Bylaws

BYLAWS
NameandDefinition
Name and Definition

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ThenameoftheconstitutedbodyshallbetheChathamParty. Definition:TheChathamParty,inEastHampton,isanautonomous, independent,minorparty,asdefinedandestablishedbytheConnecticut SecretaryofState.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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Mission
Mission

13Page 1of 1 ThemissionoftheChathamPartyistodemandandsupporthonesty, openness,integrityandefficiencyamongelectedandappointedofficialsand managersinourlocalgovernment. Theseeffortsaresustainedbyprovidinganindependentvoiceforresidents andvotersinEastHampton.

Achieving the Mission

TheChathamPartymembershipbelievesthemissioncanbestby achievedby: encouragingcitizeninvolvementandactiveparticipationinlocal governmentby listeningtothewishesof citizenswho commentatpublicmeetingsandhearings participatein officiallysponsoredsurveys,and/or writeor callexpressingtheiropinions

supportingfullandopencommunicationanddocumentationof all governmentactivities objectivelyandfactuallyresearchingandestablishingpositionson localissuesthatwillsignificantlyimpactresidents recruitingandendorsingqualifiedcandidatesforelectiveand appointedpositionswhoarecommittedtoadheringtothemissionand shalldemonstrateprofessionalbehaviorintheirconductasexpected bycitizensandvoters planningandconductingpositive,factual,issuesfocusedcampaigns inbehalfofcandidates encouragingcitizenstovoteinreferendaandmunicipalelections solicitingfinancialandinkindcontributionsforthepurposesof advocatingforissues strengtheningtheparty,and fundingelectioncampaigns

assessingourcompliancewiththemissionandourneedtochange,as needed,tostriveforcontinuousimprovementwithinourorganization.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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Organizational Policies
Organizational Policies

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The highest decision making body shall be the membership of the Chatham Party. All members shall be afforded timely and equal opportunity to participate in the formulation of policy, without prejudice on the basis of sex, race, age, religion or ethnic origin, economic status or length of residency. Decisions shall be made as much as possible through a consensus-seeking process. If a consensus cannot be achieved, a simple majority vote of the membership present (Quorum or larger) shall render a decision.

The Chatham Party

Effective Date: September 1, 2011

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Membership
Qualifications

15Page 1of 1 MembershipisopentoallregisteredvotersintheTownofEastHampton whosupportthemissionoftheChathamParty regardlessoftheirparty affiliation. Itisrecommendedthatmembersingoodstanding: attendatleastfiftypercent(50%)ofregularandspecialmeetings, and/or participateinatleasttwo(2)volunteeractivitiesthatdirectlybenefit theChathamPartyineachtwelve(12)monthperiod.

Election of Members

RegisteredvotersinterestedinbecomingmembersoftheChatham Partyshall completeandsubmitamembershipapplicationformandbeendorsedbya currentmemberingoodstanding. CompletedapplicationsshallbesubmittedtotheChairpersonfor considerationandelectionatthenextregularmeetingoftheChathamParty SteeringCommittee.

Removal of Members

MembershipintheChathamPartymaybeterminatedbya membersubmittingaletterofresignationtotheChairpersonor twothirds(2/3)voteoftheChathamPartymembershipifevidenceis foundthatanindividual isactivelyworkingagainstthemissionoftheChathamParty isengaginginconductdetrimentaltothestatusorreputationof theChathamParty hasnotfulfilledtherequirementsofmembership.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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Meetings
Regular Meetings

16Page 1of 1 TheChathamPartyshallholdatleasteight(8)regularmeetingsineach calendaryear. Thetimeandplaceofeachregularmeetingshallbedeterminedbythe Chairperson.

Special Meetings Quorum

SpecialmeetingsoftheChathamPartymaybecalledbytheChairpersonor inhis/herabsence,theViceChairperson. Aquorumshallconsistofatleasttenpercent(10%)oftheexistingChatham Partymembershippresentinperson,includingatleastone(1)electedofficer oftheChathamParty atanyregularorspecialmeeting. Whenneeded,RobertsRulesofOrdershallgovernallparliamentary proceedingsatallmeetingsoftheChathamParty.

Robert s Rules of Order

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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OfficersandElectionofOfficers
Officers

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TheofficersoftheChathamPartyshallconsistofa Chairperson ViceChairperson Treasurer DeputyTreasurer,and Secretary.

Election of Officers

ElectionofofficersshalltakeplaceannuallyduringtheJanuarymeetingof theChathamPartySteeringCommittee. Nominationsshallbemadefromthefloorbymembersandofficersshallbe fromwithinthemembership. Eachmembershallbeentitledtoone(1)vote.

Terms of Office Officersshallholdtheirpositionsfortwo(2)yearsoruntiltheirsuccessors

arechosen.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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DutiesofOfficers
Duties of the Chairperson

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TheChairpersonshall: call,settheagendafor,andpresideatallmeetingsoftheChatham PartySteeringCommitteeandhavethedutiesnormallyconferredby parliamentaryproceduresonsuchofficers appointmemberstostandingcommitteesandcoordinator positions subjecttotheapprovaloftheChathamPartySteeringCommittee CrossReference:Membership(ArticleVI)16 actastheofficialspokespersonfortheChathamParty executealldocumentsandfilingsasnecessarytoensuretimely compliancewithallapplicableregulationsgoverningminorpolitical parties,campaigns,andelectionswiththeEastHamptonTownClerk andConnecticutSecretaryofState followingtheannualmeeting,registertheChathamPartySteering CommitteewiththeOfficeoftheSecretaryofStatebyfilinga registrationstatementoramendedregistrationstatement,asthecase maybe,containingthefollowinginformation thenameandaddressoftheChathamPartySteeringCommittee thenameandaddressoftheCommitteesTreasurerandDeputy Treasurer identificationofthenameandaddressofadepositoryinstitutionin Connecticutinwhichasinglecheckingaccountisestablishedfor theCommitteesfunds Note:ThedesignatedTreasurerandDeputyTreasurermustsign theregistrationstatementsignifyingtheiracceptanceofthe appointment. ensurepropernoticeofmeetingspursuanttoregulationssetforthby theSecretaryofStatefornominatingandcertifyingcandidatesfor office LegalReference: CTElectionLaws,Title9Chapter153,Sec.9 452a.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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DutiesofOfficers 18Page 2of3

Duties of the Chairperson (continued)

filetheChathamPartySteeringCommitteerulesandamendments,if applicable,withtheSecretaryofStateandtheEastHamptonTown Clerkasrequired. Note:Amendedpartyrulesshallnotbeeffectiveuntilsixty(60)days afterfilingwiththeSecretaryofStateandTownClerk. TheViceChairpersonshall: assisttheChairpersonintheexecutionofhisorherduties actfortheChairpersoninhisorherabsenceandhavetheauthorityto performthedutiesasprescribedforthatoffice.

Duties of the Vice Chairperson

Duties of the Treasurer

TheTreasurershall:
depositallacceptablecontributionsintotheChathamPartySteering Committeesaccount makeandauthorizeallexpendituresonbehalfoftheChathamPartySteering Committeeandkeepanaccuraterecordofallreceiptsandexpenditures serveastheCampaignTreasureroftheChathamPartySteeringCommittee duringanymunicipalelectioncampaigninwhichtheSteeringCommittee solicitsand/orexpendsCommitteefundsunlessexemptedbyhisorher beingacandidateforelectiveofficewherethesefundsmightbenefitthat candidacy fileallfinancialdisclosurestatementswiththeOfficeofthe Secretaryof StateasprescribedbyConnecticutGeneralStatutes,Title9,Campaign FinanceLaws,reportingallreceiptsandexpendituresandprovidesacopyof submitteddisclosurestatementstotheEastHamptonTownClerkandthe Chairperson presentan annualstatementofaccountsatameetingoftheChathamParty SteeringCommittee,and

appointsolicitorsonbehalfoftheChathamPartySteeringCommitteeand
keepanaccuratelistofthenameandaddressofeachindividualwhois appointed.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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DutiesofOfficers 18Page 3of3

Duties of the Deputy Treasurer

TheDeputyTreasurershall: assisttheTreasurerintheexecutionofhisorherduties actfortheTreasurerinhisorherbehalfandhavetheauthorityto performthedutiesprescribedforthatoffice.

Duties of the Secretary

TheSecretaryshall: recordminutes,motions,andvotesofallmeetingsoftheChatham PartySteeringCommittee notifymembersofallmeetingscalledbytheChairpersonorinhisor herabsence,theViceChairperson maintainmembershiprosterandrecordattendanceofmembersatall ChathamPartySteeringCommitteemeetings.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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StandingCommitteesandCoordinators
Policy

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TheChairpersonmayappointmemberstothefollowingstandingcommittees orappointacoordinatorsubjecttotheapprovalbytheChathamParty SteeringCommittee. AllstandingcommitteesshallbecomprisedofChathamPartymembersin goodstandingandnameaCommitteeChairperson. Thestandingcommitteesare: ChathamPartySteeringCommittee CandidateSelectionCommittee EndorsedCandidateCommittee FundraisingCommittee InformationTechnology/TechnicalSupportCommittee LogisticsandCommunityCommunicationCommittee. TheCoordinatorpositionsare: ElectionDayCoordinator MediaRelationsCoordinator VolunteerSupportCoordinator.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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NominationandEndorsementofCandidates ForLocalElectedOffice
Nomination of Candidates

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Asanestablishedminorparty,theChathamPartycanrunendorsed candidatesfortheofficeof EastHamptonTownCouncil. TheChathamPartycanalsoendorsecandidatesfortheBoardofFinance, BoardofEducation, andZoningBoardofAppeals. ImportantNote:Candidatesforotherofficesmustrunasaslateor petitioningcandidatesuntilsuchtimeascandidatesrunningforotheroffices garnermorethanonepercent(1%)ofthetotalvoteinanelectionasper StateStatute. CandidatesforofficeseekingendorsementbytheChathamPartyshallsubmit theirnamesinwriting,totheChairpersonatleastfourteen(14)dayspriorto thedateofthemeetinginwhichsuchcandidatesaretobeendorsed. Eachcandidateshallsignhis/hernameonadocumentdeclaringhis/her candidacyforthepositionhe/sheisseeking.

Endorsement of Candidates

TheChairpersonshallincludethenamesofallcandidateswhosubmitted theirnamesforconsiderationbytheChathamPartySteeringCommittee. Atthenominatingmeeting,theChairpersonshallannounceallnamesandcall fornominations. Note:Amotiontonominatemustbesecondedbeforeacandidatesnamecan officiallybevotedonbytheChathamPartySteeringCommitteeeither individuallyasapetitioningcandidateoraslate. Failuretobenominatedandsecondedatthenominatingmeetingshallresult inthedisqualificationofthatindividualfromconsiderationbytheChatham PartySteeringCommitteeforthatelectedoffice. Intheeventthatthenumberofcandidatesseekingnominationforaparticular electedofficefailstomeetorexceedthemaximumnumberofcandidates eligibletorunforsaidoffice,nominationsshallbeacceptedfromthefloorby ChathamPartySteeringCommitteemembers. Thosesonominatedand secondedshallbevotedonbythemembership. Intheeventofmultiplecandidatesbeingnominatedforthesameoffice,an opportunityshallbegivenformemberswhonominateandsecondacandidate tospeakonbehalfoftheindividualbeforecallingforavoteoftheChatham PartySteeringCommitteemembership.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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Amendments
Policy

111Page 1of 1 TheseByLawsmaybeamendedatanytime. Subsequentchangesoradditionsmustbeapprovedbyamajorityofthe ChathamPartymembership.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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Definitions
Caucus

112Page 1of 2 Caucusmeansanymeeting,atadesignatedhourandplace,oratdesignated hoursandplaces,oftheenrolledmembersofapoliticalpartywithina municipalityorpoliticalsubdivisionthereofforthepurposeofselecting partyendorsedcandidatesforaprimarytobeheldbysuchpartyorforthe purposeoftransactingotherbusinessofsuchparty. MajorParty means: (A) apoliticalpartyororganizationwhosecandidateforGovernoratthe lastprecedingelectionforGovernorreceived,underthedesignation ofthatpoliticalpartyororganization,atleasttwentypercent(20%)of thewholenumberofvotescastforallcandidatesforGovernor,or (B) apoliticalparty,atthelastprecedingelectionforGovernor,anumber ofenrolledmembersontheactiveregistrylistequaltoatleasttwenty percent(20%)ofthetotalnumberofenrolledmembersofallpolitical partiesontheactiveregistrylistinthestate.

Major Party

Minor Party

MinorPartymeansapoliticalpartyororganizationwhichisnotamajor partyandwhosecandidateforofficeinquestionreceivedatthelastpreceding regularelectionforsuchoffice,underthedesignationofthatpoliticalpartyor organization,atleastonepercent(1%)ofthewholenumberofvotescastfor allcandidatesforsuchofficeatsuchelection. MunicipalOfficemeansanelectiveofficeforwhichonlytheelectorsofa singletown,city,borough,orpoliticalsubdivision,asdefinedinsubdivision (10)ofthissection,mayvote,includingtheofficeofjusticeofthepeace. PartyEndorsedCandidatemeansinthecaseofacandidatefor: (A) Stateordistrictoffice,apersonendorsedbytheconventionofa politicalpartyasacandidateinaprimarytobeheldbysuch party, and (B) Municipalofficeorforamemberofatowncommittee,aperson endorsedbytheTownCommittee,caucusorconvention,asthecase maybe,ofapoliticalpartyasacandidateinaprimarytobeheldby suchparty.

Municipal Office

Party-Endorsed Candidate

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011

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Definitions 112Page 2of 2

Political SubDivision Slate

Politicalsubdivisionmeansanyvotingdistrictorcombinationofvoting districtsconstitutingapartofthemunicipality. Slatemeansagroupofcandidatesfornominationbyapoliticalparty.

TheChathamParty

EffectiveDate:September1,2011