Club By Laws

Article I Name

Section 1 The name of this organization shall be American River Democrats. In these bylaws, it will also be called the “Club”. The Executive Board will be known as the “Board”.

Article II Membership

Section 1 All registered Democrats, who subscribe to the mission statement as stated in Article III, shall be eligible for membership. Honorary non-voting memberships may be granted at the discretion of the Board.

Section 2 Annual dues will be set by the Board.

Section 3 The membership year shall run from April 1st until March 31st of the next year. For new members, dues paid anytime after December 1st and before the end of February will cover the remainder of the current membership year and all of the next membership year. Hardship waivers may be granted at the discretion of the Board.

Section 4 A member shall be considered in good standing after paying dues and is eligible to vote the following month after joining. Voting members for the March election will be verified by the Treasurer and certified by a majority vote of the Board at the March Executive Board meeting.

Section 5 Members may be expelled for cause by a two-thirds vote of the entire Executive Board for the following reasons:

1. (a)  Disregard for or abuse of these bylaws and/or standing rules and regulations of the Club.
2. (b)  Interference with the authorized activities of the Board, Officers or Club committees.
3. (c)  Using their position as a member of this club to advocate against the election of theDemocratic nominee for any partisan office.
4. (d)  Engaging in public behavior deemed contrary to the best interests of the Club or theDemocratic Party (examples include a public misrepresentation of the Club positions orabusive behavior/language when acting in the Club’s interests).
5. (e)  Engaging in any form of discrimination or harassment.(i) Discrimination: Unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of individuals, including, but not limited to – race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, physical size or weight, age, nationality, ancestry, place of origin or economic status.(ii) Harassment: Any inappropriate or unwelcome conduct directed at any individuals including those specified in the last paragraph. Conduct can be a comment, display, action or gesture. It can be comments or actions which are intimidating, threatening, demeaning or abusive.

Section 6 A Board member shall provide written notification to the individual subject to expulsion. This written notification can be through a mailed note or an email, and receipt verified by a telephone call or message response. When the matter will be on the Board agenda, the individual shall have the opportunity to address the Board on the matter prior to the vote. The individual shall promptly be notified of the Board’s action.

Section 7 A member who has been expelled may request reinstatement by submitting such request in writing at least five days prior to a Board meeting or ten days prior to a General meeting. The request will be added to the next General meeting agenda and voted on at that General meeting. The individual will be given a specified amount of time to present their case. It shall take a simple majority of the members present to approve a reinstatement.

Article III Vision: To Achieve Economic, Environmental and Social Justice

Section 1 Our mission is to elect Democrats, support and influence the Democratic agenda, and engage the community in those efforts.

Section 2 The Club will spread its influence by inviting citizens from all surrounding communities (including Folsom, Gold River, Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Fair Oaks and Carmichael) to join as members or support its projects.

Section 3 The Club will invite speakers to General meetings who will give members an educated view of the democratic process and effective ways to achieve short term and long term goals.

Section 4 The Club will identify, support and endorse candidates who represent the Democratic agenda.

Section 5 The Club will defend Democratic principles and voting rights by supporting legislative bills and ballot measures that promote voter participation.

Section 6 The Club will encourage participation in the democratic process by publicizing active groups and campaigns who are promoting Democratic goals.

Section 7 The club will support policies that fight racism however and wherever it arises.

Section 8 The club will organize or support campaign participation to include postcards, phone calls and door-to-door efforts.

Section 9 The Club shall engage in such political, educational, civic, welfare and other activities which will further the interests of the American River Democrats. These activities will include advancing ethical and equal participation in the political process without regard to race,

religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, physical size or weight, age, nationality, ancestry, place of origin or economic status.

Section 10 All activities of the club shall be in conformance with State law and the Basic principles of the Democratic Party.

Article IV Affiliation

Section 1 The American River Democrats shall charter with the Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC).

Section 2 As a chartered and affiliated club of the DPSC, the Club shall comply with the bylaws of the DPSC as they apply to fully chartered local affiliates.

Article V Officers and Executive Board

Section 1 Elective officers of the Club shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Communications Secretary and up to five Directors-at-Large. This shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section 2 The Club shall be represented at the meetings of the DPSC. The Primary Representative shall be a member of the Executive Board and will be elected by a majority vote of the Board. The Alternate Representative may be any member of the Club, and shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 3 Should the Club have twenty members in good standing as of July 1st in one CA Assembly District, the Club will notify all club members that the Club qualifies for a delegate to the California Democratic Party Pre-Endorsement Conference. At least five days before the next General meeting, the Club will request nominations for a delegate. Members may be nominated or self-nominated, and will be selected by vote at that next General meeting.

Section 4

The duties of the elected officers shall be as follows:

(a) President
(i) shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the Club.
(ii) shall prepare the agenda for these meetings and provide it to the

membership at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
(iii) shall appoint Committee Chairs subject to confirmation by the Board. (iv) shall represent this Club at public and/or political functions within

Sacramento County, or will appoint delegates to attend such functions.
(v) shall have the authority to co-sign checks.
(vi) shall be responsible to the Board and the membership for his or her actions.

(b) Vice President
(i) shall assist the President in the performance of all duties and shall officiate in

the temporary absence of the President.
(ii) shall become the President on the death or resignation of the President. (iii) shall have the authority to co-sign checks.
(iv) shall be the Program Chair, responsible for speakers and other programs. (v) shall be responsible to the Board and membership for his or her actions. (vi) shall be responsible for other duties as assigned by the Board.

(c) Treasurer
(i) shall collect dues, donations or other funds and shall keep and maintain an

accurate record of all financial transactions of this organization and summarize such transactions in a report at the regular membership meeting.

(ii) shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the American River Democrats.

(iii) shall pay all bills and disbursements authorized by the Board or the Club. (iv) shall have the authority to sign checks according to Bylaw procedures.
(v) shall keep, or cause to be kept, an accurate account of all monies, gifts and

property received and disbursed in the name of the American River Democrats.
(vi) shall prepare a report of the financial status of the organization annually in

written form which shall be kept in a manner accessible to all members for at least seven years.

(vii) shall prepare and present an annual budget as requested by the Board.

(viii) shall complete and file all financial reports required by law and government regulations.

(ix) shall render to the Board, upon request, an account of all transactions and of the financial condition of the Club.

(x) shall be responsible to the Board and membership for his or her actions.

(d) Recording Secretary
(i) shall keep, or cause to be kept, minutes of all meetings of the Club and of the

Board. The Minutes shall indicate the date, time and place of the meeting, and whether the meeting was regular or Special. If a Special, indicate how authorized, the notice given, and the names of those present. The Minutes shall contain a summary of the proceedings of each meeting.

(ii) shall attach copies, in the Minutes, of any handouts or written reports submitted at the meeting.

(iii) shall distribute the Minutes in a manner and timeframe as directed by the Board.

(iv) shall keep, or cause to be kept, the original copy of the Club Bylaws, including the latest approved amendment.

(v) shall ensure that all members sign an attendance sheet or Zoom check. (vi) shall be responsible to the Board and membership for his or her actions.

(e) Communications Secretary
(i) shall conduct correspondence as directed by the Chairperson, Board or by the

majority vote of the membership.
(ii) shall maintain a membership list and send out email correspondence to the

membership at the direction of the Board.
(iii) shall be responsible for overseeing and coordinating communication with any

members responsible for publicity, the Club website and other social media outlets.
(iv) shall be responsible to the Board and the membership for his or her actions.

(f) Director-At-Large
(i) shall take a leadership role in one or more Club sponsored events or key

committees (Political Action, Fundraising, Voter Registration or Board authorized). (ii) shall assist in various capacities as assigned by the Board.
(iii) shall be responsible to the Board and membership for his or her actions.

Article VI Elections

Section 1 The Executive Board shall have the power to regulate and supervise all elections held by the American River Democrats.

Section 2 Nominations or self nominations for board positions can be made at a club meeting or in writing. The Board will submit the list of candidates by email to club members at least ten days prior to the election meeting.

Section 3 Nominated members for elected office must be current on their dues and have attended at least two general or board meetings in the last six months. Members may only run for one office per election. All candidates may submit statements or campaign materials to the Communications Secretary to be posted electronically or distributed via email to the membership. The membership list will be made available to nominated candidates for the purpose of campaigning.

Section 4 Elected Officers will assume duties for one term, beginning with the date of their election and ending on the date of the next election. Up to five Directors-At-Large may be elected at the yearly election of officers, or at any General meeting of the Club.

Section 5 The use of secret ballots for any vote shall be prohibited.

(a) To provide transparency, the club shall provide reasonable access to review voted ballots upon the request of a Club member, the DPSC, the CDP or the DNC.

Section 6 Section 7

The Executive Board may fill all vacancies that occur between elections. Removal From Office Procedure

1. (a)  Any member in good standing can make a motion to remove a Board member. The motion must be submitted in writing and include justification. If the motion is seconded, the motion is recorded in the Minutes.
2. (b)  The Notice Of Motion To Recall must be distributed to the membership at least five days prior to the General meeting at which the recall question will be discussed. The Board member in question has the right to submit a written response and/or address the membership.
3. (c)  The recall vote procedure requires a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present.
4. (d)  A Board member who misses two consecutive meetings of the Executive Board and/or regular meetings, without excuse, may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Executive Board. This action may take place if no evidence of a bona fide excuse has been provided.
5. (e)  A Special election shall be held to fill a position affected by the removal procedure.

Article VII – Elections

(b) Elections must be conducted with a record of voted ballots. Each voter’s ballot will include their name, their signature or distinctive identifier, and their selection for each elected office.

(c) A review of voted ballots shall never be used for the purpose of political retaliation, based upon a Club member’s vote. If political retaliation is proven, it may be grounds to deny a current or future request. That may also subject the requestor to expulsion from the Club by vote of the Board.

(d) Voting, other than for Elections, can be conducted by voice vote or a count of raised hands of eligible active Club members.

(e) Absentee voting is possible for those active members who will be absent for the Election meeting and have requested an absentee ballot. Returned ballots will be counted and validated. Absentee ballots must be received prior to the day of the election.

Section 1 Between membership meetings, the Board shall perform all the duties necessary for the administration of the Club consistent with the bylaws. If an urgent matter arises, the President will try to convene a Board meeting. If a physical or Zoom-type meeting is not possible within five days, the President will solicit input from the other Board members, then make the decision. The President’s actions will be recorded in the Minutes of the next Board meeting.

Section 2

Section 3

All decisions of the Board shall be by a majority of the members present.
A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
The Board at any time may require a detailed statement describing any action

Section 4
or business done in the name of the Club.

Section 5 The Board shall ensure that membership meetings are held on a regular basis, as required in Article VIII, with the time and location well publicized to members.

Section 6 The Board shall notify the membership of the date, time and place of all Board meetings during the General meetings. It shall notify all members of the date, time and place of any emergency meetings. All members in good standing may attend Board meetings.

Section 7 The Board may conduct votes by electronic mail if an issue demands attention prior to the next official Board meeting. Minimum requirements follow.

Article VIII

1. (a)  Voting members all receive the same information, including all members’ votes for each vote cast.
2. (b)  A date and time is set for the start and end of each vote.
3. (c)  A member may change their vote at any time before the end date and time of each vote.
4. (d)  Only an exact discrete main motion may be considered using electronic mail, with supporting documentation included in the solicitation email.
5. (e)  A majority of the current Board, excluding vacancies, must approve the motion.
6. (f)  VotesbyelectronicmailmustberecordedintheMinutesofthenext Board meeting.

Meetings

Section 1 Regular General membership meetings shall be held at a time and place determined by the Board, subject to the approval of the membership. Changes in the day, time or place must be discussed with the Board and announced at the preceding General meeting.

Section 2 Board meetings will be held at a day, time and place determined by the Board. Board members may request changes in the day, time or place. The change must be approved by the majority of the Board to assure that a quorum will be able to attend.

Section 3 Special meetings may be requested by the President, any Board member, or by the majority of the membership, for the transaction of any special business. Any member of the club wishing to request a special meeting may do so by petitioning any current board member.

Section 4 A quorum shall be the lesser of twelve voting members or 25% of the membership, one of whom shall be an officer. No official business of the Club shall be taken in the absence of a quorum.

Section 5

Section 6

Proxy voting shall not be allowed. Absentee voting can be used instead. Reasonable effort shall be made by the Board to notify all members of meetings. Any member in good standing may submit agenda items. The agenda is subject to

Section 7
amendment and ratification.

Section 8 The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this Club’s meetings to the extent they do not conflict with these bylaws or any special rules the Club may adopt.

Article IX Committees

Section 1 The President shall have the power to establish standing, select or ad hoc committees. Such committees may formulate plans, investigate issues, and conduct business. Each committee shall report to the membership at General meetings. These reports may be submitted in writing for inclusion in the Minutes. A description of each committee’s duties and expectations will be stated in consultation with the Board. The Chairperson must have attended at least two General or Board meetings in the previous six months and be confirmed by the Board.

Section 2 Meetings of standing committees shall be held as necessary.

Article X Endorsements

Section 1 The Club may endorse any nominee or candidate for public office who is a registered Democrat, and may endorse or support any position on any issue, provided such an endorsement falls within the function and purposes of the organization and its members.

Section 2 The Board will review requests for endorsements, vet the request and bring a recommendation to the membership for a vote. Unopposed incumbent Democrats may be placed on the General meeting agenda for endorsement at the recommendation of the Board.

Section 3 Endorsements shall require a vote of a majority of the members in attendance at a General meeting. Due notice must be given to the entire membership of the Club. Such notice shall be given no less than five days prior to the meeting. A two thirds vote at the meeting itself may override the requirement for notice. Endorsement votes will not be conducted in the presence of the candidate or issue presenter.

Section 4

Article XI

Section 1
submitted to the Executive Board for review and consideration. A majority vote of the Board is required to adopt the changes which will then be reviewed by the Club for ratification. The Bylaws amendments will be posted for the Club members prior to the next General meeting and a vote to ratify the changes will be taken.

Section 2 The Bylaws may be amended by a two thirds vote of the members present after due notice has been given to the entire membership of the Club. Such notice shall be given not less than five days prior to the meeting at which the proposal shall be submitted for a vote.

Amended: 11/20/2013 Amended: 2/19/2014 Amended: 3/18/2015 Amended: 5/10/2016 Amended: 3/15/2017 Amended: 1/17/2018 Amended: 2/04/2018 Amended: 8/21/2019 Amended: 5/20/2020 Amended: 11/17/2021

All endorsements shall be given active support.

Amendments