2023 Clay County Republicans Convention
February 11, 2023 Glyndon Community Center
Registration 9AM Gavel in 10AM
Convention Documents
Clay County Republicans annual meeting February 11, 2023
PROPOSED AGENDA
1. Call to order by BPOU Chair
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Singing of The National Anthem
5. Reading of the call by BPOU Secretary
6. Election of Temporary Chair of Convention
7. Election of Temporary Secretary of Convention
8. Motion Authorizing Temporary Chair to Appoint a Parliamentarian, Sergeants-At-Arms, tellers, etc.
9. Motion Authorizing the Temporary Chair to Appoint the Following Committees: Credentials, Rules/Constitution, Nominations
10. Committee Meetings, if needed
11. Preliminary credentials Report: To Establish Quorum
12. Motion to Make the Temporary Organization Permanent
13. Adoption of the Rules, Items 2, 4, 5
14. Caucus to Fill Delegations
15. Adoption of Rules
16. Final Credentials Report
17. BPOU Treasurer’s Report/BPOU Chair Report
18. Constitution Committee Report
19. Election of BPOU Officers
20. Election of Two State Central Delegates and Six Alternates
21. Election of 22 CD7/State Convention Delegates and 22 Alternates
22. Other Business
23. Adjournment
Proposed Rules (11 Feb. 2023) 2023 Clay County BPOU Convention
1. “Robert’s Rules of Order , Newly Revised” shall be the parliamentary authority on all points not covered by the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota, the official Call of this Convention, or the rules adopted by the Convention.
2. The permanent roll of the Convention shall be constituted as follows:
a. The duly elected Delegates to this Convention from each precinct in Clay County, as elected at the
2022 caucus and still residing in that precinct.
b. If the duly elected Delegate is absent, then a duly elected Alternate shall be seated in that Delegate’s
stead. Alternates shall be seated by a caucus of the Delegates present from each individual precinct.
3. The order of business for this Convention shall be the Agenda as presented by the BPOU Chair Rodney Johnson.
4. After the preliminary Credentials report, quorum (10% of elected delegates) shall be determined, and 50 % and 67% of seated delegates shall be determined. The chair may call for a new credentials report at any time.
5. Only persons whose names are entitled to be entered upon the permanent roll of the Convention shall be
permitted to vote.
6. Debate on any motion or subject shall be limited to one (1) minute by each speaker. No person shall be allowed to speak more than twice upon the same subject. No person shall be allowed to speak a second time until all those desiring to speak have had a first opportunity to do so. Debate on any one motion or subject is limited to four (4) pro and four (4) con speakers, except by request of the majority of the convention.
7. A delegate, or seated alternate, wishing to speak from the floor shall rise, address the Chair, and state his/her name and precinct, and the purpose for which he/she rises. This speaker has no more than one (1) minute to make a motion and may not debate their motion prior to a second.
8. The vote on all questions shall be by acclamation, subject to the following restrictions:
a. A rising vote shall be taken if requested by more than 10 delegates or at the discretion of the Chair.
b. Nominations shall be called for three (3) times before being closed.
c. Nominees for any position may address the Conven on for the purpose of sta ng their qualifica ons and/or stands on issues or candidates for a period not to exceed two (2) minutes.
d. Voting for Delegates and Alternates shall be by secret ballot for all the contested elections.
e. Any ballot with more votes than the number of open positions will be disqualified.
9. No delegate shall be required to vote on any question under unit rule.
10. Twenty-two Delegates for the 7th Congressional District Conventions shall be voted upon in a single ballot by selecting the nominees who received the most votes on the ballot. In instances of a tie for the last position(s) a second ballot will be cast just between the tied candidates. Twenty-two Alternates will then be elected on a separate ballot and be assigned a numerical ranking by number of votes received. In the case of a slate being elected by voice vote, the Executive Committee will assign a numerical order.
11. Two Delegates for State Central Convention shall be elected on a single ballot. Six alternates for the State Central Convention shall be elected on a separate ballot and ranked by number of votes received.
1 2 . All resolutions brought up for a vote at the Convention must have passed through the Resolutions Committee.
1 3 . The Chair may interrupt the order of business to recognize speakers, declare a break, and rearrange the order of business as the Chair sees fit. Visiting speakers not on the official Agenda of the Convention shall be allowed to speak at the discretion of the Convention Chair, as long as they are Republicans, seeking partisan office as a Republican, or represent an organization that shares our Republican values and beliefs.
1 4 . Any Delegate, Alternate, guest, candidate, or attendee who becomes disruptive may be removed at the discretion of the Chair. Any materials without a disclaimer showing a name, address, and phone number will be removed.
1 5 . Those Permitted to Occupy the Floor of the Convention. “The floor” is defined as the seating area where duly elected delegates are gathered when casting votes. Only delegates, seated alternates, and those participating in the voting process may be on the floor during voting. All others must leave the floor. Each campaign may have up to 2 total workers (other than seated delegates and alternates) identified as associated with the campaign, on the floor during non-voting time. Everyone on the floor must wear an identity badge stating their name and organization they are associated with. Guests are not allowed on the floor except for distinguished guests for purposes of addressing the convention and greeting delegates as they enter or exit the stage.
1 6 . These rules may not be amended or suspended once passed, except for a two-thirds vote of the Convention.
1 7 . Matters not addressed: Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority on all points not covered by the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota, the Statutes of the State of Minnesota, the Official Convention Call of the Convention, or the Rules adopted by this Convention.
18 . Decisions of the rules are at the sole discretion of the Parliamentarian and the rules committee. A decision of the Parliamentarian and the rules committee may not be overruled.
Proposed Revised Constitution
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLICANS OF CLAY COUNTY
as amended by Republicans of Clay County Convention, 2 February 2019
PREAMBLE
The Republicans of Clay County welcome the participation of all Minnesotans It, therefore is with
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this Basic Political Organizational Unit (BPOU) shall be the “Republicans of Clay County.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be composed of all persons who desire to support the objectives of the Republican Party.
ARTICLE III: PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this organization shall be the maintenance and advancement of the principles and objectives of the Republicans secure the election of Republican officials, remembering always that in order to govern, Republican candidates must win elections.
County Minnesota with Republican leadership in all elected offices.
Republicans for Nomination in the primary election, and support the campaigns of the Republican Nominees in the general election.
ARTICLE IV: PRECINCT PARTY ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Precinct Caucus: The regular biennial caucus of the members of this organization residing in each precinct shall be called by the Chairperson Chairperson Chairperson called by the precinct Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson to discuss issues, candidates and other matters of interest.
for two (2) delegates Chairperson Chairperson Republican state representatives
Section 3. Precinct Alternates: Such biennial
Section 4. Precinct Committee: The Precinct Chairperson Chairperson the precinct.
ARTICLE V: BPOU CONVENTIONS & ENDORSEMENTS
Section 1. Conventions: The BPOU Convention shall be held each year during the period set by the State Executive Committee, and the
Section 2. Composition: The BPOU Conventions shall be composed of all delegates or their
remain unfilled.
Section 3. Election of Officers Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
these
convention call has been sent, or during the convention during the nominations item on the agenda for the office the
Section 4. State and District Convention Delegates and Alternates: BPOU Conventions in even-numbered years shall elect from the membership of The Republicans of Clay County Delegates, First Alternates and Second Alternates to the District and State Republican Conventions. The current BPOU Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson shall serve as Delegates to the State and District Conventions. First and second
separate consecutive ballots by selecting the nominees who received the most votes on the ballot. In instances of a tie forwill randomly
Section 5. Election of State Central Committee Delegates and Alternates: The current BPOU Chairperson shall automatically be seated as a Delegate to the State Central Committee of the State Republican Party representing Clay County. If more than one delegate to the State Central Committee is allocated by the 7th CD an election will be held to fill that position(s). BPOU Conventions in odd-numbered years shall elect from the membership of the Republicans of Clay County: State Central Committee Delegates (if needed), First Alternates, Second Alternates and Third Alternates.
Committee Delegates, and three alternates per delegate. Alternates shall be ranked by number of votes received.
Ten 10membership
Section 7. Committees: Prior to the convening of any Clay County Republican Convention, the Clay County Chairperson Chairperson
a. Credentials Committee
b. Rules Committee
c. Resolutions Committee
d. Nominating Committee
e. Standing Constitution Committee
f. Such other Committees as circumstances dictate
voting thresholds of 33%, 50%, 60%, and 67% of seated delegates.
Section 8. Endorsing Conventions: At any endorsing convention that may be held, delegates seated at the convention may endorse candidates for public office by a vote of 60% of the delegates and seated alternates, based on the most recent credentials report, provided, however, that such endorsement shall be advisory only and that delegates to the District and State Conventions shall not be bound by such endorsement.
ARTICLE VI: BPOU EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Establishment: There shall be an Executive Committee responsible for providing leadership to the organization and for the management of its affairs.
Section 2. Composition: The Executive Committee shall consist of elected members of The Republicans of Clay County as follows:
a. Chairperson Chairperson chief executive having
shall have
b. Deputy Chairperson Chairperson shall Chairperson
c. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all of the BPOU Executive Committee meetings and shall send out all notices, meetings
d. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive, keep, and be responsible for all funds of the BPOU and shall complete accurate records and accounts of the receipts and disbursements of such funds.
e. Finance Chairperson and Deputy Finance Chairperson as defined in Article VII, Section 1.
f. Directors. Directors shall be responsible for providing leadership for the organization in particular areas of party function. The Directors shall
g. One designated representative from each unit of an auxiliary or affiliate organization of The Republicans of Minnesota located in Clay County.
h. Ex-Officio (Non-voting): Elected State or National public officials
Ex-Officio (Non-voting): Elected State or National public officials, present officers of the Congressional District, State and National organizations of the Republicans who reside in Clay County, and the immediate
past Chairperson and past Deputy Chairperson of the organization shall serve as ex-officio members
executive committee, Affiliate members are ex-officio and may not participate in closed sessions.
Chairperson Chairperson
the presiding officer. In the absence of both the Chairperson Chairperson Fifty
Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of its business.
Section 4.
committee members issuing the proxy, the executive committee member acting as the proxy, and by a third member of the
proxy voter may vote on the members behalf.
positions effectiveARTICLE VII BPOU FINANCE COMMITTEE ARTICLE VII: VACANCIES
Section 1. Composition: The Finance Committee shall consist of the Finance Chairperson and Deputy Finance Chairperson appointed by the Executive Committee and such additional members as the Finance Chairperson deems necessary.
Section 2. Function: The Finance Committee shall be responsible for the organization and administration of the fundraising for the BPOU, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.
Section 1. Vacancy in the Executive Committee: Vacancies among officers and directors shall be filled by the Executive Committee and confirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Vacancy in Precinct Delegation: A vacancy shall occur in a delegate or alternate position upon death, resignation or change in residence to outside of the precinct from which the delegate or alternate was elected. Special caucuses for one or more precincts may be called by the Executive Committee in a manner prescribed by statute of biennial precinct caucuses for the sole purpose of filling vacancies in precincts which exist at the time of notice.
Section 3. Vacancy in District or State Delegation: A vacancy shall occur in a delegate or alternate position upon death, resignation, or change in residence to outside of the BPOU. These
BPOU Convention in odd-numbered years.
ARTICLE VIII: SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Section 1. BPOU Conventions: Should any elected precinct delegate to the BPOU Convention fail to attend such Convention, said seat shall be filled from the qualified available alternates only that precinct by caucus action of the assembled delegates from that precinct.
Section 2. District or State Conventions: If a delegate is unable to attend a District or State Convention, or a portion thereof, said Delegate may designate a First Alternate to fill the vacancy by notifying the BPOU Chairperson Chairperson in writing
Delegate’s seat shall be filled from among the qualified available Alternates, by caucus action of the assembled BPOU Delegates to the Convention. No Second Alternate may be seated at any District or State Convention until all First
Alternates attending such Convention from the BPOU shall be given an opportunity to be seated in an existing vacancy.
ARTICLE IX: REMOVALS
Members of the Executive Committee, Delegates and Alternates to Conventions may, except as otherwise prescribed by State Constitution, be removed only by a two-thirds vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee. Notice of any proposed removal and of the time and place at which such removal is to be voted upon shall be given to the
ARTICLE X: CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments: This Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of the members seated at a BPOU Convention. No proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Convention until after it has been considered by a Constitution Committee and reported out of said Committee by at least a minority report two such forty-eight (48) hours
Section 2. Effective Date: Each amendment to this Constitution shall, unless otherwise prescribed by the amendment, become effective immediately upon its adoption.
ARTICLE XI: RULES OF ORDER
The rules of parliamentary procedure contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern Republicans of the Clay County Republicans in all applicable cases in which they are not in conflict with this Constitution, the laws of the State
of Minnesota or the Constitution of the Republicans of Minnesota.
Constitution Committee Signatures
Rodney Johnson _____________________________
Amos Baer _________________________________
Terry Melby _______________________________
Calvin Benson ______________________________