San Diego Progressive Democratic Club Bylaws
Last Amended May 2024
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the San Diego Progressive Democratic Club (“Club”)
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The mission of the Club is to create a more just society by advocating for issues and supporting candidates who advance progressive policies. We envision a society where people work together for human rights, equitable economic opportunity, social justice, party reform, and environmental restoration & justice. We work to create a government for and by the people, by getting dark money out of politics and expanding grassroots participation in the political process.
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, plans to gain residency in San Diego County, and supports the purpose of the Club as stated in Article II, above shall be eligible for membership in this club.
SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
A person is considered a member upon the receipt by the treasurer of dues outlined in Article III, Section 7. A member has all the rights and responsibilities of a member in good standing as outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order.
SECTION 4 - RENEWALS
Renewals paid on or after November 1st are valid through December 31st the following calendar year by submitting their dues. If renewing a voting membership, shall not experience a lapse in voting eligibility which occurs February 28th of that year.
SECTION 5 – DELINQUENCY
A member shall be considered delinquent if they have not paid dues and updated contact information by January 31st of a calendar year. Upon delinquent status, members shall lose voting rights and ability to run and/or serve on the Executive Board and committees but shall retain other rights as members. If a member is delinquent beyond February 28th of the same calendar year, then SDPDC shall infer they have resigned and strike them from the membership rolls.
SECTION 6 - MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING
A. San Diego County registered Democrats and residents not yet eligible to vote who pledge to become Democrats, whose annual dues are currently paid for the SDPDC, or had requested a waiver via email from the Executive Board in writing and approved by a simple majority vote, shall be considered a member in good standing.
B. Any member whose actions are judged to be prejudicial or detrimental to the club by a simple majority of the Executive Board may be expelled from membership by a two-thirds vote at any general meeting at which a quorum exists.
SECTION 7 - NON-DEMOCRAT MEMBERS
San Diego County Residents who are registered as any party other than Democratic, or are registered with No Party Preference may be a Non-Voting Member if that person pays dues as described for members in good standing. Non-Voting Members may participate in SDPDC meetings, committees, and activities, but may not vote or represent the SDPDC in any San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee, its area meetings, or any other San Diego County Democratic Party chartered entity. Non-Voting members may not run for or hold any club constitutional offices; they may be Ad Hoc Committee members.
SECTION 8 - DUES
A. Dues shall be reviewed mid-year and recommended by the Executive Board, for approval by the membership at the September meeting, to go into effect for the next membership year. The Executive Board shall provide notice to members by September 30 of the following year’s dues. Dues are due and payable upon joining the club, and annually at the beginning of every club calendar year thereafter. Dues waivers shall be permissively granted for any reasons of economic hardship.
B. Annual dues levels shall be set at a reasonable level designed to maximize engagement while providing for basic club expenses. Dues levels may be changed by either a simple majority vote of the Executive Board (taking effect after the next general meeting at which changes are noticed) or by a simple majority at a general Club meeting.
SECTION 10 – VOTING
A member in good standing shall be eligible to vote on club business including endorsement. No proxy or absentee voting shall be permitted.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - ELECTED OFFICERS
Elected officers of this club shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary,, Communications Chair, Treasurer, and up to four at-Large members as authorized only until the following April by a two-thirds vote of members at a general Club meeting. All officers must be members in good standing on the date of their election or appointment and must be registered as Democrats at their home address.
SECTION 2 - ELECTIONS
Elections shall be held annually in April. At the election meeting the floor will be open for nominations. The election may be held by show of hands or voice vote for uncontested offices including Zoom/electronic formats. A secret ballot will be used for any contested offices conductedusing reasonable electronic or physical secret balloting methods. Those nominees who receive a majority vote of those present and voting 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 simple majority of the votes shall be declared elected. Ranked Choice Voting may be substituted at the direction of the SDPDC President.
SECTION 3 - OFFICERS WORKING ON CAMPAIGNS
Paid representatives for a proposition, federal, state, local, SDCDP, or California Democratic Party campaign must disclose to membership the campaign compensating them. If an elected officer of SDPDC gains employment or accepts a paid contract from a campaign, they must disclose the campaign and length of employment or contract to membership and be subject to a ratification vote at the following main meeting.
Officers who are paid representatives of any proposition, federal, state, local, SDCDP, or California Democratic Party campaign are expected to recuse themselves from any discussion in the main club or Executive Board meetings regarding endorsements of those campaigns. Officers employed by such campaigns shall uphold fairness and not give their candidate any advantage in seeking the club’s endorsement.
Executive Board Officers that violate the Bylaws are subject to removal from their position by a majority vote of the Club.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
SECTION 1 - GENERAL MEETING
There shall be a minimum of six general meetings each year, at least one of which shall be in April. Other general meetings shall be held at such times and places as specified by the President or a majority of the Executive Board. If the choices of the President and Executive Board conflict, the Executive Board’s preferences prevail.
SECTION 2 - QUORUM
A quorum at any general meeting shall be one and a half times (150%) the number of voting members of the Executive Board, or a majority of membership, whichever is less. A quorum at an endorsing/electing meeting shall be two times (200%) the number of voting members of the Executive Board, or a majority of membership, whichever is less. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be a majority of its elected members.
SECTION 4 - NOTICES
A. Bylaws Amendments
Bylaws Amendments must be noticed and presented at the prior general meeting.
B. Other Notice Requirements
At least two (2) weeks 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, the SDCDP Director of Clubs, and the SDCDP Office:
The election or appointment of Club Officers
Proposed amendments to Bylaws
Endorsements of candidates and/or ballot measures
Member expulsions with cause (see Article III, Section 6B)
Such notice shall specify the time, place and date of the general meeting and describe the event. E-mail is the only acceptable medium for providing notices.
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1 - FUNCTION
The Executive Board shall approve all non-nominal 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 reasonably necessary to effectuate those actions.. The Officers shall be the only spokespersons of the club.
SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP
Voting membership of the Executive Board shall include all of the currently elected Club Officers.
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 simple majority of the current members of the Executive Board at any time. A simple majority of the current members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VII - CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
SECTION 1 - ENDORSEMENTS
A. Only candidates who are registered Democrats are eligible for Club endorsement.
B. Non-Democrats cannot be endorsed. They can only be rated acceptable or unacceptable.
C. A motion to endorse a candidate, or take a position on a proposition or public issue, may be carried only in a meeting where a quorum is present, and must receive the vote of a fifty-five percent majority (55%) or higher of the Club members in good standing who are present and voting. A secret ballot will be used that includes all candidates and, including the case of a single candidate, an option for “No Endorsement.” If no person or issue receives the required percentage of votes, no position shall be taken. In the case of no position, the floor will be open for a motion for a vote to declare any or all the candidates “Qualified.” This vote may be done by a show of hands of the Club members in good standing who are present and voting and will require a fifty-five percent majority (55%) or higher vote.
D. If the Executive Board recommends a Consent Agenda of candidates, ballot measures, or other items, acceptance shall require the approval of a fifty-five percent majority (55%) or higher vote.
E. Any member may request that a candidate, ballot measure, or other item be pulled from the Consent Agenda for consideration with a simple majority (>50%) or higher vote, unless the item is a Recommendation coming from a chapter in which case a minimum sixty percent (60%) or higher vote will be required.
F. Those items pulled from the Consent Agenda shall be handled as non-Consent Agenda items in accordance with Section C of this Article.
G. Ranked Choice Voting may be substituted at the direction of a simple majority of SDPDC membership.
H. Endorsements by the SDPDC shall not be construed as the CDP or SDCDP endorsement. Words to that effect must be clearly visible whenever the SDPDC’s endorsements are referred to.
I. Any publication of endorsements by the SDPDC shall clearly delineate between endorsed candidates and those rated acceptable.
ARTICLE VIII - AFFILIATION
The club shall affiliate as an associate member of the County Democratic Central Committee and pay the current annual chartering fee.
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by a simple majority (>50%) or higher 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 X - ADOPTION
These Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption and shall be the governing rules of the club.
ARTICLE XI – POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Unless otherwise specified, all Club Governance and Business will be in accordance with SDCDP requirements and Robert's Rules of Order. Policies & Procedures adopted by a majority vote shall become effective immediately upon their adoption and shall be the second governing document of the club. Such actions need not be noticed.
San Diego Progressive Democratic Club P&Ps
Last Amended May 2024
ARTICLE I - EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1 - DUTIES
A. President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the club. They shall preside over all meetings of the club and the Executive Board;; compile the agenda for the Executive Board meeting; provide direction and oversight to the Executive Board; is a signatory on all accounts that the Treasurer supervises; act as official spokesperson and represent the club in the community. In addition, the President should stimulate active interest in the political process and foster communications between other clubs and within the San Diego County Democratic Party.
B. The Vice-President
The Vice-President shall preside when the president is unable to be at a meeting or when the president has to step down from the chair because he or she wishes to debate an issue. The vice president also presides if the president is being censured or if a motion is being made that concerns only the president. The Vice President shall take over the office of president if that office is vacated for any reason. In addition, the Vice President should stimulate active interest in the political process and foster communications between other clubs and within the San Diego County Democratic Party.
C. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the general meetings, Executive Board meetings, maintain records of membership and meeting attendance, conduct correspondence as needed, and is responsible for correspondence to membership, particularly mandatory notices.
D. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and depositing all club funds received; maintaining an accurate record of club receipts and expenditures; signing all checks as authorized by the Executive Board; making the record of club receipts and expenditures available to any member when requested; providing a report of the club financial status at club meetings as requested; providing an annual written report of club financial status.. E. Communications Chair
The Communications Chair shall be responsible for establishing and supervising a Communications Committee which will aid the Chair in their duties; maintaining the club website and social media accounts; responding to and distributing timely communication emails regarding club business; curating and distributing the monthly newsletter [email]; and cataloguing club event media. This position may also speak on behalf of the club. The Vice President is responsible for hosting Zoom meetings for the Club..
C. At-Large Executive Board Members
The Executive Board Members at-Large are responsible for assisting with duties and responsibilities of the club and their Chapters that are required for operations of the club. Their authority will be limited to that expressly granted by the motion providing for the Office.
SECTION 2 - VACANCIES
Should any officer resign or fail to attend three (3) general meetings or Executive Board meetings without cause approved by the Executive Board, the Executive Board shall declare that office vacant after issuing ten (10) days’ notice to the officer. The Secretary will record the attendance of Executive Board Officers in the minutes of Club and Executive Board meetings.
SECTION 3 - SPECIAL ELECTIONS
In the event of a vacancy or creation of an office, an election will be held at a general meeting with notice provided as required by Article V, Section 4 of the SDPDC Bylaws. The election will be held as provided by Article IV, Section 3 of the SDPDC Bylaws.
\SECTION 7 - OFFICER REMOVAL
An Officer may be removed at any general Club meeting where quorum is present by a 65% vote.
SECTION 8 - INTERNAL, REMOTE VOTING PROCEDURE
Article IV, Section 4 of the SDPDC Bylaws allows the Executive Board flexibility to approve time-sensitive items on behalf of the club. A procedure by email, in-between Executive Board meetings is codified below:
A. Items will first be sent to the club’s general email by the President, while copying all voting members of the Executive Board. Email threads will be kept as record by the general email in-lieu of meeting minutes.
B. An eighteen (18)-hour period will be given for Executive Board members to read the items, discuss, and vote.
C. A quorum, defined as a simple majority of the voting Executive Board members by Article VI, Section 3 of the SDPDC Bylaws, must respond for the vote to be in order and demonstrate a quorum is present.
D. If quorum is met, and a simple majority of members voting have voted for or against an item, unless a different threshold is specified elsewhere in the SDPDC Bylaws or Policies & Procedures, the email thread will be capped by the President with the results of the vote.
E. If a quorum has not responded, nor a decision made with quorum by the end of the voting period, the President shall reasonably attempt to contact non-respondent members with a reminder.
F. If members choose to abstain, they must reply with such by email to demonstrate presence.
G. Per Article IV, Section 4 of the SDPDC Bylaws "a two-thirds majority of the Executive Board may endorse resolutions, legislation, ordinances, joining coalitions, and signing onto petitions or events in the name of our Club and Membership.”
ARTICLE II - CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
SECTION 1 - ENDORSEMENTS AND QUESTIONNAIRE
A. Questionnaires must be provided to candidates on the same day as their race’s club or chapter endorsement meeting is notified to the membership. Candidates must complete and submit the questionnaire to the Club at least twenty-four (24) hours before the endorsement meeting to be considered for endorsement.
B. Reasonable attempts will be made to notify and invite all candidates to an endorsement meeting where their race is being considered, then to furnish those candidates with details of the endorsement process and an SDPDC Candidate Questionnaire, the same day that meeting is notified to membership. Should a candidate be unable to attend the endorsement meeting, a surrogate will be encouraged. A copy of any meeting notice sent to candidates shall be supplied via email to the SDCDP Director of Clubs and the SDCDP.
C. Any endorsement or position may be revoked with a 65% vote at a meeting where quorum is present.
D. Chapter Recommendations for Endorsement will be submitted to the Club President for inclusion on the Consent Calendar of the Club Agenda.
ARTICLE III - SAN DIEGO PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC CLUB CHAPTERS
SECTION 1 - CHAPTERING AND CHAPTER RENEWALS
A. Club seeking to chapter or renew their chapter with the San Diego Progressive Democratic Club shall comply with the following procedure:
All chaptering is done under the supervision of the President or Vice-President of the SDPDC. The club provides a copy of its standing rules, a membership list and the completed chapter application form, including a completed procedural guidelines checklist.
B. The use of the word “San Diego Progressive Democratic Club” shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Board when a chaptered club or coalition solicits funds or produces media.
C. The Executive Board may waive the list requirement in the chaptering process and fashion alternative means to verify the number and registration of club or coalition members.
D. The Executive Board may only chapter or renew the club’s chapter when all requirements have been met and the next SDPDC general meeting is greater than thirty-five (35) days from the previous meeting.
E. The annual Club chapter application and documentation is due by December 15 for the following calendar year. Late and new chapters may be subject to a fourteen (14) day administrative review period. When all required documentation is submitted, the Executive Board may move to chapter the club at the next SDPDC general meeting.
F. When seeking the renewal of its chapter, a club or coalition shall furnish the Executive Board with the items specified in Paragraph A of this section. The failure to provide these items shall constitute good cause for denying renewal of a chapter.
SECTION 2 - STANDING RULES CHANGES DURING CHAPTERING PERIOD
If a chapter changed their standing rules during the chapter period, a new copy of the standing rules with an outline of the changes must be submitted to the Executive Board within thirty (30) days and their chapter is subject to review by the Executive Board. A chapter has the option to submit proposed standing rules changes and have those changes reviewed by the Executive Board prior to taking a club vote on the new standing rules.
SECTION 3 - ORGANIZATION OF NEW AFFINITY CHAPTER
At least one representative of a proposed new Affinity chapter shall appear in person at a SDPDC general meeting to provide an overview of the purpose and goals of the chapter and to announce the notice of their next organizational meeting. The chapter’s organizational meeting shall be added to the SDPDC calendar, noticed to all SDPDC members via email, and must be open to all interested Progressive Democrats. Affinity Chapters are required to submit to the same process as any other SDPDC Chapter.
ARTICLE IV - CLUB REPRESENTATIVES
SECTION 1 - CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY (CDP)
In order to be eligible to participate in CDP pre-endorsing conferences, the Club’s President and the Membership Chair 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. If the President is already a Central Committee member or chooses not to serve, a different representative may be selected to serve their 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 their 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 may designate a GO Team Liaison.
B. The Executive Board may designate a SDCDP Voter Registration Liaison.
ARTICLE V - VOTING RIGHTS
Only a member in good standing who has attended at least two Club or home chapter meetings, or one of each as a member in the prior 12 months, shall be eligible to vote on club business including endorsement.
ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS
These Policies & Procedures may be suspended or amended by a simple majority vote at a general meeting.
ARTICLE VII - ADOPTION
These Policies & Procedures shall become effective immediately upon their adoption and shall be the governing rules of the club.