WSDDIC

Bylaws of the Washington State Democrats Disabilities Issues Caucus

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Purpose

The Washington State Democrats Disabilities Issues Caucus (WSDDIC) purpose is to promote and protect the rights and interests of people with disabilities in the State of Washington through the election of candidates who promote the rights of people with disabilities and to fight for justice for people with disabilities through involvement in legislative activities, civic welfare promotion, education, accessibility and inclusion.

 

 

Article I: Name

1. The name of the organization shall be the Washington State Democrats Disabilities Issues Caucus hereafter referred to as the WSDDIC, or the Caucus.

 

Article II: Authority

1. WSDDIC is a caucus of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) as authorized by the bylaws of the WSDCC section B(F) and the Charter Article VI.G. as a group identifying as Democrats, sharing an immutable trait or common interest.

 

Article III: Membership

1. Members shall include anyone who has completed a membership application and paid dues for fiscal year or had said dues waived.

2. Voting members must be residents of the State of Washington over the age of 18 and declare themselves to be a Democrat. 

3. Members may include people with disabilities, their allies or anyone interested in promoting disability rights or interests.

4. No person who has been banned or suspended by a Democratic Local Party Organization may be a member or hold office in this caucus.

 

Article IV: Membership Dues

1. Membership dues shall be $20 per calendar year, $10 for students and recent graduates.

2. Dues may be waived at the discretion of the chair or treasurer due to hardship or disability and members do not have to specify the nature of their condition and inability to pay will not bar anyone from participating.

 

 

Article V: Executive Officers and Their Duties

1. The elected officers of the Caucus shall consist of a Chair, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. The Secretary position may be shared.

   1. These officers shall be elected for two-year terms by the membership at the WSDCC biennial reorganization meeting in January of odd-years.

 

1. Duties of the Chair

1. Be the Chief Executive Officer of The Caucus and preside at all the meetings of the WSDDIC, and the Executive Board.

2. Has the responsibility to implement the policies of the Caucus and the Executive Board.

3. Work with the Secretary to prepare the call and proposed agenda for meetings of The Caucus and executive board.

4. Appoint Standing committees and special committee members, as needed

5. Be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Caucus and the Executive Board.

6. Work with the WSDCC to help formulate the delegate selection plan for State and National Democratic Party Conventions.

7. Submit recommended positions on public policy issues to the Executive Board for adoption.

 

1. Duties of the First Vice-Chair

1. In the absence of the Chair, the First Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair and shall succeed to the position of Chair in the order of First Vice Chair, Second Vice Chair.

2. The First Vice-Chair shall help the Chair in the completion of their duties.

3. The First Vice-Chair shall work with the Second Vice-Chair in developing meeting programs and guests.

4. In the event of a vacancy or inability of the incumbent to perform the duties of Chair, the First Vice Chair shall call a special meeting of the Caucus for the purpose of electing a Chair within 30 days of the vacancy being announced.

5. Perform such other duties as the Caucus, the Executive Board or the Chair delegates.

 

 

1. Duties of the Second Vice Chair

1. The Second Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the First Vice-Chair, should they assume the Chair position.

2. The Second Vice-Chair shall help the First Vice-Chair and Chair in the completion of their duties.

3. The Second Vice-Chair shall work with the First Vice-Chair in developing meeting programs and guests.

4. Perform such other duties as the Caucus, the Executive Board or the Chair delegates.

 

1. Duties of the Secretary

1. Prepare the minutes of all meetings of the Caucus, and executive board.

2. Maintain the official membership roster

3. Maintain attendance records for all caucus meetings

4. Keep all records of the Caucus and maintain a record of its operating rules and those adopted by its Executive Board.

5. Perform such other duties as the Caucus, the Executive Board or the Chair delegates.

 

1. Duties of the Treasurer

1. Maintain the financial records of the Caucus

2. Be responsible for the accurate and timely filing of reports required by public disclosure or taxing authorities.

3. Oversee the assets of the Caucus and maintain an inventory of all Caucus property.

4. Supervise the deposit and disbursement of funds of the Caucus pursuant to state law and Public Disclosure Commission regulations, the Bylaws, adopted budget and operating rules established by the Caucus and its Executive Board.

5. Prepare a financial report for presentation to the membership at each meeting.

6. Prepare the financial portion of the annual report to the WSDCC

7. Chair the following standing committee: Finance be an ex-officio of the fundraising committee

8. Perform such other duties as the Caucus, its Executive Board or Chair delegates.

 

1. Eligibility to Vote –

1. Eligible to vote are all paid/waived dues members for the prior year and all elected State Committee members. Proxies are not accepted and proxies for state committee members are not eligible to vote.

 

1. Filling of vacancies between biennial elections –

1. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chair, the First Vice Chair will temporarily fill the vacancy. A special meeting will be called to elect a chair to fill the rest of the unexpired term. In the event of a vacancy of any other executive board position, the Chair may fill the vacancy by appointment with the mutual agreement of the person filling the vacancy and approval by the executive board, until the next reorganization meeting.

 

1. Removal of Officers

1. The Executive Board must call a special meeting for the purpose of removing any officer for cause, to meet and discuss the allegations of misconduct. The officer of concern must be given an opportunity to respond to the issues and provide a rebuttal.

2. Both the allegation and rebuttal, if the officer provides one, will be included in the meeting notice to the membership. An officer may be removed by majority vote of the membership. There must be a minimum of 30 days notice of the membership meeting when the vote shall occur and grounds for removal must be given to those eligible to vote and to the officer whose removal is sought. Any officer may petition the Executive Board for the removal. An officer may resign at any time without a special meeting.

3. Any officer who is found to have been suspended or banned from another Washington Democratic Local Party Organization will be removed from office immediately and that office filled per vacancy rules in section V(H)(1) above.

 

Article VI. Fiscal Responsibility, Compensation and Reimbursement

1. Officers and members of the Caucus recognize that these are volunteer positions and they will not be compensated for duties performed.

1. Expense reimbursement for amounts over $50 must be approved by the Executive Board. Receipts must be provided for reimbursement.

2. Expenses over $100 must be approved by the membership. Vote may be via email poll of the voting members.

3. The executive board may request an independent review of the caucus’s finances with a 30-day notice to the treasurer to produce records of the body.

   1. The Financial Review Committee will consist of the Chair, the Treasurer, and one individual who is a neutral third-party member.

   2. The financial review committee will conduct an examination of the Caucus’ financial records. The Chair shall be responsible for presenting the review to the Executive Board and for overseeing the implementation of recommendations from the review report.

 

 

Article VII: Meetings

1. Meetings will be held in conjunction with WSDCC meetings, usually scheduled in January, April and September of each year. Additional meetings, as needed, may be called by the chair in between WSDCC meetings.

2. In even years, meetings will also be held in conjunction with the State Convention, usually scheduled in June or July.

3. Meetings may be held in-person or on Zoom, and a Zoom alternative may be offered for in-person meetings to insure more people are able to attend.

4. Meeting notices will be via email at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Meeting information may also be posted on social media.

5. Accommodations will be made available for alternate notification methods.

6. Quorum shall be a minimum of 20% of the membership and at least 3 officers.

7. All members in attendance will sign-in at meetings. It is the responsibility of the member to ensure that the sign-in information is current as notifications will be by email unless other accommodations are specified.

8. Special Executive Board meetings may be called by the Chair with a minimum of seven-days notice provided by email. Votes will be decided by the majority attending. A quorum of the Executive Board meetings shall consist of (3) members participating.

9. An Executive Board meeting should be held within the 30 days prior to a WSDCC quarterly meeting or at any time deemed necessary by the Chair with seven-days notice provided by email.

10. All business will be conducted according to the Charter and Bylaws of the WSDCC, including rules adopted by the SCC relating to Constituency Caucuses.

 

Article VIII: Standing Committees

1. Standing Committees may include the following:

1. Membership and Diversity Outreach Committee

2. Political Action Committee

3. Fundraising and Community Outreach

4. Finance and Development (Treasurer to chair committee)

5. The Caucus or its Executive Board may establish other committees to carry out such duties and have such powers as the WSDDIC or its Executive Board may establish. Unless otherwise specified, the Chair may appoint the committee’s members.

 

Article IX: Endorsements and Financial Contributions

1. Endorsements of candidates, legislative issues, or resolutions will be established by two routes.

   1. A majority of the members voting at regular meetings.

   2. By majority vote via email when all the members have been given at least a seven-day notice.

2. The caucus will not give financial support to candidates, propositions or ballot issues due to the requirements of the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC).

 

Article X: Code of Conduct

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1. Who may bring a complaint?: complaints may be brought to any board member by the alleged victim of a violation.

2. The board member would then be responsible for reviewing the complaint to see if it rises to the level of a Code of Conduct complaint, and if so, that officer would call for a special disciplinary meeting of the board to hear the complaint. The complaint must include the Code that was violated, the identity of the victim and any witnesses known to the submitting member.

3. The complaint shall be submitted to the chair and one other board member.

4. The board will review the complaint within five (5) business days of receipt. The board will then determine if a full hearing is to be held and offer the complainant and alleged violator an opportunity to be heard.

5. It will be up to the board whether to take disciplinary action, and what action that would be.

6. Please note that any member who has been suspended or banned by a Local Party Organization will not be allowed to participate in this caucus until they are once again members in good standing with that Local Party Organization.

 

Article X: Amendments

1. Amendments to these bylaws shall be adopted by the WSDDIC, provided the proposed change is sent by email to all members and notice of any meeting where a vote will be taken is provided via email at least seven days prior to the scheduled meeting.

2. Those opting out of email shall be contacted in the method prescribed by agreement the same 7 days prior.

3. A majority vote of the quorum shall constitute passage.

 

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority

      1.  In all matters not expressly covered, Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, (current edition) shall govern

            the conduct of WSDDIC membership and executive board meetings.

 

 

 

Amended and approved at the WSDDIC meeting May 3, 2025