Fontana Democratic Club

By-Laws

Article 1.
1. The name of this organization shall be Fontana Democratic Club (FDC).

Article 2.
1. The Fontana Democratic Club exists to foster the ideals and principles of the Democratic
Party, and to encourage Democratic Party activity in Fontana and nearby communities.
a. It shall be the policy of this organization to contribute to the growth of the
Democratic Party and to develop leadership and party harmony.
b. This organization shall comply with the County, State and National platforms of the
Democratic Party.
c. This organization will hear and give audience to all members of the Democratic Party
seeking an office.

Article 3. Membership
1. All members must be registered Democrats except for:
a. Minors sixteen years of age or older who have stated their intention to register as a
Democrat upon the legal age of voting and
b. Persons in the process of naturalization who have stated their intention to register as a
Democrat upon becoming a citizen.
c. Members may be expelled for failing to remain a registered Democrat. Expulsion
shall be by a vote of not less than sixty percent (60%) of those members present and
voting at a regular or special meeting where a quorum exists.
d. Dues shall be set by the Executive Committee. Dues may be waived or reduced by
the Executive Committee for any member for whom such dues shall constitute a
hardship. Dues for students who are attending an accredited institution shall be
one-half of the annual dues for regular membership as long as they remain in school.
e. Member dues are to be paid the first meeting in January. Members whose dues are
more than ninety (90) days in arrears shall have their memberships automatically
terminated.

Article 4. Officers & Elections

1. Elected Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to three (3)
elected Trustees.
2. Officers shall serve a term of two (2) years, or until a successor is elected.
3. Nominations for officers shall be presented by the nominating committee at the first meeting
of this organization in an odd numbered year. An opportunity will be provided for
nominations from the floor. To be eligible for nomination a person must be a paid member,
and must indicate in person or in writing a willingness to serve.
4. The election of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall take place at the
second meeting of this organization in an odd numbered year. If there is more than one
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 candidate for an office, the election shall be held by secret ballot.
5. Trustees shall be elected at the second meeting of this organization in an even numbered
year.
6. If no candidate receives a majority of votes cast on the first ballot, a run-off election shall be
held immediately between the two (2) candidates receiving the most votes.
7. In addition to elected Officers and Trustees, the President may appoint a Parliamentarian, a
Seargeant-at-Arms and up to three Trustees.
8. Officers and Trustees shall take office immediately upon election.
9. Vacancies shall be filled by election at the first meeting of this organization after a vacancy
occurs, with the nomination and election taking place at the same meeting.

Article 5. Voting Procedures

1. Only Members in good standing with the FDC may cast a vote in an election or an
endorsement vote.
2. Members in good standing shall be determined by the Secretary as set forth in the FDC
By-Laws Article VII.
a. Votes may be disqualified if individuals not members in good standing cast votes.
b. The Secretary shall submit the names of members not in good standing to the
Executive Committee and the Executive Committee will disqualify those individuals
from participating in the vote.
c. If the vote has already been taken and the Secretary finds that individuals have
participated are not members in good standing, the Secretary shall report those
individuals to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may void the
vote and reschedule the vote at its’ next regular meeting or set a special meting by
notifying all members.
d. If an ineligible person or persons have voted, the Executive Committee shall review
the tally. If the outcome of the election would not be affected by either removing or
leaving in place the disputed votes, no action shall be taken apart from confirming the
vote. A note for the record will be taken of the matter.

Article 6. Meetings
1. This organization shall have a minimum of four (4) regular meeting per year.
2. A quorum shall be declared at any regular or special meeting attended by twenty percent
(20%) of members in good standing.
3. Proxy voting shall not be allowed at any meeting of this organization.

Article 7. Duties of Officers

1. Duties of President
To preside at all meetings of this organization and it’s Executive Committee.
a. To call regular and special meeting of this organization and it’s Executive
Committee.
b. To act as the chief spokesperson for this organization.
c. To appoint a Parliamentarian, Sergeant-at-Arms, and up to three Trustees as
necessary.

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 d. The Presidents shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
e. The immediate past President shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive
Committee.
2. Duties of Vice President
a. To preside in the absence of the President.
b. To perform duties as assigned by the President,
c. To serve as Acting President in the event of a vacancy in the office of the President
until such time as a special election can be held.
3. Duties of the Secretary
a. To keep records of all meetings of this organization.
b. To keep copies of all formal reports of all officers.
c. To handle all correspondence.
d. To maintain a roll of all members in good standing. Members in good standing shall
mean members whose dues were paid at least 28 days prior to the day of the vote for
an election of officers or endorsements.
4. Duties of the Treasurer
a. To take custody of all funds collected, raised or received by this organization.
b. Shall issue a pre-numbered receipt for all money received.
c. To maintain a bank account for the deposit of such funds.
d. To make disbursements at the direction of the membership or the Executive
Committee.
e. All expenditures must be previously authorized by a motion of the members at a
regular or special meeting or by previous authorization of the Executive Committee,
excepting ordinary business expenses such as postage, printing of membership cards,
meeting notices and annual dues to the County Democratic Central Committee.
f. To report receipts and disbursements at each meeting and present an annual written
report.
g. To see that all checks issued be signed by at least two (2) of the four (4) elected
officers.
h. To see that no more than $50 be expended without prior approval of the membership
or the Executive Committee.
i. Members attending events have 90 calendar days, from that event to submit a receipt
for reimbursement.
j. To complete and submit all reports required by law, the Fair Political Practices
Commission (FPPC) and/or the Federal Election Commission (FEC) forms to San
Bernardino County Registrar of Voters semi-annually. (June 30-December 31).
5. Duties of the Parliamentarian
a. To assist the President by reviewing all dispute parliamentary points during a
meeting.
6. Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms
a. To assist the President in maintaining order at all meetings of this organization
7. Duties of the Trustees
a. Trustees shall serve as chairs of special standing committees. Such committees may
include but not be limited to: Program, Membership, Nominating, Fund Raising,
Publicity, Voter Registration, Precinct Organization, Campaign Coordination,

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 Headquarters, Telephone Tree, By-laws, etc.
8. Removal from office:
a. An officer may be removed from office for absenteeism of disqualification, and a
vacancy delcared, by a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the members in good standing, at a
general membership meeting.
b. The officer to be removed shall be notified of the pending action no less than 21 days
prior to scheduled action by mail to his/her last known address.
c. A Trustee or Committee chairperson may be removed by a majority vote of the other
memgbers of the Executive Committee for absenteeism or disqualification.
(Absenteeism occurs when an Officer, Trustee, or Committee Chairperson fails to
attend three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings without prior notification the
the President or Secretary of the intended absence.) (Disqualification occurs when
the person holding the position fails to perform the duties of the position in an
acceptable manner.)

Article 8. The Executive Committee

1. The Executive Board Committee shall consist of all elected officers of this organization.
2. The Executive Board Committee shall meet between regular meetings of this organization, or
as necessary, for the purpose of planning and directing its activities.
3. The Executive Board Committee shall have the power to act for this organization between
meetings of the membership.
4. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for an
Executive Committee Meeting.
5. The Executive Meeting shall meet each month prior to the membership meeting at a time and
place designated by the President.

Article 9. Conduct of Business

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are
applicable.

Article 10. Amendments

1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote, provided that
the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
2. Amendments to these By-Laws shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Adopted this 22nd day of July, 2006.