7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC PARTY BYLAWS
Approved by the 7th Congressional District Executive Committee on March 22, 2025.
ARTICLE I. NAME
This organization shall be known as the 7th Congressional District Democratic Party. It shall consist of the District Executive Committee, the District Committee, all members of the Michigan Democratic Party, and all duly elected Democratic precinct delegates residing in the 7th Congressional District.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the 7th District Democratic Party is to promote the philosophy of the Democratic Party and to elect Democrats who support this philosophy; and, further, to unite and to aid in the activities of all Party members, precinct delegates, committees, officeholders, candidates and all other Democrats working to promote broad and active participation in the Democratic Party.
ARTICLE III. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Section 1. All public meetings of the 7th District Democratic Party at all levels shall be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 2. No tests for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the 7th District Democratic Party shall be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 3. The time and place for all public meetings of the 7th District Democratic Party on all levels shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Whether in-person or online, such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.
Section 4. The 7th District Democratic Party, on all levels, shall support the broadest possible participation without discrimination on the grounds of actual or perceived race, color, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, economic status, religion, ethnic identity, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance or disability.
Section 5. The 7th District Democratic Party shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical procedures for selecting 7th District Democratic Party officers and representatives on all levels. Publication of those procedures shall be done so that all prospective and current members of the 7th District Democratic Party will be fully and adequately informed of the proper course in time to participate in each selection procedure at all levels of the 7th District Democratic Party organization.
Section 6. The 7th District Democratic Party shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications for all officers and representatives of the 7th District Democratic Party. Such publication shall be done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within the 7th District Democratic Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.
Section 7. Proportional voting shall be used in the election of delegates and alternates to any Convention, delegates and alternates of the Democratic State Central Committee, and members of the District Executive Committee.
Section 8. All rules and bylaws of the 7th District Democratic Party at all levels shall be consistent with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party and shall be available on request in writing to any member of the 7th District Democratic Party.
Section 9. The unit rule is prohibited at all levels of the 7th District Democratic Party.
Section 10. No rule shall be adopted at any level of the 7th District Democratic Party requiring a person to cast a vote contrary to that person’s judgment.
Section 11. On all questions of procedure not resolved by the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party or these Bylaws, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used.
Section 12. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of any unit, Committee, Caucus or Convention of the 7th District Democratic Party shall be of a different gender.
Section 13. Votes shall not be taken by secret ballot at any meeting of the 7th District Democratic Party at any level.
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership of the 7th District Democratic Party shall consist of all duly elected Democratic precinct delegates and members of the Michigan Democratic Party residing in the 7th District and the 7th District Democratic Committee, Executive Committee and Officers, all of whom must be members of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Section 2. Precinct delegates shall be apportioned and selected in accordance with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Section 3. The Officers, Executive Committee and District Committees shall be selected in accordance with the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular meetings of the 7th District Executive Committee shall be on the day, time and place/manner (in-person or online) designated in the meeting notice. At least five (5) days' notice shall be given of the date, time and place/manner of the meeting. Notice may be provided by mail or email. A quorum shall exist at an Executive Committee meeting when a majority of the Executive Committee members are present.
Section 2. The full 7th District Committee shall meet periodically to review the activities of the Executive Committee. At least five (5) days' notice shall be given of the date, time and place/manner of the meeting. Notice may be provided by mail or email.
Section 3. Special meetings of the Executive or District Committee may be called by a majority of the members of the Executive Committee or District Committee, respectively. At least five (5) days' notice shall be given of the special meeting's date, place, time and purpose. Notice may be provided by mail or email.
Section 4. Subject to the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party and these Bylaws, all meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order (latest edition).
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT COMMITTEE
Section 1. During January or February of each odd-numbered year, a District Caucus or Convention will be held on the date set by the State Central Committee to elect a District Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson of a different gender from the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and [at least 15] members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may elect additional officers. If a vacancy occurs on the Executive Committee or among the Officers, the Executive Committee has the authority to fill it. The Executive Committee shall keep minutes of all meetings, which shall be available to all Party members at quarterly District Committee meetings.
Section 2. Within thirty (30) days following the election of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall meet to adopt or readopt bylaws, pass a resolution indicating its acceptance of the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party, and to elect the District Committee. The Officers of the Executive Committee shall serve as Officers of the District Committee. The District Committee shall consist of those members as the Executive Committee may determine, including filling the vacancies. Between meetings of the District Committee, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and perform all the duties of the District Committee, including filling vacancies in nominations as prescribed by law.
Section 3. The Chairperson shall preside at all Executive and District Committee meetings and have such other duties as are usual to the office of District Chairperson, or that may be required by this organization.
Section 4. The Vice-Chairperson shall be a member of a different gender from the Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson in discharging their duties and temporarily assuming the Chairperson's duties and responsibilities in their absence.
Section 5. The Secretary of this organization shall keep an accurate record and minutes of the proceedings of the Executive Committee and District Committee meetings. They shall keep and preserve all the books, documents, correspondence, records, minutes, effects, and any other property of this organization. When a new secretary is elected, the past secretary shall deliver to the newly elected secretary all the aforesaid items kept and preserved during their tenure of office.
The Secretary shall see that proper notification is given to the Executive Committee and District Committee of their meetings.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial receipts and disbursements of this organization subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. The funds of this organization shall be deposited in banks and drawn upon only by checks signed by any two of the following officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The Treasurer shall make financial reports to the Executive Committee as that Committee so directs and shall make them to all District Committee meetings. When a new Treasurer is elected, the past Treasurer shall deliver to the new Treasurer the funds and all the books and records kept during their tenure in office.
Section 7. The Second Vice-Chairperson shall have specific tasks assigned to them by the Chair, depending on the needs of the District Committee at the time.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Chairperson, subject to the approval of the majority of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the committees and chairpersons necessary for the organization's work.
Section 2. Standing Committees shall include the following:
1. Rules and Bylaws Committee
2. Finance Committee
3. Communications Committee
4. Policy and Resolutions Committee
5. Campaign Committee
These committees may include appropriate subcommittees. The Chairperson of the District Party shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
ARTICLE VIII. ORDER OF BUSINESS
At meetings, the business of the organization shall proceed in the following order:
1. Call to Order
2. Minutes of the previous meeting
3. Reports from Officers
a. Chair
b. Vice Chair
c. Secretary (correspondence)
d. Treasurer (financial report)
e. Other officers
4. Reports from committees
5. Unfinished business
6. New business
7. Good and Welfare
8. Adjournment
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposals for changes or amendments to these bylaws shall first be referred to the Rules and Bylaws Committee, which shall report its recommendations to the next regular District Committee meeting or special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 2. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members of the District Committee present at a meeting, provided that written notice setting forth the proposed amendment has been given to all Party members at least two (2) weeks before the date of the meeting.
Section 3. These bylaws shall be in full force and effect upon their adoption. They shall supersede all bylaws, rules, motions and policies of a contrary nature, except for the Rules of the Michigan Democratic Party.