REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Revised March 2, 1984, March 16, 1986, March 6, 1987, February 10, 2007, February 6, 2010, and February 6, 2014
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be “THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.”
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be to correlate and unify under one central organization the activities of the Republican Party of Fond du Lac County, and to advance in every honorable way fundamental Republican principles and policies and as a voluntary organization cooperate and assist in all county, state, and national elections, to the end that our republican form of government, as created under the Constitution of the United States and the State of Wisconsin, be preserved for all of the people.
As a constituent, self-governing part of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, this organization shall direct, manage, supervise, and control the business, property, and funds of the Republican Party of Fond du Lac County.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section One: Membership in this organization shall be open to all Fond du Lac County residents of voting age who believe in the above objectives, purposes, and principles of the Republican Party.
Section Two: Qualified and voting members of this organization shall be:
3) Teenage Republicans (TARS) under the legal voting age may observe regular meetings without voting rights.
Section Three: The Republican Party of Fond du Lac County shall allow non-residents to become non-voting members of this organization. Non-voting members shall not hold office or become delegates to the district caucus or state convention.
Section Four: No one may become a member in good standing if they hold a membership in another political party committee registered with the Federal Elections Commission and/or the State of Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section One: The officers of this organization shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Section Two: The term of office for the Officers and Executive Committee shall be two years or until the end of the caucus at which their successors have been duly elected or appointed in the regular odd numbered year prior to April 1st.
Section Three: Duties of Officers: The Chairman shall preside at all meetings or caucuses of the Party and of the Executive Committee, and shall have general supervision of the work of the organization. The Vice Chairman, in the absence of the Chairman, shall perform the duties of the Chairman. The Secretary shall keep and read minutes of all meetings or caucuses and shall be the custodian of all records of the party. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the Party and shall pay all bills approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all monies received and disbursed and shall report in full as required by the Chairman. The Treasurer shall file all proper reports as required by law and under the direction of the chairman.
Section Four: All officers shall serve without compensation and the County Chairman may, with the approval of the Executive Committee, appoint such full or part-time officers-employees who may be paid such compensation as the Chairman and Executive Committee may determine.
Section Five: The Executive Committee shall consist of the four elective officers; and the chairmen of all standing committees; and four additional at-large members, at least one of whom shall reside outside of the City of Fond du Lac, also elected at the County Caucus in the odd-numbered years. .
Section Six: Duties of the Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall have authority to transact any necessary business between meetings or caucuses; to make recommendations as to the policies of the Party; to advise the Chairman and to recommend appointments for vacancies that occur between elections; and to recommend
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slates of delegates and alternates to the State Convention or District Caucuses; and such other duties as may be prescribed under the By-Laws.
Section Seven: Vacancies: In the event of a vacancy for the position of Chairman, the Vice Chairman would assume that position. In the event of all other vacancies in officer positions, the Chairman shall fill the vacancy by appointment, with the approval of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS AND CAUCUSES
Section One: Meetings or caucuses shall be held upon proper notice, at the call of the Chairman or at the direction of the Executive Committee or upon petition of twenty-five (25) members in good standing, such petition to state the exact purpose of the meeting or caucus.
Section Two: A regular county meeting or caucus shall be held prior to April of each year, at which time delegates and alternates who are citizens of voting age, shall be elected to attend the District Caucus and the State Convention, and for the election of officers in the odd-numbered years.
Section Three: The Executive Committee shall hold meetings at such times as are determined by the
Executive Committee.
Section Four: Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the Chairman or by written request of five members of the Executive Committee and upon notice to all members.
Section Five: A county meeting or caucus shall be called with one written notice to the membership at least eight days prior to said meeting.
Section Six: Voting by proxy shall be prohibited at any regular or special county meeting or caucus.
Section Seven: If any question arises as to the status of any person attending the caucus, a decision about that person’s right to participate shall be made by a vote of the officers, or by the duly constituted credentials committee.
Section Eight: Regular and Special Meetings of the Executive Committee, any subcommittee or special committee, may be held by electronic means (such as telephone conference, video conference, or internet communication system) subject to the following requirements:
i. a majority of the members shall have access to the specified electronic media;
ii. a quorum for the meeting shall be established by roll call vote and, once established, shall be assumed present until the meeting is adjourned;
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iii. the technology used for the electronic meetings shall allow the members full access to and full participation in all meeting transactions either continuously or intermittently throughout the specified time of the meeting; and,
iv. the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum shall be the minimum vote requirement for the adoption of any motion, with a roll call being required upon request of any member participating in the meeting.
ARTICLE VI – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section One: A nominating committee of not less than three members shall be appointed by the Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee prior to each election. This committee shall report one nominee for each office at the caucus called for such election, after which nominations from the floor shall be allowed.
Section Two: A nominating committee of not less than three members shall be appointed by the Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee for the purpose of nominating delegates and alternates to attend each state convention and district caucus, after which nominations may be made from the floor.
Section Three: Where there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by voice.
Section Four: Where more than one candidate is nominated for an office, election will be held by written ballot. A majority of the votes cast shall elect.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
Section One: Standing and special committees may be established by the Chairman, with the approval of the Executive Committee. All duties of committees shall be at the direction of the Chairman.
Section Two: All appointments shall be made by the Chairman, with the approval of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VIII – QUORUM
Section One: A quorum for a meeting or caucus of this organization shall be at least fifteen (15) members.
Section Two: A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the Executive Committee.
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ARTICLE IX – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
“Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised” shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of this organization.
ARTICLE X – BY-LAWS
By-Laws may be adopted in compliance with this Constitution by a majority vote at any duly called county meeting or caucus.
ARTICLE XI -- AMBIGUITY
In the event of any conflict or ambiguity of this Constitution or By-Laws adopted hereunder, the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin shall prevail.
ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Constitution may be made by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any regular or special meeting or caucus of this organization where the call and notice states such purpose, and shall take effect following approval by the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
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