Bylaws

Bylaws for the Diablo Valley Democratic Club

Name
The name of this organization shall be the Diablo Valley Democratic Club.
Purpose
The Diablo Valley Democratic Club (hereinafter called the Club) has been organized to help determine the future of Central Contra Costa County by promoting and furthering Democratic causes and values. It will advertise its activities and build its membership from registered Democrats and friends within Central Contra Costa County and neighboring communities. The Club's actions will be guided by commitment to a vision that includes equality, opportunity, freedom and strong communities.
Affiliation
1. The Club is affiliated with the Contra Costa County Democratic Central Committee (hereinafter called the DPCCC) and was duly chartered by the Committee on June 20, 2019.

B. As a chartered and affiliated club of the DPCCC, the Club shall comply with bylaws of the DPCCC and the California Democratic Party, as they apply to fully chartered local affiliates.

C. Under the Club’s charter with the DPCCC, an elected Club member and the member’s alternate can become voting delegates to the DPCCC for a term of 2 years according to the provisions of Sections D and E below. The “Club DPCCC Voting Representatives Application” application is required be submitted to the DPCCC within 30 days of the intended acceptance as voting members.

D. Club representatives to the California Democratic Party (CDP) and DPCCC shall be selected by a vote of the Clubs Board of Directors. The voting member and alternate must not already be a voting member of the DPCCC or be willing to relinquish their current voting status upon accepting the Club voting members status. The voting members and alternate must be acceptable to the requirements of the DPCCC.

E. 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 wherever applicable, and shall agree to do so prior to their selection.

Membership Requirements
1. Qualifications: Any individual qualifies for Club membership if:
  1. The individual is a registered Democrat; (voting member) 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 he or she supports the purpose of the Club as stated in Article II, above (nonvoting or associate member).
2. Membership: A qualified individual shall be considered a member in good standing only if
  1. The member has paid all club dues within the past 18 months.
  2. Associate members pay dues, but are not voting members.
Dues
1. Each member shall pay dues of not less than required by the DPCCC. Changes in the dues structure shall be determined by a vote of the officers of the club. Dues are due on January 1 of each calendar year. Dues paid on Sept. 1 or afterwards will cover membership until Dec. 31 of the following year. Accommodations will be made with the approval of the Board in cases of need after the potential member makes a request to the president.
2. Dues shall be managed by the Treasurer and placed in a club account, reported on at each meeting.

Meetings
1. Regular Meetings
  1. The Club shall hold regular monthly meetings on such day as the membership may determine from time to time.
2. Special Meetings
  1. The president may call special meetings at any time, on notice as specified below.
  2. In the absence of the president, any two officers may call a special meeting, on notice as specified below.
3. Notice of Meeting
  1. Notice of regular or special meetings shall be given at least 5 days in advance to all active members, in any manner as follows:
    1. Notice in writing by US mail
    2. Notice in writing by e-mail
    3. 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 is calculated to be received at least 5 days prior to the meeting.
  3. Notice of a proposed action may be waived by 2/3 vote of voting members present.
4. Minutes
  1. Minutes of each meeting containing a summary of the business of that meeting will be prepared by the secretary;
  2. Minutes of each meeting will be published to the members by the secretary; by e-mail or by any arrangement, which the secretary agrees to for any member desirous of receipt of meeting Minutes, by means other than e-mail.
Rules for Meetings
1. A minimum of seven voting members is required for a valid vote.
2. 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 voting members present.
3. The Club may pass resolutions not related to endorsements with a vote of 50 percent plus one of voting members present.
4. 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 a simple majority 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 will be placed on the agenda of a future 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 a simple majority of the members present and voting.
Officers
1. Club offices shall consist of president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Each office shall be a one-year term.
2. Election of officers shall be held in June. If the president vacates office, the vice president shall fill the position of president, until an election is held to fill the president’s remaining term of office. The president shall officiate at all meetings of the Club. In the temporary absence of the president, the vice-president shall serve as president. If the position of vice-president is vacant, the secretary shall serve as vice-president. If the secretary and vice-president are absent, the treasurer shall serve as vice-president.
3. The secretary shall be responsible to ensure that all members are notified of Club meetings. Attendance and adequate minutes shall be taken at each meeting.
4. The treasurer shall maintain all written and financial records of the Club.
5. The president may appoint members temporarily to fill un-expired terms of office, subject to election by the membership at the next Club meeting 30 days after the office is vacated.
6. The Club shall be represented at meetings of the DPCCC and any Assembly District Committee meetings at which it may be entitled to membership, and at meetings of the California Democratic Council. A person may serve as representative to more than one outside body if the club membership approves. Delegates to pre-endorsement caucuses shall be chosen by the Board, after a notification to members that the club is seeking people to represent it at the caucuses.
7. The president may appoint Club members to serve in other capacities as needed.
8. The Club may elect such other officers as may be deemed necessary from time to time to conduct Club business.

AMENDMENT
1. Changes to the constitution and bylaws not specifically referenced elsewhere must be noticed to the membership at least 5 days before the vote in question, and must be approved by 2/3 of voting members present.

COMMITTEES
1. The president may propose committees as needed.

ADOPTED THIS 1st DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2004.

AMENDED THIS 22ND DAY OF APRIL, 2015.

AMENDED THIS 27th DAY of SEPTEMBER, 2017.

AMENDED THIS 10TH DAY of OCTOBER, 2018.

Certified by:

Secretary