to fill the vacated position within 30 days. G. Secretary: Duties and responsibilities of the Secretary shall include keeping an accurate record of the proceedings of all Caucus and Executive Committee meetings and giving notice in accordance with these Bylaws. Duties of the Secretary also include membership rolls, membership forms, meeting notifications, the dissemination and updating of media (website, newsletters, etc.). H. County, Multi County, and District Chapter Presidents: Duties and responsibilities of the chapter presidents shall include but not be limited to representation of the needs and concerns of their geographic constituencies and the identification and nurturing of political talent within their regions. The chapter presidents shall also be responsible for the duties and powers outlined in Article I Section 2 of these bylaws. Chapter Presidents or Vice Presidents shall come from within each chartered organization and reside and be registered to vote as a Democrat within its geographical boundaries. The Chapter Presidents are accountable to the State Caucus President and State Caucus Vice President this charter and the NCDP Plan of Organization. I. Committee Chairs: Duties and responsibilities of the Committee Chairs shall include but not be limited to representation of the committees they chair. They will provide status updates to Executive Committee members as defined in the Committee's charter. The Committee Chairs shall also be responsible for the duties and powers outlined in Article I Section 2 of these bylaws. One Committee Chair or Vice Chair shall come from each chartered Committee, as approved by the Executive Committee. The Committee Chairs are accountable to the State President and State Vice President this charter and the NCDP Plan of Organization. Section 3. Removal from Office A. An officer of the Caucus may resign by written notice to the ranking officer of the Caucus, and such resignation shall be immediately effective. B. After notice and opportunity for a hearing with the Judicial Board and upon grounds found by the Judicial Board to constitute good and sufficient cause, the Caucus may remove an officer. Findings of the Judicial Board may be subject to appeal to the Caucus Executive Committee. C. Any officer of the Caucus who is party to a dispute shall be recused from voting on appeal. D. Non-performance of duties and excessive absences (more than 3 meetings in a term of office or two meetings in a row) shall constitute cause for removal as a Caucus officer. E. Removal as an officer from the NCDP as provided by the Plan of Organization of the NCDP shall constitute cause for removal from the Caucus. 6

8 Section 4. Vacancies Vacancies created by resignation or removal, of any officer of the Caucus, shall be filled by the election of a successor by the Caucus. Except as otherwise noted in Article II Section 2 (A), (B) and (F). The President or ranking officer may make an interim appointment, with approval of the Caucus Executive Committee, until the Caucus is convened. ARTICLE III PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Section 1. Powers and Duties of the Executive Committee The Caucus Executive Committee shall be responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the Caucus when the full body is not in session. This responsibility shall include, but not be limited to: A. Authority of the Caucus between meetings thereof; B. Work with NCDP, Progressive Democratic Committees, Caucuses and organizations and on other related activities; C. Report on its proceedings to the Caucus and the NCDP. Section 2. Membership The Executive Committee of the Caucus shall be composed of the State President, the State Vice President, the State Second Vice President, the State Third Vice President, the Fundraising Chair, the Secretary, the Treasurer, assistant Treasurer, Chapter Presidents, and Committee Chairs. Appointment of other voting members to the Executive Committee may be made by a majority vote of the current Executive Committee. Section 3. Tenure Members of the Caucus Executive Committee shall serve until the election of their successors. Except as otherwise noted in Article II Section 2 (A), (B) and (F), the ranking officer may make an interim appointment, with approval of the Caucus Executive Committee, until the Caucus is convened. Section 4. Meetings The Caucus Executive Committee shall meet at least semi-annually each year. Meetings shall be called by the President or by written request of no fewer than one-half of its members. Reasonable notice of the Executive Committee meetings shall be given to the Caucus membership by electronic or any other means. All meetings of the Caucus Executive Committee shall be open to the public, and the Executive Committee shall keep a record of its proceedings. The Executive Committee will make best efforts to rotate the meeting locations throughout the state. Section 5. Quorum and Voting The provisions of Article IX Section 3 of these bylaws shall apply to proceedings of the Caucus Executive Committee. ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS 7

9 Section 1. Caucus Meetings A. The Caucus shall meet at least twice a year upon call of the President and after notice to members. B. The Caucus shall elect the officers enumerated in Article II at the meeting of the Caucus August meeting in the odd number years and as vacancies occur. C. All meetings of the Caucus shall be open to the public. D. Special meetings of the Caucus may be held upon the call of the President with the approval of the Caucus Executive Committee and with reasonable notice to members. Notice is reasonable if it is given not later than five (5) days before the special meeting. No action may be taken at such a special meeting unless such proposed action was included in the notice of the meeting. E. Except as noted above in Article IV Section 1 (D), the Caucus Secretary shall send Caucus members written notice of meeting date, time, and place and tentative agenda no later than thirty (30) days before each scheduled meeting. F. It shall be the duty of the Caucus President to honor a written request for a meeting from one-half or more of the members of the Caucus, within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of such request. The date of such meeting shall be fixed by the President not later than thirty (30) days nor earlier than fifteen (15) days from the date of the call. G. The Caucus shall keep a record of its proceedings which shall be made available to the public. H. In the absence of other provisions, Robert s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the conduct of all Caucus meetings. I. Except as noted elsewhere in these bylaws, reasonable notice of meetings of the Progressive Caucus Executive Committee, Judicial Board, all other Caucus Committees, and Chapters shall be given to the Caucus or chapter membership by electronic or any other means at least 14 days prior to meetings. Section 2. Quorum and Voting A. Quorum: The provisions of Article IX Section 2 of these bylaws shall apply to proceedings of the Caucus. B. Subject to the preliminary quorum requirement, all questions before the Caucus, unless otherwise provided by these Bylaws, shall be determined by majority vote of those members present and voting in person or by proxy. C. Balloting: No vote shall be taken by secret ballot. D. Each member of the Caucus shall be entitled to one vote on each issue before it. E. Proxy voting: Proxy voting shall be permitted. Proxies may be either general or limited and instructed or uninstructed. All proxies shall be in writing and transferable if so specified. No member may at any one time hold or exercise more than one proxy. Proxies registered by Caucus members for the General Session of the NCDP meeting are acceptable as proxies for Caucus meetings, provided that the proxy meets the three aforementioned criteria (general/limited, instructed/uninstructed, and in writing). F. The President of the Caucus may refer matters to the members of the Caucus for consideration and vote by mail or a secure website, provided however, that if more than twenty (20) percent of the full membership shall so request, the matter shall be presented to the next meeting of the Caucus. Section 3. Issue Oriented Committees A. The Caucus may from time to time create such standing or ad hoc issue oriented committees as it shall deem appropriate. B. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the members of all committees of the Caucus shall be appointed by the President of the Caucus, in consultation with the Caucus Executive Committee. 8

10 C. Committee Chairs shall be elected from the members of the Committee from the Caucus Executive Committee within thirty (30) days of formation or upon vacancy. D. All matters referred to any special committee, standing committee, or other sub-group must be acted upon and said action reported to the body which originated the committee, and the Caucus Executive Committee. ARTICLE V JUDICIAL BOARD Section 1. Purpose There is hereby established a Judicial Board for the purpose of hearing and rendering fair and impartial decisions on such disputes and controversies which may arise within the Caucus when the same are made known, in writing, to said Judicial Board by the NCDP, Caucus President, the Caucus Executive Committee, or by an aggrieved active Caucus member. Section 2. Selection and Tenure A. The Caucus Judicial Board will consist of active members of the Caucus and shall consist of 5 voting Judicial Board Members, and one Judicial Board secretary. The voting members include one (1) Judicial Board Chair elected by the Judicial Board members. B. Caucus officers at any level are not eligible to be on the Judicial Board. C. The Judicial Board shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Caucus in attendance. D. Elections shall be held at the Caucus meeting, held in August every even numbered year. The term of office shall be no longer than two years. E. The Judicial Board Secretary is appointed by the Caucus President, is a non-voting member and is responsible for documenting the decisions of the Judicial Board and generating reports to the Caucus Executive Committee and the NCDP. F. Nominations of candidates for offices can be made from the floor at any time prior to the vote. Section 3. Rules and decisions A. The Judicial Board Chair may assign a case to mediation if it is deemed appropriate. All agreements coming through mediation shall be reviewed by the Caucus Executive Committee. B. Any Judicial Board member who is a party to a dispute or a complaint shall be recused. If this results in a tied decision by the Judicial Board, the decision will be automatically appealed to the Caucus Executive Committee. C. All decisions concurred in by a majority of the Judicial Board present and voting shall be final and binding upon all Caucus meetings and officials, except that any decision of the Judicial Board may be appealed to the Caucus Executive Committee. D. The Caucus President is hereby directed to issue such further and supplementary directives as may be necessary and proper to implement the decisions of the Judicial Board. E. The Judicial Board is further empowered and directed to adopt necessary and appropriate rules to assure that each dispute and grievance is settled impartially, equitably and according to rules of justice and fairness. Section 4. Removal of members The Caucus Executive Committee shall have the right to remove from office any member of the Judicial Board upon two-thirds (⅔) of the Caucus Executive Committee present and voting being satisfied that the Judicial Board member has been disloyal to the Caucus or Party, has refused or 9

11 failed to perform his or her duties, has missed more than two meetings in a row or three meetings in their term of office, or is guilty of any misconduct which is not in keeping with his or her high position of honor in the Caucus. Section 5. Vacancies A vacancy in the membership of the Judicial Board shall be filled by the President if required based on the Board s current workload. Otherwise a new election will be held at the next regularly scheduled Caucus meeting. ARTICLE VI CHAPTER ORGANIZATIONS Section 1. Chapters and Their Scope Local units of this organization shall be known as chapters. Chapters may be organized in any county and/or congressional district, with one not superseding the other. A Multi County Chapter may be formed within adjacent counties except that no multi county Chapter shall include a county that already has a Chapter. All Chapters will operate under the umbrella of the Caucus, and the NCDP. As such, chapters must follow the rules and responsibilities of the Caucus and the NCDP or face review by the Caucus Judicial Board. Potential penalties may include censure and removal from the Caucus, or Chapter. Section 2. Membership All chapter members and officers primary residence and voter registration must be within the county, counties, and/or congressional district which the chapter represents. All members must be registered as Democrats. Section 3. Minimum Membership A chapter must have at least five (5) Active members to charter. Members will pay local and state dues on an annual basis. State fees will be determined by the Caucus Executive Committee and local chapter fees will be determined by the chapter executive committee. Section 4. Official Name of Each Chapter The official name of each chapter shall be the Progressive Democrats of the county, counties, or congressional district in which the chapter exists such as the Progressive Democrats of Wake County or the Progressive Democrats of North Carolina s Eighth Congressional District unless otherwise approved by the Caucus Executive Committee. Section 5. Chartering The Caucus Executive Committee shall have the authority to approve and issue charters. Section 6. Formation and Chartering of Chapters A. Only One Chapter for a County or Congressional District The Progressive Caucus of the NCDP shall charter no more than one county Chapter in a county, and no more than one congressional district Chapter in a congressional district. 10

12 In the event that there are progressive organizations competing for the same charter in a county or congressional district, the chartering of a Chapter shall be treated as a contested charter. B. Assistance in Forming Chapters a. Chapter Support Committee There shall be a standing committee of experienced Chapter organizers appointed by the President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP. Members of the committee may assist in the organization of Chapters or may themselves organize Chapters at the discretion of the committee. b. Volunteer Organizers One or more volunteers who are voting members of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP who are registered to vote as Democrats in a North Carolina county or congressional district may be appointed by the President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP to organize a chartered Chapter in their county or congressional district. Their terms as organizers expire in 60 days or upon the chartering of the Chapter whichever happens first. Volunteer organizers serve at the pleasure of the President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP. If a Chapter is not organized within 60 days, the volunteer organizer(s) may be reappointed at the discretion of the President. Organizers are encouraged to collaborate with each other and with the Chapter Support Committee. In the event that there is more than one volunteer organizer appointed in an unorganized county or congressional district and the organizers decline to work together, the chartering of a Chapter shall be treated as a contested charter. C. Notice for Organizing Meetings Notice of a meeting to either organize a new Chapter or affiliate an existing Progressive Club must be sent to all members of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP who are registered to vote as Democrats in the area that will be served by the affiliated Chapter within 30 days of the meeting. Notice must be sent by US mail and / or by . D. Contested Charters In the event of a contested charter, the President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP or the President s designee shall call and chair a meeting of all members of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP who are registered to vote as Democrats in the county, counties, or congressional district that will be served by the prospective Chapter. The meeting shall be conducted according to Robert s Rules of Order. A quorum of the greater of 5 or forty percent (40%) of these members is required to conduct the business of the meeting. The business of the meeting shall be to: a. Conduct a vote to affiliate the Chapter with the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP. 11

13 b. Approve bylaws that comply with the requirements of the bylaws of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP and the NCDP Plan of Organization. c. Elect officers according to the bylaws of the prospective Chapter. d. The meeting chair shall certify the results of the meeting, and must submit the certification of the meeting, its adopted bylaws, and a list of officers to the Secretary of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP with a request for a charter. E. Existing Clubs Any county progressive club may apply to be a duly chartered Chapter of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP. The following conditions must be met as part of that application: a. The club must hold a general meeting with a quorum of the greater of 5 or forty percent (40%) of the members of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP who are registered to vote within the county as Democrats. The meeting must be conducted according to Robert s Rules of Order. A majority of those members must vote to affiliate their club as a Chapter of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP and adopt bylaws that comply with requirements set forth in the Bylaws of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP, and the North Carolina Democratic Party Pan of Organization. b. The meeting chair must certify the results of the meeting. c. The club secretary must submit the certification of the meeting, its adopted bylaws, and a list of officers to the Secretary of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP with a request for a charter. F. New Chapter Organization The organizer(s) of a new Chapter must call an organizing meeting of members of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP who are registered to vote as Democrats within the county, counties, or congressional district that will be served by the Chapter. A quorum of the greater of 5 or forty percent (40%) of these members is required to conduct the business of the meeting. The organizer(s) must agree upon a chair for the meeting. The business of the meeting shall be to: a. Conduct a vote to affiliate the new Chapter with the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP. b. Approve bylaws that comply with the requirements of the bylaws of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP and the NCDP Plan of Organization. c. Elect officers according to the bylaws of the prospective Chapter. d. The meeting chair must certify the results of the meeting. e. The elected secretary must submit a certification of the meeting, its adopted bylaws, and a list of officers to the Secretary of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP with a request for a charter. G. Approval of Charters The Executive Committee shall consider a charter for a prospective Chapter upon receipt of a request for charter with a meeting certification, bylaws, and list of officers of the prospective 12

14 Chapter. The Executive Committee must review the prospective Chapter s bylaws for conformance to the bylaws of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP and the North Carolina Democratic Party Plan of Organization. The prospective Chapter shall be granted a charter upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee. If the Executive Committee votes to disapprove charter, it shall provide the requester(s) with reasons for that disapproval as well as suggestions for remedies that can lead to approval. H. No Provisions Are Retroactive No provision of Article VI Section 6 (Formation of Chapters) that is not already addressed in other provisions in these bylaws shall apply retroactively to any Chapter that is in dispute at the date of adoption of this Section 6 (March 3, 2018), nor does it invalidate any previously chartered Caucus Chapter. Section 7. Disbanding of Chapters After notice and opportunity for a hearing with the Judicial Board and upon grounds found by the Judicial Board to constitute good and sufficient cause, the Caucus Executive Committee shall have the authority to censure or disband any Caucus chapter for violating any Caucus or NCDP rules. Findings of the Judicial Board may be subject to appeal to the Caucus Executive Committee. Section 8. Settling of Disputes Any Chapter officer or member may request a review by the Caucus Judicial Board by requesting such through the Caucus Executive Committee. The Judicial Board shall follow the same proceedings as defined in Article V. ARTICLE VII - CAUCUS FUNDS Money collected by the Caucus, including membership dues or other fees, may but are not required to be used to make contributions to the NCDP, district or county party committees. No approval of the NCDP is required to support the Caucus Article I Section 2 responsibilities. Caucus funds will not be used for primary election or primary campaign-related activities or programs. ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS Bylaws may be adopted or amended by a two-thirds vote of the Caucus general membership, present and voting at a meeting where quorum is met, provided that thirty (30) days written notice of any proposed bylaws or amendment has been given to all members of the Caucus. ARTICLE IX - QUORUMS Section 1: General Quorum Requirement All quorums shall be based on members of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP who are registered to vote in North Carolina as Democrats. Members of a Progressive Caucus of the NCDP Chapter must be registered to vote as Democrats within the area served by that Chapter. 13

15 Section 2. Caucus (General) Meetings: A majority of the membership (see Article 1, Section 3) of the Caucus present, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum, provided that not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the full membership be present and not less than forty percent (40%) of the Caucus Executive Committee, for the purpose of establishing a quorum. Section 3. The Executive Committee A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of forty percent (40%) of its members. Section 4. The Judicial Board A quorum of the Judicial Board shall consist of at least 3 of its 5 members. Section 5. Committees appointed by the State Caucus President Meetings of committees appointed by the President of the NCDP Progressive Caucus shall have the following quorum requirements: A. A quorum for a committee of 6 members or less shall consist of 3 of its members. B. All other committees shall have a quorum of forty percent (40%) of their members. Section 6. Chapters A quorum for an organizing meeting or any other election meeting of a Caucus Chapter shall consist of the greater of 5 or forty percent (40%) of its members. No Chapter business that affects a Chapter s treasury or amends its bylaws shall be conducted unless there is a quorum of the greater of 5 or forty percent (40%) of its members. Article X Representation on NCDP Executive and Policy Committees Representatives shall be selected to the NCDP Executive Committees, the NCDP Executive Council, and NCDP Policy Committees as mandated by the North Carolina Democratic Party Plan of Organization (the NCDP PoO). The method of selection of representatives shall be as mandated in the NCDP PoO, except that where the NCDP PoO leaves the method of selection to the bylaws of its affiliated organizations, those representatives shall be elected. The selected representatives shall be certified by the President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP, who shall submit their names and contact information to the Chair of the NCDP State Executive Committee. Section 1: NCDP Executive Committees A. County Executive Committees 14 The President of each duly chartered county Chapter shall serve as the caucus s representative to that county s County Executive Committee, and by invitation, at meetings of that Executive Committee s officers.

16 Vacancies shall be filled as provided in Chapter bylaws. B. Congressional District Executive Committee A member of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP who is registered to vote as a Democrat within each North Carolina Congressional District shall, where possible, be selected to serve on that Congressional District s Executive Committee, and by invitation at meetings of that committee s officers. These representatives shall be selected as follows: a. If a duly chartered congressional district Chapter exists, its voting members shall elect a representative to the Congressional District Executive Committee at a general meeting of the Chapter for a term of 2 years, except that the representative s term of office shall expire at the Chapter s regular biennial election of officers. The Chapter s president shall certify the elected representative to the President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP. Vacancies shall be filled at the next general meeting of the Chapter. b. If a congressional district Chapter has not been formed, a representative for that district shall be elected at a Progressive Caucus of the NCDP general membership meeting by a quorum of a least five caucus members who are registered as Democrats to vote in the congressional district. The President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP or the President s designee shall chair this election and certify the elected representative. In the event that there is no quorum, the President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP shall appoint the representative. The representative s term of office shall expire upon formation of a congressional district Chapter or at the next regular biennial election of Progressive Caucus of the NCDP officers whichever occurs first. C. NCDP State Executive Committee The President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP shall serve as a member of the NCDP State Executive Committee. D. NCDP State Executive Council The President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP shall serve as a member of the NCDP State Executive Council. Section 2: NCDP Policy Committees 15

17 A. Resolutions and Platforms Committee The President of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP shall serve as a member of the NCDP Resolutions and Platform Committee. 16

18 Amendment Integration Notes: 1. These are the Bylaws of the Progressive Caucus of the NCDP as adopted by the General Membership in August 2017 and amended by the General Membership on March 3, See the Bylaws Committee Report to the General Membership as Amended on 3/3/2018 for those amendments 2. There is a section numbering error in the original bylaws approved in August Article V -- Judicial Board contains two different sections titled Section 2 Selection and Tenure, and Section 2 Rules and Decisions. In this version, the second section 2 is renumbered as Section 3 Rules and Decisions, and the remaining sections of Article V are renumbered accordingly. 3. As per the rules adopted at the March 3, 2018 General Meeting: Bob Hyman Spelling and grammatical errors that were found by Caucus members were remedies Any required changes for consistency with the amendments including referential integrity within the bylaws were made, 17