Mariposa Democratic Club Bylaws
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Mariposa Democratic Club has been formed for the purpose of encouraging involvement in Democratic politics at all levels. We may provide information, and adopt positions on pending legislation at county, state, and federal levels. We will seek and support candidates for elective office. We will raise funds and promote activities that will encourage interest and participation in Democratic activities. We will provide a forum for discussion and action on matters of interest too our membership. We will join the California Democratic Council of clubs in an effort to add our voices to those of others, in the hope that we may effectively influence the political process at all levels.
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
Primary members, or Members in Good Standing, are those members who are registered as Democrats in Mariposa Cunty and whose dues are paid for the current membership year. Only Members in Good Standing will be eligible for the Club’s Executive Committee, for participation as Club representatives in California Democratic Party (CDP) or California Democratic Council (CDC) activities or inclusion in any rosters of membership submitted to the CDP or CDC. Club representatives to CDP or CDC activities will be chosen by the Executive Committee of the Club.
Non-Primary Members are those members whose dues are paid for the current membership year and who either are not registered as Democrats in Mariposa County and/or whose primary affiliation is with another Democratic Club.
ARTICLE II – DUES
There are four levels of membership in the Mariposa Democratic Club: student, individual, couple, and lifetime, which may be for an individual or a couple. Club memberships and dues are annual, except for lifetime members, and renew each January. Dues assigned to each level are listed on the Mariposa Democratic Club Membership Form and on its website.
ARTICLE III – OFFICERS
The officers of this organization will be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. Term of office shall be for one year with the elections to take place in December and officers to assume office on January 1 of the following calendar year. In the event that an office or position is vacated prior to the completion of a term of office, the Executive Committee will vote for a replacement to serve until the next regularly scheduled election.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers plus up to four (4) additional members to be elected at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Club. In addition, the chairperson, or their designee, of the Mariposa County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) shall serve as a Voting Member. Also designated as a Voting Member will be the current Director of Social Media. The Executive Committee shall determine the number and type of committees necessary for the development and maintenance of Club programs and make an effort to recruit Club members to serve on committees. The Executive Committee and all other committees shall make a report to the general membership at the regularly scheduled Club meeting.
ARTICLE V – RULES FOR CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
This Club shall meet on a regular basis at least 10 times a year. Robert’s Rules of Order will be used as a guideline for the conduct of meetings. Seven (7) members will constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Amendment of the bylaws may be achieved by a majority vote of those members present and voting at a regularly scheduled or special meeting. The membership must be notified of both the meeting date and the proposed change at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled vote
ARTICLE VII – PROXY VOTING
Written proxies will be accepted only in regard to bylaw amendments. For regular meetings, proxies will not be accepted.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
Committees will be formed at the pleasure of the organization and their duties will be determined by their purpose. The President will appoint committee members.
CHANGE RECORD
These bylaws were amended on March 14, 2009 (Dues changed)
These bylaws were amended July 15, 2015 (Article I – Membership – clarified “member in good standing”)
These bylaws were amended December 2016 (Article III – Officers)
These bylaws were amended January 12, 2019 (Article III – Officers)
These bylaws were amended December 27, 2019 (Article IV – Executive Committee)
These bylaws were amended December 12, 2020 (Article II – Dues; Article IV – Executive Committee)
These bylaws were amended May 13, 2023 (Article IV – Executive Committee)
These bylaws were amended May 11, 2024 (Article II – Dues)