New SCSD bylaws ready to be voted on by our membership at our upcoming December 9th Membership Meeting.

Special thanks to our Bylaws Committee Chair: Jay Molluso

BYLAWS

of the

STEEL-CITY STONEWALL DEMOCRATS

Article I – Name

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Steel City Stonewall Democrats.  In these bylaws, it is also to be referred to as SCSD

Article II – Mission

The mission of the Steel City Stonewall Democrats is to advance equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.  We will support public policies that advance that mission in the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the greater Pittsburgh region.  We will help elect qualified Democratic candidates that support equal rights for bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender (BGLT) people.  We will work to sensitize and educate all candidates and office holders, Democratic Party leaders, and the community at large to the issues and concerns of the BGLT community.   Within the BGLT community, we will promote awareness of and response to political issues that are relevant to BGLT citizens.

Article III – Membership

Section 1.  Any person who subscribes to the stated purpose of SCSD shall be eligible for membership in SCSD.

Section 2.  Every person who is eligible to be a member of SCSD and who has paid annual dues shall be a member in good standing.  The SCSD Board shall determine questions of eligibility.

Section 3.  In order to be eligible to serve on the Board, a member must be in good standing.

Section 4.  Any member whose actions are judged to be prejudicial or detrimental to SCSD may be expelled from SCSD by a motion made and carried by a two-thirds vote of the Board.

Section 5. The Board shall set the annual dues.  Dues are payable when a person joins SCSD and annually on January 1 thereafter. The Board may make adjustments in the dues as appropriate.

Article IV. The SCSD Board

Section 1.  The SCSD Board shall consist of at least seven Members which shall include the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  The immediate past President and any Pittsburgh-based National Stonewall Democrats Board members shall also be a part of the SCSD Board as ex-officio members without voting privileges.

Section 2.  The SCSD Board shall meet at the call of the President or upon call of a majority of the Board.  Meetings require at least five days notice.  In case of emergency, the five-day notice may be waived by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 3.  Emergency actions may be authorized upon agreement by a majority of the Board.  A good faith effort shall be made to poll all members of the SCSD Board.  If necessary, the polling may be by telephone or through electronic means.  Any action taken by this method shall be communicated to the other SCSD Board members in a timely manner.

Section 4.  The Quorum for meetings of the Board shall be a majority of the voting members of the Board.  Proxies shall not be valid at meetings of the Board.

Section 5. Meetings of the Board shall be open to the membership and any invited guests unless the Board, by majority, calls for a closed session.  Discussion at any Board meeting may be limited to members of the Board by a majority vote of the Board.  Motions made and carried in closed session shall be noticed at the next general meeting of the membership. 

Section 6.  The responsibility of the Board is to advance the mission of the organization.  The Board shall approve the budget, authorize the receipt of revenue and the payment of expenses, set the membership dues, formulate policy, and approve projects to carry out the purposes of SCSD.

Section 7.  A SCSD Board Member may be removed from office upon recommendation of a majority of the Board on a roll call vote or upon submission of a petition signed by at least 25 percent of the SCSD Members.  Such recommendation or petition must be submitted to the membership at a special  meeting of the membership and shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting to remove the Board Member.  A  special meeting of the membership may be called by any Board Member pursuant to Article VIII Section 3 upon a  Board Member’s receipt of  a petition to remove a Board Member signed by 25% of the membership.  

Section 8.  If a SCSD Board Member is removed per Section 7 above or by resignation, the SCSD Board may appoint someone to fill the unexpired portion of the term of the vacated office.

Article V – Officers

Section 1.  The Board shall set forth in policy the desired qualities of officer candidates as well as expected duties of the officers.

Article VI – Committees

Section 1. Committees may be established by a simple majority vote of the SCSD Board.

Article VII – Elections

Section 1.  The election of SCSD Board Members shall be held before the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary and they shall assume office at the first Board meeting or general Membership meeting following the Board election.

Section 2.  The annual Election process shall be as follows

1. Upon creation, The Nominations Committee shall engage in a search for candidates for all SCSD Board Positions.
2. At the first General Membership Meeting of the year, the Board presents a slate of candidates, accepts nominations from the floor, and closes nominations.   
3. If there are no contested races, the nominees may be elected by voice vote.
4. If there is more than one candidate for any office,  the voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.
5. The outgoing Board Members shall count any ballots and announce the results of any elections.  If there are no outgoing Board Members present at the General Membership Meeting, the President may appoint a group of members to count the ballots and announce the results.  Any member may observe he counting of the ballots.

Article VIII – Meetings

Section 1. Meetings of the general membership, including the Board Election Meeting, shall be held at least twice a year.

Section 2.  A quorum for a general membership meeting shall be those members present and voting. 

Section 3.  Notice of all general membership meetings shall be given to members at least 14 days in advance by e-mail or U.S. mail.

Section 4.  General membership meetings may be closed to all  but members in good  standing by a majority vote of the SCSD Board.

Article IX – Rules of Procedure

Section 1.  The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority of the SCSD on all questions not covered by these bylaws.

Section 2.  Questions of interpretation of these bylaws maybe appealed to the SCSD Board whose decision shall be final.

Section 3.  Membership records shall be confidential.

Article X-Endorsements

Section 1.  The Board shall from time to time establish rules and procedures, consistent with the by-laws, regarding the criteria for determining whether a candidate shall be supported , endorsed or aided by SCSD and what form that support, endorsement or aid shall take if any.

Article XI– Amendments

Section 1.  These bylaws maybe amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present a General Membership Meeting after the proposed amendment has been approved by a majority vote at a preceding regularly scheduled board meeting