(Organize away. - promoted by Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno)
If the leadership of a Town/Ward/City Committee has questions regarding organizing or re-organizing, some of the basics are noted below.
The MASSGOP is sponsoring training for Republican Town/City Committees through 2012. The first one is this weekend (see dates/times at the end of this post). Questions can also be answered by your State Committee man/women.
How many Committees are there? There are 351 Cities and Towns in the State. Each City has various Wards. Hence, it is possible for there to be over 450 Republican Town/Ward/City Committees. These committees are the legally organized, local bodies of the Republican Party.
How to Organize a Committee - Mass General Law (M.G.L.) - Chapter 52, regulates the process by which local political party committees are formed. Ward and town committee members of each party are elected at the presidential primary by those who vote in that particular party. The members of the various ward committees of a political party in a city constitute the city committee.
If interested Republicans in a Town/Ward have correctly organized by getting potential members listed on the primary ballot, an organization meeting will be held (April 6 to April 15, 2012) - see "A" below.
If a Committee did not get members on the primary ballot, or has to organize or re-organize at another date - see "B" below. |
A) Organizational Meeting (April after a Presidential Primary Election). By State law, every political Committee in Massachusetts must reorganize every 4 years, with the meeting to take place within 10 days following the 30th day after the Presidential Primary Election. (For 2012 - Committees must organize from April 6 to April 15). The first meeting will include the election of officers for the next four years, unless your Committee should vote in the new bylaws a different term (some Committees do 2 year terms for the officers). The State Committee man/woman representing the Senatorial district and the MASSGOP must receive notification of the organizational meeting. The State Committee man/women or a representative of the State Committee should attend to offer guidance and assist with any questions.
*By State law, only those elected on the ballot are considered the "members" for the first meeting. Only members elected on the ballot may run and vote for the leadership at the first meeting. Once the Committee is formed and officers are elected, if there are additional openings, the Committee may vote in new members at that time or at the next meeting. Most Committees review the by-laws at this first organizational meeting and the bylaws must be voted on. Any previous bylaws are no longer valid.
B) Organizational Meeting: (At any other time when not done as noted above). If a political Committee did not organize as noted above, or if the committee did, but at some point after becomes inactive, it must reorganize. With the assistance of the MASSGOP and the State committee man/woman representing the district, a meeting will be advertised to reorganize the Committee and the elections of new officers. A minimum of three Republicans from the Ward/Town are needed to organize the Committee. The State Committee must open this meeting and be in attendance. Typically all Republicans in attendance may join the Committee at the first meeting, and run for office. If there are more than 35 Republicans seeking membership, elections would take place for the 35 membership slots and then the election for officers.
Minimum Member requirement to organize a Committee: When Republicans in a Town/Ward want to form a Committee, there must be a minimum of 3 Republicans from the Town or Ward to organize. If there are only 3, each person would need to agree to accept one of the minimum positions needed to organize: Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. While it is always recommended to have a Vice Chairman, this position is not mandatory. No person may hold more than one executive position.
If you need additional assistance the next free MASSGOP sponsored Boot Camp will be held this weekend:
• Sunday, February 5, 2012- 9 am to 3 pm (With Lunch & Snacks)
Location: Senator Ross Office - 93 Commonwealth Ave, North Attleboro, MA
Sign up by emailing the MASS GOP your name, address, phone, RTC you are a member of, and the date and location you want to attend. Email: BootCamps@massgop.com
The program includes a light lunch, snacks, drinks, handouts and a hardcover 75 page reference book. |
