BYLAWS OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY YOUNG DEMOCRATS

PREAMBLE

The San Fernando Valley Young Democrats shall endeavor to stimulate in young people an active interest in governmental affairs, increase the efficiency of our government, maintain the viability of our free institutions, and contribute to the growth and influence of the ideals and philosophy of the Democratic Party.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND AFFILIATION

Section 1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the SAN FERNANDO VALLEY YOUNG DEMOCRATS (hereto referred to as the Organization in these Bylaws).

Section 2. Affiliation

The San Fernando Valley Young Democrats Young Democrats shall be affiliated with the California Young Democrats, the California Democratic Party through the Los Angeles County Central Committee, and the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.

This organization shall be governed at all times by the provisions of the Bylaws of the California Young Democrats.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. General Membership

Regular membership in the Organization shall be open to persons who are at least fourteen (14) years of age and not more than thirty-five (35) years of age, who are registered Democrats, or who intend to register when eligible.

Every regular member of the Organization shall be eligible to hold office as described in Articles III and IV of these bylaws.

Persons below the minimum age or over the age of thirty-five (35) may be admitted as non-voting members of this Organization.

The cost of Annual Dues shall be reassessed annually at the first meeting of the Executive Committee following the general membership meeting at which elections are held.

Generally, eligibility for voting shall be limited to members who are in good standing at least forty-two (42) days prior to the scheduled meeting at which the vote is to take place. However, for individuals aged 22 and younger at the time of the scheduled meeting, eligibility for voting shall be limited to members who are in good standing at least fourteen days prior to the meeting. Members may renew their membership for voting eligibility up to and on the day of a meeting, provided their dues have not lapsed beyond one year. 

A “Member in Good Standing” shall be defined as a member who is currently eligible to vote by meeting the age requirements, party registration requirements, and dues payment requirements as described in this Section.

Section 2. General Membership Meetings

The General Membership shall meet a minimum of twice every year.

The General Membership may convene special meetings in the following manner:

At the call of the President and at such time and in such place as the President may designate; or,

Upon written request submitted to the President of at least ten (10) members and at such time and in such place as they may designate.

Notice of special meetings must be provided no less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting as specified in subsection c of this Section. However, this notice must be delivered earlier in the following circumstances:

Endorsements. In the case of a meeting with a recommended endorsement on the agenda, the Communications Director must notify the General Membership of such meeting at least 10 days prior to the meeting, but not more than 59 days prior to the meeting, as specified in subsection c of this Section.

Bylaw Amendments. In the case of a meeting with the recommendation to amend these Bylaws, the Communications Director must notify the General Membership of such meeting at least 21 days prior to the meeting as specified in subsection c of this Section.

Officer Removal. In the case of a meeting with a recommendation to remove an officer on the agenda, the Communications Director must notify the General Membership of such meeting at least 21 days prior to the meeting as specified in subsection c of this Section.

The Communications Director shall announce meetings by electronic means designed to reach as many members as is reasonably possible at the time. For example, sending notice of a meeting to the Organization’s full email list and posting a notice on the Organization’s Facebook page satisfies this requirement in 2014.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Communications Director.

Section 2. Duties

The President shall be the chief executive officer and the official voice of the Organization. The President shall preside over all meetings and shall, with the approval of the Executive Committee, make non-elected appointments to the Executive Committee as necessary.

The Vice President shall be responsible to the President and shall act on behalf of the President in his/her absence.

The Treasurer shall serve as chief financial officer and maintain all financial records of the Organization, collect membership dues, and ensure the prompt payment of expenses. The Treasurer, in collaboration with the President, shall also propose an annual budget at the first Executive Committee following the first general membership meeting.

The Communications Director shall serve as the secretary of the Organization and maintain all non-financial records of the Organization, serve all required notices, and discharge any other duties the President may require.

Section 3. Election of Officers

All officers shall be elected annually during the first general membership meeting to be held no later than the last day of June. The announcement for such a meeting must include a copy of these Bylaws or a linked reference to them.

Section 4. Term of Office

Officers elected annually shall take office immediately following the adjournment of the general membership meeting at which they were elected. Every officer shall hold office until the installation of their successor or removal.

Section 5. Election of Officers and Term of Office During Public Emergencies 

The term of each officer may be extended during a state of public emergency (such as COVID-19). A public emergency is a declaration made by any governmental entity, which prohibits in-person gatherings within Los Angeles County. 

If a public emergency declaration is in effect until after the last day of June, then there shall be a virtual board meeting before the last day of June, where board members shall vote to extend officer terms for an additional three months. This extension must be approved by at least a supermajority (66%) vote of board members present during a virtual board meeting. A virtual meeting constitutes a virtual conferencing platform enabling at least fifty participants in 2020.   

If a public emergency declaration is still in effect after three months, then the term of all officers shall continually be extended in increments of three months subject to the supermajority vote requirement at a virtual board member meeting. 

If an extension of an officer’s term is not approved by a supermajority (66%) vote of board members during a virtual board meeting, then a virtual general membership meeting must take place within thirty days to complete the remainder of an officer’s term. 

After a public emergency declaration prohibiting in-person gatherings is lifted, all officer positions are subject to an election during a general membership meeting that must take place within 30 days to complete the remainder of each officer’s term. 

Section 6. Vacancy

Vacancy in any of the offices shall be temporarily filled by the President until the next regularly scheduled business meeting when a member in good standing can be elected to fill the remainder of the previous officer’s term. If there is a vacancy in the office of the President, then the Vice President shall temporarily fill that office and other subsequent vacant positions until a general membership meeting is held to elect a member or members to complete the remainder of that term. All of these rules are subject to the public emergency exception stated in Article III Section 5. 

If a position becomes vacant during a declared public emergency as stated in Article III Section 5, then the President shall fill any and all vacant positions subject to the rules listed under Article III Section 5. 

Section 6. Removal of Officers

An officer may be removed from his or her office and the Executive Committee only if all of the following are satisfied:

Executive Committee Recommendation

An Executive Committee member must make a motion at an Executive Committee meeting to recommend the removal of such an officer to the General Membership.

The motioning member must then explain the reason for the motion, and the member against whom the motion is made must be allowed to respond.

The motion must pass by a two-thirds supermajority of the Executive Committee. The officer against whom the motion is made may not vote.

General Membership Approval

The Executive Committee member who motioned for removal must transcribe and deliver, by electronic mail, the reason(s) for making the motion to the member recommended for removal.

At the next general meeting, the member recommended for removal must be given an opportunity to respond to the recommendation for removal.

The General Membership must approve the removal by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. The officer against whom the motion is made may not vote.

 

ARTICLE IV

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Executive Committee

There shall be an Executive Committee of this Organization, which shall have all the powers and duties of this Organization when the full membership is not in actual session.

 

The President, with the advice of the Executive Committee, shall set the agenda for all meetings.

The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the Organization and approve financial transactions in between normally scheduled general meetings.

The Executive Committee shall approve an annual budget, proposed by the Treasurer no later than the second Executive Committee following the first general membership meeting.

Section 2. Executive Committee Membership

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers and other members the President appoints, who may take on roles such as:

Political Director

Outreach & Recruitment Director

Community Service/Issues Director

Fundraising Director

Special Events Coordinator

Parliamentarian

Immediate Past President

Section 3. Executive Committee Organization

The President shall be the Chair of the Executive Committee and the Communications Director shall serve as its Secretary.

Section 4. Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet a minimum of once every two months.

The Executive Committee may convene special meetings in the following manner:

At the call of the President and at such time and in such place as the President may designate; or,

Upon written request submitted to the President of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee and at such time and in such place as they may designate.

Notice of regular and special meetings shall be delivered by the Communications Director via electronic mail.

Section 5. Removal of Executive Committee Members

The President, at his or her discretion, may remove any non-elected member of the Executive Committee by notifying the Executive Committee in person or by electronic mail. However, in order to prevent abuses of quorum rules, any such removal is effective the day following the President’s announcement.

Section 6. Code of Conduct Committee and Grievance Procedures

As described below, the Elected Officers shall have the authority to create and appoint members to a Code of Conduct Committee to investigate any allegation of harassment involving a club member including, but not limited to, sexual harassment or bullying. The members of the Committee are given the discretion to commence any investigation(s).

1. Grievance Procedure: 

Prior to processing a complaint, the Code of Conduct Committee (also known as a “Grievance Committee”) shall consider whether it is appropriate to hold a “Preliminary Convening”, in order to attempt to bring the parties together in a safe space to address situations face-to face in order to repair harm, promote healing and learning, provided that the Complainant is amenable to such a convening and the Committee considers this approach appropriate under the circumstances.

If such efforts are determined to be inappropriate to the situation presented, or if such efforts are unsuccessful, the Grievance Procedures described below shall be undertaken.

The timelines described below shall be tolled until engagement in the above-described “Preliminary Convening” is concluded or determined to be inappropriate or unsuccessful. If a “Preliminary Convening” is not scheduled within 28 days, the timelines described below shall commence.

1. Code of Conduct  Committee:
2. A Code of Conduct Committee consisting of 5 members, of which the President shall select 2 members and the Vice President, Treasurer, and Communications Director shall each select 1 member, shall be appointed within twenty-eight (28) days of the adoption of this procedure and thereafter 28 days after the election of This Club’s officers. Any position not so appointed shall be elected by the membership at its next regularly scheduled meeting for which due notice can be given. Each member of the Code of Conduct Committee shall remain in office for the remainder of the one-year officer term or until their resignation/removal.
3. None of these appointments can be elected officers of This Club. Alternate members will be chosen to serve by lot in the event a regular member of the Grievance Committee is unable to serve or has a conflict of interest. 
4. Persons appointed to the Grievance Committee need not be members of This Club, provided they are either members of the Policy Committee of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party or Members of the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party or the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.
5. The Grievance Committee may meet in person. Video conference, or by telephone.
6. Meetings of the Grievance Committee fall under the “Member Disciplinary and Other Proceedings Involving the Right to Privacy” exception to the “Policy Statement By the Rules Committee of the California Democratic Party on the Open Meeting Rule” and therefore need not be public.
7. The Grievance Committee shall meet and elect its own chair within fourteen (14) days of the appointment of its full membership.
8. Once a member is appointed, in the event a vacancy occurs, it shall be filled within twenty-eight (28) days of the notice of vacancy by the person holding the same position as the original appointor. In the event the vacancy is not so filled, a member shall be elected by the membership at its next regularly scheduled meeting for which due notice can be given.

 

1. Grounds and Jurisdiction: 

The sole grounds for a member filing a grievance, and the jurisdiction of the Grievance Committee shall be an alleged:

1. Violation of Local, State, or Federal laws or regulations having a direct impact on:

1) This Club, or,

2) the complainant

1. A violation of these bylaws, including the Code of Conduct, is attached as an appendix hereto.

 

iii. Standing: 

Generally, a complainant must be a member of This Club, in good standing, and be directly and adversely affected by the actions or conduct of another member of This Club, in order to file a grievance. However, if the Complainant and/or the Accused are not member(s) of This Club, the Committee shall move forward with the Grievance, provided that at least two members of the Committee deem it to be relevant to the best interests and safety of the Club and its membership.

1. Remedy: If a grievance is found to have merit, it may lead to any of the following:
2. Private Admonishment,
3. Public Admonishment,
4. Suspension of Rights for a time certain not to exceed 6 months,
5. Removal from Office, and/or,
6. Removal from membership.
7. Referral of the matter to another entity, such as another affiliated Democratic Party organization.

v.. Initiating a Grievance: A grievance may be initiated by filing a Written Statement with the Secretary of This Club (or President, if the Secretary is the accused) and the Chair of the Grievance Committee:

1. Setting forth, with as much specificity as possible, the text of the Code of Conduct, regulation, and/or law alleged to have been violated, if this information is known by the Complainant.
2. A statement of facts supporting the allegation, and,
3. The requested remedy.
4. Initial Determinations and Actions:
5. Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the Written Statement, the Grievance Committee shall make an initial determination, based solely upon the Written Statement, subject to change after rebuttal evidence is received, of standing, jurisdiction, and actionable allegations.
6. If it is initially determined that standing, jurisdiction, and actionable allegations are present, the Chair of the Grievance Committee shall contact the accused within seven (7) days of the determination and advise as to the allegation(s), without disclosure of the identity of the complainant, and make an offer of the remedy requested by the complainant.
7. If rejected by the accused, the Grievance Committee shall provide the accused with a copy of the complaint, and request a written response, after instructing the accused not to contact the complainant, during the duration of this process. The identity of the Complainant shall be not be disclosed to the Accused, unless the Complainant actively provides permission of such a disclosure.
8. If, in the determination of the Grievance Committee, the accusation involves a potential violation of criminal law, the complainant shall be advised to contact the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency. This process will continue parallel to any Law Enforcement action at the discretion of the Grievance Committee.
9. The Grievance Committee may, by a two-thirds vote, also make an initial determination, based upon the Written Statement, that the situation warrants temporarily suspending the membership rights of the accused, pending further action.

vii. Confidentiality: The identity of all persons involved in the process, and all information regarding the allegation(s), shall be treated with confidentiality, and protected to the extent possible and will, except as otherwise specified herein.

iix. Hearings:

1. Hearings are not required for the issuance of Admonishments, or Suspensions of Rights, but must be held if the remedy sought is removal from elected or appointed office, and/or removal from membership in This Club.
2. Despite the above, after review of the Written Response, any two (2) members of the Grievance Committee may determine that a hearing shall be held, regardless of the remedy sought.
3. The determination of whether or not to hold a hearing shall be made within seven (7) days of receipt of the Written Response.
4. If a hearing is determined to be required due to the remedy sought, or by four members of the Grievance Committee, it shall be held within fourteen (14) days of that determination.
5. Orders:
6. Orders of the Grievance Committee shall be made within fourteen (14) days of the

determination that no Hearing is required, or, fourteen (14) days of the conclusion of any Hearing.

1. The Grievance Committee may, by majority vote, issue any admonishment, temporary

suspension of rights, or dismissal of the Complaint.

1. The Grievance Committee may by a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote, concurred in by a majority vote of the Executive Board, remove an accused from elected or appointed club office, and/or membership in This Club. 
2. If the matter did not proceed to hearing, the Grievance Committee may only impose a remedy equal to, or lesser than, the remedy sought by the complainant.
3. If the matter proceeded to hearing, the Grievance Committee may impose any remedy set forth herein.
4. At any stage of this process the Grievance Committee may issue an Order Extending Time.
5. If no remedy is imposed within fourteen (14) days of the determination that no Hearing is required, or, fourteen (14) days of the conclusion of any Hearing, the complaint shall be deemed dismissed, unless time has been extended.
6. All Orders shall be sent to the accused in a manner deemed acceptable by the Committee, including by any email is on file with This Club.
7. A written decision shall be rendered at the conclusion of the Process, setting forth the

allegations made, facts determined, and remedy imposed, if any, and shall be sent to the

complainant, and the member who is the subject of the Written Statement.

1. Proof of the date and manner of delivery of any notices required under this Article shall be Maintained.
2. Appeals:
3. The accused may, within fourteen (14) days of the delivery of the Order(s), appeal any

Suspension of Rights, or Removal from office or membership, to the Steering Committee, which shall hear the matter at its next regularly scheduled meeting for which due notice can be given.

1. Admonishments and Dismissals of Complaints are not subject to appeal.

ARTICLE V

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Campaigns

The Executive Committee and all officers shall use their respective powers and influence to achieve a high level of effective participation by the chartered clubs and their members in the campaigns of Democratic Party nominees.

Section 2. Endorsements

This Organization may endorse state ballot measures; legislation; local issues; and candidates, who are registered Democrats, in local, state, national, and special primary or runoff elections and in nonpartisan elections.

This Organization shall not endorse more candidates for an office than the number to be elected for that office.

Recommendation for endorsement shall be made by the Executive Committee upon the affirmative vote of at least 60% of those present and voting.

In a special election run-off where only one Democrat remains in the race, a majority of the Officers may make a full endorsement of such candidate.

The General Membership may delegate its endorsement power to the Executive Committee.

Notice of a meeting of the General Membership shall provide that endorsements will be on the agenda for any endorsements to take place.

Endorsements may be made with or without notice based on a unanimous vote of the General Membership.

Upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Organization present and voting, the recommendation of the Executive Committee shall become the endorsement of this Organization.

The General Membership may, by a 60% affirmative vote of those present and voting, override a recommendation of the Executive Committee and endorse an alternative candidate for the same office.

When a 60% vote is not achieved for any candidate, succeeding ballots may be taken. All Democratic candidates shall be listed on the first ballot in the case of the failed approval of an Executive Committee recommendation.

"No endorsement" shall be an option on each ballot and shall be counted toward the total. If an endorsement is not made succeeding ballots shall drop the name or names of candidates receiving less than 20% of the vote. Where there is no candidate who has less than 20% of the vote, or three ballots have been taken, it shall be deemed that the Organization has made no endorsement in said race.

A "consent calendar" may be used. If a "consent calendar" is used, objection to any one candidate by five members of the Organization present shall cause the candidate objected to be removed from the consent calendar for separate consideration by the General Membership. 

However, in the event that a meeting has 40 or more credentialed members, ten members of the Organization present and objecting shall be required to remove a candidate from the consent calendar for separate consideration by the membership

Section 3. Parliamentary Authority

Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the official parliamentary authority of this Organization on all questions of procedure where they do not conflict with these bylaws.

Section 4. Quorum

A quorum shall be presumed to exist at any properly called Membership Meeting at which:

At least 10 members are present, and

One officer is present, and

One general member who is not an Executive Committee member is present.

ARTICLE VI

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSEMENT PROCESS & PROCEDURES

Section 1. Chartering

The Chair of the Chartering Organization shall have certified the validity of the Charter, and that the Club was chartered and has submitted a roster of members in good standing duly registered as a member of the Democratic Party of California to both the Chair of the Chartering Organization and to the appropriate Regional Director(s). 

The required paperwork shall be submitted to the Chair of the Chartering Organization and the appropriate Regional Director(s) on or before July 15 of the year immediately prior to the endorsement process, or by such date determined by the Chair of the Chartering Organization and/or Regional Director.

Section 2. California Democratic Party Endorsement Membership Provisions

For a member of the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats to count towards the allocation of delegates for the California Democratic Party Endorsement Process:

Must be a member in good standing as of the July 1 of the appropriate year, or by such date as determined by the California Democratic Party.

The member's status shall be certified by the Club’s President, Secretary or Treasurer. 

Section 3. Allocation of Delegates

Club representatives shall be allocated as follows: one representative, resident in the Assembly District and duly registered as a member of the Democratic Party of California, for each full 20 members in good standing registered to vote in the Assembly District who are listed on the roster submitted to the Chair of the Chartering Organization and appropriate Regional Director(s). The President shall select the club representative(s) for each district from the list of submitted members and timely notify the appropriate parties of the selection.

Club members who are members of SFVYD and other clubs may only be counted for representation once. Such representatives must be registered Democrats. 

If a San Fernando Valley Young Democrats member is listed on two or more rosters, the member shall only be counted once and the appropriate Regional Director(s) shall count the name on the roster of the organization which does not deprive another organization of representation. If possible, provided. 

However, if that is not possible, the individual on the roster which was first submitted will be counted unless the individual is listed as a Representative from another organization, in which case the individual shall be counted only on the roster of the organization sought to be represented. 

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS

Section 1. Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at a general membership meeting. Any such amendments shall take effect on the first Monday after the adjournment thereof unless a specific exception is stated in the motion to amend.

When necessary to bring the club into compliance with newly adopted rules of an affiliate Party organization (California Democratic Party, Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, or California Young Democrats), the Officers may ratify an amendment to these Bylaws by a unanimous vote if and only if the required changes must be instituted within 21 days. In such an event, the newly amended language will be strictly limited to changes necessary to comply with the new rules and the general membership will be notified of the changes both before and after the Officer vote occurs.

Last ratified by a vote of the General Membership on August 6, 2022

Last certified by Michael Menjivar SFVYD President, on August 6, 2022

 

This page was last updated on December 11, 2023.