Our Goal 100,000 Statewide
Signatures
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS OF THE
MARYLAND NEWSOME PARTY
PREAMBLE
This is a Party of Righteousness. We are a group of Maryland voters and citizens who respect, the Maryland Constitution, the Federal Constitution, the United States Constitution and live by the guidelines and outlines, according to biblical standards and principles. Individuals do not have to be religious or Christian, but they do have to have the ability to know how to judge between right and wrong, and what is fair and unfair conduct. We work to ensure that every citizen of Maryland is represented fairly through the legislative process.
ARTICLE I: NEWSOME PARTY
The name of this organization shall be called the Newsome Party (NP).
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The Purpose of the Newsome Party is to be partisan; create a more diverse political field and give the Maryland voters other options; to positively impact lives all over the United States and its territories; to give a voice to those whose voices have not been heard within the legislative halls of justice; to bring true justice to the citizens of Maryland. To create variety and options so people have choices in the types of jobs they want where child care is included.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Selection Requirements: Any Maryland resident 18 years or older, who aligns with the values of the Newsome Party is eligible for membership as an officer within the Newsome Party.
3.2 Resignations: Members who hold an office within the Newsome Party must submit written resignations 30 days prior to resigning.
3.3 Expulsions: Expulsion of an officer within the Newsome Party will take place when it has been determined that unethical acts have been committed that violates the Newsome Party Constitution, Maryland Constitution or Rules and Laws that govern the State of Maryland.
3.4 Rights & Duties: Refer to Article IV, Section II.
ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION
Section I: Structure - Executive Officers & Chair Persons
Section II: Officers
President: The Presiding officer over the meeting who is responsible for knowing the constitution and by-laws. Operates from a neutral position with regards to debates within the party and makes certain all members have equal input and no partiality is shown. Appoint, instruct and when possible serve as ex-officio of committees. Determine with the aid of other officers and members, the objectives, meetings and action plans of the group. The President helps analyze membership problems and helps organize a vigorous membership campaign. The President also makes sure all committee members re notified of problems, that exist and policies under consideration. The President encourages harmony, unity and oneness within the organization. The President works closely with the organizational advisor.
Vice-President: Work closely with the President to ensure smooth transition should it be necessary for him/her to take over the position. Assist, but not substitute. Become acquainted with the President’s plans’ for the year and be prepared to assume his/her duties/responsibilities. Gather ideas from other members. Host meetings, check room arrangements to ensure suitability for gatherings. greet new comers and introduce new members, guest speakers are properly recognized, introduced and entertained. Should know what’s going on at all times and be familiar with all material sent to the President.
Secretary: Good organizational and word processing skills, be accurate, proficient and prompt. Maintain good accurate records of the organization’s minutes for each meeting. Provide officers and committees with all necessary papers and materials. Keep a systematic method of filing letters received/sent, committee and treasury reports, membership rosters, list all committees and any other duties. Should respond to official organizational correspondence. Mail and post notices of organization and executive committee meetings. Prepare with the president in advance, the order of business for each meeting. Cooperate with the treasurer in keeping an accurate listing of membership status. Read minutes of meetings and call the president’s attention to unfinished business. Have on hand at each meeting an agenda, minutes of the previous meeting, list of committees and reports and copies of the constitution and by-laws.
Treasurer: Chair of the finance committee. Expected to obtain records of all financial documents from the previous treasurer and go over these records with him/her if possible. Maintain a simple set of books and record all items of income and expenses as they occur. Meet with the advisor to prepare the annual budget for the upcoming year. Prepare requisitions for prompt payments of all invoices. Deposit all money collected and use the proper account number on all paperwork. Collect dues and bank all organization funds. Payout funds on orders signed by the Treasurer, the President and the Secretary, unless otherwise provided. Make reports at meetings as necessary. Cooperate with the Secretary on keeping accurate membership records including names, addresses, dates paid and funds received.
Campaign Strategist: Responsible for working in conjunction with the campaign manager and selected candidates running in the election to help secure a win.
Volunteer Manager: Responsible for overseeing, recruiting and mobilizing volunteers.
Organizational Advisor: Oversees meetings to make sure that members are staying within the confines of the Maryland constitution and the constitution of the United States.
Section III: Elections and Appointments
Appointments will be made and elections held on the 2nd Tuesday in June, once every two years.
Section IV: Terms of Office
Executive Officers and Chairpersons are elected and appointed every 2 years. Executive Officers may serve in the same capacity during consecutive terms for up to 4 years. Additional terms may be granted if there are no replacements.
Section V: Business/Financial
Annual Budget
The fiscal year will follow the calendar year from January 1 – December 31st. Financial records will be kept by the Newsome Party’s accountant who will provide a monthly report to the Chair of the Finance committee. Expenditures directly related to: (1) paying salaries of Newsome Party employees (2) campaign advertising (3) office rental and meeting space (4) computer software and communications (5) office and meeting supplies can be incurred. Expenses of $2,000 or less are to be approved by the Finance Chairperson. Expenditures above $2,000 must be approved by the President and Vice President.
The Executive Committee will meet to discuss the preparation of the budget. Budget is prepared and approved 3-months prior to the start of the fiscal year. Once the accountant has prepared the budget, it will be brought before the Finance committee for approval and final approval will be given by the President or the Vice President in his/her absence.
Expenditures must be reported on a monthly basis, on the 4th Friday of every month. It is the responsibility of the Finance Chair to provide the President with a monthly report. The penalty for not reporting in a timely manner will serve as a warning. The penalty for failing to report the second time would be demotion. It is the Finance Chair’s responsibility to update the President monthly on where the Party stands financially as well as to provide strategies and solutions when there is a need for greater infusion of funds in the budget.
Section VI: Governing Rules
General Rules – Any citizen 18 years or older, who is a currently resides in Maryland and meets the Newsome Party’s eligibility requirements and qualifications can become a candidate to fill any of the Executive Leadership positions within the Party.
To become a candidate in a state-wide or country-wide election, candidates must meet the following qualifications:
1. be a registered voter in Maryland;
2. to run for the office of the President of the United States or the Governor of Maryland, candidates would need Newsome Party approval from the Executive Committee, to appear on the Maryland ballot;
3. for Newsome Party members to run for any other political position: such as Senator, Delegate, Mayor, County Executive, Council, or any other elected position, members must be in good standing with the Newsome Party.
Elections are held on the 2nd Tuesday in June preceding the election year. Ballots are casts electronically or by mail, and the winner is the candidate who garners the majority of the votes.
Inauguration – Officers of the Executive committee will be officially sworn in on the 2nd Tuesday in October.
Vacancies – in the event of a vacancy, a special meeting will be held to vote in a member into an Executive position or to announce a new appointment as a Chair or Vice-Chairperson of the committee.
Grievance – A complaint filed by another member will be handled by the Executive Committee. If grievances are proven to be valid and warrants the removal of an Executive Member, a vote will be taken by the Executive Committee and if 75% of the Committee agrees, then member shall be removed from Newsome Party Executive Board.
Warning – a verbal or written admonishment given to the recipient of a grievance.
Impeachment - a charge which results in removal of office if found guilty.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Meetings will be called by the Chairman of the Newsome Party. Minutes will be taken at each meeting by the Secretary. Members of the Newsome Party will have the option to vote on the minutes, for approval. For the minutes to be approved there will be a first and second motion. The minutes will then be accepted into the records. Minutes should be kept in a book or binder. There will be 3 types of binders, regular, special and adjourned.
Meetings will be held once a month. All members in good standing are eligible to vote. In order to be a member in good standing, members must attend a minimum of 10 meetings a year. Members will be granted 2 excused absences. Any member who attends less than 8 meetings within a 12-month period will be deemed inactive and unable to vote on Executive Leadership positions.
Special meetings can be called by the President or in the absence of the President, the Vice-President with a 2-week notice to active voting members. Meetings will be conducted in a format to directly address the situation at hand and bring it to a vote, without additional formalities. The issue will be presented to members, a vote called and ratified with 75% of members present. Minutes will be taken by the Secretary and a copy distributed to members within 1-week of the meeting.
ARTICLE VI: QUORUM
A quorum will exist when at least three-quarters of the voting members are present to vote. In the event there is a tie vote. The Chairman of the Newsome Party will have the right to cast the deciding vote. Members who are not able to attend the meeting due to illness, injury or emergency, may call into the meeting by phone or other media devices and cast their vote.
ARTICLE VII:
Section I: Adoption and ratification of the by-laws will take place with at least three-quarters of the voting members present. If the required number of voting members are not present, the issues will be brought up at the next meeting.
Section II: Amending the Constitution can only take place with the agreement of 90% of the votes of the membership.
Adopted by Newsome Party on July 12, 2020.