Outreach & Communication

 

By-Laws of the Outreach and Communications Committee (DCDP-OCC)

 

Article I: Name and Mission

 

   1. This organization shall be the Dallas County Democratic Party - Outreach and Communications Committee, also referred to as the DCDP-OCC.

   2. The mission of the DCDP-OCC is to build support for Democratic policy positions. This is accomplished by:

          * Promoting community outreach for the Dallas County Democratic Party (DCDP)

          * Communicating and promoting Democratic policy priorities

          * Ensuring coordination and amplification of the Democratic message at the direction of the DCDP Chair

          * To provide an opportunity and mechanism for discussion and exchange of ideas relating to outreach for Democrats

          * Being a resource for the DCDP officers, management and organization

   3. The DCDP-OCC is a recognized committee of the Advisory Council of the DCDP and adheres to its bylaws, policies, and procedures.

 

Article II: Membership

 

1.      Membership is open to DCDP members, Democrats with residence in Dallas County, members who may be assigned by DCDP management, and as altered by the DCDP-AC or DCDP-Executive Committee.

 

   2. Members may serve for an indefinite period. Responsibilities include:

          * Attend at least 50% of DCDP-OCC meetings

          * Attend at least 75% of DCDP-Advisory Council Meetings (AC) (if on AC)

   3. OCC will report to DCDP-Advisory Council on certain issues, as requested by the DCDP-Chair

 

 

 

 

 

Article III: Governance

 

   1. The DCDP-OCC is managed by a set of Officers composed of two Officers. The positions are

          * Chair

          * Vice-Chair

   2. At the last meeting of the calendar year the members will nominate candidates. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. Each candidate should indicate a willingness to serve. At the first meeting of the next calendar year, there will be a vote of DCDP-OCC members. In the case of a tie vote, the tie will be settled by coin flip.

   3. In the event a vacancy should occur on the DCDP-OCC, the Chair (or the DCDP) will appoint a member to complete the unexpired term of office.

   4. There is no formal Secretary position and meeting notes are taken by volunteer recorder at each individual meeting.

 

 

Article IV: Officers

 

   1. Committee Chair. The Chair of the Committee will be elected for a term of two years by a majority of the members at its first regular Committee meeting following the election of representatives to the DCDP-AC Advisory Council (AC). The Chair is responsible for recruiting members and filling any vacancies, with recommendations from the DCDP-AC.   The Chair is responsible for organizing, building, and strengthening the Committee. The duties of the Chair are:

          * To conduct the meetings of the DCDP-OCC

          * To plan, coordinate, and report to the DCDP-AC

          * To manage member recruitment and track objectives

          * To be the representative of the DCDP-OCC to the DCDP-AC

   2. Committee Vice-Chair. The duties of the Vice Chair are:

          * To serve as backup to the Chair

          * To fulfill other duties as assigned by the Chair

          * In the event that the Chair should be unable to complete the term of office, the Vice Chair will assume the duties of the Chair.

   3. An archival file of minutes, member roster, and annual report shall be maintained by the chair and passed on to the subsequent chair.

   4. Committee members may be removed by the Chair and/or the request of the Executive Committee for any legitimate reason as determined by the DCDP-AC

 

 

Article V: Meetings

 

   1. Meetings are OPEN (Since this is required and fully specified by the TDP rules, the DCDP-OCC would operate under the exact terms as apply to all other committees.)

 

 

  2. Meeting Logistics

          * Meeting Frequency – The regular meetings of the DCDP-OCC Committee will be at a time and place to be determined by membership.

          * Meeting Announcement –OCC regular meetings will be announced via the Yahoo Group email list.

          * Meeting Cancellation – In the event cancellation is necessary, an announcement shall be made to the Yahoo Group with as much advance notice as possible. If there is short notice, extra efforts should be made (telephone calls) to contact members to avoid an unnecessary trip. Cancellations should be rare.

          * There is no permanent scribe; a volunteer will take notes at each meeting.

 

   3. No secret ballots shall be used, and no fees shall be charged for voting (Rules of the Texas Democratic Party, III, B, 1; hereinafter referred to as TDP Rules).

   4. All qualified Democrats are able to attend and to listen. (see TDP Rules III, B, E, 3, a) Note -- "Open" means all Democrats are able to attend and listen. Open does not mean a right to participate or vote. A Democrat is any qualified voter 18 years of age or older who has voted in the Democratic Primary or signed an oath of affiliation in the voting year.

   5. Voting Rights

          * (Since this is fully specified by the TDP rules, the OCC would operate under the exact terms as apply to all other committees.) Voting is a privilege of the members of the committee with the method being a voice vote, by (standing) division of the house, by signed written ballot or by roll call vote. The method used shall be left to the discretion of the chair, except that on request of any member a standing division may be held, or 10% of the members present may require a roll call vote. (See The Rules, Article III, General Rules 5)

 

 

 

Article VI: Quorum

 

   1. The DCDP-OCC members present shall constitute a quorum. Any issue may be decided by a majority of members present.

 

 

Article VI: Parliamentary Authority

 

   1. The latest version of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the DCDP-OCC Meetings.

 

 

Article VIII: DCDP-OCC Functions

 

Media Policy: All media contact shall be directed to the DCDP Chair or DCDP Executive Director.

 

Article IX: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a majority of the voting members present at the annual business meeting, providing the amendment is announced to the members at least one month prior to the meeting.