Bylaws

ARTICLE I: GENERAL

 

A.      The name of this organization shall be the Lane County Republican Central Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Lane County Republican Party).  The trade name of the organization shall be the Lane County Republican Party (LCRP).  The purpose of the Lane County Republican Central Committee shall be to organize voters, develop candidates, and implement programs to elect Republicans to Public Office.

B.       The bylaws shall become effective upon their adoption at a duly called meeting of the Lane County Central Committee and shall be used to govern the committee until amended or repealed.

C.       Notice of intent to change the bylaws must be sent to all Precinct Persons postmarked no later than ten (10) days prior to the meeting when such changes will be voted upon. A copy of the proposed changes shall be included with such notice.

D.       A two-thirds majority vote of those voting members present shall be required to make changes to the bylaws after their adoption.

E.        The Lane County Central Committee shall submit copies of said bylaws no later than November 30 of each even numbered year to the State Central Committee.

F.        The Oregon Republican Party has elected to participate in elections for precinct committee persons as provided in ORS 248.015 to 248-029, as amended. All references to those statutory provisions in these bylaws are conditioned upon the party’s intention to rely upon those statutes. If the party elects not to be bound by those statutes, all references to those statutes in these bylaws shall be null and void. These bylaws do not bind the County Central Committee to comply with any other portion of chapter 248, unless the Republican Party specifically agrees to be bound by any other portion of chapter 248.

 

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

 

The Lane County Central Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “Central Committee”) shall consist of all duly elected, selected and/or appointed Precinct Committee Persons within the county.

 

ARTICLE III: TERM OF OFFICE

 

The term on office of a Precinct Committee Person is from the 24th day after the date of the primary election until the 24th day after the date of the next following primary election. (ORS 248.015-6)

 

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

 

A.         The Chairperson or a simple majority of the Executive Committee shall call Central Committee or Executive Committee meetings at such times, as it appears advisable to further the objectives of the Republican Party.

B.          During election (even numbered) years, at least four Central Committee must be held

C.          The Secretary when requested by 35 members or 15% of the members of the Central Committee whichever is greater, shall call a petitioned meeting to the Central Committee. The cost of such meeting shall be born by the members calling for the meeting. The petition will be specific as to the meeting’s purpose. Only specified business shall be valid. The Secretary shall call the meeting within 30 days of receiving the petition.

D.         A written notice, which includes the purpose of the meeting, shall be sent to the Central Committee and postmarked no later than ten (10) days prior to the conducting of a business meeting. Failure to do so will invalidate the business of the meeting.

E.          A quorum of thirty-five (35) or more of the certified Precinct Committee Persons shall be present before the conducting of any business.

F.         At other than the Biennial organizational meeting, all duly certified Precinct Committee Persons are entitled to voting privileges. At the biennial organizational meeting only duly elected and certified Precinct Committee Persons may vote.

G.        Proxies may not be used at any time for any central committee meeting.

H.        All matters shall be decided by a majority vote except revision of the bylaws. (Article I (C) and as prescribed by Roberts Rules of Order, Revised.)

I.          All meeting notices shall bear signature of the chairperson or secretary. Failure to do so will invalidate the business of the meeting.

J.          The Chairperson shall appoint a parliamentarian to serve at all Central Committee meetings, and may appoint one, as he or she deems necessary for other meetings.

K.        The rules contained in the most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the Central Committee in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, special rules or procedure adopted for specific purposes.

 

ARTICLE V: BIENNIAL ORGANIZATIONAL

MEETING

 

A.      Organization

1.          The Biennial Organization meeting of the Central Committee shall meet not earlier than the date of the General Election nor later than November 25, of even numbered years. The retiring Central Committee shall prepare a written notice designating the time, date, and place of the organizational meeting. The Chairperson of the retiring Central Committee shall call the meeting by proper notice at a time and place designated by the retiring Chairperson.

2.         Notice of such meeting must be post marked no later than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting to all certified Republican precinct committee persons elected during the primary election of that year or appointed pursuant to county rule. A copy of the notice must also be sent to the State Central Committee no later than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting.

3.      The purpose of the meeting is to conduct the following business:

a.        Elect officers for the County Central Committee:

Chairperson

Vice-Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

b.       Elect Alternate Chairperson

c.        Elect Alternate Vice-Chairperson

d.       Elect delegates and alternate delegates to the State Central Committee

 

4.      A person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of precinct committee person may not vote on the election of the County Central Committee at the organizational meeting of the newly elected committee, but may vote in any election to fill any vacancy in a committee office after the organizational meeting per Article VI (D) (2).

.

B.       Notice to the State Central Committee

Within five (5) business days of the county organizational meeting the newly elected Chairperson of the County Central Committee shall cause notice to be provided in writing of the names of each delegate and alternate delegate to the State Central Committee. The County Central Committee must also provide a current copy of all county bylaws and rules no later than November 30 of each even numbered year.

C.       Notice to County Clerk

Within five (5) business days of election, the newly elected Chairperson of the County Central Committee shall cause a notice to be provided to the County Clerk’s office designating the newly elected County Chairperson as the official authorized to communicate with and receive notices from the County Clerk on behalf of the Party’s affiliation within the County.

D.       Notice to Secretary of State

Within five (5) business days of election, the newly elected Chairperson of the County Central committee shall cause all appropriate forms to be filed with the Secretary of State’s office which will provide adequate notice to that office of the change in party leadership and which will officially transfer responsibility for Contribution and Expense reporting to the new officers.

E.       Failure to Organize

1.        In the event that a County Central Committee fails to organize the Chairperson of the State Central Committee may appoint a temporary County Chairperson for the purpose of calling an organizational meeting within 60 days of his or her initial appointment.

2.        Until officers and delegates are duly elected, but in no event for a period which exceeds 60 days, the temporary Chairperson may represent the County Central Committee as a temporary delegate to the State Central Committee.

3.        A person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of precinct committee person may not vote in the election for officers, delegates and alternates held during the organizational meeting called by a temporary County Chairperson.

F.       Transfer of Property

At the organizational meeting of the newly elected County Central Committee the officers of the retiring County Central Committee shall make available to the newly elected committee the property, records, and funds owned or controlled by the retiring committee.

 

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

 

A.      There shall be four elected officers of the Central

Committee: A Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

B.       Qualifications. Any person who has been a registered Republican for a total of one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the organizational meeting and who is then living in Lane County, Oregon, shall be eligible to hold office.

C.       Election. All officers shall be elected by a majority vote. In the event there is more than one (1) candidate for an office, voting shall be by written ballot.

D.       Term of office.

1.      Officers shall be elected for a biennial at the organizational meeting.

2.      Persons elected to fill an office vacancy shall complete the unexpired term only.

E.       Vacancies in Office.

1.       In case of a vacancy in the office of Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall automatically assume the position until an election can be held.

2.      If any other office prescribed in Section A of this Article is vacant, the Executive Committee shall elect one of its members as a temporary officer until a new officer is duly elected, however, the Executive Committee member shall continue to have no more than one vote.

F.      Transfer of powers and physical properties of the Lane County Central Committee.

1.      Powers of the retiring county officers shall be transferred immediately following all business of the organizational meeting to the newly elected County Officers including the property, records and funds controlled by the retiring Executive Committee.

 

ARTICLE VII: POWERS AND DUTIES

CHAIRPERSON

A.      The newly elected chairperson shall file all notices in the time and manner called for in Article V.

B.       As soon as practical after assuming office, the Chairperson shall become familiar with all statutes that may be applicable to party organization.

C.       Subject to the control of the Central Committee and the Executive Committee, the Chairperson shall have general charge of the affairs of the Republican Party in Lane County and at each Central Committee meeting. The Chairperson shall give a report of the activities and actions of the Executive Committee.

D.       The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Central Committee and the Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall supervise and direct all officers, area coordinators, committee chairpersons and employees (if any) of the Central Committee.

E.       The Chairperson shall call meetings as prescribed in these bylaws and at such other times, as it appears advisable.

F.       The Chairperson shall appoint the committees and the committee chairpersons as named in Article XII.

G.       The Chairperson is a member of the State Central Committee and shall attend all meetings or arrange for the Alternate Chairperson to attend. If the Alternate Chairperson cannot attend, the Chairperson shall arrange for another alternate and if unable, a Republican resident in the county after receiving a proxy from a voting delegate.

 

VICE CHAIRPERSON

A.      Vice Chairperson shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Chairperson.

B.       In the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall assume all the powers and duties granted to the Chairperson in these bylaws.

C.       The Vice Chairperson is a member of the State Central Committee and shall attend all meetings or arrange for the Alternate Vice Chairperson to attend. If the Alternate Vice Chairperson cannot attend the Vice Chairperson shall arrange for another alternate and if unable, a Republican resident within the county with a proxy from a voting delegate.

 

SECRETARY

A.      The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of all meetings of the Central Committee and the Executive Committee.

B.       The secretary shall give all notices prescribed by the Central Committee, Executive Committee, and County Chairperson and/or as prescribed by law and these bylaws.

C.       The Secretary shall inform the County Clerk of assignments and appointments of precinct persons in writing with a copy to be sent to the State Republican Party office and the Registration/Credentials Chairperson. The Secretary shall see that all elected precinct persons have bylaws.

D.       The Secretary shall be responsible for notifying all elected Republican officials and candidates in Lane County concerning all Central Committee meetings.

E.       The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping an accurate roster of all Executive Committee attendance and transferring this information into the minutes. (The State Republican Party has established this precedence.)

F.       The Secretary shall secure an official certified roster from the County Clerk’s office prior to every Central Committee meeting when there is to be an election of officers wherein only elected precinct persons may vote.

G.       The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping an accurate roster of all Central Committee Precinct Persons on file. This list will be used to credential committee persons at the Central Committee meetings. This list will also be used to keep mailing lists updated.

TREASURER

A.      The Treasurer shall act as fiscal agent of the Central Committee for the receipt and disbursement of its funds.

B.       The Treasurer shall maintain adequate records and submit required reports as prescribed by Oregon Revised Statutes.

C.       The Treasurer shall pay all bills promptly as directed by the Chairperson. In case of doubt as to the propriety or the authority for paying a bill, the Treasurer may require a written order signed by the Chairperson.

D.       The Treasurer shall make a financial report at all Executive and Central Committee meetings. This may be an oral report unless specifically directed to be in writing.

F.       The Treasurer shall act as a member of the Finance Committee.

 

ARTICLE VIII: DISTRICT ORGANIZATION

 

A.      The precincts in Lane County shall be grouped into eight (8) separate districts that shall conform to the eight (8) State House legislative districts present within Lane County. The County Chair shall seek and fill each district with a District Chairperson

B.       District Chairpersons shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the County Chairperson. Such District Chairperson may be removed, with cause, by a majority vote of the Executive Committee at a regular meeting.

C.       In the case of a vacancy in the office of a District Chairperson occurring because of death, resignation or otherwise, an appointment by the County Chairperson shall be made to fill the vacant position. .

 

ARTICLE IX: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

A.      Membership The Executive Committee shall consist of the County Chairperson, who shall be the Chairperson of the Executive Committee, the county Vice Chairperson, the Secretary, who shall act as Secretary for the Executive committee, the Treasurer, the alternate Chairperson, the alternate Vice Chairperson, the Delegates, and the alternate Delegates to the State Central Committee, Precinct Organization Committee Chairperson, Registration/Credentials Committee Chairperson, Budget Finance Committee Chairperson and incumbent elected Republican officials.

B.       The Executive Committee shall meet on the call of the Chairperson as often as he deems necessary or convenient to conduct the usual and ordinary affairs of the Central committee. Notice of Executive meetings may be made by written, oral, or telephone means, providing at least forty-eight (48) hours notice is given. Ninety-six (96) hours notice is required if written notice is sent by U.S. mail.

C.       Nonvoting Membership Nonvoting members of the Executive Committee shall consist of any person who has served as County Chairperson within the last two (2) years, legal counsel, additional coordinators for other Republican committees, an historian, a parliamentarian and to include a special Events and Media Relations Chairperson in addition to a Special Republican Groups Coordinator, candidates and others as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.

D.       Salaried employees of the Central Committee shall have no vote on the Executive Committee unless they are elected to an official office.

F.       The Executive Committee shall approve or disapprove all claims, demands, or charges against the Central Committee by the Treasurer.

F.       Quorum. A quorum shall consist of nine (9) voting members. All Executive Committee members are expected to attend Executive Committee meetings and cannot be absent for more than three consecutive times.

 

G.       DISQUALIFICATION AND RECALL

1.      An Executive Committee Officer disqualifies himself or herself from further service on the Executive Committee whenever he or she endorses publicly, contributes financially to, or actively manages a campaign for a candidate who

(a)    Opposes the election of a candidate nominated by the Republican Party or against the rules of the Republican National Committee related to the nomination of the President and Vice President or

(b)    Seeks the nomination of any other party or election as an independent candidate when one or more candidates are actively seeking the Republican nomination.

2.      For the activity in Section G.1 to be disqualifying, it must be evidenced by one or more of the following:

(a)    A copy of the organizational papers filed with the Lane County Elections Board, the State Elections and Public Records Division or the Federal Elections Commission.

(b)    Organizational or Campaign materials distributed by the supporters of a candidate described in Section G-1.

(c)    A copy of any contributions report of any committee organized exclusively for the support of a candidate described in G-1 on file with the Lane County Elections Board, the State Elections Board and State Records Division or the Federal Elections Commission.

3.        Any executive Committee officer may be recalled by a majority vote of a quorum. A quorum for a recall shall consist of 40% of the elected or appointed Precinct Committee Persons. A recall petition must be signed by 40% of the Precinct Committee Persons. The petition must be filed with the Secretary thirty (30) days before the meeting and notice of said meeting must be postmarked and sent to all Precinct Committee Persons and the officer(s) to be recalled no later than ten (10) days before the meeting. The officers referred to in paragraph 3 are: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.

 

ARTICLE X: COMMITTEES

 

A.      The Standing Committees, appointed by the Chairperson, shall be: Registration/Credentials, Precinct Organization, Candidates Assistance, Finance/Budget, Publicity, Resolution, Bylaws and Education Committee. In addition other committee Chairperson(s) deemed necessary may also be appointed by the Chairperson and shall serve at the Chairperson’s pleasure.

B.       A three-member Auditing committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson. The duty of this committee shall be to conduct a complete biennial audit of the books. In case of a change of the Treasurer due to resignation, recall or death, the books will be audited when a new Treasurer is elected. The Auditing Committee shall certify that the records are complete and correct and a report shall be submitted to the Executive Committee and the Central Committee.

C.       The term of office of all committee chairmen shall automatically expire when a new County Chairperson assumes office.

 

ARTICLE XI: NOMINATING COMMITTEE

 

A.      A nominating committee of at least three (3) members of the Executive Committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the retiring Central committee to seek out one or more candidates for the elected positions of the Central Committee within a reasonable time prior to the County Organizational meeting.

B.       Should vacancies occur in elective offices between Organizational meetings, an Interim Nominating Committee shall be appointed for the purpose of selecting a nominee, or nominees, to be elected to fill the aforementioned vacancies.

 

ARTICLE XII: FINANCE/BUDGET

 

A.      Within ninety (90) days following the Organizational meeting, the Finance/Budget Committee shall prepare an annual budget and present it to a meeting of the Central committee. Upon adoption of the budget by the Executive Committee, the officers may approve expenditures authorized therein. The Executive Committee must approve any expenditure in excess of the budget.

B.       The Executive Committee may amend any budget previously adopted by the Central Committee but the Executive Committee amendments resulting in an increase in the total budget shall become effective only when approved by the Central Committee at either a regular or special Central committee meeting.

C.       At no time will the Executive Committee approve, or the county Chairperson authorize, expenditures in excess of funds available in the Central Committee checking account. It is strictly prohibited to purchase anything on a time payment plan. It is strictly prohibited to order anything without having enough funds in the checking account at the time the order is given.

EXPLANATION. The above (Section C) is to make it understood that deficit spending is strictly prohibited and that the responsible party or parties will be held accountable.

D.       It is required that four signatures of the officers as defined in Article VI (A) be on any authorized bank accounts. Both the Chairperson and the Treasurer must sign each check. In the event of either the Chairperson’s absence or the Treasurer’s absence, or their incapacity, the Vice Chairperson shall countersign checks for the Chairperson and the Secretary shall countersign checks for the Treasurer in order to transact Party business.

 

ARTICLE XIII: DELEGATES AND

ALTERNATES TO THE STATE CENTRAL

COMMITTEE

 

A.      Each County Central Committee shall have at least two Delegates to the State Central Committee and other Delegates equal to the number of voters affiliated with the Party and registered for the primary election divided by 15,000. If the remaining number exceeds 7,500, one additional delegate shall be elected.

         B.    The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be delegates and the other delegates shall be elected at the Organizational meeting. There shall be an Alternate Chairperson and an Alternate Vice Chairperson elected and Alternates Delegates elected.

C.       In case of resignation of one or more of the Delegates, his or her Alternate shall assume the office and a new Alternate shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

D.       Delegates shall be members of the State Central

Committee. If a delegate is unable to attend a State

Central Committee meeting, he (or she) must notify the

Chairperson so the Alternate may attend.

F.       A proxy may be written or faxed by the Delegate or Alternate unable to attend. Written or faxed proxies of absent Delegates or Alternate Delegates may be used in balloting on business before the Committee. A proxy holder must be a registered Republican in the County of the Delegate represented by the proxy. The proxy form shall include the name and address of the holder, the name of the person represented and such other information as the office holder desires. An Alternate Delegate has precedence over a proxy delegate. No Delegate or holder of proxy shall have more than one vote.

 

ARTICLE XIV: DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO THE STATE CONVENTION

A.      State Convention Delegates consist of the County Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and State Central Committee Delegates, plus additional delegates to be elected by the County Central Committee in accordance with State Central Committee bylaws.

B.       The Chairperson shall convene the Central Committee at his or hers discretion for the purpose of electing a slate of Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the State Convention.

C.       In the selection only two classes of Precinct Committee Persons shall vote:

(a)     Those elected pursuant to ORS 248.023 and

(b)    Those selected pursuant to ORS 248.026 more than one hundred eighty days prior to this meeting.

D.       The election of convention Delegates and Alternates will not preclude carrying out further items of business by the Central Committee during the meeting called for this purpose.

EXPLANATION Republican State Conventions are only held once every two years during the Primary election year. The sole purpose of a State Convention is to assist in developing a state platform, and in Presidential years to elect a Republican National Committeeman and a Committeewoman and to elect those who will serve on the Electoral College as Presidential Electors. Delegates elected at the time of the Biennial Organizational meeting know little of their change in commitments or other circumstances a year and a half later when the Convention would take place.

 

ARTICLE XV: RESOLUTIONS

 

A.      Resolution is a call for action by any specific body. Resolutions are encouraged to be submitted by Central Committee Members. A simple majority vote is necessary for the passage of any Resolutions before the Central Committee.

 

ARTICLE XVI: ENDORSEMENT OF

CANDIDATES AND MEASURES

 

A.      After due consideration, the Central Committee, the Executive Committee, or a Candidate’s Assistance Committee may recruit and financially assist qualified candidates for legislative and county races in the Primary Election after duly consulting with the elected and appointed precinct workers in the precincts affected. .

         B.       Neither the Central Committee nor the Executive Committee may endorse or recommend the passage or defeat of any bill before the Legislature or Congress or any Bill or Measure referred to or initiated by the people, except when endorsements or recommendations are approved by a vote of those present and voting at a Central Committee meeting.

ARTICLE XVI: VACANCIES AND

NOMINATION FOR OFFICES WITHIN

COUNTY

Except for vacancies affecting Legislative offices, vacancies and nomination for office to be voted on within a single county shall be filled by a nominating meeting of the Precinct Committee Persons upon call of the County Chairperson. In the case that a vacancy and nomination for office to be voted on includes more than one county, it shall be filled by a nominating meeting of the Precinct Committee Persons upon call of the State Republican Party Chairperson. The person receiving the majority of the votes shall be the Nominee whose name shall be promptly certified to the Secretary of State or County Clerk as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE XVII: RECALL OF DELEGATES AND

ALTERNATES

 

A.      A Delegate or Alternate Delegate of the Central

Committee may be removed from office for cause with a petition signed by 40% of the members of the Central

Committee and by a simple majority vote of those Central Committee members authorized to vote and present at a duly constituted meeting of the Central Committee. A quorum for a recall shall consist of 40% of the elected or appointed Precinct Committee Persons.

B.      Written notice of the intent to recall must be mailed to the membership postmarked no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the recall meeting.

 

 

 

 

Proposed, Revised and Accepted by the Lane County Republican Central Committee

February 5, 2003