Bylaws

Progressive Democrats of Benicia Bylaws

Adopted May 15, 2017

Amended and Restated May 12, 2026

I . NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Progressive Democrats of Benicia (hereinafter referred to as the “Club”).

II. PURPOSE

The Club shall focus its efforts in the City of Benicia, Solano County, and elsewhere in the State of California to develop and elect progressive democrats for the California Democratic Party. In doing so:

  1. The Club believes progressive principles are grounded in liberal ideals, such as rule by the governed for mutual benefit, equality in law, legal rights and privileges, and equality of opportunity for all, and that these principles can lead to pragmatic solutions for the needs and concerns of all our communities.
  2. The Club shall seek to elect qualified progressive Democrats to public office who cultivate respect, equity, justice, and the positive recognition of differences.
  3. The Club shall work to promote social, racial, and religious justice, as well as equality for all members of our community.
  4. The Club shall work for environmental justice through environmental policies and regulation that ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all members of our communities.
  5. The Club shall seek to bring members of the progressive community into the Democratic Party and to support the Democratic Party.
  6. The Club shall seek to grow the Democratic Party through voter registration, voter education, campaigning for Club endorsed and supported Democratic party candidates and other activities that strengthen the Democratic Party.

III.  AFFILIATION

The Club is an officially chartered Democratic club with the Solano County Democratic Central Committee.

IV.  MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING

1. Qualifications for Membership and Voting:

  1. All adult members of the Club shall be registered Democrats. If under the age of eighteen (18) years old, they shall declare their intention to register as a Democrat when eligible. A member shall be considered in good standing if their dues are current or have been waived due to economic hardship, and their membership has not been suspended or terminated for good cause.
  2. Members in good standing pursuant to this Article IV, subsections A and B, shall be entitled to one (1) vote per member. However, only members registered to vote in the City of Benicia are eligible to vote on endorsements of candidates for City of Benicia offices and on endorsements of initiatives, referendums, or other matters submitted to the voters of the City of Benicia or relating solely to the City of Benicia.
  3. No member who is delinquent in the payment of dues at the time of any vote shall be entitled to vote.

2. Membership rights

  1. All members in good standing shall have the right to make motions and to vote on any matter brought before the membership, except as described in Article IV, Subsection B.

3. Termination of Membership

Membership in the Club, and all rights of such membership, may be terminated or suspended by vote of the Steering Committee based on any of the following:

  1. the voluntary resignation of a member, provided such resignation is in writing and delivered to any member of the Steering Committee of the Club, sent by electronic mail from the email address the member provided at registration, or received via first class mail at the address of the Club found on the Club’s website;
  2. the death of the member;
  3. the non-payment of dues pursuant to Article V herein and failure to cure said non-payment within ten (10) days after notice of opportunity to cure;
  4. the expulsion for just cause, for any of the following reasons:
    1. Continued disregard for and abuse of the Bylaws and/or standing rules and regulations of the Club;
    2. Interference with the authorized business activities of the Club, elected Steering Committee, elected officers or appointed committees of the Club;
    3. Conduct that brings disrepute upon the Club or the Democratic Party
  5. such member will be given ten (10) days’ prior written notice via email of the termination stating the reason for termination, and provided a timely opportunity to be heard on the matter, if requested by the member
  6. Should a hearing be requested by the member pursuant to Article IV, Section 3(e), it shall be conducted by the Steering Committee at a time and location acceptable to all parties concerned.  Any member subject to termination shall be given a full and fair opportunity to present evidence in their defense, and no termination shall occur without the recommendation of a majority of the Steering Committee’s membership.

      V.  MEMBERSHIP DUES AND ROSTER

      1. Annual membership dues shall be recommended by the Steering Committee, reviewed at the last meeting of each calendar year and presented to the General Membership for approval, however if dues remain unchanged from the prior calendar year, no approval of the General Membership is required.
      2. Membership dues are due on January 1 and payable by January 31 of each calendar year. Dues shall be accepted throughout the year for membership in the remainder of the year but will not be prorated.
      3. New Members shall be entitled to vote on all Club matters sixty (60) days after payment of dues. Existing members or members whose memberships have expired within the last 12 months, shall be eligible immediately to vote on all Club matters upon payment of membership renewal dues.
      4. The Chair or Treasurer has the authority to adjust membership dues based upon hardship or other relevant factors upon application of a prospective or renewing member.
      5. The Treasurer or their designee shall maintain and regularly update the membership roster and shall submit rosters to the California Democratic Party, the Solano County Democratic Central Committee, and other official party organizations as required by those organizations’ bylaws or rules, but shall not otherwise distribute the roster to organizations or individuals outside the Club except as directed by the membership.

      VI.  MEETINGS

      1. Regular Meetings
        1. Regular meetings of the Club shall be held on a monthly basis, the date and time to be determined by the Steering Committee.  Meeting dates, times, and locations shall be changed as needed by the membership or by the Steering Committee, provided proper notice is given to the members of any such change.  Proper notice shall be deemed to be seven days, unless an emergency occurs, in which case notice shall be given as soon as practicable. In the absence of the chair, any two members of the Steering Committee may call a regular  meeting, on notice as specified below.
      2. Special Meetings
        1. Special meetings of the Club may be called by any two members of the Steering Committee, or by chair at any time, on notice as specified below.
      3. Notice of Meeting
        1. Notice of regular or special meetings shall be deemed sufficient by providing notice to all active members via email, such notice to include the date, time and place of the meeting and is given at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.

      VII.  RULES FOR MEETINGS

      1. The Club shall use the newly revised Roberts Rules of Order to govern parliamentary procedure at all official meetings of the organization, except as specifically noted in these bylaws.
      2. A quorum for any official meeting of the Club shall be 25 percent of the membership, or ten (10) members, whichever is smaller.
      3. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the Club may conduct regular business with a vote of 50 percent plus one (1) of the members present at any meeting.
      4. Changes to the bylaws not specifically referenced elsewhere must be noticed to the membership at least one (1) meeting before the vote in question and must be approved by a vote of two-thirds of those present and voting.

      VIII.  OFFICERS

      1. Club officers (Steering Committee) shall consist of chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer. They shall be elected in January to serve a two-year term of office.
      2. If the chair vacates office, the vice-chair shall ascend to the position of chair, until an election is held to fill the chair’s remaining term of office.
      3. In the temporary absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall serve as chair. If the position of vice-chair is vacant, the secretary or treasurer shall serve as vice-chair.
      4. The Chair or the chair’s designee shall be responsible to ensure that all members are notified of Club meetings.
      5. The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records of the Club, be responsible for bank accounts, ensure FPPC/FEC financial reports are submitted on time, maintain and update Club roster, and will provide a monthly financial report at Club meetings.
      6. The Secretary shall maintain all written records of the Club.
      7. The Chair or the chair’s designee shall officiate at all meetings of the Club.
      8. The Steering Committee shall appoint members temporarily to fill unexpired terms of office, subject to election by the membership at the next Club meeting 30 days after the office is vacated.
      9. The Chair may appoint a Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian shall interpret the bylaws and issue Parliamentary rulings at the direction of the Chair, Steering Committee or the membership.
      10. The chair may appoint Club members to serve in other capacities as needed.
      11. Any elected officer can be removed from office by resolution of a two-thirds vote of the Regular members at a General Meeting.
      12. The Steering Committee shall have the authority to act on time-sensitive items as described below:
        1. The Steering Committee shall have the authority to disburse/spend up to $500 (per item requiring expenditure) on general Club business, provided a vote to spend such amount has been taken by the Steering Committee which resulted in unanimous agreement.
        2. The Steering Committee shall have the authority to act on time-sensitive items which require action prior to the next Club meeting provided a vote is taken by the Steering Committee which results in unanimous agreement.
      13. All proposed non-time-sensitive communications sent in the name of the Club shall require a vote by the Club membership in attendance and must have resulted in a majority agreement in favor of the communication content prior to its sending.
      14. Steering Committee meetings should utilize the latest technology to encourage green initiatives and quick action. As such, meetings and votes can be conducted in person, conference call or via email.
      15. The Club general email shall be copied on Club approved communications to ensure records are automatically captured.
      16. Officers of the Club shall serve without compensation, although they may seek reimbursement for any necessary expenses.

      IX.    AMENDMENTS

      These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at a general membership meeting after the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at a preceding meeting.  One (1) week’s notice must be provided in advance of each meeting.

      X.     ENDORSEMENTS

      1. In any election, the Club shall only endorse candidates who are registered with the Democratic Party, unless
        1. No democratic candidate is running for the office
        2. There are fewer democratic candidates running than seats available
        3. The Club receives special authorization from the Solano County Democratic Central Committee
      2. For any position that the Club is considering an endorsement, every registered Democrat running for that position shall be offered an opportunity to appear before the Club to seek an endorsement.
      3. A questionnaire may be prepared by the Steering Committee and voted on by the Club. This questionnaire shall be provided to each Democratic candidate.
      4. A vote of 50% plus one (1) of the membership voting on the endorsement shall be required to receive an endorsement, provided at least 25% of the Club votes in such endorsement election.
      5. The Club may make an early endorsement in any election. An early endorsement is an endorsement that occurs any time before the filing deadline for the position that is to be endorsed. To receive an early endorsement, a candidate must receive 65% of the vote of the membership, provided at least 25% of the Club votes in such endorsement election.
      6. A process for endorsements shall be proposed by the Steering Committee and voted on by the membership.
      7. An endorsement may be rescinded upon a majority vote of the membership, provided at least 25% of the Club votes for the rescinded endorsement.

      XI. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS FOR PRE-ENDORSEMENT CONFERENCE

      1. Selection of Representatives to California Democratic Party (CDP) Pre-Endorsing Conferences
        1. 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 (not a fraction thereof) 20 members in good standing registered to vote in the Assembly District who were listed on the roster submitted to Solano County Democratic Central Committee, the appropriate Regional Director and the CADEM Secretary no later than the date announced by the CDP in accordance with the CDP bylaws
        2. For purposes of this Section:
          1. Only members in good standing, who are registered Democrats, as of the
            date announced by the CDP in accordance with the CDP bylaws, shall be
            included on the roster;
          2. “Member in Good Standing” shall mean a member whose dues are current, or have been waived due to economic hardship;
          3. The status of such members shall be certified by the Club’s President, Secretary, or Treasurer; and,
          4. The Club’s representatives to any particular pre-endorsing conference be from the roster described above and that the overall list of representatives to all conferences adhere to the Equal Division Rule, to the extent possible
        3. Said representatives shall be selected by a majority vote of the Steering Committee.  Only Club members in good standing shall serve as a Club representative at the pre-endorsing conferences. participate in the process.  
        4.  If the Club has endorsed a candidate, it is expected that the Club representative will vote for that candidate.

      Amendment / Adoption Record

      Date Amended & Restated:  May 12, 2026                       

      Certified By    Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Secretary