10th Congressional District Rules

RULES OF THE TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

April 2011

ARTICLE I

MEMBERSHIP

1.1       QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN PARTY ACTIONS

All qualified voters under the laws of the State of Georgia who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party, in its declaration of policy, and are in sympathy with its aims and purposes, may participate as members of the Republican Party in it conventions or mass meetings in their respective jurisdictions.  All Chairmen and members of committees, delegates to conventions and voters in mass meetings, provided for in these rules, shall be members of the Republican Party, as defined, and must be qualified registered voters of the respective units which they represent as Chairmen, members, delegates, or voters in mass meetings, except as provided for in State Rule 3.9.

1.2 PUBLICATION OF QUALIFICATIONS

The qualifications for such membership in the Georgia Republican Party shall be published in all official Calls for Mass Meetings and Conventions, as herein stated, and as may hereafter be prescribed by the State Committee, and pursuant to the rules of the Republican National Convention.

 

ARTICLE II

STATE AND DISTRICT COMMITTEES

2.1 DISTRICT COMMITTEE

A. There shall be a committee officially known as the “Tenth Congressional District Republican Committee”, hereinafter designated as the “District Committee”, which shall be the governing body of the Republican Committee of the Tenth Congressional District in the interim between District Conventions.

B. There shall be an Executive Committee of the District Committee, which shall have the power to transact the administrative business of the Tenth District Republican Committee pursuant to these rules and the direction of the District Committee.

C. Meetings of the District Committee and the District Executive Committee shall be held upon written notice mailed, faxed, or sent by written electronic communications at least ten (10) days in advance, on the call of the Chairman, or on the call of one/third (1/3) of the members thereof.  The District Executive Committee and the District Committee shall meet at least once (1) yearly.

 

2.2 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS AND MEMBERS:

A.        Officers:

1. Tenth District Chairman
2. First Vice Chairman
3. Second Vice Chairman
4. Third Vice Chairman
5. Secretary
6. Treasurer
7. Assistant Secretary
8. Assistant Treasurer

B.        Members:

1. Officers designated above
2. Immediate Past District Chairman

(Counted in a quorum only if they are present.)

2.3 THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:

A.        Voting Members

1. Executive Committee as designated above.
2. All County Chairmen or a duly elected or appointed representative by the individual County Committee  at its biennial convention or by its Executive Committee.  The county maintains the right to change their representative at any time by duly notifying the District Executive Committee through the District Chairman and District Secretary.
3. Tenth District Director of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women.
4. Tenth District Director of the Georgia Federation of Young Republicans.
5. Republican members of the State Legislature residing in the Tenth District (counted for a quorum only when present).
6. General Counsel and Parliamentarian appointed by the Chairman  (non-voting members).
7. Representative from each College Republican Chapter in the Tenth District (non-voting member).

B.        Ex-Officio Member

The Republican Congressional Nominee of the Tenth District from the preceding general election shall be considered an honorary member ex-officio of the District Committee and shall not have a vote or be counted for a quorum.

2.4 ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF THE STATE COMMITTEE

A. The officers of the Tenth District Committee shall be elected by the District Convention, except as provided for initial officers in Article VI.

B. They shall hold office for two (2) years or as otherwise provided by these rules or call of the Georgia Republican Party and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed from office in accordance with these rules.

C. The members of the State Committee to be elected from the Tenth District as specified in the State Call shall be elected at the District Convention, except as provided for initial State Committee Members in Article VI.

2.5 VACANCIES

A. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of any officer or member, according to Rule 2.6 of these rules, the District Executive Committee shall fill such vacancy by a majority vote of a quorum present at a duly called meeting of said District Executive Committee, within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of such vacancy.  The written notice of such meeting, pursuant to Rule 2.1C of these rules, shall disclose the existence of such vacancy and the purpose of the meeting.

B. In the event of death or resignation of a member elected by a County Convention or a County Committee, the County Committee shall fill such a vacancy and shall notify the District Committee of its action in writing within five (5) days after election.  If such vacancy is not filled within ninety (90) days after it occurs, the District Committee may fill such vacancy by a majority vote of a quorum present at a duly called meeting, on its own motion.

2.6 REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

A. Any officer or member may be removed from office for cause by the District Committee, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed herein, by a vote of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of a quorum present at a duly called meeting of the District Committee; provided however that such individual be given:

1. Written notice of such meeting mailed at least thirty-two (32) days in advance thereof, setting forth the ground therefore,
2. An opportunity to be present at such meeting and to be heard in person and/or by any representative of his choice.

B. “Cause” as used herein shall include continued failure to perform his duties or conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Committee, all as may be determined by the vote of the District Committee.  (Refer to State Rules: Sections 2.10 and 7.8)

C. Any member or officer may resign by submitting his written resignation to the District Chairman or the District Committee.

2.7 QUORUM

A. Tenth District Committee

1. A majority of the voting members, with the exceptions mentioned in Rule 2.2C and 2.3 – 2.5 of the Tenth District Committee, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of said committee.

B. Tenth District Executive Committee

1. A majority of the voting members, noting above exceptions, of the District Executive Committee, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of said Executive Committee.

2.8 PROXIES

The members of the Tenth District Committee may be represented in all official matters by proxies, subject to the following conditions.

A. Except as provided in Rule 2.8C of these rules, any member of the District Committee may direct his proxy only to another member of the District Committee.  No District Committee member may hold more than five (5) proxies.

B. Any member of the District Executive Committee may direct his proxy only to another member of the Executive Committee.  No Executive Committee member may hold more than five (5) proxies.

C. The District Director of the Tenth District of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women and the District Director of the Young Republican Clubs may direct their proxies to any member of the District Committee or to any member of the governing body of their respective organizations who resided in the Tenth District.

D. All proxies shall be in writing, shall specify the meeting for which they are given, and shall be assigned by the maker.  Proxies transmitted by telephone facsimile shall be acceptable.  No verbal proxies allowed.

2.9 ATTENDENCE AND VOTING AT DISTRICT COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BY ELECTRONIC MEANS

Official meetings of the District Committee and the District Executive Committee may be attended in person, or by audio, video, or electronic conference call.

A. At least one official meeting of the District Committee and the Executive Committee per year shall be conducted with a majority of the voting members present in person or by proxy.

B. Except as to votes requiring a secret ballot, for issues requiring vote by the State Committee or the Executive Committee either in favor or opposed to a certain proposition, the vote may be cast and taken by e-mail or other electronic means.

1. All votes cast by electronic means shall be cast within five (5) business days of submission to members.
2. A tally of all votes cast by electronic means shall be circulated to all members within eight (8) business days of submission to members.
3. A vote cast by electronic means shall have the same force and effect as a vote by a member casting a vote in person.

C. Votes cast and taken by audio and video conference call shall be taken pursuant to roll call vote.

D. Votes cast and taken requiring a secret ballot shall only be taken at an official meeting of the State Committee or the Executive Committee in which all members casting a vote are present in person.

 

ARTICLE III

DUTIES OF DISTRICT COMMITTEE

3.1 The District Committee shall, in the interim between District Conventions, be vested with all the duties, powers, and privileges possessed by the District Convention, shall act as the Republican Committee of and for the Tenth District in said period and shall be the governing body of said District.

 

A. The District Committee shall call all District Conventions according to the State Republican Party Call and make arrangements therefore and fix the time and place for the holding of it.  Each such call shall state the purpose of the convention, as well as the time and place of such convention, and shall notify each County Chairman of the number of delegates and alternates to which all units are entitled therein.  It shall cooperate and assist with all District Campaigns.  It shall cooperate with the State Committee in conducting all state-wide campaigns within its district boundaries, national and state causes and otherwise aid the State Committee in other efforts where practical.

B. The District Committee shall decide all controversies within its jurisdiction, with right to appeal by petition to the State Committee.

C. The Executive Committee shall have the power to transact the administrative business of the District Committee and make recommendations to the District Committee for its consideration.

ARTICLE IV

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

4.1       CHAIRMAN

The District Chairman shall issue and publish the Call for District Convention upon at least fifteen (15) days notice prior thereto, and shall preside until a temporary organization is effected.  Each such call shall state the purpose of the District Convention and shall notify each County Chairman in said District of the number of delegates and alternates to which each county is entitled therein.  He shall appoint such additional committees prior to the District Convention and shall provide for the timely distribution of al Convention-related notices required by these rules and the Rules of the Georgia Republican Party.

The District Chairman shall convene the District Committee when the needs of the Party so demand, but in no event less than once each year, and he shall preside at the meeting of said District Committee.  He shall appoint the following Standing Committees:  Finance; Candidate Recruitment; Rules; Publicity; Program; and Political Education.

4.2       FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN

The First Vice-Chairman shall act for the District Chairman in their absence, and assume the office of Chairman temporarily until a replacement can be made according to Rule 2.5A if the office becomes vacant, and shall perform other duties assigned by the District Chairman or the District Committee.  The First Vice-Chairman shall be responsible for the Finance and Candidate Recruitment Committees.

4.3 SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN

The Second Vice-Chairman shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the District Chairman or the District Committee, and shall perform the duties of the First Vice-Chairman in their absence.  The Second Vice-Chairman shall be responsible for the Rules and Publicity Committees.

4.4 THIRD VICE-CHAIRMAN

The Third Vice-Chairman shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the District Chairman or the District Committee, and shall perform the duties of the Second Vice-Chairman in their absence.  The Third Vice-Chairman shall be responsible for the Program and Political Education Committees.

4.5 SECRETARY

The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the meetings of the District Committee and the District Executive Committee.  He shall serve as Secretary of the District Convention until a temporary organization is affected and shall keep a record of the proceeding of each District Convention and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Chairman, the District Committee, or Executive Committee.  The District Secretary shall keep a roster of the names and addresses of all County Chairmen and District Committee members.  He shall notify each member of a committee of meetings of said committees at least ten (10) days prior to meeting upon request by the Chairman of that committee.  He shall cause mailing of the minutes of all Executive Committee meetings to be accomplished within thirty (30) days after said meeting to all members of the Executive Committee.

4.6 ASSISTANT SECRETARY

The Assistant Secretary shall be appointed by the District Chairman and shall perform all duties assigned to him by the District Chairman or the Secretary.

4.7 TREASURER

The Treasurer shall have custody of and responsibility for the funds of the Tenth District Republican Party, shall deposit said funds in a bank or banks selected by the District Executive Committee, which said funds may be drawn against as prescribed by the District Executive Committee.  The said Executive Committee shall annually secure an audit and it shall be presented to the Committee at the first meeting following the audit’s completion.  The Treasurer shall present at each District Executive Committee meeting a financial report summarizing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities of the Tenth District Republican Party.

4.8 ASSISTANT TREASURER

The Assistant Treasurer shall be appointed by the District Chairman and shall perform all such duties assigned to him by the District Chairman or the Treasurer.

4.9 DELIVERY OF RECORDS

The outgoing officers shall deliver to the new office holders the records pertinent to their office within one (1) week after retiring from office.

 

ARTICLE V

CONVENTIONS

There shall be held in each odd numbered year, District Conventions for the purpose of reorganizing the Republican Committee in the District and for the purpose of transacting all necessary and proper business of the District Committee.  There shall be held, in Presidential Election years, District Conventions for the purpose of electing delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention and for the purpose of transacting all necessary and proper business of the Committee.  Said Convention shall be held in a building suitable for public use.

5.1 OFFICIAL BUSINESS

All District Conventions shall be open to the public.  No official business shall be transacted at any convention while any of its committees are in session.  Only delegates and alternates elected by the various County Conventions may participate in the official business of the District Convention provided, however, that the then existing Chairman of the District, if not elected as a delegate or alternate thereto, may participate in the District Convention, but in such event said Chairman shall have no vote.

5.2 REPRESENTATION

Representation at District Convention shall be in accordance with Rule 5.14 of the State Rules, or its successor rule.  Notification of this shall be sent to the Georgia Republican Party Secretary, no later than January 1^st of the year of subject convention.

5.3 INTERIM CONVENTION COMMITTEES

A. The District Chairman shall appoint, subject to the qualifications of these rules, all interim committees no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the District Convention.  The Chairman must appoint an Interim Rules Committee, Interim Nominating Committee, and Interim Credentials Committee and may appoint such other committees, as he deems appropriate.  The appointments to the Interim Nominating Committee are subject to approval by a majority vote of the District Committee.   At least one representative of each County shall be appointed to the Interim Credentials Committee.

B. If any member of the Interim Rules, Interim Nominating, or Interim Credentials Committees is not elected a delegate to the District Convention, a vacancy shall be declared by the Chairman and the Chairman shall appoint a delegate to fill the vacancy.

C. The Chairman of each convention committee must provide notice to all convention committee members reflecting the meeting schedule for their respective committees.  The District Chairman shall notify by written notice mailed ten (10) days in advance thereof, all delegates, alternates, and County Chairmen of time, place, and date of the District and Interim Convention Committee meetings and appointments.

D. The Interim Rules Committee shall prepare the rules and order of business for the conduct of each District Convention in advance thereof, which rules and order of business shall be submitted to the official committee on rules of each convention for its consideration and report to the convention in session.  This committee shall provide a copy of existing rules and a double-spaced copy of rules changes to all delegates and alternates upon their registration at the convention.

E. All Interim Committees shall meet at least once at a common place, date, and time, which common meeting shall be at a place within the District, which shall be set by the District Chairman at least seven (7) days prior to convening of District Convention.  Each Interim Committee may have such additional meetings as deemed necessary by the committee chairman.

F. At least two (2) representatives from each of the four (4) district areas shall be appointed to the Interim Credentials Committee.  There shall be no more than one (1) member from any one (1) county in the area.

ARTICLE VI

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The officers designated herein shall be elected at the initial organizational meeting by a majority vote of voting members present.  Said election shall be held in a manner which is not inconsistent with the rules of the Georgia Republican Party.  The officers elected at said meeting shall serve until the next regular District Convention.

Following the election of officers at the initial organizational meeting, the election of officers (see Rule 2.2A of these rules) by a Tenth District Convention shall be conducted in the following manner:

The entire report of the Nominating Committee shall be made.  Then individual elections of the officers shall be conducted in the following order:  Chairman, First Vice-Chairman, Second Vice-Chairman, Third Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, and State Committee Members.

In each election process, the Nominating Committee’s nominee shall first be placed in nomination, and then nominations for that position shall be accepted from the floor.  If more than two (2) candidates are nominated for the same position and no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, there shall be a run-off election between the two (2) candidates receiving the largest number of votes.  In each election, debate shall be permitted.  Debate may be limited, although no candidate in a contested District officer’s race shall be limited to less than five (5) minutes of total time (including nominating speeches).

 

ARTICLE VII

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The State Committee Members designated herein shall be elected at the initial organizational meeting by a majority vote of voting members present.  Said election shall be held in a manner which is not inconsistent with the rules of the Georgia Republican Party.  The State Committee Members elected at said meeting shall serve until the next regular District Convention.

Following the election of State Committee Members at the initial organizational meeting, the election of Tenth District members of the State Committee shall be conducted in the following manner:  First, the entire report of the Nominating Committee shall be made.  Then, if there is a minority report of the Nominating Committee, the minority report shall be made.  The Nominating Committee’s slate of nominees and the minority report’s slate, if any, shall be placed in nomination.  A majority vote of the convention shall determine which slate of nominees shall be considered the final report of the Nominating Committee.  After the Nominating Committee’s report, there shall be granted a ten (10) minute convention recess.  The report shall then be open to amendments from the floor of the convention.  No speeches or debates shall be allowed on such amendments.  Such amendments shall be limited to the proposal of the different nominee for a membership position.  In the event that the report, as it may have been amended shall fail to pass, then individual elections shall be held for each position.

 

ARTICLE VIII

ELECTION OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO

NATIONAL CONVENTION

The election of delegates and alternates to the National Convention by a Tenth District Convention shall be conducted in the following manner:  First, the entire report of the Nominating Committee shall be made.  Then individual elections of the delegates shall be conducted, followed by individual elections of alternates.  In each election process, the Nominating Committee’s Nominee shall first be placed in nomination and the nominations for that position shall be accepted from the floor.  If more than two (2) candidates are nominated for the same position and no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, there shall be a run-off election between the two (2) candidates receiving the first and second largest votes.  Debate shall be permitted, but limited in the following manner:  Each nominee shall be permitted to speak for not more than three (3) minutes;  provided that if a nominee has spoken in one election, he shall not be permitted to speak as a nominee in any subsequent election.  One (1) nominating speech and one (1) seconding speech for each person nominated shall be permitted, each speech not to exceed two (2) minutes.

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1       AMENDMENTS TO THESE RULES

These Rules may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present at a legally constituted meeting of the District Committee, provided that the notice by which the meeting is called shall have contained in writing the full text of the proposed amendment or that the text of such an amendment shall have been proposed at a previous District Committee meeting and shall have been recorded in full in the minutes of said meeting, and providing that such amendment is not in contravention with the rules of the Georgia Republican party or the Republican National Committee, and further providing that such amendment shall not be inconsistent with the laws of the United States, the laws of the State of Georgia, or any applicable local laws.  Any revision of any proposed amendment that occurs as a result of the process of deliberation shall not require additional publication for the purposes of continued consideration insofar as the revision does not substantially alter the intent or the effect of the amendment.  Amendments to an amendment or attachments (“riders”) to an amendment that are not material to the subject matter of the originally proposed amendment or which substantially alter the intent or the effect of the originally proposed amendment shall not be permitted as a part of the amendment.

9.2. ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER

Except as modified by these rules or State Rules, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the conduct of meetings and conventions.

ARTICLE X

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE RULES

These Rules, and any amendments thereto, shall become effective immediately upon their adoption.

 

Submitted by the 2009 Tenth Congressional District Convention meeting in Athens, Georgia.

Adopted in on this 18th day of April, 2009.

 

Submitted by the 10^th District Rules Committee and adopted by the 10^th District

Convention on this 18^th day of April, 2009.

 

Submitted by the 10^th District Rules Committee and adopted by the 10^th District

Convention on this 16^th day of April, 2011.

 

 

____________________________                __________________________

10^th District Convention Chair                                    10^th District Convention Secretary