Constitution & Bylaws

Any resident of Outagamie County, at least fourteen (14) years of age, who subscribes to the progressive principles of the Democratic Party is eligible for voting membership and shall become a member upon payment of dues and receipt of such dues by the County Party Treasurer or the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Such a person is automatically a member of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Those persons who reside in adjacent counties may be received into full membership in the Democratic Party of Outagamie County upon payment and receipt of such dues by either the County or State Party. Such an arrangement shall be in writing between the Chairs of the two (2) counties and a copy of the agreement shall be filed with State Party Headquarters. No person shall be a member of more than one county unit.

The elected officers of the County Democratic Party shall include a Chair/Co-Chairs, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The County Party may elect two Co-Chairs in lieu of a single Chair, henceforth referred to as Co-Chairs. Such officers shall be elected for a term of two (2) years, starting in January of odd numbered years. In addition, the County Party may provide for such additional officers as it desires, such offices to be held until the next election of officers. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined.

Regular nomination of a candidate for County Party office may only be made at the nomination meeting in correspondence with the provisions of Article VII, Section 4. The Nomination Committee will present their recommended nominations, if any. Additional nominations may be made from the floor by any member present. A person not nominated at this meeting shall be ineligible to be elected to Party office at the subsequent election meeting. A nomination must have the consent of the nominee. Such consent may be verbal, if the nominee is present at the nomination meeting, otherwise it must be submitted in writing at the nomination meeting. Failure to provide such consent shall invalidate the nomination of the person nominated.

Election of a County Party officer shall require a majority of the members voting. If two (2) or more candidates are nominated for an office, election shall be by secret ballot with a majority vote required for election.

The Chair or Co-Chairs shall serve as the presiding officer(s) at all meetings, shall act as administrative head(s) of the organization and shall have the power to appoint committee chairs. Such committee chairs shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair or Co-Chairs until the project is completed or until the Chair or Co-Chairs term of office expires. Such committee chairs shall report regularly to the County Party membership.

The Vice-Chair shall be responsible for the executive direction of the County Party in the event of the Chair or Co-Chairs’ absence or incapacitation and shall succeed to the office of Chair or Co-Chair in the case of the resignation of the Chair or Co-Chair, for the remainder of the term of office of the Chair or Co-Chair. The Vice-Chair shall succeed to the office of Chair or Co-Chairs in the case of a vacancy in one or both Co-Chair positions, for the remainder of the term. The Vice-Chair shall also cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie between Co-Chairs.

In the case of the inability or unwillingness of the Vice-Chair to serve as Chair or Co-Chair when there is a vacancy under Section 5 above, there shall be a special election for the remainder of the Chair or Co-Chairs’ term, with this election being held in correspondence with the provisions of Article VII, Section 4, but with the nomination and election process both taking place at the first regular meeting following the notice required under Article VII, Section 4. Notice shall be given by the Executive Committee as soon as possible after the Executive Committee learns that the Vice-Chair is unable or unwilling to serve as Chair or a Co-Chair. The temporary chair of the special election meeting will be the Vice-Chair, if able and willing, or if not, then the Secretary.

The Secretary shall maintain all records of the organization, shall record the minutes of all meetings in permanent form and perform all communications as directed.

The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the organization, shall make financial reports at each County Party meeting, and shall expend funds only in accordance with the directives of either the Executive Committee or the majority vote of the members. The Treasurer shall also prepare such financial statements as are required by law and forward them to the proper county, state, or federal officials. The treasurer shall also keep a record of all paid memberships. The Treasurer’s books shall be submitted annually to an auditor or to an auditing committee appointed by the Chair or Co-Chairs.

In the case of a vacancy in any County Party elective office other than that of Chair, there shall be a special election for the remainder of the elective office’s term, with this election being held in correspondence with the provisions of Article VII, Section 4, but with the nomination and election process both taking place at the first regular meeting following the notice required under Article VII, Section 4. Notice shall be given by the Executive Committee as soon as possible after the Executive Committee learns of the vacancy.

The County Chair or Co-Chairs and/or the Executive Committee of a County shall have the power to create committees for specific purposes whose chair shall be appointed by the local County Chair or Co-Chairs with the approval of the Executive Committee.

The voting members of the Executive Committee shall initially consist of the elected officers of the County Party, the immediate past Chair and/or Co-Chairs of the County Party who shall serve for one term following their term as County Chair or Co-Chair, and such appointed committee chairs as the Executive Committee shall ask to serve. A representative of the local College Democrats and/or local Young Democrats may serve at the Chair or Co-Chairs’ request. A quorum shall be 60% of the Executive Committee members.

The Chair or Co-Chairs of the County Party shall serve as Chair or Co-Chairs of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee may meet regularly between County Party meetings at the call of the Chair or Co-Chairs. The Chair or Co-Chairs shall also call a meeting at the request of a majority of the Executive Committee. Such meetings can occur either in person or by electronic communication of the Executive Committee. Decisions made by a majority vote of the Executive Committee shall be final.

Items of which a vote is taken by the Outagamie Democratic Party’s Executive Board shall be brought forth and presented to the membership at the first general membership meeting following the Executive Board’s meeting and decisions.

Membership dues shall be determined by the Administrative Committee of the State Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

All dues collected by DPOC for DPW membership shall be sent to DPW. DPW will then distribute a portion of that money back to DPOC based on current guidance of the DPW Administrative Committee.

Funds for the County Party treasury may be solicited from sources other than membership dues.

Robert’s Rules of Order, current edition, shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings unless contrary to the provisions of this constitution.

Unless otherwise ordered by the County Party or its Executive Committee, regular meetings shall be held once a month at a time and place agreed upon by its members. Written notice of regular meetings shall be sent to the members at least seven (7) days before each meeting.

When three (3) months elapse without a meeting of the County Party, any current members may petition the Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Chair who shall call a meeting of the County Party giving a ten (10) day written notice.

The bi-annual County Party meeting held for the purpose of nominating officers and other business shall not be held earlier than November one (1) nor later than December fifteen (15) in even numbered years, following a ten (10) day written notice to each member entitled to vote and to State Party Headquarters. The subsequent election shall be held not less than ten (10) days after the nominating meeting nor later than December thirty-first (31) in even numbered years. At any such election meeting, only County Party members whose dues are paid at least five (5) days prior to the election are eligible to vote. In the event that the County Chair shall fail to call such nomination and/or election meetings within the period specified herein, the State Party Chair shall be authorized to call a nomination meeting and/or election as soon as practicable, providing that the provisions of this section with respect to notice shall be observed.

Special meetings may be called by the Chair or Co-Chairs or by the Executive Committee or upon the written request of any ten (10) members. Written notice of a special meeting shall be sent at least seven (7) days before such meeting and shall contain a notice of the purpose of the meeting.

Ten (10) County Party members shall constitute a quorum for conducting business at any meeting.

Written notice of any regular or special meetings of DPOC shall be provided to all members no less than ten (10) days in advance of the meeting. That notice may be sent by mail or by electronic means if the member has provided contact information.

The Democratic Party of Outagamie County shall have the ability to endorse any candidate for any non-partisan elective office, whether for a primary or general election. Such an endorsement must be presented at a general membership meeting for approval and be approved by 2/3 of the voting membership present.

In accordance with the State Democratic Constitution, the County Party is prohibited from endorsing or supporting any candidate in a Democratic presidential preference election or any partisan primary election which will determine the candidate of the Democratic Party for the ensuing election to office unless and until the State Administrative Committee approves said recommendation. Approval of an endorsement and support of a specific candidate shall require 2/3 majority vote of the State Administrative Committee.

Amendments to this constitution shall require two (2) readings and the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting at the meeting called for that purpose. Notice of that meeting shall follow the same requirements as an election meeting.

A quorum for purposes of this Article shall be no fewer than ten (10) members or ten (10) percent of the current membership, whichever is greater.

All amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the standing DPW Constitution and Bylaws Committee and a copy shall also be sent to State Party Headquarters.

Adoption of this Constitution shall take place only after two (2) successive readings at either regular County Party meetings or meetings especially called, with appropriate written notice being sent to all members. Adoption shall be by a majority of members who are present and voting.

This Constitution shall supersede any previous constitutions and rules to the contrary made by the County Party.

If and when it shall appear that this Constitution is in conflict with the Constitution of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, the latter shall prevail.

Co-Chairs shall act jointly in their official capacities unless otherwise specified in these bylaws. Either Co-Chair may act independently in urgent matters, but both must be notified as soon as practicable.

In the event of a tie vote between Co-Chairs, the Vice-Chair shall cast the deciding vote. If the Vice-Chair is unavailable, the Executive Committee shall resolve the deadlock by majority vote at its next meeting.

In the absence or incapacitation of one Co-Chair, the remaining Co-Chair may exercise the full authority of the office until the absent Co-Chair returns or a special election is held (Article IV, Section 9).

Co-Chairs may delegate specific responsibilities to each other, provided such delegation is documented in writing and approved by the Executive Committee.

This Code of Conduct shall serve as a formal standard of behavior for all members, officers, volunteers, candidates, and participants of the Democratic Party of Outagamie County (“the Party”). It exists to reinforce our shared commitment to respect, inclusion, accountability, and the democratic values of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

The Party affirms the following behavioral principles, in alignment with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) Bylaws:

1. Respect and Dignity: Treat all individuals with courtesy and fairness, regardless of race, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or economic status.
2. Equity and Inclusion: Ensure full and equal access to Party participation, leadership, and events for all members.
3. Accountability and Integrity: Use Party resources and positions responsibly and in the Party’s best interest; avoid abuse of power, conflicts of interest, or misrepresentation.
4. Transparency and Fairness: Adhere to democratic processes, uphold election integrity, and follow established procedures in meetings and decision-making.
5. Safety and Nonviolence: Maintain a safe, harassment-free environment in all in-person and online interactions.

Behavior considered to be misconduct under this Code includes, but is not limited to:

• Harassment, threats, or intimidation
• Discriminatory behavior or exclusion of members
• Disruption of meetings or events
• Misuse of Party data, finances, or resources
• Insubordination to democratically adopted rules
• Retaliation against whistleblowers or dissenters
• Interference in internal elections or endorsement procedures

1. Reporting: Any Party member may report violations of this Code to the Outagamie County Chair or Co-Chairs or Executive Committee in writing.
2. Review: The Executive Committee will evaluate the report and may initiate a fact-finding process. The accused will be given notice and an opportunity to respond.
3. Sanctions may include:
   • Verbal or written reprimand
   • Temporary suspension from Party activities or leadership roles
   • Referral to the DPW Executive Committee for state-level review under Article VII of the DPW Bylaws
4. Documentation: All complaints and resolutions shall be recorded and securely retained by the Secretary.

• A member subject to disciplinary action may appeal the decision to the full membership of the Democratic Party of Outagamie County at the next regular meeting or to the Executive Committee upon request.
• In cases involving statewide implications or suspension from leadership, an appeal may be made to the DPW Administrative Committee, per DPW Bylaws Article VII, Section 4.

All officers and candidates for Party office must sign an affirmation of this Code of Conduct upon assuming office. All members shall be informed of the Code annually and agree to abide by it as a condition of participation in the Democratic Party of Outagamie County.