Governance of the Madison Chapter of Democracy for Wisconsin
The document below is the statement of governance of the Madison chapter of Democracy for Wisconsin. A PDF version of this document is available here.
Everyone is welcome to attend our Open Planning Group (OPG) meetings, and you may vote at the OPG meetings if you've met the minimum attendance requirements as set forth in our Governing Document.
Democracy for Wisconsin–Madison Governing Document
I. Name, Organization
The name of this organization is Democracy For Wisconsin–Madison, also known as DFW–Madison. DFW–Madison is a club for politically progressive citizens, and is not affiliated with Democracy For America, Howard Dean, any political party, any candidates, or any candidate's committee.
II. Mission, Activities, Values, and Principles
The mission of DFW–Madison is to provide an effective channel for community-based action that advances the values and principles of democracy. To actualize its mission, DFW–Madison will focus on signature issues and efforts in specific areas, both determined by the membership during strategic planning sessions held approximately every year. DFW–Madison's values include openness, honesty, respect, diversity, and fairness. DFW–Madison promotes individual involvement, progressive values, and good government. DFW–Madison is committed to fighting the radical right wing and the corporate special interest dominance of politics.
III. Membership, Communications
A. Membership is open to anyone who supports DFW–Madison's mission, governing document, values, principles, and activities. There are two types of memberships, Voting Member (III.B., below) and Participating Member (III.C., below), with the distinction based upon length of participation in DFW–Madison.
B. Voting Members. The Voting Members of DFW–Madison shall be limited to those individual persons who have attended a minimum of 3 general membership meetings ("Meetups") within a rolling 12-month period. Each person must make sure his or her presence is noted on the official sign-in sheet at every meeting attended. The Planning Group shall maintain records of sign-ins and all decisions based on those records are final.
C. Participating Members. DFW–Madison monthly general meetings ("Meetups") are open to any interested individual member of the public (see III.A., above) who may participate in all aspects of the general membership meeting ("Meetup") with the exception of the voting eligibility requirement as noted in III.B., above, and the conditions for Planning Group membership as noted in IV., below.
D. Communications. Members are strongly encouraged to avail themselves of both the Meetup.com meeting website and the Yahoo group e-mail distribution list (both require free registration) and to frequent the DFW–Madison website (in the Madison section at http://www.DemocracyForWisconsin.com) to keep informed and updated.
E. Privacy Notice. Members' personal information – name, address, phone number, e-mail address – collected by DFW–Madison will never be shared with any outside group unless expressly approved by the member, and will only be used for DFW–Madison communication purposes. This section does not pertain to any personal information individuals submit to third parties such as Meetup.com, Yahoo.com, DemocracyForAmerica.com, etc. Consult privacy policies for third parties such as these.
F. Termination of Membership. Voluntary termination of membership is the responsibility of the individual, who also is responsible for notifying Meetup.com, Yahoo.com, etc., if they no longer wish to participate and receive communications.
IV. Planning Group
The DFW–Madison Planning Group, also known as the Planning Group, meets regularly to plan the general membership meeting ("Meetup"). Membership in the Planning Group is open to any DFW–Madison Voting Member (see III.B., above, for eligibility requirements) who is willing to volunteer for additional duties expected of Planning Group members. The Planning Group sets the Agenda for general membership meetings; administers the business of DFW–Madison; calls Votes for endorsements, issues, strategic priorities, special events, governing document changes, and other actions; coordinates communications; may call special meetings; and plans events and other activities. Votes are approved by a simple majority of the Planning Group.
V. Dues / Fees There are no membership dues. (See III., above, for the membership requirements.) DFW–Madison may charge appropriate fees for special activities and events, such as the Reel Democracy film series buffet.
VI. General Membership Meetings
A. General Membership Meetings. General membership meetings ("Meetups") are normally held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month starting at 7:00 p.m. at a location announced in advance (see Communications, III.D., above).
B. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the general membership may be called by the Planning Group with reasonable notice.
C. Rules. Meetings are ordinarily conducted informally except for instances of Voting. There is no quorum necessary to conduct business except that establishment or change of the governing document shall be voted upon and approved by a simple majority of the Voting Members present.
D. Voting: Prior to a Vote being put before the general membership for approval by a simple majority at a general membership meeting, the Vote must be submitted to the Planning Group for approval. Situations which may call for Voting include endorsements, strategic priorities, special partnerships and/or events or governing document changes (see Section VIII., below). Most routine DFW–Madison business may be conducted without formal Voting.
E. Record. The notes from the meeting will be posted electronically in a manner determined by the Planning Group.
VII. Committees
A. Creation. DFW–Madison may create committees, task forces, workgroups, and other such entities for the purpose of studying issues and making reports, carrying out projects, or conducting other activities designated by DFW–Madison.
B. Membership. Open to any DFW–Madison members (voting and participating). The Committee chair, if any, must be a voting member.
C. Reporting. Reports from these entities will be made to DFW–Madison general membership meetings as needed. Official records, if any, will be maintained by the Committee chair and shared with others as appropriate and as needed.
VIII. Amendment of the Governing Document
This document may be amended in accordance with Section VI.D., above, at any regular or special general membership meeting by a majority of DFW–Madison voting members present.
NOTATIONS:
Approved by Planning Group: April 21, 2005.
Effective: May 1, 2005.
Adopted by DFW–Madison: May 4, 2005.
All content © 2005 Democracy for Wisconsin.
Democracy for Wisconsin is not affiliated with or
endorsed by Howard Dean or Democracy for America.