WHAT: 23RD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT REORGANIZATION MEETING
WHEN: SUNDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2006, 4 – 6 PM
WHERE: POULSBO FIRE STATION, HIGHWAY 305, POULSBO
AGENDA
1) Call to order by the Chair
2) Chair’s report
3) Treasurer’s report
4) Election of Chairperson pro tem
5) Election of Officers for 2007 – 2008
A. Chair
B. Vice-Chair
C. Treasurer
D. State Legislative District Committeeman
E. State Legislative District Committeewoman
6) Adoption of Bylaws
7) New Business
8) Adjournment
Why a Reorganization Meeting? Every two years following a presidential or congressional election, the Democratic Party reorganizes itself in a special meeting. All officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, State Legislative District Committeeman and State Legislative District Committeewoman) are replaced in an election in which any Democrat may make a nomination or run for a position, but only elected Precinct Committee Officers (PCO’s) can determine the outcome.
What is a Precinct Committee Officer? A Precinct Committee Officer is a unique position amongst elected officials. Running for office in the smallest political district, the precinct, their constituents are neighbors, friends, and the folks who live on the next block or down the road. Of all our elected representatives, they are the closest to the grassroots of democracy, and their task is to represent those people as the Democratic Party organizes itself, takes a position on issues of public policy, and chooses candidates. PCO’s have a central role in shaping the political debate and in electing candidate to enact public policy based on that debate.
A PCO’s first official action is the election of officers at our 23rd Legislative District Reorganization Meeting. They will also take part in the Kitsap County Reorganization Meeting in January.
How is Business Conducted at a Reorganization Meeting? The meeting begins with a “State of the 23rd” report from the outgoing Chair and a fiscal report from the outgoing Treasurer. The current Chair then appoints a “Secretary pro tem” to record the proceedings and presides over the election of a person to serve as “Chair pro tem”, who oversees the election of new officers. Neither the Chair pro tem nor the Secretary pro tem are eligible for election to any office. That ends the responsibilities of the current officers and begins the election of new officers.
The body will then elect a new Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, State Committeeman, and State Committeewoman. Any member of the 23rd Legislative District may make a nomination for office, and any member of the 23rd Legislative District may be nominated for office (except the Chair and Vice-Chair must be of opposite gender).
A statutory requirement of Washington State allows for only elected Precinct Committee Officers to cast a ballot for the election of officers. Elections require a 50% + 1 majority and are by signed ballot unless uncontested, when they may be by voice vote.
At the conclusion of the election of officers, the newly elected Chair takes over business from the Chair pro tem. The Chair appoints a Secretary and may appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms and Parliamentarian. The last order of reorganization is the approval of the bylaws, followed by any new business before the body.
What Happens Next? At the first regular meeting subsequent to the biennial organizational meeting eight people will be elected to join the newly elected officers to form the 23rd LD Executive Board. The Executive Board makes policy recommendations to the 23rd as a whole and conducts business between meetings.
How is the Executive Board Election Conducted? Any Democrat residing in the district is eligible to run for the Executive Board with the following restrictions: At least one person must be elected from each school district (Bremerton, Central Kitsap, North Kitsap, and Bainbridge). No more than five of the elected members may be of the same gender. In addition to PCO’s, all members in good standing may vote on the election of the Executive Board members.
What is a “Member in Good Standing”? A member in good standing is one that has paid annual dues. In the 23rd LD, those who have paid dues are eligible to vote on all matters (approvals and endorsements of candidates and ballot measures, expenditures of funds, resolutions, etc.) except those prescribed by law to PCO’s (election of officers and appointments to partisan office). Elected PCO’s are considered members in good standing. Dues in the 23rd Legislative District are $24 per year.
In the last few years Democrats in the 23rd Legislative District have been recognized as one of the leading political organizations in Washington State. We have laid a firm foundation that is reflected in the election of quality candidates such as Jay Inslee, Phil Rockefeller, Sherry Appleton, Christine Rolfes, and Chris Endresen. The next two years is the time to build on that foundation and realize the potential we have to lead our community into a better future for everyone. We hope you will join us for the beginning.
