Westside Democratic Club

(Formerly Green Township Democratic Club)

HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO

​

* * * * * *

(Revised - 2023)

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Articles of the Association

 

Article I – Name

Whereas the name of this Club shall be “Westside Democratic Club”, (formerly the Green Township Democratic Club, est. 1967), and newly registered as Westside Democratic Club, with the State of Ohio. February 2, 2018.

 

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this club is to exist as a non-profit social club, which shall serve to promote good government for the people of Hamilton County and the State of Ohio and to encourage the endeavors of the Democratic Party.

 

Article III – Membership

Membership shall be open to all residents of the westside of Cincinnati, Ohio. A member who is in good standing, if, dues paid in full, has the privilege of holding office and voting for changes in the by-laws and voting on motions proposed at the club meetings.

 

Article IV – Officers

The officers of this club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms and Social Media/Web Administrator, elected for a term of one year and has been an active member in good standing for at least one year. This shall constitute the executive committee of the Club, which shall act to promote the general welfare of the Club. In the event of a vacancy of any office, the executive committee of the club shall hold a special meeting for the purpose of appointing a successor to fill such vacancy.

 

Article V – Meetings

Regular meetings shall be held monthly, except December. Special meetings may be called by the executive committee or by 5 active members, if perceived as needed.

 

Article VI – Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the members present at a regular meeting, provided the membership has been notified and said amendment has been read to the members prior to said amendment vote.

 

Article VII – Voting Authority

Roberts Rules of Order shall be the authority of the Club on all matters requiring a vote.

 

Section 1

1. The President shall preside at regular meetings and call executive meetings when necessary. The President is also responsible for setting the agenda for Club Meetings and confirming guest speakers.

2. The Recording Secretary shall take minutes of the meetings and keep an account of club membership, keep a record of all club meetings, send to the membership the minutes of the previous meeting before the next club meeting and make note of additions and/or corrections.

3. The Vice President shall be available to take charge in the event that the President is unavailable. The Vice President is also responsible for co-running the meetings, manning the sign-in list and membership outreach.

4. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Club, pay out money only upon the vote of the active membership, read to the membership all financial transactions, including a monthly statement of all treasury money. The treasurer, along with two other signatories, shall be authorized to issue checks against the Club’s account for expenditures previously approved by the membership or executive committee, if $100 or less and exercise his/her authority only in an emergency.

5. The Sergeant at Arms shall be responsible for the national colors display and leading the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of membership meetings and keeping order at the meetings. This includes being responsible for club signs, name tags and other items necessary to running an orderly meeting.

6. Social Media/Web Administrator will be responsible for sending the Monthly Newsletter, maintaining the the club's social media pages (ie Facebook, Twitter) and keeping the Club's website up to date. Social Media/Web Administrator will work with the executive committee to include announcements in the Monthly Newsletter, social media and website.

​

Section 2

Special committees may be appointed by co-chairs for special programs, newsletter, publicity, refreshments, ways and means, auditing, nominating, dues adjustments or any other as necessary.

 

Section 3

A nominating committee shall be selected at the November general membership meeting to select new officers for the following year. Nominations from the floor will be open and all qualified members so nominated shall be placed on the ballot in addition to the nominees selected by the nominating committee. Elections shall be held at the January membership meeting and will be conducted by secret vote and a majority of votes cast shall be sufficient to elect such candidates to the appropriate office. The elected persons shall appropriately be installed at the January membership meeting.

 

Section 4

Membership meetings shall be held monthly on the third Wednesday of each month, except December. The meeting will be called to order at 6:00 or 6:30 PM.

 

Section 5

The annual dues shall be Twenty ($20.00) dollars per member beginning in 2024. Dues are payable in January for the ensuing year.  New members accepted after the September meeting are entitled to paid-up membership for the succeeding year.

​

Section 6

The Board Members have authority to make purchases for the Club without a prior vote from Membership for dollar amounts of $100 or less, to expedite Club business. All purchases greater than $100 will be taken to Club members for a vote. Any purchases will continue to be captured and discussed in the Treasurer's report.

​

These amended bylaws were adopted by the membership of the Westside Democratic Club at the May 2023 Club meeting held Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

 

​