MISSION

The Mission of the Durham Republican Town Committee is to promote the principles of the party by: helping elect Republican candidates to local, state and federal offices; and, recruiting talented people to serve on town boards and commissions.

PRINCIPLES

Fiscal responsibility: appropriately-sized government, operating efficiently, supported by a vibrant tax base of agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential properties.

Appropriate regulation: regulations should serve to bolster the cohesiveness of the community, while respecting the rights of individuals, families, and businesses to contribute to the community, each in their unique way.

INTRODUCTION

The Connecticut Republican State Central Committee Rules and Bylaws (revised May 2022) govern party functions statewide. Those Rules and Bylaws (whichever revision be in force) are included herein by reference. Article VI. Section 3 of the state rules notes that no rules shall be adopted which conflict with said rules. Therefore, the rules that follow address only those aspects within local purview.

ARTICLE I

TOWN COMMITTEE SECTION 1 . COMPOSITION.

The Town Committee shall consist of no more than thirty (30) Regular Members, no more than ten (10) Alternate Members, and any number of Associate Members the body chooses to select.

Alternate Members will have the rights of Regular Members for the duration of any meeting at which they are seated by the Chair due to the absence of a Regular Member.

Alternate Members hold no favored standing regarding selection to fill membership vacancies (governed by state rules Article II. Section 7.).

SECTION 2 . OFFICERS.

In addition to the officers called for by State Rules and Bylaws, the Town Committee may elect a Deputy Treasurer, and such other officers as may be deemed advisable.

SECTION 3 . MEETINGS.

Regular meetings of the Town Committee shall be held. Remote means of access will be provided. Should technical issues prevent remote access the in-person meeting shall continue.

Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chair at their discretion, or shall be called by the Chair or Vice-Chair within ten (10) days after receipt of a written request signed by majority of Members of the Town Committee stating the purpose of the meeting.

Eleven (11) Members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

All Town Committee meetings shall be open to the public unless the Town Committee shall, by majority vote, elect to go into executive session.

The Chair shall provide an annual list of monthly meeting dates. The Chair shall give, or instruct the Secretary to give, three (3) days written notice of the time and place of all meetings to the Town Committee Members and to the members of the State Central Committee of the district, and to also state the purpose of any special meetings. If circumstances beyond the control of the Chair or the committee require quick action the notice period may be waived.

SECTION 4 . COMMITTEES.

The Town Committee shall have the following standing committees with the chairs and Members of said committees, except as indicated, appointed by the Chair:

• The Policy Committee shall have six (6) Members who shall be the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of the Town Committee and two (2) appointees. It shall establish policy by which the Town Committee and standing committees shall Policy Committee meetings shall be open to any Town Committee Member. Three (3) Members shall constitute a quorum.
• The Nominating Committee shall have at least five (5) Members, who shall be the Chair, Vice-Chair, and appointees. All communications among the Members are confidential; and, breaking the confidentiality is grounds for a removal motion before the Town Committee. Three (3) Members shall constitute a quorum.
• The Fundraising Committee shall have at least five (5) Members and shall be responsible for fundraising. Three (3) Members shall constitute a quorum.
• The Publicity and Public Affairs Committee shall have at least five (5) Members and shall coordinate and initiate publicity and programs for enhancing the image of the Republican Party locally, promoting party-endorsed candidates for office. Three (3) Members shall constitute a quorum.
• Other committees shall be appointed by the Chair for purposes deemed

SECTION 5 . VOTING.

Members of the Town Committee shall be entitled to one vote on each issue sent to the Committee for a vote, provided each Member shall be present, in-person or via remote access, provided they are visible on-camera and unmuted, when said vote be taken.

A voice vote shall be used, unless a paper ballot has been moved and approved. In the event of a dispute of the voice vote tally a show of hands shall be used and the vote shall be counted by the Secretary.

The Chair shall cast the last ballot on all issues. The Chair shall only be obligated to vote in the case of a tie vote or if their vote would create a tie. The Chair shall have the right to cast a tie-breaker vote in all cases.

SECTION 6 . EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS.

• Member

Any person enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Durham can apply to be a Member of the DRTC.

Members are expected to attend, whether in person or via remote access, at least 50% of regularly scheduled meetings.

Any Member who is absent for more than 75% of scheduled meetings without excuse by the DRTC Chair shall not be eligible for endorsement for re-election. Notification of intended absence should be presented to the Chair, Vice Chair, or Secretary prior to the meeting. Absences deemed reasonable by the Chair will be excused.

Members are expected to serve on at least one committee if called to by the Chair.

Members are expected to participate in the majority of DRTC events, including working activities and assisting fundraising.

• Alternate Member

Any person enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Durham can apply to be an Alternate Member of the DRTC.

Alternate Members are expected to attend, whether in person or via remote access, at least 33% of regularly scheduled meetings.

Any Alternate Member who is absent for more than 80% of scheduled meetings without excuse by the Chair shall not be eligible for endorsement for re-election. Notification of intended absence should be presented to the DRTC Chair, Vice Chair, or Secretary prior to the meeting. Absences deemed reasonable by the Chair will be excused.

Alternate Members are expected to participate in the majority of DRTC events, including working activities and assisting fundraising.

• Associate Member

Any person enrolled as a Republican elector of the Town of Durham can apply to be a Associate Member of the DRTC.

Associate Members are expected to maintain the Republican enrollment in Durham during the entire term of his/her Membership. Erasure from the Durham Republican enrollment list will disqualify the person from being an Associate Member of the DRTC.

Associate Members share the privileges of Members, with the exception of voting rights.

Associate Members should attend, whether in person or via remote access, at least 25% of regularly scheduled meetings, and endeavor to observe at least one committee meeting.

Associate Members are encouraged to participate in DRTC events, including working activities and assisting fundraising.

SECTION 7 . REMOVAL OF MEMBERS.

• A Town Committee Member, Alternate Member, or Associate Member may be removed at a duly-noticed meeting by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the total Members; such meeting being called for that purpose by one-third (1/3rd) of the Members of the town committee.
• Not less than five (5) days written notice shall be given of any such meeting

ARTICLE I I

PARTY ENDORSEMENTS

Endorsement of candidates for Municipal Office and Town Committee membership shall be by caucus.

Endorsement of Convention Delegates shall be made by the Town Committee.

ARTICLE III PETITIONS

Upon written petition personally signed by ten percent (10%) of the enrolled Republican electors of the Town of Durham presented to the Chair or Vice-Chair a meeting of the Republican electors shall be called. The petition must state the purpose of the call of the meeting.

ARTICLE IV DEFINITIONS

The terms used in these rules shall have the same meaning as in the Connecticut Republican State Central Committee Rules and Bylaws referenced herein, or if not there defined, as in Section 9-372 of the General Statutes.

Adopted at Durham, Connecticut, January 22, 1976 by a Caucus of the enrolled Republican electors of the Town of Durham. Filed with the Secretary of the State, February 5, 1976.

Effective Date, April 5, 1976.

As amended at Durham, Connecticut July 25, 2011 by a Caucus of the enrolled Republican electors of the Town of Durham.

As amended at Durham, Connecticut March 29, 2012 by a Caucus of the enrolled Republican electors of the Town of Durham.

As amended at Durham, Connecticut December 3, 2020 by a Caucus of the enrolled Republican electors of the Town of Durham.

As amended at Durham, Connecticut July 21, 2022 by a Caucus of the enrolled Republican electors of the Town of Durham.

As amended at Durham, Connecticut July 17, 2025 by a Caucus of the enrolled Republican electors of the Town of Durham.