BYLAWS

                      RANCHO NORTH COAST DEMOCRATIC CLUB
        

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Rancho North Coast Democratic Club.                                                                            

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this club shall be to foster democratic ideals by stimulating active interest in the Democratic Party, to support the party platform, contribute to party leadership and responsibility, to provide a constructive role for the volunteer in Democratic politics, and to promote an activist base.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY

Anyone registered as a Democrat or, has expressed intent to register as a Democrat, shall be eligible for membership in this club.

Section 2 - GOOD STANDING

Everyone eligible to be a member of this club and whose annual dues are currently paid shall be a member in good standing.

SECTION 3 - DUES

Dues in an amount set by the membership shall be due and payable upon joining the club, and annually at the beginning of every calendar year thereafter.

SECTION 4 - VOTING

No proxy voting shall be permitted.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

SECTION 1 - ELECTED OFFICERS

Elected officers of this club 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

A. President

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the club. He/she shall preside
over all meetings of the club and the executive board; make appointments to other positions as required; act as official spokesperson of the club. In addition, the President should stimulate active interest in the political process, provide a constructive role for the active volunteer; contribute to effective leadership and individual responsibility; promote harmony among the club membership, between other clubs and within the San Diego County Democratic Party.

B. Vice-President

The Vice President shall serve at the direction of the President. He/she shall preside at meetings if the President is unable to do so, or is requested by the President to do so. The Vice-President shall take over the duties of President in the absence of that officer, and is responsible for the annual audit.

C. Secretary

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the general meetings and executive committee meetings, conduct correspondence, maintain the club's records, and be responsible for internal communications.

D. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues, receive and deposit all club funds received; maintain an accurate record of club receipts and expenditures; sign all checks as authorized by the Executive Board; make the record of club receipts and expenditures available to any member when requested; provide a report of the club financial status at club meetings as requested; provide an annual written report of club financial status; make the books and all other financial records of the club available to the audit committee each year in May. In addition the Treasurer shall be responsible for filing appropriate Federal and State campaign disclosure reports.

SECTION 3 - ELECTIONS

Elections shall be held annually. The members shall elect five members to serve on a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall elect at least one candidate for each elective office and report their selections at the next general meeting. At that meeting the floor will be open for additional nominations and a secret ballot will be held. 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 votes shall be declared elected.

SECTION 4 - VACANCIES

Should any officer resign or fail to attend three general meetings or Executive Board meetings in a row without cause approved by the Executive Board, the Executive Board shall declare that office vacant and appoint a successor to that office to complete the unexpired term. Any such appointment shall, however, be approved by the membership at the next general meeting. 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 shall appoint a parliamentarian and any other officers not otherwise specified by these bylaws as required for the general well-being of the club.

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 ten percent of the membership in good standing. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be by a majority of its elected members.

SECTION 3 - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall be the parliamentary authority for the club 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 cause to be deposited in the regular United States Mail a notice addressed to each member of the club in good standing:

 Proposed resolutions
 Endorsements of candidates and/or ballot measures
 Filling of any vacancies
 Proposed amendments to these bylaws

Such notice shall specify the time, place and date 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 club 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. The President shall pre-approve any written correspondence on behalf of the club. The President shall be the sole spokesperson of the club.

SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Executive Board shall include all of the currently elected club officers, and the then current Committee Chairs.

SECTION 3 - MEETINGS

The President shall call a meeting, with advance notice, 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 majority of the then currently elected members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES

The standing committees for the club are as follows: Fundraising/Sales, Speakers Bureau, Membership, PAC, Newsletter, Precinct Organization, Meeting Agendas, Public Relations/Marketing.

ARTICLE VIII - CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS

The club may endorse Democratic candidates in any partisan or non-partisan general election by a 60 percent majority vote at any general meeting.

ARTICLE IX - AFFILIATION

The club shall affiliate as an associate member of the County Democratic Central Committee and pay the current annual fee.

ARTICLE X -  TERMINATION.

Should this club be dissolved, the monies remaining in the treasury, after payment of all obligations, shall be returned to the San Diego Democratic Party.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at a general meeting 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

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

Date: January 10, 1996