SECTION I QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN PARTY ACTIONS

All qualified voters under the laws of the State of Georgia who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party, believe in its declaration of policies, and are in sympathy with its aims and purposes may participate as members of the Republican Party in its conventions, mass meetings, or other organized affairs as recognized by these rules. All chairpersons and members of committees, delegates to conventions, and voters in mass meetings provided for in these rules shall be members of the Georgia Republican Party, as defined above, and must be qualified resident electors of the respective units which they represent as chairpersons, members, delegates, or voters in mass meetings, except that a temporary Chairperson appointed to preside over a mass meeting or convention until the permanent officers are elected need not be a resident of that district.

SECTION II THE OCONEE COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

There is hereby created the Oconee County Republican Committee, hereafter known as the County Committee, which shall consist of the following officers and members:

1. County Chairperson

2. First Vice-Chairperson

3. Second Vice-Chairperson

4. Third Vice-Chairperson

5. Secretary

6. Treasurer

7. Immediate past county chairperson

8. At least one representative of each voting district or precinct

9. Such additional officers and members as may be needed

A. The County Committee is the committee exercising county-wide jurisdiction and control over Party affairs, as defined by and required in the Georgia Election Code and the Rules of the Georgia Republican Party. These powers may be delegated to a sub-committee known as the County Executive Committee.

B. The County Committee shall have the power between conventions to expand or alter the membership of the County Committee to whatever extent it deems appropriate by a majority vote of the Committee when a quorum is present, provided, however, that a written notice designating the time, place, and purpose of such is mailed to all members of the County Committee at least five (5) days prior to the day of the meeting.

C. Qualifications - Members of the County Committee must be registered voters residing in Oconee County.

D. The County Committee will approve general policy and major expenditures. This will include voter education projects, voter registration programs, campaign strategy proposals, yearly dues and frequency, etc.

E. The Executive Committee will be delegated the responsibility of handling operational matters such as meeting arrangements and agendas, scheduling speakers, publicity, preparing and presenting proposals to the County Committee, representing the local Party at various events, and small expenditures (as determined by the County Committee), etc.

F. The Executive Committee shall consist of the following voting officers and members of the County Committee:

1. County Chairperson

2. First Vice-Chairperson

3. Second Vice-Chairperson

4. Third Vice-Chairperson

5. Secretary

6. Treasurer

7. Immediate past county chairperson

8. Other County Committee members as needed and approved by the above voting members.

G. The County Committee meetings are open to the public. Only members of the County Committee can vote on policy matters.

H. The Executive Committee meetings are closed to the public. The Chairperson may invite non-voting members, elected officials, and national, state, district, or other county party officials or members to attend at the Chairperson's discretion.

The officers and members of the County Committee shall be elected at the odd-year County Convention and shall serve two (2) years, or until the time of the next odd-year County Convention, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed in accordance with these rules. If an officer or member moves out of the county, that person shall be considered to have resigned effective the day of moving. If any member of the Executive Committee qualifies to run in an opposed primary for public office, such member shall be deemed to have resigned such office on the date of qualification. Such vacancy shall be filled according to the rules herein.

Section IV BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

COUNTY CHAIRPERSON  The Chairperson has the duty and responsibility of building, maintaining, and directing the Party's organization, to the end that the Party fulfills its purposes and achieves its goal of maximum support for local, district, state, and national Republican candidates. The Chairperson acts as the leader, inspirer, motivator, spokesperson of the Party, who is continually aware of the actions and activities of the Party, but in doing so leaves the detail work to the organization.

Duties and Functions:

1. Serves as Chief Executive Officer of the County Committee.

a. Presides over County Committee meetings.

b. Presides over County Executive Committee meetings.

c. Oversees Mass Precinct meetings.

2. Serves as Temporary Chairperson of the County Convention until a permanent Convention Chairperson is chosen.

3. Assumes responsibility for familiarity with the County, District, and State Party rules, the Georgia Election Code, the Campaign and Financial Disclosure Act, and the Ethics in Government Act.

4. Assumes responsibility for meeting the various requirements of the Party rules and other codified requirements, and insuring they are followed by the organization.

5. Working with the Executive Committee, County Committee, and all other necessary individuals, the Chairperson:

a. Fills all Party offices and committees with capable, functioning people, encouraging broad representation from the area.

b. Accepts primary responsibility for seeing that each officer and committee fulfills its duties by coordinating financial development, along with other areas vital to the interests and development of the Party organization.

c. Prepares a calendar of political activities and legal requirements, and oversees the deadlines being met.

d. Represents the Party to the public and the media maintaining the best public relations.

e. Sets the goals and budget each year.

FIRST VICE-CHAIRPERSON. The position of Vice-Chairperson is created to help the Chairperson perform and carry out the general duties and responsibilities of the Office of Chairperson.

Duties and Functions:

1. The First Vice-Chairperson shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the Chairperson's absence.
2. The First Vice-Chairperson shall oversee the goals and budgetary process of the organization as it applies to fund raising and candidate recruitment, selection, and election.
3. The First Vice-Chairperson shall oversee the work of the Finance and Membership Committees and the activities of the matters related thereto.

SECOND VICE-CHAIRPERSON. The position of the Second Vice-Chairperson is created to assist the First Vice-Chairperson and the Chairperson to perform and carry out the general duties and responsibilities of the Office of Chairperson.

Duties and Functions:

1. The Second Vice-Chairperson will assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and the First Vice­Chairperson.

2. The Second Vice-Chairperson shall oversee the work of the Phone Calling, Rules, Credentials and Ethics, Candidate Qualification, Election and Platform.

THIRD VICE-CHAIRPERSON. The position of the Third Vice-Chairperson is created to assist the other Chairpersons to perform and carry out the general duties and responsibilities of the Office of Chairperson.

Duties and Functions:

1. The Third Vice-Chairperson will assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and all other Chairpersons.

2. The Third Vice-Chairperson shall be responsible for the Social and Community Outreach activities of the Party.

SECRETARY. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining all Party records, voter lists, mailing lists, and national, state, district, and local headquarters materials.

Duties and Functions:

1. Make and keep accurate records and minutes of all official meetings and distribute copies to all members as needed.

2. Maintain all such records and proceedings in an organized fashion as directed by the Chairperson.

3. On direction of the Chairperson, issues official calls for meetings and ensures these and other notices are issued in a timely manner.

4. Produce the monthly newsletter.

5. Work with the Board of Elections and Registration to conduct candidate qualification.

6. Handle other such duties as requested by the Chairperson.

TREASURER. The Treasurer has the duty and responsibility for maintaining all financial records and handling all monies of the Party.

Duties and Functions:

1. Maintain all bank accounts of the Party, including controlling access to checks, keeping all records, and reconciling all bank statements.

2. Make and record deposits of Party funds.

3. Assist the First Vice-Chairperson with the work of the Finance and Membership Committees, as well as with the budgetary process for the Party's fund-raising process.

SECTION V REMOVAL OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMITTEE

Any officer or member of the County Committee may be removed from office for "cause" by a vote of two-thirds of a quorum present at any duly called meeting of the County Committee, provided, however, that such individuals be given at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice of such meeting, and of the grounds therefore, and is given an opportunity to be present, to be heard in person and/or by any representative of his choice. "Cause" as used herein shall include continued failure to perform his or her duties or participate in the affairs of the Party, or conduct detrimental to the best interest of the Party, all as may be determined by the aforesaid vote of the County Committee. Failure to appear at the hearing shall be "cause" for immediate removal.

SECTION VI VACANCIES

Upon the death, resignation, or extended failure of any officer or member to act, which shall be determined by two-thirds majority of the quorum of the County Committee, such vacancy may be filled by a majority vote of the County Committee, provided however, that five (5) days' written notice has been given all members of the County Committee, setting forth in detail the purpose of such meeting.

SECTION VII MEETINGS

The County Committee will meet on call of the Chairperson or in his/her absence by the Vice-Chairperson. County Committee meetings may also be called by agreement of one third of the members, provided that five (5) days' notice in writing stating the place, purpose, and time of the meeting has been sent to all members. Emergency meetings may be held upon call of any officer upon twenty-four (24) hours' actual notice of the time, place, and purpose of said meeting.

SECTION VIII QUORUM

A majority of the voting members of each committee, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION IX PROXIES

Members of the County Committee and Election District Committees may be represented in official matters by proxy, provided, however, that proxies may be given only to a member of the particular committee for which it is intended. Proxies may not be made in favor of committee chairpersons. No person shall hold more than two (2) proxies.

SECTION X DUTIES AND POWERS

A. The County Committee shall act as the Republican Party of, and for, Oconee County between mass meetings or conventions. It shall have the duty to enhance the prestige and reputation of the Republican Party and to strengthen it in Oconee County.

B. The County Committee shall call the County Conventions and mass meetings or primaries, make arrangements therefore, fix the basis of representation by delegates to local conventions, and the time and place for holding same. It shall oversee all County campaigns. It shall cooperate with the State and District Committees in conducting elections within its boundaries. It shall also aid the State and District Committees in other efforts, where practical.

C. The County Committee shall have the power to organize and recognize Republican Clubs in the voting precincts and wards of the County under such rules and qualifications as it may deem appropriate.

D. At the first meeting in January of each year, the Committee shall establish the amount and frequency of dues payable by Committee members and other county members.

E. The County Committee shall decide all controversies and contests arising within its jurisdiction. A decision of the County Committee concerning a controversy may be appealed to the District Committee by petition signed by twenty-five (25) qualified Republican voters, providing the appeal is made within thirty (30) days of the County Committee decision.

F. The following sub-committees may be organized by the County Committee: Rules, Finance, Membership, Candidate Qualification, Elections, Platform, Credentials & Ethics, and Newsletter. The County Committee shall have the power between conventions to expand, delete, or alter these committees to whatever extent it deems appropriate by a majority vote of the County Committee when a quorum is present. The Chairperson will make assignments to these sub-committees to be ratified by the County Committee.

SECTION XI COUNTY COMMITTEE FINANCES

1. There shall be a County Finance Committee consisting of a Chairperson and additional members as may be appointed by the County Chairperson with approval of the County Committee.
2. The Treasurer is charged with the safe-keeping and proper accounting of all monies collected for use by the Party.
3. Disbursements shall be approved and executed over the signature of the Treasurer and one (1) other officer to include the Chairman, First Vice- Chairperson, or Secretary.
4. The Treasurer shall issue quarterly statements (at a minimum) to those members attending the regular County Committee meetings.
5. The County Chair shall have the discretionary power to spend up to $200 per incident without the prior approval of the Executive Committee but with the condition of C. above.

SECTION XII NOMINATIONS OF ELECTIVE OFFICIALS

The County Committee shall have the power to nominate candidates for County offices in a Committee meeting or by primary. Committee meetings for the purpose of nominating candidates for elective public office may be held upon written notice of not less than five (5) days on the call of the Chairperson or on call of a majority of the members. Whenever the County Committee shall by a majority vote declare primary elections for the purpose of nomination of County candidates for public elective offices, such primary elections may be held for purpose or purposes declared in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Georgia Republican State Committee and consistent with any Federal or State laws for the conduct of such primary nominations and the certification of the results.

SECTION XIII MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE

Not applicable. All municipal elections in Oconee County are non-partisan.

SECTION XIV QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES

The County Committee shall adopt rules for candidate qualification consistent with current Federal or State laws and with the rules of the State Republican Committee.

SECTION XV AMENDMENTS

These rules may be amended at a County Committee meeting by a majority of the quorum present, provided, however, that at least ten (10) days' written notice of such meeting has been mailed to all members. In the call of such meetings, it shall be necessary to state an intention to amend these rules and to set forth in detail the proposed amendments. The amended rules shall become effective when adopted, unless otherwise provided. All rules must be consistent with the State Party rules.

SECTION XVI ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER

Except to the extent modified by the County Committee or by a majority of the Committee in session, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern.

SECTION XVII FILING OF COUNTY REPUBLICAN RULES

Within five (5) calendar days following adoption of these rules, a copy shall be filed with the following offices:

1. County Superintendent of Elections
2. Chairperson of the Congressional District Republican Committee
3. Secretary, the Georgia State Republican Committee

SECTION XVIII EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE RULES

These rules shall become effective immediately upon their adoption.

Adopted in County Convention, the 24^th day of March, 2007.

Readopted in County Convention, the 14^th day of March, 2009.