BY-LAWS OF
THE SENECA COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
REVISED AND ADOPTED: September 19, 2011
ARTICLE I
CONSTRUCTION
- The Seneca County Republican Party shall be comprised of the voters enrolled as members of the Republican Party in Seneca County.
- The representative committee persons of the Republican Party in and for the County of Seneca, New York, shall be the Seneca County Republican Committee. (SCRC)
- The SCRC shall create the following sub-committees:
- A County Executive Committee
- A County Campaign Committee
- A Town Committee for each Town
- A Finance Committee
- And any other sub-committee deemed necessary.
ARTICLE II
COUNTY COMMITTEE
Unit Representation:
The unit of representation for the election of members of the County Committee shall be the election district.
Election of Members:
There shall be elected biannually in odd numbered years, as prescribed by law, in and for each election district of the County, two (2) members of the County Committee, to serve terms of two (2) years. Members of the State Committee residing in Seneca County shall be ex-officio members of the County Committee.
Vacancies:
- In the case of the death, declination, enrollment in another party, removal from the unit or removal from office of a member of the committee, or the failure to elect a member, as by reason of a tie vote, the vacancy created thereby shall be filled by the remaining members of the SCRC by the selection of an enrolled voter of the party qualified for election and nominated by the town committee in which the vacancy occurs.
2. In the event a vacancy occurs or vacancies occur as the result of the creation of a new district after a Primary Election, SCRC members who reside in such new district shall represent such district. Additional vacancies shall be filled as provided in the preceding paragraph (1).
Duties:
Each member of the County Committee shall:
Endeavor to vote in every public election.
Endeavor to attend every SCRC and Town Committee meeting.
Endeavor to cause canvasses to be made before each primary and general election of all electors within his or her election district.
Endeavor to have all Republican voters in his or her district register to vote.
Recommend for appointment to the Chairperson of the Town Committee, candidates for watchers and challengers for his or her district.
Recommend candidates for delegates and alternate delegates to State and Judicial District Conventions.
Furnish such information and perform such other duties as assigned by the SCRC, Executive Committee or Chairman.
Officers and Their Duties:
Officers:
The officers of the County Committee shall be a Chairperson, Two Vice Chairpersons, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected at the organizational meeting of the committee.
Chairperson:
The Chairperson of the SCRC, shall be a resident of Seneca County and enrolled member of the Republican Party, but need not be a member of the County Committee. In addition to the duties imposed upon him by law, shall be subject to the rules of the SCRC, and shall hold such other powers and duties as shall from time to time be conferred upon him. He or she shall also preside at all meetings and possess the general powers of the presiding officer. He shall be an ex officio member of all sub-committees.
Vice Chairpersons:
The Two (2) Vice Chairpersons shall be members of the SCRC. In the absence of the Chairperson, the 1st Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson and such other duties as many be assigned to him/her by the SCRC or the Chairperson. In the absence of the Chairperson and the 1st Vice Chairperson, the 2nd Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson and such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the SCRC or the Chairperson.
Secretary:
The Secretary shall be a member of the SCRC The Secretary shall keep a full and accurate account of all proceedings of the Committee and shall file and preserve all written reports of the SCRC, shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of all reports required by law, except those which have to do with financial, or which by law are required to be filed by some other officer, shall perform such other duties as the County Chairperson may require, and shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and the Vice Chairpersons.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall be a member of the SCRC. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the SCRC. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds for party purposes in and for the County, subject to the direction and approval of the SCRC. He shall file with the proper officers, or agencies, all financial reports and statements required by, and the Treasurer shall perform such other duties as the County Chairperson may require. The Treasurer shall be required to be bonded in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5000.00), the cost of which shall be paid from the funds of the SCRC.
Absence of Chairperson:
In the absence or disability of the Chairperson, his or her duties shall be performed by the 1st Vice Chairperson, by the 2nd Vice Chairperson if the other is absent or disabled, or by the Secretary, if both Vice Chairpersons are absent or disabled.
Organizational Meetings:
The meeting of the SCRC for the purpose of organization shall be held not later than twenty (20) days after the Primary Election at which the members of the SCRC shall have been elected. This meeting shall be called by the Chairperson or, in the event of failure on his or her part to do so, by the 1st Vice Chair of the retiring SCRC, and such Vice Chair shall call to order and preside over such meeting until a Chairperson shall be elected.
Special Meetings:
All other meetings shall be special meetings. Special meetings of the County Committee may be called at such time and place as the Chairperson of such committee shall direct or upon the written order of ten (10) members. The Secretary shall give to each member of the committee at least 10 days notice in writing of such meeting
Meeting Calendar:
The SCRC shall endeavor to establish an annual calendar to help its members plan attendance at such meetings.
Voting:
Each member of the SCRC shall be entitled to cast one vote for each Republican vote cast for Governor at the last preceding election in his or her district, as provided by the Election Law.
Quorum:
A quorum of the SCRC shall consist of a majority of all votes which may be cast by all members of the SCRC.
A quorum of each sub-committee shall consist of a majority of its members. Each member of the sub-committee shall be entitled to one vote.
Resignation:
All resignations shall be tendered in writing, addressed to the SCRC Chairperson.
ARTICLE III
REMOVAL OF COUNTY COMMITTEE MEMBERS OR OFFICERS
An SCRC member or officer may be removed for disloyalty to the party, corruption in office, or poor attendance and participation, as defined below.
The procedure shall be:
Filing of written charges with the Secretary, or in a case against the Secretary, submitted to the Chairman.
Notice given to the officer or member in question.
A hearing conducted by the Executive Committee.
A recommendation made by the EC to the SCRC
A final determination made by the SCRC
Definitions:
For the purpose of this Article, the term:
“disloyalty” shall include, but not be limited to, enrollment in another party, OR making a public endorsement of a candidate running against an endorsed Republican candidate.
“public endorsement” shall include, but not be limited to, making financial donations to a candidate (s), making public statements (including press releases and/or other advertisements) in support of a candidate (s), displaying a political sign for a candidate (s), or canvassing (including passing petitions) for a candidate s).
“corruption” shall include, but not be limited to, the fraudulent taking of money, OR unlawfully or wrongfully committing of any act relating to the Party for personal material benefit or the benefit of another.
“poor attendance and participation” shall include but not be limited to, failure of a member to attend committee meetings in person for 3 consecutive meetings without reasonable cause, or failure to perform substantially the duties of office as defined in Article II of the by-laws.
Convening a Hearing:
A Hearing shall be held by the Executive Committee. In the case of a hearing regarding removal of an Executive Committee member, such committee shall be composed of the remaining members of the Executive Committee. After filing a written statement of charges or issues of concern, the Executive Committee will deliver notice including date, time and location of the hearing either personally or by regular and certified mail (return receipt requested), to the last address listed in the records of the County Committee for the officer or SCRC member in question, at least twenty one (21) days prior to the scheduled hearing date. Notice by mail shall be effective when mailed, regardless of receipt.
Hearing Procedure:
The Hearing shall be conducted at a place designated by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may appoint counsel to present the testimony, evidence and argument supporting the charges to the Executive Committee. The officer or committee member responding to the charges, or his counsel, shall have an opportunity to cross examine any witnesses, and present any relevant testimony, evidence and written or oral argument in response.
Any county committee member may attend such hearing as a non participating observer.
The Executive Committee may take measures necessary for maintaining order and the efficiency of the conduct of the hearing.
Record:
The hearing may be stenographically recorded or audio recorded at the requesting party’s expense. The stenographer shall be selected by the requesting party. A copy of any stenographic transcript of the Hearing shall be available to all parties at the expense of the requesting party
Evidence and Burden of Proof:
All evidence, testimony and argument presented must be relevant. However, other legal rules of evidence need not be strictly applied by the Executive Committee during the hearing. Hearsay evidence may be admitted if a reasonable degree of reliability is shown. Each witness shall be sworn, or make an affirmation as to the veracity of the testimony offered, before testifying. The standard of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.
Executive Committee’s Recommendation:
All determinations of the Executive Committee shall be made upon consideration of the entire hearing presentation and record. The recommendation of the Executive Committee shall be in writing and made within ten (10) days after the official close of the hearing and reported promptly to the officer or member in question and the SCRC.
Final Determination:
The SCRC shall meet to make a final determination of the charges by weighted vote within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the Executive committee’s recommendation. A copy of the SCRC’s final determination shall be sent to the officer or committee member in question by certified mail within ten (10) days of the decision.
ARTICLE IV
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Structure:
There shall be an Executive Committee, consisting of the Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Chairpersons of all the Town Committees. The Chairperson of the SCRC shall be Chairperson of the Executive Committee.
Duties & Powers:
The Executive Committee shall have general charge of the SCRC and work and perform such duties as prescribed herein subject to the provisions of laws and the statutes and rules of the party and as may be necessary to promote the interest and welfare of the Republican Party in the County. It shall have the power to prescribe the duties of the officers of the SCRC, recommend campaign activities for Town Committees and generally have control over all matters affecting the party in the County.
ARTICLE V
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
The Chairperson of the SCRC shall appoint a sub-committee to be known as the Campaign Committee. The Chairperson shall endeavor to appoint one member from each Town Committee to such committee, which committee shall perform such duties as are required by the Chairperson of the County Committee. The Committee may be composed in part of persons not members of the County Committee.
ARTICLE VI
TOWN COMMITTEE AND
NOMINATIONS FOR TOWN OFFICES
Membership:
Each Town Committee shall consist of the members of the SCRC representing the election districts of the Town in question. Officers shall be elected by each town committee. The Town Chairs shall report activities to the SCRC at their regular meetings.
Nominations for Town Office:
Pursuant to New York State Election Law 6-108, as of October 31, 2007, in every town in the County of Seneca, party nominations of candidates for town offices shall be made at the primary preceding the election.
In each town, the Chair of the Town Committee shall be responsible for convening a meeting of the Town Committee to designate party candidates and for preparation, distribution, checking, filing and defense of petitions for designated candidates.
ARTICLE VII
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Chairperson of the County Committee shall appoint a Committee on Finance to consist of such number as the Chairperson of the County Committee may from time to time determine, composed of members of the Republican Party who need not be members of the County Committee, its duties being to provide funds for the use of the County Committee.
ARTICLE VIII
VILLAGE COMMITTEE AND
NOMINATIONS FOR VILLAGE OFFICES
Membership:
The Chairperson of the Seneca County Republican Committee shall name an enrolled member of the party who is a qualified voter in each village in the County to be the Village Election Chairperson. That person shall be responsible for convening a meeting of Republican Committee persons whose districts are within the Village for the purpose of designating party candidates for village office, for preparation, distribution, checking, filing and defense of petitions for designated candidates, and for the conduct of the Village primary election.
All nominations for Village offices shall be made at a caucus or primary election. Nominations for Village offices shall be made by caucus unless the members of the SCRC from a Village adopt by a two thirds (2/3rds) vote, a rule providing that the party candidates for Village Offices shall be nominated at the primary election. Section 15-108 of the Election Law shall apply to the adoption and revocation of a rule providing that the party candidates for Village Offices shall be nominated at the primary election.
Nominations made at a caucus:
Notice of caucuses shall be given as provided by law or regulation. Such caucuses shall be called to order by the chairperson of the Village Election Committee, or in his or her absence, by another member of such committee and only the Republican voters who were duly enrolled as such upon the last preceding enrollment of such Village shall be entitled to participate or vote. Such caucuses shall first be organized by choosing a chairperson, secretary, and tellers, and in case more than one name is presented as a candidate for one or more elective office the choice of nominees for such office shall be made by ballot, for which the polls shall be held open for such time as such caucus shall determine by a resolution adopted before such balloting shall commence. Originals of designations shall be filed in the Office of the Village Clerk.
Nominations at the primary Election:
In each Village which has adopted a rule providing that the party candidates for Village Offices shall be nominated at the primary election, the Chairperson of the Village Election Committee shall be responsible for convening a meeting of the Village Election Committee to designate party candidates and for preparation, distribution, checking, filing and defense of Petitions for designated candidates.
All provisions of Section 15-108 shall apply to such nominations.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the deliberative procedure to be followed by the SCRC and all sub-committees.
Any matters which may or must be addressed by the Republican Party of Seneca County or any committee of it, the procedure for which is not addressed in these rules, shall be governed to the extent applicable, by New York State Law and regulations and the rules of the New York State Republican Committee.
ARTICLE X
PROXIES
Should any member of the SCRC be unable to attend a meeting of the Seneca County Republican Committee, he may choose any qualified SCRC member to represent him in all matters, including voting, at such meeting. All proxies shall be in writing, dated, signed, and filed with the secretary of such meeting and shall be substantially in the form which follows. SCRC members may hold proxy for no more than two (2) other SCRC members, except the Town Chairs may hold proxy for all of their own town committee members respectively.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, THAT I, __________________________________, a Committee person of the Seneca County Republican Committee from the___Election District of the town of _______________ constitute and appoint ____________________________________, a duly elected or appointed Republican Committee Representative, my true and lawful attorney and proxy, for me and in my name, place, and stead, to attend a meeting of the Seneca County Republican Committee or Town Republican Committee to be held at the ____________________________ on _______________________________ and then and there to represent me in all matters and to vote on all matters legally presented at such meeting.
DATED:_____________________________
_______________________________________
Member, Seneca County
Republican Committee
ARTICLE XI
CONTRARY LAWS
If these By-Laws or any portion thereof is or becomes contrary to New York State Law or regulation, such By-Laws or portion thereof shall be deemed to be modified to be in accordance with such law or regulation.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
Amendments to these rules and regulations may be made from time to time by a majority vote of the SCRC upon the following notice: a copy of the proposed amendment shall be sent with the notice of the meeting at which such amendment or amendments is or are to be proposed, such notice to be not less than five (5) days before such meeting, and to be mailed to the post office address of each member of the SCRC as recorded by the Seneca County Board of Elections.
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF SENECA SS
I, the undersigned, Chairman of the Seneca County Republican Committee, do hereby certify that I have read the foregoing by-laws and that they are the complete by-laws of the SCRC, as duly adopted and amended September 19, 2011
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this ______ day of ____________________, ________.
_______________________________________
Sworn to before me this______ day of ______________, 20___.