Background: 

• • Major overhaul of DAMX Bylaws in 2019, voted on in May 2020. 
  • International Executive Committee approved new model Country Committee (CC) Bylaws in February 27, 2025.
  • Emily Raskin Perey and Hope Bradberry reviewed existing DAMX Bylaws with new Global model CC Bylaws. Both previously served on the committee that did the major overhaul of DAMX Bylaws in 2019.
  • The Governance Committee was convened on November 12th, 2025 to review proposed changes. Changes as presented were approved by the committee.
  • The DAMX Board of Directors approved the changes as a whole on January 24, 2026.
  • A vast majority of the changes could be categorized as a clarification, or stylistic change.

Article I: Name of the Organization - no changes.

Article II: Purpose and Relationship to Democrats Abroad - small clarification changes.

Article III: Members - While many of the changes in this section might be defined as stylistic, there is one that is significant. It is proposed to adopt the Secretary position as presented in the model CC Bylaws, which gives the option to the Secretary to appoint someone to handle the database. This would allow us to eliminate the position of Secretary for Membership, and move the role of Membership management to a Member at Large position, similar to GOTV Chair and Communications Chair. As the Secretary at the International level has the responsibility of the database, so too will the DAMX Secretary, but also as at the International level, there are many appointments to assist with the database, so too will that option be available to the DAMX Secretary.

Also, a clarifying article that no fees are required to be a member of DAMX.

Article IV: Executive Committee - Elimination of redundant language in 4.4; and changes due to the same proposal as discussed in the previous article. Also adding the language that allows DAMX to rely on the International Council if no one has filled that position at the country level.

Article V: Chapter Representatives - Has Chapter Representatives to take office immediately upon election, rather than 30 days after the DAMX AGM.

Article VI: Voting Representatives - small clarification changes.

Article VII: Board of Directors - The primary change is the addition of a diversity paragraph. Also again clarifying that office holders will take office immediately. Also elimination of redundant language in 7.7 and 7.8.

Article VIII: Board of Directors Responsibilities - The addition of articles 8.6 Contractural Agreements, and 8.7 Digital Accounts Redundancy.

Article IX: Committees - Eliminates the Sub Committees article, as we haven't had them in practice.

Article X: Standing Committee Responsibilities - Changes to 10.3 Membership Committee, to reflect the change of responsibility of the Membership Chair. 

Article XI: Chapters - The primary change is no longer mandating gender balance between the Chair and Vice-Chair at the Chapter level.

Article XII : Nominations and Elections - The primary change is to article 12.6, not allowing nominations from the floor of the annual meeting. Most votes come electronically prior to the meeting, so it is felt unfair to allow nominations from the floor. 

Article XIII: Elections and Removal from DAMX Office - small clarification changes.

Article XIV: Meetings - No changes.

Article XV: Rules Applicable to the Country Committee - No changes. 

Article XVI: Amendments - No changes. 

The Executive Committee has made the decision that the bylaws will be considered effective upon ratification.

You may review our current bylaws HERE.

You may review our proposed bylaws HERE. 

You may vote for the proposed changes HERE.