Bylaws

Santa Barbara Young Democrats Bylaws

DATE RATIFIED

The BYLAWS as presented here are in effect as of March 19th, 2018, as ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Body. These BYLAWS remain in effect until superseded by an amended version, ratified in accordance with ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS.

ARTICLE I. NAME AND AFFILIATION

The name of this organization will be the Santa Barbara Young Democrats (hereafter "the Club"). The Club will be chartered with the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee ("SBCDCC").

ARTICLE II. GOALS, FUNCTION AND PURPOSE

Section 2.1 Goals

Our goal is to promote the Democratic Party and its ideas, ideals, and candidates in Santa Barbara County. We pursue this goal through active outreach toward registered and potential Democrats, initiatives to increase Democratic voter participation, and development of a permanent and active network of well-trained Democratic volunteers. The Club is committed to expanding opportunities for democratic political action and providing a grass-roots channel for the participation of like-minded people.

Section 2.2 Function and Purpose

The Club shall participate countywide in the Democratic Party, cooperate and communicate with other Democratic Clubs, Committees and Associations, assist Democratic functions in Santa Barbara County, and perform such other activities as the membership may decide.

Section 2.3 Governing Rules

All activities of the Club shall be in conformance with Federal and State law, any provisions of the bylaws or rules of the California Democratic Party applicable to the Club, bylaws of the SBCDCC, and these Bylaws.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.1 Eligibility for Membership

Members in good standing will be defined as Democrats, and registered with the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters if able to vote, and under the age of 36; or if under the age of eighteen or otherwise ineligible to vote shall declare their intention to so register when allowed. Members shall be considered in good standing upon their second meeting if their annual dues are current or have been waived/reduced in recognition of financial status. 

Section 3.2 Required Information

Members shall provide the Executive Board of the Club with current mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and birthdates.

Section 3.3 Dues

Dues are recommended to be be paid annually by Members of the Club. The Club shall establish the time and manner by which these dues shall be paid. The Executive Board of the Club reserves the right to make all final determinations of membership status and privileges.

Section 3.4 Termination

Membership shall be terminated upon tender of resignation or by the Executive Board's declaration that a person's membership is terminated in accordance with law or these Bylaws. Any member may have their membership terminated for failure to uphold the responsibilities of their membership, as outlined in this Article, or for conduct inconsistent with the interests of the Democratic Party as provided in Election Code Section 7215. Upon notification that a member of the Club has acted in a manner contrary to the above-referenced Election Code section, the Executive Board shall send written notice of provisional removal to the affected member at the member's address shown on the records of the Club. Within fifteen (15) days after the giving of notice, the member may request a meeting of the Executive Board for a hearing to show cause why their membership should not be terminated. To terminate membership, a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Executive Board must approve the action.

Section 3.5 Membership Database

The Club shall keep in electronic form a membership list containing the name, address, phone number, email address, and birthday, and record of attendance of each member. Email addresses shall be used to compile an electronic mailing list that shall be maintained by the Vice President or whomever they appoint with the approval of the Executive Board of the Club. The Club shall also keep an ongoing recruitment “sign-up” list for those who have shown interest in the Club. Release and usage of both the membership and recruitment lists is subject to the discretion of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV. LEADERSHIP

Section 4.1 Executive Board

The Club will have an executive board of seven (7) elective officers. The officers will be: President, Vice President, Advocacy & Policy Director, Field Director, Social Director, Treasurer, and Membership & Outreach Director. No one person may simultaneously hold more than one of these offices. The Executive Board shall administer the affairs of the Club in accordance with the policies established by the Club and these Bylaws. The Executive Board may form any committees it deems necessary with final approval of the President.

Section 4.2 Executive Board Meetings

The Executive Board of the Club will meet once per month prior to the monthly General Meeting. All acts of the Executive Board require a majority vote of the members present.

ARTICLE V. OFFICER DUTIES 

Section 5.1 President

The President will be the chief executive officer for the Club. The President will preside over all meetings of the Club and the Executive Board; shall be an ex-officio member of all committees; shall appoint all standing and special committees and their chairpersons; shall represent the Club at County and State functions; may remove anyone from any appointed position with the approval (simple majority) of the Executive Board; shall give guidance to the committee chairs in their work and shall perform all duties pertaining to the office of President.

Section 5.2 Vice President

The Vice President shall record the minutes of all general membership and Executive Board meetings and maintain records of those minutes. The Vice President shall assist with correspondence as requested by the Executive Board. The Vice President shall render all possible assistance to the President in matters pertaining to the Club, and shall assume the duties of the President in their absence at meetings and public functions requiring Club participation.

Section 5.3 Advocacy & Policy Director

The Advocacy & Policy Director shall be responsible for mobilizing Young Democrats to take action on local, state, and federal issues relevant to them. The Advocacy & Policy Director shall organize protests and actions, organize the Club members to attend local meetings to speak up for young people, and research issues coming up for the Club to be aware of. The Advocacy & Policy Director shall also be responsible for composing the Club’s position as letters to relevant parties on issues once the general membership has voted on a stance.

Section 5.4 Field Director 

The Field Director shall be responsible for coordinating the Club’s electoral activities. They shall organize Club members to ensure the endorsed candidates of the club and the SBCDCC attain victory and coordinate with local campaigns.

Section 5.5 Social Director 

The Social Director shall be responsible for all social events, outreach, and social media of the club. The Social Director shall be responsible for recruiting new members, retaining current members, and ensuring both members and those outside the Club are aware of the Club’s functions and activities. In conjunction with Treasurer and appropriate ad hoc committee(s), the Social Director shall organize fundraising events to raise any necessary funds.

Section 5.6 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the organization. The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the Club, shall maintain accurate records of receipts and expenditures; shall write checks and make deposits as directed by the Executive Board; shall coordinate all financial activities, including any tax responsibilities with the Internal Revenue Service or reporting to state and federal election boards; or will delegate any of these responsibilities to a professional financial officer. The Treasurer shall advise the Club President and Executive Board of the financial condition of the Club. In conjunction with the Social Director shall organize fundraising events to raise necessary funds.

Section 5.7 Membership & Outreach Director

The Membership and Outreach director shall develop a membership outreach plan, welcome new members to the organization, develop and maintain our outreach database, and represent the Club at various events and activities. In conjunction with Social Director, Treasurer, and appropriate ad hoc committee(s), the Membership Director shall help oversee membership communications.

Section 5.8 Terms of Office

Terms for elected officers shall terminate and commence at the Executive Board meeting following the election. Terms for appointed officers shall begin immediately upon acceptance of the post and shall expire at the time of the next election.

Section 5.9 Order of Succession

In situations requiring the hierarchical assignment of Executive Board members, the order of precedence shall be as follows:

  1. President

  2. Vice President

  3. Advocacy & Policy Director

  4. Field Director

  5. Social Director

  6. Membership & Outreach Director

  7. Treasurer

If the President is absent or otherwise unable to discharge the assigned duties in accordance with Article V, Section I, then the order of succession shall follow the order above beginning with the Vice President.

ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS

Section 6.1 Elections for the Executive Board: 

  1. Elections shall be held at a meeting of Members in Good Standing during the January meeting unless otherwise scheduled by the Executive Board.

  2. The Club membership will be notified of elections both by announcements at meeting(s) and in email(s) to the membership at least two weeks before the election meeting.

  3. Only those who are Members in Good Standing are eligible to vote and run for office in the election. 

  4. Candidates may declare their intent to run until the election for that position takes place (i.e. the beginning of speeches for that position).

  5. The President shall chair the election meeting. If the President is absent or is running for office in the election, the chair shall follow the order of succession until an officer that is present and not running for any office is found. If all officers are running, a Member in Good Standing who is not running for office may chair the election with the approval of two-thirds of the membership present at the meeting.

  6. The elections for officers shall be held in the order of succession.

  7. Each candidate shall be given five minutes to speak, followed by five additional minutes for questions and answers.

  8. The Chair of the elections meeting shall count the votes in view of the present membership in the room in which the elections are taking place immediately after the vote is held. Candidates in the election shall be allowed to view and inspect all ballots in their election for at least a week after the election.

  9. Write-in votes will be allowed on every ballot for each position.

  10. Winners will be determined by a simple majority. In a race with three or more candidates, if no candidate receives a majority, a runoff shall be held between the two candidates who received the most votes. The Members in Good Standing who are present at the election meeting may vote by a simple majority to allow each candidate either additional time to speak or answer questions, for additional discussion regarding the candidates, or for any other course of action that the Members in Good Standing shall deem appropriate.

  11. In the case of a tie, a runoff shall be held between the two candidates. The Members in Good Standing who are present at the election meeting may vote to allow each candidate either additional time to speak or answer questions, for additional discussion regarding the candidates, or for any other course of action that the Members in Good Standing who are present shall deem appropriate. This process shall be repeated until a winner is chosen.

  12. Candidates may not influence voters by giving them any kind of gift, monetary or otherwise, or promise of future Executive Board position or other form of influence, in return for votes or assistance.

  13. If any Member in Good Standing believes a violation of these bylaws has occurred, the member may submit a request for a formal inquiry to the Vice President. If the Executive Board determines that there has been a violation of these bylaws, they shall determine an appropriate remedy, including but not limited to calling another election.

  14. Should more than one person seek election to a given office all other candidates shall leave the room during the duration of their opponent’s speech, 

Section 6.2 Vacancy

  1. If an Officer no longer feels that they are able to fulfill the duties of the position, then they must submit to the Executive Board their notification of resignation in a timely manner via email to info@santabarbarayoungdems.org.

  2. Cause for removal shall be defined as malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of assigned duties, attendance issues, or other grounds that found by two-thirds of the other Executive Board Members to constitute a good and sufficient cause. 

  3. Should any executive board member miss three consecutive meetings they shall vacate their position.

  4. To begin the process of removal, the Officer in question and the full Executive Board must be given at least 48 hours’ notice prior to the next Executive Board meeting of the charges. An officer cannot be charged at that meeting if they have already stated they will not be attending. The accuser must lodge these charges on all commonly used modes of communication by the Executive Board. Any Officer may accuse another Officer with grounds for their removal during a meeting of the Executive Board. The charged Officer in question must be offered an opportunity at the next Executive Board meeting to defend themselves. If the Charged Officer fails to show up to the Executive Board meeting they are automatically removed from office unless they are unable to attend because of illness, personal emergency or otherwise unexpected circumstances deemed appropriate by simple majority of exec board. Should any executive board member miss three consecutive meetings they shall vacate their position. Missed meetings can be excused in cases concerning health, bereavement or other personal emergency as verified by the Executive Board. Verification shall be determined by a majority vote of the executive board.

  5. On the occurrence of any vacancy in any office, the President shall appoint an interim officer to fill the office until the next Annual Monthly General Meeting, at which time an election will be held to fill out the remainder of the vacated office if necessary. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall become President.

Section 6.3 Selection of Representatives to California Democratic Party (CDP) 

Pre-Endorsement Conferences

Potential representatives to the CDP Pre-endorsement conferences must comply with all specifications set forth by the state party for chartered clubs/organizations for participation in the pre-endorsement process. Said representatives shall be selected from the Club’s roster of Members in Good Standing by majority vote of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

Section 7.1 Regular Meetings

The Club will meet once a month.

Section 7.2 Special Meetings

If the President chooses, a meeting may be called with at least five (5) days' notice with approval of a majority of the Executive Board. Only business specified in the notice of the special meeting shall be transacted.

Section 7.3 Quorum

A quorum of ten percent (10%) of Members in good standing or at least 5 members in good standing shall be required for a vote to be held at any general body meeting.

Section 7.4 Participation

Except as otherwise noted in these bylaws, rules for participation, motions, voting, and adjournment for General Body meetings will be governed by the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

Article VIII. ENDORSEMENTS & PRE-ENDORSEMENTS

Section 8.1. Overview

The Santa Barbara Young Democrats reserve the right to pre-endorse any candidate, legislative bill, resolution, initiative, ballot proposition or measure, advisory petition or political action or campaign ahead of any formal endorsement proceeding by the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee.  

Section 8.2. Pre-Endorsement Criteria

The Club may pre-endorse:

  1. Democratic Party candidates in voter-nominated or other political offices.

  2. Primary candidates that are registered Democrats.

  3. Any legislative bill, resolution, initiative, ballot proposition or measure, advisory petition, or political action or campaign.

  4. Qualifying candidates for any office within the Democratic Party structure, including but not limited to the California Young Democrats and the California College Democrats.

Section 8.3. Endorsement Rule

The Club will adopt the endorsements of the Santa Barbara Democratic Party following formal endorsement proceedings for all candidates. The Club will adopt the endorsements of the Santa Barbara Democratic Party for any legislative bill, resolution, initiative, ballot proposition or measure, advisory petition, or political action or campaign unless the club has already taken a position on any of the aforementioned voter issues. The Club may circulate and promote the positions and endorsements of the SBCDCC when it chooses.

Section 8.4. Pre-Endorsement Procedure

  1. The Club will establish a Pre-Endorsements Committee to administer all pre-endorsement decisions. The Pre-Endorsements Committee can elect to facilitate candidate review, discussion, and voting in person or in writing (this can include email, video conference, Slack, and other mediums approved by the Executive Board). 

  2. Any Club member in good standing can join the Pre-Endorsements Committee. To join, a member must make their intentions known to the President or committee chair and be added to the Pre-Endorsements Committee roster.

  3. The Pre-Endorsements Committee will consist of all approved parties at the time it is activated. Although unlikely, it is acceptable for the Pre-Endorsements Committee to consist of only one person.

  4. The President shall preside over the Pre-Endorsement Committee process unless the President is seeking endorsement or otherwise unavailable, in which case the presiding Officer shall be the first Officer in the order of succession not seeking endorsement. 

  5. A voting deadline (date and time) shall be established before each Pre-Endorsements Committee meeting. All committee members must submit their vote by this deadline or their vote will be counted as an abstention. 

  6. Each Pre-Endorsements Committee member will have one vote for each voter-nominated or other political office, legislative bill, resolution, initiative, ballot proposition or measure, advisory petition, or political action or campaign. 

  7. The presiding officer shall make a good-faith effort to give eligible candidates and campaigns an opportunity to speak with the Club or submit a candidate statement in writing for review by the Elections Committee (this can be the standard DCC candidate statement, questionnaire, or both). All eligible candidates and campaigns shall be given an equal opportunity to participate. The voting process shall be determined in advance by the Executive Board. The endorsement threshold will be a simple majority of present voting members.  

  8. After pre-endorsement decisions have been made, the Club’s DCC representative will execute this decision at the monthly DCC endorsement meeting. 

Section 8.5 Endorsement Removal 

Should any new information not available during the process be made available that reveals any endorsed candidate or measure to be in violation of club beliefs or policies an endorsement can be revoked by a 2/3 vote of general membership.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the Members present at any regularly scheduled general meeting.