- As adopted on July 26, 2022, at the Bastrop County Republican Party Organizational Meeting Revision 1.0
The name of this organization shall be the Bastrop County Republican Party Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as “Executive Committee”). The Executive Committee may conduct business in the name of Bastrop County Republican Party (“BCRP”).
Section 1. The purpose of this Executive Committee shall be:
A. To establish the policies of the Bastrop County Republican Party, subject to the direction of the biennial County Convention;
B. To represent the Bastrop County Republican Party, the State of Texas, and the United States, articulating the principles and policies of the Republican Party platform and to promote Republican candidates;
C. To cooperate in carrying out programs initiated by the Republican Party of Texas, including, but not limited to:
D. To develop and sustain a county-wide organization through which the Republican Party of Texas can exercise those powers and responsibilities conferred upon it by State and Federal statutes;
E. To be responsible for the general and ethical supervision and management of the Republican Party in Bastrop County, Texas;
F. To promote and inform the electorate through education;
G. To increase the effectiveness of residents of Bastrop County in the cause of good government through active participation;
H. To facilitate cooperation among Republicans of Bastrop County and to promote the welfare and growth of the Bastrop County Republican Party;
I. To foster and encourage loyalty to the ideals of the Republican Party and to promote conservative ideas and principles encompassed in the US Constitution, Bill of Rights and Texas Constitution;
J. To influence the outcome of public policy to reflect the principles found in the platform of the Republican Party of Texas.
Section 2. The Executive Committee is charged with the responsibility of observing all the laws of the State of Texas and these United States in fulfilling the purposes stated in the Article.
Section 1. The voting members of the Executive Committee when conducting official business required by the Texas Election Code shall be the County Chair and the Precinct Chairs. Officers and Committee Members who are not Precinct Chairs may serve as non-voting ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Requirements for County Chair or Precinct Chair:
A. A person must not be a candidate for nomination or election to, or be the holder of, an elective office of the federal, state, or county government; and must be a qualified voter of the County. (TEC, Section 161.005);
B. No member may simultaneously hold more than one voting position on the Executive Committee;
C. A person must reside in the election precinct as well as satisfying the other applicable requirements. (TEC, Section 171.023);
D. Removal of Precinct Chair or County Chair for abandonment of office shall be in accordance with Texas Election 171.029 –“ A precinct or county chair who has failed to perform statutory duties provided by this code or failed to attend four or more consecutive meetings of the county executive committee may be removed for abandonment of office as provided by this section.” (TEC 171.029 includes process for notification and procedures.)
Section 3. The term of office for County Chair or Precinct Chair is defined in Texas Election Code, Section 171.022(c). Each committee member serves for a term of two (2) years commencing the twentieth (20th) day after the Run-off Primary Election Day.
Section 4. Filling a vacancy in the Office of County Chair or Precinct Chair shall be as provided in the Texas Election Code, Section 171.024 and Section 171.025. The required quorum is as given below in Article V, Section 6. Votes to fill such vacancies shall be initiated by motion and conducted by secret ballot.
Section 5. Votes shall be cast and counted in the manner prescribed in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, New Revised.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of each precinct chair to serve as liaison between the Bastrop County Republican Party and party members within the Precinct he/she represents. It shall be the duty of the County Chair to serve as the liaison between the Republican Party of Texas and party members of the county he/she represents. It shall be the responsibility of both Precinct Chairs and the County Chair to promote the growth of the Republican Party of Texas within the county through recruitment of Party officials where no entity of the Party exists; and to ensure that Party Officials within the county have adequate information concerning conduct of Primary elections, County Conventions, and meetings, as well as legal requirements governing contributions and expenditures.
Section 1. Officers of the Executive Committee shall be County Chair, County Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Parliamentarian, Sergeant-At-Arms and Chaplain. The County Vice Chair, Parliamentarian, Sergeant-At-Arms and Chaplain shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the County Chair. The Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected by the Executive Committee and serve at its pleasure. The County Chair may appoint a Treasurer immediately upon assuming office to assist in financial matter until being elected during the Organizational meeting. The office of Vice Chair shall not remain vacant for more than ninety days. Officers need not be Precinct Chairs. All officers shall serve pro bono. The County Chair is permitted only statutory compensation for conduct of the primary election and its runoff.
Section 2. The term of officers shall be concurrent with that of the Executive Committee as stated in Article III, Section 3 of these bylaws.
Section 3. A vacancy in any office may be filled at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 4. Duties of the officers shall be as specified by the Texas Election Code, Rules of the Republican Party of Texas, adopted Parliamentary Authority, these bylaws and any Rules adopted by the Executive Committee.
A. The County Chair shall be the Executive Committee’s presiding officer. The County Chair shall be an ex-officio (non-voting) member of all Standing and Special committees and shall make committee appointments as outlined in Article VI of these bylaws within forty-five (45) days of any vacancy. The County Chair may be a member of the Texas Republican County Chairmen’s Association (TRCCA), and the Executive Committee may pay any assessment or dues. The County Chair is authorized to make, or authorize the Treasurer to make, expenditures within the adopted budget or up to $50.00. The Chair shall not make any other expenditures without the approval of the Executive Committee.\
B. The County Vice Chair shall assist the County Chair as requested in the performance of the County Chair’s duties. In the event the County Chair is unable to perform the duties of the Chair, due to death, or inability or unwillingness to serve, the County Vice Chair shall serve as acting Chair until the Chair resumes their duties or until the election of a new Chair. The Vice Chair may not perform any statutory duties as outlined by State Law but may assist in any other functions.
C. The Treasurer shall keep systematic records and comply with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations regarding contributions and expenditures. The Treasurer shall provide a monthly report of financial condition showing detailed and itemized income and expenses, both paid and encumbered and not yet paid, and current balances for all bank accounts, merchant accounts, debit cards or credit cards. Such financial reports shall be presented at each regular Executive Committee meeting. The Treasurer shall make party financial records available to Executive Committee members upon request. All expenditures must be verified by committee vote recorded in the monthly minutes.
D. The Secretary shall carry out the usual duties of that office above and beyond the statutory duties of Texas Election Code 171.025 and 172.022. The Secretary shall maintain the permanent file of the minutes of the meetings, a copy of which shall be furnished to any Executive Committee member upon request. The Secretary shall maintain the permanent file of the minutes of the meetings, a copy of which shall be furnished to any Executive Committee member upon request. The Secretary shall maintain a current list of all Executive Committee members, Officers, and Standing Committee members as well as members of Special Committees, or other committees which shall be furnished upon request to any Executive Committee member and shall be brought to each Executive Committee meeting. The Secretary shall keep a permanent record of the Bylaws and Standing Rules, a copy of which shall be furnished to any Executive Committee member upon request.
E. The Parliamentarian shall advise the County Chairman on procedural issues, on procedural questions that arise during the course of Executive Committee meetings and make recommendations regarding amendments to the Bylaws. If any special committee is created to review and/or recommend changes to the Bylaws, the Parliamentarian shall serve as an ex-officio member of the special committee.
F. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall assist the County Chairman in conducting Executive Committee meetings.
G. The Chaplain will be responsible for the Invocation and Benediction of all Bastrop County Republican Party Executive Committee meetings and functions.
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall meet at all times as required by the Texas Election Code and will generally hold regular meetings in odd numbered months on the third Saturday of the month. Meetings can be cancelled or rescheduled as necessary.
Section 2. Notification of Statutory and Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be by the County Chair. Special meetings may be called by the County Chair or by written petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) percent of the Precinct Chairs, delivered to the Chair or Secretary at least fourteen (14) days before the desired meeting date. The date, time, location, and agenda of the meeting must be stated in the call. The only business that can be transacted at a special meeting is that which has been specified in the call of the meeting. Notice shall be by e-mail to all members who have provided the Secretary a working e-main address; otherwise the notice shall be by US mail postmarked not less than seven (7) days prior to the designated meeting date.
In the case of a Special Meeting called by petition that is delivered to the Secretary, the Secretary shall have authority to notify the members of the call. Emergency meetings may be called by the County Chairman with a minimum of five (5) days’ notice to each Executive Committee member.
Section 3. The organizational meeting shall be called in accordance with Republican Party of Texas Rule 8. “A County Executive Committee shall hold its organizational meeting within forty-five (45) days after the term of office begins for the County Chairman and the Precinct Chairmen. (The term of office begins twenty (20) days after the Primary Runoff Election according to Subsection 171.022 (c) of the TEC.) The County Chairman shall be responsible for calling the meeting; however, if the County Chairman does not call the meeting, then one-fourth (1/4) or fifty (50) of the Precinct Chairmen, whichever is fewer, may, by written demand, call an organizational meeting.” This must be accompanied by proper notification.
Section 4. A Standing or Special Committee shall meet at the call of its chairman, by written petition signed by at least twenty (25) percent of the committee’s membership, or by vote of the Executive Committee. The date, time, location, and proposed agenda of the meeting must be stated in the call. Those calling the meeting shall send the call to all members of the committee and to all Executive Committee members no less than seven (7) days in advance of the meeting using the same methods described in Section 2 above. When the Executive Committee calls the meeting, notification shall be sent by the Secretary. Meetings of the Executive Committee or its subcommittees may be cancelled only as follows:
A. A meeting called by a chairman may be cancelled by that chairman;
B. A meeting called by petition may be cancelled by agreement of all signors of the petition;
C. A meeting called by vote of the Executive Committee, may be cancelled by a 2/3 (two- third) vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 5. The counting of votes shall be on an individual basis. Proxy voting is not allowed, per Texas Election Code Section 171.026. A roll call vote shall be taken in compliance with Republican Party of Texas Rule 7 (b).
Section 6. The Quorum requirements for all meetings are specified in Republican Party of Texas Rules, including but not limited to Rule 9 and in these Bylaws. A quorum of a majority of the filled Executive Committee voting positions must be present to fill any vacancy of the voting members of the Executive Committee.
Section 1. The County Chair shall appoint the Chair of any Standing Committees, or Special Committees or as deemed necessary to carry out the policies of the local Party, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the County Chair. The Executive Committee may, however, remove a chair of any standing or special committee with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present and voting.
Section 2. Each Standing Committee shall consist of a minimum of three (3) members and a maximum of five (5) members, who except the Committee Chair, shall be elected by, and serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Each Special Committee shall consist of the number of members determined by the County Chair to fulfill the needs of that committee, who, except the Committee Chair, shall be elected by and serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.
Section 4. Each committee is authorized to develop procedures for conducting business within that committee’s jurisdiction, subject to review and amendment by the full Executive Committee.
Section 5. A committee member missing three (3) consecutive committee meetings shall be automatically removed from the committee membership and the vacancy will be filled by the County Chair for the chair of the committee within forty-five (45) days, and by the Executive Committee for other members of the committee. No Precinct Chair shall chair more than one Standing Committee and no Precinct Chair shall be a voting member on more than two Standing Committees or one Standing Committee and one Special Committee.
Section 6. The Standing Committees composition and duties may include the following:
A. The Finance Committee shall focus on raising the money needed to fund the Party and its activities. The Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee. The Finance Committee shall prepare an annual budget and submit it to the Executive Committee by the November meeting and maintain bookkeeping. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for managing fundraising events for the Bastrop County Republican Party. It shall develop and report fund-raising initiatives to the Executive Committee for approval, including the initiative’s purpose, methodology, forum, expense, and delegation of responsibilities. It shall also report to the Executive Committee the status of any fundraising initiative in execution, and the results of any fund-raiser upon completion. To aid in these efforts, the County Chair shall appoint Special Committees for Individual Fundraising events.
B. The Rules Committee shall periodically review these bylaws and may recommend amendments hereto. The Committee shall also review changes in election laws, Republican Party of Texas Rules and advise the Executive Committee of such changes.
C. The Resolutions Committee shall review the platform, take suggestions from the public for additions, deletions, or corrections to the platform. They will review such requests and submit the recommendations to the Executive Committee at any time prior to the biennial county convention.
D. The Vacancies Committee may recruit and shall interview qualified persons to fill vacancies on the Executive Committee. Individuals interested in serving as a Precinct Chair that is vacant shall be referred to the Vacancies Committee for review. The Vacancies Committee shall report its findings to the Executive Committee for a vote.
E. The Candidate Committee shall recruit and encourage qualified persons to seek open public offices on the Republican ticket. The Committee shall also provide assistance to the Party’s nominees.
F. The Information and Communications Technology Committee (ICT Committee) shall maintain and keep current the pages of the Party’s Database, eMail account(s) and bulk email services provider(s), Website, Facebook, Twitter, online calendar, other social media accounts and technology platforms; Shall prepare press releases, and publish communications in local and state media, the digital media above and other community avenues; Receive input for such communications from all sources; May delegate assignments if necessary to perform these tasks. Shall store in a secure location managed by the County Chair any login credentials for any of those platforms: Develop usage policies and maintain the security and integrity of any online presence; Shall facilitate Precinct Chairmen’s communication with the individual precincts.
G. The Events Committee will coordinate events, and the necessary personnel for these events throughout the year. These events may include, but are not limited to monthly informational meetings, quarterly dinner meetings, and special community events. The Events Committee shall maintain a roster of persons desiring to volunteer in various capacities of BCRP. This may include volunteering for the office, special events, informational meetings, those who may be needed for fund raising efforts, or any other areas deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
Section 7. The County Chair may appoint Special Committees as needed to support the purpose of these bylaws. The scope of a Special Committee shall be specified by the County Chair and agreed to by an Executive Committee majority and shall be entered in the Executive Committee minutes. If applicable, the recommendations of the Special Committee will be presented to the Chair and Executive Committee for further consideration and actions. Special Committees may include;
A. The Intellectual Property Committee (IP) shall develop a plan for: 1) Consolidate of BCRP owned information, intellectual property, documentation and ‘soft’ assets, and 2) To acquire the hardware and software assets required to support the consolidation of BCRP data. ICT Chair shall be a member of this committee.
B. The Audit Committee will provide an annual report of the BCRP financials showing the current standing of the party and its fiscal health in January of each year. The findings will be reported in writing by the Chair of the Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting. The Vice Chairman and Treasurer shall be ex- officio members of the committee.
C. Special Committees for Individual Fund Raisers shall be established by the County Chair and shall work under the scope of and members of the Finance Committee. These Special Committees may include:
Section 8. Additional Standing or Special Committees may be created by vote of the Executive Committee. Such a motion should include the name of the committee, define its duties, and specify whether the committee being formed is a standing or special committee.
Section 9. Chairs of Standing Committees shall be a Precinct Chair. No other member of a Standing Committee need be a Precinct Chair. Chairs of Special Committees need not be a Precinct Chair. No other member of that committee need be a Precinct Chair.
Section 10. Standing or Special Committees must meet between regular meetings of the Executive Committee when they have pending business. Should a committee fail to timely hold such a meeting, then its pending business shall automatically refer to the Executive Committee as a whole for consideration. The Executive Committee may at that time either resolve the business or refer the business back to the standing or special committee for action before the Executive Committee’s next regular meeting.
No dues shall be collected or levied on anyone participating in Bastrop County Republican Party activities. Party affiliation shall be as provided in the Texas Election Code.
Section 1. The Executive Committee will review the selection of election judges that the County Chair will otherwise submit in accordance with Texas Election Code Section 32.002.
Section 2. The Bastrop County Republican Party Executive Committee shall contract with the Bastrop County Elections Office to conduct elections according to the Texas Election Code Section 31.
The Executive Committee shall operate in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas, the Bylaws and rules of the Republican Party of Texas, these Bylaws and Rules and the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, New Revised.
These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Executive Committee, duly called and constituted, by two thirds (2/3) vote of those members present and voting, provided that the amendment has been proposed in writing at the previous regular meeting by a voting member of the Executive Committee.
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