These Bylaws are compliant with CDP and SDCDP requirements for clubs and can be used as a model for building or revising club bylaws. Annotations showing the CDP and SDCDP requirements are shown in the comments.
BYLAWS
____________________________ DEMOCRATIC CLUB
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the (Club Name), hereafter referred to as XXXXX.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of this club shall be to foster democratic ideals by stimulating active interest in the Democratic Party, to support the party platform, contribute to party leadership and responsibility, to provide a constructive role for the volunteer in Democratic politics, and to promote an activist base.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY
Anyone registered as a Democrat or is ineligible to vote (due to age, non-residency or other legal impediment) but pledges to register as a Democrat when eligible, and supports the purpose of the Club as stated in Article II, above shall be eligible for membership in this club.
Section 2 - GOOD STANDING
Democrats and pledged Democrats, whose annual dues are currently paid, or had waived, shall be considered a member in good standing. Any member whose actions are judged to be prejudicial or detrimental to the club by the Executive Board may be expelled from membership by a two-thirds vote at any general meeting, at which a quorum exists, concurs.
SECTION 3 - DUES
Dues shall be reviewed mid-year and recommended by the Executive Board, for approval by the membership, to go into effect for the next membership year. Dues are due and payable upon joining the club, and annually at the beginning of every club calendar year thereafter. Payment of dues shall not be obligatory to anyone for whom it constitutes an economic hardship after due consideration and approval by the Executive Board.
SECTION 4 - VOTING
A member in good standing who has attended at least one prior meeting shall be eligible to vote. No proxy voting or absentee shall be permitted.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - ELECTED OFFICERS
Elected officers of this club shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers must be registered Democrats. Each shall be elected at the general meeting in January and hold office for one year. An elected officer may be removed from office by resolution of a two-thirds vote of the members at a General Meeting for such causes as missing three unexcused consecutive meetings or non-performance of duties, providing the membership and the officer have been notified ten days in advance of the meeting of the proposed action against the officer.
SECTION 2 - DUTIES
A. President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the club. He/she shall preside over all meetings of the club and the executive board; make appointments to other positions as required; act as official spokesperson of the club. In addition, the President should stimulate active interest in the political process, provide a constructive role for the active volunteer; contribute to effective leadership and individual responsibility; promote harmony among the club membership, between other clubs and within the San Diego County Democratic Party.
B. Vice-President
The Vice President shall serve at the direction of the President. He/she shall preside at meetings if the President is unable to do so, or is requested by the President to do so. The Vice-President shall take over the duties of President in the absence of that officer, and is responsible for the annual audit.
C. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the general meetings, executive committee meetings, conduct correspondence, maintain the club’s records, and is responsible for internal communications.
D. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues, receive and deposit all club funds received; maintain an accurate record of club receipts and expenditures; sign all checks as authorized by the Executive Board; make the record of club receipts and expenditures available to any member when requested; provide a report of the club financial status at club meetings as requested; provide an annual written report of club financial status; make the books and all other financial records of the club available to the audit committee each year in May. In addition the Treasurer shall be responsible for filing FPPC/FEC financial report on time as required.
SECTION 3 - ELECTIONS
Elections shall be held annually. A nominating committee shall be appointed of 3 to 5 volunteers from the membership. The nominating committee shall select at least one candidate for each elective office and report their selections at the general meeting one month prior to the election meeting. At the election meeting the floor will be open for additional nominations. The election may be held by show of hands or voice vote for uncontested offices. A secret ballot will be used for any contested offices. Those nominees who receive a majority vote shall be declared elected. If no person receives a majority of votes cast, a run-off shall be held between those two persons receiving the greatest number of votes. The person receiving the majority of the votes shall be declared elected.
SECTION 4 - VACANCIES
Should any officer resign or fail to attend three general meetings or Executive Board meetings in a row without cause approved by the Executive Board, the Executive Board shall declare that office vacant and appoint a successor to that office to complete the unexpired term. Any such appointment shall, however, be approved by the membership at the next general meeting. At that meeting, nominations to fill the vacancy shall also be accepted from the floor. Voting shall be by secret ballot with a majority of those members in good standing present required to elect.
SECTION 5 - APPOINTED OFFICERS
The President shall appoint a parliamentarian and any other officers not otherwise specified by these bylaws as required for the general well-being of the club.
ARTICLE V- MEETINGS
SECTION 1 - GENERAL MEETINGS
There shall be a minimum of six general meetings each year, at least one of which shall be in January. Other general meetings shall be held at such times and places as specified by a majority of the Executive Board.
SECTION 2 - QUORUM
A quorum at any general meeting shall the number of officers plus ten percent (10%) of those whose membership is in good standing. A quorum at an endorsing/electing meeting shall the number of officers plus twenty percent (20%) of those whose membership is in good standing. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be a majority of its elected members.
SECTION 3 - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The parliamentary authority is the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
SECTION 4 - NOTICES
At least 14 days prior to a general meeting at which the following items will be discussed and voted upon, meeting notices shall be emailed to each member of the club in good standing:
Club elections and filling of vacancies
Proposed amendments to bylaws
Proposed resolutions
Endorsements of candidates and/or ballot measures
Such notice shall specify the time, place and date of the general meeting and describe the event.
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1 - FUNCTION
The Executive Board shall approve all expenditures and carry out the club business between general meetings in a manner consistent with actions taken at the general meetings, and perform any other duties provided for in these bylaws. The President shall pre-approve any written correspondence on behalf of the club. The President shall be the sole spokesperson of the club.
SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Executive Board shall include all of the currently elected club officers, and the then current Committee Chairs.
SECTION 3 - MEETINGS
The President shall call a meeting, with advance notice, of the Executive Board as needed. Special meetings may be called by a majority of the currently elected members of the Executive Board at any time. A majority of the then currently elected members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES
The standing committees for the club are as follows shall include both Audit and Nominating committees. Other committees may include Political Action, Membership, Fund Raising, Program, Special Events, Communications, Hospitality and others as identified by the President and ratified by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII - CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
A. Only candidates who are registered Democrats are eligible for Club endorsement.
B. All endorsements of candidates or resolutions concerning ballot measures or public issues must be in accordance with the standards established by the California State Democratic Party and the San Diego County Democratic Party. It is also the tradition and stated goal of the Club not to make endorsements or to pass resolutions which will adversely affect the unity of the Democratic Party.
C. A motion to endorse a candidate or take a position on a Proposition or public issue must receive the vote of a seventy percent (70%) of the Club members in good standing who are present and voting.
ARTICLE IX – CLUB REPRESENTATIVES
SECTION 1. California Democratic Party (CDP)
In order to be eligible to participate in CDP pre-endorsing conferences, the Club’s President, Secretary, or Treasurer will ratify the roster of Democratic members in good standing by July 1 of each odd-numbered year identifying the legislative districts and representatives for each district and submit it to the CDP and SDCDP. Representatives should be equally apportioned between men and women to the extent possible.
SECTION 2. San Diego County Democratic Party (SDCDP) Associate Member
Under the club’s charter with the SDCDP, its President is a representative to the SDCDP Central Committee as an Associate Member - for clubs with twenty chartering (unique) members. If the President is already a Central Committee member or chooses not to serve, a different representative may be selected to serve his or her term according to the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of this Article. An Associate Member application, for the President or any other representative, must be submitted to the SDCDP within 30 days of his or her selection by the club.
SECTION 3. Selection
Club representatives to the CDP and SDCDP – and any other official representatives, delegates, and alternates from the club to conferences, caucuses, councils, conventions, and other meetings – shall be selected by a vote of members in good standing at a duly noticed club meeting or, if that cannot occur at a regular or special meeting, by designation of the President
SECTION 4. Adherence to Club Positions
Club representatives described in this Article, when participating in voting and discussion in that capacity, shall adhere to and represent the club’s official positions on endorsements and other matters wherever applicable, and shall agree to do so prior to their selection.
SECTION 5. Other SDCDP Representatives
A. The Executive Board will designate a GO Team Liaison.
B. The Executive Board will designate a SDCDP Voter Registration Liaison.
ARTICLE X - AFFILIATION
The club shall affiliate as an associate member of the County Democratic Central Committee and pay the current annual chartering fee.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at a general meeting after such amendment has been presented at the preceding general meeting and notice has been provided as specified in Article V, Section 4 of these bylaws.
ARTICLE XII - ADOPTION
These bylaws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption and shall be the governing rules of the club.
Date:
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Sample Bylaws