Our Bylaws

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Isle of Wight County Democratic Committee.

(Hereafter referred to as the IOWCDC, or the Committee.) 

Article II – Purpose and Policy

Sec. 1: General Principles

The IOWCDC endorses the principles contained in the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States of America and the Virginia Democratic Party Plan and is bound always by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Committee is dedicated to representing the Democratic Party in Isle of Wight County in the spirit of the founders of the Democratic Party. 

Sec. 2: Purposes

Any resident of Isle of Wight County who believes in the principles of the Democratic Party is hereby declared to be a member of the Isle of Wight County Democratic Party. The IOWCDC is the representative leadership body of the Isle of Wight Democratic Party, organized for the following purposes: 

  • To do all within its power to aid in the victory of the Democratic Party's nominee in all elections. 

  • To promote the growth and success of the Democratic Party at the local, state, and national levels. 

  • To promote efforts to register all qualified Democratic voters in Isle of Wight County and to encourage such voters to participate in the political process. 

  • To promote harmonious relationships among all members of the IOWCDC and to cooperate wholeheartedly with local, state, and national Democratic committees. 

  • To promote participation in the delegate selection process in all Democratic Party organizations at all levels, with particular emphasis on inclusiveness. 

  • To encourage qualified members of the Democratic Party to offer themselves for elective office.

Article III – Committee Membership

Sec. 1: General Membership

Membership in the IOWCDC shall be limited to those persons desiring to participate in the leadership of the Isle of Wight Democratic Party who meet the following qualifications: 

  • They signify that they are registered to vote in Isle of Wight County. 

  • They are Democrats. 

  • They believe in the principles of the Democratic Party. 

  • They will do all within their power to aid in the victory of the Democratic Party nominees in all local state and national elections. 

  • They will maintain their membership in good standing by being current in payment of the Committee's annual dues. 

Sec. 2: Youth Membership

The IOWCDC understands the importance of the participation of young people not yet of age to register to vote in the political process. Therefore, the Committee encourages the active participation of youth by welcoming into membership any under-voting-age young person who meets the following qualifications: 

  • They believe in the principles of the Democratic Party. 

  • They will do all within their power to aid in the victory of the Democratic Party nominees in all local state and national elections. 

  • They will maintain their membership in good standing by being current in payment of the Committee's annual dues at a reduced youth rate. 

    Youth Membership in the Committee shall consist of voice only in decision making, pursuant to the Virginia Democratic Plan. 

Sec. 3: Dues

Annual dues shall be reviewed periodically, and any changes in the amount of the Committee's annual dues shall be proposed by the IOWCDC Executive Committee and must be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the general membership. 

Sec. 4: Elected Officers

The Committee shall elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and all such other officers as it deems necessary. Officers shall be elected by the membership at large by majority vote and serve a two-year term, pursuant to the Virginia Party Plan.

Sec. 5: Duties of the Officers

The CHAIR shall: 

  • Preside at all meetings. 

  • Ascertain that a quorum is present prior to calling any meeting to order for the conduct of business. 

  • Represent the Committee at Legislative District Committee meetings, unless the chair does not live in a particular District, or unless the chair of appoints another officer to fill in temporarily. 

    The VICE-CHAIR shall: 

  • Perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chair to perform his or her duties.

  • Assume the duties of the Chair in event of absence. 

  • Assume the duties of the Chair in event of resignation or inability of the Chair to perform his or her duties, until the election of a new Chair at the next regular meeting.

     The SECRETARY shall: 

  • Keep minutes of every meeting of the Committee. 

  • Maintain attendance records. 

  • Keep all records organized in an orderly fashion. 

  • Provide minutes of all previous meetings at each regular meeting. 

  • Perform other duties pursuant to communication and record-keeping as may be assigned by the Chair or Executive Committee, such as posting meeting notices in local media outlets. 

    The TREASURER shall: 

  • Be responsible for all monies of the Committee. 

  • Act on behalf of the Committee to collect all monies, particularly the annual dues. 

  • Pay all proper bills which must have prior approval by the Committee after itemized receipts have been presented before such payments. 

  • Write no check to cash. 

  • Submit a financial reporting each meeting. 

  • Maintain membership rosters for annual dues and send updates to the Secretary to update membership rolls. 

  • Ensure compliance with the requirement that both the Chair and the Treasure co-sign all checks. 

    Sec. 6: Resignations

    Any member desiring to resign from the Committee shall inform the Secretary in writing, who will notify the Committee at the next regular meeting. 

Article IV – Meetings

Sec. 1: Regular Meetings

The Committee shall hold regular monthly meetings each year.

Sec. 2: Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Committee may also be called by the Chair as necessary. The Executive Committee also meet as necessary to execute party business.

Sec. 3: Conduct of Meetings

Twenty (20) percent of current members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum at Committee meetings. A simple majority of those present and voting shall be necessary for the passage of any motion or resolution by the Committee. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all Committee meetings.

Sec. 4: Notice of Meetings

Notice of meetings shall be given as follows: 

  • Regular meetings: Notice shall be given to all members. The notice shall state the date, time and location for the meetings. This notice can be given at a preceding meeting, via newspaper, email, written mailed notice or by the telephone. 

  • Special meetings: Notice shall be considered given upon the making of a good faith effort to notify (by any reasonable means) all members concerned, at the earliest reasonable moment, of the special meeting and its date, time, location and agenda.

Article V – Executive Committee

Sec. 1: Membership

The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Committee, the immediate past Chair, if a member of the current committee, and appointed officials for the IOWCDC, such as Electoral Board Members.

Sec. 2: Responsibilities

The Executive Committee shall have the general supervision of the affairs of the Committee between its regular business meetings, make recommendations to the Committee, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws. As early as practical after each of its meetings, the Executive Committee shall report to the full Committee any actions taken.

Sec. 3: Meetings

All meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the Chair, except that a special meeting may be called upon the request of three (3 ) members of the Executive Committee.

Article VI – Standing Committees

Sec. 1: Standing Committees

As soon as practical after the election of officers, the Chair shall appoint the following standing committees and the Chair of each, who must be a member of the IOWCDC: 

  • A Finance Committee, consisting of the Treasurer and one (1) other member, who have the responsibility of preparing an annual budget. This committee shall present its budget to the Committee for action by March 31st of each year. 

  • A Precinct Organization Committee, which shall consist of a minimum of one member from each voting district, and such other members as a Chair may appoint. This committee shall select a captain from each Precinct and, in cooperation with the Precinct Captains, shall have the responsibility for developing the Democratic Party Organization in each precinct to advance the best interest of the Party. 

  • A Fundraising Committee, consisting of at least one (1) member from each precinct, whose responsibility is to raise funds for financing the activities of the Committee.

  • A Bylaws Committee, which shall consider any proposed amendments to the current bylaws. This committee shall consist of three (3) members.

Sec. 2: Special Committees

The Chair may also appoint such special committees as may be deemed necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the Committee. Such special committees shall serve at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Article VII – Endorsements

Sec. 1: Democratic Offices

The IOWCDC shall not endorse any candidate prior to a primary, convention, or caucus.

Article VIII – Bylaws Approval and Amendment

These Bylaws may be approved or amended and Amendment these bylaws may be approved or amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the IOWCDC members present and eligible to vote after presentation at a committee meeting. 

If any provision of these bylaws is in conflict with a Democratic Party of Virginia Party Plan, federal, state, or local laws, said plan and/or laws shall supersede these bylaws.


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