CONSTITUTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3 DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY Amended May 14, 2016 Article I. NAME, PURPOSE AND MEMBERSHIP Section 1: Name: The name of this organization shall be the Third Congressional District Democratic-Farmer-Labor ( DFL ) Party of Minnesota (hereinafter Third CD ). Section 2: Purpose: The purpose of this organization shall be: (A) (B) (C) To strengthen the organization and unity of the DFL Party in the Third CD. To provide a representative and responsible link between the county unit and senate district DFL parties within the Third CD. To represent the interests of Third CD DFL members to both the state and federal governments and the DFL Party of Minnesota. Section 3: Membership: Membership in this party shall be open to all residents of the Third CD who support the principles of the DFL Party of Minnesota as stated in the Preamble of its Constitution. No person who is a member of another political party may vote on any motion, resolution, nomination, or election at any caucus, convention, or meeting of the Third CD. Section 4: Eligibility for Party Position: Persons who meet the membership requirement of Article I, Section 3, are eligible for election to any party position, except as limited by Article I, Section 5. There shall be no age requirement for party position except as specified by the DFL Constitution Article 4, Section 1, and where required by law. Section 5: Limitations for Party Position: No individual serving in an office filled by partisan ballot, or as an elected salaried official of a city of the first class or of a county containing a city of the first class, may serve as a party officer. Article II. GENERAL RULES AND POLICY Section 1: Affirmative Action: The Third CD shall work to bring people into the party and encourage their full participation. The Third CD shall comply with state party guidelines on affirmative action and develop and execute a comprehensive district affirmative action and outreach program. Section 2: Subordination: The proceedings of all official Third CD meetings and official actions of all party officers, delegates and committee members shall be governed by the following authorities, in the following order of priority, whenever applicable: the Constitution and Bylaws of the DFL Party of Minnesota, the DFL Call, this Constitution, the Third CD Convention rules, and Robert s Rules of Order, as most recently revised. Article III. PRE-CONVENTION COMMITTEES Section 1: Pre-Convention Committees: The pre-convention committees shall be determined by the Third CD Central Committee, and may include: (A) (B) (C) RULES: Prepares proposed convention agenda and rules. NOMINATIONS: Screens and recommends candidates for party office. CREDENTIALS: Supervises registration of convention delegates and alternates, prepares temporary roll of the convention, hears and reports on all delegate and alternate challenges. (D) CONSTITUTION: Previews the Third CD Constitution and recommends any changes. (E) Such other committees as deemed necessary.
May 14, 2016 Constitution of the Congressional District 3 DFL Party Page 2 Section 2: Assignment to Pre-Convention Committees: Pre-convention committee positions shall be allocated among the senate districts as follows: Subsection 2.1: Pre-Convention Committee Make-ups: The total number of all committee positions shall be equal to the total number of delegates. To determine the number of delegates on each committee, divide the total number of Third CD convention delegates by the number of committees. Each committee will have that whole number of members. Assign additional positions equal to the remainder among the committees by lot. Committees shall be composed of delegates, or alternates as needed, to achieve the number allotted to each Senate District. Subsection 2.2: Assignments of Committee Positions: (A) (B) (C) To determine the number of members per committee assigned to each senate district, divide the number of its delegates by the number of committees. Each senate district is first assigned a number of members on each committee equal to the whole number in its result in (A). The remaining committee positions shall then be allocated among the senate districts by lot. Place in a pool a number of slips containing the name of each committee equal to the number of remaining positions on that committee. Draw out of the pool separate slips equal to each senate district s remainder from the calculation in (A). However, no senate district may be assigned more than one additional member on any committee. Return duplications to the pool and redraw. It is suggested that the unit with the most remaining committee positions be drawn first to prevent possible duplication of committee assignments in the last unit draw. (D) The Third CD Central Committee shall conduct the lottery and report the results before the convention of any senate district wholly or partially within the Third CD. This report shall be sent to the senate district chair. Section 3: Pre-Convention Committee Business: Each committee shall elect a permanent committee chair or chairs. Each committee shall then perform the duties appropriate to its area of responsibility. No candidate seeking Third CD office for Chair, Vice Chair, Outreach Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer may serve on the Nominations Committee, nor shall any member of the Nominations Committee participate in screening others for position(s) for which that committee member screens. The committee chairs shall make copies of any Rules, Resolutions, and/or Constitution Committee reports available to the Third CD Officers upon completion of business and not later than three days before the convention. Each committee chair shall report the findings of the committee at the appropriate time of the convention agenda. Article IV. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CONVENTION Section 1: Third Congressional District Convention: A Third CD Convention shall be held annually. The Convention in the even numbered year shall be held between the times set out in the Call. The Convention in the odd numbered year shall be held on a date between February 1 and April 30 to be set by the Third CD Central Committee. The Third CD Convention shall be composed of State Convention delegates, Chair and Vice Chair of the Congressional District, State Party Officers, Directors to the State Executive Committee and Distinguished Party Leaders residing within the Third CD at the time of the Congressional District Convention. State Convention delegates are defined as delegates or upgraded alternates who reside in the Senate District from which elected. Section 2: Convention Call: The date, time, and place of the convention shall be determined by the Third CD Chair, with the consent of the Central Committee. The Chair shall ensure that written notice, including the date, time and place of the convention and other pertinent information, are mailed or presented to all delegates and alternates at least ten days prior to the convention.
May 14, 2016 Constitution of the Congressional District 3 DFL Party Page 3 Section 3: Convention Business Subsection 3.1: Even Numbered Year Convention Business: The Third CD Convention shall (1) endeavor to endorse a candidate for Congress, (2) elect between seven and nineteen Directors pursuant to Article V, Section 7, (3) elect two persons to serve as members of, and two persons to serve as alternates to, each State Pre- Convention Committee, (4) elect two persons to serve as members of each State Standing Committee other than the Budget Committee, and (5) elect one person to serve as member of the State Standing Budget Committee. No person shall serve as Third CD delegate or alternate to more than one State Pre-Convention Committee or State Standing Committee. In presidential election years, the convention shall also elect a Presidential Elector, an alternate Presidential Elector, and the delegates and alternates to the National Convention allotted the Third CD by the Call. The convention may also adopt local resolutions, amend this Constitution, and conduct any other party business that comes before it. Subsection 3.2: Odd Numbered Year Convention Business: The Third CD Convention shall: (1) elect party officers pursuant to Article V, Sections 1-6, and (2) may also adopt local resolutions, amend the constitution and conduct informational and training workshops. Section 4: Convention Convener and Officers: The Third CD Chair shall act as temporary convener of the convention. The first order of business shall be the election of the permanent Convention Chair(s), in gender balance. The convention chair will appoint other necessary convention officers, such as secretary, parliamentarian, tellers/election judges, and sergeants-at-arms. Section 5: Convention Rules and Agenda: Convention Rules and Agenda shall be approved by a majority vote of the delegates and alternates seated and voting. Section 6: Credentials Challenges: All credentials challenges against delegates and alternates to the Third CD Convention shall be decided by a majority vote of the delegates and alternates seated and voting. No challenged delegate(s) or alternate(s) may vote on the validity of his or her own credentials. Section 7: Election to Party Office Subsection 7.1: Even Numbered Year Convention: The Third CD Convention Chair(s), and the Presidential Elector nominee shall be elected by a majority vote of the delegates and alternates seated and voting. The convention shall elect two persons, either delegates or alternates to the State Convention, for membership on each State pre-convention committee established by the State Executive Committee and two persons, either delegates or alternates to the State convention, to serve as alternates to each State pre-convention committee. The convention shall elect two delegates to each of the state DFL Standing Committees. The Third CD Directors shall be elected by either a plurality vote of the delegates and alternates seated and voting or by proportional voting, as determined by the convention pursuant to the DFL Call. Subsection 7.2: Odd Numbered Year Convention: The Third CD Convention Chair(s), the Third CD Chair, Vice Chair Outreach Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and Deputy Treasurer shall be elected by a majority vote of the delegates and alternates seated and voting. Section 8: Endorsement: Endorsement of a Congressional candidate shall require a 60% vote of the delegates and alternates seated and voting. Each ballot shall be a test of a quorum. An endorsement given before the primary shall only be valid if the candidate s name appears on the general election ballot. Section 9: Voting: No delegate to the convention shall be instructed or bound. Each delegate shall cast each vote independently of all other members of the delegation. No prorating or voting by proxy shall be permitted. Balloting shall be voice vote or raising of hand division unless a written ballot is called for by the chair or moved from the floor and supported by one-third of the delegates and alternates seated and voting. Section 10: Separation of Delegates, Alternates and Visitors: Alternates and visitors must be clearly separated from accredited delegates and seated alternates. At the request of the Chair or of any delegate or seated alternate, the convention floor shall be cleared of all people except delegates, seated alternates, and convention officers.
May 14, 2016 Constitution of the Congressional District 3 DFL Party Page 4 Section 11: Quorum: A majority of delegates and seated alternates registered at the convention shall constitute a quorum. Article V. OFFICERS Section 1: Officers: The Third CD Officers shall be the Chair, Vice Chair (of the opposite gender from the Chair), Outreach Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, and nineteen Directors. Section 2: Chair: The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the Third CD, The Chair shall be empowered to convene and conduct meetings of the Central Committee and Executive Committee and shall convene the Third CD Convention. The Chair shall appoint members to serve on the Third CD committees as outlined in Article VII, and shall serve as a member of the State Executive Committee. Section 3: Vice Chair: The Vice Chair shall aid the Chair and shall fulfill the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair or in the event of the inability of the Chair to act. The Vice Chair shall serve as a member of the State Executive Committee. Section 4: Outreach Officer: The Outreach Officer shall (1) monitor the outreach and inclusion programs in the Congressional District, (2) monitor the Third CD s compliance with the State DFL s outreach and inclusion policies and make recommendations for remediation of any situations that are out of compliance; (3) actively engage in outreach and (4) fulfill any other duties prescribed by the State Constitution. If the Call so requires, the Outreach Officer shall be responsible for the development of a Third CD outreach and inclusion plan which shall be submitted to the Third CD Executive Committee. This plan shall be developed in cooperation with, and with the input of, the senate district and county unit Outreach Officers within the Third CD. Section 5: Secretary: The Secretary shall (1) take minutes of all Central Committee and Executive Committee meetings, (2) keep records of all official Third CD actions, (3) prepare all necessary documents, (4) prepare all official Third CD correspondence, and (5) notify all member of each Central Committee and Executive Committee meeting. Section 6: Treasurer: The Treasurer shall (1) manage all party funds, (2) pay the bills of the Third CD, (3) make monthly bank account reconciliation, (4) submit a full written report of receipts and distributions at each Central and Executive Committee meeting and to the Third CD Convention, and (5) submit an annual report of all financial records to the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall also complete and submit any report of Third CD finances or campaign contributions required by agencies of the State or Federal governments, and will provide the Chair with a copy of each such report. The Treasurer is authorized to expend up to $500 for Third CD obligations. Any expenditures exceeding that amount must be approved either by unanimous agreement of the Chair, Vice Chair, Outreach Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer, or by vote of the Executive Committee or Central Committee. Subsection 6.1: Deputy Treasurer: The Deputy Treasurer will assist the Treasurer in their duties. In the event that the Treasurer is unable to perform their duties, the Deputy Treasurer will become acting Treasurer. Section 7: Directors: There shall be between seven and nineteen directors, to be gender balanced. The Executive and Central Committees shall assign duties to Directors. At least one director may be responsible for a committee as listed in Article VII. Directors not otherwise assigned duties shall serve at large. Section 8: Temporary Succession: The order of temporary succession shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Outreach Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors ranked in order to their appearance on the report of the Convention at which they were elected. Article VI. CENTRAL AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES Section 1: Central Committee: The Third CD Central Committee shall be the governing body of the Third CD between conventions. The Central Committee shall include the Third CD Executive Committee and all members of the State Central Committee residing in the Third CD.
May 14, 2016 Constitution of the Congressional District 3 DFL Party Page 5 Section 2: Executive Committee: The Third CD Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Third CD between meetings of the Central Committee. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Third CD Officers listed in Article V, the chair from each senate district (with the vice chair of the senate district serving as the alternate), and all members of the State Executive Committee residing in the Third CD. In senate districts partially within the Third CD, the Executive Committee member shall be the highest ranking senate district officer who resides in the Third CD and the alternate will be the next highest ranking elected senate district officer residing in the Third CD. If no officer resides in the Third CD, the senate district shall elect a delegate and an alternate to the Third CD Executive Committee. Section 3: Call, Notice and Quorum: The Central Committee shall meet at least four times each calendar year. The Central or Executive Committee may be called to meet by the Chair or by one-eighth of that committee s membership. The Central Committee may also be called by a majority of the Executive Committee. Written notice of each meeting, including time, place and agenda (including specifically the notice of intent to elect, if a vacancy has been or is to be declared) must be sent to each committee member and alternate (1) by U.S. First Class Mail at least ten days prior to the meeting, or (2) by telephone, personal delivery, express mail, electronic mail, or any other method with guaranteed arrival at least 72 hours in advance. One-third of the membership of either the Central Committee or Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum without which no official business may be performed. Section 4: Electronic Meetings: Electronic Meetings shall be permitted subject to Rules adopted by the Third CD Central Committee. Article VII. OTHER COMMITTEES Section 1: District Committees: There may be the following District Committees: Fund Raising and Budget, Communications, Precinct and Senate District Support, Candidate Recruitment, Convention Arrangements, and other committees as determined by the Central or Executive Committee. The chair(s) of each of the District Committees shall be the Director assigned according to Article V, Section 7 and shall be gender balanced. Section 2: Appointment of District Committee Members: The Third CD Chair shall appoint additional members to each District Committee with the consent of the Central or Executive Committee. Section 3: Ad Hoc Committees: The Third CD Chair, the Central Committee or the Executive Committee may create and appoint the members of any Ad Hoc Committee. Section 4: Subordination of Committees: Actions of District Committees and Ad Hoc Committees are subject to approval of the Executive Committee or Central Committee. Article VIII. VACANCIES Section 1: Declaring Vacancies: The Third CD Central Committee shall declare and fill vacancies among persons serving in positions listed in Articles V, VI or VII for the following reasons: resignation, death, change of residence outside the Third CD, or dismissal for cause or absence. Section 2: Dismissal: Malfeasance, Nonfeasance or Absence: The Third CD Central Committee may dismiss for cause any of the persons serving in any of the positions listed in Articles V, VI and VII on the grounds of clear malfeasance or nonfeasance, or may replace any such person for absence. (A) Malfeasance is defined as personal endorsement, financial assistance or other support or assistance to a candidate running in opposition to an endorsed DFL candidate, or any other illegal or improper acts in the performance of a person s duties as stated in this Third CD Constitution. Before dismissal for malfeasance or nonfeasance, the person must be given 30 days written notice and must be granted the opportunity for a hearing. All proceedings for dismissal shall be governed by and conducted in accordance with the State DFL Constitution. For the purpose of dismissal, a twothirds vote of the members of the Central Committee present and voting is required. (B) Absence is defined as three consecutive unexcused absences. An unexcused absence is
May 14, 2016 Constitution of the Congressional District 3 DFL Party Page 6 failure to notify a member of the Executive Committee of inability to attend a meeting in advance of the meeting. The Central Committee may declare vacant the position of any person with three consecutive unexcused absences. Section 3: Congressional Endorsement by Central Committee: In the event of vacancy and in the absence of any direction to the contrary by the Third CD Convention, the Central Committee may endorse a candidate for Congress between the Third CD Convention and the next General Election. Such endorsement must otherwise conform to the rules governing endorsement by the convention, and can only be granted by affirmative vote of 60% of the Central Committee members present and voting. Such endorsement may only be made at a Central Committee meeting properly called with notice as required by Article VI, Section 3, including official notice of intent to endorse. Section 4: Disposition of Party Records: Upon leaving office, a party official shall turn over all records, books, and properties of the Third CD to the successor or to the body responsible for naming a successor. Article IX. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Section 1: Amendment by Convention: This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the delegates and seated alternates voting at a Third CD Convention. Section 2: Review of Constitutional Amendments: A copy of any new or amended Third CD Constitution shall be submitted to the Constitutions, Bylaws and Rules Committee for review in accordance with the State DFL Constitution. The new or amended Third CD Constitution shall become operative immediately upon adoption by the Third CD Convention, unless the Convention provides for a later effective date. In the event the Third CD is notified by the Constitution, Bylaws and Rules Committee of any irregularities in this Constitution, the Central Committee is authorized to adopt by majority vote any amendments that are necessary to correct the irregularities.