BYLAWS – York Republicans

The Bylaws of The York County Republican Party

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article I: Name 3

Article II: Objectives 3

Article III: Definitions 3

Article IV: Policies 3-4

Section 1: Financial Policy 3-4

Section 2: Endorsement Policy 4

Section 3: Advocacy 4

Section 4: Associations 4

Section 5: Conflicts in Bylaws 4

Section 6: Bylaws Distribution 4

Article V: Membership 4-5

Section 1: Eligibility 4-5

Section 2: Application 5

Section 3: Dues 5

Article VI: Executive Committee 5-7

Section 1: Purpose 5

Section 2: Composition 5

Section 3: Term of Office 6

Section 4: Duties 6

Section 5: Meetings 6-7

Article VII: Elected Officers and Their Duties 7-10

Section 1: Elected Officers 7

Section 2: Election 7

Section 3: Duties of Officers 7-9

Chair 7-8
Vice Chair 8
State Executive Committeeperson 8-9
Secretary 9
Treasurer 9

Section 4: Vacancy, resignations 9-10

Section 5: Removal from Office 10

Section 6: Records, files, properties 10

Article VIII: Appointed Positions and Committees 10-11

Section 1: Appointed Positions 10

Section 2: Standing Committees 10

Bylaws and Rules Committee 10
Resolutions Committee 10-11

Article IX: Nominations and Elections 11-12

Section 1: Nominations 11-12

Section 2: Elections 12

Article X: Proxies 12

Article XI: Quorum 12

Article XII: Amendments 12

Article XIII: Parliamentary Authority 12-13

The Bylaws of The York County Republican Party

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be York County Republican Party, hereinafter referred to as the Party. This Party is an affiliate of the South Carolina Republican Party (SCGOP).

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES

Encourage civic and community engagement that aligns with the SCGOP platform
Support the objectives and the platform of the SCGOP
Disseminate information to all members
Inform the public through political education and activity
Recruit and work for Republican candidates
Raise funds for Republican candidates
Perform any lawful activity consistent with the foregoing

ARTICLE III: SCGOP DEFINITIONS

SCGOP Rules shall mean the rules of the South Carolina Republican Party as adopted by the 1962 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention and subsequently amended through the 2022 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention (https://sc.gop/assets/uploads/2022/09/SCGOP-Rules-Updated-2022-Convention.pdf)

Party shall mean the York County Republican Party.

Officer shall mean those Officers of the Party (hence the “Board”) at the county level, duly elected or approved.

County Executive Committee (hence “EC”) shall mean the governing body of the County Party, authorized to exercise those powers and fulfill those duties prescribed by the state and/or federal statues, the SCGOP Party Rules, these Bylaws and any Standing Rules adopted herein.

The Chair, as elected by the York County GOP delegates, shall serve as Chair of the Party and as presiding officer of the Executive Committee.

State Executive Committeeperson (hence “SEC”) shall mean the duly elected person representing the Party at SCGOP Executive Committee meetings.

Precinct Executive Committeeperson (hence “PEC”) shall mean the duly elected committeeperson from each precinct to the Party Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV: POLICIES

Section 1: Financial Policy

The fiscal year of the Party shall be from January 1 through December 31.
The treasurer shall present a budget to the Executive Committee at the first meeting of the year for adoption by the EC.
All expenditures exceeding the budgeted item amount shall be approved in advance in writing (and shall include electronic approval) by the Chair and Treasurer of the Party.
The other officers of the Party shall be notified by the Treasurer of such expenditures that deviate from Section C within ten business days of approval.

Section 2: Endorsement Policy

The Party as an entity shall not publicly support or publicly endorse any candidate for public office in contested Republican primaries, runoff elections, special elections, and/or so-called nonpartisan elections when more than one Republican is competing for the same office. Individual members of this organization may work for the candidate of their choice in Republican primaries, but not in the name of the Party.

Section 3: Advocacy

Neither the Party nor Officers shall advocate for a candidate on an opposition ticket or act against the SCGOP rules.

Section 4: Associations

The Party may:

Associate with other political or nonpolitical organizations, provided that such association, or any activity described in this section, is consistent with and furthers the Party’s objectives described in Article II;
Co-bill or co-host events with other political or nonpolitical organizations;
Inform Party members of events hosted by other political or nonpolitical organizations;
Recruit new Party members from other political or non-political organizations.

Section 5: Conflicts in Bylaws

Should any conflict exist or develop between these Bylaws and the state of South Carolina election law, the latter shall govern.

In matters or areas not covered by these Bylaws, the Rules of the South Carolina GOP (hereinafter SCGOP) shall be followed as a guide. (See Article XIII for the order of parliamentary authority.)

Section 6: Bylaws Distribution

The YCGOP Bylaws shall be posted on the YCGOP website as public information.

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Eligibility

Any resident of York County, South Carolina who believes in the platform of the Republican Party and supports theobjectives of this organization shall be eligible for membership. If eligible, this person shall be registered to vote in York County, South Carolina.

Section 2: Application

Such an individual shall complete a Membership Application form and pay the required dues.

To be a member in good standing, a member shall be current in his or her dues payment.

Section 3: Dues

The Executive Committee shall determine the dues at the penultimate meeting each year. Annual membership dues are payable by January 1 and considered delinquent if not paid by March 1. Any dues paid October 1 or later will be for the following year. Delinquency results in removal from membership roster.

Dues are not refundable.

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: Purpose
The purpose of the Executive Committee (EC) shall be:

A. To act as the governing body of the Republican Party of the County and exercise those powers and fulfill those duties and responsibilities conferred upon the EC by state and/or federal statutes, the Party Rules, these Bylaws and any Standing Rules adopted herein;

B. To elect Party officers that include Chair, Vice Chair, State Executive Committeeperson, Secretary, Treasurer;

C. To establish general policy for the Republican Party in the County, subject to the direction of the State GOP Rules;

D. To represent the Republican Party of this county, state, and nation, articulating the Republican Party’s platform and candidates;

E. To cooperate in carrying out programs initiated by the Republican Party of South Carolina, including but not limited to organizing a coordinated effort, e.g., Get-Out-the-Vote, preceding each general election, to publicize the Party’s candidates.

Section 2: Composition

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Vice Chair, the SEC, and one PEC elected from each precinct in York County elected from each precinct’s reorganization meeting. In the case of a tie vote, the precinct presiding officer, Chair of the Party, shall break the tie. (The Party Officers, Treasurer and Secretary, have no vote.)

Section 3: Term of Office

The tenure of the office of the Party Executive Committeeperson shall be until the convening of the next York County GOP Convention.

Additionally, the Executive Committee may declare vacant the office of a PEC who is absent from three (3) consecutive Executive Committee meetings. A valid proxy shall not result in an absence for a PEC. Before such committeeperson’s office shall have been declared vacant, he or she shall be notified by certified mail by the Chair and given opportunity to show cause before the Executive Committee why the person should not be removed from office.

Vacancies at the precinct level shall be filled in accordance with Rule 2, https://sc.gop/assets/uploads/2021/12/SCGOPRules2022.pdf

Section 4: Duties

The Executive Committee is charged with the operation and control of the Party through those Officers elected in convention, and any other officials, and committees appointed by the Chair and approved by the Executive Committee.

A. At the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee after the Party convention,

the newly elected Executive Committee shall organize itself by installing the officers elected at

the Party convention and by approving such other officials appointed by the Chair.

The Chair shall appoint Party members to committees as needed. Only Executive Committee members shall be entitled to vote.

The State Executive Committeeperson shall be an officer of the County Executive Committee and shall be entitled to vote on any question.

The Secretary shall keep an attendance record and such other records of the EC meetings as the EC shall direct. Any written record that is kept shall be in duplicate, one copy for the Chair and one copy to be retained by the Secretary.

Section 5: Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair, at such time and place as the Chair shall designate, but no meeting shall be held without each member of the EC having been given at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice thereof.

A.Statutory meetings. Meetings prescribed by the South Carolina Election Code shall be duly

called by the Chair, or in the Chair’s absence by the Vice Chair, for the purpose so designated by

law; no other business may be transacted unless notice of such other business has been

included in the call.

B.Regular meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet no less than quarterly for the conducing of business necessary to fulfill its objectives and purposes. A statutory meeting is not precluded as being designated as a quarterly meeting. In even numbered years, the fourth quarter meeting shall be held after the November general election.

C.Organizational meetings. One or more organizational meetings of the newly elected Executive Committee shall be held within thirty (30) days following its election for the purpose of organizing the Executive Committee, the election of a Secretary, if desired.

D.The Chair or presiding officer or the Executive Committee may declare an executive session for the purpose of considering confidential matters.

E.Notice. Mailing written notice at least three (3) business days prior to the date of the scheduled meeting shall be sufficient compliance with this requirement.

Written notice shall be defined as mail by the United States Postal Service, electronic mail, or private mail delivery service.
1. Written notice of all regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall include an agenda for the meeting being called. Such agenda shall not preclude the discussion and transaction of any other business. Notice of special meetings called for an express purpose need not include an agenda.

F.Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the Chair or upon written

request by ten percent (10%) of the members of the Executive Committee. The purpose of the

meeting shall be stated in the call and no other business shall be transacted.

G.Executive Committee meetings are open only to EC members to conduct Party business. Any

visitors must be invited by the Chair as observers only.

H.Ex-officio members include committee chairs (or designees) and Republican elected officials.

ARTICLE VII: ELECTED OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 1: Elected Officers

The elected officers of the Party shall be a Chair, Vice Chair, State Executive Committeeperson (SEC), Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2: Election

The Officers shall be elected at the Party County Convention held in odd numbered years and shall serve a term of two consecutive years.

Section 3: Duties of Officers

The Chair shall comply with and discharge those duties in accordance with these Bylaws, SCGOP Rules, state and federal laws, and the County Chair’s Guide insomuch as it complies with the aforementioned bylaws. The Chair will ensure compliance with those directives by all Party Officers. The Chair shall:
Chair all meetings of the Party and Party Executive Committee but shall have no vote except in case of a tie;
Serve an ex-officio member of all standing committees, except the Nominating Committee;
As needed, appoint a parliamentarian whose duties shall include ex-officio membership in the Bylaws and Rules Committee;
Be the sole official public spokesperson of the Party;
By virtue of election as Chair of the Convention, participate as a member of the State Executive Committee, in accordance with SCGOP rules, the Congressional District Executive Committee, a delegate to all local, district and state conventions, and the chair of the delegation representing the Party at those conventions;
Issue the “call” for meetings and conventions;
At the Party Convention, issue the call to order, conduct the election of convention officers (i.e., the temporary chair and temporary secretary);
Under both the State Party rules and South Carolina law, perform certain functions relating to the nomination of candidates;
Certify to the State Elections Commission the names of qualified candidate who properly file for the Republican primary;
According to South Carolina law, designate the names of poll watchers in writing to the proper election official in order for election officials to admit them to the polling places;
Be responsible for coordinating and organizing volunteer activities for the Republican ticket in York County;
Prepare an agenda for all meetings of the Party and Executive Committee;
Convene meetings of the Executive Committee and other special meetings of the Executive Committee when conditions warrant such meetings;
Remand all funds to the Treasure within three (3) business days;
Jointly share signature authority with the treasurer on the Party checking account;
Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention;
Perform such other duties as may be directed by the Executive Committee;
Be in possession and have access to, at all times, all intellectual property of the Party, both physical and digital;
Be available to campaign for all Republican candidates during a primary or general election.

The Vice Chair shall:
Assist the Party Chair in solving Party problems;
Assist the Party Chair in Executive Committee and monthly meetings;
Manage, plan and co-ordinate speakers for monthly Party meetings and special meetings with the approval of the Chair;
Ensure that a copy of the Party rules and a copy of the rules of the SCGOP are present at each legally constituted meeting of the Executive Committee;
Preside at meetings of the Party and the Executive Committee in the absence of, or at the request of, the Chair;
Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention;
Perform other duties as directed by the Chair.
In the permanent absence of the Party Chair, the Vice Chair shall serve as Interim Chair until the EC elects a new Party Chair.

State Executive Committeeperson is the elected Officer designated to represent the Party on the State Executive Committee. The State Executive Committeeperson shall:

Brief the Party and Party Executive Committee on all matters concerning the Party that were discussed at the most recent meeting of the State Executive Committee;
Be an Officer of the Party Executive Committee and be entitled to vote on all matters;
Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention.

The Secretary is the elected officer designated to keep minutes and maintain the records for the Party. Records shall be kept for a minimum ofseven (7) years. The Secretary shall:

Serve as the Secretary of the Party Executive Committee;
Be responsible for keeping minutes of all proceedings of the Party Executive Committee;
Keep an up-to-date listing of all appointed committee members, elected Party officers, and the Party precinct executive committeepersons;
Distribute minutes as directed by the Chair;
Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention.
The Treasurer is the elected officer designated to receive all funds and disburse any funds to satisfy the necessary and reasonable financial obligations of the Party. The Treasurer shall:
Report on the finances of the Party at every regularly scheduled meeting of the EC;
Jointly share signature authority with the chair on the Party checking account;
Ensure strict compliance with ~~the~~ FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES & REPORTING: State

Election laws pursuant to the County Chair’s Manual published by the South Carolina Republican Party;

Issue a dues invoice to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to due date;
Issue a delinquency report as set forth in Article III Section 2 (c), supra;
Keep a current roster of the membership of the Party;
Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention.

Section 4: Vacancy, Resignations

Resignation by any officer shall include notification in writing to the Party Chair and Party Secretary. The Chair shall notify the EC of any officer resignation received at the next EC meeting.
Should the office of the Chair be vacated by resignation, death or removal from office for cause then the Vice Chair shall 1) assume the role of Interim Chair, 2) schedule a

called meeting of the Executive Committee for the stated purpose of electing a new Chair,

3) preside over the Executive Committee meeting to elect the new Chair. This called

meeting of the Executive Committee shall occur within thirty days of vacancy. The office of

Interim Chair shall automatically terminate upon election of a new Chair by the Executive

Committee.

Vacancies in all other elected offices (defined in Article VI, Section 1) shall be filled by the Executive Committee in accordance with Party election procedures.
If an Officer cannot act or serve for any reason, or if he or she abandons the office by refusing to serve, the Party Executive Committee shall notify the officer, upon concurrence of a majority of the entire Executive Committee, that the office will be vacant, effective thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, unless the person gives earlier notice of resignation or unless, within that time the officer can resume the full duties of the office or furnishes a reason acceptable to the Executive Committee why the office should not be declared vacant.
A vacancy shall occur immediately if any elected officer or Party Executive Committeeperson moves his or her residence outside the geographical area of office, and such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and SCGOP Rules, Rule 2.
A vacancy shall occur as covered under SCGOP Rule 15.

Section 5: Removal from office

Any officer removal or censure shall follow https://sc.gop/assets/uploads/2022/09/SCGOP-Rules-Updated-2022-Convention.pdf

Section 6: Records, Files, Properties

A. All Officers and all committee chairs shall deliver all records, files and properties of the Party in their possession to their successors upon retiring from office.

B. All financial and business records shall be kept by the appropriate Officer no less than seven (7) years from the date of creation in either hard copy or digital format accessible to all of the Officers.

ARTICLE VIII: APPOINTED POSITIONS AND COMMITTEES

Section 1: Appointed Positions

The Chair may appoint all adjunct committees and any other positions required to conduct the business of the Party. The Chair may appoint Special Committees without the approval of the Executive Committee. All adjunct committees shall expire at the conclusion of the York County GOP convention or sooner at the discretion of the Chair.

Section 2: Standing Committees

Standing Committees of the Party shall include Bylaws and Rules Committee, a Resolutions Committee, and a Nominating Committee.

A. The Bylaws and Rules and Resolutions Committees shall consist of not less than five (5)

members, the exact number to be determined by the Chair, and shall be organized at the first meeting of the Executive Committee following the Party Convention as follows:

The Chair shall appoint the committee Chair and one half of its members; the remaining members shall be elected by the members of the Executive Committee in attendance at such meeting.
In a multi-candidate race, the highest vote winners among the candidates nominated shall be named to the Committees.

B. The Resolutions Committee oversees the call for resolutions to the Party convention and

facilitates the resolutions process at Executive Committee meetings.

The Resolutions Committee writes and/or screens all proposed resolutions to see that they are in line with the South Carolina Republican Party platform and checks for duplication.
Any motion coming to the body in the name of the Resolutions Committee must be approved by a majority of the Resolutions Committee members. It then is submitted to the Executive Committee as a seconded motion in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Resolutions are passed by a majority vote plus one. All resolutions that do not follow this procedure are null and void.
Any resolution to censure a party or elected official shall be automatically assigned to the Resolutions Committee who shall review and return with a recommendation and/or a seconded motion.
The Resolutions Committee shall report their recommendation for any resolution submitted to them within 45 days or the succeeding scheduled EC meeting, whichever is later.

ARTICLE IX: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1: Nominations (https://sc.gop/assets/uploads/2022/09/SCGOP-Rules-Updated-2022-Convention.pdf) Rule 2, f.

A Nominating Committee of not less than five (5) members, the exact number to be determined by the Chair, shall be organized no later than the fourth quarter of the year preceding a Party convention in the following manner: the Executive Committee shall nominate and elect the members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall elect its secretary.
The Committee Chair shall be the current Chair of the Bylaws and Rules committee.

Members in good standing should serve on the Nominating Committee. They should be well acquainted with the membership, be informed of the duties of the offices to be filled, understand the purposes and mission of the Party, and be willing to plan for its future progress by seeking out the best possible nominees.
The Nominating Committee shall report a slate of at least one (1) nominee for each office at the Party convention held in odd numbered years.

All nominees for officer positions, must have agreed in writing (submitted by mail or in electronic format to nominating committee) to serve.

All such documents or communications are strictly confidential. All proceedings and nominees shall be confidential until released by the Committee Chair.

To be eligible, a nominee:

Must be registered to vote in York County;
Must be a member of the York County Republican Party in good standing;
Must also have served at least one (1) term (two complete years) as either Precinct President or Precinct Committeeperson to be Party Chair;
Shall disclose in advance candidacy for elected office or familial relations to any candidate on any election ballot.

Nominations from the floor shall be allowed provided the nominee has given written consent to the Chair to be nominated two (2) weeks prior to the County Convention. All nominees shall comply to these requirements as stated in Article IX, Section 1G.

Section 2: Elections

Elections shall be by ballot. In a competitive election, a majority of all votes cast shall constitute winning an election. When there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by acclamation.

ARTICLE X: PROXIES

If a Precinct Executive Committeeperson does not attend a scheduled meeting, the Precinct President shall be considered as automatic proxy at such meeting. If any other member of the precinct is to represent the precinct at a meeting when neither President nor the Precinct Executive Committeeperson can attend, a written proxy from the Precinct Committeeperson is required to appoint that person as the representative. The holder of the proxy must be someone who is not already a voting member (because no person may cast more than one (1) vote at a meeting). In addition, if the absent member is a PEC, the proxy holder must reside in the same precinct. Proxies are only permitted for EC meetings.

ARTICLE XI: QUORUM

1.Other than for the purposes of electing individuals to fill vacancies for Party offices, the quorum for all business of the County Executive Committee shall be one third (1/3) of all organized precincts, including the Chair.

2.For electing an individual or individuals to fill vacancies occurring in Party offices, a quorum shall be a majority of the membership of the County Executive Committee. A quorum at all county conventions of the Party shall be a majority of the registered delegates. A quorum of all standing committees shall be a majority of all its members.

3. For the entity that has two (2) consecutive inquorate meetings, for which notice has been properly provided, the quorum at all meetings of such entity shall be the members present until the succeeding reorganization.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws, having been ratified by the Executive Committee, shall be amended by recommendation of the Bylaws and Rules Committee and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. Notice of any proposed amendments recommended by the Bylaws and Rules Committee shall be given in writing to all members of the Executive Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to their consideration at the next Executive Committee meeting.

ARTICLE XIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The proceedings of all business, organizational, reorganizational and committee meetings and conventions, shall be governed by the following in order of precedent:

South Carolina Law
1. SCGOP Rules (https://sc.gop/assets/uploads/2022/09/SCGOP-Rules-Updated-2022-Convention.pdf)
1. YCGOP Bylaws
1. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised

Motion: A motion was made by Mike Copeland to adopt the Bylaws and to submit them to the Executive Committee. Seconded by Carol Herring. Unanimously approved by members of the Bylaws Committee on March 10, 2022.