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Proposed Amendments to the By-Laws of the Clifton Democratic Club
Revised 7-13-2025
BY-LAWS OF THE CLIFTON DEMOCRATIC CLUB
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1: Name
The organization shall be known as the Clifton Democratic Club (hereinafter referred to as "the Club").
Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of the Club is to promote Democratic principles and objectives including but not limited to Inclusion, Diversity, Women’s rights, support the Passaic County Democratic Committee, Democratic candidates, encourage civic engagement, and foster political awareness within the City of Clifton.
Section 3: Independence of the Club
The Clifton Democratic Club is a separate entity from the Clifton County Committee. The business and affairs of each organization shall remain distinct, and the two shall not intertwine or mingle their respective operations or decision-making processes. However, nothing contained herein shall preclude the Club from working with the Clifton County Committee on matters that the two organizations have in common
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Eligibility
a) Full Membership is open to those Clifton Residents who have not affiliated with any political party residing in Clifton who support the mission and principles of the Democratic Party.
b) Associate membership is open to those Clifton residents who have not affiliated with any political party but who support the mission and principles of the Democratic party
Section 2: Membership in Good Standing A member in good standing shall be defined as one who has paid the annual membership dues.
Section 3: Rights of Members
c) Full Members who are in good standing shall have the right to vote on all matters, nominate officers, and run for office within the club. Adhere to the Club’s rules and regulations and uphold the principles of the Democratic Party.
d) Members shall have access to Club meetings, events and may participate in debate regarding the decision-making process.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the Club shall be:
President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Chair
Section 2: Duties of Officers
a) President: The President shall serve as the chief executive officer of the Club, preside over meetings, set the preliminary agenda, appoint committees, standing, nomination and ad hoc as necessary, represent the Club in public matters, and ensure adherence to the by-laws. The President shall delegate to the Vice President as needed. The President will be elected by members in good standing.
b) Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President, preside over meetings in the absence of the President, attend committee meetings representing the president if the President cannot attend and if the office becomes vacant, assume the President's duties if the office becomes vacant until an election is held.
c) The Recording Secretary shall maintain all records of the Club, including member attendance. The Secretary shall present the minutes of the previous meeting at each regular meeting for review and approval by membership
d) The Corresponding Secretary shall handle all correspondence both electronic and conventional on behalf of the club. Including but not limited to meeting notices messages of good wishes and any correspondence deemed necessary,
e) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall oversee all financial matters, including collecting dues, managing Club funds, and preparing financial reports. Copies of the financial report statement shall be made available to any member in good standing at meetings. Bank statements shall be maintained by the Treasurer and may be requested for viewing by any member in good standing upon reasonable notice. The Treasurer will keep a log of members requesting to examine the financial records. No photographs, photocopies or electronic images /files are allowed to be made of the financial records.
The treasurer shall submit required finance reports to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJELEC) in a timely manner pursuant to the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act NJSA:19-44-1, as a Continuing Political Committee in accordance with NJSA:1944A-8(b). NJELEC reports are publicly available on the NJELEC website.
f) Membership Chair: The Membership Chair will maintain membership lists and shall oversee the membership committee, which is responsible for recruitment and retention of members. The Membership Chair, or their designate will verify membership in good standing, and maintain an up-to-date and accurate listing of all paid members in good standing. This list shall be available at each meeting of the Club for reference.
ARTICLE IV: ELECTIONS
Section 1: Election of Officers
a) Elections shall be held every three-year concurrent with county committee elections at the Club’s general membership meeting in June.
b) Nominations and vote are to be held at the June/July meeting following the certification of the election of county committee and election of city leader. Nomination for office requires a second to be considered a viable candidate.
c) The Nominations Chair (appointed by the president) will ask for nominations from the floor for each office in consecutive order in accordance with article 3 section 1.
d) If there are more than two candidates for an office a simple majority is required.
e) In the event of a tie, the correct procedure, according to Roberts Rules, is to continue voting until a candidate receives a majority of the votes cast.
f) Only members in good standing shall be eligible to vote and run for office.
g) Votes must be cast in person and Proxy voting is not permitted
h) The President, Vice President, Treasurer, Corresponding and Recording Secretaries, Membership Chair and Fundraising Chair shall be elected by a majority vote of members in good standing present at the election meeting.
i) If an officer is unable to fulfill their duties for a period exceeding six (6) months, members in good standing may call for a vote to replace said officer. If the officer has six months or less remaining on their term the President may appoint a replacement to serve in the role until the next county committee reorganization.
Section 2: Terms of Office
a) Officers shall serve a three-year term beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of each three-year cycle. All officers’ terms run consecutively.
b) Officers may serve consecutive terms if re-elected, subject to the term limits outlined below.
Section 3: Term Limits
Each officer shall serve a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms in the same position.
ARTICLE V: SUPPORT OF CANDIDATES
Section 1: This organization shall formally support and endorse candidates only in partisan elections where candidates are affiliated with the Democratic Party.
In non-partisan elections, while individual members may engage in support of candidates of their choosing, the organization as a whole shall not provide formal endorsements, campaign assistance, or public statements of support for any specific candidate.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meetings
The Club shall hold regular meetings at least once per quarter, preferably once per month. The schedule shall be determined by the Executive Board and communicated to members in advance.
Section 2: Special Meetings
The President may call special meetings as necessary.
A special meeting may also be called upon written request by at least five (5) members in good standing with 7 to 10 days’ notice of the meeting. The time date and location of the meeting must be included in the notice along with an agenda which will be the only item discussed.
Section 3: Quorum
A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the members in good standing. No official Club business may be conducted without a quorum.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
Section 1: Standing Committees
The Club shall have the following standing committees:
a) Membership Committee to be chaired by the Membership Chairman as outlined in section 2 Duties of Officers.
b) Fundraising Committee
c) Community Outreach Committee
d) Audit Committee
e) Executive Committee
f) By Laws Committee
Section 2: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be made up of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, Membership Chair and standing committee chairs. The Executive Committee will provide guidance in recommending endorsement of candidates for a vote by general membership.
Section 3: Special Committees
The President may appoint special and ad hoc committees as needed to address specific issues or events.
ARTICLE VIII: FINANCES
Section 1: Dues
Annual membership dues shall be twenty dollars ($20.00), due by January 31 of each year. Dues must be current (paid no later than March 31 to be considered in good standing) for voting privileges.
Section 2: Financial Oversight
a) The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each meeting.
b) If funds are required between meetings, disbursement may be approved by the executive committee.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENT of BYLAWS
Section 1: Proposal of Amendments
Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed by any member in good standing and must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board.
Section 2: Adoption of Amendments
Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members in good standing present at a general membership meeting.
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote, provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted to the membership at least 21 days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE X: CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION
All members shall conduct themselves with respect and professionalism. Any member found in violation of the Club’s principles or engaging in conduct detrimental to the Club may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including revocation of membership.
Furthermore, We firmly believe that our club’s legacy, history, and dedication to Democratic principles set us apart. Our members are encouraged to remain committed to the goals and initiatives that have made the Clifton Democratic Club a distinct and respected entity within our community. Those members who fail to adhere to the principles set forth above may have their membership revoked by a majority vote of the Executive Board
ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution, all remaining funds and assets of the Club shall be donated to the Passaic County Democratic organization.
.
ARTICLE XII: PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised” shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
Adopted on: _______________
Signed by: _________________________________ (President Signature)
_________________________________ (Print name)
Attested by: ________________________________ (Secretary Signature)
_________________________________ (Print name)
Final Rev. 07/13/25