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Constitution and Bylaws

  1. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Chino Valley Democratic Club, which includes (Chino, Chino Hills, and South Ontario).

 

  1. PURPOSE

 

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. 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.

 

The club shall seek to publicize activities, and to build its membership from registered Democrats within Chino, Chino Hills, and South Ontario. 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.

 

III. AFFILIATION

 

  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).
  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 charter local affiliates.
  3. The Club shall apply for membership as a full affiliate in the California Democratic Council. Membership shall be permitted if approved by a majority vote of the club, or 2/3 of its officers.

 

  1. OFFICERS

 

  1. Club officers here in referenced as the Executive Board shall consist of chair, 2 vice-chairs, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer and sergeant at arms. They shall be elected in June to serve a one-year term of office.
  2. 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.
  3. 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. 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.
  5.  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.
  6. 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, and will provide a monthly financial report at club meetings.
  7. The chair shall officiate at all meetings of the Club.
  8. 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.
  9. The Club shall be represented at meetings of the DPOC at which it may be entitled to membership, and at meetings of the California Democratic Council. A person may serve as a representative to more than one outside body if the Club membership approves.
  10. 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.
  11. The chair may appoint Club members to serve in other capacities as needed.
  12. The Club may elect such other officers as may be deemed necessary from time to time to conduct Club business.
  13. An elected officer can be removed from office by resolution of a two-thirds 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.
  14. If an officer vacates a position, he/she shall return all Club items to the Chair.
  15. Officer resignation in writing is required and shall be submitted to the Chair.
  16. The Executive Board, including committee chairs can meet at any time as designated by the Chair.

 

  1. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

 

  1. Any individual shall be considered for Club membership if:

1) The individual is a registered Democrat; or

2) The individual is ineligible to vote (due to minority, non-residency, or other legal impediment), but pledges to register as a Democrat when eligibility is attained; and

3) Supports the purpose of the Club as stated in Article II, above.

4) 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) 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 afore.

  1. Only members in good standing as of July 1 shall be included in the roster.

1)  “Member in good standing” shall mean a member who has affirmatively applied for membership and attended at least one meeting prior to being eligible to vote.

2) The member has paid club dues or dues have been waived due to economic hardship.

3) The status of each member shall be certified by a club officer, and the applicant be accepted by the membership committee.

4) The club’s representatives to any pre-endorsing conference be from the roster and representatives be men and women as equally as possible.

5)  Said representatives shall by a majority vote of a selection committee comprised of the club’s officers.

6) Membership is effective at the next regular club meeting.

  1.  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.
  2. A member is removed from the club roster 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.

 

  1. DUES

 

  1. Dues shall be recommended by the Executive Board and reviewed at the first meeting of each calendar year and presented to the General Membership for approval.
  2. Dues are due on January 1 and payable by January 31 of each calendar year.
  3. Annual dues are non-refundable.
  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.

 

VII. MEETINGS

 

  1. Regular Meetings

1) The Club shall hold regular monthly meetings.

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.

  1. Special Meetings

1) Special meetings may be called by the chair at any time, on notice of specific topic.

2) In the absence of the chair, any two officers may call a special meeting, on notice as specified below.

  1. Notice of Meeting

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:

  1. Notice in writing or e-mail
  2. Telephone message

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.

 

VIII. RULES OF MEETINGS

 

  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.
  2. A quorum for any official meeting of the Club shall be 20 percent of the total organizational membership.
  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.
  4. The Club may pass resolutions not related to endorsements with a vote of 2/3 of those present and voting at any meeting.

E  The Club will invite all Democratic Candidates within our sphere to seek our endorsement.

  1. A process to consider the endorsement of candidates must be approved prior to any suggestion of endorsements. If the discussion of an endorsement process is noticed in the meeting agenda, such process must be approved by at least 2/3 of those present and voting at any meeting. If the discussion of an endorsement process is brought up from the floor as New Business, such process must be approved by at least three-fourths of those present and voting at any meeting. Under no circumstances may the Club consider the endorsement of a candidate for public office who is not registered with the Democratic Party. The minimum threshold for endorsement in a race with multiple Democratic candidates is two-thirds of the members present and voting.
  2. Changes to the Bylaws not specifically referenced elsewhere must be provided to the membership at least one meeting before the vote in question, and must be approved by a vote of 2/3 of those present and voting.

 

AMENDMENTS

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.

 

Amendments ADOPTED: _______________April 9_______________________, 2019

 

Certified by: ______Marian Arguello__________________________________________

President

 

Certified by: _____Christy Perez___________________________________________

Secretary