RULES AND BY-LAWS
RICHMOND COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

SECTION I: QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

All qualified voters under the laws of the State of Georgia who are in accord with the principles of the Republican party, believe in its declarations, and are in sympathy with its aims and purposes may participate as members of the Republican Party in its conventions or mass meetings in their respective jurisdictions. 

SECTION 2: THE RICHMOND COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

   I. There is hereby created the Richmond County Republican Committee, hereinafter referred to as the County Committee.

   II. Officers:
            (1) The general officers of the County Committee shall consist of a Chairman, A Vice- Chairman from each of the two Congressional Districts, 9 and 12, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer and a Legal Counsel.
            (2) No person shall hold two seats on the Executive Committee.
            (3) The duties and authority of the respective officers shall be such as is usual and by custom inherent in offices of the same name and such duties and authority may be enlarged or limited from time to time by the County Committee.

   III.  The County Committee shall consist of:
            (1) The members of the Executive Committee.
            (2) All persons contributing yearly dues as established by the Executive Committee.  Persons becoming members by contribution must have attended one meeting prior to becoming eligible to vote at meetings.

   IV.   The Executive Committee shall consist of:
            (1) The General Officers of the County Committee.
            (2) The immediate past-chairman of the County Committee, when that individual maintains legal residence in Richmond County.
            (3) Two members of the Richmond County Board of Elections, as elected by the Executive Committee as specified in the special law which creates the Board of Elections.
           (4) The Chairmen of voting district organizations as have been officially recognized by the County Committee.
            (5) The President of the Women's Republican Club of Richmond County.
            (6) The Chairman, or designated representative, of any Republican organization recognized by the Executive Committee of Richmond County.
            (7) The Chairman of any Congressional District and State Republican Committee provided those individuals are legal residents of Richmond County.
            (8) a. Public officials of Richmond County who are elected on the Republican Party ticket, and who have requested membership.
                 b. Public officials of Richmond County who are elected on a nonpartisan ticket and who have requested membership, subject to approval by a majority vote of the members present of the Executive or County Committee.
            (9) Up to sixteen (16) additional members to be selected by the County Convention.

   V. The County Committee shall have the power between conventions to alter the membership of the Committee to whatever extent it deems appropriate by a majority vote of the Committee, provided, however, that a written notice designating the time, place and purpose of such a meeting is mailed to all members of the County Committee at least five (5) days prior to the day of such a meeting. 

SECTION 3: ELECTIONS AND TERM OF OFFICE

    The Officers of the County Committee shall be elected at the County Convention and shall serve for two (2) years, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed in accordance with these rules.

SECTION 4: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMITTEE.

   I. Any officer or member of the County Committee may be removed from office for cause by a vote of two-thirds majority of the members present in person or by proxy at any duly called meeting of the County Committee; provided however, that such individual be given at least thirty (30) days written notice of such meeting, and of the grounds there for, and is given an opportunity to be present and to be heard in person and/or by any representative of his/her choice. "Cause" as used herein shall include conduct detrimental to the best interests of the party, as may be determined by the aforesaid vote of the County Committee.

   II. If not removed under SECTION 4:I above, a member shall be suspended from participation following a Grand Jury indictment. Such suspension will remain in effect until conviction or exoneration.

   III. As an exception to the policy outlined in SECTION 4:I above, any officer or member will be removed without notice following his/her conviction of a felony.

SECTION 5: FAILURE TO ATTEND MEETINGS

   I. All members of the Executive Committee (except elected officials) shall automatically lose their committee post if they: (A) miss two (2) consecutive meetings without sending in a written proxy or, (B) fail to attend three (3) of any six (6) consecutive meetings, with or without having sent a proxy .(Attendance at a given meeting shall be determined by the member's presence during that period from acceptance of the minutes until the conclusion of the discussion of old business.)

   II. The Chairman or Secretary will notify the individual that he has the right to submit a written request for reinstatement no later than ten days prior to the next scheduled County Committee meeting. If such a request is made, the committee will vote at that meeting provided the individual is present. This procedure will be use only once during the two year term of any individual.

SECTION 6:  VACANCIES

   Upon the death, resignation, or removal of any officer or member, such vacancy may be filled by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee present in person or by proxy, provided however, that five (5) days written notice has been given all members of the County Committee, setting forth in detail the purpose of such meeting.

SECTION 7: MEETINGS

   I. Executive Committee:

(1) The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month or upon the call of the Chairman, or upon the call of one-third of the members. Notice of all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be given to all members of the County Committee.
            (2) Seven members of the Executive Committee membership, present in person, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Members of the Executive Committee may be represented by proxy, provided, however, that proxies are in writing and only in favor of another member of the County Committee; provided however, the President of the Women's Republican Club shall be allowed to give her proxy to any member of the Women's Republican Club.
            (3) All members of the County Committee shall have the right to attend meetings of the Executive Committee in person and shall have the right to offer advice, comments or discussion on any matter before the Executive Committee.
            (4) The Executive Committee shall act for the Richmond County Republican Committee between meetings of the County Committee, subject to such rules and regulations as the County Committee shall adopt.

   II. County Committee
            (1) The County Committee shall meet in March and September of each year, or upon the call of the Chairman, or in the absence of such call, upon the call of a majority of the other officers, or one-third of the members; provided, however, that five (5) days written notice has been given all members of the County Committee, setting forth the time, place and purpose of such meeting. Emergency meetings may be held upon the call of any officer or any eight (8) members of the Committee upon twenty-four (24) hours actual notice to all members of the Committee of the time, place and purpose of said meeting.
            (2) The membership of the County Committee, present in person or by proxy, after proper notice, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided, however, at least fifteen (15) members are present in person or by proxy. 

SECTION 8: PROXIES

Members of the County Committee may be represented at any meeting of the County Committee by proxy, provided, however, that proxies are in writing and only in favor of another member of the County Committee. Ex-officio members of the of the County Committee, who hold membership by virtue of being Chairman of a District organization, Women's Republican Club, Young Republicans or College Republicans, shall be required to give their proxies to another member of their club only, who shall be entitled to attend the County Committee meeting with all privileges.

SECTION 9: DUTIES AND POWERS

   I. The County Committee shall act as the Republican Party of, and for Richmond County between mass meetings or conventions. It shall have the duty to enhance the prestige and reputation of the Republican Party, and to strengthen it in Richmond County.

   II. The County Committee shall call the county conventions and mass meetings or primaries, make arrangements therefore, and in compliance with state rules, fix the basis for representation by delegates to the county , district and state conventions, and the time and place for holding same. A voter does not have to be a delegate or an alternate to the County Convention to be elected to the Executive Committee, or to be elected a delegate or alternate to District and State Conventions. It shall oversee all County campaigns. It shall coordinate with the State Committee and the Congressional District Committees in conducting all elections within its boundaries. It will otherwise aid the State and District Committees in other efforts, where practical. The County Committee shall decide all controversies and contests arising within its jurisdiction, with the right to appeal to the District. Appeals must be taken to the District Committee within thirty (30) days after the decision appealed from, by petition, if signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified Republican voters of Richmond County.  If there is no clear District jurisdiction due to the fact that Richmond County is, in part, in two Congressional districts, the appeal will be sent directly to the State Committee for resolution.

   III. The County Committee shall have the power to organize and recognize Republican organizations in the voting districts of the County under such rules and qualifications as it may deem appropriate.

SECTION 10: COMMITTEES

   I. County Finance Committee:
            (1) There shall be a County Finance Committee consisting of the County Chairman, Vice- Chairmen, and Treasurer, and such additional members as the County Chairman may see fit to appoint.
            (2) All disbursements shall be approved and executed over the signatures of the Treasurer and either the County Chairman or a Vice-Chairman.

II. Other Committees:
            (1) General Counsel and other standing or special committees may be so established as deemed necessary by the County Chairman, subject to the approval of a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
            (2) Committee members for other committees will be appointed by the County Chairman, subject to the approval of a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 11: QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

The County Committee shall adopt rules for the qualification of candidates consistent with Federal or State laws and with the rules of the State Republican party.

SECTION 12: NOMINATION OF ELECTIVE OFFICIALS

   I. The County Committee shall have the power to nominate candidates for County and City elective offices in a County Committee meeting or primary.

   II. County Committee meetings for the purpose of nominating candidates for elective office may be held upon written notice of not less than five (5) days on the call of the Chairman, or on the call of a majority of the members. Whenever the County Committee shall by a majority vote declare primary elections for the purpose of nominating County or City candidates for public elective offices, such primary elections may be held for purpose or purposes declared in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the State Committee and consistent with any Federal or State laws for the conduct of such primary nominations and the certification of the results.

SECTION 13: MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE

   The County Committee is authorized to make such rules and to adopt such regulations as may be necessary or desirable for the structuring, organizing and establishment of a Municipal Republican Executive Committee from municipalities principally located within the County.  Said rules or regulations must not be in conflict with the rules of the Republican party of Georgia and are subject to review by the State Executive Committee at its discretion. Any such Municipal Executive Committee shall fully comply with the filing and the requirements provided in Chapter 34a-8 of the Georgia Municipal Election Code and shall also comply with the rules of the Republican Party of Georgia, the County Committee, the Georgia Municipal Election Code and the General Election Code. No candidate in a partisan municipal election shall be authorized to run as a Republican unless selected either by primary or petition under the auspices of a duly filed Municipal Republican Executive Committee in conformity with Chapter 21-3 of the Georgia Municipal Election Code.

SECTION 14: AMENDMENTS

   These rules may be amended at a County Committee meeting by a majority of the members present in person or by proxy, provided, however, that at least five (5) days written notice of such meeting has been mailed to all members. In the call of such meeting it shall be necessary to state an intention to amend these rules and to set forth in detail the proposed amendments. The amended rules shall become effective when adopted, unless otherwise provided.

SECTION 15: ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER

   Except to the extent modified by the County Committee or by a majority of the Committee in session, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern.

SECTION 16: CONDUCT OF PRECINCT MASS MEETINGS

   I. Upon the Call of the Georgia State Republican Party, the Richmond County Republican party shall hold Precinct Mass Meetings to elect officers and/or elect delegates to the County Convention. These meetings shall be held, one in each of the eight county commission districts on the date and time designated in the Call.

   II. A written notification of the number of delegates authorized from each county district to the county, congressional district and state conventions will be delivered by the County Chairman to the County District Chairman no later than one (1) week prior to the Precinct (County District) Mass Meetings.

   III. Selection of delegates:
            (1) All qualified persons who are present at a Precinct Mass Meeting shall be accepted as delegates or as alternates to the County Convention until all vacancies are filled. If there are more electors present than delegate or alternate slots are available, then elections or a lottery will be held.
            (2) If there are fewer qualified electors present than slots are available, one person at a time will be allowed to nominate one additional person (not present) until the vacant slots are filled. No person shall be allowed to nominate a second person until everyone else present has had the opportunity to make a nomination.
            (3) No prepared list of persons (present or not present) will be accepted by the presiding officer to fill available slots or to serve as a "pool" of potential delegates or alternates.

IV. Additional requirements:
            (1) A complete copy of these rules shall be prominently displayed and available for inspection at each precinct (district) meeting place.
            (2) A copy of the notification referred to in SECTION 16 II shall be prominently displayed and available for inspection at each precinct (district) meeting place.

SECTION 17: EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE RULES

 These rules shall become effective immediately upon their adoption.

 THIS 24^TH DAY OF MARCH 2007