BY-LAWS OF THE
TRENTON DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Adopted April 15, 2021
Amended May 15, 2025
ARTICLE 1
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Trenton Democratic Club, hereafter referred to as “the Club”.
Section 2. The purpose of the Club is to support the election and re-election of Democratic candidates and those non-partisan candidates who reflect the principles and ideals of the Democratic Party, to establish and advance the Club's position concerning ballot or legislative issues, to encourage participation in the political process by the citizens of the City of Trenton, and to promote understanding and public acceptance of the principles of the Democratic Party and the Club.
Section 3. The Club shall be composed of all members in good standing admitted at its inception and all persons admitted under these By-laws.
Section 4. The requirements for membership in the Club shall be as follows:
Commitment to support the purpose of the Trenton Democratic Club and the Democratic Party.
Signing an application for membership.
Payment of the established dues of the Club, unless a financial hardship waiver has been granted.
Section 5. Only members who are current with payment of dues shall have voting rights at any meeting. The Executive Board may waive the payment of dues in the case of financial hardship. A financial contribution is not required to be, and to remain, a member of the Trenton Democratic Club.
Section 6. No tests for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the Trenton Democratic Club shall be required or used which have the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Club to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 7. The Trenton Democratic Club shall support the broadest possible participation without discrimination on grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 8. For each calendar year, Club dues shall be due by April 15. Annual Club dues shall be in the amount of $30 per member, with each additional non-student member of a household being $5. Student dues shall be $0. Senior dues shall be $20 dollars, with each additional non-student member of a household being $5. The amount of annual Club dues may be changed only by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled membership meeting. Notice of a proposed change in the annual Club dues must be given to the membership at least five (5) calendar days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE 2
Section 1. The structure of the Club shall consist of the Executive Board, hereafter known as “Officers”, the Working Committees, and the members.
Section 2. The Executive Board of the Club will be as follows: Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Trustees.
Section 3. The Chair shall be Chairperson and principal officer of the Club. The Chair shall enforce adherence to the By-laws of the Club; call Executive Board meetings, and whenever necessary, call special membership meetings; preside at all meetings and supervise all other officers in the performance of duties; and perform all other acts as are required, by virtue of this office, these By-laws, decisions of the Club and the customs of parliamentary bodies.
Section 4. The Vice-chair shall be a different gender than the Chair, and act for the Chair in the event of absence. The Vice-chair shall perform such duties as the Chair delegates, and shall serve as the Chair's Chief Administrator and representative.
Section 5. The Secretary shall read the roll call of the Executive Board, record attendance at each meeting, and take the minutes of the Regular Membership, Executive Board and any special meetings. The Secretary shall establish the mailing address for the Club; notify the membership of the time and place of any membership meeting, and Executive Board members of each meeting of that body. The Secretary shall read all correspondence referred by the Chair.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall report the condition of the Club's finances at all Executive Board and Regular Membership meetings, and receive all membership dues. All bills shall be paid by Club checks signed by the Treasurer and by the Chair. All monies received by the Club shall be deposited by the Treasurer in a depository designated by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall prepare the Year-end Report and have it approved and signed by the Trustees for presentation to the Membership at the January meeting. The Treasurer shall cooperate with the Trustees for a yearly audit and shall surrender the books and records at the end of the term, or when so ordered by the Chair.
Section 7. The Trustees shall perform such duties as the Chair delegates.
Section 8. Officers of the Club, shall, unless excused, shall attend all general Regular Membership and Executive Board meetings.
ARTICLE 3
Section 1. Officers shall be elected at the May Regular Membership Meeting of odd numbered years.
Section 2. Nominations shall be made by the Nominating, Endorsement, and Elections Committee. All nominations for office shall take place at the March meeting in odd numbered years.
Section 3. Officers and Trustees shall assume office at the following August meeting and hold office for a period of two- year terms.
Section 4. Votes shall not be taken by secret ballot. The results of all elections shall be published at the next Regular Membership meeting. In order to vote at any meeting, a person must be a member of the Michigan Democratic Party for at least thirty (30) days prior to that meeting.
Section 5. The majority of votes cast shall be used in the election of Officers and Trustees of the Trenton Democratic Club.
Section 6. Upon a permanent vacancy of the Chair, the Vice-chair shall serve as Chair. Should the Vice-chair be unable to take office as Chair, a special election to fill the vacant positions shall be conducted at the first opportunity. The Nominating/Elections Committee shall present/solicit candidates at the next membership meeting, with elections conducted at the following meeting. The officers elected at the special election shall assume office immediately and serve until the next regular election of officers.
Section 7. Any elected member of the Executive Board who shall have three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from Regular Membership and Executive Board meetings shall be deemed to have resigned the elected position. The Recording Secretary shall immediately report such occurrences to the Executive Board. A special election to fill the vacant positions shall be conducted at the first opportunity. The Nominating/Elections Committee shall present /solicit candidates at the next membership meeting, with elections conducted at the following meeting. The officers elected at the special election shall assume office immediately and serve until the next regular election of officers.
ARTICLE 4
Section 1. The Executive Board of the Club shall consist of the Officers. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be four (4) Officers.
Section 2. Actions of the Club may be initiated either by the general membership or by the Executive Board. No action of either body concerning candidate endorsement, expenditures of funds, or other such actions shall be final unless there is concurrence by the other body.
Section 3. The Club may endorse Democratic candidates, ballot or legislative issues that advance the Club's position, and those non-partisan candidates who reflect the principles and ideas of the Democratic Party in local, county, state and national elections. Any procedure adopted by the Club for endorsement of candidates/issues shall be in accordance with the procedures and rules of the District Democratic Organization(s) representing the City of Trenton and the State Democratic Party. All endorsements must be requested in writing, and be ratified by the General Membership.
Section 4. The Chair or three of the members of the Executive Board may convene an emergency meeting of the Executive Board when necessary. A quorum of such a meeting of the Executive Board shall be three of the existing Executive Board. The notice requirements shall be waived for an emergency meeting. The method and procedures employed to notify Executive Board members of an emergency meeting shall be recorded in the minutes of such meetings.
ARTICLE 5
Section 1. The general membership shall meet at least once each month on a regularly established day. The meeting schedule for the year shall be presented by the Secretary at the January Regular Membership meeting, approved by the membership, and shall be altered only on recommendation of the Executive Board and concurrence of the membership.
Section 2. Time and place of Regular Membership meetings, including links to virtual meetings, shall be communicated at least five (5) days prior to such meeting by email and social media so as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places, or on virtual platforms, which are accessible to all Club members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.
Section 3. A quorum for the Regular Membership meetings shall consist of those members present so long as notice requirements have been observed.
Section 4. The Chair may call such special membership meetings as are deemed necessary. Quorum and notice requirements shall be the same as for Regular Membership meetings.
ARTICLE 6
Section 1. The following standing/ad hoc committees are established by these By-laws:
Rules & Bylaws Committee
Membership Committee
Communications Committee
Political Organizing Committee
Nominating, Endorsement, and Elections Committee
Section 2. The Chair may propose such special committees as are considered necessary.
Section 3. The Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all standing and special committees with full voting rights.
Section 4. All standing and special committees shall report to the Executive Board from time to time as shall be necessary or on request of the Executive Board.
Section 5. Committees may not take action representing the Club without approval from the Executive Board or the general membership.
ARTICLE 7
Section 1. Unless otherwise required by these By-laws, the business of the Club shall be conducted by the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order on all questions of procedure. It is the responsibility of the Secretary to have said rules at all meetings.
Section 2. The By-Laws of the Trenton Democratic Club shall be available upon request to any members of the Trenton Democratic Club.
Section 3. No rule shall be adopted by the Trenton Democratic Club which would require a person to cast a vote or be recorded as voting contrary to that person's judgment.
ARTICLE 8
Section 1. These By-laws shall be submitted to the membership for two readings at consecutive regular meetings. The notice for both meetings shall notify the membership that these By-laws shall be considered adopted if approved by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present.
Section 2. Amendments to these By-laws may be initiated by the general membership at a regular meeting. The amendatory matter shall be referred to the Executive Board which shall consider the proposed amendment at a meeting called by the Chair prior to the next membership meeting. The Executive Board's recommendation shall be reported at the next Regular Membership meeting. The notice for the Regular Membership meeting after the Executive Board's action shall contain the proposed amendment. The amendment shall be adopted if two thirds of the membership present at the second membership meeting vote in the affirmative on the amendment.
ARTICLE 9
Section 1. The membership of the Club may dissolve this Club by a two-thirds affirmative vote.
Section 2. Failure of the Club to have a Regular Membership meeting, Article 5, Section 1 notwithstanding, for five (5) consecutive scheduled meetings shall constitute dissolution.
Section 3. The Trenton Democratic Club shall be a non-profit organization and upon its dissolution, all assets and real and personal property of the Club and its committees shall revert to the benefit of the Michigan Democratic Party, local clubs of the Democratic Party or to a charitable organization as approved by the Club. No part of the income or assets of the Club shall benefit any of its members except for the reimbursement of actual expenses, reasonable compensation for services if the Club approves, or a contribution for electing a member to office if the Club so approves.
Section 4. The Trenton Democratic Club shall not be an agent of the Michigan Democratic Party for any purpose whatsoever, nor shall the Trenton Democratic Club have the authority to act on behalf of or bind the Michigan Democratic Party financially, contractually or otherwise.
ARTICLE 10
These By-laws are adopted by the membership on April 15, 2021 after the second reading on April 15, 2021 and became effective immediately.
First reading: March 18, 2021 Second reading: April 15, 2021
Submitted by:
Trenton Democratic Club
Bonnie Forrest, Chair
P.O. Box 694
Trenton, MI 48183
trentonmidems@gmail.com