CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
(Adopted January 11, 2021)
1: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Chino Valley Democratic Club, which includes
Chino, Chino Hills, and South Ontario.
2: PURPOSE
2.1. The Chino Valley Democratic Club (hereinafter called the Club) shall focus its efforts
within the communities of Chino, Chino Hills, and South Ontario, and the
Assembly districts they are located in.
2.2. In San Bernardino County: to advance the goals of the Democratic Party
(hereinafter called the Party), through public policy and political issue analysis,
education, fundraising, recruitment, coordination with other Democratic groups,
and other activities to benefit the Party.
2.3. The club shall seek to publicize activities, and to build its membership from
registered Democrats within Chino, Chino Hills, and South Ontario.
2.4. The Club shall develop a work plan, which shall be evaluated by the membership at
least once every six months. This work plan shall include a report on the number
of registered Democrats within Chino, Chino Hills, and South Ontario
communities, a report on Democratic voter turnout in Chino, Chino Hills, and
South Ontario, and a comparison of local Democratic statistics to other political
affiliations.
3: AFFILIATION
3.1. The Club is officially chartered with the San Bernardino County Democratic Central
Committee (hereinafter called the DCC) and was duly chartered by the
Committee on March 24, 2011 (Yearly re-chartering as designated by DCC).
3.2. As a chartered and affiliated club of the DCC, the Club shall comply with bylaws of
the DCC and the California Democratic Party, as they apply to fully chartered
local affiliates.
3.3 The club shall adhere and model CADEM’s adopted Code of Conduct, as a best practice and insist all members observe and follow its tenents. ( COC added as an existing Standing Rule at the end of this document)
4: OFFICERS
Club officers here in referenced as the Executive Board shall consist of a Chair, 2
Vice-Chairs, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant at
Arms. A member of the Club who is nominated for office must be a registered Democrat,
have been a member of the Club for at least one year, have paid current dues and be in
good standing as determined by these bylaws. They shall be elected in June by an
election process approved by the Club during the prior meeting and will serve a one-year
term of office.
4.1. Chair
4.1.1. The Chair shall officiate all meetings of the Club.
4.1.2. The Chair may appoint Club members to serve in other capacities as
needed.
4.1.3. The Chair may appoint members temporarily to fill unexpired terms of
office, subject to election by the membership at the next Club meeting, 30
days after the office is vacated.
4.2. 1st & 2nd Vice-Chairs
4.2.1. If the Chair vacates office, the 1st Vice-Chair shall ascend to the position of
Chair, until an election is held to fill the Chair’s remaining term of office.
4.2.2. In the temporary absence of the Chair, the 1st Vice-Chair shall serve as
Chair. If the position of 1st Vice-Chair is vacant, the 2nd Vice-Chair shall
serve as Chair.
4.2.3. Duties of the 1st Vice-Chair shall include capacity building for the club’s
membership and be determined as needed by the Chair or the Executive
Board.
4.2.4. The 2nd Vice-Chair position will be filled as deemed necessary by the
Chair or Executive Board. Duties of the 2nd Vice-Chair are determined as
needed by the Chair or the Executive Board.
4.3. Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for recording and submitting club
meeting minutes one week before the next meeting and shall maintain all written
records of the Club.
4.4. Corresponding Secretary
The Corresponding Secretary shall receive all correspondence of the Club,
answer all correspondence of the Club at the direction of the Chair and update
the Club on developments with the State Party and other Democratic
organizations.
4.5. Treasurer
4.5.1. The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records of the Club, be
responsible for bank accounts, ensure IRS forms, FPPC/FEC financial
reports are submitted on time.
4.5.2. Will provide a monthly financial report at club meetings.
4.6. Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms position will be filled as deemed necessary by the
Chair or Executive Board and will be responsible for keeping order at meetings,
counting and tallying votes, and keeping time for speakers during meetings, and
other responsibilities as needed.
4.7. Publicity Officer
The Club is encouraged to appoint a publicity officer, who shall have the
responsibility to develop and to implement a plan to increase the visibility of the
Club among Democrats within Chino, Chino Hills, and South Ontario.
4.8. The Club shall be represented at meetings of the SBCDP at which it may be entitled
to membership. A person may serve as a representative to more than one
outside body if the Club membership approves.
4.9. The Club may elect such other officers as may be deemed necessary from time to
time to conduct Club business.
4.10. Removing an Officer of the Club
4.10.1. An elected officer can be removed from office by resolution of a 2/3
vote of the Regular members at a General Meeting for such causes as
missing four 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.
4.10.2. If an officer vacates a position, he/she shall return all Club items to the
Chair.
4.10.3. Officer resignation in writing is required and shall be submitted to the
Chair.
4.11. The Executive Board, including committee chairs can meet at any time as
designated by the Chair.
5: MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
5.1. Any individual shall be considered for Club membership if:
5.1.1. The individual is a registered Democrat; or
5.1.2. The individual is ineligible to vote (due to minority, age, non-residency, or
other legal impediment), but pledges to register as a Democrat when
eligibility is attained; and
5.1.3. Supports the purpose of the Club as stated in Article 2, above; and
5.1.4. The individual lives in Chino, Chino Hills, South Ontario or any city that is
in the same Assembly, Senatorial or Congressional district as the cities
named.
5.1.5. Legislative employees may join the Club, but must recuse themselves from
voting on items related to their Legislative employer’s direct interests
(such as endorsement).
5.2. Only members in good standing as of May 1 shall be included in the roster
submitted for California Democratic Party (CDP) pre-endorsing conference
purposes and the CDP endorsement process .
“Member in good standing” shall mean:
5.2.1. A member who has affirmatively applied for membership and attended at
least one meeting prior to being eligible to vote; and
5.2.2. The member has paid club dues or dues have been waived due to
economic hardship; and
5.2.3. The status of each member shall be certified by a club officer, and the
applicant be accepted by the membership committee.
5.2.4. Membership is effective at the next regular club meeting after the above
requirements are met.
5.3. Club Representatives
5.3.1. The club’s representatives to any CDP pre-endorsing conference be
from the roster in good standing, be registered Democrats, and
that the overall list of representatives to all conferences adhere to the
Equal Division Rule, to the extent possible.
5.3.2. Said representatives shall be elected by a majority vote of a
selection committee comprised of the club’s officers.
5.4. This organization does not require or use any test of membership or oath of loyalty
which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members to acquiesce in,
condone or support discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, national
origin, physical ability, sex, age, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation or
economic status.
5.5. A member may be removed from the club roster upon review by the membership
committee for non-payment of dues by the date required in these Bylaws, or for
publicly endorsing or financially supporting anyone other than a Democratic
candidate in any election.
6: DUES
6.1. Dues shall be recommended by the Executive Board and reviewed each calendar
year and presented to the General Membership during the month of December
for approval.
6.2. Dues are due beginning December 1 and payable by the regular club
meeting in January of each calendar year.
6.3. Annual dues are non-refundable.
6.4. Payment of dues shall not be obligatory to anyone for whom it constitutes an
economic hardship, and after due consideration with approval of the Executive
Board.
7: MEETINGS
7.1. Regular Meetings
7.1.1. The Club shall hold regular monthly meetings.
7.1.2. Regular meetings shall not be canceled more than 4 times within any
calendar year and in no event shall more than 2 regular meetings be
canceled in succession.
7.2. Special Meetings
7.2.1. Special meetings may be called by the chair at any time, on notice of
specific topic.
7.2.2. In the absence of the chair, any two officers may call a special meeting, on
notice as specified below.
7.3. Notice of Meeting
7.3.1. Notice of regular or special meetings shall be given at least one week in
advance to all active members, in any manner as follows: Writing, E-mail,
Telephone message, or Text message.
7.3.2. Notice of the meeting shall be deemed sufficient by any manner specified
above if such notice includes the date, time and place of the meeting and
member is notified at least one week prior to the meeting.
8: RULES OF MEETINGS
8.1. The Club shall use the newly revised Robert’s Rules of Order to govern
parliamentary procedure at all official meetings of the organization, except as
specifically noted in these bylaws.
8.2. A quorum for any official meeting of the Club shall be 20 percent of the total
organizational membership.
8.3. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the Club may adopt events and conduct
regular business with a vote of 50 percent plus one of the members present at
any meeting.
9: ENDORSEMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS
9.1 ENDORSEMENTS OF CANDIDATES:
9.1.1. The Club will invite all Democratic Candidates within our sphere to seek
our endorsement.
9.1.2. Under no circumstances may the Club consider the endorsement of a
candidate for public office who is not registered with the Democratic Party.
9.1.3. A process to consider the endorsement of candidates must be approved
prior to any suggestion of endorsements.
9.1.3.1. If the discussion of an endorsement process for candidates is
noticed in the meeting agenda, such process must be approved
by at least 2/3 of those present and voting at any meeting.
9.1.3.2. If the discussion of an endorsement process for candidates is
brought up from the floor as New Business, such process must be
approved by at least 3/4 of those present and voting at any
meeting.
9.1.4. In a race with one Democratic candidate running, the minimum threshold
for endorsement is 50 percent plus one of the members present and voting.
9.1.5. The minimum threshold for endorsement in a race with multiple
Democratic candidates is 2/3 of the members present and voting.
9.2 ADOPTING RESOLUTIONS AND ENDORSING NON-CANDIDATE MEASURES
9.2.1. The Club may adopt resolutions and endorse non-candidate measures and
propositions that reflect the clubs values and the principles of the
Democratic Party.
9.2.2. The Club may adopt resolutions and endorse non-candidate measures
not related to endorsements of candidates with 2/3 of the members
present and voting at any meeting.
10: AMENDMENTS
10.1. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at a general membership
meeting after the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership
at a preceding meeting.
Submitted by:
Darren Perez, Parliamentarian
Chino Valley Democratic Club
Approved by:
Jim Gallagher, ChaIr
Paul Rodriguez, 1st Vice Chair
Marian Arguello, 2nd Vice Chair
Brian Moon, Treasurer
Cathy Earle, Recording Secretary
Terry Marzell, Corresponding Secretary
Robert Cejas, Sgt. at Arms
Standing Rules
CODE OF CONDUCT
Expected Behavior
The California Democratic Party (CDP or Party) is committed to providing a
welcoming, respectful, friendly, safe, supportive, and harassment-free
environment for members, employees, and all others associated with the CDP.
The CDP expects all leaders, members, employees, and others associated with
the CDP to act professionally, respecting the personal rights and dignities of all
individuals involved with the Party so as to create a productive, inclusive
environment for everyone. The CDP also expects all such individuals to alert
Party leaders and/or the Party Ombudsperson of a perceived violation of this
Code and to cooperate in an investigation of a potential violation.
The CDP’s expectations are not limited to CDP conventions and other meetings.
Conduct in violation of this Code will not be tolerated at any and all events
sponsored by or having an official connection with the CDP, as well as in any
CDP office and in any call, text, or email, or on any digital communication
platform or social media, that occurs in the context of conducting CDP business.
Harassment Prohibited
All individuals should feel welcome and safe within the CDP, regardless of their
sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation,
pregnancy/reproductive status, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry,
religion, caste, creed, age, disability, health status, marital status, military or
veteran status, body size, physical appearance, domestic violence victim status,
social or economic status, or any legally protected classification or characteristic.
The CDP will not tolerate harassment and prohibits the creation of hostile
conditions — that is, disrespectful or unprofessional conduct — based on any of
the aforementioned categories. The manner of any such prohibited behavior
includes verbal conduct, whether spoken or written (such as slurs, jokes, insults,
remarks, epithets, teasing, yelling, foul or profane language, emails, posters,
leaflets, internet posting, slander, etc.), visual conduct (such as the wearing,
posting, or distributing of offensive symbols, pictures, cartoons, drawings, and computer displays, leering, gestures, libel, etc.), and physical conduct (such as
gestures, blocking someone’s way, assault, invading someone’s space,
unwelcome touching, etc.).
The CDP emphasizes that it will not tolerate sexual harassment, that is, conduct
based on sex or of a sexual nature. Prohibited sexual harassment may include the
actions described above, as well as other unwelcome sex-based conduct, such
as unsolicited sexual advances or unwanted contact (such as kissing, hugging,
neck-rubbing, an overlong handshake, etc.), requests for sexual favors,
conversations regarding sexual activities, or other verbal, visual, or physical
conduct or contact of a sexual or sexually suggestive nature.
The CDP prohibits quid pro quo sexual harassment, such as when submission to
sexual conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an
individual’s membership in the CDP or an appointment to a CDP committee, to
CDP leadership, or to another role within the CDP; or submission to or rejection
of sexual conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions affecting that
individual.
The examples above are just that—examples. In general, any conduct that is
based on one or more of the protected classifications listed above that could
interfere with an individual’s participation in the CDP or could create an
offensive, unsafe environment will be considered harassment in violation of this
Code of Conduct. This is the case even if the offending individual did not mean
to be offensive. It is essential that we all are sensitive to the feelings of others.
Retaliation Prohibited
Retaliation for good faith reporting of behavior that may violate this Code of
Conduct, or for participating in an investigation into a potential violation, is
prohibited.
Retaliation may include, but is not limited to, exclusion from meetings,
committees, or opportunities for advancement and full participation, ostracism,
bad mouthing, or other conduct that may discourage engagement with the CDP,
or that would be reasonably likely to deter a reasonable person from reporting a
violation of this Code or participating in an investigation of a potential violation.
Reporting Procedure
Anyone who experiences, witnesses, or learns of a perceived violation of this
Code should promptly report it either to a Party leader or to the Party
Ombudsperson. A Party leader who receives such a report must promptly report
it to the Party Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson will decide whether to initiate
an investigation and remains available to the reporter throughout the
investigation process and will oversee any investigation that ensues.
Consequences for a Violation
A violation of this Code of Conduct may result in sanctions including but not
limited to private censure, public censure, being prohibited from attending Party
events, and removal from a CDP office and/or delegate status.
CDP-Affiliated Clubs and Organizations
Party-affiliated clubs and organizations are encouraged to adopt this Code of
Conduct or a code similar to it. However, the procedure for reporting a violation
of such a code, the responsibility for investigating and enforcing it, and the
consequences for violating it must be established by the club or organization
independently of the CDP and its procedures and ombudsperson
Adopted 7/23/19
Updated and Approved 7/10/22
Adopted as a standing rule
James Gallagher president on behalf of Chino Valley Democratic Club
4/16/25
