CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5 DFL CONVENTION SATURDAY, MAY 3 CONVENE AT 10:00 AM SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 3131 19TH AVE S., MPLS IF YOU HAVE A SMART PHONE OR TABLET, CONSIDER DOWLOADING THIS PACKET, OR ACCESSING THESE DOCUMENTS ON CONVENTION DAY FROM OUR WEBSITE: WWW.DFL.ORG/CD5 WE WILL BE PRODUCING FEWER HARD COPIES. HELP US SAVE PAPER! THANK YOU! THIS CD5 CONVENTON PACKET INCLUDES: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. PROPOSED CONVENTION AGENDA PROPOSED CONVENTION RULES CURRENT CD5 DFL CONSITUTION PROPOSED NEW CONSTITUTION TREASURER’S REPORT PAGE 1 PAGES 2-5 PAGES 6-14 PAGES 15-23 PAGE 24-25 IF A REPORT FROM THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE IS AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE, WE WILL POST IN ON THE CD5 WEBSITE. FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE POSITIONS TO BE FILLED, VISIT THE SITE. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONVENTION OR REQUESTS FOR ACCOMODATION CAN BE DIRECTED TO CD5 CHAIR, LOREN OLSON AT CHAIR@CD5.DFL.ORG OR 612-220-3998 LET’S HAVE A GREAT CONVENTION! FUN IS ALLOWED! THESE MATERIALS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.DFL.ORG/CD5 [Type here] Proposed Agenda FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DFL CONVENTION Saturday, May 3, 2014 South High School 1. Call to Order – 10:00 A.M. 2. Welcome – Loren Olson, CD5 Chair 3. Reading of Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion Statement 5. Credentials Report (I): Preliminary Report on Registered Delegates and Alternates 6. Election of Convention Chairs 7. Adoption of Agenda and Rules 8. Credentials Report (II): Resolution of Credentials Challenges, if any 9. Officer Reports 10. Constitution Report 11. Credentials Report (III) 12. Election of Party Officers: a. Chair b. Vice Chair c. Outreach & Inclusion Officer d. Secretary e. Treasurer 13. f. Directors (12) Endorsement for Fifth District U.S. House of Representatives 14. Election of State Party Standing Committee Members a. Outreach and Inclusion (2 delegates) b. Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules (2 delegates) c. Platform, Issues, and Legislative Affairs (2 delegates) d. Party Affairs and Coordinated Campaign (2 delegates) e. 15. 16. Budget Committee (1 delegate) Election of State Convention Committee Members a. Credentials Committee (2 delegates, 2 alternates) b. Nominations Committee (2 delegates, 2 alternates) c. Rules Committee (2 delegates, 2 alternates) Adjournment [Type here] PROPOSED CD5 DFL CONVENTION RULES I. Seating of Delegates and Alternates A. All delegates to the Fifth Congressional District Convention shall be seated by senate district. At-large delegates shall be seated with the senate district in which they reside. B. Registration shall remain open until adjournment. C. Alternates will be upgraded by each Senate District delegation chair as follows: 1. The highest-ranking alternate will fill a delegate vacancy. 2. If possible, a delegate must be replaced by an alternate of the same candidate and/or issue preference. Alternates will succeed to delegate status according to votes received within their subcaucus. If there are not alternates available within a subcaucus, alternates will be raised by lot from among the highest-ranking alternates within the other subcaucuses. Each subcaucus will be represented in the lot system in proportion to its delegation allocation strength, as determined by the number of alternates elected from that subcaucus who reside within the Fifth Congressional District. 3. No alternate will be upgraded during the time when any voting/balloting is taking place. D. All visitors must be registered and have credentials. During any balloting any nondelegates must leave the floor. II. Challenges A. If a delegate or upgraded alternate is challenged, the delegate or upgraded alternate may not be seated without the preliminary approval of the Credentials Committee. B. The Credentials Committee shall make its report to the convention. C. Speakers on behalf of each challenged delegate and each challenger shall each be allowed three (3) minutes in total to present their positions, with the challenged delegate speaking last. D. Challenged delegates or alternates will not be allowed to vote on their own challenges. E. The convention shall make the final decision as to who will be seated. III. Rules for Debate and Speeches A. Only seated delegates or upgraded alternates shall have speaking privileges. B. No one may speak until recognized by the chair. Speakers will first state their name, senate district, and whether they are speaking for or against a motion. No person may address the convention more than once on an item of business until all others have had an opportunity to do so. C. Each speaker will have one minute with up to three speakers on each side of a question. D. Sitting U.S. Senators and State Constitutional Officers or their representatives will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes to speak. E. Candidates for State Constitutional Office, the State Party Chair, and State Party Vice Chair will have up to two (2) minutes to speak. F. The chair will decide when individuals described in D and E may speak. [Type here] IV. Voting A. All voting shall be by voice vote or, upon decision of the chair, by division. A secret ballot may be requested by a one-third (1/3) vote of the delegates and upgraded alternates or at the direction of the chair. B. All secret ballots shall be submitted to the tellers by senate district. Each senate district delegation chair will report to the teller’s desk to be given ballots sufficient for their district. The delegation chair shall distribute and collect ballots from the delegation. C. Each delegate and upgraded alternate may cast one vote. Proxy voting is prohibited. The tellers shall count ballots. Blank and spoiled ballots shall only be counted as a test of quorum for that vote. All ballots shall be recycled 10 days after the convention. D. The chair shall order the closing of the upgrading of alternates and the seating of delegates once the convention divides into subcaucuses. During voting, no upgrading of alternates or seating of delegates shall occur. V. Endorsement Procedures A. Endorsement for the Fifth Congressional District Representative to the U.S. Congress requires a 60% affirmative vote, excluding blanks and abstentions, of the delegates and upgraded alternates present and voting on the endorsement. Every ballot for endorsement is a test of quorum for that vote. B. The chair shall call for nominations for endorsement. Lot shall determine speaking order. C. Each candidate for endorsement is allowed up to ten (10) minutes to use at his/her discretion. D. In the event of a contested race, candidates for the U.S. Congress from the Fifth Congressional District shall state whether or not they would run against an endorsed DFL candidate. E. Drop Rules: 1. After the first ballot, any nominee not receiving at least 10% of the votes cast will be dropped from endorsement contention. 2. After the second ballot, any nominee not receiving at least 20% of the votes cast will be dropped from endorsement contention. 3. After the third and any subsequent ballot, the lowest-ranking nominee will be dropped until only two remain. 4. In no case will the drop rule be used if its result on that ballot would be to eliminate all but one candidate. VI. Election of Fifth Congressional District Party Officers, State Party Standing Committees and State Pre-Convention Committee Delegates and Alternates A. Any member of the Fifth Congressional District DFL, including non-delegates, may be nominated for party offices listed on the agenda. B. The chair shall call for the report of the Nominations Committee and then call for nominations from the floor. The nominations committee shall not recommend its members as candidates for party office or state pre-convention committees or party standing committees unless no other candidates are available. [Type here] C. A candidate shall be nominated to an office only once. Candidates declining the nomination shall not be permitted to address the convention concerning their candidacy. D. The candidates for contested party officer elections and all other contested positions shall be allowed up to two (2) minutes to speak. E. Delegates to State Party Standing Committees and Delegates or Alternates to State Pre-Convention Committees shall be considered as multiple offices for the purposes of election. F. For single offices, except for Fifth Congressional District Directors, election shall be by majority vote of those present and voting. Unless proportional voting is called, election of Directors to the Fifth Congressional District Executive Committee shall be by plurality vote. G. If more than two candidates are running for one position, the drop rule used for endorsement shall apply. H. A plurality vote shall be sufficient to elect in a contest where more than one position is involved. I. If proportional voting is called, the Walking Subcaucus System, as described in the current State DFL Call, will be used. Ten (10) minutes will be allowed to determine subcaucus viability and an additional ten (10) minutes will be allotted to allow subcaucuses to organize, merge, or dissolve, after which time the subcaucus shall be frozen. J. Elections for Chair and Vice Chair, if contested, shall be by secret ballot. K. If a quorum is lost, all unfilled offices shall be referred for election to the Fifth Congressional District Central Committee. VII. Miscellaneous Rules A. The convention shall elect permanent convention co-chairs. The co-chairs will appoint assistants as they deem necessary to conduct the business of the convention. B. Pursuant to the Facility Use Manual of the Minneapolis Public Schools, the following rules shall govern the use of the building: 1. Furniture and equipment shall not be moved from one room to another unless it is specifically mentioned on the permit, and then would be done by or under the direct supervision of a building staff member. Extra or unusual services shall be identified on the permit application and custodial overtime charges will be added. 2. The convention attendees are expected to leave the school facility in the same condition in which they found it. The convention attendees are responsible for setting up equipment before and returning rooms used to original order after activities unless they have requested staff help in advance. (Any expense incurred by the District as a result of activities will be charged to the user.) 3. No decoration or other materials shall be applied to walls, ceilings or floors which will mar, deface, or injure these surfaces. Any signs, banners or posters shall be applied with blue painter's tape only. [Type here] C. Only delegates and upgraded alternates shall be allowed on the convention floor. When leaving the convention floor, delegates and upgraded alternates must surrender their delegate badges to their delegation chairs. D. Candidates for U.S. Congress for the Fifth Congressional District seeking DFL Party endorsement, shall have floor privileges. In addition, each such candidate shall have up to two (2) floor passes. E. DFL statewide elected officials shall have floor privileges. F. During counting of written ballots, each candidate for the office being tallied is permitted to have one (1) observer present. G. For the purposes of gender balance, a delegate’s gender shall be as self-identified by the delegate, and shall not be restricted to a traditional binary. H. Any motion to table, refer, or postpone shall be construed as a motion to postpone indefinitely. A motion to reconsider and enter in the minutes is not permitted. A motion to reconsider shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates and upgraded alternates seated and voting. I. A majority vote of the convention is required to adopt these rules as the permanent rules. Amendment or suspension of the permanent rules after they have been adopted requires two-thirds (2/3) vote of the convention. J. All matters not covered in these rules shall be governed by the Minnesota DFL State Party Constitution, the current Minnesota DFL State Call, the Fifth Congressional District Constitution, and Robert’s Rules of Order (Most Recently Revised). K. All written ballots must be signed. [Type here] CURRENT CONSTITUTION – IN EFFECT UNTIL NEW ONE ADOPTED. DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY OF MINNESOTA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS As adopted by the convention on April 21, 2012 Preamble We, the members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (henceforth "DFL") Party in the Fifth Congressional District, State of Minnesota, in convention assembled, in order to organize and perpetuate a representative, effective and responsible DFL Party in the Fifth Congressional District, affiliate with and advance the interests of the national Democratic Party, sustain and advance the principles of liberal democracy, and uphold human and civil rights and constitutional government, do establish this constitution. Article I Name, Membership, Eligibility for Office § 1. Name The name of this organization shall be the Fifth Congressional District Organization of the DFL Party. § 2. Purpose The purposes of this organization shall be (1) to search for, endorse, and elect a Democratic congressional representative for the Fifth District, (2) to encourage and aid in cooperation between the senate district organizations in the Fifth District, and (3) to represent the interests of the Fifth District DFL members to the government of Minnesota and to the DFL Party. § 3. Membership Membership is open to all residents of the Fifth Congressional District who support the principles of the DFL Party and are not active in any other political party. § 4. Eligibility for Party Office Persons who meet the requirements of Article I, Section 3, are eligible for election to any party office. Article II Subordination § 1. Subordination This constitution and any bylaws adopted pursuant to it are subordinate to the State DFL Constitution and Bylaws, to the Official Call, and to the National Democratic Convention charter and committee rules on the selection of delegates to the national convention. All matters not governed by this constitution or by a bylaw shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Article III General Rules, Policy [Type here] § 1. Affirmative Action The Fifth District chair, the affirmative action officer, and all other DFL Party officials shall take proactive steps to encourage traditionally underrepresented constituencies to actively participate in party affairs and to seek election as delegates, officers, and members of party committees. These affirmative efforts shall be directed to special constituencies, including low and moderate income persons, youths, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, AfricanAmericans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Chicano/Latino Americans, Native Americans, LGBT Persons, and all other underrepresented groups, and shall ensure equal gender division pursuant to state party rules. The district central committee shall consider and adopt, implement, and evaluate an affirmative action plan each biennium. District party officers shall inform members of such special constituencies how to participate effectively in the selection processes. Further, all party members are encouraged to select members of such constituencies when voting, to the end that their constituencies be represented on delegations, in committees, and as party officers in reasonable proportion to their presence in the congressional district. To this end, an affirmative action statement shall be read and explained when meetings are convened and immediately before electing officers and delegates at all precinct caucuses and conventions and shall be included in the calls to conventions. Bylaw A. Affirmative Action Commission. The Fifth District affirmative action officer shall convene at least once each year the Fifth District Affirmative Action Commission composed of (1) the Fifth District affirmative action officer, (2) the affirmative action officers of each senate district located in whole or in part within the Fifth Congressional District, (3) the affirmative action officers of each DFL Party organizations established for a county or city located in whole or in part within the Fifth Congressional District, and (4) any member of the state Affirmative Action Commission residing within the Fifth Congressional District. To assist in the implementation of affirmative action, the Fifth District affirmative action Commission shall: (1) Ensure that each senate district prepares a senate district affirmative action plan containing specific and documented steps to encourage full access, participation and representation of all groups in the DFL Party at the senate district level. (2) Advise and assist the Fifth District affirmative action officer in the preparation of the Fifth District affirmative action plan containing specific and documented steps to encourage full access, participation, and representation of all constituencies in the DFL Party in the Fifth District. (3) Develop and implement strategies and activities for community-wide education, training, and outreach, including the dissemination of educational and party materials (such as the DFL Call and DFL Constitution) to DFL members at all levels. (4) Coordinate the implementation of affirmative action strategies and activities within and among the congressional district, senate district, and the city DFL Party organizations. (5) Be responsible for informing members of the DFL Party regarding the availability of challenges to delegations and officers based on noncompliance with the affirmative action plan at each level and shall [Type here] serve as a resource to any affected person or persons who wish to make a challenge on that basis to the State DFL Affirmative Action Officer. § 2. Qualifications for Voting To vote in conventions and endorsing commissions, a delegate must be a resident of the area encompassed by the convention or endorsing commission at the time of the convention or endorsing commission. § 3. Instruction and Voting of Delegates No delegate shall be required to cast a vote contrary to his or her expressed preference. No precinct caucus or convention can bind its delegates to vote in a certain way at a later convention. Each delegate shall cast his or her vote independent of the other members of the delegation. No prorating or voting by proxy shall be allowed at any meeting or convention of any party organization. Balloting at any convention or endorsing commission, when called for, shall be by delegations, and shall be open and not secret, but a written ballot may be called for by the chair, or moved and then supported by one third of the delegates voting, provided the ballot is signed. § 4. Registration Fees No registration fee shall be required at any caucus, convention, or endorsing commission within the Fifth Congressional District. Voluntary donations to cover the costs of the meeting shall be encouraged. § 5. Endorsements Endorsement of a candidate for public office requires a 60% affirmative vote of those delegates voting on that ballot, excluding blanks and abstentions, at the convention, central committee, or endorsing commission making the endorsement. Every ballot shall be a test of quorum. An endorsement made before the primary is valid after the primary only if the candidate's name appears on the general election ballot. In the event that a non-endorsed candidate is the winner of a primary, a post-primary convention, endorsing commission or central committee meeting may be called for the purpose of considering an endorsement and, if called, must be held within 18 days after the primary. In the absence of any direction to the contrary by a convention or endorsing commission, a central committee may endorse between such conventions or endorsing commissions. Such endorsement must otherwise conform to the rules governing endorsement by the convention and can only be granted by a 60% majority of central committee members present and voting. Such endorsement may be made only at a central committee meeting properly called with sufficient notice, including official notice of intent to endorse. A quorum for endorsement of a congressional candidate shall be 50% of the membership of the central committee. After an endorsement, the Fifth District DFL may provide funds and organizational support only to the endorsed candidates. § 6. Party Training, Development, and Outreach The Fifth District Chair and all other officers at all levels shall undertake a communitywide education/training/outreach program on the precinct caucus/convention process. This program shall work with existing community organizations. [Type here] This training shall continue and be offered to elected delegates, alternates, and party officers between each level of convention. This training shall be open to all DFLers. § 7. Accessibility All Fifth Congressional District DFL Executive and Central Committees meetings, conventions, and pre-convention committees will be held in public buildings accessible to persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Buildings which by their character prevent open discussion of any issue are not suitable locations. If commercial establishments are utilized, unionized establishments shall be given priority in site consideration. Wherever possible, meetings will be held at locations accessible to public transportation. At least 75% of Fifth Congressional District DFL fundraisers and other public events will be held at accessible sites as defined by the Minnesota State DFL Constitution and Bylaws. Official notices will address the accessibility status of the site on all such events. Where practical, selected sites should be within the boundaries of the Fifth Congressional District. Every meeting notice or call to convention or endorsing commission shall include information regarding the name of the person to contact, how to contact that person, and the deadline for requesting reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Article IV Congressional District Convention § 1. Convention A convention composed of delegates and alternates to the state convention elected from and residing in the Fifth Congressional District shall be held in each even-numbered year. A majority of the delegates and alternates seated as delegates shall constitute a quorum. Bylaw A. All Fifth Congressional District officers and directors in good standing under Article VIII, Section I of this constitution and all Fifth Congressional District delegates and alternates to state party commissions shall serve as nonvoting delegates to each Fifth Congressional District convention. § 2. Credentials Challenges All credentials challenges against delegates or alternates shall be decided by a majority vote of delegates and upgraded alternates. No challenged delegate or alternate may vote on the validity of his or her own credentials. No delegation shall vote on a challenge to that delegation's seating. § 3. Convention Call The time, date, and place of a convention shall be determined by the Fifth District chair or a majority of the executive committee. The chair shall ensure that written notice, including the time, date, and place of the convention, the names of the convention conveners, and other pertinent information, be mailed or presented to all delegates, alternates, and others at the discretion of the chair, at least 10 days before the convention. § 4. Convention Committees Bylaw A. The Executive Committee shall make arrangements for preconvention committees for the Fifth District convention, including the appointment of committee conveners. Preconvention committees for the Fifth Congressional District convention shall be elected by and from among the delegates and alternates to the 5th Congressional [Type here] District convention. Each committee shall consist of two delegates and two alternates from each senate district wholly or partially within the Fifth District. Bylaw B. Preconvention committees may include committees on arrangements, constitution, nominations, rules, endorsements, or other committees as considered necessary by the Fifth District executive committee. Bylaw C. The first order of business at each committee shall be the election of a permanent committee chair. For the district convention, the rules committee, and constitution committee shall provide a written copy of their report for each delegate before the delivery of their report to the convention. Bylaw D. The nominations committee shall not recommend its members as candidates for party office or state pre-convention committees or party commissions unless no other candidates are available. § 5. Convention Business The convention shall elect congressional district party officers, and it may endorse a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. In presidential election years, the convention shall nominate a presidential elector, an alternate presidential elector, and national convention delegates and alternates in accordance with the rules and directives of the State DFL Party and National Democratic Committee. The convention may adopt resolutions and adopt or amend a constitution and may conduct such other party business as may properly come before it. Bylaw A. The Fifth District chair shall act as convener of the convention. Bylaw B. Convention rules shall be approved by a majority of delegates and upgraded alternates. Bylaw C. At all conventions and endorsing commissions, alternates and visitors must be clearly separated from officially accredited delegates. Bylaw D. A delegate vacancy shall exist if a delegate moves his or her legal residence from the senate district in which he or she was elected. In case a delegate moves from one senate district to another within the Fifth Congressional District, he or she will become the last alternate in the senate district of his or her new residence. Article V Officers § 1. Officers The Fifth Congressional District DFL Party officers shall consist of a chair, an associate chair (not of the same gender as the chair), a secretary, a treasurer, an affirmative action officer, and at least 12 directors at large. These officers shall be gender balanced. The officers shall have such authority and perform such duties as the applicable bylaws may prescribe. The officers shall be elected by the district convention. Proportional voting may be requested for the election of directors. [Type here] Bylaw A. The chair shall be the chief executive officer of the Fifth District party. The chair shall be empowered to convene and conduct meetings of the central committee and executive committee and shall also convene the Fifth District convention. The chair shall be responsible for implementing the accessibility requirements of Article Ill, § 7. Bylaw B. The associate chair shall aid the chair and shall fulfill the duties of the chair in the absence or inability to act of the chair. Bylaw C. The secretary shall: (1) keep minutes of all central and executive committee meetings, (2) keep records of all official district actions, (3) prepare all necessary documents, (4) prepare and send all official Fifth District correspondence, (5) notify all members of central and executive committee meetings, and (6) send copies of revised constitution and minutes of conventions to the State DFL office for permanent recording. Bylaw D. The treasurer shall: (1) manage all party funds, (2) submit a full written report of receipts and disbursements to each central and executive committee meeting and the Fifth District convention, and (3) submit all records to the auditing committee for an audit at least annually, or more frequently as requested by the central or executive committee. The treasurer shall also complete and submit any report on party finances or campaign contributions required by agencies of the state or federal government. Bylaw E. The affirmative action officer shall prepare and enforce the district's affirmative action plan, as provided in Article III, Section 1, and shall develop, coordinate, and ensure implementation of specific activities designed to promote ongoing and increased access to and participation of traditionally underrepresented constituencies in party affairs. The affirmative action officer shall be responsible for maintaining a list of resources available for persons with disabilities. Bylaw F. The order of temporary succession shall be chair, associate chair, secretary, treasurer, affirmative action officer, and directors in order of their appearance on the report of the convention at which they are elected. Article VI Central and Executive Committees § 1. Congressional District Central Committee Between conventions, the Central Committee may declare and fill vacancies among district party officers according to Article VIII. A quorum shall consist of 20% of the elected delegates with one third of the whole or partial senate districts represented. The Congressional District Central Committee shall include the Executive Committee and those members of the State Central Committee residing in the district of each senate district or portions thereof. § 2. Congressional District Executive Committee [Type here] The Congressional District Executive Committee shall consist of the Congressional District officers, the two highest ranking officers of each Senate District (ranked chair, associate chair, secretary, treasurer, and affirmative action officer) residing in the Fifth Congressional District. Any Senate District partially within the Fifth Congressional District with no officers residing in the Fifth Congressional District may elect one member to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall include all members of the State Executive Committee residing in the Fifth Congressional District. Bylaw A. The Central Committee shall meet at least semiannually. The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly. The committees may be called by the chair, by one-eighth of the membership of the Central Committee, or by a majority of the Executive Committee. Notice of meeting, specifying time and place, shall be sent in writing by U.S. mail to all members of the committee not less than 10 days in advance of the meeting, or not less than 72 hours in advance of the meeting if given by telephone, personal delivery, express mail, e-mail, or any other method with guaranteed arrival at least 72 hours in advance. Bylaw B. The Central Committee shall be responsible for the management of party affairs in the district, subject to the control of the governing convention. Bylaw C. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the administration and organization of party affairs within the district, subject to the control and direction of the Fifth District convention and the central committee. Bylaw D. The Executive Committee shall also appoint an auditing committee, composed of three members of the organization not on the Executive Committee, to thoroughly review the financial statements and supporting documents of the organization before the convention, and the report of this committee shall be delivered at the convention. Article VII City Party Organizations Any city wholly within the Fifth Congressional District may organize a central committee to serve as the governing body for party affairs between city conventions. The city central committee may propose its own constitution that is not inconsistent with this constitution, the state DFL constitution, or law for consideration at the next city convention. Members of city central committee shall be those members of the Fifth District Central Committee residing in the city and others as provided in the city DFL constitution. The chair of the city central committee shall be the highest ranking Fifth District officer residing in the city unless otherwise provided in the city DFL constitution. Article VIII Vacancies § 1. Declaring Vacancies The central committee is responsible for declaring and filling vacancies in its membership elected at its governing convention, in the position of district presidential elector nominee, in the congressional district delegation to the national convention, and in the position of endorsed congressional candidate. A vacancy exists for the following reasons: resignation, resignation by absence, death, change of residence to a place outside the Fifth Congressional [Type here] District, election to a different position that confers membership on the central committee, or dismissal for cause as provided in Section 2. A majority vote is sufficient to declare a vacancy at a meeting properly called with notice of intent to fill a vacancy. Only those vacancies specified in the meeting notice may be filled at the meeting. Vacancies shall be filled within 60 days of their occurrence. In the case of a vacancy of the chair, the associate chair shall succeed to the office, and a new associate chair shall be elected by the central committee. Vacancies in other party officer positions shall be filled by the central committee. A designated officer shall provide written notification to a member of the central or executive committee after 2 consecutive unexcused absences, of their respective committee, that an unexcused absence at the next meeting shall be considered a resignation of the position declared vacant. § 2. Dismissals The central committee may dismiss a member, party officer, or other position elected at its governing convention, or a successor, for cause only on the grounds of clear malfeasance or nonfeasance in office. For such dismissal, a two-thirds majority of the vote of the members present and eligible to vote is required, but only after the member is given 30 days written notice specifying the cause and is granted a hearing. § 3. Nonfeasance and Malfeasance Defined Failure of party officers, committee members, or commission members to perform the duties prescribed by governing institutions or bylaws shall constitute nonfeasance and shall constitute cause for dismissal from office as provided in Section 2. Malfeasance shall include but not be limited to personal endorsement, financial assistance, or other support or assistance by a party officer, committee members, or commission members to a candidate running in opposition to an endorsed DFL candidate. § 4. Disposition of Party Records Upon leaving office, a party officer shall turn over all records, books, and properties of the party to the successor or to the body responsible for naming a successor. Article IX Amendments and Bylaws § 1. Amendments This constitution may be amended by a majority of any convention of the Fifth Congressional District Organization where consideration of the constitution is indicated as part of the call. Bylaw A. Constitution and Bylaws Commission. The Fifth District Constitution and Bylaws Commission shall have as minimum objectives: (1) Perform periodic reviews of superior documents with a view towards resolving any conflicts. (2) Recommend refinements and changes to the Constitution and the Bylaws. (3) To that end, continue on an ongoing basis drafting of revisions to the Fifth District Constitution and Bylaws and to report such recommended changes to the Fifth Congressional District Convention. The Fifth District Constitution and Bylaws Commission shall consist of two delegates selected by each Senate District wholly or partially within the Fifth Congressional [Type here] District and shall also include any member of the state Constitution and Bylaws Commission residing within the Fifth Congressional District. § 2. Bylaws Bylaws concerning matters not expressly governed by or in conflict with this constitution or Minnesota election laws may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Fifth District Central Committee members voting on the question, provided that a quorum is present, and further provided that such bylaws were considered at the previous meeting of the central committee and a notice of intent to consider the bylaws was included in the meeting notice. Bylaws may also be adopted by a majority vote of any Fifth District DFL convention. [Type here] PROPOSED CHANGES FOR NEW CD5 CONSTITUTION DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY OF MINNESOTA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS As adopted by the convention on May 3, 2014 April 21, 2012 Preamble We, the members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (henceforth "DFL") Party in the Fifth Congressional District, State of Minnesota, in convention assembled, in order to organize and perpetuate a representative, effective and responsible DFL Party in the Fifth Congressional District, affiliate with and advance the interests of the national Democratic Party, sustain and advance the principles of liberal democracy, and uphold human and civil rights and constitutional government, do establish this constitution. Article I Name, Membership, Eligibility for Office § 1. Name The name of this organization shall be the Fifth Congressional District Organization of the DFL Party. § 2. Purpose The purposes of this organization shall be (4) to search for, endorse, and elect a Democratic congressional representative for the Fifth District, (5) to encourage and aid in cooperation between the senate district organizations in the Fifth District, and (6) to represent the interests of the Fifth District DFL members to the government of Minnesota and to the DFL Party. § 3. Membership Membership is open to all residents of the Fifth Congressional District who support the principles of the DFL Party and are not active in any other political party. § 4. Eligibility for Party Office Persons who meet the requirements of Article I, Section 3, are eligible for election to any party office. Article II Subordination § 1. Subordination This constitution and any bylaws adopted pursuant to it are subordinate to the State DFL Constitution and Bylaws, to the Official Call, and to the National Democratic Convention charter and committee rules on the selection of delegates to the national convention. All matters not governed by this constitution or by a bylaw shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Article III General Rules, Policy [Type here] § 1. Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion The Fifth District chair, the affirmative action officer, and all other DFL Party officials shall take proactive steps to encourage traditionally underrepresented constituencies to actively participate in party affairs and to seek election as delegates, officers, and members of party committees. These affirmative efforts shall be directed to special constituencies, including low and moderate income persons, youths, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, AfricanAmericans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Chicano/Latino Americans, Native Americans, LGBT Persons, and all other underrepresented groups, and shall ensure equal gender division pursuant to state party rules. The district central committee shall consider and adopt, implement, and evaluate an affirmative action plan each biennium. District party officers shall inform members of such special constituencies how to participate effectively in the selection processes. Further, all party members are encouraged to select members of such constituencies when voting, to the end that their constituencies be represented on delegations, in committees, and as party officers in reasonable proportion to their presence in the congressional district. To this end, an affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion statement shall be read and explained when meetings are convened and immediately before electing officers and delegates at all precinct caucuses and conventions and shall be included in the calls to conventions. Bylaw A. Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion Commission. The Fifth District affirmative action officer shall convene at least once each year the Fifth District Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion Commission composed of (1) the Fifth District affirmative action officer, (2) the affirmative action/outreach officers of each senate district located in whole or in part within the Fifth Congressional District, (3) the affirmative action/outreach officers of each DFL Party organizations established for a county or city located in whole or in part within the Fifth Congressional District, and (4) any member of the state Outreach and Inclusion Committee Affirmative Action Commission residing within the Fifth Congressional District. To assist in the implementation of affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion, the Fifth District Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion Commission shall: (6) Ensure that each senate district prepares a senate district affirmative action plan containing specific and documented steps to encourage full access, participation and representation of all groups in the DFL Party at the senate district level. (7) Advise and assist the Fifth District affirmative action officer in the preparation of the Fifth District affirmative action plan containing specific and documented steps to encourage full access, participation, and representation of all constituencies in the DFL Party in the Fifth District. (8) Develop and implement strategies and activities for community-wide education, training, and outreach, including the dissemination of educational and party materials (such as the DFL Call and DFL Constitution) to DFL members at all levels. (9) Coordinate the implementation of affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion strategies and activities within and among the congressional district, senate district, and the city DFL Party organizations. (10) Be responsible for informing members of the DFL Party regarding the availability of challenges to delegations and officers based on [Type here] noncompliance with the affirmative action plan at each level and shall serve as a resource to any affected person or persons who wish to make a challenge on that basis to the State DFL Outreach Affirmative Action Officer. § 2. Qualifications for Voting To vote in conventions and endorsing commissions, a delegate must be a resident of the area encompassed by the convention or endorsing commission at the time of the convention or endorsing commission. § 3. Instruction and Voting of Delegates No delegate shall be required to cast a vote contrary to his or her expressed preference. No precinct caucus or convention can bind its delegates to vote in a certain way at a later convention. Each delegate shall cast his or her vote independent of the other members of the delegation. No prorating or voting by proxy shall be allowed at any meeting or convention of any party organization. Balloting at any convention or endorsing commission, when called for, shall be by delegations, and shall be open and not secret, but a written ballot may be called for by the chair, or moved and then supported by one third of the delegates voting, provided the ballot is signed. § 4. Registration Fees No registration fee shall be required at any caucus, convention, or endorsing commission within the Fifth Congressional District. Voluntary donations to cover the costs of the meeting shall be encouraged. § 5. Endorsements Endorsement of a candidate for public office requires a 60% affirmative vote of those delegates voting on that ballot, excluding blanks and abstentions, at the convention, central committee, or endorsing commission making the endorsement. Every ballot shall be a test of quorum. An endorsement made before the primary is valid after the primary only if the candidate's name appears on the general election ballot. In the event that a non-endorsed candidate is the winner of a primary, a post-primary convention, endorsing commission or central committee meeting may be called for the purpose of considering an endorsement and, if called, must be held within 18 days after the primary. In the absence of any direction to the contrary by a convention or endorsing commission, a central committee may endorse between such conventions or endorsing commissions. Such endorsement must otherwise conform to the rules governing endorsement by the convention and can only be granted by a 60% majority of central committee members present and voting. Such endorsement may be made only at a central committee meeting properly called with sufficient notice, including official notice of intent to endorse. A quorum for endorsement of a congressional candidate shall be 50% of the membership of the central committee. After an endorsement, the Fifth District DFL may provide funds and organizational support only to the endorsed candidates. § 6. Party Training, Development, and Outreach [Type here] The Fifth District Chair and all other officers at all levels shall undertake a communitywide education/training/outreach program on the precinct caucus/convention process. This program shall work with existing community organizations. This training shall continue and be offered to elected delegates, alternates, and party officers between each level of convention. This training shall be open to all DFLers. § 7. Accessibility All Fifth Congressional District DFL Executive and Central Committees meetings, conventions, and pre-convention committees will be held in public buildings accessible to persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Buildings which by their character prevent open discussion of any issue are not suitable locations. If commercial establishments are utilized, unionized establishments shall be given priority in site consideration. Wherever possible, meetings will be held at locations accessible to public transportation. At least 75% of Fifth Congressional District DFL fundraisers and other public events will be held at accessible sites as defined by the Minnesota State DFL Constitution and Bylaws. Official notices will address the accessibility status of the site on all such events. Where practical, selected sites should be within the boundaries of the Fifth Congressional District. Every meeting notice or call to convention or endorsing commission shall include information regarding the name of the person to contact, how to contact that person, and the deadline for requesting reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Article IV Congressional District Convention § 1. Convention A convention composed of delegates and alternates to the state convention elected from and residing in the Fifth Congressional District shall be held in each even-numbered year. A majority of the delegates and alternates seated as delegates shall constitute a quorum. Bylaw A. All Fifth Congressional District officers and directors in good standing under Article VIII, Section I of this constitution and all Fifth Congressional District delegates and alternates to state party standing committees commissions shall serve as nonvoting delegates to each Fifth Congressional District convention. § 2. Credentials Challenges All credentials challenges against delegates or alternates shall be decided by a majority vote of delegates and upgraded alternates. No challenged delegate or alternate may vote on the validity of his or her own credentials. No delegation shall vote on a challenge to that delegation's seating. § 3. Convention Call The time, date, and place of a convention shall be determined by the Fifth District chair or a majority of the executive committee. The chair shall ensure that written notice, including the time, date, and place of the convention, the names of the convention conveners, and other pertinent information, be mailed or presented to all delegates, alternates, and others at the discretion of the chair, at least 10 days before the convention. § 4. Convention Committees Bylaw A. The Executive Committee shall make arrangements for preconvention committees for the Fifth District convention, including the appointment of committee [Type here] conveners. Preconvention committees for the Fifth Congressional District convention shall be elected by and from among the delegates and alternates to the 5th Congressional District convention. Each committee shall consist of two delegates and two alternates from each senate district wholly or partially within the Fifth District. Bylaw B. Preconvention committees may include committees on arrangements, constitution, nominations, rules, endorsements, or other committees as considered necessary by the Fifth District executive committee. Bylaw C. The first order of business at each committee shall be the election of a permanent committee chair. For the district convention, the rules committee, and constitution committee shall provide a written copy of their report for each delegate before the delivery of their report to the convention. Bylaw D. The nominations committee shall not recommend its members as candidates for party office or state pre-convention committees or state party standing committees commissions unless no other candidates are available. § 5. Convention Business The convention shall elect congressional district party officers, and it may endorse a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. In presidential election years, the convention shall nominate a presidential elector, an alternate presidential elector, and national convention delegates and alternates in accordance with the rules and directives of the State DFL Party and National Democratic Committee. The convention may adopt resolutions and adopt or amend a constitution and may conduct such other party business as may properly come before it. Bylaw A. The Fifth District chair shall act as convener of the convention. Bylaw B. Convention rules shall be approved by a majority of delegates and upgraded alternates. Bylaw C. At all conventions and endorsing commissions, alternates and visitors must be clearly separated from officially accredited delegates. Bylaw D. A delegate vacancy shall exist if a delegate moves his or her legal residence from the senate district in which he or she was elected. In case a delegate moves from one senate district to another within the Fifth Congressional District, he or she will become the last alternate in the senate district of his or her new residence. Article V Officers § 1. Officers The Fifth Congressional District DFL Party officers shall consist of a chair, an associate vice chair (not of the same gender as the chair), an affirmative action officer, a secretary, a treasurer, an affirmative action officer, and at least 12 directors at large. The affirmative action officer shall be the outreach officer for the purposes of the State DFL Constitution and Bylaws. These officers shall be gender balanced. The officers shall have such authority and perform such [Type here] duties as the applicable bylaws may prescribe. The officers shall be elected by the district convention. Proportional voting may be requested for the election of directors. Bylaw A. The chair shall be the chief executive officer of the Fifth District party. The chair shall be empowered to convene and conduct meetings of the central committee and executive committee and shall also convene the Fifth District convention. The chair shall be responsible for implementing the accessibility requirements of Article III, § Section 7. Bylaw B. The associate vice chair shall aid the chair and shall fulfill the duties of the chair in the absence or inability to act of the chair. Bylaw CE. The affirmative action officer shall prepare and enforce the district's affirmative action plan, as provided in Article III, Section 1, and shall develop, coordinate, and ensure implementation of specific activities designed to promote ongoing and increased access to and participation of traditionally underrepresented constituencies in party affairs. The affirmative action officer shall be responsible for maintaining a list of resources available for persons with disabilities. Bylaw DC. The secretary shall: (1) keep minutes of all central and executive committee meetings, (2) keep records of all official district actions, (3) prepare all necessary documents, (4) prepare and send all official Fifth District correspondence, (5) notify all members of central and executive committee meetings, and (6) send copies of revised constitution and minutes of conventions to the State DFL office for permanent recording. Bylaw ED. The treasurer shall: (1) manage all party funds, (2) submit a full written report of receipts and disbursements to each central and executive committee meeting and the Fifth District convention, and (3) submit all records to the auditing committee for an audit at least annually, or more frequently as requested by the central or executive committee. The treasurer shall also complete and submit any report on party finances or campaign contributions required by agencies of the state or federal government. Bylaw F. The order of temporary succession shall be chair, associate vice chair, affirmative action officer, secretary, treasurer, affirmative action officer, and directors in order of their appearance on the report of the convention at which they are elected. Article VI Central and Executive Committees § 1. Congressional District Central Committee Between conventions, the Central Committee may declare and fill vacancies among district party officers according to Article VIII. A quorum shall consist of 20% of the elected delegates with one third of the whole or partial senate districts represented. The Congressional District Central Committee shall include [Type here] the Executive Committee and those members of the State Central Committee residing in the district of each senate district or portions thereof. § 2. Congressional District Executive Committee The Congressional District Executive Committee shall consist of the Congressional District officers, the two highest ranking officers of each Senate District (ranked chair, associate vice chair, affirmative action/outreach officer, secretary, and treasurer, and affirmative action officer) residing in the Fifth Congressional District. Any Senate District partially within the Fifth Congressional District with no officers residing in the Fifth Congressional District may elect one member to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall include all members of the State Executive Committee residing in the Fifth Congressional District. The Executive Committee may designate a member of the Executive Committee to serve as the Deputy Treasurer, who shall assist the Treasurer and who shall assume the duties of the Treasurer if the office of the Treasurer becomes vacant. The Deputy Treasurer will relinquish the duties of the Treasurer upon the filling of the vacancy of the Treasurer. Bylaw A. The Central Committee shall meet at least semiannually. The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly. The committees may be called by the chair, by one-eighth of the membership of the Central Committee, or by a majority of the Executive Committee. Notice of meeting, specifying time and place, shall be sent in writing by U.S. mail to all members of the committee not less than 10 days in advance of the meeting, or not less than 72 hours in advance of the meeting if given by telephone, personal delivery, express mail, e-mail, or any other method with guaranteed arrival at least 72 hours in advance. Bylaw B. The Central Committee shall be responsible for the management of party affairs in the district, subject to the control of the governing convention. Bylaw C. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the administration and organization of party affairs within the district, subject to the control and direction of the Fifth District convention and the central committee. Bylaw D. The Executive Committee shall also appoint an auditing committee, composed of three members of the organization not on the Executive Committee, to thoroughly review the financial statements and supporting documents of the organization before the convention, and the report of this committee shall be delivered at the convention. Article VII City Party Organizations Any city wholly within the Fifth Congressional District may organize a central committee to serve as the governing body for party affairs between city conventions. The city central committee may propose its own constitution that is not inconsistent with this constitution, the state DFL constitution, or law for consideration at the next city convention. Members of city central committee shall be those members of the Fifth District Central Committee residing in the city and others as provided in the city DFL constitution. The chair of the city central committee shall be the highest ranking Fifth District officer residing in the city unless otherwise provided in the city DFL constitution. [Type here] Article VIII Vacancies § 1. Declaring Vacancies The central committee is responsible for declaring and filling vacancies in its membership elected at its governing convention, in the position of district presidential elector nominee, in the congressional district delegation to the national convention, and in the position of endorsed congressional candidate. A vacancy exists for the following reasons: resignation, resignation by absence, death, change of residence to a place outside the Fifth Congressional District, election to a different position that confers membership on the central committee, or dismissal for cause as provided in Section 2. A majority vote is sufficient to declare a vacancy at a meeting properly called with notice of intent to fill a vacancy. Only those vacancies specified in the meeting notice may be filled at the meeting. Vacancies shall be filled within 60 days of their occurrence. In the case of a vacancy of the chair, the associate vice chair shall succeed to the office, and a new associate vice chair shall be elected by the central committee. In the case of vacancies in the position of director, the central committee need not fill the vacancy unless the total is less than 12. Vacancies in other party officer positions shall be filled by the central committee. A designated officer shall provide written notification to a member of the central or executive committee after 2 consecutive unexcused absences, of their respective committee, that an unexcused absence at the next meeting shall be considered a resignation of the position declared vacant. § 2. Dismissals The central committee may dismiss a member, party officer, or other position elected at its governing convention, or a successor, for cause only on the grounds of clear malfeasance or nonfeasance in office. For such dismissal, a two-thirds majority of the vote of the members present and eligible to vote is required, but only after the member is given 30 days written notice specifying the cause and is granted a hearing. § 3. Nonfeasance and Malfeasance Defined Failure of party officers, committee members, or commission members to perform the duties prescribed by governing institutions or bylaws shall constitute nonfeasance and shall constitute cause for dismissal from office as provided in Section 2. Malfeasance shall include but not be limited to personal endorsement, financial assistance, or other support or assistance by a party officer, committee members, or commission members to a candidate running in opposition to an endorsed DFL candidate. § 4. Disposition of Party Records Upon leaving office, a party officer shall turn over all records, books, and properties of the party to the successor or to the body responsible for naming a successor. Article IX Amendments and Bylaws § 1. Amendments This constitution may be amended by a majority of any convention of the Fifth Congressional District Organization where consideration of the constitution is indicated as part of the call. [Type here] Bylaw A. Constitution and Bylaws Commission. The Fifth District Constitution and Bylaws Commission shall have as minimum objectives: (1) Perform periodic reviews of superior documents with a view towards resolving any conflicts. (2) Recommend refinements and changes to the Constitution and the Bylaws. (3) To that end, continue on an ongoing basis drafting of revisions to the Fifth District Constitution and Bylaws and to report such recommended changes to the Fifth Congressional District Convention. The Fifth District Constitution and Bylaws Commission shall consist of two delegates selected by each Senate District wholly or partially within the Fifth Congressional District and shall also include any member of the state Constitution, and Bylaws, and Rules Committee Commission residing within the Fifth Congressional District. § 2. Bylaws Bylaws concerning matters not expressly governed by or in conflict with this constitution or Minnesota election laws may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Fifth District Central Committee members voting on the question, provided that a quorum is present, and further provided that such bylaws were considered at the previous meeting of the central committee and a notice of intent to consider the bylaws was included in the meeting notice. Bylaws may also be adopted by a majority vote of any Fifth District DFL convention. [Type here] CD5 DFL Party Treasurer’s Report Convention – May 3, 2014 For the period since 2012 Convention -- 04/01/2012 – 03/31/2014 Beginning Checking Account Balance – 03/31/2012 3,596.37 INCOME Heart Of The Party:Sponsors $ 9,150.00 32 % Heart Of The Party:Tickets 8,170.00 29 % Convention Income (2012) 3,411.55 12 % Contributions: Sample Ballot Contributions 1,500.00 Phoning Contributions 1,535.00 Meeting Contributions 322.27 11 % National Delegates FR event 2,256.00 8 %% HHH Dinner tickets 1,000.00 4 % Founders Day Dinner tickets 1,000.00 4 % TOTAL INCOME ____________________ ________________ 28,444.82 EXPENSES Heart Of The Party Expenses 12,364.90 Coordinated Campaign: Sample Ballot Donation 4,500.00 HHH/Founders Day 2,000.00 Convention Expenses (2012) 2,283.77 National Delegates Event expenses 2,171.07 Misc, other expenses 156.90 TOTAL EXPENSES OVERALL CHANGE [Type here] ____________________ 100 % 53 % 27 % 10 % 9% ________________ 23,476.64 ================ +4,968.18 100 % Ending Checking Account Balance – 03/31/2014 $ 8,564.55 Tim Bonham, Treasurer [Type here]