Approved by Caucus on January 6th, 2022. These Rules and Bylaws Replace and Supersede All Previous Rules and Bylaws on Record.
I. PURPOSE
The purposes and functions of the Wilton Republican Town Committee (“Wilton RTC”) are to:
A. Recommend and endorse able and qualified candidates who share the values of the Wilton RTC for elected or appointed offices;
B. Elect, support and campaign for able and qualified candidates who share the values of the Wilton RTC;
C. Conduct party caucuses and conventions;
D. Study and recommend improvements for the local, state and federal government;
E. Study and recommend plans for the improvement of the local community;
F. Disseminate information to the public concerning any actual or potential local, state or federal legislation that will impact the Wilton community;
G. Sponsor and encourage activities and clubs that promote the values of the Wilton RTC;
H. Increase the number of registered Republican voters in Wilton and encourage voters to register as Republicans;
I. Raise funds to accomplish the goals and purposes of the Wilton RTC; and
J. Develop platforms of the Wilton RTC.
II. MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership. There shall be two (2) classes of membership in the Wilton RTC:
1. Regular Membership.
a. The Wilton RTC shall consist of thirty-five (35) regular members “Regular Members.”
b. The terms of Regular Members shall start on the first Monday following the date set for the primary in connection with their election and shall continue for two (2) years or until their successors shall have been chose, but not more than twenty-six (26) months; provided, however, that the term of any person who is a Regular Member on the date of the coming into force of these By-laws, shall continue until his or her successor is chosen under Section D. below.
c. Any person who is enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Wilton and continues to be so enrolled during his or her term shall be eligible to serve as a Regular Member of the Wilton RTC.
d. A Regular Member ceases to be a Regular Member of the Wilton RTC upon:
i. his or her death;
ii. his or her resignation;
iii. the change of his or her primary residence to a location outside of the Town of Wilton; or
iv. he or she ceasing to be enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Wilton.
A resignation of a Regular Member shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Chairman and the Recording Secretary.
2. Emeritus Membership.
a. The Wilton RTC shall consist of no more than ten (10) emeritus members.
b. Any person who has served no less than ten (10) years as a Regular Member of the Wilton RTC, who is not a Regular Member, and who is enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Wilton, shall be eligible to serve as an emeritus member (“Emeritus Member”) of the Wilton RTC.
c. Emeritus Members shall be non-voting members of the Wilton RTC but shall be permitted to advise and assist the Wilton RTC in carrying out its purposes. Emeritus Members shall not be permitted to attend executive sessions of the Wilton RTC unless invited to do so.
d. Emeritus Members shall be nominated and selected by a vote of the Regular Members of the Wilton RTC at the first meeting of the newly elected Regular Members, or at any such necessary time thereafter as determined by the Regular Members. Selection of any Emeritus Member shall require a majority of the votes of the Regular Members present. The term of an Emeritus Member shall commence upon his or her selection by the Regular Members. Unless otherwise provided under these Bylaws, the term of an Emeritus Member shall coincide with the end of the term of the Regular Members that selected him or her.
e. An Emeritus Member shall cease to be an Emeritus Member upon:
i. his or her death;
ii. his or her resignation;
iii. the change in her or her primary residence to a location outside of the Town of Wilton;
iv. he or she ceasing to be enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Wilton; or
v. he or she being removed by a vote of two-thirds of the Regular Members.
A resignation of an Emeritus Member shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Chairman and the Secretary.
B. Associates.
1. Any Wilton resident who is a member of (a) an officially recognized high school Republican club, (b) the Young Republicans National Federation or (c) an active college Republican club, may be deemed an associate of the Wilton RTC (an “Associate”) upon written petition to the Wilton RTC and approval by a majority of the Regular Members. The written petition shall be in a form prescribed by the Chairman of the Wilton RTC and, if the candidate is under the age of nineteen (19) years, must be endorsed by a candidate’s parent(s) or guardian(s) and contain the candidate’s parent(s) or guardian(s) contact information, which will be verified by an officer of the Wilton RTC. An Associate must be enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Wilton as soon as they are eligible to register to vote. If a candidate is enrolled at a high school that does not maintain a Republican club or is home schooled, such candidate shall submit a written petition, endorsed by a parent(s) or guardian(s), in a form prescribed by the Chairman of the Wilton RTC to the Chairman of the Wilton RTC. The term of an Associate shall commence upon approval by the Regular Members Wilton RTC. Unless otherwise provided under these rules and bylaws, the conclusion of the term of an Associate shall coincide with the end of the term of the Regular Members that selected him or her.
2. Associates shall be non-voting affiliates of the Wilton RTC but shall be permitted to advise and assist the Wilton RTC in carrying out its purposes. Associates shall not be permitted to attend executive sessions of the Wilton RTC unless invited to do so.
3. An Associate shall cease to be an Associate upon:
a. his or her death;
b. his or her resignation;
c. the change of his or her primary residence to a location outside of the Town of Wilton;
d. his or her ceasing to be a member of an officially recognized high school Republican Club, the Young Republicans National Federation, or an active college Republican club;
e. he or she ceasing to be enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Wilton (if he or she was enrolled as such at the time of his or her selection as an Associate);
f. he or she failing to be enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Wilton within thirty (30) days after becoming eligible to register to vote (if he or she was not enrolled as such at the time of his or her selection as an Associate); or
g. he or she being removed by a vote of two-thirds of the Regular Members.
A resignation of an Associate shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Chairman and the Recording Secretary.
C. Vacancies
1. Vacancies occurring in the Regular Membership shall be filled by vote of the remaining Regular Members at a time and place determined by the Chairman in accordance with these rules and Bylaws. The Secretary of the Wilton RTC shall maintain the name and contact information for the top three vote recipients (if any) who were not elected to Regular Members at the most recent caucus, and those individuals shall be contacted by the Secretary to determine whether they want to place their name in nomination for the vacancy. When a resignation occurs, it shall be submitted in writing to the Chairman and the Corresponding Secretary shall file with the Secretary of the Republican State Central Committee the name and address of the person filling the vacancy.
D. Election of Regular Members
1. Time for Elections
a. Primary. The date for the primary for the election of the Regular Members of the Wilton RTC (a “Primary”) shall be held in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 9-425. The statute currently provides that the date of the Primary election shall be the first Tuesday of March in even-numbered years.
b. Endorsement by Caucus. Pursuant to General Statutes § 9-391(a), party endorsed candidates for election as Regular Members of the Wilton RTC shall be selected by a caucus of the enrolled Republican voters of the Town of Wilton (the “Caucus”), which shall be held not earlier than the fifty-sixth (56th) day, nor later than four o’clock p.m. on the forty-eighth (48th) day, preceding the date set for the Primary. The Wilton RTC Chairman shall set the date, time and place for the Caucus including, if necessary, any information to enable enrolled Republican voters of the Town of Wilton to participate in the Caucus remotely via video conference. Notice of the Caucus shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Wilton at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the Caucus; provided, however, that there is no newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Wilton, notice of the Caucus shall be published via a notice in writing on an online platform(s) of local notoriety in the Town of Wilton as determined by the Wilton RTC Chairman. Publication of the notice of the Caucus may be made online in lieu of print, in the discretion of the Wilton RTC Chairman. The candidates elected at the Caucus shall be automatically become the party endorsed candidates for election as Regular Members of the Wilton RTC.
2. Caucus.
a. Nominations for election as a Regular Member at a Caucus may be submitted to the Wilton RTC Chairman no later than midnight of the eleventh (11th) day preceding the day of the Caucus. Nominations for election as a Regular Member at a Caucus may also be made from the floor of the Caucus in accordance with the rules established by the rules committee set forth in subsection (b) below.
b. The Wilton RTC Chairman, or such other incumbent Regular Member as may be appointed by the Wilton RTC Chairman, shall call the Caucus to order, state the business of the Caucus, call for nominations from the floor for a Chairman and Secretary of the meeting, and, after their election, the Caucus Chairman shall proceed with the business of the Caucus. The Caucus Chairman and Secretary must be a qualified Republican elector in the Town of Wilton. The Caucus Chairman shall nominate a rules committee to determine the rules governing the Caucus. A sample set of rules for the Caucus is attached hereto as Schedule A.
c. The Caucus Secretary shall furnish the Wilton RTC Chairman with written minutes of the Caucus within twenty-four (24) hours of the Caucus.
3. Primary for Election of Wilton RTC Regular Members.
a. No Primary for the election of Wilton RTC Regular Members shall be held if the Caucus’ choice of Regular Members is not contested in the manner prescribed by the Connecticut General Statutes.
b. Primary petitions must be filed with the Republican Registrar of Voters of the Town of Wilton in the form and manner and time frame set forth in the Connecticut General Statutes.
c. The date, time and procedures for the conduct of Primary Elections for the election of Regular Members shall be as set forth in the Connecticut General Statutes.
III. TOWN COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS
1. Election of Officers. Newly elected Regular Members of the Wilton RTC shall hold an organizational meeting within two (2) weeks after the beginning of their term (as determined under Section II.A.1.b of these Bylaws), at the call of the previous Chairman of the Wilton RTC (or in the event of his or her failure to act, at the call of the previous Vice Chairman or a member of the Republican State Central Committee from the district in which the Chairman resides). The Regular Members shall elect from within the Regular Members those officers listed in Section III.B above and any other officers as may be deemed advisable. The previous Chairman shall call the meeting to order, state the business of the meeting, and call for nominations from the floor for a Temporary Chairman and Temporary Secretary of the organizational meeting. The Temporary Chairman shall nominate a rules committee to determine the rules governing the election.
2. Term of Office. The term of the officers shall coincide with the term (as determined under Section II.A.1.b of these Bylaws) of the Regular Members who elected them. Each officer shall be responsible for the performance of the duties assigned to his/her respective office as well as such other duties usually incidental to each respective office as are prescribed by the regular Members.
3. Report of Election and Appointment. Within one (1) week after an organizational meeting of the Wilton RTC specified in Section II.B.1, the Corresponding Secretary shall file with the Republican State Central Committee the names and addresses of the officers and Regular Members of the Wilton RTC. The Corresponding Secretary shall similarly notify the Republican State Central Committee whenever any changes occur in the Regular Members or officers of the Wilton RTC.
4. Vacancies. In the event of an officer vacancy, the Chairman shall, at the next regular meeting of the Regular Members, call for nominations and hold an election to fill the vacant position. The successful nominee for the vacant position must be approved by a simple majority vote of the Regular Members present at the meeting. In the event the office of Chairman is vacant, the Vice Chairman shall be acting Chairman until the vacancy is filled in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.
5. Duties of Officers. The officers of the Wilton RTC shall assume and discharge the responsibilities of the office to which in they have been elected in accordance with the following guidelines:
a. Chairman. The Chairman shall be an ex-officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees of the Wilton RTC and shall:
i. preside over all regular and special meetings of the Wilton RTC;
ii. prepare and distribute an agenda in a format in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order for each meeting of the Wilton RTC;
iii. provide overall direction for the activities and functions of the Wilton RTC;
iv. direct all fundraising activity for the Wilton RTC;
v. maintain, in conjunction with the Corresponding Secretary, the Wilton RTC website and other social media platforms;
vi. perform all duties as required by the Rules of the Republican State Central Committee; and
vii. liaise with all media outlets on behalf of the Wilton RTC.
b. Vice Chairman. The Vice-Chairman shall be an ex-officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees of the Wilton RTC and shall:
i. perform all duties of the Chairman in the event or the Chairman’s absence of inability to act;
ii. perform administrative duties as delegated by the Chairman; and
iii. assist the Chairman with fundraising for the Wilton RTC.
c. Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall be an ex-officio member of the Nominating, Finance, Community Outreach and Campaign committee(s) and shall:
i. keep the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the Wilton RTC and distribute copies to all Regular Members no more than five days after said meeting;
ii. keep attendance records at regular meetings and special meetings of the Wilton RTC and submit a monthly attendance report setting forth each Regular Member’s and Emeritus Member’s attendance for the previous twelve months, if applicable, prior to each regular meeting of the Regular Members;
iii. prepare and file all reports and notices required by the Republican State Central Committee or under applicable law;
iv. perform all duties of the Corresponding Secretary in the event of the Corresponding Secretary’s absence or inability to act; and
v. maintain and update, with the assistance of such members of the applicable committee of cognizance or such Regular Member(s) as may be designated by the Executive Committee, written and electronic manuals regarding, and gather information concerning, the following:
1. procedures for planning and execution of the Wilton RTC’s annual Lincoln dinner fundraiser including, but not limited to, budgets, forms and contact information for vendors;
2. procedures for obtaining, staffing and maintaining a campaign headquarters including, but not limited to, budgets, staff and press contact information, and relevant forms and campaign literature for prior election cycles; and
3. procedures for obtaining, supplying and staffing polling places on election day, including maintaining a list of past volunteers, budgets and necessary supplies and equipment;
4. procedures for obtaining, supplying and staffing phone banks, including maintaining a list of past volunteers, budgets and necessary supplies and equipment; and
5. procedures for planning and execution of an annual RTC Scholarship for a local high school senior including, but not limited, to budgets, past essay topics, contact information for relevant high school officials, procedures for submitting and reviewing student essays, copies of essays submitted by students in prior years, and press releases relating to the Scholarship competition and the winner thereof.
d. Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall be an ex-officio member of the Nominating, Public Relations, Community Outreach and Technology committee(s) of the Wilton RTC and shall:
i. maintain and protect an electronic and paper mailing list with telephone, address and email contact information of all members of the Wilton RTC;
ii. maintain and protect an electronic and paper mailing list with telephone, address and email contact information of all donors to the Wilton RTC;
iii. maintain and protect, to the extent available, an electronic and paper mailing list with the telephone, address and email contact information of all registered Republicans in Wilton;
iv. at the direction of the Chairman and the Executive Committee, establish and comply with procedures to comply with any requirement of law which requires the protection of personally identifiable information;
v. at the direction of the Chairman and the Executive Committee, establish and comply with procedures to protect the electronic records of the Wilton RTC, its email services, website and other social media platforms, from access by third parties including, but not limited to, maintaining a list of all current usernames, associated emails and passwords for all social media platforms;
vi. at the direction of the Chairman, prepare and issue all general correspondence related to the activities and functions of the Wilton RTC;
vii. maintain and provide to the Regular Members on a monthly basis, a calendar of all Wilton RTC events and local or regional events of significance that will assist the Wilton RTC in accomplishing any of the purposes listed in Article I;
viii. maintain and provide content for the Wilton RTC website and other social media platforms in conjunction with the Chairman and the Executive Committee;
ix. maintain copies of forms and campaign literature for each election campaign; and
x. perform all duties of the Recording Secretary in the event or the Recording Secretary’s absence or inability to act
e. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of the audit, finance and budget and fundraising committee(s) of the Wilton RTC and shall:
i. maintain the bank accounts, and administer the funds, of the Wilton RTC in accordance will all applicable laws, rules and regulations as well as the Rules and Bylaws of the Wilton RTC;
ii. maintain and preserve all the fiscal records and accounts of the Wilton RTC including, but not limited to, maintaining a list of all current card holders, usernames, associated emails and passwords for all financial accounts;
iii. prepare and file all financial reports required by applicable law;
iv. pay all invoices which are authorized by the Wilton RTC;
v. at each regular meeting of the Regular Members, report the current financial position and prospects of the Wilton RTC;
vi. submit all fiscal records and accounts of the Wilton RTC for audit by the Audit Committee;
vii. submit an income statement at each meeting of the Regular Members, which sets forth all transactions for the previous twelve (12) months;
viii. monitor and report on the status of all financial accounts of the Wilton RTC, including all accounts for the acceptance of debit and credit cards by the Wilton RTC; and
ix. transition his or her duties to the successor Treasurer.
f. Deputy Treasurer. The Deputy Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of the audit, finance and budget and fundraising committee(s) of the Wilton RTC and shall:
i. perform all duties of the Treasurer in the event of the Treasurer’s absence or inability to act; and
ii. perform such administrative duties and other tasks as are delegated to the Deputy Treasurer by the Treasurer.
6. Bank Deposits, Checks. The funds of the Wilton RTC shall be under the control and administration of the Wilton RTC, and shall be held on deposit in such bank or banks as the Wilton RTC may determine. Checks or other instruments for payment or withdrawal of such funds shall be signed by such of the Treasurer, the Deputy Treasurer or the Chairman as the Wilton RTC may direct.
7. Collections. All amounts received by the Wilton RTC shall be promptly deposited in an account maintained under Section B.6.
8. Payments. All payments to be made from funds held by the Wilton RTC shall be brought before the Regular Members and shall be approved by a simple majority vote of the Regular Members prior to payment. If, due to exigent circumstances, a payment is required prior to next regular meeting of the Regular Members, the Chairman shall be permitted to seek approval of said expense(s) by seeking the approval of the Regular Members via electronic mail or other electronic platform deemed appropriate by the Chairman. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, any expenditure set forth in an annual budget of the Wilton RTC duly adopted by the Regular Members, shall be deemed approved by the Regular Members without the approval of the Regular Members.
IV. COMMITTEES
A. Standing Committees. The Standing Committees of the Wilton RTC shall be as follows: Audit Committee, Nominating Committee, Finance Committee, Public Relations Committee, Community Outreach Committee, Campaign Committee, Technology Committee and Bylaws Committee. Each Standing Committee shall be a subcommittee of the Wilton RTC.
B. Ad Hoc Committees. The Wilton RTC Chairman, the Executive Board or the Wilton RTC may appoint, and determine the duties of and number of members of, such ad hoc committees (each, an “Ad Hoc Committee” and, together with the Standing Committees, the “Committees”) as they deem necessary. The Wilton RTC Chairman shall, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, designate the chairman of each Ad Hoc Committee. Each member of an Ad Hoc Committee shall be a Regular Member of the Wilton RTC. Each Ad Hoc Committee shall be a subcommittee of the Wilton RTC.
C. Appointment. At the first meeting of the Wilton RTC which follows (i) the date on which these Bylaws become effective in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes (the “Effective Date”) , and (ii) the biannual election of the officers of the Wilton RTC under Section II.A.1.b of these Rules and Bylaws, the Wilton RTC Chairman shall, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, appoint the members of, and designate the chairman of, each Standing Committee. Each Standing Committee shall consist of no less than (3) three Regular Members.
D. Term. The term of a member of a Committee shall commence on the date of his or her appointment shall end upon (i) the end of his or her term as a Regular Member of the Wilton RTC, (ii) his or her resignation as a member of such Committee or as a Regular Member of the Wilton RTC, (iii) his or her removal from such Committee under Section IV.E. of these Rules and Bylaws, or (iv) in the case of a Standing Committee, the appointment of successor members of such Committee under Section IV.C. of these Rules and Bylaws, whichever first occurs.
E. Removal. Any member of a Committee may be removed as a member of such Committee by the Wilton RTC Chairman in consultation with the Executive Board.
F. Vacancies. The Wilton RTC Chairman shall appoint a replacement Committee member for any vacant Committee seat in the event that there are less than three members of such Committee.
G. Duties of the Standing Committees.
1. Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall:
a. conduct an annual audit of all the financial books and records of the Wilton RTC within sixty (60) days from the conclusion of the fiscal year; and
b. provide the Regular Members of the Wilton RTC with their written conclusions and curative recommendations and improvements, if any, concerning any audit.
2. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall:
a. investigate and recommend qualified candidates for appointment or election on the various boards, committees and commissions of the Town of Wilton;
b. maintain a list of qualifications and requirements for each position on each board, committee and commission of the Town of Wilton;
c. maintain a standing list of potential candidates, including their resumes, for any potential opening on a board, committee or commission of the Town of Wilton;
d. seek the submission of applicants for any opening on a board, committee or commission of the Town of Wilton through print media or social media;
e. research any candidate seeking the endorsement of the Wilton RTC and report their findings to the membership; and
f. conduct such other activities as may be assigned to the Nominating Committee by the Wilton RTC Chairman.
3. Finance Committee . The Finance Committee shall:
a. plan, organize and carry out all fund-raising related activities of the Wilton RTC including, but not limited, to an annual Lincoln Dinner;
b. create and update procedures for planning and execution of the Wilton RTC’s annual Lincoln Dinner fundraiser including, but not limited to, budgets, forms and contact information for vendors;
c. create, update and safeguard a private list of all donors of money, goods or services to the Wilton RTC (which list shall not to be released to any third party, except as may be required by operation of law), which shall be held by the Treasurer and shall (i) include current contact information for each donor and (ii) as a historical record of all donations made for at least the last six (6) years;
d. assist the Wilton RTC Chairman to raise funds for the Wilton RTC; and
e. conduct such other activities as may be assigned to the Finance Committee by the Wilton RTC Chairman.
4. Public Relations Committee. The Public Relations Committee shall:
a. promote the purposes and functions of the Wilton RTC through the dissemination of information to the public through all available means and venues;
b. coordinate with the Wilton RTC Chairman and the Corresponding Secretary concerning the messaging of the Wilton RTC to the public through all channels;
c. create and update content on the Wilton RTC website and maintain administrative control in coordination with the Technology Committee;
d. assist Republican candidates for election to office, and the Regular Members of the Wilton RTC, with the publication of letters of support for Republican candidates for such offices;
e. coordinate campaign releases to the media;
f. prepare a platform for the Wilton RTC for approval by the Regular Members;
g. draft campaign literature in coordination with the Executive Board and the Campaign Committee; and
h. conduct such other activities as may be assigned to the Public Relations Committee by the Wilton RTC Chairman.
5. Community Outreach. The Community Outreach Committee shall:
a. Plan, organize and execute programs that will lead to the involvement of the Wilton RTC with the local community;
b. Plan and execute an annual Wilton RTC scholarship for a local high school senior who resides in Wilton including but not limited to;
i. creating a budget;
ii. maintaining a list of past essay topics;
iii. keeping contact information for relevant high school officials;
iv. creating procedures for submitting and reviewing student essays;
v. maintaining a calendar with any pertinent deadlines;
vi. creating and maintaining a procedure to obtain intellectual property rights as needed;
vii. coordinating with the Public Relations Committee on all press releases concerning the competition; and
viii. maintaining a record of the information created or obtained pursuant to this Subsection IV.G.5.
c. Maintain and update a list of all registered Republicans in the Town of Wilton;
d. Welcome all recently registered Republicans in the Town of Wilton and invite them to attend the meetings of the Wilton RTC;
e. Liaise with the Wilton High School (WHS) Young Republican Club and other officials at WHS;
f. Encourage unregistered and unaffiliated voters to register as Republicans; and
g. Conduct such other activities as may be assigned to the Community Outreach Committee by the Wilton RTC Chairman.
6. Campaign. The Campaign Committee shall:
a. be responsible for organizing and overseeing all campaign and election activities including, but not limited to, coordinating campaign activities with endorsed candidates;
b. coordinate the work of all Committees concerned with campaigns and elections;
c. coordinate the placement of poll workers, supplies and equipment at all Wilton polling locations for each election and primary;
d. create and update as necessary a manual to accomplish the staffing and supplying of polling locations in accordance with the requirements of Subsection IV.G.6(c) of these Bylaws;
e. work with the Executive Board to select and staff campaign headquarters for each election;
f. create and update, as necessary, a manual to accomplish the selection and staffing of campaign headquarters in accordance with the requirements of Subsection IV.G.6(d) of these Bylaws; and
g. conduct such other activities as may be assigned the Campaign Committee by the Wilton RTC Chairman.
7. Technology. The Technology Committee shall:
a. maintain, in conjunction with the Corresponding Secretary, all passwords and domain information, if applicable, for the Wilton RTC website and social media accounts;
b. create, update, repair or maintain as applicable the Wilton RTC website and the social media accounts;
c. bring the payment of fees for the use any social media account and website to the attention of the treasurer for payment;
d. vetting any proposed computer program, application or website prior to purchase or use by the Wilton RTC; and
e. conduct such other activities as may be assigned to the Technology Committee by the Wilton RTC Chairman.
8. Bylaws. The Bylaws Committee shall:
a. periodically review these Rules and Bylaws of the Wilton RTC to determine whether revisions or corrections are required;
b. prepare such revisions or corrections to these Rules and Bylaws of the Wilton RTC; and
c. present any revisions or corrections to these Rules and Bylaws of the Wilton RTC for its review and approval.
H. Reporting Requirements. All Standing Committees (other than the Audit, Bylaws and Technology Committees) shall update the Regular Members on such Committee’s short term and long term activities and plans at each regular meeting of the Wilton RTC. All Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees shall not be required to create agendas, keep minutes or maintain attendance records for their meetings.
I. Transitional.
1. Existing Committees. Any Committee of the Wilton RTC which is in existence on the Effective Date (each, an “Existing Committee”) shall continue in existence until the date on which the members of the Standing Committees are appointed under Section IV.C of these Bylaws.
2. Members of Existing Committees. Each member of an Existing Committee shall be a member of such Existing Committee until the date on which the members of the Standing Committees are appointed under Section IV.C of these Bylaws.
V. TOWN COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A. Notice. The Wilton RTC shall hold not less than two regular meetings each quarter throughout the year with at least three days written notice. Special meetings of the Wilton RTC (i) may be called at any time by the Wilton RTC Chairman at their discretion or (ii) shall be called by either the Wilton RTC Chairman or Recording Secretary within ten (10) days after receipt of a written request signed by at least twelve (12) regular members of the Wilton RTC. Reasonable notice of the time, place and principal purposes of each special meeting shall be given to all members of the Wilton RTC before any such meeting. An agenda for any regular or special meeting shall be provided at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting. The agenda may be provided via electronic mail (“e-mail”). “Written notice” and “notice” for the purposes of this paragraph may be made by e-mail at the discretion of the Wilton RTC Chairman.
B. Quorum. A number equal to one third of the Wilton RTC regular members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
C. Location. The Wilton RTC Chairman in their discretion shall determine whether a regular meeting or special meeting will be held in person, telephonically or via videoconferencing.
D. Voting. Each regular member of the Wilton RTC shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all motions made during the transaction of all business at a regular or special meeting; and the Wilton RTC Chairman or, in their absence, the Vice Chairman shall cast an additional vote to break a tie. Voting by proxy is prohibited.
E. Executive Session. An executive, or closed, session of the Wilton RTC shall be open to regular members of the Wilton RTC only. This shall not preclude the right of the regular members, upon a 2/3 vote of the regular members present, in the affirmative, to invite a person who is not a regular member to be present. Anyone present is honor bound not to divulge anything that occurred. No voting shall take place in an executive session, nor shall there be any minutes kept of those proceedings.
VI. ATTENDANCE
Each member shall notify the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or Recording Secretary when the member is unable to attend a regular or special meeting. Any member who is unable to attend more than seventy-five (75%) percent of the regular meetings of the Wilton RTC shall assess and discuss with the Wilton RTC Chairman whether the member is fulfilling their duties and the responsibilities of their office within the Wilton RTC. If it is then the judgment of the member that they are unable to satisfactorily discharge their duties and responsibilities, they should consider resigning.
VII. AMENDMENTS
A. These Rules and Bylaws may be amended or modified only by a caucus of the enrolled Republican Party electors of the Town of Wilton called for such purpose. Any such amendments or modifications approved by a Caucus shall be filed with the Town Clerk and Secretary of State in accordance with the requirements of the applicable provisions of Title 9 of the Connecticut General Statutes and the applicable rules of the Republican State Central Committee.
B. The Wilton RTC, however, may, by a majority vote of those regular members present at a meeting duly called, amend these Rules and Bylaws for the purpose of making the same comply with changes in the Connecticut General Statutes and/or changes to the State Party Rules ,and shall publish such action in a newspaper within thirty (30) days of the passage of the amendment; provided, however, that if there is no newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Wilton, notice of the meeting shall be published via a notice in writing on an online platform(s) of local notoriety in the Town of Wilton as determined by the Wilton RTC Chairman. Publication of the amendment(s) may be made online in lieu of print, in the discretion of the Wilton RTC Chairman.
VIII. SPECIAL CAUCUSES
Special Caucuses shall be called at such times and for such purposes as may be specified by these Rules and Bylaws or by the rules of the Republican State Central Committee. It shall be the duty of the Wilton RTC Chairman or, in the event of their failure to act, the Vice Chairman, to call such Special Caucus, designating the time, place and day of the Special Caucus and publishing said call in a newspaper having general circulation in the Town of Wilton at least ten (10) days before the day of such Special Caucus; provided, however, that if there is no newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Wilton, notice of such Special Caucus shall be published via a notice in writing on an online platform(s) of local notoriety in the Town of Wilton as determined by the Wilton RTC Chairman. Publication of the notice of a Special Caucus may be made online in lieu of print, in the discretion of the Wilton RTC Chairman.
IX. ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES – MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND DELEGATES FOR CONVENTIONS
A. Procedure for Endorsement. Party-endorsed candidates for all municipal offices and for delegates to conventions for the Town of Wilton, shall be selected by the vote of a majority of the regular members of the Wilton RTC attending a meeting called for this purpose.
B. Elective Offices and Municipal Conventions. A meeting of the regular members of the Wilton RTC for the selection of party-endorsed municipal candidates and for delegates to conventions solely for the Town of Wilton shall be held not earlier than the fifty-sixth (56th) day nor later than the forty-ninth (49th) day preceding the primary (an “Endorsement Meeting”). In the selection of a party-endorsed candidate for an office or position for which only the electors of a particular district or other political subdivision of the Town of Wilton may vote, only the regular members of the Wilton RTC from that district or political subdivision may participate in such selection, except that, if no regular member of the Wilton RTC resides in the district or political subdivision from which an endorsement is to be made, then the regular members of the Wilton RTC as a whole shall select the person or persons to be endorsed. The Wilton RTC Chairman shall appoint a rules committee to determine the rules for an Endorsement Meeting. The rules proposed by the rules committee shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the regular members of the Wilton RTC present at the Endorsement Meeting.
C. State and Congressional Convention Delegates. Selection of party-endorsed delegates for any State or Congressional Convention shall be made by the Wilton RTC at a duly noticed meeting of the Wilton RTC in accordance with the notice provisions of Section D below ("Delegate Meeting”). The Wilton RTC Chairman shall appoint a rules committee to determine the rules for the Delegate Meeting. The rules proposed by the rules committee shall not contravene the applicable General Statutes and Rules of the Republican State Central Committee and shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the regular members of the Wilton RTC present at the Delegate Meeting.
D. Notice. All meetings of the regular members of the Wilton RTC called to select party-endorsed candidates and delegates pursuant to this Article shall be called by the Wilton RTC Chairman or, in the event of their failure to act, by the Vice Chairman, by mailing a notice, stating such purpose, to each regular member of the Wilton RTC at least three (3) days prior to such meeting. Notice for the purposes of this paragraph may be made by electronic mail (“e-mail”) at the discretion of the Wilton RTC Chairman or the Vice Chairman, should they be required to act. If the Wilton RTC Chairman or Vice Chairman fail or are unable to act, a member of the State Central Committee of the Senatorial District in which the Wilton RTC Chairman resides shall call the meeting.
E. Certification. The Wilton RTC Chairman shall certify the endorsements in writing to the Town Clerk in the manner and at a time and place determined in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes.
F. Default Rules. All endorsements and procedures not covered in these Rules and Bylaws shall be made and followed in accordance with the provisions of the Republican State Central Committee Rules and further in accordance with any applicable provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes.
X. PRIMARIES FOR PARTY ENDORSED CANDIDATES
A. Dates. The date of the primary for all municipal offices shall be in accordance with the mandates set forth in the Connecticut General Statutes.
B. Conduct. Primaries shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements and applicable provisions of Title 9 of the Connecticut General Statutes and the rule of the Republican Party of the State of Connecticut. Neither the Wilton RTC nor any officer thereof shall expend funds of the Wilton RTC on behalf of any candidate in a pre-endorsement contest or in a primary.
XI. RULES & BYLAWS
The Rules of the Republican Party of the State of Connecticut and the applicable Connecticut General Statutes shall apply to the conduct of affairs of the Wilton RTC in carrying out its responsibilities. Both of the foregoing shall take precedence over these Rules and Bylaws in instances of conflict.
XII. DEBTS
The Wilton RTC shall not be responsible for debts incurred by candidates which have not been approved by the appropriate committee(s) of the Wilton RTC.
XIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority in all matters not covered in the Rules and Bylaws.
XIV. DISPUTES
Any disputes regarding qualifications of members or officers, procedure or rules, under these Rules and Bylaws shall be settled by the Wilton RTC Chairman, unless, on motion duly made from the floor and carried by a two-thirds vote of the regular members then present, the matter is referred to the regular members present at the meeting for decision. Disputes which cannot be settled locally shall be resolved by the State Central Committee or by a sub-committee of five (5) of its members, which sub-committee shall be appointed by the State Chairman.
XV. PRONOUNS
The use of the word “their” in these Rules and Bylaws in connection with an action or inaction by a person shall be deemed to mean the pronoun of the gender of the person in question.
XVI. DEFINITIONS
1. ELECTOR: An individual registered to vote as a Republican in the Town of Wilton due to their residency therein.
SCHEDULE A – Sample Rules for Caucus for Selection of Regular Members
The Caucus Chairman shall announce the candidates for election as Regular Members previously submitted to the Wilton RTC Chairman and shall also call for nominations from the floor.
A person shall be permitted to nominate themselves as for election a Regular Member; provided, however, that any such nomination shall be seconded.
There shall only be one round of nominations.
Single ballot voting for not more than the prescribed number of candidates for election as Regular Members shall be used.
The prescribed number of candidates for election as Regular Members receiving the greatest number of votes shall be those elected by the Caucus; provided, however, that each candidate elected as a regular Member must receive the votes of at least one-third of the votes of the electors present and participating in Caucus. The Caucus Chairman shall vote to break a tie. This tie breaking vote shall be in addition to the voting rights Caucus Chairman has as a member of the Caucus.
All other proceedings of the Caucus shall be governed by the most recent version of Robert’s Rules of Order. Caucus Chairman has as a member of the Caucus.
All other proceedings of the Caucus shall be governed by the most recent version of Robert’s Rules of Order.