By-Laws

BY-LAWS OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY YOUNG DEMOCRATS
AMENDED AS OF 02-04-2022

PREAMBLE
The Los Angeles County Young Democrats are dedicated to empowering young people to engage in the democratic process through education, opportunity, and action in order to strengthen our influence in politics and policies that affect our lives.
  
ARTICLE I.  NAME AND CLUB AFFILIATION
Section 1. Name.
a. The name of this organization shall be the Los Angeles County Young Democrats (the "Organization" or “LACYD”).
 
Section 2. Club Affiliation.
a. The Los Angeles County Young Democrats shall be affiliated with the California Young Democrats (“CYD”) and, pursuant to Article III contained herein, the LACYD Executive Board shall appoint a LACYD representative to the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee.
 
b. The Los Angeles County Young Democrats shall be affiliated with the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, and pursuant to Article III contained herein, the LACYD Executive Board shall appoint the LACYD representative who shall be a Valley Stakeholder to the Executive Board of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (“DP/SFV Executive Board).
 
c. Any Democratic club may affiliate with LACYD upon payment of an annual fee to be determined by the Board and upon providing LACYD with a mailing list of the affiliating club's members, which will allow members of the affiliating club to attend LACYD meetings and events and to submit articles and announcements for publication in the LACYD newsletter and email.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility determined by age.
a. Regular membership shall be open to all persons, residing in Los Angeles County, who are at least eighteen (18) years of age and not more than thirty-five (35) years of age who are registered Democrats provided that:

1. If a Member turns age thirty-six (36) prior to August 31 of a given year, that individual shall remain a Member of the Organization through August 31 of that year; and
2. Any officer shall be permitted to serve out his or her term through December 31 of the year in which he or she turns age thirty-six (36).

Section 2. Exceptions.
a. Persons below the minimum age or over the maximum age may be admitted as Associate non-voting members.

b. In the case that a person who qualifies for LACYD in Section 1 above, except they are unable to register to vote, shall be eligible to be a member of the club with written support of two-thirds of the Board.

Section 3. Membership Duration and Dues. 
a. Dues for membership in good standing shall be: $80 for membership through the eligibility period outlined in Article II, Section 1(a) above (“lifetime membership”); $25 for membership through the end of one annual period, as outlined in the subsequent section (“annual membership”) unless the prospective member is currently enrolled student at a high school or college institution, in which case a fee of $10 shall be assessed for annual membership (“student membership”).

b. Annual memberships and student memberships shall be valid through December 31st  of the calendar year during which the member joined and paid dues.

1. Any member who attended the LACYD annual fundraiser and who is otherwise eligible to be a voting member shall be a member for a full calendar year from the date of the fundraiser.

Section 4. Membership Privileges.
a. The following rights and privileges of membership are conditioned upon payment of dues in full:

1. One vote on any general issue considered at any Membership Meeting.
2. One vote in each endorsement for each contested or uncontested race or issue considered at any Membership Meeting, so long as the member has paid their dues in full four (4) days in advance of the meeting. See Article VI, Section 2 a. for exceptions.
3. Eligibility to hold an officer position on the Board after being a member for at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the election and having attended at least three Membership Meetings or Board-designated LACYD events prior to the election.

b. A member must be present at a Membership Meeting to vote. Voting by proxy is prohibited.

Section 5. Membership Meetings
a. The club will have monthly membership meetings as often as feasible for the club.
 
b. There will be monthly meetings at an agreed-upon location.
 
ARTICLE III. OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers
a. Executive Board and LACYD Board

1. The Executive Board shall comprise the President, Vice President of Political Affairs, Vice President of Finance, Vice President for Communications, Vice President of Programming, Vice President of Outreach and Membership, Vice President of Operations, and President Emeritus.  Each of the aforementioned Executive officers shall have one vote at any Executive Board meeting, except however that the President Emeritus shall not have any vote.
2. The LACYD Board will be comprised of the Executive Board, five (5) Non Self-Identifying Female At-Large Board members, five (5) Self-Identifying Female At-Large Board members, 5 Regional Board members representing each of the County Supervisorial Districts, two (2) Labor Board Members, and two (2) College Board Members.
3. The terms “Non Self-Identifying Female At-Large Members” and “Self-Identifying Female At-Large Board members,” as used above and elsewhere in these Bylaws, shall have the meaning given in the California Democratic Party Rules as of November of 2019.

b. Board Meetings and Duties

1. The President or their designee may call a Board meeting by giving at least 48 hours written notice to all officers, although it is preferable to give 7 days written notice.
2. The Board shall endeavor to hold at least one Board Meeting each month.
3. Board meetings can be held in person, or if needed telephonically via a pre-approved conference call.

Section 2. Officers.
a. The standing officers shall be the President, Vice President of Political Affairs, Vice President of Finance, Vice President for Communications, Vice President of Programming, Vice President of Outreach and Membership, Vice President of Operations, President Emeritus, five (5) Regional Board Positions based on the Supervisorial Districts of Los Angeles County, five (5) Female At-Large Board members, five (5) Non Self-Identifying Female At-Large Board members, two (2) Labor Representatives, and two (2) College Representatives.

Section 3. Duties and Privileges.
a. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the organization and shall preside at all Executive Board meetings, Board meetings, and Membership Meetings. The President shall be the appointee of LACYD to the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee (LACDP) and shall represent the organization at CYD Conventions and CYD Executive Board Meetings. The President may appoint any member in good standing of LACYD to represent the club at the meetings of the CYD, LACDP, and the DPSFV Executive Board.  Any such appointment, as well as revocation thereof, shall require majority approval by the members of the Board. In the event that the appointed representative of the Board is not available, the president or his/her designee may vote.
 
b. The Vice President of Political Affairs shall be responsible for coordinating the legislative and political activities of the Organization. The Vice President of Political Affairs shall chair the Political Committee; shall maintain all records of the Organization shall serve all required notices and discharge any other duties at the direction of the President; and shall be responsible for chartering LACYD with the appropriate organizations.

c. The Vice President of Finance shall present financial statements to the LACYD Board at each regularly scheduled meeting and shall handle all disbursements, receipts, banking relationships, FPPC statements, and in general, any bookkeeping responsibilities. The Vice President of Finance will oversee all fundraising for the Club.

d. The Vice President for Programming shall be responsible for coordinating the programming; and membership activities of the organization, planning the annual fundraiser, and for such other duties as the President shall assign.

e. The Vice President for Communications shall be responsible for the Organization’s external and internal communications, and for such other duties as the President shall assign. The Vice President for Communications shall coordinate the regular production and distribution of the Organization’s e-mail newsletter to all Members; and shall maintain a pictorial and record history of the Organization, including copies of all publications, invitations, and other official Organization documents. The Vice President of Communications shall also oversee the update and maintenance of the LACYD’s social media and website.

f. The Vice President of Outreach and Membership shall be responsible for membership recruitment and welcoming new members into the organization. They will also be responsible for engagement activities of the organization, including coordinating the club’s volunteering activities for endorsed candidates, liaising with other Democratic clubs, and for such other duties as the President shall assign.

g. The Vice President of Operations shall be responsible for taking minutes of the Executive Board meetings, Board meetings, and Membership meetings.  The Vice President of Operations shall strive to keep the bylaws of the Organization consistent with the aims and policies of the Organization; shall propose special rules and amendments to the bylaws when necessary; shall interpret the rules and Bylaws when called upon by the President or Board; shall inform members and Officers of procedural requirements of the Organization; and for such other duties as the President shall assign.

h. The President Emeritus shall be a non-voting member of the LACYD Board. The President Emeritus shall provide institutional knowledge and guidance to the Board in all of its endeavors. The President Emeritus is subject to the rules in Article III, Section 3, a., 2.
 
i. The five (5) Self-Identifying Female At-Large Boardmembers and five (5) Non Self-Identifying Female At-Large Boardmembers shall be assigned roles and responsibilities at the discretion of the Executive Board.

j. The two (2) Labor Representatives shall each be a dues-paying member of a labor union or an employee of a labor union. The Labor Representatives shall oversee and serve as a liaison between LACYD and organized labor.

k. The two (2) College Representatives shall each be enrolled as an undergraduate student at a college, university, or community college. The College Representatives shall serve as a liaison between LACYD and Los Angeles County’s college campuses, including the College Young Democrats.

l. The remainder of the LACYD Board will be composed of five (5) Regional Boardmembers. The Regional Boardmembers will serve as regional liaisons between LACYD and their local regions in order to maximize LACYD exposure and integration.  One Regional Boardmember shall be elected to represent each Los Angeles County Supervisorial District, for a total of five (5) Regional Boardmembers.  

m. In addition to the board officer positions described above in this Section 3, any Democratic club that charters with LACYD, shall have the option to appoint one (1) Club Representative that will serve as a liaison between that club and LACYD. A Club Representative shall serve a term of one year, commencing on January 1st and terminating on December 31st, provided however that an individual shall be eligible for reappointment to unlimited successive terms by their club. Any such Club Representative shall be appointed by their respective club by January 1st of the calendar year of their appointed term. Each Club Representative appointed pursuant to this Section 3(m) shall be a voting member of the LACYD Board.
 
Section 4. Appointed Positions
a. The President may nominate additional members to the LACYD Board by the first Board meeting after assuming office. Appointed Boardmember(s) shall be confirmed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the elected officers. If a Boardmember is appointed and confirmed, the Appointed Boardmember(s) will report to the President and shall serve as an officer of the Organization and a non-voting member of the LACYD Board.
 
b. Committee Co-Chair: The President may nominate a Co-Chair to any standing committee by the first Board meeting after assuming office. A Committee Co-Chair shall be confirmed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the elected officers. Upon confirmation, a Committee Co-Chair will report to the Chair of the Committee to which they are appointed and shall additionally serve as an officer of the Organization and a non-voting member of the Board. The Committee Co-Chair shall assist the Chair of the Committee and shall preside over the Committee should the Chair be absent.
 
Section 5. Election & Term of Office.
a. Each Officer shall serve a term of one year.

1. To run for President, a member must have served as an LACYD Boardmember for at least one full term.
2. A member may only be elected to serve as President for two (2) one-year terms. In the calendar year immediately following their elected term as President, unless elected to a second term, the former President shall serve as President Emeritus of the Board.

b. Election for all officers of the Organization shall be conducted prior to the end of the calendar year, or within one (1) month thereof.
 
c. Members in good standing who wish to be considered as candidates for the Board shall submit an application or notice of intent, to be specified and published by the Board, to run for a Board position.
 
d. The Board shall designate a Membership Meeting as the Annual Election and announce the date and time of such meeting at least two weeks in advance. Each LACYD member in good standing present at the Annual Election may vote for one (1) candidate for each of the seven (7) Executive Board positions, one (1) candidate for each regional board position, one (1) candidate for each of the two (2) Labor Representative positions, one (1) candidate for each of the two (2) College Representative positions, no more than five (5) candidates for the Self-Identifying Male At-Large Boardmember positions, and no more than five (5) candidates for the Non Self-Identifying Male At-Large Boardmember positions.  No member may vote for any candidate for any office more than once in any election.

e. The candidate for each Executive Board position receiving the most votes shall be elected. The candidate for each Regional Board position receiving the most votes shall be elected. The two (2) candidates for the Labor Representative positions who receive the most votes, and the two (2) candidates for the College Representative positions who receive the most votes, respectively, shall be elected. The five (5) candidates for the Non Self-Identifying Female At-Large Boardmember positions who receive the most votes, and the five (5) Self-Identifying Male At-Large Boardmember positions who receive the most votes, respectively, shall be elected.

1. In the event of a tie for a Board officer position, a runoff vote of the membership between the tied candidates shall be conducted and the candidate with the most votes shall be elected. In the case of a tie in the runoff vote, the winner of a coin toss shall be declared elected.

f. Any vacancy created by removal or resignation shall be filled by the appointment of the President and confirmed by a majority vote of the Board at the first Board Meeting following such appointment.

g. If at any time fewer than 50% of the Board positions are filled, the Board shall within two weeks hold an election for all Board seats.

Section 6. Resignation and Removal
a. Any Boardmember shall be deemed to have resigned, and their resignation submitted, accepted, and final, without exception, upon:

1. The conclusion of the third Board meeting at which the Boardmember is absent without an excused absence approved by the President, or their designee, at their sole discretion (an “Approved Excused Absence”), having been absent from the two immediately preceding Board meetings without an Approved Excused Absence.
2. The conclusion of the fifth Board Meeting at which the Boardmember is absent without an Approved Excused Absence, having been absent from any other four Board Meetings during the calendar year without an Approved Excused Absence.

b. Any Boardmember may be removed from office under the following circumstances, and in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Removal by the Board.
   1. Notice: Upon the affirmative vote of at least fifty (50%) percent of the elected Officers approving a Petition of Removal of a Boardmember, the Board shall schedule a meeting to decide upon the proposed removal, provided however that the proposed removal may be considered at a previously-scheduled regular Board meeting. A Petition of Removal shall give the reasons for the proposed removal. At least seven (7) days before the scheduled Board meeting, each Officer shall be provided with relevant information supporting the Petition of Removal.  
   2. The Boardmember who is subject to the proceedings shall be given immediate notice of the written agreement described above in Section b(1)(i) of this Article, as well as a reasonable opportunity to respond to the written charges. Such opportunity to respond shall include both a written response prior to or during the Board meeting during which the removal will be considered, as well as an oral response at such meeting.
   3. An Officer subject to a removal proceeding shall be removed upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those officers present at the Board meeting scheduled pursuant to this Section. An Appointed Boardmember subject to a removal proceeding shall be removed upon the affirmative vote of more than fifty (50) percent of those officers present at the Board meeting scheduled pursuant to this Section. Any removal shall be effective twenty-four hours after an approving vote is taken pursuant to his Section. During the twenty-four hours following such a vote, the officer subject to removal may tender his/her resignation, which will cause the removal to be expunged from minutes and a resignation to be recorded instead.
   4. Any Boardmember who is removed or resigns within twenty-four hours of removal shall be ineligible to hold any office in the Organization at any time in the future, unless either three-quarters (3/4) of the elected Officers then in office, or two-thirds of the eligible voting members present at any regular Membership meeting, shall vote to remove such ineligibility.
   5. If two-thirds of the Board does not support the Petition for Removal, the Petition for Removal shall be placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled Membership Meeting
2. Removal by the Membership.
   1. Any member seeking to remove a Board Member shall provide each Board with a written Petition for Removal identifying the reasons for removal and signed by 10% of the total membership, provided however that submission of a Petition for Removal to an Executive Board Member shall satisfy this requirement.
   2. The Vice President of Political Affairs shall verify that each signature submitted on the Petition for Removal is that of a current member prior to the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. If the Vice President of Political Affairs is the subject of a Petition of Removal, the President shall designate a member of the Executive Board to perform this verification.
   3. The Petition for Removal shall be placed on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting. The proposed removal shall be considered by the Board according to the procedure prescribed in the above Section 6(b)(1)(ii-iv).
   4. If the position of President of LACYD becomes vacant for any reason prior to the expiration of that elected term, the Officer who is first on the list in Article III, Section 1(a)(1) shall become President of the Board for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE IV. STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. Appointment.
a. Any member of the Organization is eligible to serve on any standing committee, subject to any restrictions stated herein.

b.  Each Officer on the Executive Board is responsible for creating, chairing, and managing a standing committee to assist them in fulfilling the duties of their role.

c. The President may create Ad-Hoc Committees as they see fit, but only with the approval of a majority of the Executive Officers.
 
ARTICLE V. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Quorum.
a. A quorum shall be presumed to exist at any Board Meeting at which more than fifty (50) percent of voting Boardmembers are present.
 
b. A quorum shall be presumed to exist at any Membership Meeting at which more than fifty (50) percent of the Officers are present.
 
Section 2. Expenditures.
a. No member or Officer may represent him/herself as an agent of the Organization to commit or spend funds unless so authorized by:
 
(1) A majority of the Board at a Board meeting at which a quorum is present; or
 
(2) in the event of an emergency, written approval of two-thirds of the Board.
 
Section 3. CYD Convention Delegates.
a. Should the Organization be eligible to have more than one voting delegate at the CYD Convention, the President shall appoint additional delegates who shall be eligible to represent the Organization upon approval of a majority of the Board. Any Boardmember may motion for the delegation’s vote to be allotted proportionately to the Board’s vote for a specific issue or candidate. All remainder votes from the proportional allocation shall be assigned with the majority vote; or if no majority vote exists, shall be assigned by the President.
 
ARTICLE VI. ENDORSEMENTS
Section 1. Definitions.
a. Endorsement: includes, but is not limited to, any approved use of LACYD's funds, stationery, mailing lists, labels, telephone lists, name, or logo.

1. The Board may approve the use of the mailing list, labels, and/or telephone lists for a non-ticketed, non-fundraising, no-fee event by majority vote at a Board meeting or in an emergency where the President, in conjunction with the Executive Board has attempted to contact all Officers and received the written approval of a majority of the Officers of LACYD without endorsement proceedings.

b. Contested Races: Contested Races shall be defined as all elections where more than one Democrat is seeking office including, but not limited to, partisan primaries, non-partisan elections, Party Officer elections, and State and National Young Democratic elections. Any race for which the last filing deadline has not passed shall also be deemed a Contested Race;
 
c. Contested Issue: Contested Issues shall be defined as any issue that has been placed on a ballot in an election, including, but not limited to, a referendum, proposition, ballot measure, constitutional amendment, or City Charter amendment. Any issue for which the last filing deadline has not passed shall also be deemed a Contested Issue.
 
Section 2. Procedures.
a. Candidate eligibility: Candidates seeking LACYD’s endorsement must complete any additional forms or questionnaires as determined by the Board, such as but not limited to the Young Democrats for Racial Justice Candidate Pledge. 

b. Membership eligibility to vote: Eligibility to vote in any endorsement procedure is limited to any individual otherwise qualified for membership in the Organization after being a dues-paying member for at least four (4) calendar days before the procedure or, if previously a member of LACYD, pays dues on the same day of the endorsement procedure at the increased annual membership rate of $40 or increased student membership rate of $15. No new signups will be allowed on the day of an endorsement procedure or in the preceding three (3) calendar days if the person in question has never been a member of LACYD. Returning members paying the same-day signup rates are also prohibited from signing up in the three (3) calendar days preceding an endorsement procedure.

c. Uncontested Races:

1. The Organization may endorse the nominee of the Democratic Party or the Democratic candidate for any public election between candidates of different parties by a majority vote of those present at a Membership Meeting at which a quorum is present following the close of filing for that office.
   The Organization may endorse a Democrat running unopposed in any general or special election (even in a non-partisan race), by a majority vote of those present at a Membership Meeting at which a quorum is present following the close of filing for that office.
2. In the instance of an election where a sole unopposed Democratic candidate is running, the Board may endorse said unopposed candidate without the requirement of a majority vote by Membership. 

d. Contested Races and Issues:

1. The Board may consider endorsement proceedings for all Contested Races and Issues under the direction of the Vice President of Political Affairs or the Executive Board’s designee. Additional endorsement proceedings may be approved by a majority vote at a Board meeting.
2. The Board shall schedule endorsement proceedings for the next Membership Meeting at which all notification requirements under these By-Laws can be reasonably accomplished.
3. The Board shall convene prior to any Membership Meeting at which endorsements will be considered in order to interview candidates and recommend endorsements to the Membership. A 50%+1 majority vote of the Board is required for an endorsement recommendation at a Board meeting at which a quorum is present.  All Board recommendations received shall be submitted to the Membership for approval by placing it on the Membership Meeting agenda as a “consent calendar.”
4. The Vice President of Political Affairs or an At-Large Boardmember, serving as the Board’s designee, shall make reasonable efforts to give all Democrats, running in each contested election being considered by the Board, written notice of the Organization’s procedures for endorsement of at least seven (7) days prior to any Membership Meeting at which the potential endorsement is to be acted upon.
5. The Vice President of Political Affairs or an At-Large Boardmember, serving as the Board’s designee, shall make reasonable efforts to give organized campaigns representing all sides of a contested issue being considered by the Board, written notice of the organization’s procedures for endorsement at least seven (7) days prior to any Membership meeting at which the potential endorsement is to be acted upon.

Section 3. Endorsements of Legislation.
a. The Organization may take official positions in support of or in opposition to legislation introduced at any level of government which could have an effect on the Members of the Organization or which pertains to the principles outlined in the Organization’s platform.
 
b. The Organization may officially endorse or oppose a piece of legislation upon a motion, second, and majority vote of the Board at a Board meeting at which a quorum is present.
 
Section 4. Use of LACYD Assets.
a. Endorsed Candidates or Issues: The following shall require a two-thirds vote of the Board at a Board meeting at which a quorum is present: approval of the use of LACYD's funds, stationery, and mailing lists.

1. LACYD shall cover the costs of producing mailing lists and stationery as requested by the candidates and position committees and approved by the Board.

b. Candidates other than the Endorsed Candidate in a race where LACYD has made an Endorsement.

1. If LACYD has endorsed a candidate or position, no LACYD resources shall be used by any other candidate or position in that race.

ARTICLE VII. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE & AMENDMENTS 
Section 1. Amendments.
a. These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote at any Board meeting at which notice of the proposed amendment has been provided at least 48 hours prior along with text of the proposed changes (both the update and the original). 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.

Section 2. Parliamentary Procedures.
a. In all matters not contained in these By-Laws, authority rests in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.