BYLAWS
Article 1 - Name
Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club.
Article 2 - Affiliation
The Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club (“Club”) shall be affiliated with the San Francisco Democratic Party (“SFDCCC”) and the California Democratic Party (“CDP”). The Club shall charter in accordance with SFDCCC Bylaws and Policies and with the CDP’s Code of Conduct in order to be eligible for pre-endorsement conference participation.
Article 3 - Purpose
- Encourage San Francisco residents to engage and participate in local, state, and national politics
- Educate the public about issues of concern to the Jewish Community.
Article 4 - Membership, Dues, Voting
- Any person (1) who is registered as a Democrat, or intends to register as a Democrat upon becoming eligible; and (2) who pays dues in an amount to be determined by this Club's Executive Board, is a member.
- Membership dues shall be payable at any time and shall cover one year of membership. Membership shall be renewable at any time before the expiration of the previous dues.
- Dues shall be set each year in an amount to be determined by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall also have the discretion to establish different levels of dues.
- After 30 days after payment of membership dues, members become members in Good Standing. Members who renew may vote on any matter before the Club once that year's dues are paid. Only Members in Good Standing may vote on Club matters.
Article 5 - Officers and the Executive Board Roles and Responsibilities
- The Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club shall have the following Officers and General Executives referred to herein as the Executive Board: One President, Vice-President of Communications, Vice-President of Political Engagement, Vice President for Membership, Sofer, Treasurer, and three general executives.
- On the first Executive Board, Members in Good Standing may hold more than one Officer position, but shall only receive one vote on matters before the Executive Board.
- The President shall serve as the lead representative of the Club, provide direction to Club activities, chair Club meetings, and shall oversee the process of candidate and issue endorsement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this role shall initially be filled by Co-Presidents (sharing the responsibilities of the office as they see fit).
- The previous President(s) shall act as President Emeritus and provide advice to and mentor the current President.
- At meetings of the Executive Board, each Co-President shall hold one vote.
- The Vice-President of Communications shall oversee the process of correspondence, and any external communications, including the Club’s web presence.
- The Vice-President of Political Engagement works to organize members into action for endorsed campaigns and positions, and encourage and support members to take part in the political process.
- The Vice-President for Membership shall be responsible for member engagement and recruitment of new members.
- Sofer shall serve as parliamentarian and secretary and is responsible for Club meeting minutes, planning and publishing the agenda of Club meetings, and provide expertise in rules of order and the proper procedures for the conduct of Club meetings.
- The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining Club finances and for ensuring that the Club satisfies any applicable reporting requirements.
- Three General Executives who are in good standing according to membership requirements set forth in Article 4. Each Board Member's duties and responsibilities will include:
(1) Attending Executive Board meetings, and special events;
(2) Promoting membership;
(3) Helping with special events with the organization and sale of tickets;
(4) Appearing and representing our Club at other Club's or candidate's events, and
(5) Providing guidance to the Club in all areas.
The Executive Board shall consist of all Officers and General Executives.
Article 6 – Election of Officers and Board of Directors; Term of Office
- Elections shall occur once per year, at a general business meeting. Notice of the election must be given to all members at least two months before the date of the election.
- A candidate for an Executive Board position shall submit a notice of intent and platform to the Executive Board at least one month before a scheduled election. All Members in Good Standing may vote for each position at a scheduled election.
- All candidates must be members of this Club for 90 days prior to the election date. To qualify to run for election for the Office of the President, the person must have served a minimum of one term as an Officer or General Executive of this Club. The qualifications do not apply to inaugural elections.
- If no member has applied for a position, any member may nominate any eligible member for the position at the election.
- Each Officer and General Executive shall be elected by a majority of the members voting in the annual election. In the event that one person does not receive a majority on the first ballot, subsequent ballots shall be taken until a majority is reached. The candidate who receives the lowest vote count on the previous ballot shall be removed from the subsequent ballot.
- Newly elected Officers and General Executives shall take office immediately upon election. Each shall serve for a one-year term. In the event that an office becomes vacant, the Executive Board shall elect a successor by majority vote of the Executive Board, within 45 days after the vacancy occurs.
- Failure to attend more than two consecutive Board meetings may constitute grounds for removal of a member of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board members in attendance.
Article 7 - Endorsements
- A motion for endorsement of a candidate, ballot proposal, or other issue, may be made at a general business meeting and referred to the Executive Board for its recommendation. Notice of a vote on each endorsement shall be published along with the agenda, prior to the voting meeting. Only candidates who are registered Democrats will be considered for interview and endorsement.
- The Executive Board will interview and/or consider candidates, ballot measure, and other issues through oral interview and/or written materials. The Executive Board may provide a recommendation to endorse a candidate, ballot measure, or other issue through an affirmative vote from at least two-thirds of Executive Board Members in attendance for a Club endorsement, except in ranked-choice races.
- After the Executive Board interviews and/or considers a candidate, ballot measure, or other issue, a simple majority of Executive Board members in attendance may motion for a vote of all Members in Good Standing in attendance.
- In races featuring a ranked-choice voting option, the club may provide for a ranked-choice endorsement. Voters will be asked to vote for up to three candidates in ranked-choice elections. The candidate receiving the highest percentage amount over 60% will be our 1st choice. If another candidate receives over 50% of the vote, they will then be our 2nd choice. If a final candidate receives over 50% and less than the 2nd choice, they will be our 3rd choice. In races where multiple candidates receive over 50%, and no candidate receives over 60% of the vote, the top three candidates will be our slate of endorsed candidates, in no particular order.
- All other votes for endorsements shall require a simply majority of Members in Good Standing.
- Before the Club votes to endorse any candidates in a race, any members in attendance may comment publicly.
- After a club endorsement, the club shall promote the slate of endorsements through the Club email list, social media accounts, and website.
- Ballot options shall only consist of official candidates in races for office. In races for measures or propositions, ballots shall include a yes option, a no option, and a no endorsement.
- The name of the Club may not be used by any member to support or oppose candidates and/or ballot measures without a club endorsement.
- Alternatively, the Club may endorse a candidate, ballot measure, or other issue if two-thirds of the Executive Board motions to approve and when given an opportunity, no Members in Good Standing in attendance object.
Article 8 - Meetings
- The Executive Board shall have the power to hold general business meetings and closed meetings.
- A quorum of the Executive Board shall be a majority of its members.
- Any person wishing to address the Executive Board shall advise the Club President in advance of the meeting.
- The Executive Board shall schedule closed session meetings to discuss sensitive and urgent matters.
- General Business Meetings shall be held from time to time at the discretion of the Executive Board.
- Closed Meetings may be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the Executive Board, or upon the written demand of ten percent of the roll of Members in Good Standing.
- The Executive Board shall give written notice, at least seventy-two hours in advance, to the membership for all General Business Meetings.
- Only members shall attend meetings.
- There shall be no proxy voting.
- Except as otherwise specified in these Bylaws, all votes require a simple majority vote of the Executive Board.
- For every vote of the Executive Board, each Officer and General Executive in attendance shall cast one vote.
- The following motions for a vote of Members in Good Standing shall be in order only if the matter has been published to the membership 72 hours’ in advance of the voting meeting:
- Motions amending the Bylaws;
- Motions of candidate or proposition endorsement;
- Motions to rescind endorsement, and
- Motions for dismissal of an Officer or General Executive by a vote of Members in Good Standing
Article 9 – Selection for Representatives at CDP Pre-Endorsement Conferences
- The Club shall provide a roster of Members in Good Standing to the Chartering Authority of the CRP and the Regional Director of the CDP.
- The Executive Board shall select the delegates for pre-endorsement conferences. All delegates shall be Members in Good Standing.
Article 10 – Code of Conduct
- The Club shall enforce the most up-to-date version of the CDP’s Code of Conduct, with all present and future amendments, during all club meetings and events (in-person, on-line or by any other means), its online forums, and when any Officers, General Executives, and members represent the Club in any capacity.
- The Club reserves the right to establish additional codes of conduct, which shall not supersede or conflict with the CDP’s Code of Conduct, including all present or future amendments.
- The CDP’s Code of Conduct, as well as any additional conduct requirements of the Club, as well as procedures for reporting violations to the CDP and the SFDCCC, shall be referenced in all Club notices and made available to participants at all Club meetings and events.
Article 11 - Amendments
- These Bylaws may be amended by the following procedure:
- Any Member in Good Standing may move for an amendment at any general business meeting.
- If a motion to amend is seconded, the motion shall be placed on the agenda for the next meeting
- At the meeting to consider adoption, the proposed amendment must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote of Members in Good Standing in attendance, to be incorporated into these Bylaws.