Bylaws

SD-SCI operates in accords with its bylaws and the policies—called resolutions—adopted by the Steering Committee. These bylaws and resolutions are meant to promote an effective organization that treats everyone fairly. If you see ways for us to improve, let a Steering Committee member know or run for a leadership position yourself!

Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana Bylaws, Revised October 2019

ARTICLE I. NAME AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE OF THE ORGANIZATION

The name of the organization shall be the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana. This organization may also be referred to as SD-SCI. South Central Indiana, for the purposes of this organization, shall comprise Bartholomew, Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, and Owen Counties. 

ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization is, at the local and state levels, to:

1) recruit and support LGBTQI+ persons in order to increase the number of Democratic LGBTQI+ persons in elected and appointed positions; 

2) increase the participation of LGBTQI+ persons in the political process; 

3) advocate for Democratic candidates, policies and legislation that promote the social welfare and civil equality of sexual and gender minorities. 

The organization shall conduct activities necessary or desirable to achieve these objectives. 

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1. Eligibility For Membership And Members’ Rights

Membership in the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana is open to anyone who supports the organization’s mission and goals. There shall be two membership tiers:

  1. Voting Membership: open to all dues-paying persons; voting members may attend and participate in meetings and events, serve on committees, vote in elections, and hold elected positions in the organization.
  2. Associate Members: open to all persons meeting the general membership criteria but who do not pay membership dues; associate members may attend and participate in meetings and events and serve on committees, but may not vote in elections nor hold elected positions in the organization. 

Section 2. Membership List

The list of members will be regarded as public, but said list will never be provided to the public without the consent of the Steering Committee and shall never be sold. Public lists will never include addresses or phone numbers.

Section 2. Annual Dues

The Steering Committee shall annually determine, by or at their fourth quarter meeting, the cost of membership dues for the upcoming year and communicate the set rate to the membership and to prospective members at least one week prior to June 1st of the year in question. 

Section 3. Resignation and Termination

A member’s relationship with the organization may be ended either by resignation or termination if the following criteria are met:

  1. Resignation: Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary and Treasurer. Resignation shall not cause a remit in membership dues paid. 
  2. Termination: Should any member (henceforth the “charged member”) be regarded by another member as engaging in conduct or activity deemed to be detrimental to the purposes of the organization, then the following procedures must be followed in order to determine if the charged member should have their membership terminated:
  1. The charging member must make their allegations known to the Steering Committee in writing.
  2. The written charge shall be shared with the charged member by the Steering Committee and the Steering Committee will provide the charged member with an opportunity to respond to said charge in writing. 
  3. The Steering Committee shall seek to resolve the issue between the two members by mediation unless the action of the charged member is regarded by the Steering Committee as highly detrimental to the integrity or the legal standing of the organization, thus requiring immediate action by the Steering Committee.
  4. Failing successful mediation or in the case of actions deemed highly detrimental to the organization, a meeting of the Steering Committee will be called at which there must be a quorum of 2/3 of the Steering Committee members and action shall be taken as listed below.
  5. A member can be removed by the Steering Committee at one of its regular or special meetings by a simple majority vote so long as a quorum of two-thirds (2/3) of the Steering Committee is present. The Steering Committee’s vote to terminate a membership can be overridden by the voting members if a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all voting members on the roles at the time of the vote elect to override the Steering Committee’s decision.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS OF MEMBERS 

Section 1. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the general membership shall be held at least quarterly, one of which will be the annual meeting, at a time and place designated by the President and Secretary in consultation with the Steering Committee. For the purposes of this organization, the year runs from June 1 to May 31st

Section 2. Annual Meetings

An annual meeting of the members shall take place between April 1st and May 31st each year, the specific date, time and location of which will be designated by the President and Secretary in consultation with the Steering Committee. At the annual meeting, the members shall elect executive officers, the at-large Steering Committee members, and receive general reports on the activities of the organization, and be informed of the anticipated direction of the organization during the coming year. 

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the general membership may be called by the President or a simple majority of the Steering Committee. A written petition signed by 10 voting members and delivered, either on paper or electronically, to the Steering Committee may also call a special meeting. 

Section 4. Notice of Meetings

Notice of each meeting of the general membership shall be given to voting members, by expedient means, no less than one week (seven days) prior to the meeting. 

Section 5. Voting

All issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those voting members present at the meeting in which the vote takes place.

ARTICLE V. STEERING COMMITTEE

Section 1. General Powers 

The affairs of the organization shall be managed by its Steering Committee.  The Steering Committee shall have control of and be responsible for the management of the affairs of the organization.

Section 2. Diversity Statement.

The Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana shall strive to have a diverse range of people serve on the Steering Committee in order to foster voices from throughout the LGBTQI+ community represented in the organization. 

Section 3. Number, Tenure, Requirements, and Qualifications

The Steering Committee shall be composed of the four executive officers and at-large members. There will be a minimum of three (3) at-large members and may be up to five (5) at-large members if the voting membership exceeds fifty (50) persons. The executive officers include the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer. The terms for the executive officers and at-large members shall be for two years. Any voting member is eligible to serve on the Steering Committee. 

In odd numbered years, the President, Treasurer, and up to two (2) at-large members shall be elected. In even numbered years, the Vice President, Secretary, and up to three (3) at-large members shall be elected. If there are three (3) at-large members in total, then one (1) shall be elected in odd numbered years and two (2) shall be elected in even numbered years. Officer terms begin on June 1st of the year in which they are elected. 

The members of the Steering Committee, at the start of their term, immediately enter upon the performance of their duties and shall continue in that capacity for the duration of their term, unless a resignation is submitted in writing to the Steering Committee. Vacancies shall be filled per Section 8 of this Article. 

As of the adoption of these bylaws, a vote will be held for the initial officers. These initial terms will be at variance with the periods delineated above. Elections for President, Treasurer, and one-at large member shall be held during the 2021 annual meeting and those for Vice President, Secretary, and two at-large members shall be held during the 2020 annual meeting. Henceforth officers terms shall accord with the terms outlined in the first paragraph of this section. 

Section 4. Meetings

The Steering Committee shall meet at least once per quarter and these meetings may be held concurrently with the general membership meetings. While the Steering Committee may meet separately from the general membership, the minutes from those meetings shall be open to the general membership. Either the President, in consultation with the Secretary, or three other Steering Committee members may call a meeting of the Steering Committee.  

Section 5. Notice

The members of the Steering Committee shall be notified of an upcoming meeting at least one week (seven days) in advance of the meeting. 

Section 6. Quorum

The presence, in person, of a majority of the current members of the Steering Committee shall be necessary at any Steering Committee meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. 

Section 7. Removal

Any member of the Steering Committee who fails to fulfill the required duties of their position as set forth in Article VI may be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of the Steering Committee during a scheduled meeting. The officer in question may be present at the meeting and may make a case for remaining in office, but may not vote on this matter. The officer in question does not count, during this vote, as one of the minimum persons necessary for a quorum. If a person is voted out of office, this person is suspended from serving until the next general meeting of the membership. At that meeting, the voting membership shall vote by simple majority on whether to retain or impeach the suspended officer; the voting membership’s vote is immediately binding.    

Section 8. Vacancies

Whenever any vacancy, except for the Presidency, occurs in the Steering Committee, it shall be filled without undue delay by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Steering Committee at a scheduled meeting. Any member of the Steering Committee may submit nominations to fill the vacancy. Any voting member of the organization is eligible to be nominated. Nominations for filling the vacancy shall be submitted to the President and Secretary in writing or by email.  

If the Presidency is vacated, then the Vice President shall become the President and the Steering Committee shall vote to fill the newly vacant Vice Presidency position. 

Section 9. Compensation

Members of the Steering Committee shall not receive any compensation for their services in their respective roles.

Section 10. Purview and Powers

The Steering Committee, as a body, shall approve expenses for the organization; review, finalize, and adopt the year-in-review report for the organization, which shall occur during the first quarter of each year; authorize events and programming such as, but not limited to, fundraisers, social gatherings, educational sessions, and electioneering efforts; shall fill vacancies in the organization, except for the Presidency; and any other business necessary for the work of the organization unless specifically assigned to one of the officers per Article VI.  

Section 11. Parliamentary Procedure

The Steering Committee shall annually designate one of its members to serve as a parliamentarian, who will adjudicate questions regarding parliamentary procedures during meetings in consultation with Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

The officers of the Steering Committee shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and At-Large Members. 

Section 1. President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the general membership and the Steering Committee. The President shall have the following duties:

  1. shall have general and active management of the business of the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana and its Steering Committee.
  2. shall create, with input from the other Steering Committee members, the agenda for Steering Committee and general membership meetings. 
  3. shall draft, in collaboration with the Secretary, and submit to the Steering Committee a year-in-review report outlining in brief a record of the organization’s accomplishments, which shall be delivered to the Steering Committee before its first quarterly meeting.
  4. may represent the organization to external audiences, such as, but not limited to, reporters, in op-ed pieces, and at functions.  
  5. shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees and shall have the power and duties usually vested in the office of the President.

Section 2. Vice-President

The Vice-President shall be vested with all the powers and shall perform all the duties of the President during the absence of the latter or at the request of the President. 

Section 3. Secretary

The Secretary shall attend the meetings of the Steering Committee and general membership and will act as a clerk thereof. The Secretary’s duties shall be:

  1. shall record and make easily and readily available to the general membership all votes and minutes of all proceedings from meetings of the Steering Committee and the general membership. 
  2. shall make, in concert with the President, the arrangements for all meetings of Steering Committee and general membership. 
  3. shall perform all official correspondence from the Steering Committee as may be prescribed by the Steering Committee or the President.
  4. shall draft, in collaboration with the President, a year-in-review report outlining in brief a record of the organization’s accomplishments, which shall be delivered to the Steering Committee before its first quarterly meeting.

Section 4. Treasurer

The Treasurer’s duties shall be:

  1. shall submit all required financial reports throughout the year and ensure that the organization’s status as a Political Action Committee (PAC) is maintained in good standing with regard to all applicable laws.  
  2. shall ensure that all income and expenditures for the organization comply with applicable campaign and election laws. 
  3. shall appraise the Steering Committee, by way of a brief report, of the financial state of the organization at each Steering Committee meeting. 
  4. shall ensure that voting members’ dues are appropriately collected and deposited in the organization’s accounts and maintain a record of said voting members. 
  5. shall serve as the Chair of the Fundraising Committee. 

Section 5. At-Large Members

There shall be between three (3) and five (5) at-large members, as stipulated in Article V Section 2, who serve on the Steering Committee. They shall attend Steering Committee meetings, discussing and voting on all matters before the Steering Committee. 

Section 6. Election of Officers

Any voting member may nominate themselves or another consenting voting member for any elected position in the organization that is up for election that year. Nominations must be submitted in writing or by email to the President and the Secretary at least four weeks (28 days) prior to the scheduled election. 

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

The Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana shall maintain three standing committees to better advance the organization’s mission. The Steering Committee may create other ad hoc committees, with a delineated duration of operation, as needed to effectively carry out the mission of the organization. Any member of the organization may serve as a member of these committees. Chairs for committees, excepting the Fundraising Committee, shall be appointed annually by a simple majority vote of the Steering Committee.   

Section 1. Fundraising Committee 

This committee shall identify and pursue all appropriate means of gathering the revenue necessary to support the work of the organization above and beyond the collection of membership dues by voting members. 

Section 2. Outreach and Advocacy Committee

This committee shall recruit new members as well as identify policy issues of interest to the organization. With regards to these policies, the committee shall identify both policies that the organization may want to advance as well as oppose, including appropriate strategy and tactics to do so (e.g. coalition building with other community organizations and groups), in order to better fulfill the organization’s mission. 

Section 3. Candidate Recruitment and Political Engagement Committee

This committee shall identify potential LGBTQI+ candidates for public office and appointed positions in government and work to get said persons to run or apply for these positions in accord with the mission of the organization. The committee shall identify ways to support said persons in their campaigns or applications for appointed positions. The committee shall also identify other ways the organization may wish to engage members in the political process, such as, but not limited to, canvassing, phone banking, and making endorsements. 

ARTICLE VIII. LIABILITY 

Section 1. General

Members shall be liable only for their individual gross negligence or misconduct in the administration of SD-SCI monies, willful breach of trust embodied in these bylaws, or fraud. 

No member shall be held liable for any action taken or omitted, in good faith, nor for acts of any agent of the organization, or for any act or omission of any other member, prior to the date of becoming a member.

The Steering Committee is authorized to provide a member indemnification from liability on any claims or proceedings instituted against said member and arising out of acts described in this article. The Steering Committee is authorized to hold such persons harmless from any expenses connected with the defense and settlement, or payment of monetary judgments on such claims or proceedings to the maximum extent of the organization’s assets. 

The Steering Committee may vote to employ legal counsel on behalf of the organization or its members and these costs may be charged against the organization’s assets. 

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Bylaws 

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee and a ratification by the voting membership. Proposed amendments to the bylaws may be introduced by any Steering Committee member or by a petition signed by five voting members. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing or by email to the President and Secretary, who in turn must promptly share the proposed amendments with the other Steering Committee members. The members of the Steering Committee shall have at least twenty-one (21) days to consider the proposed amendments prior to voting on them at the next Steering Committee meeting. Any adopted changes to the bylaws must be shared with the general membership within two weeks of adopting the change. The voting membership must vote to adopt or reject the proposed change by a simple majority vote. The Steering Committee shall maintain an archive of prior versions of the bylaws for inspection by members.   

ARTICLE X. Dissolution

Section 1. General 

The Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee, which must be ratified by a simple majority of the voting membership at the next general membership meeting after the resolution has been adopted by the Steering Committee. At times when there are 10 or fewer voting members, the organization may be dissolved by a simple majority of those voting members present at a regularly scheduled meeting of the membership.  

In the event of such dissolution, any remaining monies shall be dispersed to candidates and organizations that align with the organization’s mission and in accords with all campaign and election laws.