CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF LAMBDA INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS OF BROOKLYN
AS AMENDED THROUGH MAY 2018
ARTICLE I. NAME SECTION 1.01 NAME
The name of the Club shall be “LAMBDA INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS OF BROOKLYN.”
SECTION 1.02 SHORT NAME
The shorthand name of the Club shall be “LID Brooklyn” and/or, for the purposes of this Constitution and By-Laws, “the Club.”
ARTICLE II. PURPOSES
The Club is established in the belief that it is mainly through political action that the needs and aspirations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community will ultimately be realized; and that the Democratic party of this county, state, and nation is potentially the best vehicle for the conduct of such political action.
We dedicate ourselves first and foremost to striving toward the establishment and maintenance of the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community of Brooklyn, New York, and the United States of America. We pledge ourselves to work for the repeal of laws regulating sexual conduct and practices between consenting adults. We will seek passage of laws ensuring equal treatment under the law of all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. We will seek to promote a better understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in the broader community and thereby develop mutual respect, understanding, and friendship, with the ultimate aim of achieving the liberation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
While we emphasize our concern with the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, we also pledge ourselves to participate in the effort to achieve equality for women and to work for the eradication of poverty, racism, and militarism in our society. In addition, in our role as citizens in the broader community, we shall concern ourselves with those issues and matters that affect the lives of all citizens who live in our borough, city, state, and country.
To achieve these goals we will render assistance, including endorsement, to candidates for a party and public office who are dedicated to furthering our principles, priorities, and policies. We will join in cooperative efforts with like-minded organizations in our county, city, and state to work toward our common goals.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 3.01 ELIGIBILITY
Membership in the Club shall be open to any individual without regard to race, color, sex, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, immigration status or gender identity or expression who subscribes to and desires to further the purposes of the Club as set forth in Article II, and who pays the dues provided for in section 3.03 of this Article.
SECTION 3.02 CLASS AND
PRIVILEGES
(a) Full Membership in the Club shall be open to all eligible persons who reside in Kings County. Full members shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, waive the residency requirements of this section for an individual member.
(b) Associate Membership in the Club shall be open to those individuals who do not reside in Kings County. They shall enjoy the rights of membership, except that they shall not be eligible to vote on endorsements of candidates for public or party office, or for officers of the Club. Furthermore, they shall be ineligible to be elected as officers.
SECTION 3.03 DUES
(a) Dues shall be paid at any time within each calendar year running from January 1 to December 31. For new members joining the Club between October 1 and December 31 of any given calendar year, the provisions of Section 3.05 of this article shall apply.
(b) Dues shall be set by a vote of the Executive Board, provided that any vote to increase membership dues shall not be applicable to the same calendar year during which such vote is taken, and shall be made applicable to future years beginning with the following calendar year.
(c) Individuals and organizations are limited to paying membership dues for no more than two persons. Sequential money orders will not be accepted.
(d) The Executive Board may apply any individual donation, such as an amount paid in order to purchase a ticket to attend a Club event, toward membership dues for the calendar year, provided that such amount donated or paid to purchase a ticket is equal to or more than Club membership for the calendar year, unless the Executive Board has agreed to a reduced membership offer pursuant to this section. Such donation shall apply only to membership for the calendar year unless made between October 1 and December 31, in which case it may be applied toward membership for the remainder of the current calendar year and for the calendar year following the year during which the donation is made or amount is paid.
(e) In contemplation of increasing membership, the Executive Board may vote to allow any special first-time special membership offer, provided that such offer must contain reasonable restrictions on time and eligibility.
(f) For the 2018 calendar year, any member in good standing during the previous calendar year, upon the passing of one year since dues were last paid, shall be a member in good standing for the 2018 calendar year upon payment of prorated dues.
SECTION 3.04 GOOD STANDING
Any person eligible for membership becomes a member in good standing upon submitting their membership application and the prescribed dues to an officer of the Club.
SECTION 3.05 MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership shall run from January 1 to December 31. A person joining the Club for the first time, if paying membership dues between October 1 and December 31, may be considered a member in good standing for the remainder of the current calendar year and for the calendar year following the current calendar year.
(b) All membership applications, including renewals, may be subject to review by the Executive Board, which may vote to reject any application for membership upon a showing of cause by any officer or board member-at-large.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
SECTION 4.01 GENERAL MEETINGS
There shall be at least four (4) meetings of the general Club membership per year by designation of the Executive Committee upon the consent of the Executive Board. Members shall be notified in writing or via electronic mail at least ten (10) days in advance of a general membership meeting.
Special meetings may be called at the request of the Executive Board or upon the written petition of at least 10% of the members in good standing. There shall be at least five (5) days’ notice for a special meeting. A “meeting” shall include any general membership meeting, a fundraising event, a community function, or any official Club gathering to which members are invited.
Emergency general meetings may be called by the Executive Committee for good cause and shall take place at any time necessary, provided that adequate notice to the general membership is provided.
SECTION 4.02 QUORUM
Fifteen members eligible to vote or 15% of the general membership eligible to vote, whichever is less, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
SECTION 4.03 VOTING
Every member shall be entitled to one vote, which must be cast in person meeting and not by proxy. Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, all questions shall be decided by a majority of those present and voting. An abstention shall not be counted as a vote, but may be cast and shall be recorded. Any person who has not been a member in good standing during the previous forty-five (45) days shall not be entitled to vote, except that persons who were members during the previous calendar year may vote immediately upon payment of dues for the current calendar year.
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SECTION 4.04 PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURE
Where not otherwise specified, meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order where applicable.
Any procedures for the conduct of an endorsement meeting vote must be rendered in written form and provided to the membership at the beginning of the meeting. Furthermore, such procedures must be read aloud at the commencement of the endorsement meeting. This procedure may be waived by motion and majority vote. Such notice may provide for amendment of the endorsement procedures by a majority vote of all members present at the commencement of the endorsement meeting.
ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 5.01 OFFICERS
SECTION 5.02 ELECTION 6
(a) The officers of the Executive Committee shall be: President (or two Co-Presidents, as the membership shall decide), Executive Vice President, Vice President(s), Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary), and Treasurer.
(b) The Officers of the Executive Committee shall have the power and responsibility for the general welfare and all operations, activities, and implementation of policy of the Club.
(c) The President or any officer or member tasked with any Club operation or policy on behalf of the Club must do so in consultation with the Executive Committee, provided that nothing herein shall deprive the full Executive Board of its oversight powers with respect to Club operations or policy.
(d) The Executive Board may designate any of its members as at-large members of the Executive Committee at any time.
(a) The Executive Board shall serve as the nominating committee for officers of the Executive Committee. However, nothing shall prevent a member from nominating an alternative candidate for an officer position at a meeting of the general membership held pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Nominations for candidates for officers of the Executive Committee shall be made at the last Executive Board meeting of the calendar year, and an election for such officers shall be held at a meeting of the general membership pursuant to Article IV, to take place no later than the last day of January of the following year. Such nominees must receive the largest portion of votes cast for any candidate, including those nominated from the floor at the general meeting.
(c) Officers shall hold office for from the date of election by the general membership until the date that new officers are elected by the general membership.
(d) Any officers of the Executive Committee shall be subject to removal by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board present if:
They have been absent or derelict in their duties; such a showing may be evidenced by at least three months of continued, consecutive absence from Club events, to include Executive Board and/or general membership meetings.
They have conducted themselves in a manner that is demeaning, offensive, unethical, or inimical to the mission and purposes of the Club.
SECTION 5.03 VACANCIES
If an office or position on the Executive Committee is available or becomes vacant, the Executive Board at its next meeting shall elect an officer to serve until the membership at its next regular meeting pursuant to Article IV shall elect an officer to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term; if the vacancy shall occur after December 1st, the temporary officer appointed by the Executive Board shall serve until the next election meeting.
SECTION 5.04 DUTIES
(a) The President or Co-Presidents shall serve as the Chief Executive officer(s) of the Club and presiding officer(s) of the Executive Board. The President(s) shall preside at all meetings of the Club, shall be the chief spokesperson(s) for the Club, and shall submit a report to the membership at each meeting on the condition and activities of the Club. The President(s) shall be the chair(s) of the Club’s Political Action Committee. The President(s) shall direct the Club’s operations and implementation of policies as set by the Executive Board and general membership. The President(s) may delegate any of his or her responsibilities to the members of the Executive Committee. The President(s) shall not simultaneously serve as Executive Vice President or Vice President.
(b) The Executive Vice President shall be the second ranking officer of the Club, shall preside over the meetings of the Executive Board and, in the absence of the President(s), membership
meetings, and shall fulfill a portfolio of tasks and duties for the Club as designated by the President with consent of the Executive Board.
(c) The Vice President(s) shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board and/or the general membership in the absence of the President and Executive Vice President and shall fulfill a portfolio of tasks and duties on behalf of the Club as designated by the President with the consent of the Executive Board. The Executive Board at its discretion may designate a specific portfolio title to a Vice President (e.g., Vice President of Communications; Vice President of Organizing) as it sees fit, provided that such Vice President has been duly elected to the title Vice President by a vote of the general membership.
(d) The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for the preparation and safekeeping of all Club proceedings.
(d) The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for all official club correspondence with officials and other organizations and shall prepare and mail all notices.
(e) The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds, which shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Executive Board. Disbursement shall be made only pursuant to the policy set by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of the books of account showing all receipts and disbursements and such other books of accounts as the Executive Board may direct, which books shall be open to the inspection of any member of the Club upon reasonable notice. The Treasurer shall prepare and submit all financial reports required by law and shall render an account of the financial condition of the Club twice a year.
SECTION 5.05 DISCIPLINARY
ACTION
The censure, suspension, or expulsion of any member of the Club for conduct inimical to the best interest of the membership or contrary to the purposes of the Club, as set forth in Article II hereof, may be proposed by a petition enumerating the reasons therefor, signed by at least five members of the Executive Board or twenty-five (25) members of the Club and submitted to the Corresponding Secretary or President. The Secretary or President shall present the petition at the next meeting of the Executive Board. At that meeting, the petition may be dismissed by a two-thirds vote of the full membership of the Executive Board. If the petition is not so dismissed, the proposal shall be tabled until a subsequent meeting of the Executive Board to be held not less than two weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall give the member in question at least ten (10) days’ notice by certified mail of the time and place of such meeting, the charges against him/her, and his/her right to make a statement in person, or in writing, to such meeting. A vote of at least two-thirds of the full membership of the Executive Board shall be required for disciplinary action. If the Executive Board votes to discipline a
Board member, the decision may be appealed by said member or by any other member at the next meeting of the membership pursuant to Article IV, provided that such disciplined Board member or other member notifies the Corresponding Secretary or the President of his/her intention to make such appeal. If such an appeal is taken, the determination of the Executive Board shall be inoperative unless and until ratified by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting at such meeting.
ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 6.01 MEMBERS
(a) All officers of the Club, as well as past presidents and other ex-officio members pursuant to Section 6.08 of this article, and up to twenty-three (23) members-at-large shall comprise the Executive Board.
(b) Any member-at-large of the Executive Board may, by a delegation of the Executive Committee and with the consent of the Executive Board, take on specific operational tasks on behalf of the Club.
(c) The Executive Board may establish either a monetary amount that Executive Board members-at-large shall be required to donate or raise for the Club or, in lieu thereof, voluntary or other responsibilities for members-at-large.
(d) The Executive Board may establish attendance requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for renewed service as an Executive Board member in future years.
SECTION 6.02 GENDER AND
RACIAL PARITY
It shall be the policy of the Club to work toward gender and racial parity in all of the aforementioned positions.
SECTION 6.03 DUTIES
The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the Club and shall direct and supervise the policies, management, and procedures of the Club. The Executive Board shall be empowered to act for the Club in all matters, including endorsements for judgeships, but not including endorsements for all other offices. The Board shall report on all its activities at membership meetings.
SECTION 6.04 MEETINGS
The Executive Board shall meet at least nine (9) times per year at the call of the President or Executive Vice President; provided that reasonable advance notice must be provided to the officers and members of the Executive Board unless cause is shown.
SECTION 6.05 ORGANIZATION
At the first meeting of the Executive Board following its election, the President may select from the membership the chairs of the standing committees. These appointments shall be made by and with the consent of the Executive Board.
SECTION 6.06 QUORUM
Fifty percent of the voting membership of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Of these one must be the President (or one of the Co-Presidents) or the Executive Vice President or a Vice President;. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the officer presiding shall designate a Board member-at-large to serve as Recording Secretary for that meeting. Every member of the Board shall be entitled to one vote on all questions except for ex officio nonvoting members as described in Section 6.08(a) of this article; and except as otherwise provided in this constitution, all questions shall be decided by a majority of those members present and voting excluding abstentions.
SECTION 6.07 ELECTION
(a) The Executive Board shall serve as the nominating committee for subsequent members of the Executive Board.
(b) Nominations for the Executive Board shall be made at the last Executive Board meeting of the calendar year, and an election for such members-at-large shall be held at a meeting of the general membership pursuant to Article IV to take place no later than the last day of January in the new year. In the event that, after the general meeting to elect members-at-large of the Executive Board pursuant to this paragraph, there remain unfilled seats according to paragraph (a) of Section 6.01 of this Article, the Executive Board may nominate persons for the position of Member-at-large of the Executive Board, and such nomination shall be put to a vote of the general membership at the next scheduled general meeting.
(c) Members shall hold office for from the date of election by the general membership until the date that a new Executive Board is elected by the general membership.
(d) Any members of the Executive Board shall be subject to removal by two-thirds of the
Executive Board if:
They have been absent or derelict of their duties; such a showing may be evidenced by at least three months of continued, consecutive absence from Club events, to include Executive Board and/or general membership meetings pursuant to Article IV.
They have conducted themselves in a manner that is demeaning, offensive, unethical, or inimical to the mission and purposes of the Club.
SECTION 6.08 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
(a) From time to time, the Executive Board may designate past Presidents as ex-officio members of the Executive Board; they may serve with vote for three years after their departure from the presidency, and serve indefinitely without vote after such three-year period has expired.
(b) The Executive Board may designate any other member of the Club as an ex-officio member of the Executive Board at its discretion, provided that such member shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
SECTION 7.01 COMMITTEES
Committees shall be established as needed.
SECTION 7.02 COMMITTEE
CHAIRS AND MEMBERS
The chairs of all committees shall be appointed as indicated in Article VI Section 6.05. A committee chair may be removed by the President(s) with the consent of two-thirds of the full Executive Board. Members of committees shall be appointed by the respective committee chair with the approval of the Executive Vice President.
ARTICLE VIII. USE OF CLUB NAME
No person, whether or not a member of the Club, shall use the name of the Club in any way that may indicate official sanction by the Club of any statement or action, or in any way that may indicate support by the Club of any candidate or position, without prior authorization in writing by the Executive Board or by the membership of the Club.
In addition, the membership and mailing lists of the Club may not be released to any other organization.
ARTICLE IX. NOTICES
All notices to the membership required by this Constitution shall be deemed given when mailed or sent via electronic mail.
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS
SECTION 11.01.
There shall be a Board of Governors, which shall be constituted to provide political, operational, and policy advice and support to the Executive Committee and Executive Board.
SECTION 11.02 MEMBERS
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the Executive Board or by written petition signed by twenty (20) members or 15% of the membership, whichever is less, and submitted to one of the Secretaries. To become effective, any amendment so proposed must be approved and adopted by two-thirds of the members present at the following membership meeting pursuant to Article IV. The substance of the change to be effected by the proposed amendment or amendments must be included in the meeting notice of the aforesaid meeting and shall further state that final action will be taken upon the amendment or amendments to this Constitution. Said amendment(s) shall become effective upon the final date of approval and adoption, or any other date as shall be specified in the amendment(s).
ARTICLE XI. BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Members of the Board of Governors shall be selected by the Executive Board.
There shall be no more than fifty (50) members of the Board of Governors serving at any given time.
Members of the Board of Governors shall serve terms of two years.
Members of the Board of Governors shall be members of the Club and shall enjoy the privileges thereof, provided they meet the eligibility or waiver requirements of Section 3.01 of Article III. Members of the Board of Governors who do not meet the eligibility requirements or obtain a waiver pursuant to Section 3.01 of Article III shall otherwise enjoy the privileges of membership in the Club with the exception of the right to vote at any general meeting and eligibility to serve as officers or members-at-large of the Executive Board.
1 SECTION 11.03 OFFICERS AND
2 PROCEEDINGS
3 The members of the Board of Governors shall promulgate by-laws in order to direct its own operations
4 and deliberations and designate a chair and any other officers as it sees fit.