Senate District 14 Republicans Constitution
St. Cloud Area Republicans
Constitution – Revised March 22nd, 2025
Preamble
The Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14, the basic political organization unit, (“St. Cloud Area Republicans” or “the BPOU”) establishes this constitution to find, endorse and support Republican candidates for public office, organize grassroots activities, establish partnerships with like-minded public and private organizations, and to manage the affairs of the Republican Party within (the district). Further, this BPOU will establish positive relationships with Republicans in our district and keep them informed, engaged, and connected to the party.
Article I – Name and Jurisdiction
The name of this organization shall be the Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14. This organization shall consist of and have jurisdiction over the territory embraced in the decennial redistricting. For any relevant purposes, the Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14 may also refer to itself as the St. Cloud Area Republicans or the BPOU.
Article II – Recognition of Supremacy
The BPOU recognizes that this Constitution is subject to the authority of the State and U.S. Republican Party Constitutions and Bylaws, the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Minnesota, and the Constitution and Statutes of the United States of America. Any contrary provisions in the BPOU Constitution or bylaws are void and must be amended by the Executive Committee and approved at the next BPOU Convention.
Article III – Membership
The membership of this BPOU shall be composed of all citizens eligible to vote in Senate District 14 and who support the purposes and objectives of the Republican Party.
Article IV – Structure
Section 1: The management of the BPOU shall be vested in the BPOU Board
Section 2: This BPOU Board will consist of fifteen (15) voting members. Four (4) shall be part of the Executive Committee: The Chair, a Vice Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer as well as eleven (11) at-large Board Members. All Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14 elected Republican legislators shall be non-voting members of the BPOU Board. No publicly elected official, paid staff, immediate family of an elected official is allowed to be a voting member of the BPOU Board.
Section 3: The chair may appoint positions to the BPOU Board as deemed necessary. These positions will be non-voting members unless they were elected at-large Board Members.. Any appointment must be approved by majority vote of the BPOU Board.
Section 4: Standing Committee Duties: The duties of the Standing Committee shall be as follows:
Executive is responsible for creating the Annual Agenda and Annual Budget in alignment with BPOU goals and objectives. The Annual Agenda and Annual Budget is to be presented to the BPOU Board by the second BPOU Board meetings following the BPOU Convention.
Election is responsible for candidate volunteer recruitment, development and support. Fundraising is responsible for ongoing fundraising activities.
Media is responsible for public relations, database management, improving internal and external communications, and development and maintenance of media sites(e.g. web,social).
Outreach if responsible for educating and activating Republicans.
All standing committees must meet at least quarterly.
Chair: The Chair shall conduct BPOU Board meetings, organize and conduct annual BPOU convention, appoint committees, coordinate the activities of the BPOU with CD 6 and MNGOP, and be elected and serve as a State Central Delegate, provide direction and guidance to the Vice Chair and may sign BPOU checks. They are also ex-officio members of every BPOU committee.
Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair shall coordinate the organization of volunteers for campaign activities, and attend affiliated group meetings. The Vice-Chair will chair BPOU Board Meetings if the Chair is unable to attend and is responsible for attending Congressional District meetings and reporting back to the BPOU Executive Committee.
Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for keeping track of BPOU income and expenditures for reporting to the MN Campaign Finance Board, as required, and may sign BPOU checks.
Secretary: The secretary is responsible for keeping minutes of all BPOU Executive meetings, any BPOU correspondence between Executive Committee members and with interested parties. The secretary must also post a synopsis of the meetings to the BPOU website within seven (7) days of the previous meeting. The secretary shall provide the list of delegates and alternates to CD 6 and the State party within seven (7) days after the BPOU Convention.
At-Large Members: The At-Large members are responsible for engaging in all party related affairs within the jurisdiction of the BPOU. At-Large members may also serve in one of the appointed positions.
Section 5:
State Central Committee Members: The State Central Committee Members are responsible for attending State Central Committee Meetings and reporting back to the BPOU Board. No publicly elected official, paid staff or family member of an elected official or lobbyist can be elected a State Central Delegate or Alternate.
Article V - BPOU Elections
Section 1: The BPOU Executive Committee shall be elected to a two-year term by the delegates to the odd-year BPOU Convention, except in years after a census redistricting. In which case the Executive Committee will be elected to one year terms.
A) All BPOU Board members shall be elected at large.
B) State Central Committee Delegates and ranked alternates, Congressional District
Delegates and alternates shall be elected by a caucus of their respective Congressional Districts.
Section 2: A nominating committee may be appointed by the BPOU Executive Committee in advance of the odd-year BPOU convention, for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various Executive Committee positions. This does not prohibit nominations from the floor.
Article VI - BPOU Expenditures
Section 1: All BPOU expenditures are either a budgeted expense or unbudgeted expense. The annual budget is approved by the BPOU Board.
Section 2: The BPOU Board will give the executive committee a discretionary limit for unbudgeted expenses. Any unbudgeted expenses that exceed the annual discretionary limit must be approved by the BPOU Board.
Article VII - Meetings
Section 1: The BPOU Board meets on a monthly basis, at least 10 times a year. Section 2: The Executive Committee shall meet quarterly
Section 3:Special BPOU Board Meetings:
The BPOU Board shall meet at the call of the Chair, at the request of any three (3) members of the Executive Committee, a simple majority of the BPOU Board, or at the request of 25% of the BPOU Convention delegates.
The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair or the request of any three members of the Executive Committee.
Section 4: Quorums:The quorum for a BPOU Convention shall be set by the Rules of the Convention but that quorum may not be less than 20% of the total elected Delegates. A quorum shall be 40% of voting members of the BPOU Board for the purpose of transacting BPOU business. A quorum of three applies to the Executive Committee
Section 5: Unless otherwise noted in this Constitution, “Convention Calls” and “meeting notices” may be sent by email to previously verified email addresses. Further, “Convention Calls ” may also be sent via US mail to previously verified residential addresses.
Section 6: "Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" shall govern the proceedings of the BPOU Board.
Section 7: Any part of an BPOU Board meeting may be made private if any member of the BPOU Board makes a motion and it is approved by a majority vote. Another motion must pass by majority vote to end private proceedings. The Secretary must record both motions, and the time both motions are made, in the minutes.
Article VIII - BPOU Conventions
Section 1: BPOU Conventions shall be held each year during the period and for the purpose
designated by the Official Call issued by the State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee, or the Congressional District Committee. Special BPOU Conventions shall be held at the call of the aforementioned groups, or at the discretion of the majority of the BPOU Executive Committee, provided that a minimum of ten (10) days notice, in writing, be sent to each delegate and alternate. All pertinent information shall be emailed or sent via USPS to each delegate and alternate to allow sufficient time to review in advance.
A) If events warrant a Special Election to public office, an emergency Endorsing Convention may be held at the call of the BPOU Chair, or at the discretion of the majority of the BPOU Executive Committee. A written notice of not less than five (5) days shall be given to delegates and alternates. An emergency Endorsing Convention shall be held for the sole purpose of endorsing a candidate for office.
Section 2: At all BPOU Conventions, the first (1st) order of business after the invocation, pledge of allegiance, reading of the convention call and seating and introduction of platform guests shall be the temporary election of convention officers. The second (2nd) order of business shall be the first (1st) credentials report. The convention shall then proceed to the seating of the delegates, as outlined in Article VII, Section three (3). A precinct shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each delegate present or alternate properly seated.
Section 3: The BPOU Convention shall be composed of delegates and alternates selected at Republican Party Precinct Caucus within BPOU jurisdiction. The credentials committee shall seat all duly elected and accredited delegates of each precinct who are present. Vacancies shall be filled according to the following procedures:
A) After the first Credentials report, if no Delegates are present, the Credentials Committee shall seat accredited Alternates in rank order to fill the allotted Delegate seats.
B) The precincts shall caucus after acceptance of the first credentials committee report. If the precinct chair is not present, the seated delegates shall elect a chair, and then proceed to fill the vacancies.
C) Vacancies shall be filled by the alternates in the order in which they were ranked by the Precinct Caucus. If not ranked, then by vote of the seated delegates. If a tie vote arises, the chair shall appoint, by coin toss, one of the alternates who participated in the tie to be seated.
D) If a delegate should arrive late, the delegate shall assume the seat of the lowest ranked alternate. A delegate may be seated at any time.
E) If a precinct has any vacancies which can't be filled by an alternate from the same precinct, the vacancy will remain. No cross seating is allowed
F) No Alternates may be seated prior to the first Credentials report.
Section 4: Delegates and alternates to the Republican State and Congressional District Conventions shall be elected in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, as well as the State Republican Constitution, and shall continue as such until their successors are elected.
Section 5: A motion to endorse candidates will be in order at any BPOU Convention in the years when these elections occur. This motion must be carried by a majority vote.
A) The BPOU Convention may endorse a candidate for office of State Senator.
Endorsement shall be by sixty (60) percent of the voting strength of the convention. The last credentials report prior to each ballot shall govern the voting strength.
B) A Sub-Caucus of a BPOU Convention or a separate convention of the delegates from State House Districts 14A or 14B may each endorse a candidate for State Representative. However, if endorsement is by a separate convention, agenda of said convention shall be limited to the endorsement of these candidates only. Endorsement shall be by sixty (60) percent of the voting strength of the sub caucus or convention. The last credentials report prior to each ballot shall govern the voting strength.
Section 6: If an endorsed candidate is challenged and should lose in a primary election, then the only candidate for post primary endorsement shall be the winner of the primary election, per MN State Law 204D.10:
“Subdivision 1 Partisan offices; nominees. The candidate for nomination of a major political party for a partisan office on the state partisan primary ballot who receives the highest number of votes shall be the nominee of that political party for that office”
Article IX - Vacancies and Removals
Section 1: Vacancies in precinct offices may be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee or, if so directed, by a caucus of Republicans in the affected precinct. Should vacancies occur in the Executive Committee, interim replacements may be appointed by the Chair, or replaced at the next BPOU Convention. The Chair shall assume the duties of the vacant Executive Board office until a replacement is appointed or elected at the next BPOU Convention. In the event that a vacancy occurs on the BPOU board. The Chair can appoint a replacement and by majority vote the BPOU Board can confirm or reject the appointed member.
Section 2: An officer of the Executive Committee may be removed from office by a two- thirds (2/3) vote at any meeting of the seated BPOU Board members provided that the officer in question be furnished with a ten (10) day notice, in writing, of the charges that may warrant removal. Further, the officer in question shall be entitled to respond to these charges in person or in writing prior to the vote to remove.
Section 3: If a member of the BPOU Board is absent without cause from more than four (4) consecutive meetings, this person shall be subject to the removal provisions outlined in Section two (2) of this Article.
Section 4: It is the duty of all BPOU Board members to support Republican endorsed candidates. Should any member of this body actively or publicly campaign against any Republican endorsed candidate, that member may be removed from the Executive Board in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, Section 2.
Section 5: Any elected member of the BPOU Board who announces their candidacy for Federal or State elected public office shall be placed on immediate leave of absence and if he/she receives endorsement or runs in the Primary Election he/she shall resign their position on the BPOU Board.
Article X - Dissolution
In the event the State Legislative lines are redrawn, the BPOU shall be dissolved. Article XI - Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates present at any BPOU Convention, provided that the proposed amendments be first referred to a duly appointed Constitution Committee, consisting of a chair and six (6) members appointed by majority vote by the BPOU Board, and that the Official Convention Call will indicate that constitutional amendments will be considered.
Constitution – Revised March 22nd, 2025
Preamble
The Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14, the basic political organization unit, (“St. Cloud Area Republicans” or “the BPOU”) establishes this constitution to find, endorse and support Republican candidates for public office, organize grassroots activities, establish partnerships with like-minded public and private organizations, and to manage the affairs of the Republican Party within (the district). Further, this BPOU will establish positive relationships with Republicans in our district and keep them informed, engaged, and connected to the party.
Article I – Name and Jurisdiction
The name of this organization shall be the Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14. This organization shall consist of and have jurisdiction over the territory embraced in the decennial redistricting. For any relevant purposes, the Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14 may also refer to itself as the St. Cloud Area Republicans or the BPOU.
Article II – Recognition of Supremacy
The BPOU recognizes that this Constitution is subject to the authority of the State and U.S. Republican Party Constitutions and Bylaws, the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Minnesota, and the Constitution and Statutes of the United States of America. Any contrary provisions in the BPOU Constitution or bylaws are void and must be amended by the Executive Committee and approved at the next BPOU Convention.
Article III – Membership
The membership of this BPOU shall be composed of all citizens eligible to vote in Senate District 14 and who support the purposes and objectives of the Republican Party.
Article IV – Structure
Section 1: The management of the BPOU shall be vested in the BPOU Board
Section 2: This BPOU Board will consist of fifteen (15) voting members. Four (4) shall be part of the Executive Committee: The Chair, a Vice Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer as well as eleven (11) at-large Board Members. All Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District 14 elected Republican legislators shall be non-voting members of the BPOU Board. No publicly elected official, paid staff, immediate family of an elected official is allowed to be a voting member of the BPOU Board.
Section 3: The chair may appoint positions to the BPOU Board as deemed necessary. These positions will be non-voting members unless they were elected at-large Board Members.. Any appointment must be approved by majority vote of the BPOU Board.
Section 4: Standing Committee Duties: The duties of the Standing Committee shall be as follows:
Executive is responsible for creating the Annual Agenda and Annual Budget in alignment with BPOU goals and objectives. The Annual Agenda and Annual Budget is to be presented to the BPOU Board by the second BPOU Board meetings following the BPOU Convention.
Election is responsible for candidate volunteer recruitment, development and support. Fundraising is responsible for ongoing fundraising activities.
Media is responsible for public relations, database management, improving internal and external communications, and development and maintenance of media sites(e.g. web,social).
Outreach if responsible for educating and activating Republicans.
All standing committees must meet at least quarterly.
Chair: The Chair shall conduct BPOU Board meetings, organize and conduct annual BPOU convention, appoint committees, coordinate the activities of the BPOU with CD 6 and MNGOP, and be elected and serve as a State Central Delegate, provide direction and guidance to the Vice Chair and may sign BPOU checks. They are also ex-officio members of every BPOU committee.
Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair shall coordinate the organization of volunteers for campaign activities, and attend affiliated group meetings. The Vice-Chair will chair BPOU Board Meetings if the Chair is unable to attend and is responsible for attending Congressional District meetings and reporting back to the BPOU Executive Committee.
Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for keeping track of BPOU income and expenditures for reporting to the MN Campaign Finance Board, as required, and may sign BPOU checks.
Secretary: The secretary is responsible for keeping minutes of all BPOU Executive meetings, any BPOU correspondence between Executive Committee members and with interested parties. The secretary must also post a synopsis of the meetings to the BPOU website within seven (7) days of the previous meeting. The secretary shall provide the list of delegates and alternates to CD 6 and the State party within seven (7) days after the BPOU Convention.
At-Large Members: The At-Large members are responsible for engaging in all party related affairs within the jurisdiction of the BPOU. At-Large members may also serve in one of the appointed positions.
Section 5:
State Central Committee Members: The State Central Committee Members are responsible for attending State Central Committee Meetings and reporting back to the BPOU Board. No publicly elected official, paid staff or family member of an elected official or lobbyist can be elected a State Central Delegate or Alternate.
Article V - BPOU Elections
Section 1: The BPOU Executive Committee shall be elected to a two-year term by the delegates to the odd-year BPOU Convention, except in years after a census redistricting. In which case the Executive Committee will be elected to one year terms.
A) All BPOU Board members shall be elected at large.
B) State Central Committee Delegates and ranked alternates, Congressional District
Delegates and alternates shall be elected by a caucus of their respective Congressional Districts.
Section 2: A nominating committee may be appointed by the BPOU Executive Committee in advance of the odd-year BPOU convention, for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various Executive Committee positions. This does not prohibit nominations from the floor.
Article VI - BPOU Expenditures
Section 1: All BPOU expenditures are either a budgeted expense or unbudgeted expense. The annual budget is approved by the BPOU Board.
Section 2: The BPOU Board will give the executive committee a discretionary limit for unbudgeted expenses. Any unbudgeted expenses that exceed the annual discretionary limit must be approved by the BPOU Board.
Article VII - Meetings
Section 1: The BPOU Board meets on a monthly basis, at least 10 times a year. Section 2: The Executive Committee shall meet quarterly
Section 3:Special BPOU Board Meetings:
The BPOU Board shall meet at the call of the Chair, at the request of any three (3) members of the Executive Committee, a simple majority of the BPOU Board, or at the request of 25% of the BPOU Convention delegates.
The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair or the request of any three members of the Executive Committee.
Section 4: Quorums:The quorum for a BPOU Convention shall be set by the Rules of the Convention but that quorum may not be less than 20% of the total elected Delegates. A quorum shall be 40% of voting members of the BPOU Board for the purpose of transacting BPOU business. A quorum of three applies to the Executive Committee
Section 5: Unless otherwise noted in this Constitution, “Convention Calls” and “meeting notices” may be sent by email to previously verified email addresses. Further, “Convention Calls ” may also be sent via US mail to previously verified residential addresses.
Section 6: "Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" shall govern the proceedings of the BPOU Board.
Section 7: Any part of an BPOU Board meeting may be made private if any member of the BPOU Board makes a motion and it is approved by a majority vote. Another motion must pass by majority vote to end private proceedings. The Secretary must record both motions, and the time both motions are made, in the minutes.
Article VIII - BPOU Conventions
Section 1: BPOU Conventions shall be held each year during the period and for the purpose
designated by the Official Call issued by the State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee, or the Congressional District Committee. Special BPOU Conventions shall be held at the call of the aforementioned groups, or at the discretion of the majority of the BPOU Executive Committee, provided that a minimum of ten (10) days notice, in writing, be sent to each delegate and alternate. All pertinent information shall be emailed or sent via USPS to each delegate and alternate to allow sufficient time to review in advance.
A) If events warrant a Special Election to public office, an emergency Endorsing Convention may be held at the call of the BPOU Chair, or at the discretion of the majority of the BPOU Executive Committee. A written notice of not less than five (5) days shall be given to delegates and alternates. An emergency Endorsing Convention shall be held for the sole purpose of endorsing a candidate for office.
Section 2: At all BPOU Conventions, the first (1st) order of business after the invocation, pledge of allegiance, reading of the convention call and seating and introduction of platform guests shall be the temporary election of convention officers. The second (2nd) order of business shall be the first (1st) credentials report. The convention shall then proceed to the seating of the delegates, as outlined in Article VII, Section three (3). A precinct shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each delegate present or alternate properly seated.
Section 3: The BPOU Convention shall be composed of delegates and alternates selected at Republican Party Precinct Caucus within BPOU jurisdiction. The credentials committee shall seat all duly elected and accredited delegates of each precinct who are present. Vacancies shall be filled according to the following procedures:
A) After the first Credentials report, if no Delegates are present, the Credentials Committee shall seat accredited Alternates in rank order to fill the allotted Delegate seats.
B) The precincts shall caucus after acceptance of the first credentials committee report. If the precinct chair is not present, the seated delegates shall elect a chair, and then proceed to fill the vacancies.
C) Vacancies shall be filled by the alternates in the order in which they were ranked by the Precinct Caucus. If not ranked, then by vote of the seated delegates. If a tie vote arises, the chair shall appoint, by coin toss, one of the alternates who participated in the tie to be seated.
D) If a delegate should arrive late, the delegate shall assume the seat of the lowest ranked alternate. A delegate may be seated at any time.
E) If a precinct has any vacancies which can't be filled by an alternate from the same precinct, the vacancy will remain. No cross seating is allowed
F) No Alternates may be seated prior to the first Credentials report.
Section 4: Delegates and alternates to the Republican State and Congressional District Conventions shall be elected in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, as well as the State Republican Constitution, and shall continue as such until their successors are elected.
Section 5: A motion to endorse candidates will be in order at any BPOU Convention in the years when these elections occur. This motion must be carried by a majority vote.
A) The BPOU Convention may endorse a candidate for office of State Senator.
Endorsement shall be by sixty (60) percent of the voting strength of the convention. The last credentials report prior to each ballot shall govern the voting strength.
B) A Sub-Caucus of a BPOU Convention or a separate convention of the delegates from State House Districts 14A or 14B may each endorse a candidate for State Representative. However, if endorsement is by a separate convention, agenda of said convention shall be limited to the endorsement of these candidates only. Endorsement shall be by sixty (60) percent of the voting strength of the sub caucus or convention. The last credentials report prior to each ballot shall govern the voting strength.
Section 6: If an endorsed candidate is challenged and should lose in a primary election, then the only candidate for post primary endorsement shall be the winner of the primary election, per MN State Law 204D.10:
“Subdivision 1 Partisan offices; nominees. The candidate for nomination of a major political party for a partisan office on the state partisan primary ballot who receives the highest number of votes shall be the nominee of that political party for that office”
Article IX - Vacancies and Removals
Section 1: Vacancies in precinct offices may be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee or, if so directed, by a caucus of Republicans in the affected precinct. Should vacancies occur in the Executive Committee, interim replacements may be appointed by the Chair, or replaced at the next BPOU Convention. The Chair shall assume the duties of the vacant Executive Board office until a replacement is appointed or elected at the next BPOU Convention. In the event that a vacancy occurs on the BPOU board. The Chair can appoint a replacement and by majority vote the BPOU Board can confirm or reject the appointed member.
Section 2: An officer of the Executive Committee may be removed from office by a two- thirds (2/3) vote at any meeting of the seated BPOU Board members provided that the officer in question be furnished with a ten (10) day notice, in writing, of the charges that may warrant removal. Further, the officer in question shall be entitled to respond to these charges in person or in writing prior to the vote to remove.
Section 3: If a member of the BPOU Board is absent without cause from more than four (4) consecutive meetings, this person shall be subject to the removal provisions outlined in Section two (2) of this Article.
Section 4: It is the duty of all BPOU Board members to support Republican endorsed candidates. Should any member of this body actively or publicly campaign against any Republican endorsed candidate, that member may be removed from the Executive Board in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, Section 2.
Section 5: Any elected member of the BPOU Board who announces their candidacy for Federal or State elected public office shall be placed on immediate leave of absence and if he/she receives endorsement or runs in the Primary Election he/she shall resign their position on the BPOU Board.
Article X - Dissolution
In the event the State Legislative lines are redrawn, the BPOU shall be dissolved. Article XI - Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates present at any BPOU Convention, provided that the proposed amendments be first referred to a duly appointed Constitution Committee, consisting of a chair and six (6) members appointed by majority vote by the BPOU Board, and that the Official Convention Call will indicate that constitutional amendments will be considered.
Prepared and paid for by 14th Senate District RPM
PO Box 5024 Saint Cloud, MN 56302
PO Box 5024 Saint Cloud, MN 56302
