Article I: Name and Formation
The name of the organization shall be Save Our Sussex Political Action Committee, also known informally as Save Our Sussex PAC and/or SOS PAC. It is organized under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code for political action committees and is registered with the State of Delaware Department of Elections as a political action committee. It periodically files required forms and reports with the IRS and the Delaware Department of Elections. Donations or contributions made to the Save Our Sussex PAC are not tax deductible for donors.
Article II: Purpose and Objectives
In recent years, unchecked growth and development in Sussex County, Delaware, have adversely affected the lives of many residents in numerous ways. The mission and strategic goal of Save Our Sussex PAC is to help protect the quality of life in Sussex County by supporting viable local political candidates who support core values such as common-sense growth regulations, better access to affordable health care, improvements to public education and roads, protection for the environment and more affordable workforce housing.
To achieve this mission, Save Our Sussex PAC shall work to elect to public office those viable candidates who embrace the positions outlined by Save Our Sussex PAC. The organization is guided by its values, not political affiliations. It will also conduct fund-raising activities to generate the resources needed to advocate for its issues. No funds shall benefit Save Our Sussex PAC Executive Board members personally.
Article III: Governance
The PAC is governed by an Executive Board that meets at least once each year for an organization meeting. Members may meet in person, via email or online (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.) as needed, especially during campaign periods, for organizational, endorsement or campaign discussions. The Board consists of up to five members. Members are nominated and appointed by a majority of the Board. Only Board members have voting rights. A majority vote on financial expenditures, membership appointments or candidate endorsements requires a vote by all board members. All board members must vote either in person, via email or by telephone. For all other issues before the PAC, a majority vote is considered a majority of those members present.
It shall be the duty of each Executive Board member to adhere to IR Code Section 527 and state Elections Board regulations and avoid coordination of activities with a political candidate or political party. Should Executive Board members join a political candidate’s campaign in an official capacity the Board must be notified within 24 hours, and these members must recuse themselves from the Board for the duration of the election period.
Article IV: Officers
The Executive Board shall have three officers from among its members:
The President shall preside over meetings. The President shall either act as the spokesperson for the organization or designate others to do so. The President shall enact the strategic and tactical goals of the PAC or designate others to do so. The President shall seek Executive Board approval prior to directing any expenditures in support of candidates.
The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the organization, receive and disburse funds of the organizations, report the financial status of the organization to the Executive Board on a regular basis, make an annual report to the membership, prepare and submit all required political action committee reports and election board filings on a timely basis and provide all information necessary for periodic audits as may be directed by the Executive Board. The Treasurer has sole authority over the bank account of the organization. The Treasurer is the legal agent responsible for financial accuracy.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the organization not maintained by the Treasurer with assistance from the President. The Secretary shall be responsible for or designate others to be responsible for communications including, but not limited to, donor communications and other duties as needed. The secretary may designate other board members to assist in these duties.
The officers are nominated and confirmed by an Executive Board majority.
Article V: Advisory Council
The Save Our Sussex PAC Executive Board shall create a committee of volunteer citizens known as the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council will serve a consultive role only. The Advisory Council shall consist of individuals with knowledge, insight and expertise in Sussex County policy and environmental issues, PAC regulations or other specialized guidance. There is no set limit on membership, nor does membership rely on contributions to the PAC.
Discussions between the Executive Board and the Advisory Council shall be considered confidential. No discussion, recommendation or pending action shall be shared by Advisory Council members with outside individuals, especially candidates, candidate committees or candidate staff/representatives. Advisory Council members must adhere to IR Code Section 527 and state Elections Department regulations and avoid coordination of activities with a political candidate or political party. Should an Advisory Council member join a political candidate’s campaign in an official capacity the Executive Board must be notified within 24 hours and that member must recuse themselves from the Advisory Council for the duration of the election period.
The Executive Board may, at its discretion, consult with the Save Our Success PAC Advisory Council as needed.
Article VI: Financial Administration
The PAC funds shall be maintained in a bank account separate from any personal or business funds. The PAC shall conduct fund-raising activities to generate the resources necessary to finance its mission. All fund-raising activities shall be in accordance with state and federal regulations and law. The PAC shall not accept contributions from any prohibited sources such as foreign nationals or anonymous sources.
The Save Our Sussex PAC Treasurer shall have authority to sign checks and disburse funds upon written confirmation, i.e. email confirmation, from the president upon approval by a majority of all Save Our Sussex PAC Executive Board members. The president or the president’s designee may approve campaign activity purchases, i.e. advertisements, or donations to third parties upon approval by a majority of all board members.
The PAC accounting year or fiscal year shall be the calendar year.
Article VII: Endorsement Policy
The PAC shall make candidate endorsements based on the following process:
Screening: Members of the Executive Board, the Advisory Committee or members of the public may suggest candidates for the screening process. Candidates themselves may also request the PAC’s support. The Executive Board shall assess candidates to determine viability (i.e. does the candidate have the ability, potential public support and financial resources to conduct a winning campaign) and if the candidate’s stated positions generally align with the PAC’s values.
Interview: Candidates who are determined to be viable may be evaluated by the Executive Board through a process of issue-only interviews, which may include questionnaires. The Executive Board may conduct these interviews at its discretion. The Executive Board shall, by majority vote of all members, determine which candidates it will support.
Expenditures: All expenditures shall be made independent of any candidate’s campaign. The PAC shall adhere to all appropriate laws and regulations related to prohibitions on coordinated expenditures with candidates, candidate committees, and candidate staff or agents. The Executive Board president or the president’s designee shall independently create a tactical campaign to achieve the goal of electing candidates supported by the PAC. The Executive Board, by majority vote of all members, must approve the tactical campaign. In the case of multiple viable candidates and limited PAC resources, the Executive Board, by majority vote of all members, shall determine which candidates, if any, shall receive any financial expenditure.
Revocation: The Executive Board, by majority vote, also has the authority to revoke its support of any candidate based on information that casts doubt on the candidate’s character, positions or viability.
Article VIII: Books and Records
Save Our Sussex PAC shall maintain contribution records (required information only) for a specific time as required by law. Certain records of the PAC may be publicly available through the Delaware Department of Elections website and, depending on the PAC’s activities, through the Internal Revenue Service and Federal Election Commission websites. The PAC, through SaveOurSussex.com website, shall maintain information to the public on how to access those sites.
Article IX: Dissolution
Should the Save Our Sussex PAC be dissolved, the Executive Board shall determine if the residual funds should be donated to another PAC, a 501(c)(3) charity or returned to the donors. Funds shall not be taken by the officers or Executive Board members for their personal use.
Article X: Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall be the governing rules for procedural disputes.
Article XI: Amendment of Bylaws
Any Executive Board member may suggest amendments to the bylaws. The members proposing an amendment shall provide an amendment in writing (i.e. email) at least 3 days in advance of any meeting. A change in the bylaws requires a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board, i.e. four votes on a five-member board.
Save Our Sussex Political Action Committee Bylaws adopted on this date, January 7, 2026, by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board.
Nancy Mathis, President
Bob Murray, Treasurer
Nancy Sakaduski
Susan Nogan
Kenneth Brittingham