BY-LAWS OF THE NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATIC REFORM CAUCUS

TITLE: 

The organization shall be known as “The New York State Democratic Reform Caucus.” 

PURPOSE: 

The purpose of The Reform Caucus shall be to provide a forum for independent and progressive minded Democrats to discuss, debate and possibly take positions on matters of public concern including issues before the New York State Democratic Committee. 

MEMBERS: 

Voting Membership is open to all members and officers of the New York State Democratic Committee and to County Democratic Chairs  who publicly pledge to vote at both the Reform Caucus and at the New York State Democratic Committee independently without fear or favor, upon payment of $25.00 annual dues to the Treasurer of the Reform Caucus for the fiscal year September 1 through August 30.  (in case of hardship, dues may be paid in two $12.50 annual installments).   Former officers of the Reform Caucus who are no longer eligible for voting membership shall be entitled to emeritus membership upon payment of such $10.00 dues to the Treasurer of the Reform Caucus. 

MEETINGS: 

There shall be an organizational meeting of The Reform Caucus for every term of the New York State Democratic Committee. Such organizational meeting shall be held on the same date and at the same location as the organizational meeting of the New York State Democratic Committee.            

Meetings shall also be called from time to time at the discretion of the chair upon 10 days notice by mail to all members of The Reform Caucus who are current in the payment of dues, except that meetings may be called for the same date and location as meetings of the New York State Democratic Committee on as little as five days notice. 

Any registered Democrat may attend and observe meetings of The Reform Caucus.  Both voting members and emeritus members shall be entitled to speak and ask questions of speakers.  Non-members may only speak or ask questions with the permission of the Chair or by a majority of the members of the Reform Caucus present. 

PROCEDURE: 

Unless otherwise provided for by these By-Laws, the business of The Reform Caucus will be conducted pursuant to the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Revised.
 

QUORUM AND VOTING: 

Twenty percent of the voting members of The Reform Caucus who are current in the payment of dues will constitute a quorum.  No business will be transacted without a quorum.  Proxy voting is permitted only on specific issues identified in advance on the Agenda of a meeting of the Reform Caucus by written notice to all members.  Proxies must be signed and dated, must identify a voting member of the Reform Caucus as the proxy holder, must contain specific instructions on how to vote on the specific questions(s) presented, and must be voted in accordance with those instructions. 

OFFICERS: 

There shall be a chair, at least one vice chair, a secretary, a treasurer and such other officers as The Reform Caucus shall deem necessary from time to time. 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS: 

The Chair shall preside at all meetings of The Reform Caucus and perform such other duties as are incidental to the office of Chair.  In the event of death or absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair.  The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings to the members and keep a record of such meetings; the Secretary shall also conduct correspondence and carry into execution all orders, votes and resolutions.  The Treasurer shall collect all dues and other income of The Reform Caucus and keep a record of all members and the date each member paid such dues; the Treasurer shall keep an account of all moneys received and expended and shall make a report at each meeting of such receipts and disbursements and at any other time requested by the Chair; all money received by the Treasurer shall be deposited in an interest bearing account at a bank approved of by the membership; withdrawals from such account shall only be made upon signature of the Treasurer; at the expiration of the Treasurer’s term, all such books and records shall be turned over to the new Treasurer. 

COMMITTEES: 

There shall be such committees as are appointed by the Chair and will consist of as many members as the chair shall deem advisable subject to the approval of the membership at the next duly held meeting of The reform Caucus.  The term of each committee and the members thereof will end immediately upon the opening of the next succeeding biennial organizational meeting. The Chair shall be an ex-officio member, with the right to vote, of all committees. 

AMENDMENTS: 

These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any duly called meeting where the notice of such meeting included the proposed amendment.