Last amended: DATE
Section 1
PREAMBLE
We recognize that the Democratic parties of the United States and of Utah are committed to the principles of equal opportunity to participate in the political process for all LGBTQIA+ community members and of fair representation at every level of party activity.
Section 2
As Democrats, we seek a truly just society. The caucus and its members work through and within Democratic parties to promote equity, inclusion, and belonging and to achieve the eradication of discrimination on the basis of identification with the LGBTQIA+ community. We seek the realization of a world in which social equity and respect for individual dignity prevail. We honor the constitution, bylaws, and applicable rules of the state and national Democratic Parties.
ARTICLE I NAME
Pursuant to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Utah State Democratic Party, the name of the caucus shall be the Utah Stonewall Democrats (“Caucus”).
ARTICLE II DUTIES AND POWERS
Section 1
The duties and powers of the Caucus shall be governed by:
A. The constitution, laws, and applicable regulations of the United States, Utah, and other applicable governments, and
B. The constitution, bylaws, and other governing documents of the Democratic National Committee (“DNC”) and the Utah State Democratic Party (“State Party”).
Section 2
The purpose of the Caucus shall be to:
A. Promote the interests of LGBTQIA+ Democrats;
- Work with the Democratic Party to elect LBBTQIA+ supportive Democrats.
- Advise the party, candidates, and appointed and elected public and party officials on
policies that affect the welfare of LGBTQIA+ Democrats,
D. Develop programs to increase the visibility of LGBTQIA+ people in the Democratic Party, including as party leaders and candidates; and
E. Take other actions necessary to fulfill the purpose of the Caucus.
ARTICLE III OFFICERS
Section 1
The Board shall nominate and elect from Caucus membership the following Officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Recorder, Treasurer, and At-Large Member. Officers shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the Caucus at the biannual State Party organizing convention. Officer terms shall expire at the conclusion of the following organizing convention.
A. The roles of officers shall be as follows:
- Chair: facilitates board and caucus meetings; ensures an agenda is established, distributed, and presented for all meetings; calls for votes as needed; represents the caucus in various capacities (e.g. social and political events); assigns other board members to fill roles; has fiduciary access to all financial accounts and transactions; and serves on the Central Committee as the caucus representative.
- Vice-Chair: fills in for the chair as needed for any roles listed above; has fiduciary access to all financial accounts and transactions and, if needed, serves on the Central Committee as the caucus representative.
- Recorder: records minutes at all caucus meetings, board meetings, and any other function in which motions are heard or votes are taken; distributes these minutes to the appropriate body in a timely manner; and, if needed, serves on the Central Committee as the Caucus representative.
- Treasurer: manages the caucus financial accounts, including as a signee on any account; has fiduciary access to all financial accounts and transactions; reports monthly to the board the balances of each account and any current or upcoming expenditures; files annual reports as needed for the caucus and PAC; and, if needed, serves on the Central Committee as the Caucus representative.
- At-Large Member: represents the voice of the non-executive committee board meetings and the caucus at meetings; fulfills other roles as needed; and, if needed, serves on the Central Committee as the Caucus representative.
Section 2
Upon written resignation, death, relocation out of Utah, or removal of an Officer, the resulting vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board followed by a majority vote at the next Caucus meeting.
Section 3
Pursuant to the State Party’s constitution and bylaws, the Board shall send the allotted number of representatives to serve on the Central Committee. Priority shall go to the highest-ranking Officers, then the longest-serving Board member, etc, in order to ensure that the Caucus’ designated Central Committee members are not otherwise members of the Central Committee.
ARTICLE IV BOARD
Section 1
The Board shall consist of the Officers and an additional number of Caucus members, not to exceed fifteen (15) members. To be nominated to the Board, a potential member must:
A. B. C. D.
Section 2
Board members shall serve until their resignation or removal. Board members may be removed by a majority vote of the Board for misconduct or after missing three (3) or more Board meetings without notice during any twelve (12) month period.
Section 3
count as Board meetings. Reasonable efforts shall be made to avoid conflict with other party
business.
Meetings shall require at least seven (7) days written notice to the Board. Quorum shall be a
majority of currently serving Board members.
Section 4
Board business may be conducted in person or virtually. For an electronic motion made outside
of a Board meeting, presence to satisfy quorum shall be defined as participation or interaction
in the discussion of that motion.
Section 1
Express interest to serve on the Board,
Introduce themselves to the current Board at a meeting and answer questions,
Attend two (2) additional consecutive Board meetings, and
Be approved by a majority vote of the Board in closed session.
The Board shall meet at least six (6) times annually. State conventions and Caucus events may
ARTICLE V MEMBERS
Caucus members shall be:
- Utah residents who choose to associate with the Caucus,
- Act with good faith, and
- Support the Caucus and the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Section 2
Caucus members shall be removed by:
A. Evidence of removal from the DNC or State Party pursuant to their constitutions, bylaws, or other governing documents;
- A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Caucus at a Caucus meeting; or
- A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board followed by a majority vote of the Caucus at the
next Caucus meeting.
ARTICLE VI CAUCUS MEETINGS
Section 1
The Caucus shall meet at each State Party convention, during annual Caucus social events, and as otherwise called by the chair or at least one Officer and two additional Board members. Additionally, ten (10) or more caucus members may petition the Board for a Caucus meeting, subject to a majority vote of the Board.
The Board shall set the date, time, and location for Caucus meetings and provide at least seven (7) days’ public written notice.
Section 2
At the start of each Caucus meeting, the chair shall announce when members must be present in order to vote at that meeting.
ARTICLE VII CAUCUS ENDORSEMENTS
Section 1
The Caucus may endorse, by majority vote at any Caucus meeting, Democratic or unaffiliated candidates for public or party office, provided that the candidate has first requested the Caucus’ endorsement. Endorsement shall not be made before the filing period closes.
At the first Caucus meeting after the filing period closes, the members shall decide whether to allow multiple endorsements and the procedures for voting. Those decisions shall be binding for all future endorsements of candidates subject to the same filing deadline.
Section 2
No Caucus resources, including but not limited to financial, in-kind contributions, or volunteers, shall be made available to any candidate who is not endorsed by the Caucus.
ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Caucus in all parliamentary situations not provided for by law, these bylaws, the governing documents of the State Party, or adopted special rules of order.
ARTICLE IX SEVERABILITY AND AMENDMENTS
Section 1
Should any part of the rules be determined by a qualified public official to be in violation of the laws of the United States, Utah, or any political subdivision, or determined by the DNC or State Party to be in violation of their governing documents, only that part alone shall cease to have effect and all other parts shall be wholly severable and remain in complete force. In such cases, the Caucus chair shall be empowered to remedy the situation until the Board and Caucus resolve the matter.
Section 2
Any proposed amendment to these bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Board and be co-sponsored by at least three (3) Board members. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of either the Board or Caucus shall be required to pass the amendment.
Any approved amendment shall be effective at the adjournment of the meeting at which it was approved.