By-Laws
ARTICLE I: NAME
The organization shall be known as the New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women (NJFDW).
ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this organization shall be to unite women of the New Jersey Democratic Party, to promote the cause of the Democratic Party, to be the guardians of the democratic process, and to encourage full participation of women in every level of the New Jersey Democratic Party structure.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
The NJFDW shall be made up of County Chapters and individual members that are in a County that does not have a Chapter.
Section 2:
County Chapters are defined as a County Democratic Women’s Chapter (Club) recognized by their own county party organization and who pay dues to the NJFDW.
Section 3:
Individual Memberships shall be granted to those individuals who do not live in a member county or are not a member of a County Chapter (Club) and pay dues to the NJFDW.
Section 4:
All officers must be from a county that is part of the NJFDW and has full membership.
Section 5:
Full membership County Chapters shall be entitled to one (1) vote. Individual members shall meet and select from among themselves one who shall have one (1) vote. Members of the Executive Board shall have one (1) vote each.
Section 6:
A Full Member County (Club) shall pay annual dues in order to have any voting privileges. Such dues for all membership shall be paid no later than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section 1:
Officers shall be as follows: President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2:
No County Chapter (Club) may have more than one (1) elected officer.
This provision may be voted upon by the Executive Board and nominating Committee when selecting an election slate and may, therefore, be subject to more than one person from a designated area being an officer.
The President, First Vice President and Second Vice President however must each come from different regions (North, Central, South).
a) North Region is: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren Counties
b) Central Region is: Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset Counties
c) South Region is: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties.
Section 3:
All elected and appointed officers shall be members in good standing and shall have been an elected officer from their County Chapters (for 1 term).
Section 4:
A term shall be two (2) years in length.
Section 5:
In case of death or resignation of the President, the First Vice President shall immediately assume the office of Presidency for the remainder of the unexpired term.
ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1:
The officers of the New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women (NJFDW) shall perform the duties together with such duties as shall be prescribed by the bylaws or the Executive Board including the following responsibilities:
a) President: The President shall preside at all State and Executive meetings and will appoint all Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of committees and special committees. The President will appoint the Parliamentarian and will fill any vacancies on the Board by appointing a member in good standing to end of term.
b) First Vice President: Shall conduct any meeting in the absence of the President and assist the President in carrying out her duties and during an illness of the president, perform the duties of the President and fulfill any duties delegated by the President and the Executive Board.
c) Second Vice President: Shall conduct any meeting in the absence of the President and First Vice President and assist the President in carrying out her duties and fulfill any duties delegated by the President and Executive Board.
d) Recording Secretary: Shall be responsible for recording or having recorded the minutes of all meetings of the NJFDW and all meetings of the Executive Board. She shall keep a record and attendance list of all meetings and distribute copies of all meetings to be approved. At the end of her term, she will turn over her records to the President or her successor.
e) Corresponding Secretary: Shall be responsible for sending notices of meetings and annual meeting to all County Chapters (club) and all Individual members. She will handle all communications with all County Chapters and individual members. At the end of her term, she will turn over her records to the President or her successor.
f) Treasurer: Shall make itemized report of money received and expended a teach meeting, a copy of which shall be given to the secretary. She will collect annual dies from all County Chapters (Clubs) and Individual members. She shall be responsible for filing Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) reports and other reports that are required. She shall turn all financial books over to be audited every fiscal year. She will also turn in all her records at the expiration of her term to the President or her successor.
g) NO OFFICER OR EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER WILL USE HER POSITION WITH THE NJFDW IN THE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY CAN DIDATE IN A PRIMARY ELECTION OR ON A PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT.
ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS
Section 1: The election of officers shall be held at the annual meeting in odd numbered years.
Section 2: There will be a Nominating Committee whose duty will be to oversee all aspects of the election.
Section 3: The President, the First Vice President and the Second Vice President will not serve as members of the Nominating committee. No one on the Nominating Committee can be nominated for the office of President, First Vice President or Second Vice President.
Section 4: State officers shall be elected at the annual meeting during those years when officers are elected. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast by the members shall be declared elected for a two (2) year term.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS AND QUORUM
Section 1: The officers and Executive Board members shall meet monthly on a designated date except in the case of special meetings.
Section 2: Special meetings shall be called by the President. Notification of special meetings shall be given to the officers and Executive Board members at least four (4) days prior to the special meeting.
Section 3: To constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting, one third (1/3) of the officers, Executive Board and Chapter (club) members in good standing must be present. Two (2) officers shall constitute the quorum of officers.
Section 4: Members in good standing may participate in any meetings including special meetings by electronic means, including telephone and video conference and may vote by such means on any issue other than election of officers.
ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1: The Executive Board shall consist of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and County Chapter (Club) Presidents.
Section 2: The Executive Board shall be the administrative body of the NJFDW and shall have the power and authority to do and perform all functions which the NJFDW itself might perform, consistent with these Bylaws.
Section 3: The Executive Board shall meet at such time and place as the President or a majority of the Executive Board may designate.
Section 4: At any meeting, a majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: The Executive Committee shall consist of the following: Elected Officers of the NJFDW and County Chapter (Club) President and former past Presidents.
Section 2: The Executive Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity.
ARTICLE IX: FISCAL YEAR
Section 1: The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31.
ARTICLE X: VACANCIES
Section 1: Vacancies either of committee chairpersons or officers shall be filled through appointment by the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS
These bylaws may be amended at any Annual Meeting of the NJFDW by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the Corresponding Secretary or the President at least thirty (30) days in advance of the Annual Meeting. All amendments shall be included in the call of the Annual Meeting of the NJFDW, together with the recommendations of the Bylaws Committee.
ARTICLE XII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Where bylaws are silent, the NJFDW shall be governed by the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
ARTICLE XIII: PEG ROBERTS AWARD
The Peg Roberts Award will be presented at the Annual Meeting. A plaque will be given to the recipient and a plaque bearing her name will be hung in the Democratic State Committee office in Trenton, NJ. A Selection Committee will be appointed by the President and will consist of one former recipient, one former officer and one executive board member who will make the decision.
The criterion for the Peg Roberts Award is as follows:
1) Has to be a member in good standing.
2) Must have been active in the party for at least 15 years promoting women for elected office.
3) Shall not have held State, municipal or county elected office (except Democratic County Committee or State Committee).
4) Has mentored a future generation of Democrats.
5) Nominated by the County Chapter (Club) President with documentation from her legislators. Each County Chapter President is limited to nominating one (1) person.
Outstanding Elected Women’s Award:
The Criterion for this award is as follows:
1) Has to be a member in good standing.
2) Must have been active in the party for at least 10 years.
3) Has worked to promote the ideals of the NJFDW.
4) Nominated by her region as defined in Article IV; Section 2 with documentation from her legislators. Each region is limited to nominating one (1) person.
ARTICLE XIV: DISSOLUTION
Should the NJFDSW be dissolved by appropriate action of its membership, the funds and other assets shall be given to the New Jersey State Democratic Committee.
