DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF NEW MEXICO BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this organization is DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF NEW MEXICO, herein referred to as the DWNM.

ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES Section 1. Objectives The objectives of DWNM are: A. To inform and educate the membership on issues and activities vital to the Democratic Party and to support said activities for the fulfillment of same. B. To support the Democratic Party and to work for the election of the Democratic Party candidates in General Elections. Individual members are encouraged to actively support the candidates of their choice in Primary Elections. C. To lend stability and continuity to the Democratic Party of New Mexico. D. To promote opportunities for training for the membership and to encourage a strong local and statewide Democratic Women of New Mexico organization. E. To encourage Democratic women to become involved in the political process at county, state and national level.

Section 2. Prohibitions A. DWNM will not: 1. Endorse candidates during Primary Elections. 2. Stage candidate debates during Primary Elections. 3. Permit the use of its name or logo in any advertisement or written paraphernalia without prior written consent of the Executive Board. 4. Support candidates of an opposing party. B. Officers may not use their office or title to advance the cause of and individual Candidate in Primary Elections.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

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Section 1. Membership Eligibility A. Local organization of Democratic Women whose members are in good standing with DWNM and whose By-Laws and membership lists are filed with DWNM President at least (60) days prior to any general meeting Current county By-Laws must be re-filed with the DWNM when by-law revisions are made by County organizations. B. Individual members that are registered Democrats and that reside within a community where a county organization of Democratic Women does not exist may join DWNM on an individual basis. Section 2. Members in Good Standing A. A member in good standing is one who conducts him or herself in accordance with the By-Laws of DWNM and whose dues are paid as stated in Article IV. Section 3. Honorary Members A. An individual who has rendered honorary service to DWNM and who has had honorary membership conferred upon him/her by DWNM. An honorary member may not vote or hold office unless he/she is a member in good standing of DWNM. Nominations for honorary membership shall be made in writing by a member in good standing and submitted to the Executive Board for approval.

ARTICLE IV. DUES Section 1. Assessment and Payment A. Annual dues of DWNM members are determined by the Executive Board and Changes may be presented for approval at the next general meeting. Section 2. Due Date A. Dues must be received by the DWNM Treasurer in January. New member dues must be paid at least thirty (30) days prior to any meeting in order for that member to be in good standing. New member dues paid after the Fall meeting are applied to the following membership year.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS AND QUORUM Section 1. General Meetings Page 2

A. DWNM shall hold (2) general meetings each year for the purpose of conducting regular business. One meeting (convention) shall be held in the Spring and one in the Fall of each year, with the election of officers held at the fall meeting. B. The exact date and location for the general meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board and the host organization. C. Meetings shall consist of a business session, a program and /or workshops. Section 2. Special Meetings A. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the members of the Executive Board upon thirty (30) days written notice prior to the meeting Setting forth the time, date, place and purpose of the meeting. Section 3. Quorum A. The presence of fifteen (15) members in good standing, including officers, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting of DWNM. Section 4. Notification A. Thirty days prior to a meeting, all members in good standing shall be notified in writing of the date, time, place and/or purpose of said meeting. In odd numbered years the written report of the Nomination Committee shall be included. Section 5. Financial Responsibilities A. DWNM shall assume financial responsibility of the postage and printing of any meeting notifications. B. The host local county shall assume complete financial responsibility of the general meeting (convention). Section 6. Fiscal Year A. DWNM fiscal year shall be January 1st through December 31st. Section 7. Voting A. Each member in good standing who has been certified by the Credentials Committee shall have one vote at any meeting, in the conduct of DWNM business. He or she must be present at the meeting as proxies will not be accepted. Page 3

Section 8. Order of Business A. The order of business for all DWNM meetings is: 1. Call to order 2. Report of the Credentials Committee 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting 4. Treasurers report 5. Corresponding Secretary Report 6. Executive Committee or Board of Directors report 7. Standing Committee Reports 8. Special Committee Reports 9. Unfinished Business 10. New Business 11. Announcements 12. Adjournment Section 9. Minutes A. Minutes of the meetings shall be taken by the Recording Secretary and shall include a minimum of : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Date, time and location of meeting Credentials Committee report Committee Reports Motions, seconds and action or vote. Verbatim statements at request of a member of action, directed by the membership. 6. Time of adjournment. B. Minutes of a general meeting shall be distributed to the Executive Board within thirty (30) days.

ARTICLE VI. GOVERNMENT Section 1. Elected Officers A. DWNM elected officers are: 1. President 2. Vice-President 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Three Regional Vice-Chairs representing each of the Congressional Districts. Page 4

Section 2. Appointed Positions A. The President shall appoint a Corresponding Secretary, Parliamentarian and Historian. Section 3. Executive Board A. Members: 1. The Executive Board of DWNM shall consist of the current elected DWNM officers, the Immediate Past President, the Chair of each of Standing Committees, and current presidents of local organizations of Democratic Women of New Mexico 2. The appointed officers of DWNM shall serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Board. 3. Regular meeting of the Executive Board of DWNM may be held quarterly at the discretion of the President; special meetings of the Executive Board may be called upon request of four (4) members of the Board. 4. Quorum Any nine (9) members present at a meeting of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. 5. Executive Board Duties: The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of DWNM in the interim of general meetings. It is subject to the orders of DWNM, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by DWNM.

ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS

Section 1. Term of Office: A. Officers of DWNM shall serve for a term of (2) three years. An officer can only Elected to the same position for two consecutive terms. B. Officers shall assume office immediately following their election or appointment. Elected officers shall be installed at the time of election, if feasible. C. Eligibility: 1. Only members in good standing shall be eligible to nominate officers and/or hold an office. 2. For eligibility to hold office, a nominee must have been a member in good standing the two previous consecutive years and have attended at least two of the previous four meetings in addition to the one in which officers were elected. Page 5

D. Vacancies 3. In the event the Presidency is vacated for any reason, the Vice-President shall become President and assume all of the duties and responsibilities of the President. 4. In the event of a vacancy of any office, the Executive Board shall be Empowered to fill said vacancy. Section 2. Replacement of Officers: A. By a majority vote of the Executive Board, an officer may be removed and replaced upon the following grounds: 1. Failure to attend three (3) consecutive regular, special and/or Executive Board meeting and 2. Neglect, failure or refusal to discharge the duties of the office. Section 3. Two State Party Central Committee Members A. The Democratic Party of New Mexico issues two (2) seats to DWNM on the State Central Committee, these two seats shall be assigned to the President and Vice-President of DWNM. Section 4. Election of Officers A. DWNM election of officers shall be held at the fall meeting in the odd numbered year. B. Election of officers shall be by voice vote, except that election may be held by secret ballot for each office where there is more than one nominee.

ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. General Responsibilities of Officers A. Maintain records in a permanent binder during term in office. B. Transfer all records pertinent to DWNM to the successor immediately upon their election or appointment. C. Submit a written report at each general meeting and file same with the Recording Secretary. D. Perform such duties as delegated or assigned by the President. E. Duties specified in this Article shall conform to the By-Laws of DWNM. F. Officers shall be responsible for duties as stated in DWNM By-Laws. Section 2. President Page 6

A. Preside at all meetings of DWNM and Executive Board Meeting. B. Review and sign all official documents of DWNM as President. C. Appoint with approval of the Executive Board, Committee Chairs for all committees except the Nominating Committee. D. Appoint a Corresponding Secretary, Parliamentarian and Historian. E. Sign disbursement checks in the absence of the Treasurer. F. Act as custodian of all records. G. Act as ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee. H. Supervise the operation and activities of DWNM. I. Serve on the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. J. Shall be bonded at the expense of DWNM. Section 3. Vice-President A. Preside at all meetings of DWNM, the Executive Board in the absence of the President or at the request of the President. B. Assume the office of the President in the event of a vacancy of that office for the unexpired portion of the term. C. Coordinate membership effort with the regional Vice-Chairs. Section 4. Recording Secretary A. Keep minutes of DWNM general meetings and Executive Board Meetings. Present current written minutes at the following meeting. B. Receive and maintain annual reports of the Officers and Committees. C. Maintain current membership lists. D. Review and sign official documents of DWNM. Section 5. Treasurer A. Maintain the care and custody of DWNM funds. B. Regularly deposit dues and other revenue in the name of DWNM in a bank approved by the Executive Board. C. Sign checks for payment of DWNM expenses with approval of the president and maintain detailed records of receipts and disbursements. D. Submit a written financial report at each meeting. E. Maintain certified lists of members in good standing and submit to the President and Recording Secretary on a regular basis. F. Present a certified list to the Credentials Committee prior to general meetings. G. Submit to the Chair of the Audit Committee, all books, records and financial statements for audit, one month prior to the expiration of term of office. H. Transfer DWNM books, records, and financial statements to the succeeding elected Treasurer. I. Shall be bonded at the expense of DWNM. Section 6. Regional Vice-Chairs A. Regional Vice-Chairs shall act as coordinators between organizations in Page 7

B. C. D. E.

their Congressional District and the President and Executive Board. Regional Vice-Chairs may organize meetings of the county organization in their Congressional District when there is no existing local organization. Regional Vice-Chairs will assist the Vice-President in membership Recruitment and coordinate membership events. Regional Vice-Chairs will support and assist County organizations. Regional Vice-Chairs will recruit and organize new county organizations And assist existing county organizations to re-organize.

ARTICLE IX. APPOINTED POSITIONS Section 1. Appointed positions shall serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Board without a vote. Section 2. The Parliamentarian shall guide DWNM in parliamentary procedure and shall render opinions in all parliamentary questions posed by the President. Section 3. The Historian compiles and maintains records of historical value in a scrapbook/binder and transfer the scrapbook to the succeeding Historian. Section 4. The Corresponding secretary shall attend to DWNM correspondence, shall coordinate mailing of meeting notices and shall serve at the pleasure of the President.

ARTICLE X. COMMITTEES Section 1. A. B. C. D. E. F. DWNM Standing Committees Program and Hospitality Finance Media and Publicity Issues Platforms and Resolutions Credentials

Section 2. DWNM Special Committee A. Audit B. Nominating C. Budget D. By-Laws Section 3. DWNM Committee Chairs A. The chair of all committees except the Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President with approval of the Executive Board and shall serve as Chair as determined by the President. Page 8

B. Committee Chairs shall submit a written committee report at each Executive Board meeting. C. Committee chairs shall appoint five (5) members in good standing that are representative of each Congressional District to serve on the committee, with approval of the President. Section 4. Committee Duties A. The Program and Hospitality Committee shall recommend to the President programs and projects for the year and will assist in the direction of such programs. They shall attend to and oversee the social obligations of the DWNM. B. The Finance Committee shall recommend to the President plans, programs and projects for raising revenue and shall assist in the implementation and direction of such plans, programs and projects. C. The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for publicizing meetings, programs and activities of DWNM with the approval of the Executive Board. D. The Issues Committee will research and report issues and legislative matters of interest to DWNM. E. The Platform and resolutions Committee shall draft resolutions for presentation to the membership and develop a platform that reflects the concerns of DWNM. Upon approval, present same to the DPNM for consideration as a component of the State Democratic Platform. F. The Credentials Committee shall be present during registration to verify that each member registered as a voting delegate is a member in good standing, has paid the registration fee and has signed the registration list. 1. They shall present for adoption as the first order of business a Credentials Report to certify members officially registered as voting delegates. G. The Audit Committee shall audit DWNM books, records and financial statements at the end of the Treasurers term of office and may request the Treasurer to assist in the audit. H. The By-Laws Committee shall review and recommend to the membership suggested revisions to DWNM By-Laws. I. The Budget Committee shall develop and present an annual plan for coordinating the resources and expenditures for adoption by members at each Spring meeting. J. The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) members and shall be formed at the Fall Meeting prior to the Spring Meeting of the election year. 1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Immediate Past President, a member appointed by the Executive Board and one member appointed by the Regional Vice Chair from each Congressional District. 2 . The Nominating Committee shall submit to the President a written Page 9

report sixty (60) days prior to the Spring Meeting in the odd numbered years. Nominations will be received from the floor but only where the nominee consents to the nomination. 3. In the event that secret ballots are required, only those ballots printed by The Nominating Committee shall be used.

ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES Procedures of DWNM shall be governed by the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order except where inconsistent with the By-Laws. ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS Section 1. The By-Laws of DWNM may be amended by a majority voted of members in attendance at any General or Special Meeting, provide members receive written notification thirty (30) days prior to said meeting.

ARTICLE XIII. DISSOLUTION Section 1. Upon dissolution of DWNM, all assets after payment of costs and expenses shall be distributed to the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

Amended 2007

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