CONSTITUTION OF THE FLEMINGTON DEMOCRATIC CLUB
We, the Democrats of the Borough of Flemington in the County of Hunterdon in the State of New Jersey, in order to ensure participation in the political process of the United States, the State of New Jersey, and the County of Hunterdon by all people regardless of race, religion, gender, economic status, or any other attribute irrelevant to the right of individual freedom; and with the desire to promote the traditional principles of the Democratic Party of the United States and of the State of New Jersey, and the County of Hunterdon, do hereby acknowledge this Constitution and agree to abide by it as the basic document of the Flemington Democratic Club. It is our hope and intention that we can ensure the open and free conduct of public affairs in our community and, to that end, we hereby establish and adopt this Constitution of the Flemington Democratic Club.
Purposes and Powers
The Flemington Democratic Club is empowered to:
1. Endorse the principles of the Democratic party of the State of New Jersey subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States of America and the State of New Jersey.
2. Endorse candidates for election under the laws of the State of New Jersey and work for the election of such candidates.
3. Raise and disburse money.
4. Educate the electorate in issues affecting the Borough of Flemington and the County of Hunterdon.
General Provisions
1. The Flemington Democratic Club shall work to ensure the fair selection of candidates for public office giving proper consideration to national, state, and county party platforms and policies.
2. Equal opportunity shall be afforded all members and candidates regardless of race, age, gender, economic status, or any other attribute irrelevant to the right of individual freedom, to participate in all activities conducted on behalf of the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee, including participation as candidates for elective office at all levels.
BY-LAWS OF THE FLEMINGTON DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Article 1
Name
The name of this non-profit Organization shall be the Flemington Democratic Club, referred to hereinafter as the “Club”.
Article 2
Purposes
The purposes of this Club shall be to select and support candidates for Flemington Borough Mayor and Common Council, to recommend such candidates to the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee for approval, to support other Democratic candidates, and to promote Democratic principles. It shall be registered as a Political Party Committee with the State of New Jersey.
Article 3
Membership and Dues
A. Any member of the Democratic Party who resides in Flemington Borough shall be eligible for membership.
B. There shall be yearly dues of $25.00, payable during July. Payment of dues constitutes membership in good standing.
a. For new members, dues are to be paid during the month of intended affiliation without proration.
C. Any member of the Democratic Party who is elected to local office as Mayor, member of the Common Council, the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee representing Flemington Borough, or the Municipal Chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee representing Flemington Borough, shall for the term of their respective office be members of the Club without the requirement of dues payment.
D. Only members in good standing can vote at club meetings.
a. New members will be able to vote 90 days after paying their dues.
b. Members who are local elected officials are eligible to vote immediately upon their taking the oath of office.
E. New prospective members who reside outside of Flemington Borough can attend meetings as honorary, non-voting members.
Article 4
Meetings
A. At each regular meeting of the Club the following order of business shall be addressed as appropriate:
1. Reports of the officers
2. Committee reports
3. Old business
4. New business
5. Adjournment
B. There shall be regular monthly meetings of the Club at such time and place as the President shall designate.
C. Special meetings may be called by the President at any time as the need may arise.
D. Five members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Club.
E. In the year that concludes the terms of Club officers, there shall be a biennial reorganization meeting which shall be held in the month of July.
1. At the biennial reorganization meeting the first order of business shall be the election of officers.
F. Meetings may be held in person or via video teleconferencing.
Article 5
Municipal Chair
The Flemington Borough Municipal Chair shall be the liaison between the Club and the Hunterdon County Democratic Party organization. The Municipal Chair is responsible for all communications between these entities.
Article 6
Club Officers
A. The Club shall have a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, who shall be elected for a term of two years beginning with election at the biennial meeting until the biennial meeting two years later, at which time new officers shall be elected. Officers shall be permitted to succeed themselves.
B. In the case of a vacancy for any reason during the term of the President, the Vice President can temporarily fill the term of the President at the next regular meeting, or the term of President may remain vacant until the next biennial meeting, at the discretion of the Club.
C. In the case of a vacancy for any reason during the term of the Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer the vacancy shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Club.
Article 7
Duties of Officers
A. The President of the Club shall preside at all meetings of the Club, set and distribute the agenda for each meeting, perform all duties as prescribed by the By-laws and such other duties as ordinarily appertain to the office.
1. The President may also make disbursements of Club monies as the By-laws prescribe.
2. The President shall be a signatory, along with the Treasurer, on any bank accounts associated with the Club
3. The President shall review and certify, along with the Treasurer, any and all reports submitted to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
B. In the temporary absence of the President, it shall be the duty of the Vice President to perform the duties of the President. The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties indicated above.
C. The Secretary shall issue notice of all meetings, conduct the correspondence of the Club with the concurrence of the President and perform all such other duties as the By-laws prescribe and such other duties as ordinarily appertain to the office.
D. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of the meetings and proceedings of the Club and a record of such other matters as may be directed by the Club to be placed in its files and circulate such minutes and records of proceedings to the membership; shall keep an accurate roll of officers and members and shall notify officers and members of committees and new members.
E. The Treasurer shall receive all money and property of the Club. In this role they shall
1. Make disbursements as the By-laws prescribe.
2. Render an annual report of all receipts and disbursements to the Club which accounts shall be open to inspection to any member of the Club.
3. Report at each meeting or as often as required the financial condition of the Club.
4. Be a signatory, along with the President, on any bank accounts associated with the Club.
5. Ensure compliance with any and all applicable regulations of the Club as a Political Party Committee with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. They will review and certify, along with the President, any and all reports submitted to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Article 8
Finances
A. No debts shall be incurred and no continuing obligations entered into in excess of $500 except upon a vote of the members present at any “official” meeting of the Club upon the approval of a majority of the members present. A meeting is “official” if there is a duly constituted quorum present at the meeting.
B. Between meetings, funds in an amount not to exceed $1,500 may be appropriated upon a majority vote of the President, Vice President, Communications Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer. Any such expenditure shall be subject to review at the next meeting of the Club.
Article 9
Committees
The Club shall have committees as may be created when necessary and the members shall be appointed by the President. The President shall appoint from the membership of any such committee a Chair. The Chair of each committee shall report the activities of the committee to the President whenever requested and, when practical, at the regular monthly meeting.
Article 10
Amendments
These By-laws may be amended at any regular monthly meeting upon a 2/3 vote of the members of the Club present at such meeting; provided, however, the proposed amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary and sent to each Club member at least 20 days prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be voted upon. Provided further that there is a duly constituted quorum is present at the meeting.
Enacted February 2nd, 2025