(Draft – Not Ratified)

Republican Party of Minnesota

Senate District 48 Republicans

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Name, Object and Jurisdiction

SECTION 1:              Name

The name of this organization shall be the Senate District 48 Republicans.

SECTION 2:              Object

It is the object of the Senate District 48 Republicans to elect endorsed Republicans to public office, to expand the membership of the party within the District, and to organize each precinct within the District’s boundaries. It is also the responsibility of this organization to coordinate with the campaigns of all locally endorsed Republican candidates, as well as to coordinate with the campaigns of all State and Congressional District activities within the District, so as to ensure the proper use of party volunteers and resources on each candidate's behalf.

SECTION 3:              Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of the Senate District 48 Republicans shall be limited to the geographic area situated within the boundaries of the Senate District as determined by Minnesota Statute.

ARTICLE II

Senate District Administration

Section 1:              General Management

The general management of the affairs of the party in Senate District 48 shall be vested in the Senate District Full Committee (subject to the discretion of the State Central Committee, the State Executive Committee, the 6th District Congressional Committee, the annual BPOU Convention, the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota, this Constitution, as well as any applicable state statutes).

Section 2:              Day-to-Day Management

The day-to-day administration of Senate District 48 shall lie with the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III

Senate District Full Committee

Section 1:              Composition

The membership of the Full Committee shall consist of the following:

1. The Senate District Executive Committee.

2. The Chair and Vice-Chair of each Precinct within the District.

3. All officers of the State, National, or Congressional District Party residing within SD 48.

4. Any public official elected to office as a Republican, or if holding a non-partisan office, then officially endorsed by any branch of the RPM, who resides within the District.

5. The immediate past Executive Committee Chair(s), for a period equal to one term (two years).

6. A maximum of four (4) appointees of the Executive Committee co-Chairs who, with the consent of the Executive Committee, are serving as the chairs of such standing or temporary committees as may be deemed necessary.

Section 2:              Regular Committee Meetings

The Full Committee may establish a calendar of regular meetings provided that no less than 1 week written notice of any meeting is given to the membership.

Section 3:              Special Full Committee Meetings.

The Full Committee may hold special meetings at any time upon three (3) days notice to all members, on the call of the either co-Chair, or 20% of the Full Committee members.

Section 4:              Quorum

At all meetings of the Full Committee, a quorum shall be 20% of all its members.

Section 5:              Powers and Duties

It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Senate District Full Committee to review and authorize the distribution of District funds to all public office candidates and all expenditures exceeding $200, to review the distribution of all other District funds and, to review the operations of the Executive Committee, as well as undertake any other projects or responsibilities deemed necessary by the Full Committee.

ARTICLE IV

Senate District Full Committee Officers

Section 1: Composition

The officers of the Full Committee shall be composed of a Chairtwo co-Chairs, a Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Chair of each House District. [But see Comment by Committeee at the end of this Draft]

ARTICLE V

Senate District Executive Committee

Section 1:              Composition

The membership of the Senate District Executive Committee shall be the officers of the Full Committee as specified in Article IV, Section 1.

Section 2:              Regular Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet a minimum of 5 times each year, provided that the members of the committee are given at least (5) days notice of the meeting.

Section 3:              Special Executive Committee Meetings

Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called at the discretion of the co-Chairs, or upon the written request of any three members. Notice of any special meeting must be provided to members at least three days prior to the meeting;, however, this requirement may be waived at the agreement of all the members.

Section 4:              Quorum

At all meetings of the Executive Committee, a quorum shall be 1/3 of its membership. If less than a quorum isn present, the meeting shall be adjourned.

Section 5:              Powers and Duties

It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Executive Committee to:

1.  Be in Have charge of the administration of the Senate District affairs, subject to the direction and control of the Full Committee.

2.  Authorize the immediate distribution of Senate District funds (subject to Article III, Section 5), distribution of which must be reported for the review of the Full Committee at itstheir next scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Precinct Organization

Section 1:              Precinct Officers

Officers of each precinct may consist of a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a Secretary, each elected to a two-year term.

Section 2:              Duties of Precinct Officers

The Full Committee shall assign the duties and responsibilities of Precinct Officers.

ARTICLE VII

Elections

Section 1:              Election of Full Committee Officers

The officers of the Full Committee (Article V, Section 1) shall be elected at large to two-year terms, by the delegates to the odd-year Senate District Convention.

Section 2:              Election of State Central Committee Members

The delegates to the odd-year Senate District Convention shall elect the Senate District’s State Central Committee delegation at large. Up to three times as many alternates as the number of delegates may be elected.

Section 3:              Election of Precinct Officers

Precinct Officers (Article VI, Section 1) shall be elected to a two-year term at the biennial Precinct Caucuses, in compliance with state statute. In the event that a precinct fails to elect an officer, Article IX, Section 3 shall apply.

ARTICLE VIII

Removals

Section 1:              Grounds for Removal

1.  It is the duty of all members of the Senate District Full Committee to support the fundamental ideals of the Republican Party of Minnesota, as well as all endorsed Republican candidates. Should any member of this body actively and publicly campaign against an endorsed Republican candidate, that member will be removed from the Full Committee in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, Section 2.

2.  If any member of the Full Committee is absent without the prior approval of the Chair for more than four consecutive meetings, this person shall be subject to the removal provisions of Article VIII, Section 2.

3.  Any member of the Full Committee who announces his candidacy for any Federal, State or local public office against an endorsed Republican candidate shall be placed on an immediate leave of absence.  Non-partisan races are exempt from the above-stated clause.

Section 2:              Procedure

Any officer of the Full Committee, Precinct Chair, State Central Committee member, or state/congressional delegate may be removed from his office by a two-thirds vote at any meeting of the Full Committee provided that the individual in question has been furnished with a ten-day notice, in writing, of the charges that may warrant removal. Further, the individual in question shall be entitled to respond to these charges in person or in writing prior to the vote to remove. Notice of any proposed removal shall be included in the meeting notice to members.

ARTICLE IX

Vacancies

Section 1:              General Information

A vacancy shall occur upon the death, resignation, or any change of residency to an area outside the district, of an officer or member.

Section 2:              Vacancies among Full Committee Officers

Should a vacancy occur in the office of thea Full Committee Chair, the Deputy Chair shall immediately assume the post and title of co-Chair until the appointment of a replacement. Vacancies in the Chair and in all other officer positions shall be filled by vote of the Full Committee at the next regular meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose. A vacancy in the position of Chair of a House District may only be filled by a delegate from the same House District in which the vacancy occurred. Full Committee meetings at which vacancies are to be voted upon shall require a minimum of ten days written notice to all members.

Section 3:              Vacancies among Precinct Officers

In the event of a vacancy occurring in the position of Precinct Chair, the Full Committee Chair, with the approval of the Full Committee, may call a special caucus, for one or more precincts, in the manner prescribed by statute for biennial precinct caucuses for the sole purpose of filling such a vacancy, or may provide for the appointment of an acting precinct chair until an officer is duly elected. Notice of intent to appoint must be sent to all affected precinct attendees a minimum of 10 days prior to the consideration of any appointment.

Section 4:              Vacancies among Special Committee Members

Should a vacancy occur in a special committee, the Executive Committee shall appoint a                                           replacement at its next regular meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE X

Endorsements

Section 1:              General

A Senate District Endorsing Convention may grant any candidate for public office, a pre-primary endorsement if that candidate should receive sixty percent of the voting strength of the convention, as established by the last report of the Ccredentials Ccommittee preceding such a vote.

When more than one candidate is nominated, none shall be voted on separately. All voting shall be by secret ballot, however, should it be the unanimous consent of the convention, and should there be only one candidate for a particular office, endorsement may be unanimously granted upon voice vote.

Section 2:              Behavior of Officers and Endorsed Candidates

No member of the Full Committee or Precinct officer shall encourage or participate in any action opposing the party’s endorsed candidates. Any violation shall be cause for removal from party office, and/or the Full Committee.

Section 3:              Rescinding Endorsements and Refusal to Support

The Full Committee may refuse to support or may withdraw support from any candidate endorsed in accordance with this Constitution by a vote of 75% of the membership of the Full Committee. Written notice shall be mailed to all members of the Full Committee at least five (5) days prior to any meeting at which refusal or withdrawal of support for an endorsed candidate is considered.

ARTICLE XI

Senate District Conventions

Section 1:              General

A. Senate District Conventions

Senate District Conventions shall be held annually during the period and for the purposes designated by the Official Call issued by the State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee, and the Congressional District Committee. The District Executive Committee will determine the time and place of these conventions. Special Senate District Conventions shall be held at the call of the aforementioned groups, at the discretion of 50% of the precinct chairs, or by a unanimous vote of the Constitution Committee, provided that a minimum of two weeks notice, in writing, is granted to each eligible delegate and alternate.

B. Composition of Delegates

All Senate District Conventions shall be composed of delegates elected by the members of the party in the respective Precinct Caucuses according to the statutes of the State of Minnesota and the direction of the State, Congressional District, or Senate District organizations as provided for in the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota. The basis of delegate apportionment shall be uniform throughout the Senate District and shall be based upon the vote cast for the Republican candidate for Governor in the last statewide general election; or if such election were a presidential election, the vote cast for the Republican candidate for President.

C.  Alternates and Seating of Alternates

Alternates shall be elected at the Precinct Caucuses to serve and vote in case of the absence or incapacity of a delegate, but no alternate shall be seated in the convention except as a substitute for a delegate from the same precinct. Representation from each Precinct shall be limited to elected delegates and alternates from that precinct. Alternates shall be elected in a specific priority order and will fill vacancies in that order. In the event this information is not available, alternates shall be seated in the following manner:

1. By decision of the Precinct Chair.  If the Chair is absent or not seated, the Precinct Vice-Chair may determine who shall fill the vacancy.

2. If both the Precinct Chair and Vice-Chair are absent, or if neither of them are seated delegates, that position shall be filled by a majority vote of the seated delegates of that precinct.

3. If no seated delegates are presents and seated, the Full Committee Chair, or in his absence the Deputy Chair, shall determine who fills the vacancy.

Section 2:              Election of State, State Central and Congressional District Delegates and Alternates and Congressional District Full Committee Members

A. Election of State and Congressional District Convention Delegates and Alternates

Delegates and alternates to the State and Congressional District Conventions shall be elected at the Senate District Convention following the biennial Precinct Caucuses.

B.  Election of State Central Delegates and Alternates and Congressional District Full Committee Members

State Central Delegates and Alternates and Congressional District Full Committee members shall be elected at the Senate District Convention held in odd-numbered years.

C.  Election and Seating of Alternates

The Full Committee shall provide for the election of up to twice as many alternates as the number of delegates allotted. Alternates shall be elected in a specific priority and will fill vacancies in that order. In the event that information is unavailable, alternates shall be seated as follows:

1.  By agreement of the Full Committee co-Chair or, in his absence, the Deputy Chair.s. If either is absent, the one present shall fill the vacancy.

2.  If neither Full Committee co-Chair or Deputy Chair is seated or if they cannot agree on an alternate, that position shall be filled by a vote of the majority of seated delegates of the District.

Section 3:              Endorsing Conventions

Candidates for any public office whose constituency is wholly contained within this Senate District may be endorsed at conventions called for that purpose.

A. Endorsing Convention Calls

1.  The Senate District may issue a Call for an Endorsing Convention for any public office within the district.

2.  The Senate District shall issue a Call for an Endorsing Convention for any public office within the district upon the written request of more than 50% of the Precinct Chairs elected from within the area represented by the office up for endorsement.

3. In the event that a non-endorsed candidate emerges victorious from a primary election, the Senate District shall be required to call for an immediate convention to consider granting post-primary endorsement to the victor. Until endorsement is granted by convention, a candidate shall not be granted access to BPOU lists or assistance. In the event a non-endorsed candidate emerges victorious from a primary election, the Executive Committee shall, within 10 days of the primary, call for a convention to be held within 30 days of the primary to consider granting post-primary endorsement to the victor. Until endorsement is granted by convention, a candidate shall not be granted access to BPOU lists or assistance.

Section 4:              Pre-Convention Committees

Prior to each convention, the co-Chairs shall appoint Rules, Credentials, Search, and

other committees as may be deemed necessary from the delegates or alternates of that

convention.

Section 5:              Convention Rules

The State Party, Congressional District, and Senate District Constitutions and the Senate District 48 Rules (as adopted at a Convention), as well as Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern conventions.

ARTICLE XII

Special Committees

Section 1:              Establishment of Special Committees

The Executive Committee may establish such committees as it deems necessary to accomplish the objectives of this organization.

Section 2:              Special Committee Membership

1.  The Executive Committee shall set the set the number of openings and appoint the membership of each Committee; however, the District co-Chairs shall appoint the chairpersonman of the Committee.

2.  The District co-Chairs shall always be granted a non-voting seat on all District Committees.

ARTICLE XIII

Permanent Standing Committees

Section 1:              Constitution Committee

A.              Membership

Following their election in odd-numbered years, the Senate District co-Chairs, with the advice and consent of the Full Committee, shall appoint up to five (5) members to the Constitution Committee. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officers.

B.              Duties

The primary function of the Constitution Committee shall be to review the provisions of this Constitution and to recommend to the Senate District Convention such changes that may be necessary or advisable. The Committee shall meet at the call of the District co-Chairs.

Section 2:              Resolutions Committee

A. Membership

Following their election in-odd numbered years, the Senate District co-Chairs, with the advice and consent of the Full Committee, shall appoint up to five (5) members to the Resolutions Committee. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officers.

B. Duties

It shall be the duty and responsibility of the committee:

1.  To receive, organize and present to the SD 48 Convention in even-numbered years resolutions passed at the preceding precinct caucuses.

2.  To meet in session at the SD 48 Convention in even-numbered years to receive such additional resolutions as the delegates may desire to present.

3.  All resolutions shall be grouped according to their subject matter. The committee may also correct the resolutions for grammatical errors, as well as combine similar resolutions so long as it is done in a manner that maintains the meaning and intent of the original resolution. In the event of conflicting resolutions, both shall be presented to the Convention to determine which shall be adopted.

C. Resolutions shall become effective immediately upon passage.

ARTICLE XIV

Amendments

Section 1:              General

This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the delegates present at any Senate District Convention, provided that any proposal for amendment shall be referred to the Constitution Committee prior to any convention vote, and that it has been reported out of that Committee by at least a minority report signed by two committee members. Adequate notice of the proposed amendments, or their general nature, shall be provided to delegates at least 10 days prior to the conventions vote thereon. Such notice is not required for related amendments proposed to the Constitution report from the floor.

ARTICLE XV

Adoption of By-laws And General Provisions

Section 1:              Adoption of By-Laws

The Full Committee may adopt By-Laws consistent with the Constitution of SD 48, as well as that of the Republican Party of Minnesota. These By-Laws may formalize the duties of Full Committee members, the Executive Committee, and the District co-OfficerChairs. They may also establish procedures for carrying out the programs of the Republican Party, and address any other matter the Full Committee may deem appropriate.

Section 2:              General Provisions

The Senate District 48 Republicans is affiliated with the Republican Party of Minnesota and its activities shall be consistent with the objectives, platforms, and principles of the official state organization. The provisions contained within the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota shall govern in all cases whatsoever. All Provisions of this Constitution, as amended, shall become effective as of the date of their acceptance by any Senate District Convention.

As amended on March 21, 2009

COMMENT BY COMMITTEE:  One significant modification to the Constitution that is included in this Draft was made without a real consensus of the Constitution Committee.  The change relates primarily to Article IV, Section 1 (and it affects many other sections).  As drafted, the Full Committee would now have two co-Chairs.  It is believed that by having co-Chairs, the responsibilities of the Chair may be spread between two people causing less burden on one individual.  However, there was also strong concern raised whether having two leaders would cause even more problems, especially if disagreement between the two occurred, if there were not two people willing to serve as co-Chair, or when communication to the public or Party was necessary.  As there was no consensus within the Constitution Committee, it was decided to leave this issue to be decided at the Convention (as part of the Majority Report – there is no minority report)).

DRAFT AS OF 3/14/09 – (NOT RATIFIED)