Constitution & Proposed Rules

CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

OF MEEKER COUNTY

ARTICLE I

NAME

            The name of this organization shall be the Republican Party of Meeker County of the State of Minnesota.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

            The membership of the Party shall be composed of all voters of Meeker County who desire to support the Party.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

Section 1: The purpose and objectives of the BPOU shall be the maintenance and

advancement of good government according to the Constitution and laws of the

United States and the State of Minnesota. 

Section 2: The purposes and duties of the BPOU shall include the following:

A) Organize or cause to be organized each precinct in Meeker County.

B) Encourage the formation of auxiliary Republican groups, and cooperate with

and coordinate their activities;

C) Assist in conducting campaigns for the adoption of laws, and for the election

of qualified Republican candidates for public office; and

D) Administer the affairs of the Party within the BPOU.ARTICLE IV

STRUCTURE

Section 1: The management of the BPOU shall rest with the Meeker County Leadership.

Section 2: The Meeker County Leadership Committee shall be composed of the

BPOU Chair and Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, (6) At Large Committee Members.

Section 3: Duties: The duties of the Leadership Committee shall be as follows:

A) The BPOU Chair shall conduct BPOU Leadership Committee meetings. The

BPOU Deputy Chair shall conduct meetings in the Chair's absence. Together, they

shall appoint committees and coordinate the activities of the Regional Leaders. They

are also ex-officio members of all BPOU committees.

B) Elected Republican Legislators shall be encouraged to attend Leadership

Committee meetings. Since their attendance at these meetings is not required, their

position shall not be included in the quorum count unless they are present.

C) The Secretary shall keep minutes of meetings, be responsible for written

correspondence with the members of the Leadership Committee, and delegates and

alternates to BPOU conventions and other correspondence that may be necessary.

D) The Treasurer shall be responsible for all Party moneys, keep financial

records, disburse moneys as authorized by the Leadership Committee, prepare and

submit all reports to the state as required by law and help submit annual budget.

Section 4: Finances: The BPOU financial records shall be maintained in an orderly

fashion by the BPOU Treasurer.

A) All records shall be reviewed quarterly by the Leadership Committee.

B) At least every odd year the Leadership Committee shall designate the

financial institution to be used as a depository for Party funds after the Convention.

C) All financial institution signature cards shall be signed by the BPOU Chair,

Deputy Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.

D) All funds coming to the BPOU from any source shall be deposited in the account(s).

ARTICLE V

PARTY ELECTIONS

Section 1. Officers of each precinct shall consist of a Chair, Deputy Chair, and such other officers as may be prescribed by the County Committee, elected during the even-numbered year for a two-year term by a caucus of Republicans within said precinct , in accordance with the applicable statue of the State of Minnesota. However in the event that a precinct shall fail to elect officers at a regular precinct caucus, officers for such a precinct may be selected by the County Committee.

Section 2. The officers of the County Committee shall consist of a Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and (6) At Large Committee Members, , elected for a two year term by the delegates to the County Convention held during each odd-numbered year. A majority of the votes cast shall be required for election to any office.

Section 3.

A nominating committee may be appointed by the BPOU Leadership

Committee in advance of the odd-year BPOU convention, for the purpose of

nominating candidates for the various Committee positions. This does not prohibit nominations from the floor.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

Section 1. The County Committee shall meet at the Call of the Chair and/or Deputy Chair, or at the request of any three (3) members thereof, for the purpose of conducting Party business in the interim between meetings of the County Committee. A majority of the members, thereof, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of the transaction of business by the County Committee.

Section 2. The County Committee shall meet monthly, unless determined by the County Committee, at the Call of the Chair and/or Deputy Chair or any five (5) members thereof. All members shall be notified at least five (5) working days in advance of each meeting.  A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of the transaction of business by the County Committee.

Section 3. Robert's Rules of Order, revised, shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of the above-mentioned groups, except as otherwise provided herein.

ARTICLE VII

CONVENTIONS

Article VII-BPOU Conventions

Section 1: BPOU Conventions shall be held each year during the period and guided by the Official Call issued by the State Executive Committee, the

State Central Committee, or the Seventh (7th) District Committees.

The time and place of these conventions to be determined by the BPOU Leadership

Committee. Special BPOU Conventions shall be held at the call of the afore

mentioned groups, or at the discretion of the majority of the BPOU Leadership

Committee, provided that a minimum of two (2) weeks notice, in writing, be sent to

each delegate and alternate.

A) If events warrant a Special Election to public office, an emergency Endorsing

Convention may be held at the call of the BPOU Chair and Deputy Chair, or at the

discretion of the majority of the BPOU Leadership Committee. A notice of not less

than five (5) days shall be given to delegates and alternates. They shall be held for

the sole purpose of endorsing a candidate for office.

Section 2: At all BPOU Conventions, the first (1st) order of business shall be the

temporary credentials report. The convention may then proceed to the seating of the

delegates, as outlined in Article VII, Section three (3). A precinct shall be entitled to

one (1) vote for each delegate/altemate present and seated.

Section 3: The BPOU Convention shall be composed of delegates and alternate

selected at Republican Party Precinct Caucus within Meeker County. The ratio to

allocate delegates shall be uniform throughout the BPOU. The credentials committee

shall seat all duly elected and accredited delegates of each precinct who are present.

In the event no delegates are present from a precinct, the credentials committee shall

seat all accredited alternates from that precinct, indicating which delegates they

replace. Vacancies shall be filled according to the following procedures:

A) The precincts shall caucus after acceptance of the temporary credentials

committee report. If the precinct chair is not present, the seated delegates shall elect

a chair, and then proceed to fill the vacancies.

B) Vacancies shall be filled by the alternates in the order in which they were

ranked by the Precinct Caucus. If not ranked, then by vote of the seated delegates. If

a tie vote arises, the chair shall appoint, by coin toss, one of the alternates who

participated in the tie. Alternates shall be elected to fill vacancies individually to

replace specific delegates. The alternate so elected may subsequently vote in the

election to fill the next vacancy.

C) If a delegate should arrive late, the delegate shall assume the seat of the

delegates alternate. A delegate may be seated at any time.

D) If a precinct has any vacancies which can't be filled by an alternate from the

same precinct, the vacancy will remain.

Section 4: Delegates and alternates to the State and Congressional Republican

District Conventions shall be elected in accordance with the laws of the State of

Minnesota, as well as the State Republican Constitution, and shall continue as such

until their successors are elected. Each Congressional District's BPOU convention

delegates shall vote for their respective congressional district convention and alternates. State Delegates and Alternates shall be elected at large at the BPOU

Convention. Alternates shall be ranked for seating purposes at these conventions.

Section 5: A motion to endorse will be in order at any BPOU Convention in the years

when these elections occur. This motion must carry by a majority vote.

A) The BPOU Convention may endorse a candidate for office of State Senator.

Endorsement shall be by sixty (60) percent of the voting strength of the convention.

The last credentials report prior to each ballot shall govern the voting strength.

B) A BPOU Convention may provide for a non-binding advisory endorsement to

candidates for District, State, or Federal office. Endorsement shall be by sixty (60)

percent of the voting strength of the convention.delegates

ARTICLE VIII

VACANCIES AND REMOVALS

Section 1. Vacancies in precinct offices may be filled by appointment of the County Committee, or if so directed by said body, by a meeting of Republicans residing within the precinct in which the vacancy occurs.

Section 2. Should a vacancy occur in one or more offices of the County Committee, the County Committee may appoint a replacement to fill each such vacancy.

Section 3. A member of the County Committee may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any meeting of the County Committee, provided that the officer whose removal is under consideration shall have been furnished with a detailed written statement of the charges against him that officer at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, and provided further that said officer shall be entitled to answer the charges against him before the entire committee, if he so desires, before the question is voted upon.

ARTICLE IX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. No member of the County organization shall be authorized to express the views of otherwise speak on behalf of any group within the Party on any matters of policy unless the group has first considered and taken action on such matter. This shall not be construed to prevent any official of the county organization from freely expressing his/her own opinions, provided it is clear that official's statements are solely his/her personal views.

Section 2. The provisions of the Constitution shall be incorporated as part of the rules of each County Convention.

Section 3. Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to deny or abridge the rights of any voter to participate in any Party caucus, primary or convention in which he is entitled by law to participate.

ARTICLE X

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates present

at any BPOU Convention, provided that the proposed amendments be first referred

to a duty appointed Constitution Committee, and that the Official Convention Call will

Proposed Convention Rules

1. General

1. The order of business of this convention shall be as listed in the official agenda of the convention, subject to the discretion of the presiding Chair.
2. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority on all points not covered by the Constitution of the Republican Party of Meeker County, Minnesota.  The statutes of the State of Minnesota, the Official Convention Call of the Convention, or the Rules adopted by this Convention.
3. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the duly elected delegates registered for the convention as given in the preliminary report of the Credentials Committee and shall be superseded by a majority of the duly elected delegates and seated alternates as given in the final report of the Credentials Committee.  Once a quorum of 50% plus one of the delegates seated in this Convention has been established, there shall be no further question as to the quorum.
4. These rules shall not be amended nor superseded except by a two-thirds vote of the convention.

1. Seating of Delegates and Alternates

5.  The permanent roll of the convention shall be constituted as follows:

a)      The duly elected delegates of each precinct who are actually present.

b)      If any duly elected delegate to this Convention is absent, then a duly elected alternate from that precinct shall be seated in their stead.

c)      If no duly elected delegates or alternates from a precinct are present, that precinct shall have no representation.

d)     When a registered delegate returns to the floor of the convention, they shall be immediately seated.

6. The order of seating of alternates shall be as follows:

a)      If the alternate vote count from the precinct caucus is available, alternates shall be seated in order of the votes received.

b)      If the vote count is not available, the vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the seated delegates of that precinct.

c)      If no delegates are present and seated, the BPOU Chairman shall fill the vacancy.

7. Voting strength

a)      The voting strength of each precinct shall be the number of delegates and seated alternates present on the floor.

b)      The Credentials Committee shall report any changes in the delegations prior to election of officers or delegates, ratification of the platform, or upon the request of the Chair.

c)      No delegate of alternate shall be permitted to register with the Credentials Committee after the final report of that committee is adopted.

1. Speaking

8. A delegate or seated alternate who wishes to speak shall rise, address the Chair, state his/her name and precinct, and the purpose for which he/she rises.
9. Debate on any motion or subject shall be limited to two (2) minutes by each speaker.  No person shall be allowed to speak a second time until all those desiring to speak have had a first opportunity to do so.
10. The Convention Chair shall appoint a timekeeper for the purpose of timing discussion, debate and speeches during the Convention.
11. The Convention Chair at any time may invite any office holder, candidate or distinguished guest to address the Convention for a period not to exceed five (5) minutes.

1. Voting

12.  There shall be not voting under the unit rule at this Convention.
13. Only delegates and seated alternates registered and present at this Convention shall be permitted to vote.
14. The vote on all questions shall be by acclamation subject to the following restrictions:

a)      A rising vote shall be taken if requested by any delegate, or at the discretion of the Chair.

b)      A roll call vote by precinct shall be taken if requested by five or more precincts.

c)      Voting for officers, delegates and alternates, and for endorsement of candidates shall be by secret ballot for all contested elections.

15. If there is a dispute as to the vote of any precinct, the Chair of the Convention shall appoint a judge and two tellers to canvass the vote of said precinct, and the judge shall report the same to the convention.
16. No second shall be required to a motion to adopt the majority report of any committee.  A minority report of any committee may be offered for substitution for the majority report if signed by three committee members.
17. When the previous question has been ordered on any proposition on which there has been no debate; it shall be in order, before the final vote has been taken, to debate the proposition for three minutes with one-half of that time allotted to those in favor, and one-half to those in opposition to the proposition.  The same right of debate shall be allowed whenever a motion to lay on the table has been made on any proposition on which there has been no debate.

1. Election of Officers

18.  Each person seeking election as a basic political organization unit (BPOU) officer must appear before the Nominating/Search Committee.  Each person seeking an office shall understand the duties of that position and be willing to fulfill them.
19. The Nominating/Search Committee shall remain in session for at least one-half hour after adoption of these rules.
20. The Nominating/Search Committee shall report the names of all qualified persons who appear before them.
21. Nominations may also be made from the floor.  The precincts shall be recognized in alpha-numerical order for the placement of names in nomination.  A precinct, when recognized, may place a name in nomination, pass or yield the floor to another precinct.  A delegate may yield to a non-delegate for nomination.  Nominations need not be seconded. 
22. Nominating speeches for candidates shall not exceed ten (10) minutes. 
23. Seconding speeches shall be included in the ten minute time allotted for nominating speeches.
24. Candidates may choose to answer no more than three (3) questions from the delegates and seated alternates.  Any delegate/seated alternate wishing to ask a question will address the Chair in accordance with the rules of this convention.  In the event of more than one person wishing to ask a question at once the Chair will then choose who will ask a question.  A delegate/seated alternate who is chosen to ask a question will have thirty (30) seconds to do so.  The candidate will then have no more than two (2) minutes to answer the question.  No candidate is in any way obligated to take questions or to answer any questions they don’t want to.
25. If there are more than two candidates running for an office and no candidate receives a majority of the ballots cast, the candidate with the lowest vote total shall be eliminated from ensuing ballots.
26. Any candidate who receives a majority vote shall be considered elected.
27. Any candidate not elected to a higher office may be nominated to a lower office from the floor without reappearing before the Nominating/Search Committee.

1. Election of Delegates and Alternates to the State Central Committee

28. Each person seeking election as a delegate or alternate to the State Central Committee must appear before the Nominating/Search Committee.  Each person seeking a delegate or alternate position shall understand the duties of that position and be willing to fulfill them.
29. Rules 19, 20, 21,24, 25, 26 and 27 apply to the election of delegates and alternates to the State Central Committee except that candidates shall be allowed to speak for two minutes before a vote is taken.