Bylaws

Article I - Name

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Mesa Democratic Club, hereafter referred to as the MDC.

Article II - Mission

Section 1. The mission of the MDC shall be to foster democratic ideals. This includes stimulating active interest in the Democratic Party, supporting the party platform and leadership, and providing an activist base with constructive roles and goals for volunteers.

Section 2. To achieve this mission, the MDC shall: promote the growth and development of the Democratic Party; actively support democratic candidates and incumbents who are pledged to fulfill the democratic platform for both partisan and local non-partisan offices; and carry out the democratic campaign under the general direction of the San Diego County Democratic Party and the California Democratic Party.

Article III - Membership

Section 1 – Eligibility. Anyone registered as a democrat shall be eligible for membership in the MDC regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender or sexual orientation. Minors and others, who declare intent to register as a democrat as soon as registration requirements have been met, shall also be eligible for membership in the MDC. Such a member shall register as a democrat within two months of meeting registration requirements in order to remain a member in good standing. Failure to register, as a democrat within two months of meeting registration requirements will render such membership revoked. In addition, any member whose actions are judged to be prejudicial or detrimental to the MDC by a majority of the Executive Board may be expelled from membership if a two-thirds vote at any general meeting, at which a quorum exists, concurs.

Section 2 – Good Standing. Everyone eligible to be a member of the MDC and whose annual dues are currently paid shall be a member in good standing.

Section 3 – Dues. Prorated dues in an amount set by the membership shall be due and payable upon joining the MDC; thereafter dues shall be paid annually at the beginning of every calendar year.

Section 4 – Voting. Only members in good standing shall be permitted to vote. No proxy voting shall be permitted.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1 - Elected Officers. Elected officers of the MDC shall be the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Each shall be elected at the general meeting in January and hold office for one year.

Section 2 – Duties.

President. The president shall set the agenda for and preside over all meetings of the Executive Board and of the membership; appoint chairs of the standing committees with consent of the Executive Board; appoint other committees as may be deemed necessary by the Executive Board; serve as the official representative and spokesperson of the MDC in public forums; make decisions for the MDC on policy when specifically empowered to do so by the Executive Board; advise the membership of pertinent matters affecting the welfare of the Democratic Party and the MDC; disburse funds of the MDC within limits set by the Executive Board; act as treasurer in the absence or inability of the treasurer. The president should also stimulate active interest in the political process; provide constructive volunteer roles; support party leadership; and promote harmony among members of the MDC, other clubs, and the San Diego County Democratic Party.

Vice-President. The vice president shall preside at meetings of the Executive Board and membership in the absence or inability of the president, perform the duties of president in the absence of that officer, oversee the activities of the volunteer committee, serve as chair of the annual audit committee, and otherwise assist the President upon request.

Secretary. The secretary shall maintain attendance records and minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and of the membership; maintain membership records, certify member standing and take attendance to determine quorum; be prepared to read the minutes of the previous meeting at the current meeting of the Executive Board or of the membership; receive reports of elected officers and directors of standing committees and maintain in official club records; maintain a collection of standing rules, resolutions and policies adopted by the Executive Board or the membership; handle official correspondence including membership renewal billings, notices per Article V, Section 4, and other such correspondence as the president or Executive Board may require.

Treasurer. The treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the MDC; receive and disburse funds of the MDC; report the financial status of the MDC to the Executive Board on a regular basis and to the membership upon request; submit a written annual report to the membership; develop an annual budget of anticipated revenues and expenses with input from the Executive Board, and provide addenda to the budget as required; and provide full information to the audit committee annually in May and for other audits as may be directed by the Executive Board. In addition, the treasurer shall be responsible for filing appropriate Federal and State campaign disclosure reports as necessary.

Section 3 – Elections of Officers.

Nominating Committee. The ad hoc Nominating Committee shall consist of five members in good standing for at least eight months prior to the forthcoming election. The chair will be the immediate past president, if available. Of the four additional members, the president shall appoint two and two shall be elected at the membership meeting in October. If the past president is not available to chair the committee, the president shall appoint another MDC member to serve in that position.

Slate of Nominees. Nominees shall have been members in good standing for at least eight months prior to the forthcoming election. Incumbents or non-incumbents may be nominated. The slate of nominees shall consist of at least one candidate for each elective office, and shall be presented at the last membership meeting prior to election. At that meeting, the floor will be open for additional nominations.

Elections. Officers of the MDC shall be elected annually at a membership meeting held in January. The election shall be by secret ballot of the MDC membership, provided a quorum is present. Those nominees who receive a majority vote 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 majority of the run-off votes shall be declared elected.

Section 4 – Vacancies.

Should any officer resign or be removed for cause, the Executive Board shall appoint a successor to that office to complete the remainder of the term. Any such appointment shall, however, be approved by the membership at the next general meeting provided a quorum is present. At that meeting, nominations to fill the vacancy shall also be accepted from the floor. Voting shall be by secret ballot with a majority of those members in good standing present required to elect.

Section 5 – Appointed Officers.

The president may appoint a parliamentarian and other officers not otherwise specified by these bylaws as necessary for the general well being of the MDC.

Article V- Meetings

Section 1 – General Meetings.

There shall be a minimum of six general meetings each year, at least one of which shall be in January. Other general meetings shall be held at such times and places as specified by a majority of the Executive Board.

Section 2 – Quorum.

A quorum at any general meeting shall be at least ten percent of the membership in good standing. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be a majority of its elected members.

Section 3 – Parliamentary Authority.

Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall be the parliamentary authority for the MDC on all questions not covered by these bylaws.

Section 4 – Notices.

At least ten days prior to a general meeting at which the following items will be discussed and voted upon, the secretary shall send a notice to each member in good standing by Email or by United States Mail: election or removal of officers, filling of elected officer vacancies, proposed resolutions, endorsements of candidates and/or ballot measures, or proposed amendments to these bylaws. Such notice shall specify the date, time and place of the general meeting and describe the event.

Article VI – Executive Board

Section 1 - Function.

The Executive Board shall approve all expenditures and carry out the MDC business between general meetings in a manner consistent with actions taken at the general meetings, and perform any other duties provided for in these bylaws. As the official spokesperson of the MDC, the president shall pre-approve any written correspondence or communications on behalf of the MDC.

Section 2 – Membership.

Membership of the Executive Board shall include all currently elected MDC officers and appointed committee chairs. Should any member of the Executive Board fail to attend three consecutive general meetings or Executive Board meetings without cause approved by the Executive Board, the Executive Board shall declare that office vacant. Any elected officer on the Executive Board may be removed from office by a 60% majority vote of the Executive Board or a petition signed by at least 25 percent of the members, and a 60% majority vote of the general membership. Any appointed member of the Executive Board may be removed from office by a 60% majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 3 – Meetings.

With advance notice, the president may call a meeting of the Executive Board as needed. Special meetings may be called by a majority of the currently elected members of the Executive Board at any time. A quorum shall be present to conduct club business.

Article VII – Standing Committees

Section 1 - The directors of the following standing committees are eligible to sit on the Executive Board: Communications, Fundraising, Membership, Precinct Organization, Public Relations, Volunteer, and Voter Registration.

Section 2 – Functions.

Communications Committee. The Communications Committee shall promote the image of the MDC to the general community through newsletters to the general membership, postings and flyers, press releases concerning scheduled events, and other means as approved by the Executive Board. All publications or publicity announcements shall be reviewed and approved by the president.

Fund Raising Committee. The Fund Raising Committee shall coordinate fund raising events, programs and activities as requested and/or approved by the Executive Board. Collected funds shall be submitted to the treasurer for deposit to the MDC bank account.

Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall promote membership in the MDC, coordinate club outreach and recruitment activities, welcome and provide name tags to members and guests, provide members in good standing with voter identification cards, submit sign-in sheet of members and guests to secretary, and forward applications with collected dues to the treasurer for recording and deposit to MDC bank account.

Precinct Organization Committee. The Precinct Organization Committee shall establish an effective democratic precinct organization using telephone trees and other means to inform voters on candidates and issues, involve voters in campaign activities, maximize voter turnout, and otherwise assist voters to assure the success of endorsed democratic candidates and supported propositions at the polls.

Public Relations Committee. The Public Relations Committee shall promote good relations between the MDC and the Democratic Party, democratic candidates for public office and/or elected officials, and the voting public. This shall be accomplished through special events of the MDC, and other means as approved by the Executive Board.

Volunteer Committee. The Volunteer Committee shall be responsible for the recruitment and placement of volunteers into temporary positions requiring assistance, especially during campaigns. Activities may include preparing mailers, serving on phone banks, registering voters, walking precincts, attending political rallies, assisting with special events, or otherwise as the need arises.

Voter Registration Program. The Voter Registration Committee shall increase our registered voter base, assist eligible citizens to register for the first time; or to reregister in order to change political party, name, place of residence, or other personal data.

Article VIII – Candidate Endorsements

The MDC shall only endorse candidates who are registered democrats. Endorsement shall require a two-thirds vote by a quorum of its membership at any general meeting.

Article IX - Affiliation

Section 1. The MDC shall affiliate as a chartered member of the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee and pay the current annual dues.

Article X - Termination

Section 1. Should the MDC be dissolved, the monies remaining in the treasury, after payment of all obligations, shall be returned to the San Diego County Democratic Party with the intent that the funds be made available for future organizing efforts of the MDC.

Article XI - Amendments

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a 60% vote at a general meeting when a quorum is present and only 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 XII - Adoption

Section 1. These bylaws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption and shall be the governing rules of the MDC.

Date: November 12, 2001

ARTICLE I Name	ARTICLE VII Standing Committees
ARTICLE II Mission	ARTICLE VIII Candidate Endorsements
ARTICLE III Membership	ARTICLE IX Affiliation
ARTICLE IV Officers	ARTICLE X Termination
ARTICLE V Meetings	ARTICLE XI Amendments
ARTICLE VI Executive Board	ARTICLE XII Adoption