Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Environment and Climate Caucus of the Washington State Democratic Party (ECC).

Article II – Purpose and Objective

Section 1: Mission

Through research, education, outreach and collaboration, the Environment and Climate Caucus (ECC) advocates for legislation and policy that protects the environment and supports effective responses to mitigate and adapt to climate change. We work with a diverse community of stakeholders including other WSDCC[1] caucuses.

Section 2: Relationship to Washington State Democratic Party

The ECC is a constituency caucus of the Washington State Democratic Party, established by the WSDCC, consisting of individuals who are deeply concerned about environmental protection and the impact of climate change. The ECC will conduct business according to these Bylaws and consistent with the Charter and Bylaws of the Washington State Democratic State Party, applicable state and federal laws governing State Party activities, and other provisions adopted pursuant to the authority of the Charter and Bylaws, including rules adopted by the SCC relating to Constituency Caucuses. WSDCC rules take precedence over any provision of these bylaws.

Article III – Membership and Dues

Section 1:  Membership Levels

Any Democrat who is a resident of Washington State committed to protecting the environment and addressing climate change is eligible for Membership. Membership is available at two levels: ECC Friends are added to the ECC Mailing List; ECC Voting Members either register and pay dues, as determined annually by ECC, or register and receive a dues waiver. Voting Members may receive additional communications. Members must support the principles and goals of the Democratic Party, as expressed in the Charter.

Section 2:  Membership Term

The term of membership for ECC Friends continues as long as their email is subscribed and valid. The term of membership for ECC Voting Members shall be for a calendar year with renewals at the January meeting.

Section 3:  Membership Dues

Membership dues are set by the membership. Individuals experiencing economic hardship may become ECC Voting Members by registering and paying dues in an amount they are able to afford, including $0.

Section 4:  Membership Meetings

Membership meetings shall be held in conjunction with each WSDCC meeting and may also be called by the chair or by request of a majority of the Executive Board upon ten days’ notice. Membership meetings may provide for participation by electronic means. Voting Members shall be notified of membership meetings by email or phone. A quorum shall consist of no fewer than ten (10) Voting Members.

Section 5:  Voting

A. Only Voting Members in good standing of the ECC shall be entitled to cast a vote at membership meetings. Voting Members in good standing will register and have current contact information on file and will have paid current dues or reduced dues.

B. An individual must be a Voting Member in good standing for thirty (30) days before being permitted to cast a vote.

C. Electronic voting may be permitted.

Section 6: Removal for Cause

Any member may be removed consistent with i-iv below after given notice by the ECC Chair or at the direction of the Executive Board. Removal for items B-D require a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board and an affirmative vote of a majority of the entire ECC Voting Membership at a noticed ECC meeting.

A. At their private or public request

B. For Code of Conduct violations;

C. For egregious behavior;

D. By formal request of the WSDCC

Article IV – Officers

Section 1:  Officers

Members shall elect officers, consisting of a Chair, a Western Washington Vice-Chair, an Eastern Washington Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Technology Officer, a Membership Chair, a Communications Chair, a Bylaws and Rules Chair, an Endorsement Chair, Resolutions Chair, and up to four (4) at-large Executive Board Members.

Section 2:  Elections of Officers and Term of Office

A.  All reasonable efforts shall be taken to ensure that the board is gender and geographically diverse.

B.  Nominations and election of Officers and Executive Board Members shall take place at the meeting held in conjunction with the Reorganizational Meeting of the WSDCC. Those elected shall serve for two (2) consecutive years. Terms shall begin when elected.

C.  No member of the Executive Board shall hold more than one officer position at a time. Officers may chair standing committees.

D.  The Chair may make a temporary interim appointment to fill a vacancy on the Executive Board and will call for an election at the next noticed meeting.

E.  If for any reason the Chair is unable to finish the term, the board will elect an acting chair to serve until the next ECC meeting held in conjunction with the next WSDCC meeting. At that time those Voting Members present and voting will elect a replacement chair for the remainder of the term.

F. Any officer or executive board member may be removed consistent with i-vi below after given notice by the ECC Chair or at the direction of the Executive Board. Removal for item ii requires a 2/3 vote of the ECC Executive Board. Removal for items iii-v require a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board and an affirmative vote of a majority of the entire ECC Voting Membership at a noticed ECC meeting.

i. At their private or public request

ii. For missing three (3) consecutive ECC membership or Executive Board meetings;

iii. For inability to carry out officer duties;

iv. For Code of Conduct violations;

v. For egregious behavior

Section 3:  Duties of Officers

A.  Chair

(1)  The Chair or their designee shall convene and conduct all meetings of the ECC.

(2)  The Chair is charged with the responsibility of implementing all policies of the organization. The Chair is responsible for directing the organization in a manner consistent with the purpose of the ECC as set forth in these By-Laws and consistent with the Charter and Bylaws of the Washington State Democratic State Party, applicable state and federal laws governing State Party activities, and other provisions adopted pursuant to the authority of the Charter and Bylaws, including rules adopted by the SCC relating to Constituency Caucuses.

(3)  The Chair shall present the draft agenda for each Membership Meeting to the Membership no fewer than seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

(4)  Standing Committees may be created and their chair appointed by the ECC Chair. (See Article VI)

(5)  The ECC Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

(6)  The Chair may appoint a Parliamentarian, Sergeant-at-Arms or other officials as deemed necessary at meetings.

(7)  The Chair shall be the authorized spokesperson for the ECC and may compose and/or authorize press releases consistent with the requirements of the Washington State Democratic Party and Rules for Constituency Caucuses, Public Communication.

(8)  The Chair shall authorize and approve expenditures within the approved budget limits for purposes consistent with the purpose of the ECC.

B.  Vice Chairs

(1)  The ranking Vice Chair shall be the Vice Chair of the region in which the meeting is being held.

(2)  In the absence of the Chair, the ranking Vice Chair shall assume all duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Chair.

(3) The Vice Chairs shall prepare the WSDCC required Constituency Caucus Annual Report on caucus activities and upcoming objectives in time for review by the ECC Executive Board prior to submission, by the ECC Treasurer, to the State Party Chair by December 1.

(4)  The Vice Chairs shall perform any and all duties in furtherance of the purpose of the ECC as directed by the Chair.

C.  Secretary

(1)  The Secretary shall take notes at meetings, including attendance, and shall provide written minutes for corrections and/or additions by fourteen (14) days after the meeting at which they were taken. After all corrections/changes are made, they will be presented for final approval at the next regularly scheduled membership meeting.

(2)  The Secretary shall place all records, including correspondence, reports, press releases and publications in the ECC archives. These records will be made available to the membership upon request.

D.  Treasurer

(1)  The Treasurer is responsible for managing ECC funds.

(2)  The Treasurer shall prepare a quarterly Financial Report on all finances of the ECC to be presented at noticed membership meetings.

(3)  The Treasurer shall receive funds and disburse properly authorized expenditures for the organization as required.

(4)  The Treasurer shall prepare and file all Public Disclosure Commission Reports and other financial reports, as required by law.

(5) The treasurer shall prepare the WSDP required annual Constituency Caucus Financial Report and upcoming fundraising objectives in time for review by the ECC Executive Board and will submit it with the ECC Annual Report to the State Party Chair by December 1.

E.  Technology Officer

(1)  The Technology Officer is responsible for ensuring electronic connectivity and off-site participation for all Membership and Executive Board meetings.

(2)  The Technology Officer, together with the Communication Officer, is responsible for maintaining the ECC’s digital communications infrastructure, such as a website, social media accounts, email lists, and similar tools.

(3)  The Technology Officer provides technical assistance during meetings as needed.

F. Membership Chair

(1) The Membership Chair is responsible for maintaining the organization’s Membership and Voting Member rosters and providing membership services including meeting check-in and credentialing if needed, as determined by the chair or the Executive Board.

(2) The Membership Chair shall notify the WSDCC Secretary and state party affairs staff of any new officer or officer contact information changes within ten days.

G. Communication Chair

(1) The Communication Chair is responsible for communicating with the membership, including posting timely meeting announcements, using the website, social media accounts, email lists, and similar tools.

(2) The Communication Chair is responsible for submitting press releases when directed by the Chair.

H. Rules and Bylaws Chair

(1) The Rules and Bylaws Chair is responsible for answering questions about the bylaws and rules at Executive Board and Membership meeting.

(2) The Rules and Bylaws Chair is responsible for recording amendments to these bylaws and, when amendments are made, providing a full copy of the amended bylaws to the State Party Secretary within fourteen days of the change. If the State Party Secretary identified deficiencies in the amended bylaws then the Rules and Bylaws Chair shall propose to the membership revisions to address the identified deficiencies.

(3) The Rules and Bylaws Chair is responsible for reviewing rules to ensure consistency with ECC Bylaws and Washington State Democratic Party requirements.

(4) The Rules and Bylaws Chair provides bylaw update recommendations to the Executive Board and Membership as requested by the ECC membership or Executive Board.

I. Resolutions Chair

(1) The Resolution Chair chairs the Resolution Committee.

(2) The Resolution Chair is responsible for ensuring Resolution Rules are available, approved by the membership, calendared timely to meet the WSDCC submission deadlines, and followed throughout the resolution process.

(3) The Resolution Chair is responsible for sending approved resolutions to the Technology Chair for archiving with ECC records and to the Communication Chair for publication.

J. Endorsement Chair

(1) The Endorsement Chair chairs the Endorsement Committee.

(2) The Endorsement Chair is responsible for ensuring Endorsement Rules are available, approved by the membership, and followed throughout the endorsement process.

(3) The Endorsement Chair is responsible for sending approved ECC endorsements to the Technology Chair for archiving with ECC records and to the Communication Chair for publication.

Article V Executive Board

Section 1: The ECC Executive Board is composed of the elected ECC officers and elected or membership approved chairs of standing committees.

Section 2: An individual may fulfill multiple Executive Board positions, but each individual is entitled to just one vote.

Section 3: The Executive Board meets on a regular basis for the purpose of planning and directing the policy and activities of the organization. Meetings are called by the Chair or at the request of fifty percent (50%) of the Executive Board members.

Section 4: The Executive Board is responsible for the preparation of an annual budget. Approval of the budget requires a simple majority of those present and voting at a noticed membership meeting.

Section 5: The Executive Board has final authority for external communications including:

(1)   Moderating social media and websites belonging to the ECC, and

(2)   Ensuring compliance with WSD Rules for Constituency Caucuses Section III. Public Communication, including using WSDP provided language.

Section 6: A majority of the Executive Board constitutes a quorum at its meetings.

Section 7: If necessary, officers may participate electronically in Executive Board meetings.

Section 8: Notice of regular Executive Board meetings is published to the membership. These meetings are open to all Members and Friends. Whenever possible, Executive Board meetings should be available electronically, in real time, to members.

Article VI: Standing Committees

Section 1: Standing Committees may be established from time to time in response to recognized needs, either by motion of the Voting Members or by the ECC Chair.

Section 2: Standing committee chairs are appointed by the ECC Chair as needed, with the approval of the Executive Board. Standing Committee chairs serve on the Executive Board if elected or approved by more than fifty percent (50%) of all members present during a Membership Meeting (in person or via electronic communication).

Section 3: The existence and function of Standing Committees is flexible, depending on recognized needs, availability of members with the requisite time and skills, and legislative and political priorities. Examples of Standing Committees include: Legislative Action, Outreach, Liaison to Urban Area, Liaison to Rural Area, Liaison to any specific organization, Liaison for any recognized area of interest, etc.

Section 4: In the absence of a Standing Committee Chair, the ECC Chair may appoint any member to be responsible for any of the functions that would normally be part of that role.

Section 5: Standing Committees are encouraged to propose standing rules pertaining to their function.

Article VII Endorsements

Section 1: The organization may make endorsements of candidates or take positions on ballot proposals within the applicable rules of the WSDCC and DNC.

Section 2: The organization will adopt standing rules on Endorsements.

Section 3: Endorsements by the ECC will not include monetary contributions to candidates or ballot initiatives.

Article VIII – Amendments to the By-Laws

Section 1:  Amendments, Changes and Conflicts

A.  Amendments to these By-Laws require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the ECC Voting Members present and voting after discussion at a noticed ECC meeting or an affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Voting Membership of the ECC.

B.  Proposed amendments to the By-laws may be made by the Rules and Bylaw Committee, or submitted by ECC Voting Members or the WSDCC Rules Chair. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board at least fourteen (14) days before the next ECC membership meeting; the Executive Board must then publish the proposed bylaws amendment in the 10-day meeting notice. Proposed amendments meeting these criteria will be on the agenda for discussion and voting at the next ECC membership meeting.

C.  Should any aspect of these By-Laws conflict with the rules of the WSDCC the rules of the WSDCC shall prevail.

D. ECC shall provide a full copy of the amended bylaws to the State Party Secretary within fourteen days of any change for review and approval by the Rules and Bylaws Committee and ECC shall correct any deficiencies noted during their review.

Article IX – Parliamentary Authority

Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the meetings of the ECC in all cases applicable and where they are not in conflict with the rules of this organization, in which case the rules of this organization shall apply.