Preamble

We, as the Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats, a chapter of the Tejano Democrats, seek to maximize the participation of Hispanics in the Bexar County Democratic Party as a powerful force in determining elections at all levels of the political process intend to contribute fully to an inclusive and effective Texas Democratic Party. We shall raise our voices on issues which directly affect the Hispanic community, and thus, the progress of our State. We hereby adopt the Constitution and Bylaws of the Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats.

ARTICLE I- NAME

The registered name of this organization shall be Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats and may also use Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats.

ARTICLE Il — PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to seek full representation of Hispanics at all levels and in all activities of the Democratic Party. This shall include, but not be limited to, participating in the delegate selection and committee processes at all levels of the Democratic Party conventions and organizations; selecting, screening, supporting, recruiting and endorsing Democratic candidates; taking appropriate public stands on issues relevant to our communities; and proposing, supporting, and, when necessary, opposing legislation relevant to the Hispanic community.

ARTICLE III —MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Qualifications: The Membership of Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats shall be open to any registered voter supporting the purpose of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats.

Section 2. Application Procedures:  Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats shall adopt mandatory application forms which shall, at a minimum, include the applicant’s name, address, birth date, email address, voter registration number, date of signature, and a mandatory signature line. Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats shall also adopt verification procedures of membership.

Section 3. Dues:   Dues of $15.00 per member per year shall be collected each year beginning January 01 thru July 31.  The dues paid each year shall enable the member to be in good standing until December 31 of same year.

ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS

Section 1.   A. Officers:  The officers of the Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats shall be a chair, two Vice Chairs, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a Vice Chair for Youth, each of whom shall be elected by a majority vote at the Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats meeting held in odd numbered years (during January, February or March).  The Executive Board will determine which month and day to hold the election.  Their terms of office shall be for two years.  Should the position of Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Vice Chair for Youth become vacant then the Executive Board shall elect a person to temporarily fill that position and the officer so elected shall serve until the next Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats meeting, at which time a person will be elected according to the procedures set out in the Constitution and Bylaws to fill the unexpired term.  This temporary officer must possess all the qualifications and fulfill all other requirements set out in the Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats Constitution.  

Section 1.   B.  Vice Chair for Youth: The Vice Chair for Youth shall oversee and coordinate activities for recruitment purposes limited to the identified age groups as Youth. 

Section 2.   A. Chair:  The Chair shall lead with the planning of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats; execute the directives and programs of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats; coordinate Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats efforts in support of Hispanic officeholders and candidates for public office, as well as of Democratic office holders and candidates endorsed by Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats; present to appropriate legislative bodies those problems and solutions which affect our community; appoint a Parliamentarian and preside at all Executive Board and General Membership meetings.

Section 2.    B.  Vice-Chair:   The Vice Chairs shall serve as Co-Chairs whenever the Chair is unable to serve or is precluded from serving; preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair; and preside at meetings called in compliance with the Bylaws or by someone other than the Chair. 

Section 2.    C.  Treasurer:   The Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee; oversee the funding activities of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats and be responsible for the collecting, recording and disbursing of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats funds, according to the policies set forth by Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats, establish and maintain financial records using accepted accounting methods.  The Treasurer shall provide financial updates  to the Executive Board and to the General Membership meetings.

Section 2.   D.  Secretary:   The Secretary shall accurately record, transcribe, distribute and maintain the minutes of all Executive Board and General Membership meetings.  The Secretary will be responsible for recording the dates when each membership became effective or renewed and for the keeping and updating of a membership roster for the Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats.  In addition, the Secretary shall provide a notarized roster of members of said chapter to the State Treasurer of the State Tejano Democrats at least thirty (30) days prior to a General  Membership Convention.

Section 3. Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats officers and members shall be prohibited from publicly endorsing a candidate who has been opposed by the general membership, but may endorse when Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats has taken a noncommittal position.

ARTICLE V — MEETINGS .

Section 1.   Membership- General :  The membership meeting of the Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats shall meet every two months or as required by the Executive Board.  The Executive Board will determine the place and time.                                                                                                                                                          Section 2.  Membership-Special:  Special meetings of the membership can be called for any purpose under the following requirements, provided 5 days’ notice.         The location must be within the boundaries of Bexar County.                                                                                                                                                                                A special meeting may be called by the Chair.                                                                                                                                                                                                           A specal meeting may be called at the written request of any two officers.                                                                                                                                                            A special meeting may be called at the written request of the Executive Board.                                                                                                                                                    Meeting called at the request of the officers, other than the Chair, shall be presided over by the Vice Chairs.                                                                                                  Section 3.  Notices:  Notices of any meeting to the membership must be by email, text or phone call no later than two weeks prior to the date set for the called meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

• ARTICLE Vl — EXECUTIVE BOARD

  Section 1. Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats, recognizing that their ability to maintain an effective program is dependent upon its ongoing organizational structure; that an organizational structure is essential to the maintenance of effective legislative programs; and that any organizational structure speaking on behalf of Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats must be a representative cross-section of the Hispanic community of Texas, therefore directs that an Executive Board be comprised of the following members for their respective terms of office:

• The Chair of Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats, who also shall be the Presiding Officer of the Executive Board

• The two Vice Chairs of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats
• The Secretary of Bexar County  SD19 Tejano Democrats
• The Treasurer of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats
• The Vice Chair for Youth Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats
•  

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

Section 1. There shall be standing committees of Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats and those committees shall have the following names and functions:

A. Constitution, Bylaws and Rules Committee:   To initiate and to supervise those changes necesasary in the Constitution and Bylaws and to draft and propose Standing Rules to permit Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats to function.

B. Finance: To develop and execute plans for the raising of funds for the Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats chapter.

C. Public Relations and Media Committee: To publicize the activities of the Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats.

D. Education Committee: Shall be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the education system and issues affecting education.

Section 3. The Chair of Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats shall appoint all committees.

Section 4. All standing committees shall adopt their own standing rules which will govern their operations at all meetings.

ARTICLE VIII – VOTING

Only members whose membership is in good standing at least thirty days (30) before a General Membership meeting are eligible to vote on resolutions, election of officers, endorsements, general policy and legislative programs.

ARTICLE IX – ENDORSEMENT

A candidate must receive sixty percent (60%) vote of the full Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats membership to receive the Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats endorsement.

If a candidate DOES NOT receive sixty percent (60%) of the vote of the full Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats, a second vote will be taken and the candidate who receive the majority of the vote Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats will receive the endorsement.

Any political candidate under indictment, criminal or otherwise, shall not be considered for endorsement by the Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats, until the candidate is cleared of all charges.

ARTICLE X- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern Bexar County SD19 Tejano Democrats at all levels in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or with any rules which Tejano Democrats may adopt.

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS

The Constitution and Bylaws can  be amended at a special meeting every two years (even numbererd years). The Executive Board will send amendments to the membership prior to the General meeting. at which time, the membership will vote on the amendments.

ARTICLE XII

Any member or officer of Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Tejano Democrats who violates the provisions of the Constitution shall face expulsion after a full hearing before the Bexar County Senatorial District 19 Executive Board as authorized by Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised).

Presented: Revised February 2023