Mission Statement
Davis College Democrats Alumni will develop, sustain, and elevate the next generation of Democratic activists at UC Davis for the betterment of the greater Sacramento region, California, and the nation at large. Our members, alumni of the Davis College Democrats, former UC Davis students, and current and former employees of the university, will mentor young activists in the greater Sacramento area, campaign for Democratic candidates and values, and build a community centered on our shared future as Americans.
ARTICLE I – Name
Section 1: The name of this organization will be the Davis College Democrats Alumni (DCDA).
Section 2: Davis College Democrats Alumni will be chartered with, and affiliated with the Democratic Party of Sacramento County. Sacramento County is the natural home for our organization as many UC Davis alumni live and work in Sacramento after graduation.
ARTICLE II – Membership
Section 1: Members must be registered Democrats who: (1) are former members of the Davis College Democrats, or (2) have attended UC Davis, or (3) currently work at UC Davis, or (4) can demonstrate a relationship to either the Davis College Democrats or UC Davis.
Section 2: Membership will not be affected by race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
Section 3: Members in good standing must:
A. Pay the annual membership fee of $50 due by January 15.
B. Graduates of UC Davis may pay a reduced annual membership fee of $27 if they if they are enrolled at least part-time at another university, have graduated from UC Davis or another postsecondary institution within 12 months of seeking membership. C. Beginning on April 1, and on the first day of each month thereafter, the membership fee is reduced by 10 percent. The minimum fee for membership shall be $5. D. Register with full name, address, email, phone, and date of birth. Section 4: Members in good standing have the right to:
A. Attend and speak at all General Body meetings.
B. Form committees vis-à-vis article IX.
C. Hold an officer position.
D. Receive information about the activities of DCDA.
ARTICLE III – Officers
Section 1: The Davis College Democrats Alumni Club will compose of the Davis College Democrats Alumni Association Executive Board and the remaining members. The Executive Board will consist of the officers of the Davis College Democrats Alumni Club. The organization will have five (5) elected officers.
Section 2: The five (5) voting officers will be: President, Vice-President, Membership Director, Finance Director, and Secretary.
ARTICLE IV – Officer Duties
Section 1: The President will be the chief executive officer for the organization. The President will preside over all chapter meetings. The President will have all of the following duties and powers. The absence of a specific power or duty from this list is not necessarily a denial of its existence.
A. Establish administrative procedures not otherwise provided for by the bylaws of this chapter.
B. Act for and on behalf of the organization when it is not in session.
C. Establish the agenda for each meeting of the organization (general and executive).
D. Appoint officers or ad hoc committees as needed.
E. Be an ex-officio member of all committees.
F. Suspend anyone from any appointed position and recommend the removal of that suspended appointee to the Executive Board.
G. Co-sign DCDA’s bank account.
H. Assure publicity for all upcoming events and meetings.
I. If a vacancy of an elected officer shall occur, the President may appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term. Such an appointment is not an appointment to an “appointed position” for purposes of the President’s power of removal.
Section 2: Vice-President. The Vice-President will have all the following duties and powers:
A. Act as President Pro-Tempore in the absence of the President. In a case where the Presidents’ office becomes vacant, the Vice-President will become the President automatically and will assume all powers, duties and responsibilities associated with that position. The office of the Vice-President then is vacant and will be filled by an appointment by the new President. The appointee shall serve only until the next meeting of the general body or Executive Board (whichever is first), unless the general body or Executive Board ratifies the appointment at or prior to that meeting under Article XII.
B. Assist the President.
Section 3: The chapter Secretary shall have all the following duties and powers:
A. Keep accurate minutes of all chapter meetings (general and Executive Board).
B. Keep an accurate mailing list and phone directory of all members.
C. See to all correspondence of the chapter as directed by the President.
Section 4: The chapter Membership Director shall have all the following duties and powers:
A. Reach out to new possible members and integrate them in DCDA, as well as design and implement new outreach strategies.
B. Plan and coordinate networking events between DCD and DCDA members
Section 5: The chapter Finance Director shall have all the following duties and powers:
A. Take the lead on financing club operations
B. Co-sign DCDAA’s bank account.
C. File relevant campaign finance reports with state and federal regulatory agencies.
ARTICLE V – Executive Board
Section 1: The Davis College Democrats Alumni Club Executive Board will be the chief policy making body for the chapter.
Section 2: The Executive Board will have all the powers necessary for the proper and legal execution of all duties of the Davis College Democrats Alumni Club.
Section 3: If votes are tied at the Executive Board, the President may refer the item to the General Body for resolution.
Section 4: The Executive Board will meet not fewer than two (2) times during the course of one (1) fiscal year.
Section 5: Teleconference Meeting: Meetings of the Executive Board may be held via conference call or other web/phone related technology. On phone meetings, all contested votes shall be cast by roll call vote. Each executive board member is entitled to speak on a motion at least once prior to a motion to close debate being passed by the body.
Article VI – Financial Regulations
Section 1: The Finance Director shall manage DCDA’s finances.
Section 2: Under the direction of the Davis College Democrats Alumni Club Executive Board a bank account may be created.
Section 3: All expenditures must be in line with DCDA’s mission.
ARTICLE VII – General Body
Section 1: The Davis College Democrats Alumni Club general body will meet not fewer than four (4) times during the course of one (1) year.
Section 2: A quorum is defined as no less than five (5) members in good standing. A quorum is necessary for election of officers, candidate endorsement, amendments to bylaws, and any binding resolutions.
Section 3: An active member must be a member in good standing and have attended at least 1 of the last 5 General Body meetings.
Section 4: Officers and active members shall compose the voting membership of the General Body.
ARTICLE VIII – Elections, Endorsements and Voting
Section 1: Elections of officers will be held at the first General Body meeting of each year. All terms are for one year.
Section 2: The order of elections will be as follows: President, Vice-President, Membership Director, Finance Director, Events Coordinator, Fundraising Chair and Secretary.
Section 3: All contested officer elections must be held by secret ballot.
Section 4: Officers are elected by regular majority; if no candidate receives a majority the two (2) candidates with the most votes will have an instant runoff election.
Section 5: An endorsement in a race in which only one (1) Democrat will appear on the ballot requires a majority of the general body (in attendance) voting in favor of the endorsement.
Section 6: An endorsement in a race in which more than one Democrat will appear on the ballot requires three-fourths (3/4) of the general body (in attendance) voting in favor of the endorsement.
Section 7: An endorsement of a local or state ballot measure, ballot initiative, referendum, or recall requires two-thirds (2/3) of the general body (in attendance) voting in favor of the endorsement.
Section 8: Any voting member may request a secret ballot election.
Section 9: The Secretary and one assistant designated by the President will count the votes.
Section 10: DCDA will be able to make pre-primary endorsements of Democratic candidates and propositions.
Section 11: DCDA will be able to endorse Democratic candidates following a primary election.
ARTICLE IX – Forming New Committees
Section 1: The President or the Executive Board can form adjunct committees at any time for any reason they deem necessary.
Section 2: Any member in good standing can form adjunct committees by submitting a committee description for the approval of the President or Executive Board.
Section 3: The President can appoint, nonvoting ad hoc Executive Board members as they see fit with the approval of 2/3rd of the Executive Board.
Section 4: The President may appoint a Representative to the Democratic Party of Sacramento County at any time. The President may also appoint an alternate Representative at any time.
Section 5: The President, with the two-thirds (2/3) approval of the Executive Board, may appoint the allotted number of representatives for a California Democratic Party preprimary endorsement
ARTICLE X – Bylaw Amendments
Section 1: Amendments to these bylaws must be submitted in writing to the chapter President and chapter Secretary at least two weeks (14 days) prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be considered. The President is obligated to place the amendment on the agenda for that meeting.
Section 2: The President is obligated to contact members via electronic means when an amendment is proposed.
Section 3: The amendment will be considered approved if a regular majority of the Executive Board and two-thirds (2/3) of the general body (in attendance) vote in favor of the amendment.
ARTICLE XI – Impeachment and Expulsion
Section 1: Only the elected offices may be subject to impeachment. The President reserves the right to suspend anyone from an appointed position, and recommend the suspended appointee’s removal to the Executive Board. Procedures for impeachment will be as follows:
A. Any person holding an elected office within the chapter may be impeached if found guilty of failure to adequately perform his/her duties.
B. The person shall be notified of the charges against them no less than thirty days (30) prior to the meeting in which the impeachment will be discussed.
C. Members of the Executive Board who are not charged with negligence of their duties shall appoint a committee and chairperson to hear the testimony of the person or persons charged. The findings of the committee shall be final.
Section 2: A member may be expelled from the DCDA if:
A. The member has engaged in work contrary to DCDA mission or damaged DCDA’s organization or reputation.
B. And eighty percent (80%) of the Executive Board, and eighty percent (80%) of the General Body (in attendance) vote for the expulsion.
Article XII – Vacancy of Executive Board Position
Section 1: A vacancy in any Executive Board position of the Davis College Democrats Alumni Club may be filled by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board or a Majority Vote of the General Body. The person filling such a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term that was vacated.
If you have any questions, let us know.
DavisCollegeDemocratsAlumni@gmail.com
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