MCRP of Texas Bylaws

MEDINA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BYLAWS

August 5, 2024

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Medina County Republican Party Executive Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Executive Committee or the MCEC

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

Section 1- The purpose of the Medina County Republican Party Executive Committee shall be:

• Establish general policies to promote the Medina County Republican Party, subject to the direction of the biennial Senatorial District and State Conventions.

• Promote the positions of the Republican Party and the election of Republican candidates.

• Exercise those powers conferred on it by the Texas Election Code and the Republican Party of Texas, hereinafter referred to as the Party.

• Cooperate in carrying out such programs as are requested by the Party or the Republican National Committee and legal requirements under Texas Election Code.

• Foster and promote growth in the Party and provide opportunities for full participation in the Party to all Medina County residents who subscribe to the beliefs and principles of the Party.

Section 2- The MCEC is charged with observing all Texas Election laws, United States election code and Party Rules. Violations or disregard for these directives, intentional or otherwise, may result in the MCEC choosing not to ratify any or all recommendations of the member(s).

ARTICLE III. MEMBERS

Section 1- The voting members of the Executive Committee (MCEC), when conducting official business required by the Texas Election Code shall be the County Chair and the Precinct Chairs. Officers and Committee Chairs who are not Precinct Chairs may serve as ex-officio (non-voting) members of the MCEC with voice.

Section 2- To qualify to hold office on the MCEC, one must be a qualified voter residing within the bounds of the entity represented. Neither a County Chair nor a Precinct Chair can be a holder of elected public office at the County, State or Federal level or be a candidate for such an office. They cannot be a convicted felon or have been previously convicted of voter fraud.

Section 3- The term of office shall be for two (2) years, commencing on the 20th day after the runoff Primary Election Day, as provided for in Section 171.022(c) of the Texas Election Code.

Section 4- Any vacancy in the office of County Chair or Precinct Chair shall be filled by the MCEC.

(a) County Chair: A majority of the total membership of the MCEC must participate in filling a vacancy and the person selected must receive a majority of the votes cast of those members participating in the election, as provided by Section 171.024(a) of the Texas Election Code.

(b) Precinct Chair: one forth (1/4) of the total membership of the MCEC, excluding vacancies, shall constitute a quorum for filling a vacancy and the person selected must receive a majority of the votes cast of those members participating in the election, as provided by Section 171.24(C) of the Texas Election Code.

Notice of a resignation or death of a MCEC member and of an election to fill such a vacancy shall be included in the notice of call of a meeting and shall be sent to the MCEC no less than 10 days prior to the meeting. The written call shall be sent pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary, the County Chair, subsequent to notification, shall notify the MCEC members in writing. The vacancy shall be filled by the MCEC at the next regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. The written call shall be sent to the MCEC no less than 10 days prior to the meeting called for such purpose and delivered pursuant to Article V of the Bylaws. Section 5- Permanent State Executive Committee Rule: Persons filing for office of County Chair in a County with a minimum of eight (8) incumbent Precinct Chair shall include a nominating petition containing the signatures of at least 10 percent of the incumbent Precinct Chairs serving on the MCEC, or two (2) whichever if greater, using a Form promulgated by the Republican Party of Texas. The nominating petition shall contain the candidate’s sworn oath that each of the signatures thereon is of an incumbent Precinct Chair and was signed in the presence of the candidate. (Republican Party Rule 8a, Section 172.021 (f) Election code)

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section 1- Officers of the MCEC shall be the County Chair, County Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. The County Chair shall appoint the Vice Chair and Treasurer at the Organizational meeting subject to confirmation by a majority of the MCEC members present and voting. The Treasurer may perform all duties of that office following confirmation. The County Vice Chair must also be a Precinct Chair. In no case shall the offices of Vice Chair or Treasurer be vacant more than ninety (90) days. The MCEC will fill these positions should the County Chair fail to make the appointments:

• Within 90 days of the Organizational Meeting

• Within 90 days of vacancy in the position

The CEC will fill these positions by a majority vote of the MCEC members present and voting at the next regular meeting, or a special meeting called for that purpose. The Secretary shall be elected at a meeting with a quorum as described in Article V Section 8 below by the MCEC.

Section 2- The term of office of the officers shall run concurrent with that of the Executive Committee, except in the event of a vacancy in the office of County Chair (at which time the appointed officers shall serve only until the election of a new County Chair).

Section 3- A vacancy in the office of County Chair or Precinct Chair shall be filled by the MCEC in accordance with the provisions of Section 171.024 and 171.025 of the Texas Election Code and these Bylaws. A vacancy in the office of Secretary shall be filled by the Executive Committee upon written notice of the vacancy from the County Chair to the CEC members.

Section 4- Duties of officers shall be those prescribed by parliamentary authority adopted by the Executive Committee and these Bylaws as listed below:

• The County Chair shall be the MCEC’s presiding officer and official spokesperson. The County Chair shall perform those duties required by the Texas Statutes, by the Rules of The Republican Party of Texas and by these Bylaws. If the County Chair fails or is unable to perform his or her prescribed duties or fails to attend four or more consecutive meetings, notice shall be given to the County Chair by a member or members of the MCEC to allow the County Chair to respond to said allegations at the next meeting. Should the County Chair continue to fail at performing those duties, the MCEC may call a Special meeting or at the next General meeting by a majority vote, have the Vice Chair or the Secretary, if necessary, act in the County Chair’s place until a new County Chair is elected. The County Chair may not enter into any contract written or verbal, which causes the MCEC to be legally obligated in any manor without the majority vote of the MCEC members present and voting at a regular or a called Special meeting. The County Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all County Standing and Special Committees. The County Chair may be a member of the Texas Republican County Chair’s Association, and any assessments or dues are to be paid by the MCEC.

• The County Vice Chair shall conduct the meetings of the MCEC in the absence or inability of the County Chair. The Vice Chair shall assist the County Chair as requested in the performance of any non-statutory duties of the office. The Vice Chair may not perform any statutory duties as outlined by State Law but may assist in any other functions of the County Chair including the appointment to committees if the County Chair is unavailable.

• The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping systematic financial records, preparation of financial reports and for complying with any applicable State and Federal Statutes with regard to reporting contributions and expenditures. The Treasurer shall prepare a current report on financial conditions for presentation to the MCEC at each regularly scheduled meeting. There will be two (2) signatures on the bank accounts, that being the County Chair and Treasurer. Only one (1) signature will be required on any checks in any amount under fifty dollars ($50.00) without a vote. Any amounts over fifty dollar ($50.00) will require a majority vote by the MCEC.

• The Secretary shall carry out the usual duties of that office, keeping an up to date roll of the MCEC members and ensuring that each member receives timely notices of meetings. A permanent file containing the minutes of the Executive Committee and general meetings shall be maintained. In the event of a vacancy in the office of County Chair, the Secretary shall call a meeting of the MCEC for the purpose of electing a new County Chair, as provided for in Section 171.025 of the Texas Election Code. The Secretary is authorized to receive applications for a place on the Primary Ballot, as provided for in the Texas Election Code in Section 172.022(a)(2)

• Precinct Chairs shall comprise the majority of the MCEC, shall approve the expenditures of the MCEC funds, control social media accounts and act as the primary management and guidance of the MCEC. A Precinct Chair who fails to perform the statutory duties provided by the Election Code or fails to attend four (4) or more consecutive meetings of the MCEC may be removed for abandonment of office as provided by the Election Code. Notice shall be given to the Precinct Chair and at the next meeting action may be taken to remove and/or replace the Precinct Chair. Precinct Chairs shall plan, coordinate, and conduct Precinct Conventions at least two weeks prior to the County Convention. Precinct Chairs may be trained to act as Deputy Voter Registrar, work elections as judges, clerks, poll watchers, ballot board or signature board. Precinct Chairs shall participate in fundraising events, parades, political forums and support other local counties. Precinct Chairs are encouraged to attend both State and National Conventions as Delegates or Alternates.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Section 1- The MCEC shall meet upon the call of the County Chair at such times as required by the Texas Election Code, as provided by these Bylaws in succeeding sections of this Article and by the rules of the Party. All meetings of the MCEC will be open to all interested Party members except that the County Chair or the MCEC may declare an Executive (closed) session for the purpose of considering confidential matters with a two-thirds vote of the members of the MCEC present and voting. Any Party member may be allowed to speak, after being recognized by a member of the MCEC, to offer information, comments, or to give opinions; but may not make motions. The comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. A meeting at which general business is to be discussed cannot be declared closed (see RPT Rules 8g and SREC Bylaws V.1.)

Section 2- In each even-numbered year, as required by the Republican Party of Texas Rule 8d, the County Chair shall call an Organizational Meeting of the CEC to be held within 45 days of the date the new MCEC takes office. As required by RPT Rules, the County Chair must provide written notice to the MCEC by USPS, email or text a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to the Organizational Meeting. The call of the meeting will include the proposed Bylaws unless provided earlier to the MCEC members.

Section 3- The County Chair will provide notice of regular meetings, to include a proposed Agenda, as set forth in Section 1 above, to each MCEC member at least ten (10) days prior to the meetings. The MCEC will meet at least quarterly in a month and date approved by a two-thirds (66%) vote of the MCEC members present and voting. Any meeting (regular, emergency, or special) may be conducted through use of electronic meeting services when circumstances would not allow an in-person service will be designated by the MCEC members. Electronic meetings must allow for real time sharing and viewing of committee documents, including the current motion, any amendments to the motions, and any reports that the committee considers. Any member of the MCEC who is unable to attend a meeting in person may attend electronically but no more than two consecutive meetings may be attended electronically.

Section 4- Emergency meetings may be called by the County Chair with a minimum of five (5) days’ notice to the Executive Committee members. Between regular meetings the County Chair will address the MCEC on matters requiring an immediate decision, by email. An immediate decision is defined as one requiring an action in a timeframe that does not allow time to call an emergency meeting. The Secretary shall call the meeting in the event the County Chair is unable or fails to act. Section 5- Special meeting shall be held on petition of a minimum of twenty-five (25) percent of Precinct Chairs. Notice of such meeting must be sent by the County Chair to each member of the MCEC to include a proposed Agenda and held no earlier than five (5) days after presentation of the petition to the Secretary and /or County Chair. The Secretary shall call the meeting in the event the County Chair is unable or fails to act.

Section 6- All Meetings' notices must be in writing, email, text or by postage paid letter, and include the date, time, and location of the meeting. The location of all meetings must be in a setting accessible to the general public. A notice must include an Agenda including the purpose of the meeting and stating any business requiring a vote by the MCEC to be conducted at the meeting.

• Precinct Chairs shall have items included on the Agenda for consideration and action provided they submit proposed Agenda items, in writing, within seventy-two (72) hours of the convening of the proposed meeting.

• This submission must be made to either the County Chair or the Secretary and may occur electronically. Official action may be taken only on items listed on the Agenda.

Section 7- A proposed Agenda may be amended as provided for by Robert’s Rules of Order at the beginning of any meetings however, only discussion may occur on those items. No action may be taken until the next called meeting at which time, those items shall be on the Agenda with proper notice being given to all Precinct Chairs. The requirement to take no action may be waived with two thirds (2/3rds) consent of the MCEC members present and voting.

Section 8- At all Special and Regular Business meetings, a quorum shall consist of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Executive Committee in office at the time the meeting is called to order. If a quorum is not present, motions cannot be voted on or approved. However, those present may adjourn the meeting to some future date, not to exceed ten (10) calendar days. The twenty-five percent (25%) minimum of persons will be rounded up or down based on any resulting fraction being greater or less than one-half (½). If exactly one-half (½), it shall be rounded up to the next higher number. For business and items called for by the Texas Election Code, a quorum shall consist of those members of the Executive Committee present. The twenty-five percent (25%) quorum rule for the special and regular meetings applies to any other business or items not called for by the Texas Election code.

Section 9- Decorum: All participants shall always conduct themselves in a professional manner and will wait to be recognized by the County Chair before they are allowed to speak. Individuals will raise their hand and wait for affirmation. If anyone fails to follow the rules, or becomes unruly, the Sergeant at Arms shall give one warning, the next infraction will call for removal. If necessary, removal will be done by Law Enforcement.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

Section 1- The County Chair shall appoint a Chair for Standing and Special Committees to develop, plan and make recommendations to the MCEC deemed necessary to carry out the policies of the County Party. Both the number of committees and appointing of Committee Chairs are subject to the approval of the majority of the MCEC members present and voting.

• Committee Chairs shall be drawn first from the ranks of the MCEC if available, and then from nonmembers of the MCEC. If one or more MCEC member volunteers to Chair a committee and County Chair fails within 30 days to appoint one of those volunteers, the MCEC may elect by majority vote a Committee Chair. Nonmembers may serve as ex-officio members of the MCEC but shall have no vote on the MCEC. The Committee Chair will be responsible for appointing membership on their respective committees. The County Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

• Committee Chairs who fail to attend three (3) consecutive MCEC meetings may have their position declared vacant. The position may be declared vacant by a majority of the MCEC members present and voting.

• Standing Committees:

• Commissioners Court

• School Board

• Candidate Vetting

• Youth Republican

• Election Integrity

• Voters Registration (GOTV)

• City Council Meetings

• Fundraisers

• Website/Social Media

• Candidate Forums

• Signs

• Voter’s Guide

• Training

Section 2- Each committee shall develop procedures for conducting the business within that committee’s jurisdiction, subject to review and amendment by the MCEC members present and voting.

Section 3- A committee member may be removed from the committee upon recommendation from the Committee Chair or the County Chair with the consent of the MCEC. Section 4- Special Committee(s) may be appointed to perform duties not specifically assigned to a current standing Committee. A Special Committee chair will be appointed by the County Chair subject to the confirmation of the MCEC. The special Committee(s) shall outline programs in their respective fields for consideration and adoption by the MCEC. These committees shall be formed only for the duration of their service. A Committee Chair will not have a voice or voting rights on the MCEC unless they are also a member of the MCEC.

ARTICLE VII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1- The Executive Committee and all other committees shall be governed by the rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised. These rules shall govern the MCEC in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the Rules of the Party, or any State or Federal Statute.

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section 1- These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the MCEC present and voting at a properly called meeting of the MCEC by giving notice at the previous regular meeting, or by mailing written notice or electronic notice to each Executive Committee member at least 14 days in advance of a Regular or Special meeting called for that purpose. The Bylaws amendments must accompany the meeting call.

ARTICLE IX. ENDORSEMENT OF A CANDIDATE BY THE MCEC

Endorsement of a candidate is a privilege during Primaries and general elections. A candidate who wishes to be endorsed by the MCEC must first request that endorsement in writing and give reasons why they are seeking the MCEC endorsement and what they have done to earn this endorsement. They must also agree to and accept that the MCEC candidate recruitment/vetting committee will thoroughly vet all candidates. The MCEC shall NEVER endorse a candidate that is a democrat, has voted as a Democrat in the last five years or has contributed nothing to the Republican Party (never attends meetings, volunteered or made any form of contribution, time or funds), or has failed to vote in any of the last five general elections or does not support the Planks of the Texas Republican Party or has made a contribution to any legislature or organizations that has violated any of these planks within the last five years.

During a Primary the MCEC can, by Executive Committee, vote to endorse one political candidate for each seat. The MCEC will only execute this clause if it aligns with the Republican Party of Texas principles by protecting the Republican Party of Texas, Medina County Republican Party and the constituents of the districts. The practice of endorsing two, three or four candidates for the same seat shall not be allowed. During a general election a candidate shall also be vetted by the MCEC. If a candidate who failed to receive an endorsement by the MCEC is selected during the Primary the MCEC has the right to refuse endorsement of that candidate in the general election.

Revision History:

December 19, 2023: Original Bylaws were created

August 5, 2024: Bylaws Revised document layout, grammar and spelling; Article III, Article IV, Article VI, Article VII had various changes, all others remained the same.